Handmade wardrobe // lena horne

Dress: Tabitha Sewer Lena Horne dress

Penny’s dress: McCall’s 7739

fabric: bubble crepe from Cali Fabrics (interfaced and lined for body and stability)

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GUYS, I’m SO excited about how this dress turned out! When Tabitha Sewer first released her Lena Horne pattern, I immediately pictured it in this mustard-y medallion fabric I’ve been hoarding in my stash. Problem was, this fabric is a crepe. A lightweight and drapey crepe. Something suited more for a flowy dress or blouse, and I really wanted the ruffles on my Lean Horne to have body and weight. But I was determined, so I interfaced the ruffles to give them stability so they stood up more and didn’t drape, and I lined the bodice in a cotton for more added stability. and as a quick add-on, I attached a ruffled flounce along the bottom hem. It just made sense to me with the whole vibe of the fabric/dress combo. Kind of like a 70’s boho vibe, I think. Yes?

I did have a few set backs with this make. I had to completely remove the bust darts, but thats my issue, not the pattern’s (no boobs problem. Like literally, no boobs. I can get away with no bust darts at all). I also struggled with the fact that the interfaced underside of the ruffle was visible. I really wanted to double layer/line the ruffles, but didn’t have enough fabric since I was determined to make a dress for Penny too. And speaking of Penny’s, I also kind of struggled with hers, too. The pattern seemed like a perfect match. But because I was working with limited leftover fabric and I was in a rush to finish it, it didn’t turn out quite as much of a match as I was picturing. The dress itself was huge, even though I cut out her size. I ended up having to add a little pleat in the front to help keep it on her shoulders. And the shape of the ruffle is much wider and drapy-er than the Lena Horne ruffle. If I would’ve been paying more attention and slowed down when making it, I would’ve modified her ruffle to be less wide, longer and more gathered. So that it looked similar to mine. But c’est la vie. It’s still a really cute dress once I get past the fact that its not a perfect match for mine. She looked freakin adorable twirling around in it. And since its so big, she’ll be able to wear it for years, ha.

But seriously - my dress? OBSESSED. I need some place to wear this baby more often.

handmade wardrobe // jumpsuit twins

jumpsuit fabric: Cloud 9 double gauze from Fabric.com

my jumpsuit: free pattern with purchase of Mimi G Sew Sew Def magazine

Penny’s jumpsuit: Hello Dear Kids harem jumpsuit

Penny’s turban: Nelly Lou

my tee : Madewell

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A part of me thinks I may be getting a little out of control, a little crazy, with these mommy and me matching outfits. But also…… I’ll never stop, HA. Usually when I make matching outfits for us, I use the same fabric but different types of garments. With this one I went all-in and made matching jumpsuits. Maybe thats why I think its a little crazier.

This is my third time making a version of this jumpsuit (see the last one here), so I obviously love it. It’s not the easiest to get your hands on - you have to buy Issue 2 of Mimi G’s PDF magazine. It doesn’t list the jumpsuit as one the free patterns, but it is included, and worth it. The only thing I change is that I cut the straps into 4 pieces instead of two, so I can tie them and make it adjustable. Its definitely a layering piece for me because of the low cut, I would never wear it without something underneath. But thats how I like to wear most of my jumpsuits anyway. It makes it more comfortable when going to the bathroom in a jumpsuit - you don’t end up completely naked just to pee, ha.

But my favorite part of all of this is P’s jumpsuit. Its a harem pant that goes all the way up to under her arms. And the ruffle at the top and ankles are just the sweetest. Her favorite part, of course, are the little pockets. The PDF pattern is another one from the Etsy shop Hello Dear Kids. And again, the instructions are not the best. But its pretty straight forward if you have any knowledge of sewing and using patterns already.

handmade wardrobe // double stripes

my top: Megan Nielsen Rowan Bodysuit

Penny’s dress: self drafted

striped fabric: modal jersey knit from Cali Fabrics

Penny’s necklace: me-made DIY

both of our boots: Target , my jeans: Urban Outfitters, my sweater: thrifted

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You’ve seen this bodysuit around here before - I made it back in September. But I realized I had some leftover fabric, so I made up a quick dress for P to match! And duh, we obviously needed a whole photoshoot for it, ha.

not much to say here for this set, just a lot of pretty pictures :). As I say all the time, Rowan has become a wardrobe staple for me. And for reference - I have a long torso and add an inch in length to the bodysuit!

