Inspiration...Knee Length Dress

 I am really starting to look toward spring/summer fashions.  The dress catch my eye because of the big floral design plus it is a causal everyday type of dress:

This is the Floral Cotton Knee Length Dress by Akris punto.  Price tag: $1,360.00.  Details:  crafted from cotton, shirt collar, partial button front, elbow-length sleeves, side seam pockets, hits aaround knee, shift silhouette, slipover style.

It is an easy going dress.  I do not know about fabric.  You might be able to get the effect with applique.  I do have a couple of ideas:

This is the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt.  I made a popover dress using this pattern and instruction from the Oliver & S website.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Stretch & Sew T-Shirt...

I am always trying to find the perfect t-shirt pattern.   You know not too tight.  I guess this is my age showing on me.  I chose to look deep into my pattern stash and pulled out a Stretch & Sew t-shirt pattern from 1990. Here is the  pattern view:

I am going to make View A with long tapered sleeves and regular hems.  Now, I need to figure out the needed size.  I can still wear the t-shirt that I made years ago.  It is a little tight in the belly area.  After a lot of measuring, I decided on a 36 for the shoulder area and a 44 for the remaining body of the t-shirt.  

The pattern requires a 25% stretch.  I found a Walmart cut that I think will work for a test or maybe a wearable muslin.  I am hoping the only thing that will be difficult will be getting the double needle or coverstitch.  This should be a fairly quick project.  Here is the result:

The t-shirt/top is not perfect but it is certainly wearable for an item that I just traced out and stitched.  I had wanted a mock turtleneck but I kept playing with the length and width until it felt right.  So, the neckband is not a mock turtleneck nor it is a typical crewneck.  It is somewhere in between.  

The next time I make this I will need to address the problems - the neckline is a little too high, a full bust adjustment is very much needed, and that back wrinkle.  I am not sure about it.  It seems to be something new but it has shown up on the last two t-shirts that I have made.  It could be a round back alteration needed.  On many patterns, I make a high round back alteration.  I did not on this one.  Maybe the tape measure will provide the answer.

Happy Stitching!

New Itch to Stitch...Elmstead Pinafore pdf pattern

The new Itch to Stitch pattern is a perfect transistion piece.  Here is the line drawing of this wonderful pintafore pattern:

This is the Elmstead Pinafore pdf pattern from Itch to Stitch.   It is a versatile wardrobe staple designed to be worn over a shirt, turtleneck, or t-shirt—whether short sleeve, long sleeve, or sleeveless. Its classic silhouette works beautifully in a variety of fabrics: corduroy for a traditional look, denim for casual wear, or woolen for a slightly dressier style. Perfect for spring or transitional weather, this pinafore combines comfort with a graceful, flattering fit.

Features:

• Designed with cup sizes for a great fit
• Front and back princess seams from the armholes
• Back yoke with optional waist strap for adjustable shaping
• Center front button closure with a V-neckline
• Integrated slanted pockets at the front hip
• Neckline and armholes finished with bias bindings
• Designed for medium-weight stretch woven fabric

Designed for Intermediate sewing level with sizes 00 to 40.

Check out the testers' versions on the blog to see wonderful examples of the pattern. 

The pattern is discount 20% through February 24, 2026 at 11:59 US Mountain Time.  The volume discount still applies.  So, it is a good time to add on any additional patterns that you may have been eyeing.

I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  Any purchases made through the links on this page will result in a small commission at no cost to you.  Thank you!

Happy Stitching!

Jewelry Roll...

  I try to make a small gift of some kind for my niece every Christmas.  I am always late with the gift.  In 2025, I had a great excuse.  I had just had surgery and the sewing room was off limits.  I am just not getting around to stitching the gift.  Here are the line drawings:

Seamwork Ari View B.  This pdf pattern has two versions and I chose the one with all pockets.  Remains to be seen if that is good or not.

Here is the finished jewelry roll:

The pattern is fairly easy to assemble.  The hardest part is installing the snaps on the base of the case.  I have snap pliers and there is very little room to push fabric inside of it.

Overall, I am very happy with how it turned out.  I am planning another one in the near future.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Pencil Skirt

 I think pencil skirts are perfect.  Most people can wear one.  Here is the fanc one that I found:

This is the Pencil Skirt in Satin by Saint Laurent.  Price tag: $2,700.00.  Details:  mid-rise pencil skirt, concealed side pockets, concealed back closure, 87% viscose-12% cupro-1% elastane, made in France, dry-clean.  

To me, that price is shocking for a simple little pencil skirt.  Of course, I am not particular familiar with the satin that is being used but I try to stay away from dry-clean only anything.  There are no pictures of this skirt on a model in full length.  So, I am not sure of the length of the skirt but it does not appear to have a kick pleat for walking which would imply that it is above the knee.  I could be wrong about that but it is really hard to walk in a pegged skirt without the pleat.  The waistband appears to be faced.  I would also make the assumption that there is some type of lining.  Otherwise, I doubt that the fabric would be sturdy enough to wear.  

Here is pattern options:

This is New Look 6544.  This is a faced waist pencil skirt in two lengths plus straight legged pant pattern.  This pattern has a kick pleat.  I would do the long length skirt for the inspiration photo.

This is McCall's M8051.  This pattern has a pencil skirt with five length variations, faced waist, kick pleat.  I would think that View B or C would come closest to the inspiration.  The skirt would need to be pegged.

I am sure that more pencil skirt patterns can be found in re-sale.  The New Look pattern was the only one that I could locate that was similar to the inspiration pattern.  

Do not forget to make a lovely blouse to go with the skirt.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Sewing!