Whether sewing, camping or just life, I think we most vividly recall (and learn from) the fails or disasters! You touched on 2 for me- that McCalls shirt pattern (which I swore to never revisit) and my first camping trip (also in the Adirondacks) at about age 9 when I awoke to rain pouring down on my face as my Girl Scout troop slept under the stars (no tent)! I made the puff sleeve version and those shoulders just hung off my shoulders until I sized the shoulders down to the smaller possible size on the pattern, despite needing a size 12, but at least I had lengthened it beforehand. I will give it a go in the other sleeve version that you made, as yours looks fantastic. The puff plus shoulder width just gave me footballer vibes! Ah, camping. Alas, I can still vividly recall climbing Kane mountain, about 20 little girls and 2 counselors having packed in with only those Adirondack woven pack baskets with our cooking gear, food, water and sleeping bags. We had sung songs and laid a morning campfire the night before. Our poor counselors had smartly draped tarps over our fire pit, so we cooked pancakes over the fire in the rain before breaking camp. A rain soaked, muddy trek back down the mountain had us drying out for the rest of the week! Thanks for the memories 😂 Sara!
When I was about 16, I inherited some beautiful linen from my grandmother. I made a beautiful, beautiful lined pink suit. Man, it fit great and looked great. I wore it to church then washed it. The linen shrank about 8-10 inches!!!
I camp a lot and am in the north east as well. Everyone laughed because I pack extra clothes but when we get caught in nasty weather, I am prepared! Love the dress, it came out beautiful.
Loved seeing the pictures of your pups. You and your spouse are great “fur parents.” You might need to do a “camping wardrobe capsule” next spring 😁. Thanks for sharing. BTW-hope you have a couple of wedding invites this summer-your dress would be perfect!
Pattern Emporium is one of my favourite indy pattern companies. Really wearable designs with tons of options and very affordable. Your dress is gorgeous, the fabric and pattern combination is spot on. Once at my friend's cottage it was so cold (and I only had shorts and t-shirts) she had to drive into town to buy me some sweat pants lol. Luckily she had brought an oversize hoodie that I could borrow. I felt like such a dope, June in Canada could have blizzards or heat waves.
i grew up in the american south. it was so bizarre when i first moved here to find out that it was possible to have cold weather at night during the summer.
I am plus size, but I have friends who are quite thin and have a really hard time finding clothes. I agree that when we talk about inclusive sizes, we need to talk about all sizes, not just plus sizes.
Yes!!! pattern companies also need to expand size options for the small end of the size range. I’ve recently determined that the smallest woven bodice block of a very popular American indie pattern company does not/will not fit me without several adjustments. I’m ok with doing a few adjustments and accept that as part of the process. But deconstructing the pattern in hopes of achieving success is not enjoyable. Thanks for highlighting this mostly overlooked situation. On a positive note, I’ve also had success with Pattern Emporium sizing. Your Pattern Emporium dress is amazing. The McCalls blouse was also another great make. That was a beautiful camp site and the dogs looked so content anticipating those smoked ribs😊.
absolutely! making adjustments is part of the process. but grading a pattern to your size is another story. i tried it one time but am not really interested in doing on a regular basis. and yes, there were 2 very attentive and obedient dogs at dinnertime!
Typing this as I’m camping, sitting in a tent whilst it pours down rain outside 😂 100% agree with your recommendations especially for car camping. It’s a great reminder because I’m always frustrated that I “pack too much” but when I look back at what I didn’t use it’s usually not that I brought too many duplicates but rather that I packed for weather that didn’t happen (but could have!)
for sure! it must be glorious to camp with internet access. forgot to mention that there was none up in the adirondacks. refreshing yet also so strange.
That McCall’s pattern is one of my favorite! I’ve made the long sleeve with the tie several times - I extended the length 2” and wear with high waisted shorts, pants or skirts and love it! Thank you for making the version like the Donnie shirt, I’m going to make one up very soon just like yours! Xoxo
i'm glad the pattern worked out for you--the tie version does look so cute. i feel like they should've picked a different view for the pattern cover. i think this pattern might've gotten overlooked by many because of it.
