We might all be enjoying extra time at home right now but whether you’re looking at the positive side of things (enjoying the extra time versus stuck), or feeling a little trapped, I think most of us are looking forward. To when we can get out and see our loved ones. Grab a drink. Enjoy places that aren’t our homes. One of the things I’m hoping to find some normal in, are holidays! I LOVE celebrating. The little things. The big. My favorite holiday is the Fourth of July!
We do it up every year!! It was always a BIG day growing up. Now we fly home when we can, or find some cool ass parades, fireworks, festivities here! Either way, we dress to impress!! When Threaded Candy Customs showed off this American Spirit preorder, I had to have some glitter!! It is perfect for all my Memorial Day (staying hopeful) and Fourth of July celebrations!! Plus, I am in LOVE with this top.
TCCF cotton lycra is so lovely to work with. The colors are vibrant and beautiful. The fabric is just the right thickness, with amazing recovery. It curls a little at the edges, as do all CL fabrics. But it isn’t so much that it is annoying to work with, and it is WORTH IT!!!
Let’s talk about this top!! I saw a similar top online and knew I needed it! I also knew exactly what pattern I could use to hack it!! This is the 5oo4 Knot Tee! And I did a YT video showing how to do it!! Check it out here and let me know what you think!! (You might notice my fabric for my tester hack is the scraps from Virginia’s recent dress! I was able to JUST sneak it out and could not be happier to have used a bit more of the gorgeous fabric!)
One of my favorite things is having a limited amount of fabric and figuring out how to maximize it! That was definitely the task at hand with this piece. With just a short fat half, and dreams of many, many things, what was I to do?! First off the bat, I knew I had a TON of solids in my stash that would coordinate! There are so many colors in this print to match or coordinate with, the options were basically limitless!
The first piece I chose is a twofer! The Roxy Wristlet from Rebecca Page is one of my favorite freebies! (I’ve made this one before, so you might recognize it!) I love the double pocket clutch. It fits everything I need for a grab and go or a date night, including my phone! I like the separate pockets so I can put cards and cash in one and lip stuff or whatever in the other. I don’t have to worry about losing one when I open a zipper to get the other one! I used two different colors for the lining on these. Mostly because I could. This project uses such small amounts of scrap, I had at least a half dozen colors to choose from! Then I added even more colors with the zippers! Love that pop of pink.
What makes this one a wristlet is the wrist strap thing that clips on though! I adore these things because I prefer my hands to be free, and it feels more secure on my wrist. Plus, these are crazy fast to sew! It is one small scrap of fabric with some interfacing and maybe 10 minutes. I can leave this one on the clutch or unclip it and use it on my keys or another bag. So convenient!!
The second project took more time to choose. I knew I wanted something a little bit bigger and something I hadn’t made before! After scrolling Pinterest for far too long, I finally settled on starting with this pattern. I say starting because I love the concept of it, but I did make quite a few changes! The biggest change is definitely the recessed zipper. I didn’t want to do a magnetic snap (partially because I didn’t have one on hand, partially because this size and style purse is perfect for installing a recessed zip). There were also a few changes to cutting and construction that don’t change the bag itself, but are personal preference.
In order to add that recessed zip, I cut my lining just like the back piece, so it would have the contrast pieces at the top, but all in the same color. I wanted this fabric, and that cute ass bow, to shine on this one. Then I cut 4 rectangles a few inches shorter than the finished width of the bag. These were perfect for the zipper and, for my first time, I ain’t mad at the end result!! A bit more security on the bag, and extra structure below that bow!
That bow makes me so happy. It is so simple to make and just dang cute. In the same color, it is a lovely addition, but in a contrast, I can see it being the highlight of the bag. The original pattern made this one really easy to make! Couldn’t be happier at how quick it is to add this style bow to anything! Overall, a super cute, and convenient bag, that my sister is likely to steal.
