Inspiration...T-Shirt Dress

 This inspiration is an every day item.  A basic.

This is the Scuba Mini T-Shirt Dress by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $698.00.  Details: Approximately 36 1/2 inches from shoulder to hem, crewneck, elbow sleeves, on-seam pockets, hem falls above the knee, shift silhouette, invisible back zipper, nylon/polyamide/elastane, hand wash. Model is 5'10".

I love the idea of this dress. A t-shirt dress is perfect for every day. However, the description of this dress seems confusing to me.  It does not seem mini to me and I am okay with that because I do prefer knee length.  The fabric is described as super stretchy with great recovery but it has a back zipper. Personally, I would not go to the trouble of putting a zipper in a t-shirt dress.

As for the pattern, I would say that any loose fitting t-shirt pattern would work. If I make time to re-create this dress using a t-shirt pattern it would probably be this one:

This is the Barrington Boxy Tee by Love Notions.  You get a lot of options with it.  Once it is fitted, all you need to do is add length.  Of course, any pattern that you already own and is fitted is perfect. 

As for the fabric, I am not familar with this particular fabric type.  I do not know if it would actually be cool enough in hot weather.  Do you know?  I would probably use a nice cotton knit but I am certain that I do not have that in the stash. 

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

New Itch to Stitch Pullover PDF Pattern...

 Yes, Itch to Stitch has another fabulous pullover pattern.  Funny thing is I was just thinking that this type of pullover was needed in my wardrobe.  Here is the line drawing:

This is the Itch to Stitch Brisas Pullover pdf pattern.  This sporty pullover gives you princess seams for shaping, half-zip front with stand-up collar.  It has dropped shoulders with classic cuffs and bands.  Two lengths options are offered.

Features:

• Regular and full bust options
• Half-zip front opening
• Stand-up collar (can be folded down)
• Relaxed fit with dropped shoulders
• Front and back princess seams for shaping
• Short and hip-length options
• Bottom band finish
• Sleeve cuffs
• Designed for medium-weight knit fabric

Be sure to check out the testers' versions.  They are wonderful.

The Brisas Pullover pdf pattern will be 20% off through April 21, 2026.  No codes are needed.  If you have been eyeing other patterns, it is a good time to pick them up as part of the buy more, save more discounts will still apply.

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!

Starting Spring/Summer Sewing...

 I feel like I am starting spring/summer sewing late but hopefully, I can get enough items made that I will feel good about my wardrobe this summer.  Here are the intended projects:

1.  Itch to Stitch Vikos Dress - I purchased a 4.4 oz denim thinking it would work for this dress.  However, first wash it looks like a rag.  I am rewashing the yardage with hope that it will look better with the second wash as the iron would not remove the wrinkles.  Ironing did make the wrinkles less obvious but honestly I do not want a dress that needs to be ironed.  Here is the fabric:

2.  Itch to Stitch Quebec Skirt - I purchased a khaki stretch twill with 30% stretch.  I do need to make a top or two to go with the skirt.  Here is the fabric:

3.  Liesl & Co Amera Dress - I purchased a indygo slub stretch denim with 10% stretch.  This pattern will need a muslin before I cut into the fabric.  Here is the fabric:

That seems like a good start with the exception of needing a top to go with the Quebec Skirt. I am sure that there is fabric in the stash that will work.

How is your spring sewing plans going?

I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  Some links in the post are affiliate links.  Should you click the link and make a purchase I will receive a small commission.  Thank you!  Remember with Itch to Stitch, there is a volume discount.

Happy Stitching!

Fabric Shopping in Paris...

 Yes, I had the overwhelming experience of fabric shopping in Paris.  It has been a long time since I experienced anything other than JoAnn Fabrics (rip).  Since the demise of JoAnn Fabrics, I live in a fabric desert unless you count Walmart and Hobby Lobby neither of which carry much in the way of thread.  I admit that I have been sewing with the Hobby Lobby brand.  It seems okay. 

Back to the subject at hand, I picked out two fabric stores to visit.  Both stores were a bit overwhelming and I managed to make it to a third one.  The first store, Marche Saint Pierre, had "coupons" (pre-cuts) all around the outside of the building and they were all 50% off.  I did find a beautiful piece of fabric there:

This is a navy & white floral cotton fabric.  I purchased 1 1/2 meters.  I am unsure what I will make from this.  I wanted to look around more but you had to purchase fabric before you could go upstairs.  Waiting to purchase was about 30 minutes.   I found out later that there was 6 more floors.  

The second store that I picked out was Les Coupons de St Pierre.  This store was all "coupons" (pre-cuts).  I looked but did not purchase at this location but here is a shot inside:

This is a small section of the store.  Yes, under the piles are lots of fabric neatly folded.

Then, I went into store called Tissue Reine.  It was beautiful rows of fabric.  One section of the store was just Liberty of London fabrics.  I purchased a second fabric:

 This is a beautiful pink floral.  The picture does not do justice to the fabric.  It is a Liberty of London Tawna Lawn and I purchased 1 1/2 meters.  It was the best price that I have ever seen on this type of fabric.  It is fabulously silky to the touch.  I do not know what I am going to make with it.  Hopefully, it will not just be petted.  

Earlier in March, I had found some sewing related chocolates in Belgium.  Oh, I really wanted to order them but unfortunately no shipping to the US.  Yes you have guessed it, while touring in Brussels, Belguim we found this chocolate shop.  Because we were with a group we could not stop and shop but my husband took me back during free time the next day.  Here is my Easter candy:

The chocolates are praline half eggs, dark chocolate, carmelized white chocolate, and hazelnut praline chocolate.  

Experiencing Easter in another country was interesting.  France and Belgium have a long weekend for Easter.  Unfortunately, that meant that many shops were closed.  

When I returned home, flowers were blooming:

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Sleeveless Shirtdress

This is a really pretty dress and I have never seen a pattern exactly like it.

This is the Polka-Dot Cotton Poplin Sleeveless Midi Shirtdress by Akris Punto.  Price tag: $1570.00.  Details:  polka-dot printed cotton poplin, draped wrap waist detail, pointed collar, concealed button placket, sleeveless, self-tie waist, side seam pockets, a-line silhouette, hem falls below knee, invisible side zip closure, cotton, dry clean. 

I love the idea of this dress. I am not sure that I would want a dress with so many closure.  I can only assume that the side zip is necessary because the waist does not open with the concealed placket.  To me, the fabric and a sleeveless shirt pattern would be enough for the duplication simply because the ties would be too much to figure out.

Here is a pretty close to my description pattern:

This is Kwik Sew 4155.  Of course it is out of print and would need to be located on the second hand market.

This is the Salome Sleeveless Shirtdress pattern from fabrics-store.com.  

Fabric:

Califabrics has a mini polka-dot in rayon.  This would be nice and drapey.Yardblox has a variety of polka-dot fabrics.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!