Thrifted Ralf Lauren Sheet to 1/2 Circle Midi Skirt

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Good Monday!

M6953: Pink and Blue African Print

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Happy Monday, every one!  Hope you had a wonderful weekend.  Football in the Obasi/Wilson home = mad sewing for me.  My husband is occupied watching games all day on Saturdays and Sundays and I have all the time to watch Investigation ID and sew. :P

One of the items I finished up was this awesome dress using Ankara fabric from AKN Fabrics.   I used M6953 for this dress. I absolutely love this pattern!  I reviewed the pattern in my Blue Dots Maxi Dress post. The only modifications I made were shortening the bodice and lengthening the skirt a tad more than View A to my desired length.  This is my new go to pattern a fitted bodice.  I also plan to use the skirt pieces with a self drafted waistband for a pleated skirt.  I like the look of the center front, center, back and sides flat and pleat free.  I think it works nicely for my shape.

I adore everything about this dress.  Everything! 

Be well.  Until next time...

Tam

DIY Ankara Full Circle Skirt

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I cut an additional band that was 2.5 inches.  With right sides together, I sewed the facing to the skirt and serged the unfinished edge.  I then folded the facing under, pressed, and top stitched.

Pairing Patterns and Prints!

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I saw this awesome fabric in Walmart one day when I was browsing for deals and buys.  I love green and I love dots and I love Ankara.  So I said, "Meh, why not?"

For the bodice I used M6953.  I like this pattern a lot because it has different pieces for different cup sizes.  I cut size 22 on the D piece and it fit nicely.  To funk up things a bit, I used an Ankara print for the front and back side pieces and the pocket.

I used the wide leg pants from S1158.  The jumpsuit is made to be gathered at the waist and since I wanted my pants to fit in the waist, I added 4 darts in order to match the waist of the pants with the bodice.

I love how the jumpsuit turned out.  I would make a couple changes if I ever made this combination of patterns again, but overall, I am very pleased.

Blue Dots: A maxi dress

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I managed to snap out of a brief sewing slump and stitched up M6953.  A friend of mine in Nigeria sent me fabric for my birthday.  I knew I wanted to make a long dress.  This pattern was perfect.

Pattern Description: M6953 Misses' Pleated-Skirt Dresses

Pattern Sizing: 14-16-18-20-22.  I cut size 22 and D cup for the bodice.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes!

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes they were clear.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved that there were separate bodice pieces for different cup sizes.  I didn’t have to do a full bust adjustment and the bodice fit fine.  I also like the placement of the pleats.  I like that there are no pleats at the center front/back or center sides.  

 Fabric Used: African Print Cotton (Ankara).

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I shortened the bodice and lengthened the skirt. 

Would you sew it again?: Absolutely. I am already planning on making this dress in different lengths.

Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I would especially recommend the pattern to curvy women.  

Floral Maxi: McCall's 7081 and S1059

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Bodice pattern: M7081 (bodice shortened 1 inch for empire waist style)
Sleeve pattern: S1059 (drafted wristband instead of using elastic)
Skirt: self drafted A-line pattern...
Fabric: Rayon Spandex from Jo-Ann

M7081 is for wovens so the interfaced collar and collar stand gave me fits. But I refused to be defeated. LOL

Sun Hat

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Sun Hat

Ankara

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Hello, hi! I am over the moon pleased with this dress! I used the bodice of B5919, View B without the collar and self drafted full circle skirt. I lengthened the sleeve just a tad and added elastic around the back opening for a snug fit. I'm in love!

M7242: Dress to Duster

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M7242

Black Ankara

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Patterns:
 S2414 pants
 M6844 top

Ankara Jumpsuit

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When your vision comes together nicely and the pieces are not in one envelope. LOL
 Bodice M6844 modified for more bust coverage.
 Sleeve S1059 (my favorite sleeve).
 Pants S1158 (added darts to get the fit I wanted also added length for wearing heels).
 I used a 22 inch invisible zipper (which is on fleek btw LOL)

McCall's 6844: Ankara dress

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M6844 is one of my favorite patterns.  While it is a knit pattern, it also nicely lends its to cotton.  I constructed the pattern per instructions sans the peplum.  I drafted a basic circle skirt and attached the two. I ended up cutting the circle skirt a tad too short so I also wear the dress with jeans for a fun look.

Corduroy A-Line Skirt with Inverted Pleat

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I bought about 2 yards of corduroy fabric at the thrift store and wanted to make a skirt.

I used the A-line skirt pattern I drafted a while ago and added 5 inches to the front of the skirt on the fold so I could have an inverted box pleat. Sewed down 10 inches on the backside of the pleat to keep the top closed.

I need to stop using those rectangle waist bands because they don't work for my body. I ran some elastic through the waistband for a better fit.

I really love this skirt. I mean really really. :) The shape, the fit, the color, the weight, the length.