Marica Mitchell

Imagine being able to make your own clothes; no more department store hassle, no more online purchasing disappointments, and definitely no more paying out sums of money to a tailor after just spending a fortune on an outfit. Marica Mitchell has been making and designing her own clothes for quite a number of years. Having been inspired to take sewing seriously, she purchases commercial sewing patterns and almost always adds her very own dash of creativity and uniqueness. Click here to read more

Happy Friday Loves! When it comes to a great pattern, I am all for it!  When I came across McCalls M8009, I knew I had to give it a try.  I was a bit hesitant at first as I wasn’t sure if I would like the bust area but when I looked at the pattern, I knew the design lines and the slight gathers would make a difference with the fit. I fell in love with the jumpsuit so much I made it twice. With my first version, I actually started it on a weekend and didn’t have plans to finish it.  When I finished the bodice, and tried it on, I was super excited about the fit. I was even inspired to continue sewing and kept going all night and had only the sleeves and zipper to insert the next day.  I literally went to bed at 1am in the morning which is totally rare for me. For the bodice, the size 12 fit perfect without any modifications and the size 14 pants worked out just fine. I did NOT have to do any grading as the pants pattern pieces are gathered. I always have to do my regular pants adjustment by adjusting the crotch (to avoid a wedgy:-) and adding 1 inch to the top of the pattern piece for my full butt adjustment. I think I may have to scoop out the crotch another 1/2 inch as it is somewhat close and I prefer a looser crotch area. . The rayon drapes beautifully! The flow, the freshness and the lightweight feel on my skin is absolutely perfect for South Florida weather. Pros for the RAYON! * Rayon is lightweight and airy. * Drapes beautiful and has a “gone with the wind effect” when you wear it. * Easy to sew up and the back invisible can be taken down without assistance. CONS * Rayon is lightweight and you can’t afford to make a mistake.  The seam ripper will cause issues if it gets stuck in the fabric. * Depending on the rayon fabric, your garment will stretch overtime. I swear the garment became loose right after the photoshoot. * Interface is a MUST in the midriff and zipper area. Pros for using ANKARA WAX FABRIC! *Ankara fabric its structure and has a more dressy look and feels great on! * Easy to sew and seam ripper won’t hurt the fabric much if you make a mistake. CONS * YOU DEFINITELY NEED HELP when zipping it up, especially if you use an invisible zipper. * Be careful as the seams tend to get stuck easily when the garment is on but seems to slide up and down with no issues when it is off. * ANKARA cotton has no stretch so give yourself a little bit more wiggle room in the crotch area and around the midriff. Overall I am so happy with both makes of M8009 JUMPSUITS and definitely LOVE the Ankara version. I wanted to make a similar look by hacking the VOGUE bodice and a pants pattern last year using a linen fabric which was an epic fail!! When I saw this pattern, I knew it was a must and I had to. give it a try. I AM SO GLAD I DID!!!! I definitely give this pattern a 9/10 as it is absolutely classic! Thanks for reading and don’t forget to check out my INSTAGRAM page for ALL THE TIPS  that I SHARED and saved in the highlights. One Love, Marica

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marica Mitchell. So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. During my last year at Florida A&M University, I decided to take Education electives to complete my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems. Little did I know, that those courses were preparing me for a second career; an educator and change maker. I was super stoked about receiving my first degree on December 17, 1999, and was ready to venture into the world and work as an Information Technology (IT) professional. I had received a few job offers before graduation in IT and just wanted to land a career where I would travel and see the world and was convinced that I would pursue a leadership career in technology. Click here to read more

