Twist and Shout with Rebecca Page's Talia Tunic & Twist Top Pattern

Some days I'm dark and Twisty like Meredith Grey.

Other days I want to Twist and Shout (before my back suddenly gives out).

Either way, I really enjoyed making the Talia Tunic and Twist Top patterns.  Together, they enhance what I've been blessed with. Apart...well...they have the same effect. 

The Twist top has multiple arm lengths, and hugs my bust in a lovely way!  

Sewing it up, DEFINITELY read the instructions AND watch the video.  The instructions are a bit confusing at first.  Sewing the second shoulder seam is definitely a lot more confusing than the first. 

That could also be migraine brain getting super confused lately. 

I only needed to take my seam ripper out once before I got the concept. 

I recommend a straight stitch the first time around sewing the shoulder seams...JUST in case. 

I've paired this Twist Top with my favourite pair of Pippa Pants. 

As you can see, the Talia Tunic is the perfect length. 

I'm 5'-2" and didn't hem it - the lovely wonders of soft knit fabrics that don't fray. 

I paired my Tunic above with my Mini Peggy Skirt and one of the last non-me-made leggings in my wardrobe.

This Talia Tunic is a lovely DBP - again, unhemmed and super flowy.  I just love the feel and the drape. 

The front and back gathers along with fabric choice bring this top together. 

The binding is MUCH easier to make than anticipated - the instructions are detailed verbally and with pictures, and you can find the perfect strap length for your body with one quick fit test. 

My final Twist top has 3/4 length sleeves, and is made of a lightweight stretch lace/velvet fabric. 

It has pretty Tardis blue within the black fabric.  

It has been paired with my hacked Slim Cargo Pants. 


Overall, this pattern can be as casual or fun as you like - and I definitely recommend lighter weight knits to keep with the flow. 

A boxier cotton lycra or scuba for the tunic would make it larger and not flow well - but may work well for the twist top. 

Enjoy these quick sews - they'll certainly become staples in your wardrobe in no time. 

Get your Talia Tunic here.

Get you Talia Twist Top Here


Bundle it up Here.

***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!) 

Embrace My Rival! The George + Ginger Rival Dress Sewing Pattern Review

George + Ginger Patterns are one of my fashion go-to patterns when I want to be a bit edgy and different. 

I've seen Kristi (the designer) go from a large PDF Pattern designer to actually designing clothes for Fashion Runways across the Globe.  

And she's STILL designing so us regular folk can still look fabulous!


She brought out an updated version of the Rival Dress in a cool manner - by posting the pattern for Free for 24 hours, and requesting that all who downloaded it made it for testing purposes, provided feedback and final photos, and voila! 

There are so many great photographs from ladies who normally don't have the opportunity to test for Kristi (I've applied 3 times in the past - it's like a brick wall, and honestly, I'm probably just too silly and not trendy enough). I think this is a rather amazing way to test though, and we get to see new faces who perhaps don't have the opportunity to test too often. 

The above shows my newest Rival (circa 2019), and my first Rival Dress (circa 2017).  

Gawd, I take ridiculous pictures!

Anyhow - I love how it hugs my curves in all the right spots, and has POCKETS on the sides - really you can't go wrong with pockets. 

And now with more experience, I notice the side panels are kind of like my first Princess seam experience!

Of course I opted for the hood option - although you can go cowl or regular banded as well - I just like that I can hide out in my hood one minute and be out and about the next. 

Everything is so simple to sew together - there's really nothing complicated about sewing this pattern together. 

I need to hack it into a top - because it would make an awesome hoodie!  

I'm 5'-2", so you can see how short the hem is - it does go well with tights or leggings in the winter (trust, me I did this with my older Rival many times)

I used sweater knit from Water Tower Textiles - and they're perfect together!

So...don't hide out too long, and try sewing the Rival for yourself - it looks great on all shapes and sizes, and is super easy to grade - I currently grade from her size 8 for bust to size 14 for hips and waist. 

Whatever! Halla's Vivianne Cardigan Pattern Vest Hack

Ugh! As if!

My wardrobe lacked a decent sweater vest until last week. 

