what I Wore | Denim & Sequin!

My sewing studio is finally set up! wooohoo, now I can get back to sewing. This is what I wore to work today :)

Blazer @ F21

Jeans @ NY&Co.

T-Shirt @ F21

Bag @ Kate Spade

xoxo,

mimi g.

What I Wore | Denim on Denim

I promise to post some PR's soon, Im in the middle of reorganizing my sewing studio and so it is currently in shambles, lol!

F21 Jeans

Banana Republic Denim Shirt

xoxo

mimi g.

What I Wore | Victoria Beckham Inspired

I saved this image to my pinterest a few weeks ago and have been dying to wear the look!

F21 Pants

Steve Madden Glitter Pumps

F21 Smart Blazer

Grey Tee

Coach Black Leather Bag

Tory Burch Sunnies

and my MK Watch

What I Wore | They Call Me Mellow Yellow

Kate Spade Sunnies

Yellow American Eagle Sweater

Skinnies from F21

Heart Necklace from F21

Tory Burch Cable Bracelet & BCBG Crystal Bangle

Coach Earrings, Ring, Necklace & Bangle

I got my boots 3 years ago and I don't remember where..lol

xoxo

mimi g.

DIY Dress: Pattern Review of M5705 View E

M5705 View E OOP

Pattern Description: Short dresses have elastic casings at waist; dresses, E have long sleeves with elastic casings; dresses D, E have hemmed scoop neck finishes.

Pattern Sizing: I cut the 4

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, I have made this dress before but it somehow has gone missing and fortunately I had saved the remnant fabric and t was just enough to make another.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the sleeves and I love the scoop neck.

Fabric Used: Silk Jersey

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None except shorten the hem by 1.5"

Would you sew it again? I might in a black Silk Jersey and turn it into a maxi.


Would you recommend it to others? Yes

Conclusion: Very easy dress to wear and really cute!

I wore it to work today with my leopard boots!

xoxo

mimi g.

What I Wore | Chevron Stripes From Lulu's

What I Wore..

I rarely buy dress like this because honestly they are so easy to make but I knew trying to find the chevron print in this colorway would be hard so I went ahead and bought the dress, I love it!

Dress from Lulus.com

Black Boots

Kate Spade Sunnies

xoxo

mimi g.

What I Wore | Red Pumps & Fishnets!

What I Wore..

Red Suede Peep Toe Pumps: Steve Madden

Polka Dot Bow: Forever 21

Tory Burch Sunnies

Boyfriend Jeans: Express

T-Shirt: Forever 21

ZigZag Ring: Nordstrom

xoxo

mimi g.

DIY: Transforming B5706 Into Fabulousness!

Modifying a Pattern into a Trendy Skirt

Hi Guys!

So I am in love with asymmetrical skirts right now and have been dying to make one but sometimes I get a little "self drafting" lazy and really just want to find a pattern that has exactly what i am looking for, that rarely happens. I am not sure what the deal is but a lot of times commercial patterns come close but never close enough, so I went on a search to find a pattern that I could easily modify into what I wanted and I gotta tell you, I probably spent more time searching then it would have taken me to draft the damn skirt myself, lol!

I finally came across B5706 View C and a light bulb came on! I new I could easily turn this dress pattern into the skirt I wanted and therefore decided that i would document what i did so you guys can see that sometimes you just need to look beyond the pattern to find a gem! I did not do a complete tutorial but I photographed the most important steps and will use the labels below to explain in more detail the picture/step.

Let's begin...

B5706 View C Modified!

Step 1: I cut the tissue pattern at the waist line printed on the pattern and cut the size 8 (cut the size you would normally cut if you were making the original dress) Then I laid my pattern on some paper and drew the outline of the pattern so I had a clear view of the original and could just adjust what I wanted while having a good view of the original.

Step 2: I measured up 2.5" from the CF hem and using my curve ruler I made a new curved hem.

Step 3:  I knew I would be gathering the skirt so I added 8" to the CF fold and drew my knew CF fold. I needed to end up with a square shape at the top so I could get a significant amount of gathers and marked the end of the hem at the SIDES so I could shorten the hem from that point to the CF since I wanted a more drastic drape.

Step 5: I traced off the outline of the back the same as the front. 

Step 6: I added the 8" to the CB.

Step 7, 8 & 9: I made sure to trace the curve of the CB hem so I could add length to the hem by measuring down 9" and creating a new curve. This was so that the CF could be shorter then the original pattern and the back could be much longer.

Step 10: Shows the original CB hem and my addition

Step 11: I made my waistband by measuring my waist, adding a 1/4" for ease and 5'8" to the side seam. The waist band is cut on the fold. I am placing a zipper on the side but if you rather have your zipper on the CB then don't cut the CB piece on the fold.

Step 13&14: Place your patterns on the fold and cut.

*not shown* Sew the sides of the skirt leaving an opening on on side for your zipper and do the same with the lining.

Step 15&16: Place the lining inside the skirt right sides together and pin the hems together.

*not shown* sew the hem all the way around using a 1/4" seam and then turn your lining to inside. Press the hem. Once your skirt is inside out baste the top of the skirt/lining together. Attach your zipper.

Step 17&18: Gather the waist using 3 rows of long stitches.

Step 19: Interface your waistband and press 5/8" on one side. (you will hand stitch this closed when your done.

Step 20: attach your waistband to the skirt right sides together.

Slip stitch your waistband closed and there you have it!

