I've been embellishing garments with eyelets for a while now, and I thought it would look really cool and interesting to play with larger sizes. And while we're here, are eyelets and grommets the same thing? I had to do research and this is the article that I found.

So basically, I guess you can say that the two terms can be use interchangeably depending on what they're being used for.

I was inspired by the Ellery Utopian V-Neck Dress. For my version, I needed to make some adjustments to the style to make it work for me.

My starting point for this look was Simplicity 8094, view C.  I cut the size 12. 

I changed the neckline into a v-neck. I kept it low enough to have some nice décolletage, but without the possible nip-slippage plunging neckline. 

Here is how I finished the neckline with seam binding.

On the original dress, the sides are completely open exposing lots of side-boobage with laces holding the sides together. I'm not a prude by any means, nor am I uncomfortable with the condition of my 45 year old body. I work HARD maintaining. But since this is just something I wanted to wear and not for a special sexy-night-out occasion, I needed for mine to be "bra-friendly", so I stitched the sides right below the horizontal bust darts.

With that adjustment, I only needed to add two sets of eyelets on each side.

My fabric is a white ponte knit.  I also used 1/2" wide single fold bias tape.  My grommets are from Joanns.  These were extremely quick and easy because there were no special tools needed or hammering.

And also, this View C of Simplicity 8094 is long! So if you're not as tall as me, you may want to take that into consideration. It measures approximately 56" from the base of the neck. I wore the tunic over my New Look 6459.

I made this little tunic dress for Mikaela so that she would have cute little dresses to take back to school with her this fall. It's so short and so cute and the perfect length for long-legged sassy 19 year old (her birthday is Friday!).

This dress was inspired by the BCBG Max Azria Tonya Lace-Up Tunic Dress.

I used New Look 6803, View D.

I cut the smallest size and it was fine right out of the envelope.  The only changes I made was the addition of the large eyelets and the ties.

It's so amazing how the eyelets can give the garment an entirely different look.

Such a perfect minimal look. Only thing needed is earrings and strappy sandals!

While I was browsing the designer spring/summer collections online, I discovered these fabulous stripe dresses from Dolce and Gabbana.

source: Net-A-Porter.com

I loved all of the elements of the dresses and the striped fabric and I decided that I could make this look work for my everyday life.  And I knew the perfect pattern I would use to execute my look.

I picked Butterick 6351 and found this fabulous Italian Multicolor Striped Cotton-Lycra Sateen fabric from Mood Fabric.com because crisp stripes are the perfect way to add drama to a summer wardrobe.

I cut the size 14 in the C cup. I added an inch to the length of the bodice for both front and back.  I also pivoted the horizontal underarm dart around to a vertical waist dart. There was nothing wrong with the fit of the bodice. I changed it simply for aesthetics. I wanted my stripes to match as closely as possible at all seams.

So I felt that dart move worked out best for me. I tweaked the fit somewhat. I typically cut slightly larger and just make nips and tucks wherever needed. I took in the sides a bit to refine the bodice fit.

For the skirt, I cut the same size and added an inch to the length.  As you see this time, I strategically placed the stripes vertically. Such a slimming effect.

I added the band to the skirt and flipped it back to horizontal.  And the dress has an elastic waistband in the back of the skirt.

The stripes were pretty simple to match because it is a large enough scale pattern.

The dress is partially lined at the bodice. I used a white cotton batiste from my stash. The dress has a side invisible zipper. 

The only thing I don’t really like is the elastic back waistband. I don’t understand the point of that if it has a zipper. If I make this again, I’ll eliminate the elastic waistband and waist gathers and change the skirt portion and use a simple pencil skirt with darts and a waistband.

When I tried the dress on, I didn’t like how the back of the bodice didn’t lay right. It kept falling open, exposing my bra and it just overall looked sloppy.

I just ended up slipping stitching it down.

Even with the changes I made, it didn’t take a lot of time to make this dress and the fabric was incredible to work with.

I'm fortunate enough this week to be featured in Kollabora's "Meet the Maker" series.  If you want to check it out and catch a few facts about me you may not already know, feel free! Here's the interview!

Butterick 6351 has a basic sleeveless bodice with a horizontal underarm dart. I chose a multi-stripe  fabric and I wanted my pattern to match across all seams as much as possible. There was no way that they would at the side seams because of the dart pointing towards the bust apex at an angle. Had this been a solid fabric, I wouldn't have bothered. But it just wouldn't work for me aesthetically.  So I decided to pivot it and create a vertical waist dart.