Handmade Wardrobe // Mommy and Me, Forever and Ever

my top: Simplicity 8636

my jeans: Megan Nielsen Patterns ash jeans

Penny’s pants:  Hello Dear Kids frill suspender pants

Our fabric: blush slub linen blend from Measure Fabric

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I know I say this a lot, but this is one of my favorite makes eeeeeever. Its just… It’s just exactly what I pictured. And the setting for the photos is exactly what I pictured, too.

So it all started with this blush linen from Measure Fabric. I’ve had an idea for this Simplicity top in a blush color for awhile, just hadn’t picked up the right fabric yet. Well this one is actually a twill suiting. So I asked the ladies at Measure if they thought it would work for this kind of top, and not only did they tell me theyre opinion, but they even sent me a video of them holding the fabric and letting it drape so I could see for myself. Above and beyond! SO yes, it is a twill suiting, but the weight and drape is so beautiful, it actually works really well for this voluminous blouse. And you can’t really see in these photos, but the slub texture is so lovely, too! And it has a bit of stretch, so could work for so many different garments, too.

So. this top. Love. Well, mostly. If I were to make it again, I think I would just lengthen the top yoke sections a bit. I fell like where the yoke seam hits right at my shoulder edge, it kind of flares out a bit and gives me really wide shoulders. Perhaps if the yoke section was a bit longer, it would drape a little nicer.  But still, not too bad, and still so pretty.

Once I had my top planned out, I obviously had to make something for P as well. I became stuck on the idea of these suspender pants from Hello Dear Kids. They are an Etsy shop that sells so many cute PDF kids patterns. And cheap, too. I don’t necessarily love the instructions. But it didn’t really matter for me (I really just did the construction my way, anyway). It was a tight squeeze, fitting it in on the rest of the linen yardage. But I juuuuuuust made it fit. Except for the waistband lining - I used some of my Grandma’s old fabric scraps, which you can kind of get a little peek at in one of the photos below. The end result was so, so good. Fit her perfect, and now I’m convinced I need a pair in my size.

Anywho, check out some of the detail shots below!

handmade wardrobe // more Dawn, and Romy too

top: Romy top by Tessuti Patterns in a mora slub from Stone Mountain & Daughter Fabrics

pants: Dawn jeans by Megan Nielsen Patterns in a bleached wash denim from Harts Fabric

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I love my other pair of wide leg Dawn jeans so much, I needed to make another pair! This time in a light bleached wash denim. I’m definitely more of a lighter to medium-wash denim girl, as opposed to dark denim. Just like before, this is straight from the pattern, size 0. No adjustments! I love this pattern so much. I did add a little extra touch to the back pockets. Originally, I didn’t plan on any decorative stitching. But just before I was about to attach them to the pants, I decided to just start stitching. Blindly. After a few stitches, I thought, Sure! that looks ok. HA. so I quickly mirrored it onto the other pocket and ta-daaaaaa. Oh, and the pocket bags are so, so special too. I used fabric that used to belong to my Grandma. I inherited her sewing machine and a bunch of supplies, and scraps of this kitty fabric were hiding in there. I’ve kept these scrap pieces for years, not sure what I would ever do with them. But i was so lucky that I was just able to squeeze out the pocket bag pieces. These jeans have so many special touches.

The top is my very first Romy tank. I made the XXS. I love love love the shape of this top, but I think I will make a few small changes for the next one. For one, I think the top is just a smidge too wide on me. So I plan on bringing it in on each side just a tiny bit, as well as raising the underarm a little, too. Oh, and this mora slub viscose/linen fabric? A new found love. I already ordered 2 more colors in it and I really want more. Soooo soft!

handmade wardrobe // ogden scalloped

dress: True Bias Ogden cami hacked to dress length with scalloped neckline, in a viscose twill

top: Megan Nielsen Patterns rowan bodysuit in a slub jersey knit

jacket: very old Forever21

So, I’ve had this idea for this scalloped v-neck slip dress in my head for a very long time now and I finally decided to make it happen. Well, if you follow me on instagram, you may have saw that it wasn’t exactly going how I had planned. I have done scalloped hems on shorts and skirts before that have come out beautiful. But for some reason, maybe because its a lighter drapier fabric and not a bottomweight that I worked with for the previous ones, but these scallops were just not coming out perfect. In fact, I re-did them 6 times. Six. They’re uneven and imperfect, which was making my eye twitch a bit and made me consider scraping the whole thing. But in the end, I decided I still liked the overall look of the dress, and you can’t really see the imperfections unless you’re right up close and personal. I’m just committed to never looking too closely at that neckline every again, ha!

