An Everyday Skirt for Everyday

Liesl Gibson wasn't messing around when she named this sewing pattern the "Everyday Skirt." I've made two already, and let me tell you, these babies have been in heavy rotation this summer. 

Jaime's Nani Iro Everyday Skirt

Pattern: Everyday Skirt by Liesl + Co.
Fabric: Nani Iro canvas, 1 3/4 yds
Size Made: small
Alterations: none

Welcome to what is likely to be just the beginning of my new Nani Iro wardrobe. I just can't resist. She puts out just a few canvas prints each collection and they are perfect for skirts and bags or anything that needs more structure. This painterly ombre print was just calling my name in its gorgeous neutral palette.

The Everyday skirt features an elastic waistband on the back and some light gathering in the front. The sides are left un-gathered for a flattering fit on the hips. This is an easy pattern to fit - I found it ran just a touch big and sized down to a small from my waist measurement which put me in the medium size. The combination of an elastic waist and full hips makes it easy to adjust for size. 

Pockets! You all know that pockets are the winning key to any wearable skirt. You're not going to be wearing a skirt Everyday without pockets. These ones are easy to put in and sit just off the side seam which incorporate them into the skirt design more. Nice one, Liesl.

Jaime's Brussels Washer Everyday Skirt

Pattern: Everyday Skirt by Liesl + Co.
Fabric: Brussels washer in gray, 1 3/4 yds
Size Made: small
Alterations: none

Oh hey, Brussels Washer. I haven't sewn anything with you in at least a month and boy did I miss you. I love how light and drapey you are. You are so comfortable to wear it feels like I'm getting away with wearing pjs in public. I love that about you.

You're perfect blend of linen with rayon means you are light and summery like linen, but without getting so wrinkly thanks to the addition of silky rayon. You are so nice to sew with and your pale gray color goes with almost everything. Is it too much if I wear you a few times a week?

Oh, excuse me. You can pick up your own digital copy of the Everyday Skirt pattern here. If you need help, we are offering this as a class this summer. Check out the dates here and call us to sign up! 

Nani Iro has arrived!

Its happening again! Our sewing line up consists of the latest Nani Iro fabrics. Not only has Naomi Ito brought us a plethora of our favorite hand painted designs but this collection has such a range in fabric types. Offering high quality fabric in cotton sheeting, double gauze, canvas, and sateen! Think of all the magical things that can be made with such a variety! Many of these fabrics have silver copper and gold metallic tones...swoon... 

To celebrate the latest collection of Nani Iro a group of talented women have declared June Nani Iro month!  Check out all the amazing things that have been created by a number of bloggers, including Lizzy House! Thanks to Miss Matatabi for the inspiring idea!

 Don't worry we have half meter bundles too!

Check back in a few weeks to see the magic that Jaime and Amber have been crafting up with their Nani Iro bundles! 

Jaime's Camber Set Dress

I'm slowly making my way through the Merchant & Mills catalog of sewing patterns. My newest sew is the Camber Set dress.

Pattern: Camber Set Dress by Merchant and Mills
Fabric: 100% linen - 1.75 yds, Nani Iro brushed cotton - 1/2 yd
Size made: UK 10
Alterations: I switched up the neck finish so it has an exposed bias binding all the way around

This pattern is a gently shaped garment that can be either a dress or a shirt. It features set-in sleeves, bust darts and a slightly a-line shape. The garment is quick and simple to cut out and put together. I was worried about this color against my skin so I altered the pattern to add an exposed bias binding all the way around the neckline. This is an easy way to finish the neck and I had just enough Nani Iro brushed cotton leftover from another Merchant & Mills sew to make some bias tape for this. 

I'm currently obsessed with this color: any form of muted pink or rosy taupe. The types of colors that are not unlike the color of my skin and may or may not be a good choice for me, but I couldn't resist it in a 100% linen. I thought a small bias binding would break up the color and add a nice border at the neck.

I've already sewn up another Camber in a shirt version that you'll get to see later on the blog. This pattern is nice causal look and I think I'll be coming back to it again and again.

Jaime's Endless Summer Tunic

A Verb for Keeping Warm is an awesome shop in Oakland, CA that shares our love of both sewing and knitting. They have just released their first print sewing pattern and it is awesome. Welcome, Endless Summer Tunic! 

Pattern: Endless Summer Tunic
Fabric: Hemp/cotton chambray stripe
Size made: 37" - smallest size
Alterations: Shortened the tunic by 2"

Endless Summer Tunic is a pullover tunic with gathered shoulder plackets and a v-neckline. It pulls on with no closures and also has pockets. This tunic is amazingly comfortable and I've already worn it several times since making it just a couple of weeks ago. 

The tunic comes together easily with well written instructions. The neck is finished with a facing and the armholes are finished with bias tape. Small gathers on the back placket are a cute touch. The back is just longer than the front and it has a slight shirttail hem.

