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 love the back of this dress!  I love clothes that juxtapose daring and demure.  And this style is a perfect representation of that.  (I sewed a bra into the dress.)

And I also love the curved high-low hemline.

This is Vogue 1298.  See the original reveiw here.

As you all have probably learned about me, it all starts with the fabric.  The fabric will always be my muse!  It tells me what it wants to become.  And during an occasional stroll through my local Jo-anns, I spotted this great black cotton eyelet fabric.  It told me that it wanted to become a shirt dress with a full skirt.  And I obliged.

In order to get the silhouette I wanted, I needed to frankenpattern.  I use Butterick 5897 for the bodice and McCall's 6842 for the skirt.  

For the bodice, I started with view A of Butterick 5897.  I cut the size 16, but I immediately started shaving it down.  This shirt has a lot of ease.  I had to take in each side 3.75".  This top has hidden button and button holes, so for the fly I used a black cotton voile I found at Hancock.  I used it also for the collar, stand and lining.

Even though the pattern suggested that the facings and fly be interfaced, I decided to omit it.  I felt that my two fabrics combined had enough body to support the design.  Nor did I interface the pocket flap.  This was a personal judgment call.  

For the skirt, I cut view D of McCall's 6842.  I partially-lined it.  Meaning that I stopped my lining around the point that view A of this skirt should've been cut.  I wanted to play up the eyelet fabric.  I've been seeing lots of styles with eyelet, open weaves, and mesh fabrics with that half-lined look... and this is an element that I decided to add.  And instead of having the zipper opening at the center back, I moved it to the right side.  And I left the skirt unhemmed.  I loved the way the fabric looked raw, with the slight fraying.

Since this dress has a significant waist seam and this fabric has no stretch, I added an invisible zipper to the right side... right below the arm hole to the right above the hipbone.  Just so that I could unbutton the front, unzip and pull it on.

This look is called "designs that reveal and conceal".  Which is also a reason why I decided to leave the bodice unlined and to just wear a full-coverage black bra.  It's a good "peek-a-boo" effect with a fabric that  is still substantial enough to offer overall good coverage.

I hope you all had a great weekend!  The weather was perfect here and as usual, we were out enjoying it!

Even though the calendar has yet to say it, summer is officially upon us.  And what better way to salute it than with white eyelet.

Even when it's in the mid 80's, it's still around 68 to 70 degrees in most indoor venues.  And instead of a cardigan, I layered a belted denim shirt over my dress.

The back of this dress was is one of the reasons I was initially drawn to it.

As was the the curved high-low hem.

Wearing:  shirt:  DKNY; dress:  Vogue 1298; bag: vintage Chanel bucket bag; sunglasses:  Karen Walker; shoes:  Shoe Mint.com.

Oh... and just to show you what a difference a year makes, here's my darling Isabella!  Almost 1 1/2 now!

I used Vogue 1298, a pattern by designer Rachel Comey.  I bought this pattern as quickly as I could get my hands on it.  I was sold at the gorgeous halter back and the curved hemline.  

The description is:  lined dress has straps extending into bands, close-fitting, front pleated bodice, back waistband, pleated skirt with raised waist, side back seams, shaped front hemline, invisible back zipper, and no side seams.

Based off of the pattern envelope AND my flat pattern measurements, I decided that I didn't need to add any additional length.  I wanted to this dress to be casual and it was okay if it fell above the knee.  I cut a size 14 on top and graded to a 16 at the waist.  I did a 1" FBA and added a horizontal dart.  I also sewed in a nude colored strapless bra (I cut the band off at the side seams), because this dress is obviously NOT "bra-friendly".  And being 41, there is NO WAY I'm leaving the house without the girls bound up, doing what they're supposed to be doing!

I used a cotton eyelet and lined it with a light-weight broadcloth, both from Hancock.  And where the instructions advised for "sew-in interfacing", I used cotton batiste.  

With this being a curved hemline, I'm so glad that it had a hem facing.  The hem turned out perfectly!  And instead of the lining being free hanging, it's slipstitched to the hem.

Close-up of the back:  Look!  No gaping!

I really like this pattern.  What I didn't like is that it was more empire-waisted than I thought it would be.  That plus the pleating equals "maternity-ish".  Hence the reason I added this great belt.  But other than that, this is a great, well-drafted pattern and the instructions were precise.  And this hemline is so on trend!

See, I'm not the only one that can rock eyelet!  My little princess Isabella -- The Future Fashionista, decided to get in on this trend!

I love shopping for baby girl clothes, A LOT more than I enjoy sewing them.  One of my favorite stores is Janie & Jack.  For those of you not familiar, those prices are no joke!  Maybe for a special occasion outfit, but for everyday clothes?!  Nope... I can't do it.  She'll grow out of it after barely one wearing.  So while browsing for ideas, I was inspired by the "Tea Time Bright Collection".  I was sold at eyelet, orange and madras!

For the top, I used McCall's 5610 and cotton eyelet and batiste for the lining, all from Hancock.  I cut the infant size medium.  It was a little big in the shoulders and I had to take several inches ( I don't remember how many) out of the shoulder straps.  And since I was using scalloped edge eyelet, I decided to only use one row for the ruffle.  The top has a thread loop center back closure, with a tiny 3/8" buttton.

For the shorts, I couldn't find an option like these for infant girls, so I used a baby boys' pattern -- McCall's 6016.  I eyeballed this pattern and knew it was going to be huge!  I cut the size small and still had to make waist adjustments with the elastic so that they wouldn't be too big.  And I cut around 2" off at the hem and still made 5/8" hem. They looked like pants before I altered them.  I think they mixed in a toddler pattern for infants.  Notice I added grosgrain bows for a girly detail.  Oh... I used a cotton madras from Hancock.  I had no problem matching the pattern.  It was quite easy!

It was so much fun sewing for Isabella.  I hadn't made clothes this small in almost 15 years!  I enjoyed it so much that I picked up more patterns for her!