One Stitch at a Time - The 5 out of 4 Patterns Sandra Dolman Tunic Sewing Pattern Review

Never underestimate the power of a woman with a sewing machine. 

There's always sew much fabric and sew little time...but there should be time to sew up the new 5 out of 4 Sandra Dolman Tunic (or Dress)!

The new Sandra Dolman Tunic/Dress pattern has several fun options:
- Tunic or Dress length
- Short or long bottom split bands
- Short or long sleeves
- Optional hood
- V Neck or Crew Neck
- Optional Thumbhole Cuffs

I sewed up my Sandra with some random waffle knit from Water Tower Textiles, and beautiful Double Brushed Polyester (DBP) from Libelle Sewing. 

They mesh together so beautifully, and go well with my 5 out of 4 Zen Pants (also Libelle Sewing fabric - Scuba!).

This top was easy to sew up, and I love the options and oversized fit.  It definitely makes me feel better about the lumps and bumps I don't like about myself. 

And I love that it covers my behind - it's always cold!  

I tested this top out as a layer while closing up our trailer, and the hood made it nice, as the back of my neck didn't get cold, and I looked fashionable while sweeping snow off the trailer roof. 

As you can see, it's not a slim fit top, but has a nice drapey feel to it.  With that in mind, I definitely recommend a lightweight fabric such as the Waffle KNit or light Sweater knit to prevent a weird boxy feel. 

Get your pattern here, and sew it up for all seasons!

**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!) 

The 5 out of 4 Weekender Tunic - Comfort Every Day of the Week!

Dear Weekender, 

I like you.

Love, Me.

I've had 5 out of 4's Weekender Tunic pattern in my to-make stash for eons, just waiting for the right fabric. 

When I met Libelle Sewing's Denim Cable Knit Fabric, the Weekender was ready. 

With a lovely light drape, but warm enough to keep me cozy in the house that manages to continually drop to 18 degrees Celsius (64 Fahrenheit).

 


The Weekender pattern has a plethora of options:
- Short or long sleeves
- Loose or skinny sleeves
- Thumb hole cuffs, hemmed, or rolled sleeves
- Hood, funnel neck, crew neck or scoop neck
- Placket with lace up detail option
- Regular, high-low, or banded hem

I opted for long loose sleeves, hemmed sleeves, hood, and regular hem. And it's perfect!  

I didn't shorten the length, and LOVE that it covers my behind - my hips and bum always get cold, so longer length is the perfect solution. 

 


Even Husband commented on how good this sweater looks on me and says I need to make more - so that says volumes!

Now I need to stock up on more cable knit and make myself every variation of the Weekender to keep me toasty and fashionable this long Canadian Winter. 

Grab your Weekender Pattern 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!) 

5 out of 4 Pattern's Plentiful Piper Peplum (and Dress) Sewing Pattern

The 5 out of 4 Piper Pattern is great for beginner or advanced sewists.  

It offers a plethora of options, that make it perfect 365 days of the year!

- Peplum or Hanky Top length
- Dress Length 
- Pockets
- Hood
- Cowl
- Regular Neckline
- Thumbhole Cuffs (banded, or plain options too!)
- Sleeveless, Short, 3/4, or long length sleeves

For my first version, I opted for Peplum length with Thumbhole Cuffs and a Cowl Neck.  

Now, I DID put pockets into the Peplum, but cut a good 3/4-1" off the bottom of the pocket curve, and it worked!  It's enough room for my iPhone, change, and even a snack (because, SNACKS)!

I love the flare of the skirt, and the drape of the cowl. Both were easy to sew up, and fit me perfectly first time around. 

 

I used some sort of lightweight knit fabric and cotton lycra from Water Tower Textiles for this version - all light and airy - but definitely a fall and winter wear with the longer sleeves. 

 

My second version has a hood (of course!), to which I used a soft sweater knit and french terry fabrics - also from Water Tower Textiles. 

It's like a hoodie, but fancy and feminine. I LOVE it. 

Again, the peplum sits at my natural waist, I didn't shorten anything (I'm 5-2", and love length on my tops), and it fits like a nice glove. 

 

No seam rippers or bad words were used in the making of these tops.  And I can't wait to make one (or three) for each season! 

The dress version is so pretty if you're a dress person - and the hanky hem is planned for my next Piper Top. 

Overall, I LOVE the options available, and it's the perfect pattern for any level of sewist. 

Get your Piper Here, and share on the 5 out of 4 Facebook Page once you're done - fan fare from the Pied Piper will ensue!

***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!) 

Sewing Pattern Review: 5 out of 4's Jenny Cross Front Tunic

Don't be fooled by the patterns that I got

I'm still, I'm still Jenny from the sewing block. 

Ok. I'm really bad at writing lyrics - especially remaking existing lyrics (aka Jenny from the Block). 

Don't hold that against me. 

