skirts

Second Time Around – The Little Dress that Could

Blog, Creatives Create, Style & Fashion, What I Sewed

So let me start off by saying I’m OBSESSED with Cynthia Rowley. I do NOT have CR money but her simplistic cuts, luxurious fabrics, her keen sense of when to puff or ruff(le)… my eye is always drawn to her looks. It’s something about the way she makes bolds look like neutrals and everyday wear. I’m sold. But like i said, she is COMPLETELY out of my price range. When i saw this dress i was sick!

It’s sooooooo cute and quirky. But irl I knew I’d need it a bit longer cuz… booty; so then it became me on a hunt for a similar pattern. Simplicity pattern S8909 came through like a trooper.

Y’all… dress A is practically the Cynthia Rowley dress sans the ruffled hem. AND ITS RAGLAN SLEEVE AND I LOVE A RAGLAN SLEEVE. So in my mind I was like BET! So I had some “tester” fabric in my stash I was willing to make this dress with.

😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐

So…

A few things…

    Prints are tricky. In theory they work on paper and swatch and coquis but irl WHOLE OTHER BEAST
    I’m not a huge pastel girl so this was overwhelming
    Construction was simple enough
    If you’re focused; this dress can be completed and finished in 5 hours

And then this happened. Sizing for your shape is real and this is why pattern grading is clutch. The first run this was all bulk and the hem was entirely too long. This was the antithesis of a vibe and extremely discouraging BUT you gotta learn from your mistakes and often try again. So that’s what I did.

  • I shortened the hem AND bottom ruffle.
  • I went for a more easy bold pattern and made sure it was something I’d be more inclined to wear.
  • Created darts in the back for a more complimenting silhouette

This was it! the second try was a hit.

Though different; you can definitely see the influence and I love that!

What are your thoughts? Would you sew 🧵 this? Would you use a bold pattern or keep it simple?

I hope you enjoyed! Happy sewing!!!

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Reppin Sets

Lifestyle, Style & Fashion

I LOVE sets. Luuuuuuuhdem. They are easy wears they extend your closet. Who doesn’t love a matching set? It’s bare minimum 3 outfits in 2 pieces.

Then add neoprene into the mix and we fancy fancy!

So this set was a super quick sew that I made for resurrection Sunday and to this day, have worn the top again.

This was my first delve into neoprene fabric. When I tell you gorgeous… GORGEOUS! It was a mixture between this brushed faux suede and metallic that PHOTOGRAPHS beautifully

Let’s note a few things about this fabric

  • I got it at Joann’s Fabric it was 27.99 a yard with 40% + addtl 20% off coupon
    I bought 4.5 yards so technically not on sale fabric alone is over $100 😱
    I didn’t use it all “whew”
    This neoprene is two way stretch so you have to mind that when cutting out your fabric
    Neoprene is HOT AS HELL. So there’s that!

This whole thing was a simple sew (1 day) . A tube pencil skirt with pleated peplum and I hand drafted the sweatshirt top from a top I own – inspo blog on that in the next two weeks- and I LOVE IT.

If you aren’t into print; a simple color(s)will work with this also.

I actually plan on making more of these and will have pricing for sets available soon. I will say this style is flattering on most bodies because it really helped create a little shape where I lack. I’m not curvy (hourglass)but a pencil skirt and peplum bottom create a curve illusion.

Also sweatshirt tops are forgiving to the tummy so eat and be cute still!

I’d also like to note that I didn’t have to edit these pictures to bring out the detail of the fabric. That’s just really how crispy and beautiful this fabric is.

Its Me Made May!

Get into it!!!