The last piece I made up from that fat half is a fabric tray. I’ve never made one of these before but they are dang cute! And who doesn’t need more catch -alls in their house? I’m always adding pretty bowls and whatnot to drop stuff in. (Then the cats have to work harder to steal stuff.) This one took 20 minutes total for my first one and I can only see them getting faster with practice! This was another free pattern that you can check out here. The best part about this fun sewing session is that I filmed it! That’s right, I’m basically youtube famous now. I kid, I kid. But you can check out the process of sewing this great fabric tray right here!
Basically this fabric is GORGEOUS and super versatile. Use it for bags and accessories, or even a shirt (like I did with another TCCF woven cotton here). Either way, check out this entire preorder round, and all the beautiful fabrics they have available now!
Ok, this post is definitely about this amazing fabric and the equally delightful patterns I used it on. But, if I don’t start off with sharing that this is scary as hell, I’m just not being honest with you. I JUST made my first bikini like a month ago. I loved wearing it on the beach. It was comfortable and cute. But it took having an amazing, reassuring, supportive tribe around me to reach that point. Now, I’ve made a second bikini, that I feel equally amazing and comfortable in, but I’m sharing it on the fucking internet. Way more real than in front of some strangers on a beach with a couple of friends. Please know that it took all my courage, and maybe an adult beverage, to hit publish on this post. I hope others who aren’t always comfortable in their skin, whatever your size, shape, or self image, can take a moment to say, if she can do it, I can certainly wear whatever I want too (whether you post on the internet or not)! Because that shared strength of amazing humans who support each other, that simple, unwavering support, is everything. We can lift each other up and be the strength we all need a little help finding from time to time. Now on to the fun stuff.
HOW FUN IS THIS SWIM FABRIC?!?!?!?! This is the very appropriately named Mermaid Glitz from Threaded Candy Custom Fabrics and I freaking love it!! As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted a bikini out of it. Wearing it makes me feel like a mermaid, or fairy, or some other magical creature of delight. The swim base was a joy to work with! It is a lovely, thick swim that was easy to sew up and the color is so true to computer screen! (Always a fear when ordering online.) It washed up beautifully, losing none of its vibrancy or shimmery look. And I think I saved enough scraps to at least use as accent on another bikini! Interchangeable pieces are my jam.
A fabric this fabulous requires equally gorgeous patterns!! I started with a list of options. I knew I wanted a high waisted bottom. Something simple, and not a fabric hog (since I only had 1 yard). The 5 Out of 4 Patterns Alice Swim Bottoms came to mind immediately and they are PERFECT!!! You might have noticed I sew up a lot of the 5oo4 pattern collection. They are one of the companies that just fit me. I never need weird adjustments, just grade and add height, then boom. Finished and comfy! This was such a fast sew and the instructions so simple, I can’t recommend them enough! There are definitely some fun features to choose from in this pattern, a cute front tie, a peplum, a flounce, and maternity of course, that I’ll definitely be utilizing in future swim bottoms (not the maternity, but the others!). But the plain option was exactly what I needed to let this gorgeous fabric shine!
On to the top, two of the three patterns I was looking at were actually hacks to one of my favorite swim suits. (Don’t you just love when designers include hacks to their patterns after release? It really let’s me see the potential of a pattern, without risking a bombed project and sad, wasted fabric.) I polled my loved ones and they were split down the middle between the two hacks to turn the Patterns for Pirates Take the Plunge swimsuit into a bikini. I didn’t have a fav between them, so I picked the one that looked like less fabric (again, just one yard!), and I’m SO HAPPY! I made my ties extra long, so I could tie it in front. I LOVE being able to tie it around me, so I can choose how tight I want/need it. (Also, I just hate needing to wait for help to get someone else to tie it, then being fussy about getting just the right amount of tightness.) That’s the only change I made to the suggested hack from this blog post.
I feel AMAZING in this bikini. Definitely ready to dive into the water and just enjoy some sunshine. So, even though this is scary as hell, I’m sharing everywhere. Check out the entire collection of fabrics, and be sure to let me know if you love this combo as much as I do!