This video is so fitting. I want to make a shirt similar to the Donny shirt and was also thinking about using M8198. I also agree with patterns not being inclusive of petite women. My daughter is barely 5' tall and skinny but curvy, and I think patterns don't take that height into account at all. Thanks for all of the info you gave in this video.
Loved your video Sara. So annoying about your lovely skirt. Your Field of Dreams dress is beautiful and you look amazing in it. I made one for my recent holiday and I love it. I used a Liberty lawn and the dress is so light and floaty, it really is a dream. And so many pattern options too. I’m going on to Minerva site to see your review of the beautiful fabric. Your camp base looked fantastic, every eventuality seemed to be covered then the weather had other ideas. A shame but you still had a good time so it was worth it.
Thanks for mentioning the smaller end of the size spectrum! That’s where most of my family is. Some even shop RTW on the larger sizes of the kids section. You called it “lining” the ruffle, but I couldn’t imagine it any other way or else it would seem “unfinished”, if that makes sense. Even though I live in Texas, I keep a full change of clothes plus a coat and blanket in my truck just in case I get caught in a downpour like on your camping trip. I learned my lesson the hard way. Cool makes, by the way. Sorry about the skirt, that’s a bummer.
@@knottygnome a couple of them have found substantial savings in the gym/workout gear section, but other than that, not good. On a side note tangent, I used to go to a tailor that was a 5’2” male. He became a tailor because of having to alter or sew his own clothes.
Hi from East Sussex (UK) Sarah, I love your channel, your presentation and style. I'm a diddy person too, so really inspired by your makes and get a bit of an idea how things will work for me when you always looks so lovely. (creepy stuff over with). Hugs xxx Just made the Donny - made the small and it drowned me, did the XS and still swamped by it, I was sooo disappointed. I wouldn't know where to start on how to adjust it.
Love the Donny look-a-like pattern! 🧵OMG - that fabric and dress are incredible and the colors look AMAZING on you! 🧵 P.S. I love the top you're wearing - that fabric is so fun.
Oh my, your dress is gorgeous! It always feels good when you match the right type of fabric in the right colors with the right pattern that is flattering for your body type. Your dress checked all the boxes!!! I think you were really wise not to invest more time into your skirt, better to invest that sewing time into a project that would last. The irony is we never know how a fabric is going to hold up. Years ago I bought a bunch of lightweight denim clearanced at Jo-Ann's. It didn't seem like a very good quality fabric so I purchased it for "muslins," When I finally used it for a skirt, I decided I needed to practice my topstitching skills so I made the skirt with all the topstiching, pockets and everything. That skirt laundered so well and was so comfortable to wear, that I got precious about the fabric that was left and saved it for a special projects. Maybe you'll find a winner fabric for your next skirt.
i've definitely found those hidden gems at joann as well. i have a chambray shirt that i made 6 years ago now that still looks brand new. you just never know!
Oh my gosh! I loved this video SO much! I love your dress - STUNNING! And I LOVED hearing about your camping trip and seeing your family! Wheat a beautiful spot you found! I never would have thought to pack more. I'm a minimal packer too. Another thing I've been wondering... Did your husband ever finish the kitchen remodel? Inquiring minds.... I have filmed probably four videos in the past few weeks, but I haven't got around to editing any of them! Someday 😄 Thank you for sharing!
If recall correctly there used to be what was called “half-size”. This referred to women who were short but had normal bone structure (relative to their height). Petites then referred to short women who were very tiny overall. I have the problem of being short but not petite and it does make fitting harder.
that's very interesting. i had not heard that. i do know that in commercial clothing "petite" only refers to women who are 5'4" and under. so nothing at all to do with size. unfortunately in the English language "petite" often gets used to mean narrow in circumference, short, or both. it can be very confusing which is why i try to be very clear about what i am referencing and not use the word petite.
Pattern companies can always go bigger or smaller. Friday has a really wide size range. Pet peeve of mine: if the style of a pattern is is oversized but you want a fitted garment so people size down. No, this means be style is not for you. I always find it strange when people size down and then end up adjusting the pattern because it doesn't fit right 🤷🏾
can't speak for everyone but for myself, i am not necessarily looking for a fitted garment. i'm ok with oversized. but many companies (not just FPC) have so much ease that it crosses the line into sloppy looking. i think that may be why so many people want to size down.
