TL; DR – Sometimes you just want a simple party dress! And other times, you end up swearing at “velvet” fabric. I was so pleased to be able to test the new Mariko dress by Notch. There are about 75 different ways to make the dress/top, and I chose the long version with a gathered…
Tag: Tester
Pattern Review: Loie Blouse by TAUKO
TL; DR – This is why I don’t typically use fabric with a directional pattern. I had the pleasure once again as being a pattern tester for the latest issue of TAUKO magazine. The pattern I chose was the Loie blouse. I don’t know why I keep choosing top patterns when sewing for TAUKO, but…
Pattern Review: Bryson Bomber from Styla Patterns
TL; DR – Why do I insist on not following fabric recommendations? I’ve wanted to make a bomber jacket for a while. I thrifted a Missoni for Target shower curtain (I absolutely love this print) and thought that the polyester-type fabric would be perfect for a bomber jacket. So I bought and downloaded bomber jacket…
Pattern Review: Cinch Me I’m Dreaming by Forest and Thread
TL; DR – I’m too old to wear shorter dresses. Thankfully, a longer option exists! I love testing for Forest and Thread. I don’t know what it is about her patterns, but I always end up pushing myself to do the cleanest finishes and focus on detail. So I jumped at the chance to do…
Pattern Review: LUMI Top from Tauko
TL; DR – Sometimes you gotta just do what feels right. I once again was invited to do a make and share for Tauko Magazine, issue 12. I chose the LUMI top, which is supposed to be a sweatshirt. It’s a million degrees here and the last thing I wanted was a sweatshirt. I also…
Pattern Review: Annecy Dress from Styla Patterns
TL; DR – I love this shirt dress pattern. I had the pleasure of testing the Annecy dress from Styla Patterns. Look, I won’t say no to a shirt dress pattern. And I was thrilled with this one, especially because it has a grown-in sleeve option. I made it out of this lovely vintage fabric…
Pattern Review: Wave Top from TAUKO Magazine
TL; DR – I love a simple top with an interesting detail. I once again participated in TAUKO magazine’s make and share, this time for issue 10. I chose the Wave top, a decision I do not regret. It’s just three pieces, with an interesting deep should pleat detail on both the front and back….
Pattern Review: Parker Dress by Styla Patterns
TL; DR – Gathering self jersey can be a real pain. I am a Styla Pattern tester, and in my quest to sew through some of my knit fabrics, I jumped at the chance to sew up a Parker dress. I lengthened the bodice because I look…weird when the line hits me just below my…
Pattern Review: Zero Waste Bog Coat by The Sew Sew
TL; DR – So much quilt guts, but super-simple pattern, why didn’t I do this one earlier? I was supposed to be a pattern tester for the ZW Bog Coat by The Sew Sew, but my life got chaotic, and I just couldn’t. And then I got intimidated by the fact that there isn’t a…
Pattern Review: QUINCY by TAUKO Magazine
TL; DR – Boobyliscious. I’ve been a reader of TAUKO Magazine since the beginning. I loved the layout, I loved the themes, I loved the patterns. Except…I cannot for the life of me figure out to to trace the damn patterns that are all overlapping and I just go cross-eyed. So when I saw a…
Pattern Review: Abingdon Dress by Styla Patterns
TL; DR – Shirring is still easy and yet also hard, as well as working with silky fabric. I was so happy to get to test the Abingdon Dress by Style Patterns. It’s a super-simple dress with shirring at the waist and sleeve cuffs. I made the maxi version (although it has different lengths) with…
Pattern Review: Pleats and Thank You Jumpsuit by Forest & Thread
TL; DR – BEHOLD! I don’t know what it is about my and jumpsuits with interesting shoulders, but here we go, I love it. I’ve done testing for Forest & Thread before and I love their patterns, so when I had the chance to test the new Pleats and Thank You jumpsuit? YES PLEASE THANK…
Pattern Review: MVP BD Shirt by Forest & Thread
TL; DR – So. Many. Yokes! And I love being able to rescue a garment to make another garment. I tested the extended sizing for the MVP BD Shirt by Forest & Thread. I repurposed a Liberty of London cotton from the Mitchell Dress I made a few years ago but didn’t fit me anymore….
