Paula Jean

A little spring print-mixing sweetness and a project that’s been in my list forever! 💐☺️ Pattern: #BelemniteDress by Marilla Walker (she is no longer designing patterns, but did you know that she left a few of her popular ones up on her website for free?? How sweet is that?!) Fabrics: Crinkle chiffon that lived in my stash for probably 20 years, upcycled woven tank that never fit right but I loved the little birds Trims: Ruffles made from the selvedge of the main fabric which I ran through the rolled hem settings in my serger, bias tape made from scrap of quilting cotton It’s swishy and pretty and lightweight ready to take on those warm L.A. breezes! Full journey on YouTube.

Thrift Flip No. 2 of 2 …and this one was a skirt (swipe for original)! Context in my previous post (and YouTube video), but this garment had fuchsia on the reverse of the green, and was cut on the bias. I used the Charm patterns Foundations Camisole for this, as the bottom part of it is cut on the bias. I chose to just use one side of the fabric for this one (sorry to all the pink+green lovers out there…) I love the fit of this pattern. I made ZERO adjustments after the muslin. I think the Charm block is a real winner for me! I made the straps a little wider and added G-hooks so I could make them convertible. Still can’t believe this is a pull-over-your-head, no-closure pattern with this fit. And btw, it’s made to be worn over a bra, but I’m not even wearing one in these photos. Who’s ready to picnic with me? @sharesewover50 @gertie18 #charmpatterns #charmfoundationscollection

Thrift Flip No. 1 of 2 My sister-in-law gave me two items she thrifted, both made from the same kind of 100% cotton reversible fabric. Full story on youtube, but this is the basic men’s shirt that, sadly, did not even take advantage of the cool factor of this fabric (swipe for original)! I used the body and hem from the #closetcorekalle using the facing on the outside; flipped over the breast pocket; shortened, pleated, and added an exposed hem facing to the sleeves, and imho, this is so much more fun and cute! Very happy to have added a bust dart to the Kalle, and I also made the crop the same length all the way around, rather than the original high-low hemline. I just used the same curve and facing piece from the front and it worked great! @sharesewover50 #sewaprilbouse26

Retro Reef, anyone? 😎✌️ I didn’t initially think this would have a 70s vibe, but the colours totally remind me of the aesthetics of my childhood. All the details are on my YT vid, but this is the #gsreef sweatshirt from @greenstyle_patterns . I sized down one size, and shortened the sleeves and bodice one inch. All the fleece is stretch french terry from @surgefabricshop . I did the centre back piecing myself, but Greenstyle does have an add-on pattern for this if you want to make it easier. I also did some hand stitching with tan embroidery floss for that earthy, handmade touch. Most of all I’m thrilled to finally have a sweatshirt that’s not black or grey!! #marchsewover50 #sewover50

…and here are the SP (secret pjs) bottoms, courtesy of the Ayla Pant by @truebias ! Made from some charcoal grey ponte that I’ve had for so long, I can’t remember where it came from, but it worked great. Didn’t have enough for full length, but I think they’re still cute cropped. 
 I made view B with the front & back seaming, no topstitching. Want to see how I hacked in a pocket? I show how in my yt video. 💁‍♀️📺 #aylapants #truebiaspatterns #sewover50 #februarysewover50

The top half of some secret pyjamas I made, using the Kiara Knit Dress from @just_patterns . All the details on my latest video, but the tl;dr is ‘Mmmmm…😌’. Fabric is some rayon blend sweater knit I got for almost nothing at @remainders_creative_reuse . The pattern is easy, quick, satisfying on so many levels. Plus, did you know the front and the back are the same piece, so you can flip it around whenever you like? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I also made a little bra top to wear with it using the Roxie Bralette by @mmadalynne without the overlay. I used some grey ponte and it’s surprisingly supportive! #jpkiaraknitdress #roxiebralette #sewover50 #februarysewover50