Your dress is beautiful. I can see why people stop you on the street to comment on it. I am so sorry to hear about your skirt. What a bummer. My sister once made an adorable dress for her daughter, white with red velvet accents. They took their Christmas picture and later she washed the little dress. The red dye ran all over the white fabric. So, yep, the dress was worn only once. Your camping trip reminded me of a backpacking trip I went on in high school. We slept in tube tents, which are basically a tube of plastic that you put a rope through the top and sleep inside of so you are not completely in the open. Of course it poured rain in the middle of the night, and because we were on a hillside the water just ran through our tents. It was awful. We all definitely wanted shower after that. Thanks for sharing your sewing and camping adventures.
how sad! at least she got to capture the dress in photos. luckily we had a brand new tent so it stayed nice and dry. we've been on other trips where the tent leaked and it was indeed totally miserable.
Absolutely love your bright colorful sundress! And so sorry to hear about your navy skirt! I always loved basics from them but found that some things were better made than others. But am surprised that the Telio brand failed as they were some of the best brand they had.
Love the bubble dress, it's adorable. What pattern is the top you have on in this video? Would you share where the fabric came from on the shirt you are wearing. I tried looking in the description box, but didn't see it. I could have missed it, if I did I'm sorry.
New York State has a program where you can drop off textiles to be recycled at local secondhand shops like goodwill. don't know about other states, sorry.
Can I ask what your high bust measurement is? I'd like to compare it to the bust measurement on the size 6 in Big 4 patterns so I can understand how closely that measurement fits the shoulders. I hope I'm making sense😄 Thanks!
😂I’m in the Adirondacks this summer and the storms have been crazy! It’s been unusually cool too so I’m completely understand your camping trip. It’s incredible up here though and so much to do. I’m in Schroon Lake working for 10 weeks and it’s a nice break from the heat in Virginia. I’m curious, what block fits you best, either big 4 or independent pattern companies?
there are so many indies and they all use different blocks, i can't possibly group them all as one. i will say that it's not so much that big 4 fits me perfectly, but they seem fairly consistent with their sizing so i can generally depend on needing the same adjustments all the time. and since their catalogs are so much bigger than indies it can be simpler at times just to use them. but not always. i've definitely had some big 4 stinkers too.
Whether sewing, camping or just life, I think we most vividly recall (and learn from) the fails or disasters! You touched on 2 for me- that McCalls shirt pattern (which I swore to never revisit) and my first camping trip (also in the Adirondacks) at about age 9 when I awoke to rain pouring down on my face as my Girl Scout troop slept under the stars (no tent)! I made the puff sleeve version and those shoulders just hung off my shoulders until I sized the shoulders down to the smaller possible size on the pattern, despite needing a size 12, but at least I had lengthened it beforehand. I will give it a go in the other sleeve version that you made, as yours looks fantastic. The puff plus shoulder width just gave me footballer vibes! Ah, camping. Alas, I can still vividly recall climbing Kane mountain, about 20 little girls and 2 counselors having packed in with only those Adirondack woven pack baskets with our cooking gear, food, water and sleeping bags. We had sung songs and laid a morning campfire the night before. Our poor counselors had smartly draped tarps over our fire pit, so we cooked pancakes over the fire in the rain before breaking camp. A rain soaked, muddy trek back down the mountain had us drying out for the rest of the week! Thanks for the memories 😂 Sara!
the puff sleeve view did not appeal to me at all on that top. i definitely prefer the other sleeves.
When I was about 16, I inherited some beautiful linen from my grandmother. I made a beautiful, beautiful lined pink suit. Man, it fit great and looked great. I wore it to church then washed it. The linen shrank about 8-10 inches!!!
oh man, that must've been so disappointing!
I LOVE how you get right down to info!
i appreciate that!
Oh my goodness!! What a fun time you had!! 🤪 We live, we learn😎 ❤
So true!
I camp a lot and am in the north east as well. Everyone laughed because I pack extra clothes but when we get caught in nasty weather, I am prepared! Love the dress, it came out beautiful.
for sure! better to be overprepared than underprepared.
