ANNA AND JENSEN SHIRTS.

I am happy to introduce the Anna shirt by

Wardrobe by Me.

I never thought I would ever sew a button down shirt, but I am so glad I took the opportunity to test the women's and the men's shirts.

The Anna and Jensen shirts are; relaxed fit, a classic button down style, with optional back pleats, short and long sleeves.

I had this beautiful rayon tye dyed fabric for a few years waiting to become, well something. The instructions are very well written, making it rewarding to sew the Anna shirt up. 

Click on the aff. link for more information and pdf copy.

https://wardrobebyme.com/products/anna-shirt-sewing-pattern?rfsn=388327.5a8a7 

The men's Jensen shirt, shown below, was easier to sew up once I had already sewn the Anna shirt.

For the Jensen shirt I used a cotton type fabric, for the collar I used the stand only version with the back pleat. My friend, Orbey, is a tad bit old school and he indicated, "this shirt makes me feel comfortable and classy, thank you for making it for me". Just to hear him say that, I was happy to sew the Jensen shirt for him too.

Both the Ann and Jensen shirts are on sale now for $10.00 each. If you purchase both the Anna and the Jensen together, use code "jensen and anna" for an additional $4.00 off, until 4/28/2019. Don't be intimidated, if you follow the step by step instruction, it is an easy sew.  Click on the aff. link for your pdf copies.

Anna shirt: https://wardrobebyme.com/products/anna-shirt-sewing-pattern?rfsn=388327.5a8a7

Jensen shirt: https://wardrobebyme.com/products/jensen-shirt-sewing-pattern?rfsn=388327.5a8a7



There is also the WBM support group for help. 
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1618036351750483&ref=br_rs

And, there will be a sew-along to join in on sewing the Anna and or the Jensen shirts. Click on the link to join the sew-along.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1514334968693886/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A4%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22%5B%7B%5C%22surface%5C%22%3A%5C%22group%5C%22%2C%5C%22mechanism%5C%22%3A%5C%22surface%5C%22%2C%5C%22extra_data%5C%22%3A%5B%5D%7D%5D%22%2C%22has_source%22%3Atrue%7D&source=4&action_history=%5B%7B%22surface%22%3A%22group%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22surface%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A%5B%5D%7D%5D&has_source=1&fref=gs&dti=1618036351750483&hc_location=group

Click on the aff. link to purchase the Jensen shirt and for more information.
https://wardrobebyme.com/products/jensen-shirt-sewing-pattern?rfsn=388327.5a8a7

The Kate Vintage Tea Dress by Designer Stitch

Kate Vintage Tea Dress

I don't often wear tea length dresses often so I decided to give the Kate dress, by Designer Stitch, a sew. I loved the option of sewing a two piece, the fitted top and the tea length 3/4 circle skirt. I also added pockets and the tie belt, which are options too. The top has an invisible zipper and the easy set in facings is all in one piece, easier to sew.

The trick to getting a nice fitting bodice, is to sew a muslin or toile, which is a must to get the proper fit. the Kate dress has cup sizing too. I made my top out of a rayon type fabric and the for the skirt I used a peach skin woven fabric.

My goal is to sew a Vintage inspired Kate dress in the near future, when I find the right fabric.

For more information on the Kate dress or any other Designer Stitch designs, click on the aff link. Thank  you for reading my Kate dress blog.
http://designerstitch.com/shop/kate-vintage-tea-dress/?affiliates=12

Wardrobe Carma Cami and Love yourself panties

Wardrobe by Me

Carma Cami and Love Yourself Underwear

plus a brief tutorial on the Carma cami with self bra.
On sale now

With code Love 20 get 20% off two underwear patterns.
With code Love 30 get 30% off three underwear patterns.
Sale ends 2/16-2018
Panty and Hipster=$ 9.00 Camisole $ 8.00 

aff link https://wardrobebyme.com/?rfsn=388327.5a8a7

WBM has released Carma Cami and Love yourself undies in 2 variations, the hipster and the undies, with many options. In various sizing, from 0-24. The above picture shows the carma cami and the undies (with no leg bands or elastic). I used cotton lycra and active wear supplex fabric (a lighter weight), and I used both fold over elastic and lingerie elastic for the waist on my different lingerie versions. I used the no leg band or no leg elastic versions. I have found that leg bands and or leg elastic bother me. 

Below is the cami with the undies version.

This picture below shows the cami with the hipster panties.

The hipster version.

The undies version.

The Carma Cami tutorial for the self bra.

I am no expert, but use what works best for me. This tutorial is what I have used to make my self bras for all my carma camis, I  even made a swimsuit top out of the Carma cami.

Shown below, the wrong side of the Carma cami and how the self bra will be when finished.

Under bust elastic, you can use 2" wide or 1" wide, which ever is your preference. Knit elastic is best because it is softer. I used the elastic shown because I feel it gives me better support.

Step 1. Decide how wide you would want the under bust elastic to be. I used a 2" wide elastic because I feel it gives me better support. Measure your under bust elastic minus 1". Overlap the edges to be sewn together using a zig zag stitch, forming a circle and set this aside.

Picture below shows how the elastic has been zig zagged when overlapped.

Step 2. Prepare the Cami as instructed in the pattern, DON'T apply the elastic or foe to the upper edge just yet, as you will finish when you base the self bra to the cami.

Step 3. Cutting another cami for the self bra.

-You'll be measuring yourself for the length you need for the self bra.

- Put the first carma cami you sewed on, then measure from the top of the front Cami to your under bust, then add another 2 1/2" to this measurement (if using 2" elastic) for the overall length. Do the same for the back of the cami, measure from top back to where the under bust measurement for the front was, adding the 2 1/2" to the length. The back measurement won't be the same as the front because the back cami is lower than the front.

