You Spin Me Right Round, Baby Right Round

I want a hug. 

Not a normal hug.


No.


I want one of those pick-me-up-off-my-feet-squeeze-me-tight-spin-me-around-hurts-my-tummy-but-still-makes-me-smile-leaves-me-breathless-gives-me-butterflies-makes-me-fiffle-stupidly kind of hug.

That's kind of the feeling I get wrapping myself up in the Rebecca Page Wrap Around Top.

This is a neato pattern, designed for regular wear, pregnancy, or nursing.

The bust wrap is amazing (hello-lift-up!), and you can wrap it as you like.

The pattern includes:
- short, 3/4, or long sleeves
- optional camisole underneath
- option to have the middle tie section or not

I paired mine with a few different bottoms.

First I tried it with The Pippa Pants, which are also amazingly comfortable, for a casual look.

Secondly - the Peggy Pencil Skirt for a more formal or business casual look.

Don't they pair well together?



The back bodice tucks nicely into the wrap - just make sure to hold the bodice down the first few wraps, or the wrap won't capture the bodice.



The bodice stops just under the bust, in theory, to allow for the expansion of a woman with child's belly as it makes room for babies.

My expansion would only be for if I'm having a poutine or piece of cheesecake.



You can see the comparison of styles side-by-side - same top, different feel with each pairing.

Now, I used an interesting combination of fabrics.

The sleeves are a random stretch fabric from Fabricland

The main bodice and part of the tie are a lovely soft Rayon from Water Tower Textiles.

And I decided I wanted a longer wrap than the two angled tie pieces (there are normally 2 angled pieces, and optional middle straight piece for those of us not with child...but I wanted more wrapping fabric).

So my lingerie stretch lace came to the rescue, being the same width as the rayon fabric! 

So I cut the angles off the end Rayon pieces, and sewed the lace onto the raw edge of the snipped rayon pieces. And voila - a bit of a fancier wrap due to lack of the same Rayon fabric, and a quick gander in my sewing room.

This is a rather quick sew with easy to follow instructions.  And it's a top unlike any that I've seen before! 

You can really scrap together the tie part if need be, and have a beautiful end result.

Best thing? Once you have it wrapped, not only is it flattering, but it also stays put while you walk, dance, or sit down.

If you are super paranoid, you can always wear a camisole underneath, but I feel it's good as-is for me.

Plus if you wear it on date night, it's probably a lot of fun to take off when you get home *wink wink*.

Grab your Wrap Around Top pattern and whip it up in a jiff for a new-kind of top that's going to wow you and those around you.

Sew On!

How to Put on Jeans: Step 1 - Put on Laela Jeyne Taylor Leggings

Life with Chronic Migraines (and the inability to survive in areas with LED or Fluorescent lighting), I pretty much live in yoga pants and leggings these days as I work from home. 

I also work OUT at home, so being able to have 10 minute breaks for some yoga stretches when my muscles begin to stiffen up at my desk is important some days. 

He's right!  But I do admit a few years back I thought leggings as pants were evil. 

I made a compromise and decided that as long as I either a) had a tunic length top on, or b) am being active, that leggings ARE pants. 

But finding the best leggings pattern isn't always the easiest. 

Laela Jeyne just revamped their Taylor Leggings pattern, so I decided to give them a go. 

What does this pattern include?  

- 3 styles: plain one-piece leggings, 3 piece leg with pockets leggings, and 4 piece leg for colour blocking the mid panel

- Knee, cropped, or ankle length

- Contoured waistband with elastic at top for secure fit

- Optional maternity waistband

- Detailed fitting instructions

My first pair was knee length (I'm 5'-2"), and of COURSE has pockets!  

I used a mish mash of some of the last of the full pieces of spandex I collected last year, and they fit perfectly. 

The instructions were clear, there were no tears, and I am pretty sure I didn't put elastic in the waistband - I never do with leggings. 

Look at my Goddess pose above! 

The pockets are the white fabric on the side - perfect for my iPhone or keys! 

My second pair is made from a random piece of camo something spandexy I ordered from Okee Dokee Kids during a stash sale, and some dri-fit fabric for the sides.

Don't they make my behind look magical?  

They certainly can make the same magic with yours!  And they honestly aren't too tight, so I can both work in them, and do my Yin Yoga stretches in the without compressing my sore muscles.  

For me, If pants are too tight on the hips (even they they normally wouldn't be), I have troubles walking, and have a lot of pain, so looser is better these days.  

So if you want a pair of active yet comfy leggings, and don't mind a bit of colour blocking fun (hello, sew up those weird scraps!), this is definitely the pattern for you!

Sew On!

Sewing Pattern Review: 5 out of 4's Virginia Tank, Skirt, and Dress!

