Toaster Sweater with Measure Fabric

Posted in Fabric Finds by The Sara Project

Hello hello!

I’m in the thick of fall sewing this month with lots of fun things going on. First up is my third Toaster Sweater, pattern by Sew House Seven from Indiesew. You can see my other versions here and here.

The story behind this Toaster Sweater is, well not very interesting actually but goes like this. I picked this really pretty Matelasse Honeycomb Pattern from Measure Fabric thinking it was a knit. My plan was to make a cozy sweatshirt with it. When it came in the mail I noticed it had zero stretch. Not a knit. I kind of started to panic, I ONLY order fabric if I have a pretty immediate plan for it. This fabric is heavier, structured, and 100% cotton. I mulled it over for a week or so and could not wrap my mind around this fabric not being a knit, and what to make with it. So many of you offered some really great ideas, but after a weeks worth of mulling I decided a Toaster Sweater would be the safest bet. No bands, wide neckline, the only problem I saw was the sleeves being too tight/stiff.

3-4 weeks later I finnnallly get around to sewing it up. To my credit I had other deadlines to meet so I wasn’t technically putting it off. Does anyone else put things off they aren’t entirely sure about? So anyways, literally two days ago I sat down to sew it up. (The whole thing came together in a day, super fast sew). I basted the sleeves first to check the fit and they were perfect.

Yesterday I put it on with some skinny jeans, and the matelasse became softer and less stiff with wear. I was quite comfortable in it too! It’s saying a lot if I kept it on all day, I’m usually in my lounge wear/pjs by 4 pm. (I wish I could wear lounge wear/athleisure wear during the day but I just can’t, what is wrong with me?). Anyways.

As I was walking out the door yesterday morning with my kids on our way to preschool and ballet, I had the genius idea to grab my camera. In my brain I pictured backing my car up to an old wall, opening the back hatch and propping my 5 year old there to snap some photos for me. It totally worked and she did a pretty awesome job.

I love the look of this structured top! Its warm, comfortable, and lavender! I don’t have anything lavender in my wardrobe, and I’m loving this feminine color. Sadly, this color is currently sold out, but the light green color is still available. I added 1″ in length to this version, with no other alterations.

I think this fabric would work great for an overcoat type pattern, maybe like the Berlin Jacket by Tessuti or even a structured Inari Tee Dress? It’s a really unique, and equally gorgeous fabric. Just keep in mind it is a bit stiff (think structured) and heavy.

I’m wearing my FAVORITE madewell jeans in a size 25, the fit is so so good.

Thanks for reading along, and stay tuned for many more things in the near future! Happy sewing!

Burnside Bibs with Measure Fabric

Posted in Pattern Reviews by The Sara Project

Hey everyone! I’m back with my latest make, and boy is it a good one! EVERYONE has been making the Burnside Bibs by Sew House 7 lately. So, for this month’s collaboration with Measure Fabric, I thought I would finally try my hand at making a pair, and picked up the pattern from Indiesew.

As for the fabric, Measure Fabric had this awesome black jacquard/cotton fabric that almost looks like a suede. Unfortunately, this fabric sold out quickly and is no longer available. Some other great options for this pattern from Measure Fabric are this black non-stretch denim, or this linen denim.

As for this pattern! I reallly enjoyed sewing these up. It was smooth sailing and nothing was too hard to figure out. I made version 1 in the size 4. I did take in the side seams from the bottom of the pocket openings and down to the hem about 1/2″. The fit is great. There’s lots of top-stitching. Guys, top-stitching is my love language.

These are so comfortable to wear! I will definitely be making a spring/ summer version in the coming months. I paired mine with a simple crew neck t-shirt. I’m excited to pair my roscoe blouse with it for a different silhouette, and also all the Nikkos and fitted turtle necks for colder days.

Thanks for reading along. Now do yourself a favor and go buy this pattern! Happy sewing!

Fabric was provided by Measure Fabric and the pattern was provided by Indiesew. All opinions are my own.

10Sep2018

Persephone Pants + Tabor V-Neck Sweater with Indiesew and Measure Fabric

Posted in Fabric Finds, Pattern Reviews by The Sara Project

Hey guys! Come august my mind switches from summer sewing to fall sewing. I love being prepared and working on things a littler earlier than I probably need to! First on my fall sewing list was the Persephone Pants by Anna Allen and the Tabor Sweater by Sew House 7. I’m super excited to share this Indiesew and Measure Fabric Collab with you!

I LOVE the Toaster Sweater, so the the Tabor Sweater seemed like an obvious choice. I love the chunky neckband of the #4 option in this pattern, the side vent, and the long sleeves for cold weather. This pattern was really fun to sew, and like most knit projects, pretty fast to make.