Yes, I said SWEATER VEST.

Halla's Vivienne Sweater and Cardigan had the perfect fit I was looking for in a Vest. 

I wanted the Clueless look, but a bit looser and more forgiving. 

This sweater pattern comes with a plethora of options: 
- V-neck or button up
- Full or cropped length
- Short or tall bands
- Pleated, Gathered, or normal shoulder seams
- Patch pocket option 

The instructions for the V-Neck are on par and easy to follow without puckering or weirdness that sometimes happens when sewing up a V-neck. 

The plaid fabric from Water Tower Textiles was perfect - with a 2-way stretch and nice woven knit feel, it will be perfect year round. 

I was a bit concerned that the armcycle would gape without proper grading, but it turned out fine - I just guessed at a band size and took 1.5" off the total of the armcycle measurement, and sewed it on as I would any other arm band. 

I top stitched around the armcycle, ironed, and voila!

I love the looser look of this (without being too baggy), and it's perfect to geek or office up my plain tops without being too stuffy and boring. 

So get your Vivianne pattern here - and make 4 or 6 different tops without repeating the style!  And try out my Vest hack so you can bring your geek on too!

***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!) 

Bottoms Up! 5 out of 4's Alice Swim Bottoms Sewing Pattern Review

5 out of 4 patterns honestly hasn't made a swim suit bottom or top that I haven't liked myself in. 

And I really don't like my thighs or behind.  

Alice is the perfect solution to distracting the eyes in a simple way. 

The Alice bottoms come with the following options:
- High rise waistline
- Medium rise legs
- Lined (aka no seams inside!) 
- Flat front option
- Tie front option
- Flounce option
- Maternity ruching option

Side note: These pictures were taken when it was -3 degrees Celsius outside.  My neighbours across the street much think I'm a whack job.  Someone driving by stopped, stared, then started driving again. 

These are things that happen while pattern testing and taking pictures of outfits before the proper season hits, so you lovelies have the opportunity to sew them up in time for the proper season. 

The flounce is SUPER simple, and comes in a high or low flounce option depending how long you want the skirt to be. I found the high flounce was flattering, and I'm almost out of my Bicycle print swim fabric I've been hoarding (and using) for a few years. 

I love the tie front option. It's flattering from the front and side. 

I used swim fabric from Water Tower Textiles and random white spandex from sister's lost stash of fabrics. 

 


I paired my Alice bottoms with the Escapade Bikini top on the left and the Stella bikini top on the right. 

Although different fabric prints, I feel they work well together.  It helps that I tend to stay with the same colour palette for the most part. 

Add some fun to your summer swimwear by sewing up Alice today!

***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!)  

I Have a Confession. I Have a Coat Fetish. Here's My Latest Sewing Pattern Review: The Rebecca Page Andie Anorak

Friend: I LOVE your coat!

Me: Thanks!  IT HAS POCKETS!

That's pretty much my attitude about coats. Pants. Tops. Life.

Pockets make things better - especially on the Rebecca Page Andie Anorak Sewing Pattern!

Andie is a nice coat for layering layers of clothes underneath - but being an A-Line jacket means it doesn't look boxy or bulky.

Options include:
- Detachable hood
- Epilates Optional
- Optional Sleeve buckles
- Optional Oversized Pocks
- Optional Hood Belt  & Buckle
- Hip or Knee Length

I LOVE the inside lining. It's so easy, and everything just pulls through one small side seam, thus minimal hand sewing required to completed this fully lined jacket.

See the pocket!  You can opt to have the pocket cover or not (brain fog - whatever that part is called where the buttons above are - you know the word - welcome to my brain/life).

I did originally order buttons from a new Etsy store, however, the buttons arrived yesterday.  The coat was finished a week and a half ago!  I did manage to find some cute black with gold fleck buttons at Walmart - 3/$1.  I did have to use a few snaps for the hood, as there were only 12 available buttons at Walmart when I went in.

I needed the gold sparkle. You'll find out why soon!

See - I told you - you'd find out soon! 

