You know that one dress that you looooove wearing? That if nobody noticed you’d wear it every day? That’s my Rifle Paper Co. dress. No, it was not made by Rifle Paper Co. It was made by me! The pattern is #7 from Ottobre Design issue 2/2014.
I sewed this dress nearly 2 years ago but since I can’t stand taking pictures of myself, I never blogged about it.
I learned a long time ago that my body shape works best with dresses that are fitted on top and loose on the bottom – so this design was right up my alley.
I bought a bunch of Les Fleurs Rayon Challis fabric because knew it would be perfect – so light and flowy. One thing that I must note is the fabric is only 44’’ wide, so you might need more than your pattern specifies. Most apparel fabrics are 54’’-60’’ wide.
Confession:
Now I have a Rifle Paper Company dress, iPhone cover, Keds, and…
Wallet! That’s right. Yesterday I finished the wallet for our January U-Pick sewing tutorial and I cut into my stash of RPCo fat quarters for it.
I can’t wait to wear them all together, lol!
I was so excited that I made another Studio Chat to tell you about my matching dress and wallet.
Do you have a fabric designer that you are this crazy about? Tell me who!
So, what have you been sewing up this week? Did you make something with one of my free sewing tutorials or patterns? I would love to see! Tag me on Instagram @sewcanshe.
Sew an organizer covered with pockets that you can hang in your closet! This easy sewing project is great for organizing sewing and craft supplies, fashion accessories, bathroom necessities, gift wrappings, and more. There are pockets on both sides plus a big interior pocket so every bit of space is used. I’ll show you easy step by step instructions for sewing this organizer and putting it to use in your home. Get sew organized today.
Are you sewing a Closet Organizer with me? I hope so! This is Part 2 of our free sewing tutorial for an amazing organizer with a coat hanger inside so you can hang it anywhere.
If you are getting started, make sure you start at Part 1 of the free pattern.
Be a basketmaker! Sure, you can sew, but did you know that you can make amazing baskets too using your sewing machine, some fabric and the same materials that you use for your other projects?
Have you fallen in love with Quilt as You Go yet? It’s a fun technique for quilts, of course, but I’m having lots of fun using it for pouches and tote bags too.
I’m so excited to share with you the pattern for our first mini quilt of 2018… Flora! This beautiful little quilt was designed by the very talented Lauren of Molly & Mama…
At my daughter Chloe’s high school (can you believe my baby started high school???), the lunch lines are so long that she has been skipping lunch! She’s always starving by the time she gets home because she doesn’t want to carry a big lunch bag as well as her heavy backpack – poor girl!
Looking for free table runner patterns? I gathered up all my favorites in one place – here are free quilt patterns for table runners for fall, winter, spring and summer!
I am so in love with the beautiful look of simple patchwork quilts with lots of squares. This is the perfect way to use up fabric scraps like I did, or you can make a beautifully coordinated quilt with pre-cut 2 1/2’’ square fabric pieces that come in mini-charm packs.
I’m also in love with the process. If you feel like quilt making is your escape from the world and sitting down to sew for a few hours makes your troubles fade away… this is the quilt for you!
Sew an easy beautiful apron with this free sewing pattern that only uses one yard of fabric! Whether you are sewing for yourself or for a friend, an apron always comes in handy and makes a great gift. This blog post includes a link to a free template that I digitized for you.
Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂
This month our Classic Blocks: Fresh Fabrics tutorial was my version of a Hashtag Quilt Block. Have you sewn one yet? As you can see, I couldn’t stop at just one.
You know that feeling when you see fabric at the thrift store or a yard sale or somewhere and you don’t need it, but it’s so pretty and a really good deal??? I saw these two beautiful rolls of Michael Miller twill (60” wide!!!) at my favorite thrift store a couple months ago for $20 each. The fabric was clean and soft and even smelled new. But I was shopping with a non-sewing friend at the time and I was embarrassed to buy it since she knows I already have a room full of fabric and I couldn’t think of an immediate project that needed 30 yards of designer star fabric. So I passed on it.