This is one of 5 out of 4's simpler patterns I've sewn up, but it's classic and sassy all in one. 

With options for:
- Classic Tank Top (with 2 neckline options) 
- Knee or Maxi length skirt (with band height options)
- Dress option with either knee or maxi length, elastic casing or knit band waistband
- Skirts can be either knit or woven!
- Built in Bra options
- Full Bust Adjustment Options 
- Maternity option
- Pockets!!!
- Girls and Ladies Sizes

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The tank top is the perfect length with a comfortable armcycle. 

It took me about half an hour from cut to done - and I'm a slow sewer!  

I love the smaller bands, and I didn't have any issues. 

What else can I say?

I LOVE the skirt - it sits just below my waist, and has the option to have pockets (oops - I forgot them in this version!). 

I made the knee length from a very light woven denim fabric, and the last of my fun lightweight cotton lycra cottage fabric for the band. 

Another 30 minute sew from cut to done. 

So essentially, an outfit in less than the time it takes to do laundry. 

Efficiencies!

Ok, I have to toot my own horn here. 

I LOVE this combo!  I created the knee length dress from 4 different fabrics.
- The top of the bodice is the last of my black Dri Fit fabric
- The Middle (above band) portion of the bodice is cotton lycra BATMAN fabric
- The band is Cotton Lycra Bird flying fabric
- The skirt/pockets are from a lightweight dress pants fabric that I won't be using since my office has gone totally casual dress (from business casual) since I've been working from home (March 2018) with my Chronic Vestibular Migraines. 

It's just lovely. 

I was so excited, I wore it out the same day I made it and got compliments from everyone - my parents, Husband...probably the parrot and dogs too. 

It's fun, sassy, and looks a bit classy if I don't say so myself! 

Sewing Wise, it took about an hour, but well worth it. 

I didn't actually have to gather the skirt too much to fit the band, and I pulled the knit band as I was sewing in order to obtain the ultimate fit. 

So go outside your comfort level, and mix and match fabrics to make an awesome fancy dinner dress for yourself, and go out that night to celebrate life! 

Or at least the fact that you have clean clothes on. 

And look Fab. 

You can even match your little one with both patterns!  

Sew On!

Sewing Pattern Review: Rebecca Page's Eloise

The Eloise - another Rebecca Page Patterns creation put together with thought and whimsy. 

This pattern includes:
- Newborn to 12 year old sizing
- XXS to 5XL sizing
- 18" Doll version
- Elastic casings or Shirring to give a unique look to each sew
- Elastic, shirred, or loose sleeves 
- 3/4 length or short length sleeves
- Flowy Knit or Woven fabrics can be used
- Top or dress length (mid thigh, midi, or maxi)

 

 

For my first top, I used random really light woven linen from my mother-in-law's sister's stash she gave to me a few months back.  Who knows how old this fabric is...

I sewed this up in my normal medium, but felt I didn't have to grade just due to the shape of the top.  

The shirring was neat to do - in  a different manner than I shirred previously with my Monte Carlo Top.  

But it was actually easy - so don't be scared of trying a new technique!  I just adjusted the tension so it was a higher number on my machine, and kept everything else the same.  I put light tension on the fabric as it was headed towards the needle, and voila - 3 lines 1/4" apart of lovely shirring for the neckline and waistline. 

Besides the shirring, so rest of the top was a breeze and went by quickly. 

The look of the top *is* to be oversized, and off the shoulder. 

My second top I made from a fun medium silky fabric that was a cinch to sew up. 

The shirring I made tighter, and the top I sized down to Small for a less-off-the-shoulder look.

I really like this look - and the first night I wore it out, I got compliments from several people - winner!  

I like the flow of the sleeves - they're not too billowy, and perfect for warmer weather.

 
 And as you can see, they pair well with jeans, skirts (like my Paige Pencil Skirt), and even casual pants, like my Pippas 

 

I love how the shirring looks on this top - I think I have this technique down now!  I love how Rebecca Page Patterns challenge me in some way - and hone in my sewing skills.  The instructions are great too - like someone holding your hand as you sew, making sure you don't miss a step. 

 

Then I made the 18" doll version of both the Eloise Top and Maxi Dress.  I didn't even need instructions at this point, as I'd memorized the Eloise pattern steps by this point - it's THAT easy! 

 

The dress is the perfect length for this doll - I'll call her, "Stella," after one of my nieces. 

The top is a great scrap buster, and stays on Stella without any issues. 

Just make sure to iron the hem after sewing up the top to flatten it down, and it looks store bought. 

So, if you'd like a flattering fun top and to learn a new sewing technique (or refresh your old technique), Eloise is for you!  

Oh, and I ALSO sized down the 18" Doll Pattern to 60% of the original size, and I bring you Barbie sized Eloise!!  Isn't it pretty??