Shalini's Sewing Space

Four way top / cardigan hack I have been loving crossover tops lately. They are super flattering on almost everyone and work well with skirts and pants. I saw this one on Pinterest and absolutely loved it. It can be worn as a top and a cardigan, and for someone who loves capsule wardrobes, this is the perfect addition! I think it came out better than I expected! This was my muslin fabric and I didn't pay much attention to plaid matching but I love it nonetheless. The plaid is a sweater knit I got a while back and it works great. It would also work in french terry knit, ponte knit, DBP. I want one in each fabric!  First way: Crossed over and snapped at the sides. Second: Tied in a loose bow Third: Loose Forth: Twist in the center and snapped at the sides. I made my next one out of this beautiful mustard knit. This one is not as drapey and I plan to wear it crossed over.  I started out with a cardigan pattern that fits me well - Rad Patterns Qui...

Basically Jalie Blog Tour - Day 2 (This post has been sponsored by Jalie Patterns. There is  a sewalong, rafflecopter, and amazing prizes to win so keep reading! )  Majority of what I wear are work/business casual outfits and hence that is majority of what I sew. I am always looking for cute woven tops to add to my rotation. I love making tunic tops especially now that I've learned to fit them. I never liked any store bought ill fitting and stiff feeling tops especially button-downs but now that I can make them and make them to fit, it is a whole different story! This blog-tour is for basics and I consider woven tops to be part of my daily basic wardrobe so that is what I made for this blog tour. This is the Rose blouse (Jalie 3881) in a woven crepe fabric I got recently from Sincerely Rylee. The fabric is gorgeous and so easy to work with.  I chose this top because of the bow. Let's be honest, we love blouses with bows! I have never been able to find ...

Make Nine 2018 Conclusion 2018 is coming to a close so I thought I would finish off my #makenine2018 with another make. I tested the Winter Wear Designs Satara Shirtdress and thought it would be the perfect shirtdress for me. What I like about this one in particular is the collar. I dislike the traditional collar on shirts / shirtdresses and jumped when I saw the sample image of this dress. I have previously made McCall 6696 and had thought of using that pattern for my makenine2018 shirtdress this year but the collar is too serious for me. I don't like making them and I don't really like wearing them either.  I'm not sure what this collar is called (just learned it's called split collar) but I love it! Another feature I like is the circle skirt because it is so flattering. So, presenting my latest make - Winter Wear Designs Satara Shirtdress .  I also love that this dress has princess seams and I was able to use the stripes in an interesting way. I  love s...

Mirri Faux Wrap dress by Wardrobe by me I finished another item for my Make Nine 2018 challenge making it 5th item completed. This time it is a black faux wrap dress. It's one of those pieces that show up in a lot of capsule wardrobes because it's such a classy piece. I didn't have any handmade wrap dresses and this is why I had added it to my challenge for this year! Originally I had the Wanda wrap dress pattern in mind which also happens to be by Wardrobe by me but it requires more fabric than what I had available in my stash and I'm trying to be really good about using up stash before buying new. With the size of my stash I should be able to sew for years and years and not need to run to the store but that's not how it works! In this case, Mirri came to the rescue and I was able to puzzle it out of my black rayon spandex yardage.  I love that I did't have to adjust anything other than length in order to make this dress. I just took off 1...

Sewing by Ti - Monster Tour It's October and that means it is time to make your little ones (or big ones!) Halloween costumes! Growing up in India we did not celebrate Halloween so when I first moved to the US and was living in an apartment, I was amazed at all the dress up and trick or treating concept. I made sure to buy tons and tons of candy because we got so many kids coming to our doorstep. While I didn't get into making costumes for me, I love making them for my kids :) My oldest is turning 14 tomorrow(already?!) and is no longer interested in Halloween and that made me a little sad. He says trick or treating is for little kids and I respect his choice in the matter. My 8 year old, however, wanted to dress up as a cat - a cute and cuddly one. She got one! She made an easy choice this year and was very involved in the designing of her costume. She is getting more and more interested in making her doll clothes and comes up with interesting shapes and experimen...

Make Nine Progress - 4 down! I'm not doing so great with the #2018makenine. I started out with this challenge in January and thought I should have no trouble with making NINE items. I mean, I am on track to making at least 100 items this year (currently at 80!). How hard could these 9 items be? Turns out, the issue is having to stick to the vision you had at the beginning of the year and carrying it out in a seasonally appropriate manner. It's either the wrong season, or I don't have perfect fabric or pattern to be making something. Sigh. Let's review for a second what I had originally envisioned to be making - Item #1 - Suede and sherpa vest = DONE I made the Designer Stitch Ilse vest and love it. I wore it earlier this year and look forward to it in the fall and winter! 2. Mustard Straight Skirt - I wanted this one in mustard wool which I already have. The issue I'm having with this item is not having the perfect pattern with lining and facings incl...