Hey Sewists. Long time no see. I inadvertently took quite the break from my blog. I have been busy and this was the easiest thing to temporarily give up to maintain my sanity. I am pretty excited to share some of the things I have been up too over the last 4 months. These are going to be some quick mini-reviews.
First up, I have been doing some pattern testing for few different indie pattern designers. By far, Bella Sunshine Designs is my favorite designer to test for. Her patterns are well thought out and easy to sew up. Melissa and her team run a great pattern testing process. At the end of 2017, I sewed up these Sansa Flare pants. They are super fun. For my final version, I used some gray space dyed activewear knit. Then back in February of this year, I helped test the Eden Legging which fits the same as these flares from the knee up. I, unfortunately, do not have pics of them. I haven’t wanted to take pics of any of my makes this winter. I promise I will share them some other time.
This one isn’t a pattern test, but I was able to help Bella Sunshine Designs with some new updated marketing photos. This is the Maggie Top. It is the perfect basic tee! Perfect!! It is quick and easy to stitch up and I plan on making a lot of these. I just need to find the perfect weight of cotton/spandex knit. For this version I used a pink space dye activewear. I made it to go with my Eden legging and Sansa flares to workout in.
Of course, I have also been sewing and blogging for Cali Fabrics still. This is my version of Simplicity 1317. I got a yard of sequin fabric that I have been using as accents on a few pieces. I am loving these sequins. Check out my post on the Cali blog where I talk about how I altered this pattern to create this look.
My other sequin make for the Cali blog, is this version of McCall’s 7351. It is a shirt dress pattern that I hacked to be a tunic with a high low hem. I still have some sequin left that I will be using down the road. I also have 2 more tops stitched up for the Cali blog that I have yet to photo, so I can’t share those just yet. I am hoping to get them photographed this week so they can be shared soon.
Other than that, I have signed up to be a part of some blog tours. Expect those posts later this week. I am also hosting a couple of Sunday Lately posts later this year.
The thing I am most excited for though, is that I have been drafting patterns! Eric has been working on building me a website and I have been working on all the content for the site and patterns that I will be releasing. I am hoping by the end of this year to have released my first pattern. I am still quite a ways away, but it is becoming more of a reality. My current dilemma is whether I should start with just PDF patterns and build up to having paper patterns or start with paper and PDF from the beginning. What are your thoughts? Which do you prefer to sew?
That’s exciting that you’re starting your own pattern line! I like paper patterns when I can get them, since I honestly find tracing them so I don’t wreck my indie patterns to be less annoying than pdf assembly. But I’ve heard that paper patterns require a large order for printing, and the instant accessibility of pdfs will probably appeal to a broader base to start. I’m looking forward to seeing what you do!