In my never-ending pursuit to add fun tops to my wardrobe, my current one is McCall's 7723.

This time of year, I tend to make pieces that will work now and later. So, I wanted a top that would work with pants, jeans and shorts. Plus, this one is so cute and frilly! And history has proven that I love a good ruffle!

Since this top obviously has a lot going on, I really wanted a fabric that had a little something extra, that wouldn't compete with the design elements. I've had this crinkly-textured fabric for over a year that I picked up from Jo-Ann. The thing about this fabric is, it can't be pressed! While testing it out, all of that beautiful texture was smoothed right out. So I had to be careful in my selection of designs.

I was pretty impressed with how this fabric took to the lack of pressing. The seams look great, especially in the front where I had to do a 1" FBA that added additional vertical darts.

These ruffles are my favorite! I don't think I've ever enjoyed creating ruffles this much in my entire sewing life. 

 See here how I made them:

And don't forget to enter my giveaway for the Ultimate Presser Foot 32 pcs!

Anytime I can get away with replacing a facing with bias binding, I do it. 

Since this fabric can't be pressed, a facing would've been a horrible idea. It would've never stayed in place. This is such a cleaner look.

And I finished it off with a narrow hem, created with my Flat Hem Foot 7mm.

My pants are my 3rd iteration of DP Studio LE302. I used this pattern before for the pants in the gray suit and part of the McCall's 7728 jumpsuit.

My fabric is this emerald green cotton/poly bottom-weight twill I found at Jo-Ann. This one has no stretch, and they fit great. But just like with no stretch denim, the longer I was wearing these I noticed that they began to relax.

These are my newest pant obsession for right now. So I'll be making these throughout the rest of spring and summer... unless I run across another pattern I have to make.

A good shirt dress is a classic wardrobe staple. And based on how many shirt dresses I've sewn over the years and a couple are still in my current wardrobe, they're a favorite of mine. 

I wanted something this time that put a different spin on the classic dress. This one is McCall's 7351, view C. And my fabric is Jet Black Stretch Cotton Poplin from Mood Fabrics.com. I prewashed my fabric and pulled it straight from the dryer and smoothed it out with the iron prior to cutting. The fabric cuts, sews and presses beautifully.

This is one of those great patterns that has cup sizing -- meaning no FBA for me. I cut a straight size 14, with the D cup.

I lengthened the bodice by an inch, which is an alteration that I make to practically every single pattern I sew. And anyone with a substantial sized bust knows the feeling of getting a great bodice fit on a button up top with no gaping and pulling. So kudos to the cup sized pattern and this amazing poplin with it's slight give. I plan to make this again in a bright white, and when I do I'll lower those pockets probably about .5"-.75" inches.

Since my fabric is lightweight, I needed a comparable interfacing. I used Black Weft Fusible Interfacing. It is the perfect weight for the front bands and the collar.

I sewed the skirt straight from the envelope. I like the length as it is. 

This poplin drapes beautifully. And just like with any bias cut, I allowed the dress to hang for 24 hours. Even though stretching can still occur in bias cuts, this handkerchief hem will hide any unevenness.

I am pretty impressed with this fabric. There was minimal wrinkling even after riding in a car.

I can tell you now, this dress will be in high rotation this season. I love the simple and quick style and the versatility. Shoe options are endless and all I have to do is add a great belt for waist-cinching style!

It's the middle of February and I'm wearing a white dress. I've never been one to follow those stupid, outdated fashion rules. Plus, it's currently 80 degree. If you have to run your A/C, you can wear a white dress!

This dress is Vogue 8961. It's currently out-of-print, but they still all size ranges available on the website. And you can probably find it for a few bucks on Etsy or eBay.

I'd previously sewn this pattern before in December 2013. I've worn this dress A LOT in the last 4 years. There is a common misconception that bloggers such as myself, spend a ridiculous amount of time making "over-the-top" garments just to play dress up and take photo shoots for the blog. I can't speak on behalf of anyone else, but if I sew it, I wear it! 

Here are two past times I took a picture wearing the first version of this dress. Once last year and once in 2015. You can always date me by my hair!

So, I made this version using White Jersey Knit with All-Over Circle Sequins from Mood Fabrics.com.

Just like the first time, this pattern is a breeze to sew. It's a sew it that day, and wear it that night kinda dress. I'd previously altered the pattern by adding an inch to the waist and 3 inches to the hem. I shortened by an inch and a half. The length I needed before was to be able to cut around the fabric design. I went with a straight hem this time.

Like last time, I didn't use the facings. I just folded the edge over and stitched a 5/8" hem.

Sewing Tip: When adding elastic to a casing at the waist, always try the garment on before closing it up. I used less elastic than required. I needed mine tighter because of the weight of the fabric.

I sewed this using a ballpoint needle and I didn't need to remove any sequins from the seam allowance. And I used my serger to finish.

Unlike a lot of sequin fabrics, this one is not scratchy on the inside, so this dress didn't need a lining. However, I still wore slip, because I'm always "Team Slip"! I just can't shake how I was raised!

Sometimes the fabric comes first. I found this beautiful, lightweight Glacier Gray Heathered Stretch Suiting from Mood Fabrics.com. I knew it would be perfect for spring and that I wanted to make a suit with it.

First came the pants. I'd recently discovered DP Studio LE 302 Trouser. I'm always on the lookout for a great pants pattern that I can create over and over again and this one is pretty darn good. I needed a straight leg pattern because I wanted pants that I could wear with either heels or flats. That way I can get more mileage out of my pants. 

These pants are beautifully drafted. They're high-waist with the front pockets that extend into the center front that I've grown to absolutely love! 

I didn't sew the complete fly situation. I tend to skip that part a lot on trousers and only do it on jeans.

There is also one single-welt back pocket.

The pants have pintuck creases and inseam slits. This pattern was pretty good right out of the packaging. I cut the size 44, I added 3 inches to the length. This is a European pattern, so the seam allowance is 1cm. The only thing I would change next time is to create a contoured waistband. This one has a straight waist and I had very minor gaping at the center back that I quickly fixed by adding darts.

This jacket pattern has been in my pattern collection for 12 years. Since off-the-shoulder isn't going anywhere anytime soon, I thought I'd pull this jacket out. I've been seeing similar style blazers for a few months now, so that's how this one got back on my radar.

This jacket is Vogue 2893. It's been out-of-print now for many, many moons.

It's from the Donna Karan Collection Spring 2005.

I couldn't find any pictures from anyone that had actually sewn this pattern. I googled and searched for pattern reviews...nothing. The only other way I could get a glimpsed of what it looked like was from an old magazine ad.

The details of this jacket were crazy, spectacular and off-the-chain (do they still say that??)! This is why I was so drawn to it. Sometimes I want to sew something up quick, and other times I want things that will entertain me while I binge watch a complete series on Netflix. 

How often do you find suiting fabric juxtaposed with athletic mesh and a corset-style laced-up back? Like never! So, I was really excited to be able to add something so interesting to my wardrobe.  

Another thing that I loved is the decorative zig-zag stitching. I used the #46 on my BERNINA 350 PE. The athletic mesh was already in my stash. 

I really love both of these pieces and I can't wait to break them up and wear them separately. This jacket will be so fire with a pair of black distressed jeans for a night out. And these pale gray pants are going to be worn with everything. They're the perfect neutral that my closet has been missing.