Beautiful dress, and beautiful location for camping with your fur babies❤️🐕🦺
Thank you! 😊
It’s so miserable to be cold especially when it’s supposed to be vacation. I love your dress!
it is, but we managed ok. the puppies added a bunch of extra warmth. 🐶
Loved seeing the pictures of your pups. You and your spouse are great “fur parents.” You might need to do a “camping wardrobe capsule” next spring 😁. Thanks for sharing. BTW-hope you have a couple of wedding invites this summer-your dress would be perfect!
sadly no. but i love the dress so much i enjoy wearing it lounging around the house with nowhere to go!
Pattern Emporium is one of my favourite indy pattern companies. Really wearable designs with tons of options and very affordable. Your dress is gorgeous, the fabric and pattern combination is spot on.
Once at my friend's cottage it was so cold (and I only had shorts and t-shirts) she had to drive into town to buy me some sweat pants lol. Luckily she had brought an oversize hoodie that I could borrow. I felt like such a dope, June in Canada could have blizzards or heat waves.
i grew up in the american south. it was so bizarre when i first moved here to find out that it was possible to have cold weather at night during the summer.
@@knottygnome I've always lived in southern Ontario so I really should have known to pack better.😂
I am plus size, but I have friends who are quite thin and have a really hard time finding clothes. I agree that when we talk about inclusive sizes, we need to talk about all sizes, not just plus sizes.
thanks for your comment! everyone should have access to clothing that fits them.
Yes!!! pattern companies also need to expand size options for the small end of the size range. I’ve recently determined that the smallest woven bodice block of a very popular American indie pattern company does not/will not fit me without several adjustments. I’m ok with doing a few adjustments and accept that as part of the process. But deconstructing the pattern in hopes of achieving success is not enjoyable. Thanks for highlighting this mostly overlooked situation. On a positive note, I’ve also had success with Pattern Emporium sizing. Your Pattern Emporium dress is amazing.
The McCalls blouse was also another great make. That was a beautiful camp site and the dogs looked so content anticipating those smoked ribs😊.
absolutely! making adjustments is part of the process. but grading a pattern to your size is another story. i tried it one time but am not really interested in doing on a regular basis. and yes, there were 2 very attentive and obedient dogs at dinnertime!
Love the first top. I also love your dress! That fabric is amazing!!!❤
thank you! isn't it incredible? it almost took my breath away when i opened the package.
Typing this as I’m camping, sitting in a tent whilst it pours down rain outside 😂 100% agree with your recommendations especially for car camping. It’s a great reminder because I’m always frustrated that I “pack too much” but when I look back at what I didn’t use it’s usually not that I brought too many duplicates but rather that I packed for weather that didn’t happen (but could have!)
for sure! it must be glorious to camp with internet access. forgot to mention that there was none up in the adirondacks. refreshing yet also so strange.
Just love your vlog! I am thinking how sweet to think of your pups during fireworks time and I think I love the field of dreams dress, as well. 😊
well yes, absolutely, but i think my husband was also thinking of his lost sleep time as well 😂 I can sleep through almost anything.
That McCall’s pattern is one of my favorite! I’ve made the long sleeve with the tie several times - I extended the length 2” and wear with high waisted shorts, pants or skirts and love it! Thank you for making the version like the Donnie shirt, I’m going to make one up very soon just like yours! Xoxo
i'm glad the pattern worked out for you--the tie version does look so cute. i feel like they should've picked a different view for the pattern cover. i think this pattern might've gotten overlooked by many because of it.
This video is so fitting. I want to make a shirt similar to the Donny shirt and was also thinking about using M8198. I also agree with patterns not being inclusive of petite women. My daughter is barely 5' tall and skinny but curvy, and I think patterns don't take that height into account at all. Thanks for all of the info you gave in this video.
there are a few companies who do petite/regular/tall heights. but yes, most seem to draft for 5'6".
Yes, the dress is stunning. I’m enjoying that you are sewing with more color now.
me too!
Loved your video Sara. So annoying about your lovely skirt. Your Field of Dreams dress is beautiful and you look amazing in it. I made one for my recent holiday and I love it. I used a Liberty lawn and the dress is so light and floaty, it really is a dream. And so many pattern options too. I’m going on to Minerva site to see your review of the beautiful fabric.
