Sewing: Midi-Length Camoflage Denver Dress

I want to keep sewing with the Pattern Anthology Unbiased Collection! Now that I'm converted to dresses as the easiest way to pull myself together in the morning, I need some more for Fall. I sewed the a-line version of this Denver Dress by Melly Sews for their launch tour and had been on the look for the right fabric to try the straight version, when I came across this funky camoflage knit at Jo-Ann. It was in the red tag section and it is likely in the "love it or hate it" category, but I love it. (You may recall I have a think for camoflage.)

I lengthened the pattern by about seven inches because I wanted a midi length dress. I think it works great with heels, but I've also worn it with a bootie, and I plan to throw on a cardigan and tall boots when the weather is colder.

Now the question is, with the great sweater knits out there, which is the right dress to sew next?

Sewing: Idlewild Knit and the Metro Tee Dress

Hello friends. Like so many of you, I am smitten by the new Idle Wild Knits by Pattern Anthology for Riley Blake. And I was fortunate to receive some of it before it hits the stores (predicted for later this month). 

This knit fabric is "Idle Wild  Triangles" in Blue with some solid navy knit from Riley Blake for the neck tie. It is super soft and even more beautiful in person. Scarlett put it on and asked for pajamas because she wants to wear it around the clock. 

The sewing pattern is the Metro Tee Dress, which I've been designing and playing with for some time now.  I started with a short sleeve, round neck tee shirt for myself and have added a few iterations, such as a three-quarter sleeve for pushing up and a tie neck. Then I decided it would be a great pattern for girls too. And why not include a dress? Which then makes me think, and why not a dress for women too? And that's how it goes, which is why it's still in the works. That and the fact that my three little ladies keep me pretty busy.

Anyway, I was so happy for a chance to sew with this beautiful knit fabric! I'm sure this dress will be one of Scarlett's favorites. I have more of this fabric left so perhaps I'll make a Metro Tee for Tess. And after seeing the clothing popping up on the fabric tour I'm dreaming of the other Idle Wild fabrics and all the things I would do with them.

Sewing: My Little Denim Dress

Some of the trends returning lately have taken a minute to sink in. Jumpsuits, for instance. (I'm on board now.) Culottes took a little less time but there was still a brief pause. The Little Denim Dress however? I was there immediately. I love the look. Chic, casual and comfortable all at once.

Especially if we are talking about stretch denim, which of course we are. 

When I first saw Kelly's Lille pattern, I knew it would make the perfect LDD. While hunting for the right stretch denim (I found this at Hancock Fabrics) I made a Lille in gingham, but I couldn't wait to get to this. 

 I love it. It was nice to sew this pattern again, too, after making a few alterations for fit the first time around. You can find information about the Lille pattern at the Sew What Club. It was the women's pattern for their first month's subscription. 

I decided not to line the dress because I didn't want to interfere with the stretch denim. So I used bias tape to finish the neck and sleeves. This red, white and blue tape had been in my stash for some time. I still want to use it in a starring role but it's my little secret in this LDD.

Another not-so-secret is the fact that I left out the zipper! I thought I'd try to squeeze in the dress with the back seam basted to check the fit before installing the zipper and it went on so easily I decided to stop there. I must admit it's a bit awkward getting it off so I may install one at some point but for now I've just stitched the back closed.

It's been fun wearing this dress with gold heels, but I'm also looking forward to pulling on some boots and adding a cardigan for cooler weather. Maybe a wrap cardigan sewn in a sweater knit. There's one in the pipeline from Delia for this month's Sew What Club subscription and I can't wait.