Made by a Fabricista: Mimi Blouse from Tilly and the Buttons

One of my most favorite types of fabric to work with is cotton. It’s natural, versatile and super easy to care for. Slap a fun print on that cotton and I’m sold!

I purchased this cotton lawn from Fabric Mart a few months ago when I seen its beauty popping up in my Instagram feed. C'mon hearts AND cherries!? Yay! I believe they also sold the same print in a mint color but unfortunately I do not see either of the two still available on their site. Only makes me wish I would have bought more. Lawns are light and flowy which make them ideal during the summer months. When I purchased this fabric I knew exactly what pattern I was going to use, the Mimi Blouse by Tilly and the Buttons.

My pictures may seem....a little goofy. I was just giddy with excitement because during my photoshoot I was also in the process of packing for a beach vacation!

The Mimi Blouse pattern is available in Tilly Walne’s new book, Love at First Stitch. As soon as Tilly released on her blog all the patterns to be in the book I quickly bought a copy. I just think they are all unbelievably adorable. Tilly’s red version of the Mimi Blouse only helped to seal the deal.

One of the things I love about the book is with each pattern Tilly gives you ideas on how to make it your own. For the Mimi Blouse in particular such things like exchanging the collar for a peter pan collar, piping the yoke or adding fabric-covered buttons.

Another nice touch I found in Tilly’s book is on each pattern piece. The book is written with beginners in mind so those may find it helpful that the patterns have extra labeling. For example, on the yoke pattern piece the shoulder seam is clearly labeled. Also labeled are where the front and back bodice joins so you don’t get confused as to what attaches where (as I sometimes do).

I made a size 2 and didn’t make any fitting alterations. I usually test a muslin but I didn't with this pattern. I instead measured my pattern pieces and compared those measurements to my own and to similiar RTW clothing I already had that I liked the fit of. I'm noticing in pictures now that I probably could of used a swayback adjustment. I will account for that in my next version.

My favorite parts of this blouse are the Chelsea collar, gathered yoke and pleated sleeves. Ok, ok I like it all! Pleated sleeves and sleeve facings were a first for me. I always enjoy learning something new. I did my sleeve facings a little different than instructed. Instead of folding the facing and having it completely hidden under the sleeve I folded it in half and slip stitched it in place to form a tiny sleeve band.

I just so happened to have the perfect buttons in my stash…tiny pearl hearts to match the print! They are hard to see in the pictures so can we instead get another look at that adorable collar!? I just love it!

This print is a little busy for all the details this shirt has to offer. Because of that I would like to make my next version in a solid with contrasting piping around the yoke.

This pattern is a winner for me. Just the right amount of girly. The other patterns in the book are pretty great too and will be giving them a go someday....someday soon when I work through that monstrous to-sew pile!!

Have any of you purchased Tilly's book? What's your favorite pattern?

Now please allow me to clog the rest of this post with some pictures of my happy dance because sandy beaches await me! :)

~ Shannon from Shanni Loves

Made By A Fabricista: A Mother's Day Treat

Hello everyone! I am so excited to be back for my second blog !!! Every Mother’s Day I treat myself to a new dress (ok… shoes, too!) and my husband treats me to brunch. For inspiration this year, I watched several runway shows online. I liked the comfortable laid-back look, but not the Little House on the Prairie or tiered styles. I was attracted to the floaty, loose fitting maxi-length tent dresses with big sleeves; they reminded me of the 1980s. The silk dresses I liked cost thousands; the discounted ones were priced over $500. No way was I going to pay that much for a dress, especially when I can sew it for less! Besides, the colors were not for me. I decided to make a similar dress; Vogue V1699 maxi was the right silhouette. I searched the Fabric Mart website for several days until one day, THE fabric came at me - a silk and lycra stretch Charmeuse in geometric print of black, white, and pale yellow! The colors were energizing, bright, and happy. It had been awhile since I

Made by a Fabricista: Living in Linen

As the warmer weather approaches linen is probably one of my favorite fabrics that I feel often gets overlooked. It drapes well, it’s cool and comfortable and you can make almost anything out of it. For this feature I used 4 yards of designer linen to create a vintage inspired look. I had an image of a vintage Butterick pattern from the 60’s that I had saved on my Pinterest board. I love the versatility and easiness of the style. Since I did not have access to the pattern, I used similar patterns from my stash along with my own pattern drafting to replicate the style. In the end I created 4 pieces total allowing for interchangeable looks. To create the skirt I used McCall’s pattern 7981 which is almost I identical to the on featured on the vintage pattern. The shorts pattern was McCall’s 7962. They are perfect to wear underneath the skirt for a layered look or by themselves. The bralette was self-drafted, I took my basic bodice sloper and moved the dart to create a center fron

Made by a Fabricista: A Fruity Spring Dress

After a year in yoga pants and sweatshirts all I want to sew are dresses. Big, over the top, wonderfully floaty dresses. I loved this fruity chiffon border print from the moment I saw it and knew it had to become one such dress. Much like florals, I absolutely adore fruit prints on fabric, so to find a fabric with both was a real treat. Chiffon is one of those fabrics a lot of sewists seem to be afraid of, and I don't blame them, it can be very tricky to work with. However, I strongly believe in doing difficult things, because the end is so worth it and you have the chance to learn new things along the way. I've only sewn with chiffon a couple times before so I decided to go with a pattern that didn't have any tricky closures and or require a lot of careful fitting. I ended up settling on Simplicity 8872, view A – a maxi length pullover dress with a tiered skirt and cap sleeves. I started with a small bust adjustment (SBA). I do this with nearly every pattern because I tend

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