Your camp base looked fantastic, every eventuality seemed to be covered then the weather had other ideas. A shame but you still had a good time so it was worth it.
liberty lawn sounds incredible! i bet your dress is amazing.
I enjoyed your video 🙂The dress is beautiful, and so is the shirt you're wearing too. What an awesome campsite.
Thanks so much! 😊
The shirt is awesome, Sara! That print is so cute 🥰💕
Thank you!!
I am also in the petite camp, I often make the smallest size and it is still too big.
Thanks for mentioning the smaller end of the size spectrum! That’s where most of my family is. Some even shop RTW on the larger sizes of the kids section. You called it “lining” the ruffle, but I couldn’t imagine it any other way or else it would seem “unfinished”, if that makes sense. Even though I live in Texas, I keep a full change of clothes plus a coat and blanket in my truck just in case I get caught in a downpour like on your camping trip. I learned my lesson the hard way. Cool makes, by the way. Sorry about the skirt, that’s a bummer.
i do feel like the smaller end of the size range is often ignored. i would hate to have to buy kids clothes.
@@knottygnome a couple of them have found substantial savings in the gym/workout gear section, but other than that, not good. On a side note tangent, I used to go to a tailor that was a 5’2” male. He became a tailor because of having to alter or sew his own clothes.
I love your skirt, the colour, the length, just beautiful but omg the holes! That is so unfair with all those holes. So sorry that happened.
thank you! it was a pretty big disappointment. i recommend the pattern btw. it has a nice set of options.
Hi from East Sussex (UK) Sarah, I love your channel, your presentation and style. I'm a diddy person too, so really inspired by your makes and get a bit of an idea how things will work for me when you always looks so lovely. (creepy stuff over with). Hugs xxx
Just made the Donny - made the small and it drowned me, did the XS and still swamped by it, I was sooo disappointed. I wouldn't know where to start on how to adjust it.
i appreciate the feedback about the Donny. it reinforces that i've made a good decision (for me) not to buy from them anymore.
Love the Donny look-a-like pattern! 🧵OMG - that fabric and dress are incredible and the colors look AMAZING on you! 🧵 P.S. I love the top you're wearing - that fabric is so fun.
thank you! i actually made a matching set with shorts that is super fun to pair together with the top. it's a fun print for sure.
I have made and love that shirt. It's lovely and I agree, I will extend on my next make. Oh no, a cute skirt ruined.
it's a really good one!
I don’t know what your career is, but you think and sew brilliantly!!!🎉
Oh my, your dress is gorgeous! It always feels good when you match the right type of fabric in the right colors with the right pattern that is flattering for your body type. Your dress checked all the boxes!!! I think you were really wise not to invest more time into your skirt, better to invest that sewing time into a project that would last. The irony is we never know how a fabric is going to hold up. Years ago I bought a bunch of lightweight denim clearanced at Jo-Ann's. It didn't seem like a very good quality fabric so I purchased it for "muslins," When I finally used it for a skirt, I decided I needed to practice my topstitching skills so I made the skirt with all the topstiching, pockets and everything. That skirt laundered so well and was so comfortable to wear, that I got precious about the fabric that was left and saved it for a special projects. Maybe you'll find a winner fabric for your next skirt.
i've definitely found those hidden gems at joann as well. i have a chambray shirt that i made 6 years ago now that still looks brand new. you just never know!
Oh my gosh! I loved this video SO much! I love your dress - STUNNING! And I LOVED hearing about your camping trip and seeing your family! Wheat a beautiful spot you found! I never would have thought to pack more. I'm a minimal packer too. Another thing I've been wondering... Did your husband ever finish the kitchen remodel? Inquiring minds....
I have filmed probably four videos in the past few weeks, but I haven't got around to editing any of them! Someday 😄 Thank you for sharing!
oh yes. the kitchen was finished quite awhile ago and we've been enjoying it!
If recall correctly there used to be what was called “half-size”. This referred to women who were short but had normal bone structure (relative to their height). Petites then referred to short women who were very tiny overall. I have the problem of being short but not petite and it does make fitting harder.
that's very interesting. i had not heard that. i do know that in commercial clothing "petite" only refers to women who are 5'4" and under. so nothing at all to do with size. unfortunately in the English language "petite" often gets used to mean narrow in circumference, short, or both. it can be very confusing which is why i try to be very clear about what i am referencing and not use the word petite.
