Are you ready for Spring? I've been playing (cleaning) in the yard lately. We planted 5 new rose bushes, hydrangeas, and various berry bushes. Ahh, it feels so good to be outdoors after the long winter we've had. The daytime temps in my corner of Southern California are rising and the weather got me thinking about all the outfits and bags I plan to make for summer.
Cue the Laundry day tee dress by Love Notions. The dress comes in a great size range XS-5X. Yay! I snatched up the pattern for $5. What a steal!! I had never heard of this pattern company until I went to the Arizona Sewcial. Boy, I was excited when I went to their website. Give me all the knit patterns. I bought the Sabrina Slims pants pattern as well. Stay tuned for that review. This post isn't a sewing tutorial so much as it's more of a pattern review. So, here ya go. PROS This pattern can be made in many variations. I loved the dress version most. I have a few lightweight dresses I constantly reach for during summer. Flouncy and bouncy without zippers or waistbands to contend with. They keep me happy and comfy during the humid months. So, I knew I wanted to make an easy knit dress for Summer. The pattern lets you choose from long sleeves, 3/4 sleeves, short sleeves, or a tank style. You can make a top or dress, long, short, tunic length-whichever you fancy. Oh, and it has an optional cowl neckline too. Whew! So many options. I chose the dress length, short sleeves, and the V neckline. The pattern calls for stretch knit fabric and was a quick project on the serger. Cut to finish took 2 hours, minus the V-neck insertion of doom. CONS In choosing the V neck, I was surprised as to how confusing that whole ordeal was. I've made a handful of V-neck tops and they've been easy as pie. This one was not. Maybe it was a combo of the fabric and my sewing brain, but I won't follow that insertion again. I had to make it twice and it still isn't centered into the V. Ugh I printed and cut the full bust front piece. I usually do an FBA on all my dresses and tops, so I thought this was a neat option. However, in trying the dress on, it looked frumpy. Maternity-like if you will. My husband and 2 older kids said it looked frumpy too and I didn't like how I looked in the dress. Frumpy is a four-letter word to me. Ha! So, I added a cinch belt, cute sweater, matching flats, and jewelry to turn the dress into a casual pinup look. Yay! Almost similar to the Popover dress I made. I want to print out the regular front piece and see how that fits. I think it might fit a tad better. And, I want to size down next time as well. Frumpiness aside, it's comfortable and easy to throw on. I see a few of these becoming Summer wardrobe staples. Heck, I might make a nightgown too.
One main piece to trace and cut.
This pattern is perfect for beginners.
Print, cut and tape the PDF pieces together. It has 2 main pieces-a front and back, a neckline piece, and sleeves or armband facings if you choose the tank version. Oh and that cowl piece too. Sew the shoulder seams, making sure to use clear elastic to support those seams. Attach the sleeves, easy enough making sure to match the notches. 2 notches for the back, 1 notch for the front of the armscye. Attach the neckline, hem the sleeves and bottom hem and you're done. So easy!!
So what do you think? Have you ever wanted to make a T-shirt dress?
As always, thanks for hanging out. Please share this post and blog with your friends and family and follow me on Instagram. Leave a comment below if you plan on making this pattern or have already made it, please. XO, Annette
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Spring is in the air and this lady is ready for some porch time. I love waking up, going outside, and enjoying my coffee on the back porch with the birds.
I'm a simple person. Ha! Babies and weddings usually go hand in hand with Spring. Don't you agree? I've been to a few baby showers lately and thought I'd share some easy handmade gift ideas for you to make and take to your next shower. As sewists, we always have extra fabric that we're dying to use up. This gives you an opportunity to use it up or go shopping for new fabric. Win-win! Let's get making, we've got a shower to attend! To make this baby gift set, you'll need:
Blankets, burp cloths, and headbands make a perfect baby gift.
Now that the holiday hustle is over, life can get back to normal. Whatever "normal" is, right?
Happy New Year!! Do you make New Year's resolutions? I do easy ones. I tell myself I'll make dinner 5 nights a week, exercise more, give one room a make-over (the main bathroom), simple and doable things. And of course, I fall off the wagon 2 months in. LOL Ahh... life. Anywho, what fun things did you give and receive for the holidays?? Perhaps you or a loved one received an Apple watch? If so, I have the perfect tutorial you need to scrunchify that watchband. Scrunchify is a technical term btw. ;) Before we dive in I want to say this is a perfect scrap buster project. Yay for those! You just need a strip of fabric, no stabilizer needed. This is meant to be floppy. As far as fabric choices, choose something with a small print or a solid. I have made them with knit, quilting cotton, shirting, and they all seem to work great. So, be creative and have fun!
Is your makeup bag worn out or do you need a quick gift to make? You can make a new zip pouch quickly. No tears, I promise. ;)
You probably have some cute fabric already in your stash. You don't need a lot, just a few large scraps. 
Materials:
Want to look as cute as a button? Want to avoid a bad hair day? Or... do you just want to sew up something quick and easy? This is the project for you. I reach for my headscarf whenever I need to fix my hair quickly or am on day 3+ hair. There's no time to wash and dry it, so I'll wrap my hair up in a bun and put on my head scarf. Quick fix, yes!! 
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AuthorHi there, I'm Annette and I love eating and sewing. I usually have a cup of coffee or tea with me, but not next to my machine because I'd probably spill it. I am the reason we can't have nice things. Archives
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