French Terry Dress Butterick 6207

I've been on a dress kick lately! When I saw Butterick 6207, I immediately loved the lay back, cool vibe of the striped dress on the envelope. I used a french terry knit from Koshtex on Etsy. I love the heathered denim blue with white stripe.

I cut the size 20 based off my measurements. Usually I size down but I wanted the extra ease in this. I kept the length as is.

This sewed up quickly on the serger. I used my coverstitch for hems and topstitching.

Not much to say about this one. It's quick and easy. And it feels like I'm wearing pajamas!

~Jenny

Classic Wrap Dress Vogue 8379

You can never go wrong with a classic wrap dress! It's easy to wear and instantly makes you look put together. This is my third version using good old Vogue 8379. You can see my first version, one of my very first posts, here. And my second version here. 

The fabric is this great geometric black and white ITY knit I found on Etsy. 

As for changes/adjustments this time around: 

• I sewed the same size I did my first go around because my tissue is already cut. I am no longer the size I was 10 years ago but this is knit and honestly fits better now that I've put on some weight in different places. If I went by my current measurements, I'd be cutting 2 sizes larger today. This gives you an idea about the ease. 

• I used clear elastic along the neckline to stabilize. 

• I interfaced along the front of the dress from the bodice to the hem. The pattern only calls for interfacing in the bodice but I recommend interfacing the self-facing of the skirt as well. 

I think that's about it as far as changes. I sewed this almost exclusively on my serger, only using the straight-stitch on the small details like the darts. I was able to get this done in a 4 hour sitting, not including cutting time. 

I just can't get enough of these dresses! I just love how easy to wear they are and how instantly stylish they look! I'm sure there will be more versions to come. 

~ Jenny

Alberta Street Pencil Skirt by Sew House Seven

I've been in need of some more work separates, particularly skirts and pants. I've been eyeing patterns for denim skirts for a while and settled on the Sew House Seven Alberta Street Pencil Skirt. The pattern intrigued my because I could use it to put a bit of a twist on the typical denim skirt. I liked the unique pockets and pencil shape.

I used a stretch denim from my stash, not sure of where it originally came from. It is quite stretchy, I'm guessing it has about 3% spandex. I fell in between 2 sizes with my waist and hip measurements and ended up going with the larger of the 2. The pattern warns you that this is designed with negative ease to be form-fitting and to stretch with wear. 

The skirt was easy to construct. The instructions were thorough and well illustrated. 

Back to that 3% spandex. I wore it to work on the first day. Within a few hours, the skirt had stretched out, gaping at the waistband. It wasn't a good look. I promptly had to unpick the waistband and sides, and took in the skirt an extra 3/4 inch on each side. Much better! It is now form fitting but comfortable. I think you will need to base this off of whether you are working with a stretch fabric or not. Without any stretch, I probably would have been fine, but that extra bit of stretch put me in the next size down.

This was my first Sew House pattern. I thought it was well drafted, instructions were great. I would definitely sew another pattern from them again.   

~Jenny