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What Abi Makes


I am so excited to be able to finally share this make with you! I was lucky enough to be a pattern tester for Sew Over It's NEW Elsie Dress Printed Pattern, sewn with one of their equally beautiful fabrics. I knew this dress was going to be something special and it's been super hard not to gush all about it this past month!

Here's a peek at the pattern:

Again with the beautiful illustrations and beautiful Lisa!
Elsie is a stunning 1950s inspired dress (and skirt) pattern, with a princess seamed bodice and a full skirt exaggerated by the large pleats giving the dress a great structure, especially when worn with a petticoat underneath.


So the Elsie pattern is pretty good looking, but 'what about the sewing' I hear you ask! I found Elsie, overall, a pleasure to sew. There were a few techniques in this dress which I was reasonably new to. For example, when sewing the bodice lining the technique in this pattern was something I have not yet come across. Whilst I struggled with this step, the finished effect is wonderful and totally worth the bit of extra care. Also with my fabric being a weighty cotton sateen, it's a little thicker than some fabrics which probably added to my struggles.

Inside the dress, I really like the lining. It's part facing and part bodice lining and I used my floral fabric for the facings and black cotton for the lining and find the finished look to be really professional and clean looking. I'm thinking about filming a 'Behind the Seam's video on Elsie, would you be interested?


As I was testing the pattern, I didn't want to fiddle with the bodice and do an FBA and after my recent fitting success with the B5748 dress with no FBA I thought I could get away with it. But unfortunately, this dress does need a full bust adjustment. It isn't a fit issue that would keep me from wearing this dress, but I am conscious of it and will be doing an FBA next time.


Sewing Summary:

Pattern: Sew Over It - Elsie Dress Printed Dress Pattern

Fabric: Stretch Cotton – First Date

Notions: A 22" invisible zip.

Sewing time: A day.

Modifications: None

Fit: Great, other than my need for a full bust adjustment.

Difficulty: Perfect for confident beginners! There's lots of great skills to learn in this one.

Watch out for: Tidy pleats and matching them with the bodice seams.

Make Again?: Absolutely! Elsie's a winner in my eyes.


You may have noticed something in my hair.... Every lover of vintage style knows your wardrobe isn't complete without a hair flower (or 10) and the Veronica's Roses Clip in Light Pink from Daisy Jean Floral does not disappoint. It's a show stopping piece without being too large or heavy on the head. It feels so secure to wear and I think this gorgeous pink option was destined to be worn with my Elsie dress!


Overall, I'm in love with this pattern and in love with this fabric! It's shame about a bit of squashed boob, but that's my own fault and I'll be rocking this dress all the same. I can't wait to make another, perhaps in a lighter weight fabric (+ FBA) for a more casual day time version.

What do you think about the new Sew Over It Elsie Printed Pattern? Is she on your wish list?

Thanks for reading, pinups!
xo

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If you're a pattern designer, business owner or creator of a product you think me and my lovely blog reader's need to see, please visit my 'Work With Me' page!

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Disclaimer:
This post was sponsored by Sew Over It & Daisy Jean Floral. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

7/21/2017 5 comments

Hi pinups! Time for another make, and I couldn't wait to share this one with you! So much so, I bumped it up from my original August schedule to July instead. I've posted lots of snaps on my social media and it even got it's own video. It is of course the Retro Butterick B5748 dress pattern from 1960.

June Sewing Update & Wedding Guest Dress Reveal!



For my full pattern review and images, CLICK HERE!

I hope you guys love this dress as much as I do!
Thanks for reading, pinups!
xo
7/16/2017 2 comments

Hi pinups! I recently asked my Instagram and Facebook followers to vote for a video on my YouTube channel. The choices were looking at my sewing pattern stash and how its organised, a full sewing room tour or my sewing room organisation. My pattern stash came out on top, and so I filmed a video showing you every single pattern I own!

My Pattern Stash + How I Organise My Sewing Patterns!


Pattern Stash Shopping List:


I really hope you guys enjoy the video! But fear not if you want to see the two other video topics, I'll be filming both at some point. How do you store your sewing patterns?

Thanks for reading and watching, pinups!
xo

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.
7/15/2017 No comments

Hi pinups! It's time for another Sew & Tell video and blimey June was a busy sewing month. This Sew & Tell video might just be the biggest yet! Featuring lots of lovely summer dresses, including my wedding guest dress, a Minerva Craft Blogger Network make and lots, lots more!

Watch Sew & Tell | June 2017



>> Subscribe to my channel HERE! <<

Thanks for reading and watching, pinups!
xo


7/10/2017 3 comments

Hi pinups! The start of the month means a new Simplicity Stitch by Stitch video! Not sure what I'm talking about? Check out one of my previous posts about becoming Simplicity's Vintage Ambassador HERE.

July is all about sewing the 1930s! The decade I was looking forward to sewing the least! Compared to my usual 1950s style, the 30s seems like a whole other world away, and is certainly way out of my sewing and style comfort zone. But you'll see by the end of this post, this dress was a pleasant surprise...

Here's a peek at the pattern:


For my 1930s project I chose this Simplicity 8247 pattern. I really liked the look of the dress, simple in shape, but with some interesting sewing details. I'd accepted I probably wasn't going to suit many of the 30s shapes and styles, but you'll see in my video below, I was actually pretty pleased with the final dress and fit.


Whenever I pattern shop, I always search google and Instagram etc for reviews and photos. But for this pattern I found one other lady who had posted a photo of her dress, otherwise nothing. Absolutely nothing. So I'm very happy to be shouting about this pattern and my experiences sewing it.

Stitch by Stitch with Simplicity - 8247 Sew Along



>> Subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE <<

Sewing Summary:

Pattern: Simplicity Ladies Sewing Pattern 8247 1930's Vintage Style Dress & Jacket

Fabric: Ditsy Floral Crepe

Notions: 22" Concealed Zip

Sewing time: Half a day

Modifications: None.

Fit: Surprisingly nice...

Difficulty: Watch my video above to see what I struggled with.

Watch out for: The center front pleats!

Make Again?: I'm not sure this pattern is for me. But in my video above, I discuss the potential of this pattern and styling options!

What do you think about 1930s fashion? Have you ever tried this pattern? I'd love to know what you think! Whilst sewing the 1930s wasn't at the top of my sewing list, I really enjoyed this experience and sewing the 8247 pattern. The decade suited me a lot more than I was expecting and I'm glad I tried out this pattern.

Thanks for reading and watching, pinups!
xo

Disclaimer: 
This post is sponsored by Simplicity. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post contains affiliate links.
7/03/2017 2 comments
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I'm Abi, welcome to What Abi Makes, a UK based sewing, knitting and crafts blog.

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