What a gorgeous campsite, Sara! Such a fab tip about an easy way to do a BBA! Beautiful makes, as always! 💗
it was pretty amazing post-rain! thank you.
So cute!
thanks!
Pattern companies can always go bigger or smaller. Friday has a really wide size range.
Pet peeve of mine: if the style of a pattern is is oversized but you want a fitted garment so people size down. No, this means be style is not for you. I always find it strange when people size down and then end up adjusting the pattern because it doesn't fit right 🤷🏾
can't speak for everyone but for myself, i am not necessarily looking for a fitted garment. i'm ok with oversized. but many companies (not just FPC) have so much ease that it crosses the line into sloppy looking. i think that may be why so many people want to size down.
You did Minerva proud!!!
Your dress is beautiful. I can see why people stop you on the street to comment on it. I am so sorry to hear about your skirt. What a bummer. My sister once made an adorable dress for her daughter, white with red velvet accents. They took their Christmas picture and later she washed the little dress. The red dye ran all over the white fabric. So, yep, the dress was worn only once. Your camping trip reminded me of a backpacking trip I went on in high school. We slept in tube tents, which are basically a tube of plastic that you put a rope through the top and sleep inside of so you are not completely in the open. Of course it poured rain in the middle of the night, and because we were on a hillside the water just ran through our tents. It was awful. We all definitely wanted shower after that. Thanks for sharing your sewing and camping adventures.
how sad! at least she got to capture the dress in photos. luckily we had a brand new tent so it stayed nice and dry. we've been on other trips where the tent leaked and it was indeed totally miserable.
Absolutely love your bright colorful sundress! And so sorry to hear about your navy skirt! I always loved basics from them but found that some things were better made than others. But am surprised that the Telio brand failed as they were some of the best brand they had.
Also, where do you get your lovely handbags?
yes i usually had good luck with Telio but not this time sadly.
What a fun ⛺️ camping trip! Quite an experience 😅
something to remember for sure.
Amazing shirt! Looks so much like Donnie shirt 👚
You look great in shirt’s 🎉
Love the bubble dress, it's adorable. What pattern is the top you have on in this video? Would you share where the fabric came from on the shirt you are wearing. I tried looking in the description box, but didn't see it. I could have missed it, if I did I'm sorry.
i always give the details/links for my outfit in the description box. scroll down to OOTD towards the bottom. thanks for watching!
Could you provide more information about textile recycling. I am unable to find any resources in my area (NJ). Thanks
New York State has a program where you can drop off textiles to be recycled at local secondhand shops like goodwill. don't know about other states, sorry.
Thanks for the info. I will look into it.
Can I ask what your high bust measurement is? I'd like to compare it to the bust measurement on the size 6 in Big 4 patterns so I can understand how closely that measurement fits the shoulders. I hope I'm making sense😄 Thanks!
31.5"
@@knottygnome Thank you - that is my measurement, also. This helps a great deal.
😂I’m in the Adirondacks this summer and the storms have been crazy! It’s been unusually cool too so I’m completely understand your camping trip. It’s incredible up here though and so much to do. I’m in Schroon Lake working for 10 weeks and it’s a nice break from the heat in Virginia. I’m curious, what block fits you best, either big 4 or independent pattern companies?
I'm happy to stay home and sew, and you just confirmed for me why! Your McCall's version of the other company's boxy shirt is a winner!
there are so many indies and they all use different blocks, i can't possibly group them all as one. i will say that it's not so much that big 4 fits me perfectly, but they seem fairly consistent with their sizing so i can generally depend on needing the same adjustments all the time. and since their catalogs are so much bigger than indies it can be simpler at times just to use them. but not always. i've definitely had some big 4 stinkers too.
thank you!
Hi Sarah, sorry about your skirt.😢
Thank you!
So very sorry about your beautiful skirt! That’s terrible! Your beautiful dress made up for that in a big way!
thank you! i was pretty annoyed when it happened but they can't all be roaring success stories. everyone has a dud now and then!
@@knottygnome So true!
No, just badly made fabric. Such a shame