-If using a 1" wide elastic, then you would only need to measure

 1 1/2" past your under bust. 

-The extra 1/2" added to the length is for 1/4" seam and turning.

- Once you have the front and back measurements, cut another cami out using these measurements for the self bra. You may need to cut your pattern or print another pattern to cut for the self bra.

-Sew together the front and back pieces of the self bra.

Step 3. Sewing the elastic to the self bra. 

-quarter the elastic that was sewn in the 1st step, and quarter the self bra with pins or marker, to ready for sewing together.

-Once Quartered, begin to sew the elastic to the FRONT side of the self bra, gently stretching (where needed) the elastic to meet up with the self bra fabric from pin to pin, where quartered. You'll be sewing the lower edge of the elastic to the lower edge of the self bra using a zig zag stitch. Once your elastic has been sewn, fold it over to the WRONG side, then sew the other edge of the elastic to the self bra fabric with a zig zag stitch.

Step 4. With WRONG sides together, place the wrong side of the self bra to the wrong side of the cami, matching the edges. 

-Base the top edges of both the cami and self bra, they should line up together all around. You can then proceed with the cami instructions to finish off the top edge with foe or elastic.

Shown below, the right side of the self bra will be against your skin, and the wrong side of the self bra is against the wrong side of the cami. I hope this short tutorial was helpful.

My favorite set, the Carma cami and the undies version.

You can find the Carma Cami and the Love Yourself Undies by clicking on the aff link, thank you.
https://wardrobebyme.com?rfsn=388327.5a8a7

Road test for the Synthia Top

Synthia top 

by 

Designer Stitch Designs

http://designerstitch.com/?affiliates=12

Another fun and romantic design by Designer Stitch. I was happy to test a pattern named after me, I felt honored.

I wanted to sew this beautiful top with ruffles, by using something that would flow, so chiffon fabric was my choice. I knew I had to made a muslin/toile first, to get the proper fit.

I wanted to dress it up with a black skirt, heels, and a clutch for a going out outfit.

I also wanted to sew up a pair of Alyse tapered pants, also from Designer Stitch, to wear as a casual/evening out. I feel I accomplished both outfits to wear either casual or evening.

http://designerstitch.com/?affiliates=12

Vintage Made, the Rockabilly Dress by Designer Stitch.

Rockabilly  Dress 

by Designer Stitch
and Published by Vintage Made Magazine
http://artwearpublications.com.au/magazines/single-issues/vintage-made-magazine.html

Last year I had the pleasure of testing and sewing the Rockabilly dress, a Designer Stitch design. It was such a fun moment to sew, dress up, and have a photo shoot at a winery with a vintage car. The vintage car was owned by my good friend, Noe Diochea, and I thank him so much for the opportunity to use his car. You can find the Rockabilly dress pattern for free if you purchase Vintage Made Magazine #10, which was released December 2017.

http://artwearpublications.com.au/magazines/single-issues/vintage-made-magazine.html

I also was given the opportunity by Vintage Made Magazine to write an article on how to make the Rockabilly Rosette, the same flower I wore with my Rockabilly dress.

Thank you Lynda Worthington for this opportunity. You can find the article on how to make the Rockabilly rosette in the Vintage Made Magazine issue #10, which was released last December 2017. You will also be able to see other testers version of their Rockabilly in the magazine, they all did a great job.

Thank you, Ann Grose, from Designer Stitch Designs, for another fantastic design, xoxo.

http://artwearpublications.com.au/magazines/single-issues/vintage-made-magazine.html

SewSynSewn

Some of what I have sewn
from Designer Stitch Designs

Shown above, the Indu pants

New pattern release. When I first saw the tester call for these pants, I thought, no, I wouldn't wear these, but decided to think outside the box. I am so happy I decided to sew these up. Very comfortable to wear, and received many compliments wanting to know where I bought them. These can be styled many different ways, and come in two versions. 

I enjoy sewing and testing Designer Stitch designs, I feel I can be creative.
Here are some of DS designs I have enjoyed sewing.

Below is the Synthia Top.

Next is the Santi skirt, I made mine out of a jean fabric with contrasting top stitch and a tie belt. I also paired the Santi skirt with the Kat top from Designer Stitch.

The Tanner Culottes, mine were made from a blue jean fabric.

The Frida Dress/Tunic, show here with an applique sewn in, white cotton eyelet fabric, and trims.

The Gyspsy dress/tunic, show here is the hi/low dress version, made from a challis rayon fabric.

Shown below is the Ravanna wrap pants paired with the Ella cami.

The Kristen dress, I just love this dress, made out of a soft peach skin fabric, love how it flows.

Below is the Eleni Top/Tunic/Dress/Maxi, made with a rayon challis fabric.

Below is the Kiera skirt, a fun skirt layered with ribbons.

The willow Kimono shown below, made with a re-purposed silk fabric and rayon fringe and trim.

,

Shown below is the Synthia Top.

 I enjoyed sewing the Synthia, not just because it was named after myself, but because it is such a feminine top that can be dressed up or down. I chose to dress up by wearing a black skirt and heels, and pairing it with a small clutch. I also made the Alyse tapered pants, by Designer Stitch, to have a more casual/dressy look. I feel the Synthia was made to my taste, I love to wear a garment I have made with chiffon fabric, as this one was, it gives a soft look. I specially love to wear garments designed by Ann Grose, she has given a lot of detail and thought into the Synthia top.

Designer Stitch is known for well drafted Pdf patterns, easy to understand and well written instructions. Once you find your sizing with DS patterns, you'll pretty much use the same size in all her patterns. I love DS pattern and being a part of the testing team. Thank you Ann Grose for great designs.

Click on the aff link for your pdf copy and more information on all designs.
http://designerstitch.com/?affiliates=12

Thank you