The fabric I chose is a dreamy, lightweight hemp/organic cotton pinstripe chambray. It is so soft and flowy, I just want to live in this! We just received another bolt of this beautiful, limited edition fabric...

The fit is loose and casual. The only alteration I made was to shorten the tunic a couple of inches. Endless Summer Tunic pattern is available in the shop now - I bet you can't make just one!

April Rhodes: Arizona has arrived!

Beloved designer April Rhodes' first fabric line has arrived: Arizona. It is simply stunning! Arizona is inspired by April's love for the Southwest and tribal design. Growing up in the Midwest helped create her wanderlust for the Southwest. Surrounding herself with photos and dreams of traveling there, she developed her own modern take on the colors and beauty, and this fabric line was destined to happen!

Arizona has a stunning soft, current color palette and an incredible modern take on the Southwest's unique style and flair.

This garment friendly collection is not only offered in Art Gallery's silky pima cottons--it also comes in a voile! And KNITS!! We couldn't ask for more! All of us here at Fancy Tiger have projects lined up to make out of Arizona. Don't worry, we ordered several bolts of everything so we all can have enough!

Check back on Wednesday to see what Jaime has already whipped up!

Me-Made-May Review by Amber

Hi, Amber here! I was so excited to participate again in Zoe's, of "So, Zo...What do you know?", Me Made May challenge. My self-challenge was to wear something handmade every day of the month of May. I've been finding myself wearing jeans a lot lately, so my wardrobe these days consists of a lot of blouses and tees. Perhaps next year I'll have made myself a pair of jeans, and I can become 100% handmade! I also have been digging wearing classic, easy to wear dresses, like my new Moneta jersey dress, my Pendleton wool Emery Dress and my chambray Hawthorn Dress.
Week 1 Me-Mades:

Week 2 Me-Mades:

Week 3 Me-Mades:

Week 4 Me-Mades:

Week 5 Me-Mades:

Jaime's Geometric Leini Dress

If you're a blog reader, you know we recently started carrying Named patterns from Finland. These patterns are beautifully packaged and tend toward more fashion-forward designs. I was excited to try them out and choose to make up the simple dress, Leini.

Pattern: Leini Dress by Named Patterns
Fabric: 2 5/8 main fabric, Japanese cotton print & 1 yd white cotton/silk lining
Size Made: EUR 38, US 6
Alterations: None

The Leini dress features two bold pleats on the front and a fully lined bodice. The bottom is gathered with an elastic waist which makes it easy to finish. I've never done a fully lined top before and I did have to rip some arm holes before understanding the instructions. Once I figured it out, the top came together nicely. I love the way this finishes the top and the cotton/silk blend I used to line this makes it oh-so-soft on the inside.

The fabric I choose is a soft neutral geometric print. This Japanese fabric is a fine cotton sateen - it is extra soft and flowy. We have this print in three colors including a bolder navy and a bright chartreuse if you need more color to your summer wardrobe.

The fit of the dress is great. I did my size 6 with no alterations (knowing there is extra room in the hips because of the gathered waist) and it fits perfect. There is some extra room in the bust so if you have a fuller top, I think this would be a great and flattering pattern. The loose fit of the dress makes it extra comfortable to wear so I'm sure I'll get a lot of use out of this on hot summer days.

Jaime's Horse Lovers Madeleine Skirt

Amber and I are slowly making our way through the Victory Patterns catalog of designs. My newest sew is the Madeleine Skirt. We actually suggested this very pattern and fabric combo on our blog on our Stock Show style trend report and I've been dreaming of making it ever since.

Pattern: Madeleine Skirt by Victory Patterns
Materials: 4 yards of 44" wide fabric and two buttons
Size Made: 6
Alterations: I had to cut the front skirt in two pieces and seam it together as the pattern piece doesn't fit onto 44" fabric (hence my 4 yards)

I love horses and absolutely love this all-over horse print from Ellen Luckett Baker's Folk Modern collection. A skirt seemed fitting for this heavier weight linen-cotton blend from Japan and I loved the over-sized pockets and overall straps of the Madeleine Skirt.

The large pockets of this skirt were surprisingly simple to sew and I love the top-stitching details on this skirt. I used a bright green thread for this that matched my corozo green buttons. The skirt is fitted on the waist with a zipper and button closure. Because of the volume of the skirt, I was able to make the size for my waist measurement only and be confident that it would fit elsewhere. The adorable suspenders are attached with buttons on both sides so they are easy to remove for a more casual look.

I did have to make a simple modification to make this skirt out of 44" fabric. The pattern is written for 60" fabric only and it is made for the front to be cut out in one piece and would only use 2 1/4 yards. I had to use this 44" wide horse print  which was not wide enough for the front skirt panel. I cut the front piece in half, added in a seam allowance, and matched the print to seam it in the middle.

Another win from Victory Patterns!