True Bias Hudson Pants in Black + White Graphic Print

So! I made these True Bias Hudson Pants two years ago! Seriously! I wear these multiple times a week both around-the-house and out-and-about. I first made them when I found out I was pregnant with Finn (not sure if I made them right before or right after, but either way, I don't think I could have survived his pregnancy without them). 

This fabric came from Joann, and I think they might still have it. I know I've seen it there sometime in the last few months. It's polyester which doesn't feel great if you live in a warm/humid area, but they have been fab for cooler days. 

These are a size 6 (I measure to 4-6) which provide me with a somewhat roomy fit and also lasted through a 50-lb pregnancy weight gain. These were some of the only pants I could wear at the 40-week mark! Super stretchy! I did not make any modifications. 

That's really all I have to say about these pants. They are awesome! Wear them all the time! Like every day! 

So here are some more pics. 

All done! Never made any Hudsons? You must! Do it now!

Grainline Studio Boat Neck Lark Tee in Mini-Striped Jersey

I have been whipping out the basics lately (since reality tells me that's all I actually wear), and this boat neck Lark Tee by Grainline Studio is a perfect example. I sized up one size to a 6 and did everything exactly as instructed (including length). I made the long-sleeved version so I can push up the sleeves or wear them long. 

I am still a bit undecided about whether I like this particular shape in an oversized version. I've learned recently that it's best to wear a garment a few times to fully determine whether or not I like my modifications (or lack thereof). In this case, I'm finding the neckline to maybe be a little toooo open, and maybe the length is a little long? But that's the great thing about making one's clothes...I can't really alter the neckline at this point, but I can certainly cut off the hem, take in a little at the side seams and shorten it an inch or two. But like I said, I need to wear it a few more times. It really depends on which pants I'm wearing as to whether or not I prefer my tops long or short. 

Pictured here are the Birkin Flares, and since they have a high waist, the length of the shirt is accentuated. When I look through my Pinterest boards, I see that many of my pinned looks include very long shirts. Maybe I'm just not used to it as I've always favored shirts that hit right at the high hip. 

The fabric is my ideal striped jersey (slightly heavy-weight, completely opaque, great recovery) from Bolt here in Portland. I picked it and a few other striped knits from the remnant bin, and they are heavenly. They're complementing my newly discovered affinity for stripes, solids and neutrals in the best way.

The picture above shows a bit of excess length. AND THAT I MATCH MY STRIPES LIKE A BOSS. Sometimes.

I do love that when I size up, I don't have pulling under my arms on the back. I have finally determined that I have wide, sloping shoulders despite having a small bust. That makes for some interesting fit challenges since my bust measurement often puts me into a higher size than necessary otherwise. Perhaps I need to start considering a small bust adjustment on more fitted garments. Or a boob job. You know, daily decisions. 

This shirt has already made it into regular rotation, and I'll be making more! I love sewing (and wearing) basic knits! 

Cali Faye Basics Tank + Vogue 1496 Cocoon Dress Mashup

This is another one of those shapes you guys are either going to love or hate, I know. I kind of love it, but then I also kind of have this nagging need to airbrush that extra fabric off my hips in Photoshop, ya know?

The cocoon look is not something I'm used to (yet) for myself, but I love the effortless look it lends to all the models I've pinned to my Pinterest board for wardrobe inspiration. So I'm giving it a shot. Again. 

I love the fit of the Cali Faye Basics Tank, so I used that for the upper portion of the dress (size small). I mashed it up with Vogue 1496 (size B) for the lower portion of the dress. There was no magic to this; I just laid the tank pattern over the dress pattern, matched where the waistlines were, and traced new pattern pieces around the edges.  

I opted to leave off the pockets because I was feeling extra-lazy, but I'm kind of sad I did that. However, I used French seams throughout, and I'm not sure my feeble brain would have been able to sort that all out. So here it is in all its simplicity. 

The fit is great other than the armholes being particularly low and revealing my bra under the arms. My muslin of the tank did not do this, so I think it's a result of not stay-stitching around the armholes before overhandling this dress. 

The fabric is a silk noil (also known as "raw silk") that I purchased back in Salt Lake City a couple years ago. I had precisely enough to make this dress - so precisely that I had to piece together the bias binding around the neckline. I loved working with this fabric so much, I might have to invest in more of it from another source. It's easy-to-sew, light-as-a-feather, and it drapes beautifully. 

Oh, and my hair! You may notice it's shorter in these photos. If you follow me on Instagram, you know I've been DIY-ing my hair color and cut for quite a while now. Recently, I had a wild hair (haha) to cut some bangs to cover up where my postpartum puffs are emerging, but it was a huge mistake. Every. Single. Time. I cut bangs...I remind myself: NEVER DO THIS AGAIN. But I did it again. And I also cut a couple inches off the back. Basically it was a big hot mess. So I finally went to a professional to fix all my sins, and she did a great job with what I gave her. I love the cut she gave me, but it would look so much better had I not cut those awkward bangs. 

Oh well. It's hair. It grows. My new hair goal is to grow out all the color and get it back to around shoulder-blade length. We'll see how long that lasts. 

So there you have it! I do have at least one more cocoon dress planned (in a knit), so I'm not letting this trend die any time soon.