I've been hoarding this Wizard of Oz cotton fabric for about a year now.  I purchased it at $2.50/metre for a different pattern test final that never continued on beyond the version 1 test phase.  So it's been sitting. And waiting. And Andie came around. 

The turquoise-hunter green cotton fabric is another long time hoard that thankfully goes with the Wizard of Oz emerald/magical feel, and gave me enough fabric for the front panels.

Both were from Fabricland, a local Canadian store that is slowly being weaned out by the online fabric industry.

If you look closely at the top picture, you can see a me-made tag (I printed reversed onto fabric paper, and then ironed it onto twill tape, cutting out each tag - so much cheaper than ordering custom tags online!). 

Also, there is a hanging loop - because every coat needs a hanging loop!

Look at that hood!  And the back yoke!  And that lovely back pleat! 

Honestly, this has to be my best coat ever. And yes, I'm tooting my own horn!  The yoke just brings the A-line framing together.

And my lining and main fabrics are perfectly aligned with no bagginess than I've encountered with my first few coats last year.

Oh - the main fabric - that's also from Fabricland. Purchased for office pants I never made.  And now that our office has become casual dress (except if we're meeting up with our clients/partners), and I work from home 4.5 days of the week - Andie screamed to use up this lovely lightweight suiting fabric.

You can see the shoulder tabs - aren't they cute? 

I was going to do buckles, but for the life of me couldn't find buckles down the street, or online that would ship quickly enough. And to drag my behind to one of the fabric stores that also likely wouldn't have buckles -meh.  Next time I can plan ahead to have everything I need before I need to start the project.

I'd love a longer waterproof version of the Anorak - and walk around with a fascinator on my head, because I feel that's what would really bring this coat all together.

Who doesn't like a good fascinator?

Get your Andie Anorak here, take your time sewing, and make yourself a coat you'll be proud to call your own!

***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!) 

Shout out to the T Dot! Rebecca Page's FREE Toronto T-Shirt Sewing Pattern Review

Did you know that when I was 18, I moved from Ottawa to Toronto, and stayed for 11 years?

And even though I've been back in Ottawa for 11 years, I still consider Toronto home. 

When the Rebecca Page FREE Toronto T-Shirt came up, I knew I NEEDED to create it! 


...And then I did my best Toronto-esque photos possible.

Did I mention this pattern is free?  You can't beat that! 

And a few days after making these lovelies, I was walking from the office for coffee through the mall, and this is definitely THE CURRENT STYLE.

It's a loose fit t-shirt with a short bodice, perfect for layering in any weather! 

Do your best Zoolander look in your Toronto T-Shirt!

You can practice your Tree Pose in your Toronto T-Shirt!

For this particular t-shirt, I mixed up fabric makers - The Fab Clique had a super sale on knit fabrics, so I picked up the back fabric (white with butterflies) for a steal. It's a nice super flowy lightweight cotton lycra


And as usual, the front fabric is from Water Tower Textiles, a lightweight 2-way stretch bamboo fabric.

With the Toronto T-Shirt, LIGHTWEIGHT fabrics are best - otherwise, it will have a boxier look. I prefer the flowy look.

The Toronto T-Shirt is a HOOT!

I paired my Toronto with my hacked Slim Fit Cargos and Strappy Cami.

I normally grade for my hips/waist - from a Medium Bust to XL Waist/Hips - with Rebecca Page Patterns, but with the loose fit of the shirt, I didn't grade, and kept this at a straight Medium.


I'm happy with the non-grading choice - it would of been WAY too flowy for my liking otherwise.

I didn't have to really pay attention to the instructions - this sew is really THAT easy! 

The armcycle isn't tight and perfect for my larger biceps - so all around I'm happy with the comfort level.

The fabric for this top is a loose sweater knit, also from Water Tower Textiles.  A great find as they clear out their winter fabric for summer flair.

And as you can see in the second picture above, the Toronto T-Shirt means getting bored of the Paparazzi .

The side view gives you an idea of what the top is like with a loose knit and no grading - I like it!

And the back drapes nicely over my big caboose.

So all in all, take a chance on this FREE Rebecca Page pattern, and be stylish like you're a true Torontonian!




***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!)