Happy Saturday Loves! I have been enjoying the past 8 weeks off and have NOT been sewing up a storm like I normally would.  Instead of quantity, my focus for 2019  is creating quality garments that are well made and F I T!  I have been reading tips from my favorite sewing bloggers, watching more videos and reading step by step tutorials.  I am so proud of my journey and if you have been following me for a while, you will notice a difference in 2019. NOW LET’S GET TO THE POINT!!!  When Ankara and Lace reached out to me a few months ago to review their subscription box, I was ecstatic.  I love the idea of getting a surprise each month with beautiful Ankara fabric.  If you know me, I love BOLD, BRIGHT colors especially Ankara prints. I instantly fell in love with the fabric and honestly did NOT want to cut it.  I have been on a mission this year to maximize my looks and not only take photos to share.  I try to get the most out of every piece I create and I truly maximize the wears. This beautiful Ankara bold print called for something simple to highlight the bold design and bright colors.  Check out other fabric selection from Ankara and Lace that would be perfect for the dress here, here and here.  I did not want to make the typical skirt but realized that I could make a dress and rock it both ways.  When I measured my high bust, I knew if I made an elastic style dress I could rock it as a skirt.  I opted to cut the elastic 6 inches smaller than my upper bust which is a perfect fit for my waist.  To my amazement, it worked out just fine and I was surely on cloud 9. HERE ARE THE STEPS TO CREATE THIS BEAUTIFUL ANKARA 2 FOR 1 “SKIRT DRESS”! Step 1: Measure your high bust (upper chest). My measurement was 33 inches. Step 2: Measure desired length starting at the high bust. My desired length for the dress is 40 inches which creates a midi version of a skirt. Step 3: Add 5 inches to the desired measurement for elastic casing and hem. ( My final length is 45 inches). Step 4: Cut 2 pieces (front and back). The width (33 inches) which is the high bust measurement and the final length (45 inches). Step 5: Sew both side seams (french if desired).  Finish the edges of both side seams as well as the top and bottom. Remember to press open your seams. Step 6: Mark front strap 7 inches away from side seams and back straps 8 inches away from the side seam. Also, note the back and front with a tag! Step 7: Fold 3 inches and press the top casing. Sew 1/4 inch allowance around leaving a 2-inch opening to run the elastic.  Step 8: Sew the paper bag ( 1.25 inches) all around from the top of the foldover.   Step 9: Run your 1 inch or 1.25 inch elastic and close seam. ADDING STRAPS: Step 1: Cut your straps based on your desired taste. My straps were 2.5 inches (width) by 14 inches (length). Personally, I would measure first or cut 2.5 inches by 16 to 18 inches and trim if needed. Step 2: Fold over and sew at 1/2 inch seam allowance. Step 3: Turn straps, press and attach.  You can also make the straps detachable by adding buttons and buttonholes. REMEMBER the front strap is 7 inches and the back is 8 inches away from side seams. Step 4: Stitch straps for both the front and back about an inch from the top of the dress.  Step 5: Hem your garment and give it a good press. Feel free to check out my IGTV audio tutorial as well for any clarifications you may need. ROCK IT AS A SKIRT!!! GUESS WHAT!!!  I am partnering with ANKARA and LACE to give away a SUBSCRIPTION BOX  with 3 YARDS of BEAUTIFUL ANKARA FOR MY BIRTHDAY!  Be sure to leave a comment on this blog post stating what you would make for an extra entry. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR INSTAGRAM HANDLE OF EMAIL ADDRESS. Be sure to VISIT my Instagram page to enter when the POST goes LIVE to review the rules! Thank you so much for reading! Feel free to email or DM for any questions you may have. EARRINGS: XTRABYSTACEY Fan Tassel SHOES: DSW  Kelly and Katie (Yellow Faux Suede) One Love, Marica

