I've been saying for the longest that I can't get enough of cute tops to just throw-on-and-go. And I'm always looking to create ones that have interest, but at the same time -- I like for them to be fuss-free. We all love the idea of a spectacular garment or some sort of fabulous dress. And I've made plenty of them all throughout the years. But some days, I just want to be cute while cruising the aisles at Target! I love having amazing everyday clothes and...

During the day, I like having the TV on in the background with programming that requires very little attention. So last week, I had on The Bold and The Beautiful, and there was a scene where Steffy Forrester had on this really cute sweater. I barely paid any attention to what the characters were saying as I was trying to figure out the details of the sleeves. 

I get a lot of fashion inspiration from television and one of my favorite websites is WornonTV.net. They save me the trouble of doing my own sleuthing to find the details of things that I see and like. Later that same day, I discovered the cute top is from Alice + Olivia and sold at Shopbop.com for $330! Chile, please... y'all know I headed right to Joann's to make this top happen.

I wanted a pattern with simple lines and an easy sleeve to modify. I picked McCall's 7660, because I already had that one in my stash. I picked a heather gray ponte knit and cut the size 14. 

A gray mock turtleneck pullover is basic AF! But adding simple details like split sleeves and hardware really step up the style game and gives it a touch of edginess. 

I uploaded a tutorial to show how I created a split sleeve and added the hardware. I hope you enjoy!

I've been embellishing garments with eyelets for a while now, and I thought it would look really cool and interesting to play with larger sizes. And while we're here, are eyelets and grommets the same thing? I had to do research and this is the article that I found.

So basically, I guess you can say that the two terms can be use interchangeably depending on what they're being used for.

I was inspired by the Ellery Utopian V-Neck Dress. For my version, I needed to make some adjustments to the style to make it work for me.

My starting point for this look was Simplicity 8094, view C.  I cut the size 12. 

I changed the neckline into a v-neck. I kept it low enough to have some nice décolletage, but without the possible nip-slippage plunging neckline. 

Here is how I finished the neckline with seam binding.

On the original dress, the sides are completely open exposing lots of side-boobage with laces holding the sides together. I'm not a prude by any means, nor am I uncomfortable with the condition of my 45 year old body. I work HARD maintaining. But since this is just something I wanted to wear and not for a special sexy-night-out occasion, I needed for mine to be "bra-friendly", so I stitched the sides right below the horizontal bust darts.

With that adjustment, I only needed to add two sets of eyelets on each side.

My fabric is a white ponte knit.  I also used 1/2" wide single fold bias tape.  My grommets are from Joanns.  These were extremely quick and easy because there were no special tools needed or hammering.

And also, this View C of Simplicity 8094 is long! So if you're not as tall as me, you may want to take that into consideration. It measures approximately 56" from the base of the neck. I wore the tunic over my New Look 6459.

I made this little tunic dress for Mikaela so that she would have cute little dresses to take back to school with her this fall. It's so short and so cute and the perfect length for long-legged sassy 19 year old (her birthday is Friday!).

This dress was inspired by the BCBG Max Azria Tonya Lace-Up Tunic Dress.

I used New Look 6803, View D.

I cut the smallest size and it was fine right out of the envelope.  The only changes I made was the addition of the large eyelets and the ties.

It's so amazing how the eyelets can give the garment an entirely different look.

Such a perfect minimal look. Only thing needed is earrings and strappy sandals!

A black and white outfit is always très hip. You get pieces that can be worn together or separate. That’s the perfect way to add to your wardrobe. Especially when using seasonless fabrics.

When searching for seasonless fabrics, I look for comfort. I also look for fabrics that will keep you comfortable in the warm months and can also be layered in the cool months.

For my top, I used this gorgeous Black Sleek Viscose Ponte Knit. I love the weight of it.  It works for this top and it would also work for a body con style dress.  The weight of this knit would hold in and smooth everything out. It would also make a great pair of ponte knit pants.

For my top, I used New Look Pattern 6461.  It’s an extremely simple pattern, just the front and the back.  The front has horizontal bust darts.  I cut view C, in the size 12. I added 3 inches to the length because I didn’t want my top cropped.  I modified the top by finishing off the seams and hems with seam binding.  After sewing the front and back together at the shoulders, I left the sides open.

I added eyelets to each side for lacing details.

And I laced up the top with rope and DIY tassels made from crochet thread.