So, my favorite fabric company added a few new to them/me types of fabric to their store and I am IN LOVE! Holy shit. I may have ordered all of them. Seriously. Don’t tell Virginia, or I’ll have to share.
Some of the new fabrics were chosen with guys in mind. If any of you have sewn for men, you know it can be hard as hell to find fabrics that are the feel, look, color, pattern, whatever, that guys want to wear. (Caveat here, not all guys. Guys can wear whatever the hell they want in whatever fabrics they want.) This knub jersey is PERFECT!! It feels really similar to the triblend, which is 100% my current favorite fabric. Super easy to work with, it doesn’t slide around too much, or curl a ton. Plus this deep red is GORGEOUS!!! (Pro tip, the charcoal is to beyond lovely as well.)
When this fabric was on the way to me, I had a few patterns in mind and just had to wait to feel it for it to tell me what it wanted to become. It chose this gorgeous hack to the Made for Mermaids Catherine and I freaking love it!!
Let’s chat about this hack for just a minute. Easiest. Hack. Ever. I cut all the same pieces as the pattern calls for, including “lining” for the yoke. (Ok, I shortened the sleeves too, since I like them shorter.) Then I took the two front yokes and folded them each in half, right sides together and sewed the neckline. The two back yokes got sewn together along the neckline. Then I lined up the shoulder seams of the front to the back. But, I didn’t want to sew this flat, folding it over so the front was wrong sides together, sandwiched right sides together with the back. Once this is sewn, it pulls out so beautifully to the perfect neckline.
Then I mostly followed the instructions. Just was quite careful about basting the front yokes so I didn’t have an overlap or a huge gap, right along my seam line (hence all the clips!). Sew the rest of the shirt and voila!! I LOVE this style shirt. It is cute and comfortable, and I get tons of compliments on it when I wear it (which I’ve already done 3 times!).
Back to the fabric, this knub blend is PERFECT for this top!! It is lightweight, and flowy. It wears comfortably, without wrinkling. I’m not super hot like DBP in Atlanta heat. Overall, two thumbs up and I highly recommend you go buy some, mostly because I already bought more.
I already mentioned this fabric showing up by surprise. Can you say best surprise ever? Because this is right up there!!
Threaded Candy Customs cotton lycra base fabric is absolutely delightful. It is soft, has great recovery. They blow me away with the creativity in every round. And you know I love to nerd out with every new round announced! Right now, though, they have the summer round open. Every damn fabric is just so pretty. Happy and ready to take to the beach. If you’re looking for fun swim fabrics, check these out!!
This print is the Navy Daydreams. It is bright and happy and I completely love it. Such a vibrant, happy print that I plan to wear all summer long!!! (And probably pretty far into autumn.) Since it is perfect for summer, this clearly needed to be turned into tanks! One for me and one for the sister! Let’s talk mine first.
I am completely in love with the tie front tops right now. I want to fill my closet with them. Knit, woven. Fancy, casual. Don’t care. This tank is the Made for Mermaids Mama Ella. This is a great basic tank. Just fitted enough for funsies, without me feeling like a sausage. It has some super cute options included. A super low back that I haven’t been brave enough to try. Some fun ruffles and strappiness. And, most importantly, this adorable tie front!!
This cotton lycra is the PERFECT weight for this. Stable enough to hold up to the stretching and pulling of the tie without being boxy everywhere else. I feel great wearing it! I’m totally ready for beer gardens, chilling outside, and enjoying the summer sun.
On to Virginia’s tank. She adores the 5oo4 Jessie. It is one of her favorite shirts. She already has a couple and it is one of her most requested patterns. So I figured surprising her with a fun tank would make her happy. (Spoiler alert…it did!) I chose the low back option so I could add some fun strappiness!!
This particular option isn’t included in the pattern (though it does tell you to go nuts!) I took two straps, cut per the pattern and looped them through each other in the center of the scoop. So simple and so fun. Perfect for me to steal out of Virginia’s closet in a few weeks. 😀
Both of these tanks are exactly perfect out of this beautiful summer fabric. Is there one in this summer collection that strikes your fancy?
