I made this dress out of an Ikea duvet! I'm happy with the way it turned out and plan to make a winter version in a heavier fabric and with long sleeves. I used rainbow continuous zipper tape.
A couple of modifications - I added back darts as I found that it stuck out strangely at the back. I removed the same amount from the back skirt and added a centre seam. I sized down one size from my measurements and I’m happy with the fit. I will change some steps in the collar finishing next time (I found that trimming it to the amount they suggested left me very little for finishing). But otherwise it was reasonably straightforward to follow the pattern and it turned out well!
I enjoyed making this jacket. The instructions are clear and I also used a couple of Youtube sew-alongs including one by Maison Fauve which were very helpful. I made it in this cotton boucle with ponte roma jersey trims.
It is an oversized fit and I think I will size down next time - in particular I find the shoulder is quite dropped and this seems to be a feature in lots of Maison Fauve patterns, just something to bear in mind when selecting a size. It is a nice variation on a bomber jacket and has some lovely features, like the curved back hem and the pleats.
I made this jacket using pre-quilted fabric and it comes together very quickly. Instructions are very thorough and clear. I'm partway through making a vest with the same pattern. The way it is constructed makes it very easy to adjust the fit. Recommended!
I have made two of these pullovers and they are some of the most versatile and comfortable sweaters I own! The pattern is great, very straightforward and comes together very quickly. I didn't do any modifications and I sewed the wool fleece version all on the overlocker.
I made this jacket in Merchant and Mills cotton jacquard and lined it with cotton lawn without quilting it. It's a lovely pattern and came together nicely. I made 1 size up from my measurements as my fabric was quite thick. The pockets are great and mean a bagless school run! Modifications I made were to ditch-stitch the collar on rather than handsewing, and to line it without quilting. The only quibble I have is the finishing of the pocket side inner seam - on the thick fabric and with the angle of the pocket it is quite visible. There's probably a nicer way to finish this which I will work on for next time!
A wonderful pattern with clear instructions which are easy to follow. Made the shirt first then adapted to make a dress with pockets!
Easy to make and very forgiving of my lack of skill. I've made these a few times for my granddaughter and they all look cute.
This is my second Schoolhouse top, however this time I made it conventionally and not using an embroidered tablecloth. It was a different experience this time as I wasn't having to think about the placement of the embroidery. I decided to make the top version, the tablecloth one ended up being between top and dress length as I made most of the embroidery. I am very happy with the result, it won't be my last as it will be very useful. Love the 3/4 sleeves. The fabric is Japanese Cotton Shantung bought from Bugweeds in York
I love the way the dress has turned out. The pattern instructions do not hold your hand which I had read before I bought. However, the pocket method and the accompanying Youtube that is supposed to be helpful is totally NOT. I think the pocket pattern seam should be a quarter inch and then it would perhaps work, although I am not certain about this. In the end I unpicked and used my usual method that I learnt from Tilly & and Buttons. One star deducted for this. Apart from that, I had no issues making the dress and I love design, it won't be my last. The fabric I chose is a double gauze and I think Japanese. I've had it a good couple of years and can't remember where I bought it. I made the size 10 as I am a UK 10 / 12 currently and read that AU 10's are on the generous side. It fits perfectly.
I had quite a bit of this colour gradient quilting cotton by Robin Pickens so decided to make the Roseto dressing gown, size S and making it half light and half dark. I added 1/2" seam allowance to the back pattern piece so that I could cut 2 fabric pieces, one dark and one light. The length, surprisingly was just right - I did the ankle version. I'm 5' 1 1/2" However the sleeves were very, very long...... I cut 4 " off each sleeve end and they slotted neatly onto the opposite ends to make a contrasting cuff, remembering to work out which way the flowers went! I did cut one front piece wrongly, due to wrongly working out the colours and direction of flowers! Very pleased with the finished garment. I find Itch to Stitch patterns have very good instructions.
I have now made the Josie bra twice, and the pants three times.