I didn’t much care for the pants in New Look 6461. The elastic waistband simply wasn’t polished enough for my beautiful Italian Ivory Lightweight Stretch Suiting.  I went with New Look Pattern 6459.

I love how tailored this pattern is.  I cut the size 16, and made them straight out of the envelope.  I find that I typically need to size up in New Look Patterns because they run significantly slimmer.  Like junior’s RTW sizing.

Even though this fabric is opaque, it’s still white.  And with most white pants, you’re plagued by pocket show-through.  I don’t like that, so I omitted mine (at the last minute) and just stitched up the pocket openings.

The pants have a back invisible zipper.

And I always add strips of 1 inch interfacing to my zipper area to stabilize.

I’m pretty happy with the way these turned out. The fabric with its 4-way stretch is really comfortable wear and looks really luxurious at the same time.  I would love to have an entire suit out of this.

These are two great pieces made from two extraordinary cuts of fabric that make great additions to my closet! I’m sure I’ll get plenty of wear out of these.

I love a nautical style outfit, preferably when it's chic and not kitschy.  No one should want to walk around looking like a box of Cracker Jack.

Nautical and maritime styles are so cyclical in fashion that I would consider them classics instead of trends.  That's why I picked this navy and white stripe fabric for my second version of Vogue 9151.

I've worn my black version of this top too many times to count since I made it.  I knew it was time for another one.  I use my same View C in a size medium that I'd previously cut and sewed straight out of the envelope.

And just like before, I knew that this one would also benefit from eyelets and lacing.

And what's a nautical outfit without a great pair of sailor pants.  The new Simplicity 8058 is the perfect pattern to suit my needs.

I cut the size 14 and used a navy blue ponte from Hancock Fabrics. 

 I added around 6 or 7 inches to the length.  I needed to create a 37" inseam.

I really don't like back zips on pants, but I allowed this one.  I used a metal zipper of course.  I would never trust an invisible zipper in the back of pants.  And I used a 2" hem because I feel wide-leg and flared leg pants hang better with deepr hems.

This is a very fitted pants pattern.  If you plan to make these, you'll want to keep that in mind.  They are very similar to Simplicity 1283. The pattern says that they have 1/2" of ease.  I'm going to say that the ease is negative.  And also, do note that these pants are sized for stretch knits only.  

It's no secret that I have a major affinity for styles from the 70s.  As I've said before, that's my decade!  And I love taking inspiration from that time period which is so hot right now, and making it work for this fall.  My goal is to take my 70s Throw-back trends and work them into my wardrobe without looking kitschy or as if I'm in costume.  And when this period in fashion has moved on, I'll still have great, well-made and wearable pieces in my closet.

For my look, my top is Vogue 9151, view C in this amazing Theory Black Stretch Silk Georgette.  I promise I'll be ordering more of this.  I cut the size medium, 12 -14.  It was perfect straight out of the envelope.  This is a "Very Easy" pattern and I treated it as such.  Where I would usually do French seams, I just serged all of mine.  This fabric has 7% spandex, so I treated it just like I would a knit.  It has just that much "give".

The details of this tunic are quick and great.  I love the yoke in the back with the pleats.

Being inspired by the 70s, I decided that the neckline was a little too plain for me and I gave it a little 70s zhooshing by adding Dritz Eyelets and lacing.  I sewed this using a Schmetz 80/12 Microtex needle.

I love this tunic and it's going to be one of those go-to items I'm going to be reaching for months to come.

The time of this skirt pattern was perfection!  It's new release Simplicity 8019.

This pattern is a re-release of Vintage Simplicity 6814 from 1975.

I cut my skirt, view C in a size 14.  It's high-waist and slim fitting through the hips.  Don't let the pictures fool you: it's not a-line, it's a flared skirt.  So I would base the size of this skirt on whatever you would cut for a fitted pencil skirt that doesn't have stretch.  

My fabric is Khaki Micro Suede from Hancock Fabrics.

I edgestitched and topstitched as if this fabric was genuine suede.  I sewed this using a Schmetz size 80/12 needle.  I topstitched with Coats & Clark Heavy Duty thread using a Schmetz 90/14 topstitch needle.  And instead of buttons, I used Dritz Heavy Duty Brass Snaps.

Styling tip:  To complete my look, I belted my skirt, added a fringe bag and over-the-knee boots.