Sew Cute!

I'm SUPER excited to share this project today as I've been slowly working toward stretching my sewing skills! This past week was school vacation here in Maine so I had time to spend on some craft projects. While browsing Pinterest, I found a sewing pattern for a women's top from Made by Rae that I thought looked really cute and didn't seem to be above my abilities. It's called the 'Josephine' and here's how it turned out...

I'd consider myself to be in the 'advanced beginner' category in terms of my sewing abilities, steadily working into the solid 'intermediate' category. This pattern required me to really work on many skills including pleats, darts, gathering fabric (on both the top and bottom of the sleeves), adding an elastic casing, and creating my own bias tape. Some of these skills I had done before but needed to practice and others I've never done until now! From start to finish, including printing out and assembling the pattern, it took me the better part of 10 hours. Naturally, the first time always takes longer because you have to spend time figuring things out!

What I really like about this particular pattern is that there are several options that allow for a great fit! At only 5' tall, I have a 'petite' but curvy body shape...this means I usually need a size 'small' in tops but my 'ladies' and my hips are on the larger size so I need some room in these two areas! This pattern works for sizes XS-XXL but also has an A/B cup bodice option and a C/D cup bodice option for the top. This allowed for the perfect fit because I have a larger bust on a smaller frame!

The back has an option for an elastic band to further allow for a better fit. This cinches in the waist so the top is a bit more fitted. I also ended up shortening the sleeves and taking up the bottom hem because, again, I'm a 'shorty' so the shirt and sleeves would've have been way too long if I didn't! That's another great part of sewing your own clothes...you can customize the fit!

 

I chose a lightweight cotton fabric in a yellow lattice print that I picked up on sale for 50% off at Jo-Ann Fabrics so I only spent about $12. I think the color pairs nicely with dark wash jeans, tan boots/shoes, and gold accessories! The pattern also has a tunic length option with a fabric belt instead of an elastic which is probably the next sewing project I'll work on! 

What about you? Have you ventured into the world of sewing with some success?

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