My Casual Lady Dress

Just another quick post to share with you My Casual Lady Dress.  I can't say enough great things about this pattern.  It is just so easy and quick to sew up!  Don't ask me what I'm doing in this picture because I'm not really sure!  But hey, at least I look happy!  Oh, and casual, too!

In case you didn't see my post earlier this week, I made a Casual Lady Top a couple of weeks ago that I have been wearing constantly!  I've enjoyed it so much that I snatched up a bunch of fashion knit remnants (that I got for a steal at Joann's) this past weekend so I can make more.

For the dress, I had already purchased this 95% polyester 5% spandex jersey knit.  It is so soft and silky feeling, plus it has just the right amount of stretch to it.  After thinking about this dress for almost a week but not having time to cut it out and sew it up, I finally did just that yesterday.

I'm still learning to sew with knits, and this was my first attempt to sew with this type of poly/spandex knit.  Everything went smoothly when sewing up the seams on the serger (I used a scrap to test my stitch settings first), but when I went to hem the sleeves on my regular sewing machine, I ran into a snag or two.

First, I decided to use my walking foot right off the bat.  I wanted to make sure the fabric didn't slip or slide so that the chevrons would match up along the side seams.  I had used a universal needle for all my other knit sewing to date, but on this fabric, the needle caused stitches to be skipped.  Luckily, I did have a pack of stretch needles (I have no idea where they came from) in my sewing supplies, and that solved one problem--no more skipped stitches.

Next, I wasn't pleased with the final look of a straight stitch for the sleeve hem.  I again used a scrap to test the tension and the stretch of the stitch, and finally I used a very narrow (almost straight) zig zag stitch based on the recommendation of some very smart sewing friends I have.  This narrow zig zag stitch gave the hem just a little bit of stretch with a nice overall finished look.

Before I hemmed the bottom, I tried the dress on and found that it was way below my knee, so I chopped off about 3.5" and then sewed that into a sash to wear around my waist.  I'll make a note on the pattern about the length for the next time I make one.

I promise I'm not mad!  The sun was just so bright!

I love the fit of this dress, especially with the sash tied around my waist.  Again, my talented sewing friends offered up some suggestions on how to make the dress more form fitting which I might try to do on the next one.  In case you are interested, Andrea, the pattern designer of the Casual Lady Pattern and the creative genius behind The Train to Crazy and Go To Patterns, recommended using 1 to 2 sizes smaller than you normally would for a form fitting, curve hugging dress!  Justine from Sew Country Chick suggested trying on the dress inside out and pinning the side seams to make the dress narrow just under the bust.  Then you contour the side seams to cinch in that area under the bust creating a more flattering silhouette.

What else can I say to convince you that this pattern is definitely worth the money?  How about that all the proceeds go to a great cause--the She's Worth It campaign which helps women and girls around the world who are victims of sex trafficking.  You can purchase your copy of The Casual Lady Pattern here.

Oh, and I have to add, my son even complimented my new dress!  That just made my day!

The Casual Lady Pattern

Have you purchased your copy of The Casual Lady Top and Dress Pattern yet?  If you haven't, then you should right away!

My friend, Andrea from The Train to Crazy and Go To Patterns, designed this pattern specifically to help raise money for the She's Worth It campaign.  When you purchase The Casual Lady Pattern, all the proceeds go to She's Worth It to help women and young girls around the world who are victims of sex trafficking.  

I am blessed to have a safe home and environment in which to raise my two children, and I cannot imagine the pain and abuse that so many women and young girls are forced to endure as they are sold and traded.  I hope you'll count your blessings as well and consider purchasing The Casual Lady Pattern to help this worthy cause.

As you can see, I am really working the casual look here!  

I made my Casual Lady Top in about an hour (which is not bad for me since I am still learning to sew with knits).  This top has quickly become my favorite!  I've worn it three times in the past week already!  You'd think I'd have more/better pictures of it, but sadly, I don't!  

My Casual Lady Top is made from a pique knit that I purchased at Joann's.  It has a little bit of stretch in both directions and is very soft and supple.  The only problem I had with this fabric was that it curled or rolled up along the cut edges.  Andrea offers some tips in the pattern on how to combat rolling knits which did help make it easier to sew.

The Casual Lady Pattern includes sizes XXXS - XXL (I didn't even know there was such a size as XXXS), so it's a perfect pattern for everyone!  After looking over the measurement chart, I chose to make a Small, and I'm very pleased with the fit.  The only change I plan to make on the next top I make is to shorten the length by a couple of inches.  

Here's a better shot of the neckline and the cap sleeves.  

I've already purchased fabric to make myself a Casual Lady Dress, too.  Maybe I'll cut it out tonight and sew it up to wear this weekend!  Spring is here and I really do need some new clothes.  Plus, it's about time I sew something for myself!  

Oh, and I also made four zipper pouches for the She's Worth It Campaign.  You can see them here.  

As always, thanks for stopping by!  And if you already own The Casual Lady Pattern or plan to purchase it, please let me know!  I'd love to hear what you think of it.  

Zipper Pouches for She's Worth It

A few weeks ago, I read about the She's Worth It Campaign over at The Train to Crazy.  Andrea was asking her readers to contribute to this cause in an effort to fight human trafficking and slavery, specifically girls and women trapped in sexual slavery/sex trafficking/and forced prostitution.

You can read all about the campaign and how you, too, can help over at The Train to Crazy.

While I can't contribute as much as I'd like monetarily, I was able to sew together four zipper pouches which will be handed out to women and girls who are recovering from enslavement.    These pouches will help show these women that other women care about them and pray for their healing.

I cannot imagine what these women and children have endured, and it is my hope that they will continue to know a better, loving life that is free of abuse.

There's still time to contribute to the cause!  If you'd like to make a monetary donation, you can do so here.  Every little bit helps fund a safe house in Cambodia for at risk children and a sewing project in India for rehabilitating mothers and children.

If you'd like to make a zipper pouch to donate instead, there are tons of free tutorials on the web, or you can use a commercial pattern like I did.  Read more about the pattern and fabric I used here.    Be sure to sign up by following Andrea's instructions.

Teardrop Bag Zipper Pouch & Tissue Holder

Sorry I haven't shared my matching Teardrop Bag Zipper Pouch and Tissue Holder with you until now. I've been very busy these last few days preparing items for a consignment sale, taking care of a sick little boy, cleaning house, and working on my new blog design.  Whew!

But I'm here today to show you the zipper pouch and tissue holder I made to go with my Teardrop Bag.

These two items were very simple to make. I used Simplicity 9949 Bag E to make both; however, I chose to line the zipper pouch (which the pattern does not do).

Nothing fancy here.  Just pretty plan and simple.  I like the size of this zipper pouch--the finished size is 5" x 8"--and I opted to add a loop and button closure to the tissue holder just for fun.

Again, I used Joel Dewberry's Aviary 2 Bloom in Granite and Ironwork in Granite for the exterior and canvas duck cloth for the lining.  Love these fabrics!

Love them so much that I think I'll make another pouch or two out of it for the Make Because She's Worth It Campaign.

If you haven't heard about this already, it's an effort among the sewing/crafting community to help stop human trafficking and slavery of women and girls.  Other bloggers and readers are combining forces to Make zipper pouches and bracelets to give to those women and girls who are rehabilitating from sexual slavery.

I hope you'll consider joining this worthy effort.  If so, please visit The Train to Crazy or the She's Worth It websites for more information.