Category: PDF Patterns

Handmade, Jeans, PDF Patterns

Ginger Jeans By Closet Case Patterns.

eclecticseams

Happy Monday everyone! Today’s outfit consist of jeans and a T shirt as usual. I’m wearing the Ginger Jeans by Closet Case patterns, I made these for a collaboration with Sewn Magazine last year. I just wanted to share a quick review along with a couple of tips and of course some pictures. Even though I don’t like sewing jeans I’m always amazed by the fact that I can make them.

Closet Case Ginger Jeans.

Jean Type: Skinny.

Fabric used: medium weight 70% cotton 25% polyester 5% spandex from Joann’s Fabrics.

Fit modifications: I made view B, high rise & skinny leg. I shortened the length on the back by the pockets. Something I never done before. The pattern comes with a line that makes this adjustment easy. 

Sewing tips for this pattern: I highly recommend a making a muslin, it’s important that you use the same type of fabric you’ll be using for the final piece. I used denim with very little stretch and I end up with a lot of extra fabric on the back area. It was an easy fix but unnecessary.

Is there anything you would do differently if you used this pattern again? I would shorten the legs another inch. I’m 5’4″ tall to give an idea.

Would you recommend this pattern? Yes! I must mention that this pattern comes with a tutorial but I didn’t have access to it.

Quick Tips:

  1. Pre wash your denim, you don’t want your jeans shrinking after all the hard work you put into making them.
  2. Make a muslin! Trust me it will save you a lot of time if you don’t have to undo topstitching due to poor fit.
  3. Use a heavy duty or Jeans needle.
  4. Topstitch using a longer stitch and use regular thread for the bobbin. Don’t backstitch secure your thread on the wrong side of the garment.
  5. Keep your seam reaper close and don’t be afraid to use it. Take as many breaks as you need and don’t stress about it.
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Jumpsuit, PDF Patterns, Sewing

Juanita Jumpsuit – Rosy Peña Patterns.

eclecticseams

Hello everyone, I finally have the time to create something for the blog. I recently joined the Minerva Blogger team and was busy working on a couple of projects. I was also working on a small project for Sewn Magazine, more on that very soon. I started working on the Juanita Jumpsuit by Rosy Peña patterns sometime ago, but for reasons I can’t remember now I had to put it aside several times. I love the way it turned out!

This pattern comes with two options a Jumpsuit and Palazzo Pants with a wide waistband. The jumpsuit requires four main pattern pieces which makes cutting and sewing a breeze. I chose a light weight knit I bought at Michael Levine in Los Angeles some time ago. I have so much striped fabric I’m trying to find creative ways to use it. This time I use horizontal stripes for the bodice and vertical for the pants. Maybe not the most creative but I like it.

I cut a size Medium because I wanted this to be extra comfy but next time I’ll cut a small for the bodice. The construction is very easy, it has an elastic waist perfect for the upcoming holidays. I want to make this again in a crepe, another reason why I was testing a larger size, I think it might work. If you know me you’ll know knits are my nemesis and easy projects is definitely what I need if I want to conquer them.

Juanita Jumpsuit – Rosy Peña Patterns.

Pattern Description: jumpsuit featuring a mock wrap bodice, back strap detail, elasticated waist, completed with a tie sash/belt. The palazzo pant offers a tummy control fold-over waistband.

Pattern Sizing: XXS – XXL I cut the Medium.

Difficulty: easy.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I liked it but pockets would have been nice. Really not difficult to add your own.

Fabric Used: Light weight knit from Michael Levine.

Would you recommend it to others? Absolutely!

PDF Patterns, Summer Dress

Abby Dress – Rosy Pena Patterns.

eclecticseams

Hello everyone! Last month I was invited to test the Abby Dress. This is a new pattern from Rosy Pena Spring/Summer 2019 collection. I have been following Rosy since I met her at a conference in 2016. I love her style and I was super excited to be included in the tester group. The Abby is a feminine button front dress with princess seams. This pattern has three length variations and also has a blouse with a flounce version.

This pattern comes in sizes XXS to XXL, I cut an XS. This dress features princess seams at the front and a center back seam, perfect for my needed swayback adjustment. The back also has two darts which makes it even easier to adjust to your desired fit. I chose the maxi version but for reasons I can’t remember I omitted the pockets. I probably lost them and forgot about them. ( don’t judge me) The pattern calls for a medium weight knit but I knew this fabric was perfect for it. This is a Silky Crinkle Rayon from Joann Fabrics. ( Here ) I added half an inch for the side seams just incase since the stretch on my fabric was minimal.