My name's not Jenny, but I really do have the hottest pattern around! 

I recently sewed up the Jenny Cross Front Tunic by 5 out of 4 patterns, and it's love. 

Jenny's features include:

- Dolman sleeves (without batwing action)

- FBA pattern pieces included

- Short or long sleeves

- Curved or straight back hem

- Modesty tank with two hemlines (that is a GREAT layering or solo tank too!)

- Sizes XXS to 5XL

 My long sleeved version has a straight hem - and it looks fab paired with my office-professional styled Zen Pants 

 The cross at the front is flattering - and easy to fit to perfection by following the detailed instructions - baste your side seams, try on the top, and adjust as required for the most flattering fit for your body. 

There is an option to baste the front where the bust is, but apparently I like to let it all out. 

 I blended together a Sweater Knit and Double Brushed Poly Fabrics from Water Tower Textiles - and despite the fabric weight difference, as they are both looser fabrics, they meshed quite well.  

 The side is just awesome and flattering! 

Although I am 5'-2", I did not alter the height - the only alteration I did was make the front piece straight Small and the back graded to Large - I seem to have to do this with the last few 5 out of 4 patterns thanks to my atrophied caboose. 

Here's hoping my Vestibular Therapist can help me enough that I can get back into Cycling and get my behind into gear and proper shape!  Until then, my Beachbody on Demand and Yin yoga (with the Yoga Ranger) will help me with my strength and balance. 

 My second top was the short sleeved version.

I took these pictures while it was -25 Celsius outside (-13 Fahrenheit) 

 I did the curved hem on this version - you can see it covers my entire caboose.

 I just love how this sits.  Again, I only adjusted at the side seams as I did with the previous long sleeved top. I like tops to sit at or below my low hips. 

 The fabrics used were also from Water Tower Textiles - a really light sweater knit (that I've made a gazillion garments from as it's been on super sale for months), and a lightweight 2-way stretch cotton knit of sorts. 

 The sweater knit does poof up a bit at the back due to the new wonder tape I used for hemming (it is that plasticy kind - not the normal wash away tape I use). Apparently Amazon's descriptions of things has changed on their sewing bits & bobs lately. 

Finally - I made the tanks - I did make two, but my tangerine one from DBP (with fleece back!) was in the wash. 

 This top is pretty amazing. And super quick to sew up. 

No adjustments were made - I used my normal grading for both the front and back- Small bust to Large Hips. 

This top stays down, and doesn't ride up throughout the day..and I tested it out working out last night, and it was perfect!

 The armcycle is comfortable (even for my "larger" for my bust size biceps), and my boobage doesn't seep out.  

I used a DBP from Water Tower Textiles as the fabric - how cute are these Cacti?

This is the low neck line - so you can see, it's not super low, and would be perfect for those with larger bobs!

Overall, I'm quite happy with the design and fit of this new tunic and tank. 

Both are included with the Jenny pattern 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!) 

Halla Stay Cozy! The Cozy Wrap Cardigan Sewing Pattern

I adore Halla Patterns. 

The ease of sewing, the way they flatter my body, ALL THE OPTIONS, pockets, hoods, and more!

I have honestly had this Cozy Wrap Cardigan pattern in my to-do box (not just - one-day-I'll-get-to-it filing box) since its release last Spring! 

With life and sewing at 50% my normal capacity (thanks, stupid migraine brain), I just kept putting it off.

Well I want to make some Winter/Christmas rotation clothes before the holiday season is over, and Halla never fails to be a quick sew, as intricate as their patterns look.

This cardigan has SO many options:

- Cross Front Cardigan

- Cross Front Sweater

- Midline Button Up Cardigan

- Half or Long Sleeves

- Cuffs and Band options

- Pocket Tutorial

I opted to sew up:

- Cross Front Sweater

- Long Sleeves hemmed

- Bottom Band

My bottom hem, Sleeves, and main fabric (hello, Star Wars Christmas!) are all from Water Tower Textiles - light cotton lycra.

The cowl part is actually a Le Chateau Sweater that was just way too small - but the fabric was perfect to be remade into this cardigan! 

The sewing was simple, and due to user error, I only had to unpick the bottom band, as I had a Migraine moment and sewed the front inner cross piece to the back band instead of the front. 

Learn from my mistake! 

The armcycle is super comfy (I have problems fitting into arms if they are more slender), and the regular length unshortened with the band is perfect for leggings wear.  I'm 5'-2", but generally prefer a bum-covering top.

I love the cowl - technically I didn't need a camisole underneath, but I did wear my Cami from Rebecca Page patterns for some modesty.

The Eden Leggings are from Bella Sunshine Designs, and the perfect fabric match for my Christmas Star Wars fabric!



So, grab your Cardigan Pattern and see how many you sew up!  I'm already planning on at least another 3, as there are SO many options! 

***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!)