*note* This was a test run so I did not match the side seams because I didn't have enough fabric..LOL

xoxo,

mimi g.

What I Wore | Red Jeggings and Tee

What I Wore..

 Express Jeggings 

F21 T-shirt

Steve Madden Wedges

H&M Gold Necklace

xoxo

mimi g.

DIY Dress: Pattern Review of M6519 View C Modified

I have to really look beyond the pattern envelope pics sometimes to the line drawings because sometimes the pics on these pattern envelopes are awful! I did however find a little gem in M6519 (view c) so here is my review :)

M6519 View C Modified

Pattern Description: Dress has fitted, blouson, slightly gathered bodice. C and skirt D: wrap, right front pleats, back darts and purchased ribbon.

Pattern Sizing: I cut the 6

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes kind of.

Were the instructions easy to follow? They are easy to follow and there are not very many pieces so it actually sew's up rather quickly.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the wrap and the collar and I really liked that is was a little loose fitting at the bodice so that it creates a blouson effect.

Fabric Used: Cotton Jersey Print

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Well as you can see I added sleeves because I did not like the sleeveless look after I tried it on so thankfully I had enough fabric to draft some sleeves but you could use any sleeve from a fitted shirt pattern and make it work to save time. I also shortened it a quite a bit because you know I like it shawt! lol

Would you sew it again? Yes I am going to make it in a solid color.


Would you recommend it to others? Yes

Conclusion: I really love this dress and how it turned out!

xoxo

mimi g.

DIY Top & Pants: Pattern Review on V8688 & V1051

Okay here we go with some reviews! I will do two separate pattern reviews in the same post because I am wearing two items that I made recently and have yet to review. A few weeks ago I made a self drafted dress  that many of you really liked so when i came across this pattern I thought this is the perfect pattern to modify and get the same result from my self drafted pattern so that I could share it with you in case you wanted to make the same top.

Here we go...

V8688 View B Modified

Pattern Description: Close-fitting tops A, B, C are cut on the crosswise grain, have dolman sleeves and stitched hems.

Pattern Sizing: I cut the small because I did not want it to be close fitting if it was going to look like my self drafted one.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? well no not really, lol

Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn't use them since I had altered the pattern I just did it my way.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I liked that it was basic enough so I could easily alter it.

Fabric Used: Striped lightweight DK I found at Mood Fabrics

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: okay so if you saw this dress then it will make more sense what I did to this pattern. First pick a size larger then what you normally would cut ( I normally would have cut this as an XS so instead I cut the S to get the right loose fit) then I knew that I wanted to eliminate the dolman sleeves so I measured 5" from the neck edge towards the shoulder and marked it, then I measured down from that point to the point where the waist starts to curve creating that dolman sleeve and I cut. Then I just took some of the curve out of the sleeve I had chopped off so it resembled a regular sleeve and tapered it to be fitted. I also made the scoop neck a little bigger so I could wear it off my shoulder, then all I did was add 1/4" SA to both pieces. The only other change was that I added a curve to the hem.

Conclusion: I got the same exact look and with minimal effort, love it!

PR: V1051

Pattern Description: Close-fitting tops A, B, C are cut on the crosswise grain, have dolman sleeves and stitched hems.

Pattern Description: Slightly flared legged pants A, B (semi-fitted through the hip) have below-waistline contour waistband with fly zipper closing

Pattern Sizing: 8

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn't use them because i have made these pants at lead 4 times. The first time I read them I would have to say, yes! the instructions are clear.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like this pattern because it is easy to alter/ add or simplify and it always fits great.

Fabric Used: Medium Weight Twill

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: not anything major but I did make them more fitted through the hip and gave them a slightly bigger flare.

Conclusion: I love my pants!

What I Wore

V8688 Top & V1051 Pants

MK Bag w/ Tory Burch Sunnies

DIY Scarf in a Fab Linen Jersey Blend

Tory Burch Cuff

BCBG Bling Bracelet

White & Gold Ring from F21

MK Eternity Band & Coach Bangle

xoxo

mimi g.

DIY Skirt: Pattern Review V8711 View D

Hi Guys!!

I hope everybody had a wonder holiday and I hope that this year brings you all your hearts desires! Now on to some sewing. I had 12 days off of work and I did nothing but sew, I made a total of 14 items!!! yeah 14, There will plenty of reviews going on on this blog :)

V8711 View D

Pattern Description: Fitted, above mid-knee or mid-calf length, mock wrap skirts

Pattern Sizing: I cut the size 6 but had to take in a good 2"

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? I think mine looks better, lol I am not sure why the skirt is not fitted on the pattern envelope.

Were the instructions easy to follow? They are very easy to follow

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the mock wrap and I love the side gathers. I love the length on View D, I think its sexy.

Fabric Used: I used a light weight DK

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I only made one change because after reading the instructions I new that the method of construction would add bulk to the skirt. The pattern has you cut 4 of each front and back yokes and then sewing them together (underlining). This is fine if you are using a very lightweight fabric but since I was using a DK I knew that underlining these pieces would create bulk especially on the gathered side. I opted not to underline my yoke pieces and that worked out fine.

Would you sew it again? I did actually in a tan color.


Would you recommend it to others? YES!

Conclusion: I love my skirt

What I Wore

Steve Madden Wedges & MK Bag

Olive Green Fitted Sweater w/ V8711 Skirt

H&M Gold& Leather Necklace w/ Kate Spade Sunnies

xoxo

mimi g.