Shalini's Sewing Space

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...

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...

It's time to sew Itch to Stitch I am participating in the blog tour again this year. This is a time to sew Itch to Stitch patterns we've been meaning to make for long! I have had my eyes on  Crystal Cove Cami  since it released and the  Angelia Shorts   were on my #makenine2018! It was absolutely the easiest decision to participate in the blog tour and pick these 2 patterns. Itch to Stitch patterns are very well drafted, have precise yet detailed instructions. Kennis Wong is well respected in the industry for putting out top notch patterns. It is an absolute pleasure to sew ITS patterns ! One of the wonderful sponsors D&H fabrics sent me this beautiful  Moonstone in blue  (Atelier Brunette) fabric that I absolutely love! More info on the fabric below -  Before I go on with the construction details, I want to mention that both the Crystal Cove Cami and Angelia Shorts are on a FLASH SALE for 24 hours only! TODA...

This year I am participating in the #2018makenine challenge. Previous post on this here . I picked nine items I have been wanting to make but did not have enough specific plans and kept putting off. I was hoping these were going to be things I would love wearing and that would work with my capsules made last year. It is time to reflect upon how the sewing is going and whether the plans are working out. I have thus far made 3 of the 9 items.  Here is my inspiration collage.  #1 - Sherpa Vest - I used Designer Stitch pattern - Ilse vest  to make this vest. I love the way the material feels. I am new to vest wearing and clearly, I have been missing out! The only thing is the belt is a pain to have to tie without a mirror. I am planning to add a button closure and then I will be able to wear this everywhere.  #2 - Harem pants - I used another Designer Stitch Pattern - Indu pants for these! Previous post on this is here. I love wearing them all the ...

It has been a long time desire of mine to make or buy a pair of harem pants but something or the other has stopped me. I never found the one I liked, no pattern appealed to me so far, and I was skeptical of how they would look on my short curvy shape. When Ann from Designer Stitch  floated an inspiration picture that she was planning to draft, I signed up instantly! The picture reminded me of Indian patiyala salwaar style that I have always loved. Well, I gave it a go and I have made 2 pairs and worn them back to back for days! Presenting the Indu pants by Designer Stitch. What makes them super fun is the shape and also the multiple wrapping opportunities to keep changing the look! I love them loose on the sides though I also like to tuck one side to the center and one side loose. Aanya calls them "Jasmine pants" and Mehul thinks they're some sort of a rocket shape. Even hubby loves them and wants me to make more :) For the Black pair, I picked a rayon s...

January has almost flown by and I haven't had a chance to sit down and do a review of previous year nor plans for 2018. This has partially been due to a number of pattern tests I involved myself in the beginning of January and partially due to getting overwhelmed at the prospect of doing a big collage or writeup of everything I did in 2017. I'm not going to do a big collage or writeup :-) A lot of what I made is already on this blog or on the FB sewing album. I do know I sewed through 225 yards of fabric and finished 161 of 170 sewing projects started in 2017. Here is just a small sample of what I made in 2017. Goals for 2018 are going to be similar. I want to sew at least 150 yards of fabric and make at least 100 projects. I have also picked up my cross stitching WIPs again and have the urge to x-stitch something this year so I likely will. That might cut into sewing time but that's ok! It's about doing what I like and if I happen to cross stitch more this year, th...