Some more details of the black lace Ruby in collaboration with @rubiesbras . 🖤 (Plus some coordinating bottoms…because of course. 😏) To level up the exposed underwire channeling, I made a bias cut tube of the black duoplex, slipped in the channeling, and sewed it normally. This could be done with almost any fabric to create some interest or even contrast, and is a great option if you want exposed channeling, but you don’t have it in a coordinating colour. I also joined beige picot elastic with black on the band so that the @stephieslingerie lace on the centre bridge can shine. And I can never resist giving some love to the back with some additional lace treatment. Bottoms are the tnt Friday French Cuts and Thursday Thong, both patterns by @emeralderinsews . Fussy cutting the appliqué for the Thursday was worth it for that touch of silver sparkle. ✨

Honoured to have been a part of another wonderful collaboration with Rubies Bras’ Couture Collection. This piece is the Ruby Bra featuring gorgeous luxury black and silver embroidered lace from @stephieslingerie and other materials from @rubiesbras .

What better companion piece to my garment bag than a packing cube? I made this from a free tutorial from @mija.handmade . 🧳 I didn’t have a quilt block, but I used the dimensions she gives for the bottom panel to make a top one et voilà. I added a handle on the back hinge piece and a little loop on the top so it can hang on a hook. This will not be the last one of these that I make! #spareblockpackingcube #sewover50 #sewover50dec #handmadegiftideas

The Friday Garment Bag rocks. 🤩 Here’s why:

⭐️ It’s a free/PWYC pattern from @fridaypatterncompany . 

⭐️ It holds a surprising amount of stuff. (Shown here: my husband’s suit, dress shoes and tie, along with my midi/tea length dress and heels. For reference, I’m 5’6” and you can see where the dress hits on me a few posts back. There’s no bunching up of the dress at the bottom of this bag. 🙌)

⭐️ It’s both longer and narrower than most garment bags. (WHY are the cheap ones so wide and short?? Oh right — because they were only thinking of men’s suits and not women’s dresses…got it. Not to gender any clothing, just an awareness of society’s default to male accommodation. Though my husband’s suit fits in this one fine, so wth?) ⭐️ It’s fun to customize. (I’ve added ties to hold hanger hooks together, a box pleat to the pockets, pocket flaps, and a fun bias binding…but you could also add a monogram, ruffle, piping — go wild!) I used an old piece of outdoor/Sunbrella-type fabric for the main bag and some zebra-print quilting cotton for the binding, zip pocket lining, flap lining, and strap bars across the back. This is one of 5 handmade gift ideas that I share in my recent video — go check it out if you’re looking for inspiration! #fridaygarmentbag #sewover50 #sewover50dec #sewover50december #handmadegiftideas

Fancy blouse numero deux: the Lyrical Shirt from Pattern Emporium (@patternemporium_kate )! 💙 I can’t get over how pretty this looks and feels. And these sleeves…lordy-be, they’re just gorgeous. 🤩 I go over the options on this pattern and changes I made over on the youtubes, but tl;dr : Beautiful chiffon (SO soft!) that’s been sitting in my stash for years Long sleeve, tie neck version Widened and lengthened the tie below the collar (I can get a double bow, which I think looks so lovely!) Again, swapped gathered back piece for more fitted princess seams like I did on my Harriet blouse (just my preference on shirts + blouses) Even my husband was like, “Wow. That’s so nice.” And I couldn’t agree more. If you need one good, fancy, fairly quick to make, layerable blouse for your holiday season, I can confidently recommend this pattern! #lyricalshirt #lyricalblouse #sewover50 #sewover50nov #sewover50november #sewfancy

Harriet in her full non-costume glory! 🖤 Full details on youtube (this is one of two blouses on there), but in a nutshell:

Black lace + black satin (both from the stash) Long pointed collar from the add-on Harriet Collar Pack Wide bow, also from collar pack Vintage buttons Worn here with a my-nude colour tank to fully show off the lace and my black satin Sahaara Bra I also swapped out the gathered back for a more fitted, princess seamed one. I love all the looks I can get out of this! #harrietblouse #harrietblouseaddon #harrietcollarpack #sewover50 #sewover50nov #sewfrosting #sewfancy #sahaarabra