Here's how I did it:

I made basic bodice alteration of lengthening an inch.

To move a dart on a pattern piece, draw a line to extend the dart to the apex. (Note: In case you didn't know, the bust apex is marked on the pattern pieces, usually.) 

Draw a line from the apex to the new dart position.

Cut out the original dart.

For the new dart, cut up to the apex and close the old dart.

Using pattern paper under the pattern piece, tape it in place and redraw dart. Your dart stitching line should end approximately 1" below the apex.

Here's how I cut out my front and back pattern pieces to match the stripes:

When matching prints, ALWAYS cut on a single layer.

Since the front bodice pattern piece is only half, I cut the first half and flip it over the the other side.

For the back, I used the cut out pattern piece, turned it to the other side and cut out while matching the stripes.

Here's the bodice front with the new dart.

And here's the back.

More to come on this post...

On Mondays, I'm generally very busy with so many errands to run and lots of ripping and running to do. I'd definitely be a lot more comfortable in a workout tank and Nike running shorts. But when I put forth a concerted effort to actually get dressed, it makes me feel better about myself. Like I haven't just given up. Even on hot and humid days, I like to feel pulled together. As moms, wives, and women in general -- we do so much for everyone that we love, we sometimes lose ourselves in the process. We have to always remember to exercise self-care. Part of my self-care is taking the time to actually fix myself up. Do I do this everyday? Nope... I just don't have the energy.  I workout a lot! And once I pull myself out of the house to head to the gym, I try to fit in everything else I have to do while I'm out and I'm already in workout clothes.  But do I make that concerted effort to actually get dressed several times a week? I sure do! It's what I do for me!

No matter the season, I try and make sure that I have a well-cultivated wardrobe of clothes that work for my lifestyle. These shorts are my 3rd iteration of Simplicity 1887.  I used a khaki green gabardine that I picked up from Hancock a few weeks ago. And I added D-rings like I did with the previous white version.  Very cute and very much machine washable!

I like non-tshirt type tops.  I wanted something with some flare.  Ruffles are really a thing right now. I've had Vintage Simplicity 6061 for a while now.  It's a dress pattern from 1983. I decided to take the bodice and make it into a top by lengthening it.

My pattern is cut in the size 14.  I added around 4 inches to the length.  I used this Italian Snapdragon & White Cotton Stretch Shirting from Mood Fabrics.  It is the perfect crisp weight to highlight these ruffles.  

The top is designed with bodice ruffles and armhole ruffles.  The bodice ruffles are sewn into the shoulder princess seams.  The ruffles are finished with scant machine sewn narrow hems, made on my BERNINA 350 PE with my narrow hem foot.  It was the perfect and most professional looking finish for the ruffle edge. The bodice has front, back and armhole facings, and a keyhole back opening with a button and thread loop closure.

If I sew this again, I'll probably add a few more inches to make sure that it stays tucked in because it's not quite long enough.  And I really love these shorts.  I still can't guarantee this is the last pair!

Let me tell y'all about my new glasses! Every year, I always get a new pair of glasses because I either break mine or get bored with the frames and need an upgrade.  I was contacted by Glassesshop.com to review a pair. How timely was that! I knew that I would be lightening my hair for summer, so I decided to do something different this time -- pick a lighter colored frame.

This was my first experience buying eyeglasses online. Mikaela has picked frames online and always buys her contacts online.  But I tend to buy mine from the optician.  It was a good experience.  I simply plugged in my prescription and pupillary distance and picked out the yellow Murray Round.  I received my glasses in about a week right in my mailbox.

Disclaimer: I received no compensation for this review, just my awesome new glasses.

I've been wearing these for about two weeks now and they fit perfectly. I can lean over and they don't slip and they're super comfortable on my nose and behind ears.  Those are the places that can make or break a pair of frames.  And most importantly, I can see everything I need to see when sewing and reading instructions!  They also offer prescription sunglasses, which I need as well.  These eyeglasses are really reasonably priced and I'd like to extend an even better deal to you all: use this coupon code GSHOT50 for 50% on eyeglasses and sunglasses with free lenses (sale frames excluded).  I hope you enjoy yours too!