Mccall's 6886...

What not to love?  The pattern, the style, number of pattern pieces or  design simplicity?
I spent approximately 2-1/2 hours making this beautiful dress, including pattern alterations, cutting and sewing. I am trying to gradually getting back to sewing and blogging so I will be starting with this little number so help me God....Please see pattern review below.

Fabric: Stripe Ponte from my local Fabricland.

Pattern Description: Close fitting, pullover dresses have neckline variations and stitched hems

Pattern Sizing: E5- 14 to 22. I started with size 14  and graded to 16 from hip down, but I should have cut 12  and graded to 14 because the pattern runs a little big IMO.I had to remove at least 1" each from both sides.

Were the instructions easy to follow:  They should be easy I guess but I didn't use them

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I made few alterations;
1. Cut view D and lengthened by 1"
2. I did 1" sway back
3. Added 2" to sleeve hem

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Only dislike is the extra fabric in the back even with the swayback adjustment, but not a deal breaker at all, I still love the dress. Next time I will cut 2 back pieces, instead of on-fold and insert exposed zipper.....
All in all great pattern and great wardrobe builder

 Enjoy!!!

Butterick 5491...in a woven fabric

A Suzi Chin knit pattern made with 100% African cotton fabric.....Sweetttttttttt....wink

Fabric: 100% African fabric

Pattern Description: Loose-fitting, flared dresses A, B, below mid-knee or evening length, have lined, gathered v-neck bodice, neck band, front draped midriff and back zipper.

Pattern Sizing: I didn't use the pattern sizing to cut this fabric, I cut based on the client's measurement
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?: I really can't say, but looke so superb on the client when she tried it on

Were the instructions easy to follow: I did't use it for most part, but very straight forward 

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I lengthened the dress to floor length,
I lined the bodice and
lengthened the neck belt so that it will drop down when tie in the back
I sewed both the lining and the fabric as one piece right-side together and turned outside for a neater inside

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Absolutely love the style and everything about this pattern. Nothing to dislike

Conclusion: A very nice pattern, easy to sew and very flattering. I will surely be  making one for me as well.

Enjoy!!!

Skirt + Top Combo (KS3140 &S4401)

This combo is also for a client  and the fabric also form my African fabric collections.The top is a modified KWIK SEW 3140 and the skirt is a 6 piece Simplicity 4401. I cut the top front pattern on fold  to omit the buttons, raised the  neck area for modest, inserted side zipper viola a lovely top was made . 

For the skirt, nothing was done except that I just added a lining and lengthened by 1"  .. The total result was lovely..... My client was so happy when she tried it on and I love it too.........

So here is the review for the top.....The skirt is pretty straight forward



Fabric: Another beautiful 100% cotton African fabric

Pattern Description: Long sleeved peplum top with buttons up the front. Sleeves also have flounce.

Pattern Sizing: XS-XL..Cut Large for client

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?:Nope made a completely different top with side zipper instead of front  buttons

Were the instructions easy to follow: The instructions should be super easy I guess, but didn't use it, I just glanced through it and made it my own way

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: Cut the top front pattern on fold  to omit the buttons, raised the  neck area for modest and inserted side zipper

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Nothing to dislike, really love it and easy and simple to make

Would you recommend it to others?Highly recommend and great for beginners

Please enjoy!!!!!

Another dress....S2584

Another beautiful dress for another beautiful client..... Cynthia Rowley dress made from African fabric....The result is a simple and stylish dress...
Here is the review

Fabric: 100% African fabric

Pattern Description: Misses Dress, Tunic and Headband Cynthia Rowley Collection. I made view B with sleeve A
 
Pattern Sizing: P4  12-20. Cut  between 14 and 16 for the client

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?: Not really, because client wants it to hit her knee so I lengthened  and didnt make wide hem band.

Were the instructions easy to follow: I didn`t follow the instuction because it`similar to African men garment  I learned to sew when I went home last year so I just used the same technique.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:  I lengthened by 2 inches and didn`t do hem band

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  Client chose it because she loves the style and I love it too. It`s a simple and stylish style to sew... Highly recommend and should be straight forward for a beginner as well

Enjoy!!!

A dress....Simplicity 3503

This dress is for one of my clients and the fabric is from me.... one of the African fabrics I have for sale. This particular fabric is from Ghana (West Africa) and its called AKOSOMBO. It's a very nice one, feels like linen and sews effortlessly...I love it.  I will be posting the newest African Fabrics I have for sale soon. The camera is not doing  justice to the color, its a beautiful combination of black, orange and blue.

I used Simplicity 3503, with modification. Since the fabric is cotton and the pattern is drafted for knit so I did flat measurement and draped it on the dress form first . Here is the outcome.

Fabric: African Fabric 100% cotton

Pattern Description: Misses' knit dress in 2 lengths with bodice variations



Pattern Sizing: (R5) 14-22. I cut size 14, usually I sew size 10 for this client but after the flat measurement it falls on 14
 
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?: Pretty much
 
Were the instructions easy to follow: Super easy , no wonder this pattern is rated best pattern of 2009, so easy to sew .
 
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: 
I lengthened the strap to make a criss-cross back, just a little touch to the style
Did lat pattern measurement for fit 
Used the selvage edge of the fabric to make the midriffsand
Put side zipper.......
 
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like everything ...Lovely and stylish. Highly recommend and great for beginners.
 

Enjoy the rest of the week...

 

New Arrival...African fabric

Just arrived beautiful African fabrics, just in time for summer. I order directly from Africa "no middle-man , so it's cheaper and more beautiful.. Please check the pictures below... Aren't they beautiful?.....They are all 100% cotton

$45 per 6 yards (Minimum of 3 yards)

Please leave a comment or email me at asewfit at yahoo dot ca if you have any question.

I have more than 6yards of some of these fabric, please let me know if you need more than 6 yards of the same fabric


Thanks!!!!

Aminat

For Sale...Authentic African Fabric (100% Cotton)

They are finally in, thanks for all your patience and several emails received... I have them all in beautiful designs. Great for summer wears and all year round. They come in a bundle of 6 yards each and the price are $9.99 and $11.99 per yard with a minimum of 3 yards per design....

These are (Akosobo) ATL Superior Fancy Print from Ghana ($11.99 per yard)

Veritable Real Wax Block Print ($9.99 per yard)

To order;

 (1 )Please e-mail me at asewfit@yahoo.ca

 (2) Send me the design, yardage (Please minimum per design is 3 yards)
and your address so that I can use it to calculate the shipping (I will make sure I use the safest and cheapest method to ship) .

(3) The prefered method of payment is Paypal , but please email if you have other options and we can work it out
 For individual pictures of the fabric, please check this link