SewLSC

Pattern Review just introduced a feature called My Top 10 List as a feature of the pattern stash. Last year alone I sewed over 200 different patterns. I can pick only 10? Challenge accepted. I began by listing patterns be type. Then I evaluated how often I sewed the pattern and even more important, how often I wore the garments.  My most sewn, most worn patterns are all dresses. Not a surprise. Dresses are my most worn garment. For business. For casual. For travel. I love how I can put on a dress and be done. I also love how I can vary my look by changing shoes, scarves, jewelry and toppers. In a world where there is too much to do, I like easy decisions when getting dressed. Pardon the bad pun. Since I had a difficult time confining my list to just dresses, let alone 10 patterns period, I present my favorite patterns by type: Tops: I have 41 tops reviewed on Pattern Review. Of those, these are the patterns I've sewn and worn again and again: Simplici...

Is there any style more elegant than a classic sheath dress?  For years I could not wear a sheath dress because I found few in petite sizing. Once I started sewing, I could make the styles that I want. TNT McCalls 7085 Sheath dresses are comfortable to wear and easy to sew. I often get asked what are my favorite patterns for making a sheath dress. I have a few. Only two are currently in print:  Butterick 6624 has lovely princess seams. I've made this pattern up in stretch cotton sateen and denim with lycra. McCalls 7085 has great shaping with darts. I've made this up in cashmere, wool, cotton sateen, batik and silk. I've sewn both in different hem and sleeve lengths to get very different looks from a basic pattern. A number of my very favorite patterns are now out of print but can frequently be found on Amazon, Ebay and Etsy. Here are my favorite out of print patterns for making a sheath dress: OOP McCalls 7714 This pattern has a straight and a-line skirt options. I've...

 I love T shirt dresses. They are soft comfortable and make dressing decisions easy. Pull on your dress and you are ready for the world. TNT Vogue 8663 I prefer to make my T shirt dresses with 100% cotton interlock or silk jersey. You can use any interlock or jersey fabric. It's your T Shirt dress, so you can choose your favorite fabric to make it. I often get asked questions about favorite T shirt dress patterns. I have a few. For a classic T shirt dress, nothing beats TNT: OOP McCalls 6886 . It has only three pieces total: a front piece, a back piece and a sleeve. Although M6886 is now out of print, it has been replaced with McCalls 8058 . TNT McCalls 6957 For an A-line dress, I have three favorites. I recommend: McCalls 6957 or beginner basic pattern McCalls 7122.   I also like McCalls 7348 , which includes an option to have a handkerchief hem. I almost always make a self belt to wear with this style dress to add shaping at the waist.... but you do not need to do so. Like ...

  With the colder weather settling in, I wanted to make something warm and easy to wear for my grandkids—especially for car rides when bulky coats aren’t ideal. I pulled out McCall’s 6431 and got to work making two: one in an XS and one in a Small. Why a Car Poncho? Winter coats can be a safety hazard in car seats. The extra bulk prevents the harness from fitting snugly against the child’s body, which can lead to dangerous slack in an accident. A car poncho solves this problem by providing warmth without interfering with the harness. With a poncho, the child gets buckled in first, and then the back of the poncho can be lifted over the car seat while the front drapes over their lap for warmth. No compressed padding, no loosened straps—just a safe and cozy ride! Pattern & Fabric Choices McCall’s 6431 is designed for woven fabrics, but I opted for fleece since it’s soft, warm, and doesn’t fray. I let the kids pick out fun prints. Both opted for trucks. Instead of the hood options ...