Friday, November 10, 2017

Kendra dress

The new pattern from Alice and Ann
the Kendra dress
I tested this dress which is the first pattern from this designer.
It's drafted for woven fabric.  I used a linen that doesn't wrinkle.
The pattern is one color skirt and most testers used one
fabric for the whole dress.  I chose to do a 
little color blocking.  The pattern comes with
a hem facing which I changed from 2 inches to 4.5.
Then cut 2 of those instead of one.  I then cut 
4 inches off the bottom of the skirt and attached
the hem already assembled to the bottom of the dress.
No hemming!
I did need to do a SBA but that's it.  Love it!




Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Greenstyle Moxi
Lengthen 



I love the moxi pattern but being over 50
I just dont feel comfortable in 
short shorts.  Been wanting to attempt
lengthening them for a while
and I finally got to it.

First thing you need is the pattern. 
(affiliate link)
For this you will need the front, lower back and 
upper back pieces only

Tape the lower back to the upper back overlapping
by 3/8 inch. Keep in mind the upper back is 3/8 smaller
for the fold at the center back
on a clean sheet of oversized paper draw a line for
the grainline.  line up the lower back on this 
line and draw the original piece as one back piece 
leaving room at the bottom of the paper to lengthen
Take the pattern piece and lower the desired 
amount ( mine is 2 inches) straight down the 
line you drew for a grainline. Trace the 
exact hemline (green line)

Connect the top of the crotch to your new hemline in 
a straight line. Do the same with the side seam
Now do the same with the front piece lowering
straight down a grainline. You want to make sure 
not the make the hemline any wider than the original
pattern.  This picture looks like i did!
 Cut out these 2 pieces and lay the side seams next to 
each other and make sure they line up.  I had to redraw
a little bit
Now I took these 2 pieces and made a mock up.  I'm glad
I did because the leg was too wide.  I ended up cutting a half
inch off the bottom of both front and back at the hem
Ok now you have to make the back shorts back into 
2 pieces.  Lay the original upper back on top of
your new back
You are going to be drawing a new curved line 
that connects to the new hem

Lay the front next to the back at the sides folding
out the seam allowance so you can see the curve
This should be a nice smooth curve
The red line is the one you just drew. Its for the upper back
Draw anothe line 3/8 above this for the lower back.
Trace the upper back onto another sheet of paper 
remember to take off the 3/8 inch at the center back 
and cut on the fold.
then you can cut this pattern on the green line and you
have your lower back pattern

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Anza jumpsuit


This is the Anza Jumpsuit from itch-to-stitch. I've never worn a jumpsuit being 5'9". This one came together with some adjustments for me. I found the waistline to be to high for my comfort. Looks like it was drafted to land right on the natural waistline. I like mine to be lower than that.

After all my adjustments I ended up lowering the waistline 2 inches by taking that away from the rise of the bottom. Then I added that to the top along with 2 more inches for my height. Also added 2 inches to the leg.

LaPaz jacket


I was privileged to test the LaPaz jacket from Itch to stitch.  This testing went very smoothly for me. Most of the other testers did a Hong Kong finish on the seam allowances.

I used Ponte knit for both of mine and I love the fit . This is so my style!

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Greenstyle Midway Bomber

this one was made from Ponte body
and knit sleeves.  I added a piping down
the middle of the sleeve stripe. the bands
were from a stretchy ponte.  this one was 
size xs

I made this one from a heavy lined
faux leather for the body and a 
quilted knit for the arms. I made this one 
from size medium for an outerwear coat.
The sleeves needed a bit more room so 
I added about an inch to the sleeve seam. A 
zippered pocket was added to the sleeve.
It was lengthened by 2 inches in the body and
sleeves were lengthened 1 inch.  It was also 
lined on the inside for more warmth



this is a heavier weight french terry
fabric with heavy ribbing for bands.
I used size small since the fabric had 
little stretch and also lengthened the body
by 2 inches.


This one is made of a stretchy liverpool
border print fabric.  I made it in size small with 2
inches added to body length.  If I was to do it again it would be 
a size xs.  The liverpool needed extra interfacing in the waist
band extensions for body.
5 out of 4 fleece vest

I tested the fleece vest for mens and womens.
This one was made from a sweater fleece
and turned out really sharp


 This one was a heavier fleece that
he wears more for everyday
my vest was made from a textured fleece

Testing for the Greenstyle creations
Endurance Bra
This one has Adjustable straps on the back that can be
crossed over or straight

All have a front zipper



Enjoyed working with greenstyle very much.  This 
was my first testing experience and I was
hooked immediately.  Love the process and love 
this pattern.  Never thought I could sew my
own bra but now its all I wear.  So comfortable 
without the back hook.