I chose this pattern because I wanted to get into sewing bras, but found most patterns very intimidating: long ingredient lists, complicated looking fits and shapes and construction methods. But the Josie bra only requires one type of elastic, one (or two) types of fabric, and a ring. (I used white plastic rings, probably curtain rings, purchased at a sewing supplies op shop).
My figure is at the smaller end of the bra sizing scale, a B/C cup size in Australian sizing. I made a size 12 band, size 10 cups, and the longline version. It fit perfectly both times around with no adjustments. (I wasn't expecting that - even for a relatively uncomplicated size like mine, bra shopping is never so straightforward!)
One thing that intimidated me when starting to sew underwear was the vast range of stretchinesses in stretch fabrics. How on earth, I wondered, can you ever be confident that you'll buy something with the right level of stretch? How on earth do people do this? Eventually, I cautiously made version no. 1, conceived of purely as a wearable toile in all-white (I _never_ wear white) with an approx. 40-50% stretch 'cotton lycra' jersey, embellished with a stretch galloon lace, and plush picot elastic, and the aforementioned curtain ring. The result - it is way better than a wearable toile, definitely a proper garment, even if it is white all over. I love the configuration of the straps at the back, the pressure on the shoulder blades, the snug, embracing sensation of wearing it. Like a hug. Looks great too.
One modification I made to the pattern instructions was to flip the cup seams so that they pointed away from the skin, then I hid them under my white stretch lace. (The exact middle of a bra cup is not where I want a seam abrading my excema prone skin!) This worked perfectly. I recommend the strategy to all excema buddies out there. Lace is new to me, but I must say I'm a convert: it's so forgiving, the zigzag stitches just vanish into it, and you can use it to hide any number of seams. I used the same strategy when making Josie pants.
Version no. 2 was made using navy blue wide scallop-edge stretch lace for all pattern pieces, with a white cotton lycra jersey lining behind the two cup pieces, a firmer plush picot elastic, and a second curtain ring. I also experimentally added in an interlining of soft nylon tulle in the lower cups to see if that gave it a teensie bit more support. I actually can't tell - the firmer elastic and lace also make the whole thing feel quite firm compared to the first, but still fabulously comfortable, flattering, attractive.
I love wearing both version 1 and version 2 of the bra and feel a bit sorry that they're not outerwear so everyone can admire them! I plan to make more of these. I'm thinking maybe a sporty version using lycra and powernet, and a luxury version in stretch silk.
Many thanks to the designer! I hope to try more patterns from Made My Wardrobe in the future.
Having made my toile some time ago, I finished my best version of this pattern. Some reviewers here seem to have been bamboozled and frustrated so it might be helpful to point out that M&M place their lay plans and notes after the instructions on page four. Illustrations of wrong and right sides are given and these are also clear in the illustrations. The reviewer who questioned the placing of pocket back on the back pocket bag was incorrect.
When laying out and cutting pieces, transfer all markings (presented as asterisks) in a way that doesn't disappear. That says tailor tacks to me. Cut all notches including centres on front and back of skirt and waistband. Ensure that you mark right and wrong sides, also top and bottom. Note that the skirt pieces have the option of a seam allowance if joining narrow fabrics. If cutting on the fold, the SA is not required.
I cut the waistbands wider than indicated having had trouble with my toile and only interfaced them at half height. When I attached them, I was able to match them to the sides of the skirt.
There is one tailor tack towards the bottom of the pocket which is vital since it appears and has to be matched on every piece. In some cases you are asked to stay stitch and snip to that mark.
I changed the order of work suggested in order to avoid a large bulk of fabric. It is quite possible to make up the front and the back, including the waistbands and to join the side seams afterwards. I think this makes the pocket work clearer to understand.
I started with the front and back pleats. The pattern identifies these with either tacks or notches. It also numbers the order in which to make the pleats and points the direction with an arrow. 1 to the centre, 2 to to the side, 3 (overlaps 2) to centre and 4 to the centre.
