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What Abi Makes

Minerva Crafts Blogger Network: I AM Patterns 'Cassiopee' Dress


I've been wanting to sew the I AM Patterns 'Cassiopee' dress for what feels like forever. I included it in my 2018 Make Nine sewing plans in attempt to finally sew it, then when I saw that Minerva Craft stock I AM Patterns I was over the moon as I could make it for one of my blogger network makes!


Sewing Summary:

Pattern: I AM Patterns 'Cassiopee' Dress

Fabric: Roses Viscose Fabric

Notions: None

Sewing time: A hour or two.

Modifications: Nothing.

Fit: Too big.

Difficulty: Very easy!

Watch out for: Even gathers and getting the right size will make a big difference to this style.

Make Again?: Yes, but I need to go down a size or two.


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For my full sewing pattern review, CLICK HERE! 

If you'd like to see everything I've made so far for the Minerva Craft Blogger Network, you can view my profile HERE.

Thanks for reading, pinups!
Abi xo


3/20/2018 No comments
Tilly and the Buttons - Freya Dress with Spoonflower Fabrics


Hello sewing lovers! Today I am super excited to share with you the first post in my new Spoonflower series. I'll be sewing a selection of diverse garments showcasing the amazing quality and varied fabric designs that Spoonflower have to offer.

Now unless you live under rock, you'll probably know all about Tilly and the Button's new sewing book 'Stretch', all about sewing with jersey. It's been kicking up a storm online and I couldn't wait to get my gorgeous copy and get sewing! After seeing a peek of the 'Freya' dress on social media, I knew this would be my starting place.

Here's a peek at the pattern:

The Fabric:

Once I settled on sewing the Freya dress with the added ruffle, I needed a stylish jersey to show off this pattern. I'm currently loving constellation prints but have had a hard time finding any fabric, especially in a jersey. Then in comes Spoonflower... After having spent hours trawling online trying to find nice starry printed fabric, then going on to Spoonflower to search 'constellations', I was overwhelmed with choice! Hello fabric heaven.

Finding a print as nice as this was already difficult, but then finding it in a snugly jersey fabric pretty much wasn't going to happen. So I figured I'd just go ahead and make my fabric dreams come true and choose this constellation print with Spoonflower's cotton spandex jersey option. 

Get the fabric: Constellations in Cotton Spandex Jersey


Online and in the digital swatch the colour is black but the fabric printed on the jersey is much more of a grey shade. Which I love! I didn't expect the fabric to be solid black, at least not with jersey and when it arrived I was even more in love with it. It's a gorgeous quality and the printing is consistent and professional. 

Shopping for fabric on Spoonflower can be overwhelming, here are my top tips:

  1. Plan your projects and shop knowing what sewing patterns you'll be using. My fabric design taste varies a lot from tops to dresses etc. I find knowing the pattern I want to sew helpful for visualising my finished garment.
  2. Know what you like. I have a list of my go-to prints and this gave me a starting place when I started searching for fabric designs. For example some of my fail safe prints are; roses, anchors, lemons, gingham etc.
  3. Order swatches. There are so many types of fabric on offer at Spoonflower. I found having a physical swatch book with all the fabric textures in so useful when understanding how the fabrics would work for my sewing patterns and the differences between them.

I liked the look of the Freya dress as the shape looked similar to the Coco pattern, just a little more fitted. The sewing process, expect for the ruffle and neck band, is pretty much the same as Coco, making this dress a breeze to sew! 

As always, the instructions for the pattern are clear and easy to follow and being a stretch garment, easy to fit too. Being on the busty side, I wasn't sure whether this dress would suit as much as I wanted it too with the high neck and bust ruffles. But hopefully I can provide some images of Freya showing it on a curvier figure. Whilst on paper this dress doesn't sound like it would agree with my body, I'm pleasantly surprised. It took some getting used to, as I have no garments with a high neck, but once I dressed up to take some blog photos I was certainly feeling this dress!


Sewing Summary:

Pattern: Tilly and the Buttons 'Freya' Dress from her book 'Stretch'

Fabric:  Constellations in Cotton Spandex Jersey

Notions: Ribbon to stabilise the shoulders.

Sewing time: A couple of hours, but without the ruffle only an hour or so.

Modifications: Nothing.

Fit: It's fitted, but it fits!

Difficulty: Simple.

Watch out for: If you're adding a frill, make sure your placement is nice and even!

Make Again?: Yes! I love the look of the plain top version too.



