Lucy Halter top

I got around to finally playing with the Lucy Halter pattern by Jennifer Paganelli & Carla Crim. You can make a halter top to what ever length you want or a dress in any length from above the knee to the floor. I love the versatility of choices.  As usual, love love love the pattern! Downloadable is the way to go & pictures of every single step is the only way I can feel confident in what I'm sewing. I am a quilter first, clothing is about 20th down on the list of things I sew. This pattern is quilter friendly and uses a 1/4" seam for everything, so I feel right at home! I can't recommend these patterns enough!  You can buy their patterns here or here. I chose an all time favorite Elizabeth Rose in ice for the top & Crazy Love's Cecilia in fuchsia for the bottom. Hope to get some color soon so I look better in it. Until then, I will look forward to warm Southern California days!

The Devon peasant top

I've been playing around with this Devon pattern from Sis Boom/Carla Crim and it's FABULOUS! I am honestly NOT a clothing sewer, but being surrounded by all these amazing fabrics, I yearn to make something to wear! I've made things before from Jennifer & Carla and have been super impressed with the detailed instructions & photos. Truly, I am a visual learner and get sooo stuck on any patterns easily~ but not here! There are so many options on length based on your height, sleeve options either bell sleeve or regular, ruffled or not. Super versatile. You can even make this as a dress. I love it and will enjoy wearing it this spring. I used the Maeve fabric from Jennifer's Poodle line because I've been wanting to make myself something out of it for a while. I enjoyed the pattern so much I'll be making it in Crazy Love, but just don't know which one yet. There are just so many good ones, I'm stumped! It's funny because I help people pick out fabrics every day, but it's hard for me to make a decision on that mostly because I love 'em all! Get the Devon and have fun with it!

Rosetta Ruffle Bag

I have been wanting to make a Rosetta Ruffle Bag from Sis Boom for a long time, and finally got the push to do it my customer/friend, Mary wanted a purse, so I suggested this pattern. She picked out Wallpaper from Josephine Kimberling's Glam Garden line and Oliver+S Park Ramble and I used the dot from the same Oliver+S City Weekends line for the inside. I did one side with pockets that are triple divided and were shown in the pattern and the other is a 5X8 single pocket for the other side. As usual, the Carla Crim/Jennifer Paganelli pattern is perfect! I enjoy sewing and seeing a photo of every step. The results are always so finished and professional looking. I'm working on one for me in turquoise and red. Hope to finish it before my vacation!

Meghan Peasant Pattern

I just had to blog about a new pattern I tried called the Meghan Peasant.I enjoy sewing quilts & purses, but tend to stay away from clothing. The patterns can be too confusing, but this pattern just called to me because it is so versatile- short sleeve top, long sleeve top, short sleeve dress, long sleeve dress. I have to admit I was drawn to it because there are no zippers! It is a collaboration between Jennifer Paganelli (one of my fav fabric designers) and Carla Crim, the Scientific Seamstress. This is what I love about this pattern:

*Multiple options

*Multiple sizes 0-3XX

*Downloadable- you could start it right now!

* Lots of directions & pictures- there was no confusion!

* Totally customizable the whole way: how deep the neckline, how long the "skirt"

*Photos of others who made this on flickr http://www.flickr.com/groups/scientificseamstress/pool/

I used all Jennifer Paganelli fabrics: Elizabeth Rose Ice on the bodice, Leann stripe on the "skirt", Casey Scroll on the sleeves. I omitted the elastic on the end of the sleeves because I liked the look when I tried it on. I cut the "skirt" 14" to have a shorter look. I am just so happy how it came out. However, I am just not photogenic, so I cropped my head. My son said, "Wow! You made that mom?" and he also was the one who took the pics of me and agreed with the crop! I am wearing the necklace he made me for my bday. Where to find all this cuteness? but here is where I downloaded the pattern: http://youcanmakethis.com/. The pattern-maker's blogs: http://scientificseamstress.blogspot.com/ and http://jenniferpaganelli.typepad.com/ and the photographer extraordinaire: http://brassyapple.blogspot.com/ I will definately make this again and again. I'm sure when my daughter gets home from a vacation with her friend, she will want one too!!