Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Rey and BB-8 Family Halloween Costumes

As we started talking about what the kids want to be for Halloween this year, I decided it was time I shared the fairly elaborate family Star Wars costume theme we pulled off last year.

Louisa (8) was Princess Leia, Leo (6) was Luke Skywalker, and Lottie (2) was BB-8. I was Rey, and AJ was Kylo Ren.

Archer Shirt in Tencel Denim

I've been working my way through the popular Grainline patterns (still have to blog my Morris Blazer that I made last fall) and I am very happy to have finished my first Archer button up shirt. While I have made collared shirts for Leo and A.J., I haven't made one for myself before.

I sewed a size 6 with no alterations. I measured a size 8 in the bust but I knew it was a loose fitting style so I went ahead and crossed my fingers that the size 6 would work, and it does. As a side note, I am definitely interested in trying Liesl + Co's new Classic Shirt Pattern, since it comes with a range of cup sizes... I love to avoid doing full bust adjustments.

Floral Grainline Maritime Shorts

I made my first pair of Grainline Maritime Shorts, a pattern I have been wanting to sew for a while.

I made a size 6 with no alterations and I am very happy with the fit.

Black French Terry Hudson Pants

Over the winter I had my first go at the Hudson Pants pattern by True Bias. I used some black french terry from imagine gnats. It was a little shinier than I expected/wanted, but I figured I'd make them as a wearable muslin since I had never sewn it before.

I made size 6 with zero alterations, mostly on my serger.

Homemade Running Tights (Sewaholic Pacific Leggings)

Finally my two hobbies collide! I promise this isn't going to turn into a running blog. But I do love running, (and sewing), so I decided to try making a pair of Sewaholic Pacific Leggings. I really love the whole Vancouver pattern collection.


The fabric is tricot nylon/spandex blend from imagine gnats. I don't sew with knits all that often, and had never sewn with this kind of slippery swimsuit knit, but it went pretty well. I used her navy and peacock colors. It is "matte" but definitely a tiny bit shiny. But not at all see-through and perfectly thick enough for running tights, although it won't be warm enough for super cold days.

I sewed View B in a straight size 6, but shortened them one inch at the shorten line.

Wiksten Tank vs. Grainline Tiny Pocket Tank

I've made a voile Wiksten Tank before, and it was too big. I never wore it. So this time I made a size small in Cloud 9 Palos Verdes voile.

Ruched Maternity Skirt and Shirt

No one wants to spend a lot of money on maternity clothes that are only going to be worn for a few months, (especially when one is pretty sure this is her last pregnancy.) So, it is tempting to go to Target or Old Navy and just buy some cheap-o pieces and move on. Which, I admit, I have done. But, let's get real—"fast fashion" is bad. Bad for the environment, bad for the American economy, and most especially, bad for the people who make the clothes. Rana Plaza has taught most people nothing. So, with all that in mind, I bought some fab Megan Nielsen patterns and decided to take at least some of my maternity wardrobe into my own two hands.

Gilt Trip Washi Dress

I mentioned in my Weekend Sewing Workshop post that my Washi dress saga started there. Here's the full story and the finished creation. Voila! And at the beach, no less. :)

First, the basics, because this is a long post:

Pattern: Washi Dress by Made by Rae 

Fabric: Dear Stella Gilt Trip in Buds Metallic Navy (with a cheap-o navy lining from Jo-Ann)

Size: Medium, with an FBA and other alterations, including the long sleeves and a partial lining. (Those two things aren't included in the pattern but are available as tutorials on Rae's blog here and here.)

The Short Story:

After three muslins, I had a pretty dress to wear to a dear friend's beach wedding in Nags Head, NC this November. Yay!

Wiksten Tank (Spring Top Sewalong)

Like so many others, I jumped on the Wiksten patterns when they recently became available as PDFs. The patterns get great reviews and I was not disappointed by the Tank.

I used Anna Maria Horner Little Folks Voile in Diamond Mine Sky, and the same in Coloring Garden Dusk for the trim. The pattern calls for the bias trim to be hidden but I folded it narrowly to show off the contrasting fabric.

My topstitching is far from perfect but it isn't too noticeable on the floral print. I also had a hard time getting the hem to fold nicely on that durn curve!

I bought the voile last summer from Fabricworm.com when I was inspired to make a tank like this one (which I LOVED as soon as I came across it on flickr), and of course I never used it til now.

I made a size medium based on my bust measurement but it is too baggy around my middle. Next time I'll definitely taper it in a bit. I know it is supposed to be loose fitting, but this looks maternity (when I am not holding my hands on my hips to keep the poof down). The fit is a little off in the back too with some gaping at the neck.

The fit on this one from the Quilted Tortoise is perfect, in my opinion. She also inspired me to spend the time to match my pocket perfectly!

This is my first entry into Rae's 2012 Spring Top Sewalong. Hopefully I'll get a chance to follow through on a short sleeved Renfrew Top as planned for my second entry!

Sewaholic Lonsdale Dress

I miraculously finished my Lonsdale Dress before the weather got cold, just barely in time for the wedding I was planning on wearing it to. As in, I hemmed it while wearing it on the car ride to the vineyard. (Here we are before getting in the car:)

This was definitely my most involved sewing project, mainly because I made two muslins, and lined it (and lining is not included in the pattern).

This is only the third thing I have made for myself, the first two being Built By Wendy Simplicity 3964 tops, with no alterations. I still love (and in many ways prefer) sewing for my kids, but it was nice to be doing this just for me.

My Lonsdale Muslin Doesn't Fit.

I am not very experienced in sewing for myself. I like to sew for my kids so fit isn't so particular. So one of my goals for this year is to do more sewing for me and tackle some fitting and pattern adjustment challenges that I usually avoid. So here is a big one!

I was pretty excited about making a Lonsdale Dress from Sewaholic, especially after following the sew-along last month. I even bought this fabric, and some pale pink lining, and was hoping to wear my finished dress to an early-fall wedding that is coming up in a few weeks.

I decided to make a muslin since my measurements don't fit the sizes very well. And I decided to make the whole dress, so that I could get some practice before I cut into my Anna Maria voile, which is not a cheap fabric.

It's a good thing I did because the bodice fits terribly! I made the size 8 and here it is with no adjustments...

Yoga Mat Bag

I was excited to make something to hold the fancy new Manduka yoga mat my sister gave me for Christmas. So, my sewing project for the January blizzard became Amy Butler's Nigella Yoga Mat (free PDF pattern here on her site).

I used Full Bloom in coral from her August Fields line. The fabric is home decor weight, and I lined it with a pale pink heavy weight cotton so it is sturdy without any interfacing.

The pockets are just big enough to hold my eye pillow and some extra hair clips.