Shalini's Sewing Space

As soon as I started making the garments for the pattern review contest ( previous post on this here ), plans changed a little! I have added a different top in matching skirt fabric. I haven't decided which top will be removed from the capsule. So far, the plan is still to make all the tops I had initially decided and then take one out at the end. Now onto the finishes! I have finished garment #1 and garment #2 for the contest. This was fast because skirt didn't need muslining and top pattern was already tried and true. I did do some hacking for the top but it was relatively straightforward and worked on my first try! That's great because I have very little of this chiffon left. There might be a short cami I can squeeze out of this just to give myself more options. Garment 1 - McCall 7606 Petal Skirt  This skirt is a really simple silhouette and yet, has an impact. I love the way the petals open up to show off the leg. I used a chiffon fabric and it just drapes pe...

It's always a special day when any Designer Stitch pattern I tested is released, but this release is extra special! Synthia top is a very pretty, feminine, and elegant top for work or any occasion. It is also extra special because it has a full page feature in the PatternPages magazine! What's more is my photo is in the magazine among many other Synthia testers. It was really fun to open up the PDF and see my photo in there :-) I chose a pretty gray chiffon from fabric.com called 'smoke'. It is semi sheer so I had to wear a cami inside. I love how dainty the sleeves look in this fabric. The drape is perfect for this pattern. It is no secret that I love ruffles LOL! These sleeve and neckline ruffles are done in a very smart way by Ann in which the whole thing is put together first and then sewn into the neckline in one step. Gives off a very nice finish. I did my usual adjustments to the top which include shortening the top by 1.5", and also a 1.5...

I made our new year dresses out of Simply by Ti's fabrics. Ti has a number of sparkly fabrics in her shop and I got the black sparkle knit to make a holiday dress for Aanya. For me, I liked the leopard ITY fabric which has the perfect drape for the Portia dress. I was so swamped in January that I forgot to share these beautiful dresses! Better late than never! This was us on the way to New Year Eve party. I made a faux fur shawl to wrap. It was the perfect addition. Love the whole look for both of us! Little bit better photos of the Rad Patterns buttercup here. This top/dress pattern has become Aanya's favorite because she can spin in it and it's not tight anywhere. She hates tight clothing and just refuses to wear it at all, including jeans! It was a struggle to get her to agree to the tights. I'm pretty sure I bribed her with extra screen time. Shhhh  The fabric is so pretty with the sparkles. It is subtle and non scratchy which is a must over here. ...

Sahara dress by Bella Sunshine Designs Sometimes you sew (or come across) a dress that makes you look 10 pounds thinner. THIS is that dress! Sahara dress has very figure flattering shape. I think circle skirts are more flattering anyway but something about this bodice is appropriately slimming as well. I normally rock my curves (and my rectangles) :-) but if a dress gives me an hourglass shape and makes me look thinner than I am, I will want to make a million!! Sahara by Bella Sunshine Designs Sahara  by  Bella Sunshine Designs The dress is made for knit fabrics and comes in Ladies sizes 0-30 with Optional Bust Adjustment. The design features two different neckline options for the front and a low scoop back; sleeveless, short sleeves, 3/4 sleeves, and long sleeves with a fully lined bodice. The dress has a full circle skirt that is super flattering.  The design comes with three lengths; top length (hits at the hips), tunic length (which covers the bum)...

Frida by Designer Stitch Designer Stitch has done it again! A comfy woven dress that is stylish to wear anywhere. I could not be happier with my two Frida dresses. The dress is inspired by vintage mexican but has such a modern, trendy vibe.   Frida Dress option, Bishop sleeve without elastic It is tough to pick a favorite out of these two. They're like my two adorable kids :-) I love both of them equally. Both dresses have a history behind the fabrics that makes each one special in their own way. The oatmeal & black one is made from fabric for an Indian salwaar kameez that was gifted to me by my MIL. She had one tailor made for herself and really liked the fabrics and bought one for me. The set came with embroidered fabric to make a long tunic/top, harem style pants, and a long scarf. I used each of the fabrics in a different way and came up with this. It is LOVE!  Frida Dress option Frida back view  The Frida pattern comes with 3 len...

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...

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...