I used a really fun sweater knit fabric from Measure Fabric. It’s pretty thick fabric, and it’s going to be perfect for fall. I don’t love layering, but instead just wearing one super warm piece on top, so this will be great. This fabric is now sold out, but this sweater knit is very similar with it’s fun print.

Next up, my beloved persephone pants! I have been wanting to make this pattern ever since I randomly found Anna Allen’s account, and saw that this pattern was in the works. I was pregnant at the time and knew it would be a many months until I would be ready to try sewing pants. Time passes on, and I finally feel like my pre-pregnancy self is back, and ready for jeans making. I used a denim with a little stretch from Indiesew’s shop, unfortunately now sold out.

(I paired them with a more cropped length sweater below to show more of the fit, the sweater is old from a ready to wear store few years ago).

So these pants. I had very high expectations, and a great love for the way they looked on others. I had VERY high hopes. My waist sits a size 4, and my hips a size 0. Everyone suggested sizing down, or going with a straight size from your hip measurement. I ended up sewing a size 0, and the pants were too big. There was a lot of extra fabric in the crotch and inseam. Yes, that’s better than too small, but I was super bummed. I reached out to Anna Allen and she gave me some great tips. She suggested taking in the crotch curve 1/2″ or so. I ended up taking the curve in about 3/4″ of an inch or so, and the fit is pretty good. I didn’t change anything along the backside. I also played around with the inseam a little to get a closer fit. It was tricky for me to get the right fit without being able to play with the side seams at all. It seems like it worked out really well for others so I was surprised I had a hard time with this pattern.

I like my pants to fit tight, and I feel like these pants fit better when I have a shirt tucked in. My belly is a little rounded (just had a baby 5 months ago), so I think that might be why the fly pulls a part a little. I don’t think the problem comes from the size being too small. I would prefer them to be a little more snug around my hips than they are.

I hemmed these to be about 3/4″ longer than they show here, but one wash and they shrunk a little more length wise. (I promise I pre-washed!). It’s okay though, I still love them.

So, what’s my opinion of this pattern? I really love it. Do I have what it takes to try again? Right now, I don’t think so. Haha. I feel good about how these fit, but I know they could fit even better, and I’m not sure I have the patience to keep tweaking them to figure it out. One thing you should know about me is that I pretty much never make a muslin. I didn’t make a muslin with these, but I definitely should have. Take my advice, and make a muslin first with this pattern!

I’m really proud with how these turned out, sans muslin. They are super cute in denim, and I’m loving the wide leg trend happening right now. These will get plenty of wear!!

I’m finally getting into a good schedule with my kids, and feeling more myself. A few weeks after my baby was born I told my mom I wanted to quit all of my sewing commitments. I was so tired, and just wanted to make my own things at my own pace. Thank goodness for moms I tell yah! She told me I would get my energy back, my kids would go to school, and I would most definitely want to get back to it. Well, five months later and she was right. I want to sew all the things, and feel like I can start to manage more projects. THANKS MOM! I have a lot of fun things planned for the coming weeks, so keep your eye on this space!

You can shop my black suede mules here! I love this light tan color too. They are the perfect height to wear with jeans, and soooo comfortable.

Fabric and patterns provided by Indiesew and Measure Fabric, all opinions are my own.

23Jul2018

Kalle Shirt + Measure Fabric

Posted in Fabric Finds, Pattern Reviews by The Sara Project

I’m super excited to share my Kalle Shirt with you all. To be honest, I was hesitant about this pattern at first. Now that high waisted jeans are huge, (and they finally it me again) I want all the cropped shirts to pair with them. I love the structure and classic look of a button up shirt. This pattern has a really fun hemline that adds a little flair and makes this shirt pattern unique.

To make mine work for me and my style, I added 2 1/2″ in length to this top and it’s just right. I was worried about the side seam coming up too high but it’s perfect. I ran out of buttons, so I didn’t add one to the collar, but I will most likely only wear it open so no big deal. Maybe I’ll add a button to it later.

Okay, let’s talk about this fabric and the play on stripes. First of all, this fabric is from Measure Fabric, a fabric boutique with gorgeous and unique fabrics. I chose this rayon blend sateen twill pinstripe suiting . It has really great weight to it and feels slightly heavier than quilting cotton. I love the structure it gives to this pattern, and the stripes add a classic feel. I’m calling it Madewell inspired.

I was originally planning on playing with the stripes, and I searched through #kalleshirt on Instagram to get some inspiration. When I saw Cotton Lining’s Kalle shirt, it was all over. Her stripes on her fabric are very similar to mine, and so I just copied what she did!

I also switched the stripe direction on the back yoke of my shirt.

I don’t know why I waited so long! I love this pattern! I paired my Kalle Shirt with my Levi’s and Steve Madden Mules, and I’m really loving this look. I’m excited to try adding the sleeve expansion pack to my pattern library to make a long sleeve version for fall.

Fabric for this post was provided by Measure Fabric.

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