Happy Monday ALL!!! Can you believe I only have 5 more weeks of work left? Yes, this educator is counting down to summer!  I am super excited about the things I have planned and even though I just went back to work 2 weeks ago, I am already counting down.  My 2 months leave wasn’t all golden as my recovery after the surgery took longer than expected.  I spent the first 5 weeks smiling through the pain even with those smiles on my Instagram page.  Photos were taken right after my dose of meds which allowed me to snap. Now let’s cut to the chase!  I am in heaven with this CREPE faux (fake) jumpsuit that I created.  On Tuesday, I started with the pattern modifications of the pants Simplicity 8841 VIEW C without the belt and it took me the entire hour of my free time. I dedicated 30 mins to an hour each day for 3 days and I was able to tackle this entire 2 piece look.  Yes, Brittany J Jones sew in 30 got me motivated to sew a little during the week. For the most part, I was super thrilled with the fact that I didn’t spend my entire weekend sewing it up. The tweaks that I made to the pattern was adding a little bit more to the rise of the back pattern piece for my pear shape booty and some extra ease above the recommended for the pattern. After grading between the 16/18, I felt I needed a little bit more room for a looser fit. I realized after that I did add more than I needed and the next time around, I will remove the extra piece of paper.  I did try to remove the excess fabric but I just didn’t like how it draped after the modifications so I removed it and kept the original shape. I also added 3 inches to the length as my original plan was to create a jogger set.  Unfortunately, a piece of fabric got caught under the serger and I had to chop 1.5 inches off. I also added an extra inch to the front pattern piece as I wanted a more high waist look.  I am loving this little paper bag waist with the 1.25 inch elastic used. I pretty much always have to modify every single pants pattern to fit these curves and for the most part, I now know what to do.  There are only 2 patterns that I have not modified that fits right out of the pattern envelop which I love (Simplicity 8389 and 8558). This beautiful crepe fabric is still available at Joann and matched perfectly with this art clutch gifted to me by a sew sister Aisha from Trinidad.  I told her that I always wanted an art bag and she created this one and mailed it just in time.  I had 2 fabric in my stash that worked perfectly with the colors and had to use it up. I didn’t want any of the leftover fabric to go to waste as it was just enough for a cami.  I simply decided to cut the Ogden Cami pattern (#6) and create a 2 piece look. Check out the other I made here, here and here.   I am all for separates and definitely plan to make more matching sets this summer.  Check out this other look I created last summer using rayon that looks like another jumpsuit. Can you see me wearing these as separates more ways than one? Yes, I plan to wear the pants with a denim top and the ogden cami of course with my jeans. Thank you so much for reading and be sure to stay tuned for #2 of these pants using ankara cotton fabric. One Love, Marica

“The journey is never-ending. There’s always gonna be growth, improvement, adversity; you just gotta take it all in and do what’s right, continue to grow, continue to live in the moment.”  Antonio Brown Happy Tuesday Loves! Have you ever wanted to try something new and had all the adversities to stop you? Well, this is exactly what happened to me while making a sweetheart bodice with only two pattern pieces (front and back). I was excited about this pattern the minute it came out last Fall.  I actually purchased two as I knew this bodice type would be on rotation.  After looking at the design lines for View B, I knew I wanted to give it a try.  Little did I know that that it would give a run for the money. My first mistake was attaching the side seams incorrectly.  I swear I made a mistake with cutting as it was my first time working with bust darts that starts at the center of your chest.  Little did I know that bust darts are NOT only designed from the side (under your arm) and towards your chest.  I had to grab the seam ripper and went back to the instructions that I failed to read thoroughly. My next challenge was with the skirt.  I wanted to make a tiered midi skirt but cut the bottom a wee bit short and didn’t have enough fabric to create a longer tier.  I then decided to scrap it and create a peplum top. After cutting the length uneven twice, it kept on getting shorter and shorter.  My last cut was so short that I had to do a rolled hem instead of a 1.5-inch hem that I wanted. When I inserted my invisible zipper on the first try and saw that it was perfect to my taste, I was in heaven and was so ready to shoot.  I didn’t even realize how much room was in the top.  My daughter Arielle pointed out that top was a little bit too big and the back was indeed sticking out.  Mind you, when I tried the lining to me it was perfect but did not realize the amount of room that was still in the back as I did not insert the zipper.  I went to work and decided to just adjust the outer fabric side seams as the lining area was still open.  Little did I know that it would not work.  I was so frustrated and threw the top down in my UFO pile. On Saturday, I decided NOT to take any short cuts and detach both the lining and main fabric side seams. I was determined not to remove my zipper and figured adjusting the side seams first may help.  I made the necessary 5/8 inch adjustment on each side with a basting stitch to check the fit first. I also did a 1/2 inch adjustment to the center front seam.  I was satisfied with the fit of the top.  Even though it still has a little more room, I did not want it as fitted as a previous top I made here. Life is a journey and not a race!  Enjoy every moment and learn and grow from your mistakes.  I didn’t plan to spend over 6 hours on this simple top but the learning experience was so worth it.  This was all I needed to tackle my fears of making a lined jacket and will be getting the notions needed to do it. Loving my waist pack from Nikki and Mallory.  Go check out her amazing work with leather! Thank you so much for reading and be sure to stay tuned on my Instagram page as I have a PLANNED giveaway coming soon.  Also, don’t forget to check my Fabricmart post and read all about the versatile vest I created. Cheers, Marica