Make sure the top edges line up exactly and then machine baste.
All of the pocket work happens on the front of the skirt. Only the back button placket is attached to the back piece.
You can attach both waistbands before sewing the side seams. I did initially make a mistake in turning the button placket under. However, I was sufficiently accurate with marks and snips that I was able to French seam the skirt sides.
I'm pleased with my new skirt and feel that it was worth the work.
Uploaded a pattern one day and it arrived within 3 days. Such a smooth and easy process. The addition of the storage envelope was a nice touch.
Very impressed with the service., will definitely be using the service again.
This dress is lovely. I wanted an unlined A-line shift dress for my summer holiday because I can’t bear to wear lined dresses in hot weather! It’s a simple design and straightforward to sew, with clear instructions, and there are some lovely details in both the design and construction that make for a beautiful finish. I made it in a classic navy linen but can see a brighter coloured one in my future!
I have made the sleeveless top so far - the pattern was easy to follow with coloured photos next to the instructions. In general the top is very cute - gives an oversized fit as stated in the pattern and the other reviews. However, I found the neck binding pattern piece gave me a binding that was too short. I finished my edges with French seams to give it a cleaner finish and I think that lining the bodice could also be a good adaptation to improve the finish on the inside. Love the idea of the placket.
This dress went together like a dream and is a great fit for my curvy size 14 figure. I used the C/D option. It's rare to find a softly fitting dress with darts these days but this has two sets of darts at the front and one set at the back of the bodice. As a result it has both a fitted shape with some ease instead of hit and miss bagginess. I made the button front version and it has a lovely curved neckline. I made the curved hem version. It's not very defined so might shape and cut higher at the sides next time. I used a rayon crepe, absolute top choice for this dress style. I'm planning a maxi version hack next and know I'll use this pattern a few more times.
I really enjoyed making these trousers. Simple to construct, and easy to follow instructions. Perfect for beginners. The apron pocket is what makes these trousers really special and I can’t wait to make another pair in corduroy with contrast ruffle! The only thing I changed was the size of the ruffle which looks bigger in the photos of the models’ trousers. I added a couple of centimetres to make the ruffle wider and stand out more. The elastic waistband is comfortable but doesn’t look too obvious. You could add belt loops if you wanted to disguise it, but I’m happy with the elastic waistband. You could add these pockets to other garments. This look great on a skirt. Thanks for the lovely pattern. Highly recommend.
Loved this dress! Easy to follow pattern, and a lovely shape. I made the size 26.
The fit was great everywhere, with only one exception. The armhole comes down so low that any person that wears a bra ( especially a person with big **** - ie a thick banded bra) will have their entire bra band show. I ended up adding a small panel on the armholes to accomodate for that. And no, I couldnt tie the straps tighter, as that pulled the lovely side gathers up onto the upper part of my chest and ruined the lovely shape.
All in all, a lovely pattern and I really enjoy the dress.
This was an absolute blast to sew. It took me around ~2 days to whip up. I'm an advanced beginner/intermediate sewist, and I think this pattern might be a little too advanced for an absolute beginner (the collar was a bit fiddly). The back collar piece is also meant to be mirrored, but the pattern instructions don't reflect that. I'm absolutely going to be making another in a different fabric (and perhaps another size, for my sister)!
Big on style with the barrel leg shape, pin tuck detailing and inseam pockets but I had issues making this pattern up. The pattern states it’s medium/challenging . The fly zip and inseam pockets require sewing experience to execute well , it’s the poorly written instructions, a blog tutorial that doesn’t provide clarity and lack of markings on the fly pieces that make this more “challenging” than it needs to be. Got there in the end but it was a very frustrating process for me and rather disappointed in Style Arc in this regard. I’ve been sewing with other independent patterns recently, and their comprehensive instructions & tutorials make the more challenging parts of sewing garments much more straightforward.
This is an amazing tool I didn't realise I needed. It makes the neatest notches on patterns far better than snipping with your scissors at a precise length every time. Seriously essential.