No Pattern Outfit!!

Okay...while there are many, many bloggers out there that are quite adept at creating their own patterns, this is new territory for me. I am soo super excited about how this outfit turned out! I created a two layer top and ruffle pants without a pattern!!

First, I have to say that the fabric for the top was from my mom's stash (I am not even sure it classifies as a stash anymore since it takes up an entire room) and I was not overly fond of the material. I had the idea for the top in my head for a while and decided this would be good practice material. I also just happened to have the magenta fabric on hand from a plan never executed several years ago. I am actually pretty happy with the end result...even with the less than desirable (or so I thought) fabric choices.

Quite a while back, I had saw this post from The Sewing Dork for a tie back halter she created. I decided to go in a different direction with my halter (if you can call it that), but I really like the loops that were used at the back of her halter to tie the top on. I have seen other ideas where button holes are used in the middle of the back of the top/halter...but I like the idea of the straps each having their own home! :) You probably are not able to see this on my "model" but I like to criss-cross the straps before looping.

I created my pattern for the bodice by using a tank top that I knew had a generous fit on my daughter and then folded the shoulders down and the tummy up. I basically traced what was left. I added some interfacing to the bodice and also added the loops and straps (the straps are really too long...but I will tweak that when I make another). Once done, I added a couple of layers of ruffles. The top ended up being long enough that my daughter has worn this once as a dress. It will also be nice as the weather gets cooler to pair it with the ruffle pants.

For the pants, I again took a pair of pants that fit my daughter and traced the pants and then added a ruffle at the bottom. The pants are a bit snug around the bum for my daughter...so there is some tweaking for the next pair I make. For me, making pants without a pattern was daunting for me in concept...but they were SUPER easy to make. My daughter is a shortie (she comes from a long line of them) and so pants are always a struggle for the right length. I am excited that we have more options now!!

Obviously, neither of these "designs" are my original ideas...I have used pieces here and there of what I have seen others make and created how I wanted to put it together. I have thought about putting together a tutorial for my version of these "patterns"...but we will have to see!


P.S - I have 3 (yep, count 'em) followers now!! This is soooo exciting!! Thanks so much!! WhooHoo!!

P.S.S - I was featured (like two weeks ago now...because I am a little slow in blogging) on the Creative Itch after linking up for a party!!! Yea!!!! How awesome!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

I will be linking to these parties:

One of Last Summer's Projects & a History Lesson

So, in my effort to track some of my progress in terms of "creating," I am again looking back at some of my projects of last summer when I started to follow blogs. Before that though, I will go way back....and it seems like it keeps getting further and further away...but I digress.


I have indicated in my profile that I like to "create" - but to clarify - this really involves more sewing than anything. I will occasionally branch out...but I found that I really enjoy sewing. I officially started sewing when I was younger - around 10 years old. To be honest, I hated it. I hated the fabric selections and disliked the patterns even more. My mom was an excellent seamstress and she would (and still can) sew just about anything you could imagine. She attempted to teach me and I tried to stick with it for a couple of years. I can remember a few projects that I made back then, but when I decided that I would no longer try to continue sewing, I never envisioned that I would sew again - and much less WANT to sew.


Fast forward a few years (ha!)...and I have two kids. I inherited a great-aunt's Singer (from the late 60's - receipt and all) and decided that I might try a few projects. I had only known sewing from patterns from well-known pattern companies and I continued to sew mostly using these patterns. I was still a bit disillusioned with some of these patterns as well as the fabric selections at my local major fabric chain. And then in my tiny, small town a great fabric shop opened. They carried the most gorgeous of fabrics (many lines from Moda) that I had never seen or knew existed. It completely renewed my interest in sewing. They also talked about "free" patterns on the web. I started to explore and found so many great tutorials.


One of the first projects that I took on after completing my son's nap mat, sans traditional pattern, was creating a dress for my daughter. I had seen a similar version at the fabric shop referenced above. I actually decided to take the plunge - and made the dress with NO pattern. I bought the fabric from that lovely shop and got started. The dress was very simple and basic, so it was by no means difficult, however it was a major leap of faith in terms of sewing for me.

Gracie modeling her new dress (she is quite the model these days too).

The inspiration dress was one layer. I added a second layer (the orange fabric). There is just a basic casing at the top of the dress and a halter tie at the top of the dress.

The "flower" is several layers of fabric that were cut into petal shapes with pinking shears. I then cut a circular piece of fabric for the "button" in the middle of the fabric and to attach it to the dress.

More project reviews to come!