handmade wardrobe // Pink Flint

top: Megan Nielsen Patterns rowan bodysuit with self-drafted added ruffles, rayon/lycra slub knit from Fabric Mart

pants: Megan Nielsen Patterns flint pants, pink corduroy from Blackbird Fabrics

I’ve been dreaming about wide leg pink corduroy pants since the first moment I laid eyes on this fabric back in the fall. It had to sit in my to-do pile for awhile while other projects took priority, but I’m so happy I finally made it happen! I was originally torn between the Flint pants or Dawn jeans, but ultimately went with Flint because I just can’t get over that tie detail. Granted, this non-stretch corduroy is probably just a teeeeny bit too thick for that tie, maybe better suited for the button waistband option. But it still works and I’m still in love.

I paired it with yet another Rowan bodysuit, which is my ultimate me-made obsession. This is Rowan number 6 for me, and I’m not stopping making more! I added little ruffles to the shoulder seams on this one, and I might add a little how-to on my Instagram stories soon if you’re interested! Follow along with me at @hollydollydarling.

handmade wardrobe // jarrah and wattle, x2

sweatshirt: Megan Nielsen Jarrah top, sweatshirt fleece from Style Maker Fabrics

skirt: Megan Nielsen Wattle skirt, rayon challis from Fabric Mart

Oh look, another Jarrah and Wattle combo, ha. After making a couple of Wattle skirts in shirting/quilting weight cottons, I’m absolutely loving how this rayon challis version turned out. So light and airy and floaty. It was a little bit difficult trying to match stripes perfectly for this bias cut version, with such a slippery fabric, but I’m pretty proud of how well it turned out. Another make that you’re sure to see again once spring and summer hit - its just screaming to be paired with an easy breezy tank!

But for now I’ve paired it with this Jarrah sweatshirt - view D. It has a funnel neck and split sleeve hem. I had to add a band at the hem because of a cutting error (whoops!), but it was a happy accident becuase I love it with the band! It’s made in a dreeeeeamy sweatshirt fleece. Seriously soooo soft and comfy on the inside. Funny - I never thought I was a funnel or cowl neck type of person. But out of all the Jarrah versions I’ve made, the two funnel neck ones are my favorites and most worn.

Handmade Wardrobe // Flint Bib Overalls

I’m so so excited to finally share this Flint trouser hack with you! When Meg first proposed this idea to me, I jut about jumped through the roof. THIS is my type of trousers. I live for overalls and jumpsuits, and this is no exception. they came out so perfect. I made these back in September, and wore them out to a local festival and again later for a night out, and they were so comfy (and got a few compliments!).

I made mine from a rust-y brown twill from fabric.com. And I chose to do the tie closure instead of the button closure, because I love little details like that. But the bib works for either option. You can get the pattern add-on and view all the instructions for the hack over on Design Diary here, as well as a few ideas to change it up and make it your own.

P.S - my top is a Megan Nielsen Patterns Rowan bodysuit in a striped jersey from Califabrics. Shoes are Swedish Hasbeens.

Handmade Wardrobe // Wattle and Jarrah and Penny, too

top: pattern - Megan Nielsen Patterns Jarrah sweater, fabric - Style Maker Fabrics

skirt: pattern - Megan Nielsen Patterns Wattle skirt, fabric - shop well fibre

Penny’s top: Simplicity 8754 in same fabric as mine.

Penny’s turban and leggings: Nelly Lou

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Mommy and Me fashion - it will never get old for me. I hope she lets me match with her forever.

Can we talk about this fabric for a second? DO you know Star from Well Fibre? She runs a genius Instagram shop where she sells second hand fabric. If you aren’t following her, you should! She lists some true gems. When she posted a preview of this fabric, I was in looooove. And I stalked her page when it went live and jumped on it immedietly. And then the day it came in the mail, I was already cutting out my Wattle skirt. I just couldn’t wait.

And I’m not disappointed. It goes perfect with my knotted Jarrah sweatshirt, but it will also pair so well with tees, tanks, and bodysuits when the weather warms up again this summer. I mean, it would also be perfect for another Hawaiian vacation. Soooooooo hint hint, Zach ;) .

This version is bias cut view A with a buttom waistband. I didn’t get a good shot of the waistband, but I’ll get one next time I wear it!