The Freya dress and the constellation print jersey fabric are a match made in sewing heaven and I love the finished garment. The weight of the jersey works so well for this style, holding it's shape, comfortable to wear and a great weight for the pleated neck detail. With my leftovers of this fabric, I think I'll try to squeeze a basic top (maybe Tilly's Agnes pattern or a Kyoto Tee?) and a pair or two of knickers! I just can't stand the thought of not using up every inch of this fabric.

Overall, I am so happy with this dress. I started unsure whether it would suit my body shape, but the subtle print of the fabric makes it so wearable. I can see myself wearing this with my biker jacket and heeled boots out and about in the evening or paired down with flats and my denim jacket in the day time.

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Don't forget to visit Spoonflower to make your own fabric dreams come true! I can't wait to show you the other fabrics I've got coming up. Stay tuned!

Thanks for reading, pinups!
Abi xo

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Spoonflower.
3/09/2018 3 comments
Simplicity 8425 - Choker Tee + Sew Along Video!


Whilst I enjoy sewing vintage and retro patterns, my style is very varied and sometimes I like to dip my toe into something modern or fashion forward. I like the look of the choker trend that's doing the rounds on the high-street but I haven't actually bought anything RTW. When I spotted this new Simplicity pattern I thought the 8425 would be a great way to try this trend as a sewist.

Here's a peek at the pattern:


The black dress caught my eye and I think it looks like a cool, modern outfit. But being curvy, I don't think the straight style of the dress would flatter me. So instead I opted to sew version B, the choker tee style.

See this simple top come together in the video below...

Stitch by Stitch with Simplicity - 8425 Choker Tee Sew Along


I was really surprised at how quickly the top came together, and if I wasn't filming the sewing process, I think I could sew this blouse in a couple of hours. Now I know how the collar piece comes together, I'm really looking forward to sewing this one again.


For me this make was also a great scrap buster. I used the fabric for a previous dress last year and I was left with enough fabric to make a top (I thought), and with some stealthy cutting out, this top used up my left over fabric perfectly. I did tweak the sizing, but all of that is detailed in my video above.


Sewing Summary:

Pattern: Simplicity Pattern 8425 Choker Top Pattern

Fabric: sold out

Notions: 1 x 22" invisible zip

Sewing time: A couple of hours.

Modifications: I tweaked the sizing a little.

Fit: Really good!

Difficulty: Pretty easy.

Watch out for: Sewing the choker section with care as it will be the focus of the finished garment.

Make Again?: Absolutely.


Overall, I am so happy with my finished Simplicity 8425 choker tee. I was a little apprehensive about it but I'm so happy with the finished top. It's just the thing my wardrobe needed and was surprised at how good the fit is and how simple it was to make.

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Let me know if you'll be trying this pattern and be sure to tag me @craftypinup in your snaps so I can see them too!

Watch all my Simplicity Stitch by Stitch videos in my playlist HERE.

Thanks for reading, pinups!
Abi xo

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Simplicity
3/04/2018 1 comments
What I've Been Loving in February
Wearing my favourite make of the year so far - my Sew Over It 'Doris' dress!
I can't believe how quickly February went, I am so not ready to start March! I was really pleased with how well received my first post in this new blog series was, so I'm very happy to be back with another. If you missed my January's favourites, you can visit the post HERE.

Basically I'm just sharing with you some things I've been loving, usually from the sewing world, over the past month. February went by so quickly for me and then I ended up getting sick and had to spend nearly a week pretty much in bed, which was SO frustrating. But it didn't stop me from dreaming of Spring sewing and project planning, and here are some of my highlights...
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

This month, regardless of the snow falling outside right now, has made me look ahead to Spring, although this adorable stormy teacup pincushion better represents the weather! My sewing pattern review for the classic Butterick B6318 dress finally went up (see my post HERE) and it made me lust after pretty dresses and florals! But I don't want to repeat my old sewing habits and sew poorly timed makes.

With the release of Tilly and the Buttons new book 'Stretch' I've been planning some makes for that. I'm loving constellation prints right now and I couldn't resist THIS fabric in cosy jersey from the amazing Spoonflower (on that note I have some exciting new coming in March!). I'll certainly be using my beloved walking foot to make sure I'm sewing jersey like a pro.

Between working and being sick, my month took a downhill slide, but March is looking good and hopefully things will get back on track. Besides I have a nail appointment coming up and that always means choosing a fun design, I think I'll be embracing florals to try and tempt Spring to actually start! Here's my fave nail art account to follow right now.

Thanks for reading, pinups!
Abi xo

Disclaimer: Contains affiliate links
3/01/2018 1 comments
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