The pattern come together fairly quick. I sew very slow so for me the buttons and the buttonholes took a while. I recommend for those not comfortable working with them to create a faux button stand. If your’re using a knit with enough stretch you can pull it over the head. I made a mock up using a medium weight Ponte and it worked just fine. Overall this a great pattern with a lot of possibilities. This is a perfect summer dress, I would definitely make it again. The Abby is on sale for a week only so head over to Rosypenapatterns.com and get yours!

Handmade, PDF Patterns, Sewing

The Rosalinda Dress – Rosy Peña Patterns.

eclecticseams

The Rosalinda Dress from Rosy Peña is the free pattern for the March/April issue of Sewn Magazine . One of my sewing goals for 2019 was to use more PDF patterns so I decided to give it a try. I printed the Rosalinda pattern at home because it only had 32 pages. It took me about 2 hours, included a run to the store because as usual I ran out of ink. The tapping takes me forever, definitely not the best thing for people with ADHD. I actually sent a few PDF patterns to an online printing service recommended by a fellow Sewist, (you can find it here) the shipping was fast and was very inexpensive. No more tapping for me. Let’s go back to the Rosalinda shall we?

This is a semi-fitted dress featuring a wide mock-neck or roll collar, center front and center back seams, and deep curved armholes. I used the front seam to my advantage by doing a chevron pattern using this striped fabric from my stash. I forgot the name of my fabric but it is very similar to a Liverpool Knit. I cut size XXS for the top and XS for the skirt. I only had a small issue, the armholes were gapping a little so I did the adjustment by the collar because I didn’t want to undo my side seams.

This is a very easy pattern, the instructions were simple and straightforward. This will definitely work best with medium weight fabrics for that loose fitting effect. This is the second time I work with stripped fabric and I had to brag about how good my lines matched. Figuring out the cutting layout takes a while but once you tackled that part the sewing is easy. I will make a little tutorial of how I matched these lines so check back soon. I can see a color blocking version of this in my future. Overall this a great pattern, I love how easy it is to sew and how versatile it is. You can put on heels and wear it to a cocktail party or put on snickers and take it to a ball game.

I highly recommend this pattern!

Handmade, PDF Patterns, Sewing

The Luisa Shorts – Rosy Peña Patterns.

eclecticseams

This summer I was a little upset when I found out none of my shorts fit. All those donuts I ate at midnight were coming back to haunt me! I’ve probably been wearing the same shorts every summer since I was 20 years old, so it’s about time I make new ones. I started looking for shorts patterns right away, and I soon realized I’ve never made shorts before. I saw a picture of Rosy Peña wearing the Luisa shorts on Instagram and I was immediately sold.

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This is a very simple pattern with only four pattern pieces which is perfect for beginners. I’m not a big fan of PDF patterns, but I really wanted to give them a real try and these shorts were perfect for that. These shorts have a paper bag waist , inseam pockets and faux drawstring. Honestly it was the elastic waist that convinced me, just incase I gain a couple more pounds this summer.😄. I also got a free pattern, The Marie Wrap Skirt, when I signed up for Rosy’s newsletter.

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The pattern comes with a copy shop format, in case you dislike printing and taping. I feel that it defeats the purpose of a PDF pattern but it’s great to have that option. I used a chambray, which might get tricky sewing with this type of fabric so I recommend ironing using of a lot spray starch before cutting. I didn’t follow the instructions, because I sew them the same way I sew pants just because it’s easier for me. I did read the instructions, for the sake of this review, and they were easy to follow. Rosy also has a sew long video here, just in case you need a visual.

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Luisa Trousers/Shorts – Rosy Peña Patterns.

Pattern Description: A “paperbag” waist style trouser or shorts featuring a mini ruffled detail, inseam pockets and a faux drawstring. Luisa is a fun piece to add to your wardrobe and is both comfortable and stylish to wear.

Pattern Sizing: XXS – XXL. I cut a size Small.

Difficulty: Easy.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the deep pockets and the paper bag waist.

Fabric Used: Chambray from Joann Fabrics.

Would you recommend it to others? Yes, especially for those trying PDF patterns for the first time.