I first learned about the quilters of Gee’s Bend a couple years ago, African-American women from a community in deep-South Alabama that was isolated for many years. They made quilts to keep their children and grandchildren warm and did it without rotary cutters, mats, or fancy sewing machines.
Sew an easy Friendship Star Quilt using my free quilt pattern! Let me show you how to make half square triangle units two at a time. Then you’ll sew them together with some squares and viola… A Friendship Star block….
Earlier this year we had a sew-a-long making this adorable purse. It was tons of fun but since we didn’t have a blog back then, I didn’t get to show off the beautiful bags that everyone made. The tutorial we…
Use this easy step by step free tutorial to make a beautiful Basket Tote that makes a great purse too. It has two interior pockets, just right handles that aren’t super long like shoulder straps and lots of style!
12 Comments
LOVE LOVE LOVE! You have inspired me!! New to your blog, but so glad I found you! How/where can I obtain this PERFECT for my body pattern?? And the fabric??? Scrumptious!! Thanks for an awesome place for inspiration!
Carolyn, I am so afraid the wallet is going to be too big. Maybe you could give size options. What I’m see is more like a clutch that you would carry as a purse rather than a wallet that would be put INTO a purse. I love your tutorial and am looking forward to making this wallet. Joann H
Love this blog about your dress! I understand your shyness in front of the camera, but you waited too long to share this with all of us! I love garment sewing in addition to quilting and bag making, so this is a nice change of topic! Continue sharing!
Loving your short Sew Chats! So cute to see you in action! As always, looking forward to all your tutorials including the new modified wallet. Thanks so much! PS — you look darling in the dress!
That dress is soooo gorgeous!! Such cute styling with the jean jacket too! I hate photos of myself also, so I totally understand that, but I’m glad you showed us … it’s inspiring and makes me want to get sewing!
Love the dress and you are so cute!! I know it’s an odd question, but may I ask the brand and color lipstick you’re wearing in the pics? It’s very pretty on you and I think it might work for me too. Thank you very much for all you do for your followers! We are blessed.
Caroline, thank you for all you do for your subscribers … we are blessed. And you’re so cute! Do you mind if I ask what lipstick you’re wearing in these pictures? Very pretty and I think it would be a good color for me as well.
LOVE LOVE LOVE! You have inspired me!! New to your blog, but so glad I found you! How/where can I obtain this PERFECT for my body pattern?? And the fabric??? Scrumptious!! Thanks for an awesome place for inspiration!
Ottobre Design sells single issues on their website here: https://www.ottobredesign.com/subscription/single.php
I have also purchased individual copies on eBay.
There is a link to the fabric above. 🙂
Carolyn, I am so afraid the wallet is going to be too big. Maybe you could give size options. What I’m see is more like a clutch that you would carry as a purse rather than a wallet that would be put INTO a purse. I love your tutorial and am looking forward to making this wallet.
Joann H
I loooove this dress! That style works well with my body type too. How can I find that pattern?
Ottobre Design sells single issues on their website here: https://www.ottobredesign.com/subscription/single.php
I have also purchased individual copies on eBay.
Love this blog about your dress! I understand your shyness in front of the camera, but you waited too long to share this with all of us! I love garment sewing in addition to quilting and bag making, so this is a nice change of topic! Continue sharing!
Loving your short Sew Chats! So cute to see you in action! As always, looking forward to all your tutorials including the new modified wallet. Thanks so much! PS — you look darling in the dress!
That dress is soooo gorgeous!! Such cute styling with the jean jacket too! I hate photos of myself also, so I totally understand that, but I’m glad you showed us … it’s inspiring and makes me want to get sewing!
Love the dress and you are so cute!! I know it’s an odd question, but may I ask the brand and color lipstick you’re wearing in the pics? It’s very pretty on you and I think it might work for me too. Thank you very much for all you do for your followers! We are blessed.
Super cute, I always swoon over their fabric
This is in inspiring – I have some Rifle Paper Fabric (enough to make a dress!) and am going to make this the year for it!
Caroline, thank you for all you do for your subscribers … we are blessed. And you’re so cute! Do you mind if I ask what lipstick you’re wearing in these pictures? Very pretty and I think it would be a good color for me as well.