The Katie shirt dress by Sew Sew Def

I love how sewing has evolved online.  Great indie designers are creating simple and basic patterns that are very easy to sew and alter.  For me, the ability to immediately download a pattern has been rewarding.  Often, I get inspired and want to start creating without running to the fabric store.  PDF patterns, although labor intensive, can be purchased and taped together for immediate use.  I've made the process somewhat therapeutic by listening to podcasts or music while methodically piecing together the patterns.  Let's be honest, tissue patterns are really no less labor intensive and very flimsy.

The Katie dress, a free downloadable pattern by Sew Sew Def Magazine, is a casual button-up shirt dress with bell sleeves and an a-line shape.  It has pockets (always a plus for me) and is quite voluminous making this dress comfortable for every day wear.

I used a blue chambray fabric that I purchased from JOANN Fabrics.  This was my first foray into collars and button plackets but the instructions were easy to follow.  The only change I made was I took out quite a bit of volume after I initially completed the dress.  I just couldn't pull off the full volume look, so I removed at least 4 inches on both side seams.  Wouldn't this also make a cute top for jeans?  I'll be making several more versions in the future.

Be sure to scroll through the photos using the arrows on the image:

My new fall uniform. Scroll for more views. Additional info on blog (link in profile). The #katiedress by @sewsewdefmag (@mimigstyle) #sewalamode #sewing #handmade

A post shared by Sophie, Lola & Zeus (@thedemersdogs) on Sep 15, 2017 at 9:23am PDT

What are your favorite online patterns and/or designers?

Sweet, sweet surpirse

I'm pretty new at this blogging stuff but am coming to really enjoy it. More than anything it has connected me to some really great people, whom I'd never have known.

Whenever possible, I like to roll down blogger street and see what's going on with my new friends. What better place to start than in my own blog roll (to your right). So, today I clicked on psilology and much to my surprise, saw that I was given a blog award! Let me tell you, that is a nice way to start a day!

So, I am going to pay it forward by bestowing this award to 5 of my favorite blogs:

1) Scoutie Girl - just an awesome indie blogger blogging about indie designers...Jan rocks!

2) Arts in RI - a great group of extremely talented, hard working, and nice RI artists!

3) ecolect - an awesome resource for sustainable design!

4) kidoinfo - a wonderful parent resource!

5) Making it Lovely - great design from my old haunt, the OP!

I'm a huge fan of all the blogs in my blog roll, so it was hard to choose! Thank you, psilology! You made my day!