Patter Review: Hanbok Dress by Sewing Therapy
TL; DR – Finally found a wrap dress that didn’t work for me. Doesn’t mean it wouldn’t work for you. I had the pleasure of testing the Hanbok Dress from Sewing Therapy. I used this deep, heavy silk that I got from our local buy-nothing group (I still have like 10yrds of it). I was…
Pattern Review: Tyra Tank by Tammy Handmade
TL; DR – THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO DO A KNIT V-NECK I was invited to test this super-simple tank pattern. I love it. It was perfect for this cute knit I got. The tutorial for doing the V-neck finishing is GENIUS. I’m not going to spoil it. Anyway, I have a cute tank…
Pattern Review: Alma Jean Dress and Blouse by Artifact Patterns
TL; DR – Don’t I look like a party? A+, no notes. I jumped at the chance to test this lovely dress pattern, Alma Jean by Artifact Patterns, when it came across my instagram feed (oh hey, I have a dedicated sewing insta account now – give it a follow!). It was the perfect dress…
Pattern Review: Madison Blouse by Foxy Patterns
TL; DR – I feel pretty, oh so pretty! And, the best tester community experience, ever. The Madison blouse is another pattern I was invited to test by a new indie pattern company, Foxy Patterns. I got this dainty vintage floral print on my local buy-nothing group, and I thought it would be perfect for…
Pattern Review: Cameron Wrap Dress from Sycamore Road Patterns
TL; DR – I still needs to figure out interfacing, symbols or letters for pattern sizes rule, and GIANT SLEEVES. I had the pleasure of being a tester for the Cameron Wrap Dress by Sycamore Road Patterns. I missed the deadline to get feedback in because I got stuck in Atlanta on my way home…
Pattern Review: Olivia Button-Up from Sycamore Road Patterns
TL; DR – LOOK AT ME EMBRACING A TREND Another tester patter. I’ve been hesitant to try the oversized shirt trend, but this was too good an opportunity to pass up. I made the Olivia shirt by Sycamore Road Patterns out of some sheets, and it turned out fantastic! The construction of the yoke/collar was…
Pattern Review: Vera Dress by Ploen Patterns
TL; DR – Pattern testing is fun! Sometimes you need a bottom ruffle Another pattern I tested: the new extended sizes for the Vera dress and top from Ploen Patterns. I really love testing patterns when the pattern designer is working to extend the size-range because I want to support these efforts. I made the…
Pattern Review: Naya T-Shirt from Tammy Handmade
TL; DR – Stretch stitches are my nemesis, this pattern is great! I’ve been neglectful at posting pattern review for patterns I’ve been tester for, so I’m clearing out the backlog. I tested the Naya t-shirt pattern from Tammy Handmade, a straightforward knit top pattern that was easy to make and looks amazing. Except for…
Pattern Review: The Asteria Dress from Jennifer Lauren Handmade
TL; DR – This is a lot of dress, but what a lovely pattern it is! I’ve been sitting on this one for a while. I was a tester for the new extended size range for the Asteria Dress from Jennifer Lauren Handmade. I have to say that I was really excited to test this…
Pattern Review: Tie Tee from The Sew Sew
TL; DR – Fantastic, simple make, size-inclusive, no notes. I am always wary of garments that could potentially show a lot of back. Unlike some, I have to wear a bra (and not the cute, fun kind that looks cute peaking out of a top), and thus am always a little cautious about patterns that…
Pattern Review: Georgie Pinafore from Jennifer Lauren Handmade
TL; DR – How is it I can do hidden zippers so easily but continually mess up regular zippers? I didn’t think I’d like a pinafore but here we are, and I am getting more confident and can make adjustments without completely ruining the garment. Full disclosure: I was gifted this pattern in order to…
Pattern Review: Gone Rogue Skirt by Forest and Thread
TL; DR – I got this pattern for free as a tester, it’s a challenging skirt that I made more challenging with my fabric choice, but the results are stunning. I saw the call from Forest and Thread for pattern testers as they expand their size range, and now that the pattern is available for…
Pattern Review: Farris Jumpsuit from Jennifer Lauren Handmade
TL; DR – I may actually love jumpsuits, I just may have been too ready to judge drawstring waists harshly, testing patterns in FUN! Now that the Farris Jumpsuit pattern from Jennifer Lauren Handmade has officially been released, I can share my review of the pattern and my adventures in being a PATTERN TESTER. I…
