Polka dots and stripes - one more PatternReview Claire wrap dress

I really enjoyed sewing and wearing my maxi Claire dress. I never done a wrap dress before that and I loved the many features on this pattern and the fact that is supposed to work with both knits and wovens.

I did my 1st one in woven and I liked the body of pull of the dress. I've seen quite a few reviews in knit and it sits nicely for the bodice but the skirt don't have the same feel. I just love a fuller skirt.
   I got confident with the pattern and while organizing some of my fabrics I got my hands on this pieces of navy and white stripes and polka dots that I bought thinking of some summer dresses for Eva. I only had 1 meter each so it would not be enough for me for a contrast version of the dress... I really wanted to play with those stripes and loved the coordination between my pieces so I decided to create a skirt + top look of this dress.
   I cut a collar from the polka dots piece but it looked to busy so I decided to finish it without a collar. I almost leaved it sleeveless but I like to have a bit of a sleeve. I tried contrast sleeves and it looked bad. My stripes at the armhole were in 3 different directions so impossible to mach them all. all I could o in the end was some sort of faulty V in the front - not that bad considering my other options.
   I didn't have enough polka dots fabric for the full skirt so the last part of the under lap is a different fabric same shades - just the dots a different size so it might not look so terrible if a sudden breeze come over.
  I am really proud I finished my inside a little nicer this time. I followed the instructions and sewn the back seam on the collar just the upper layer and then pin the other layer with my fabric turned so all the seams trapped inside it and then had sewn the front under collar to the previous seam. I also turned the edges of my front band facings before securing them down. looks a lot nicer then leaved them just serged there.

The stiffer fabric doesn't seam so different for the bodice in term of comfort. The only noticeable difference is in the sleeves. They are a bit tight on certain moves. I don't mind much but a larger one might have been better here.
    I looked so many times at those skinny girls that can wear their shirt tucked in a skirt or pants. I like the look but if I do that I look 2 sized up and I hate it. This is the closes I can get to that. The ties a bit above the waist and the lack of extra bulk from this being just 1 garment not 2 helps.

I haven't bought any new fabric yet and with the 2 Claire dress and 3 3/4 leggings for Eva my debt for this year is 141. Impossible of course but keeping score anyway.

My first wrap dress ever - #107 Claire from PatternReview

I never had a wrap dress. I don't even know why. I stated admire some on PaternReview and even bought a McCall's pattern with good reviews but still haven't even got close to make one until I've seen the new Claire pattern. I haven't knew anything about it being cooked up so it was a real surprise seeing it and I knew it is time to finally make my wrap dress. The tailored details in the collar, the back yoke and the front band spoke to me.

It was then a big questing settling on a fabric. Nothing seamed right. I was really tempted to do a knit one but I wanted something more sharp. Then I wanted fabric that would have it all - amazing print, drape and body ... ha ha.. so weeks got by and i was stated to think my dress will not come soon after all... Until I've seen this fabric in the store and thought it would make an amazing maxi dress Vogue 9253 style. I almost bought the pattern but as nice as I've seen it look on other people I didn't think it would work for me. Then I have this bright idea: What if I make my Claire as a maxi dress - then I wouldn't need as much drape and all would work out great.

   I was lucky I had bought enough fabric - 3,5 m so I didn't had to worry much about it - ofc I could always go and buy a new cut since the store is close and it was a new bolt. I've added 40 cm length so I can wear it without hills. I would have loved a longer version for hills as well but then I got worry I would not wear it or tip in it.

    It got together easy and the sew along on PR forum really helped but i also had the bright idea to use an entire roll of piping on the dress so It took some time to get it together. 

My ties are really long , a little over 2 m I think and piping and turning them took some patience there ..

But over all I am really happy with my dress. I wore it over the weekend and I felt really pretty in it:

 

Plaid Lillian Top and little Pocahontas dress

I was away from my sewing room from the beginning of the year. It was not easy to be away. But life happens and some time is hard to find free time especially with 2 small kids. I was happy last weekend to finally have some time alone and do some sewing. I wanted to start with something easy and familiar so I used 2 patterns that were already open on my table and one of the last year late purchased fabrics. My top id PatternReview Lillian top and Eva dress is from the Pocahontas top pattern from Ottobre :

I made my top without the extra ease on the hip. I think it still makes some unpleasant wrinkles under the arm and I should try and fix that if I will be doing that again. I am just not sure how...I think some sort of bust dart will fix it. I should at least try it.

The fabric is quite unusual. On the outside it looks a bit like Lycra blend knit and on the inside it has a flannel look and feel. I am a bit curious how will behave. It was not hard to sew and it was not expensive so I am happy with it so far.

 Eva's dress is longer and without a tie. I also skipped the neck binding and just turned and cover stitch. I skipped the elastic at the sleeve as well - just cover stitch finish there as well.

She may have liked it a bit shorter and I think it would have been more flattering on her like that. But she is growing so fast so probably it will be shorter soon :).

I also started a new system to help me limit my fabric purchases this year. Every item I sew I get 1 point or so ( maybe more or less sometimes depending on difficulty and amount of fabric used ). To buy a new fabric I need to spend 2 points. So here are my first 2 points for there year and another one for making new curtains for my sewing room :

I have a for other easy tops waiting for some finishing touches and reviews so more points to come soon. Justin time since one of my favorite stores just have a new set of printed knits that have been really hard not to order already...