Shalini's Sewing Space

My friend Ti is starting this new awesome series of sewing videos on Facebook Live! Check it out here  Live Sewing Lessons   She also has a fabric shop Sewing by Ti . I especially like her stretch woven twills and rayon spandex . I am planning the stretch twill to be used for pants for my fall capsule. It has good horizontal stretch and also vertical stretch (which is so rare to find in this material) making it ideal for skinny pants. I got the olive and khaki colors but she has a number of other colors too. I am currently working on some super secret testing projects which will be released soon! I'm so excited about these new tests. Can't wait to get those up on the blog.

Brunch Blouse  by Patterns for Pirates New release by P4P - Brunch blouse . It has blouse and dress options, various sleeve options, and a henley placket that is optional. It is a really quick sew for a woven dress. I made a dress and a top during the testing phase and could not be happier with both! Brunch Blouse Dress option by P4P  I made no major adjustments to the pattern apart from my usual length measurements. I'm 5'0 and Judy designs for 5'5 so I usually have to take out 2.5" from dresses, 1-1.5" from tops. In the dress, I took out 1" above the bust dart and 1.5" below the waist. Since I've been sewing P4P for some time now, I know where to make my adjustments. The key when taking out or adding length is to do it in multiple places and then to smooth the curves. This fabric was a purchase from fabric.com a while back. I loved it when I saw it but was totally stumped on what to use it on! It had to be a simple enough pattern so it...

Janice Boho Top by Wardrobe By Me New pattern released by WBM - Janice Boho . It has that floaty, boho vibes we've been seeing a lot this summer. The sleeves really steal the show! Statement Sleeves have been such a trend this year. It will be perfect for going into fall. Janice Boho, Size 10 graded to 14, 7/8 sleeve with Voilant (Bell) ruffle Janice Boho in size 10. Gathered ruffle sleeve and ruffle hem.  Let's talk about the hem ruffle. It provides just the right amount of fluff without going too overboard. I used a lightweight chiffon for this garment. It is a wee bit see-through so I will be wearing it with a cami for work. It provides a great amount of drape though that is lovely with this pattern.  Janice Boho comes with two neckline options - O and V, 3 sleeve lengths - 3/4, 7/8, and Long sleeve, two gathered sleeve ruffle sizes - narrow and wide, and a bell shaped (voilant) sleeve. It has 2 bodice options too - with ruffle and without ruffle! ...

I have been testing for Rad Patterns for about an year now. It used to be just adults patterns but recently they've expanded their range to include Kids patterns. I was so excited when I first learned that Stephanie, the designer behind Rad Patterns, was coming out with Kids patterns! One of my favorite sewn items from Rad are the CYOA (Choose Your Own Adventure) tops ( Loose , Fitted ) that have been a staple for my wardrobe. Now she has just released CYOA Kids ! I have no doubts this will fill DD's wardrobe! CYOA Kids Dress in size 7 This pattern lets you choose between the various options provided such as, Dress or Shirt length, Sleeve lengths Sleeveless, Short, 3/4th, Long sleeves, Crew neck or V neck. I love that I can use this pattern to make a crew neck t-shirt in lightweight rayon knit for spring/summer, and also use the same pattern to make a sweater dress with long sleeves for fall/winter!  CYOA Kids Shirt Size 7 The thing I love about Stephanie is...

Kristen Dress by Designer Stitch Every once in awhile, you come across something that just makes you want to drop everything else you're doing and get on it! Kristen dress pattern did that for me. When designer Ann Grose showed an inspiration image of the dress she was designing next, I decided I had no choice but to do this one. I test for her and one of the many benefits of testing is that you get to preview the upcoming designs ahead of everyone else. This dress just moves and swirls around and makes me want to twirl and sing songs :)  Those deep inverted pleats give the skirt a lot of fun movement. We never really grow up, do we? At heart, we are still little girls and boys, prancing around without a care, wanting to be fed cake. The princess seams give a perfect fit. I'm a sewing B cup and if I wasn't, I needn't worry about FBA because the pattern comes with cup sizes B,C,D,DD. The dress is recommended for a lightweight woven such as rayon, crepe, silky...

McCall 5927 - OOP pattern for misses shift dress.  It is my most favorite dress made out of my most used paper pattern thus far. I made 6 versions of this pattern. Of the 6, this is the dress I wear when I am feeling thin and fabulous, this is also the one I reach for when I'm feeling bloated and not so fabulous! It hides sins, people :) I do believe this is the dress I've received the most compliments on IRL. Those tucks on the skirt sides add just the right amount of fullness. This pattern is genius! It works great for my mom body and can see it working on a variety of different shapes. I'm a rectangle shape and feel it gives my waist some definition I desperately desire. I was so inspired by Georgina's version over here that I had to have it. Alas, by the time I noticed the pattern, it had gone OOP. I found it on eBay and bought it for $6. Best $6 I've ever spent! It is not a brand new make..the dress is now about 2 years old and has taken a...