Happy Tuesday Loves! Can you believe the first quarter of 2019 is over? This year seems to be going by so fast. I am excited to share my first quarter makes as I kicked off this year with being more intentional with my sewing.  I decided to participate less in sewing challenges and explore more on items that I always wanted to make.  I found myself trying to keep up in 2018 with different challenges and ended up with more fabric and patterns in my stash. This year, I have changed my perspective and will only be keeping up with “ME”.  So far it has been working and I have spent less money on fabric and patterns than in the past.  I am so proud of myself even though I did NOT get a chance to meet the goal of making a jacket.  Yes, I am still a little bit scared but definitely plan to tackle it in Q2. My very first make of 2019 are these two amazing pieces featured in Sewn Magazine.  I was super excited but could not share until this month when the March/April issue went live.  I am grateful that Michelle gave me the opportunity to create a mommy and me look which I neglected in 2018.  I truly love the Magazine and have my subscription set on auto pay so that I won’t miss out.  The pants pattern was made using Simplicity 8389 and Arielle’s skirt was made using Mingo and Grace pattern. My favorite garment so far and most beautifully made dress is my Vintage Ankara Midi using McCalls M7632 bodice.  Read more about it here.  I am totally in love and plan to make a maxi version with a different bodice view soon. Up next is my Ankara Midi self drafted elastic skirt!  This was a quick and easy sew and I love it! My January Fabric Mart make were two classic Odgen camis and I am totally loving the classic feel and the color blocking of the first one made with linen. Read more about it here! I created a solid black silk cami and added feathers for a special touch. The feathers gave this simple cami the right amount of pizazz. I then took a break from SOLIDS and went back to my favorite fabric, Ankara to kick off Black History Month!  I made this top using New Look 6560 and loved the way it turned out. Check out my blog post here with more photos! For Black History Month, I enjoyed creating Ankara Skirts!  Even though I didn’t share photos of this mommy and me look, here are few! Arielle’s skirt was made using Simplicity #S8606. She truly loves this skirt and plan to sew more for her! I even made another skirt for a friend to wear during Black History Month using my elastic waist method!  I am totally in love with it. My February Fabric Mart blog post included 2 versatile Maxi Dress here using Simplicity 8595.  These dresses have been on rotation since surgery as they are comfortable and loose.  Read all about it here on Fabricmart blog. I took a short intermission break from sewing and posting due to a surgical procedure. This break was needed to redirect my energy and focus on making pieces that I will get the most wear out of. Ten days later, to take my mind off the pain, I created 2 looks for my March Fabric Mart post here and a Maxi Dress!  I FINALLY overcame the fear of buttonholes! I even made a beautiful off the shoulder top for Spring using a designer ponte knit. Made this beautiful beach maxi dress using Simplicity 8890  made with rayon fabric I purchased from Fabric Mart over a year ago. Took a little break from sewing to explore bag making and I fell in love.  After watching 3 bag making courses on mybluprint, I was hooked.  I am getting ready to get back in garment sewing and start on a few Spring makes and can’t wait to share. Loving this self-drafted foldover clutch.  Be sure to check out my Instagram IGTV with tips on how to make your version! Thank you so much for following my journey!  I have learned so much from my sewing community of friends and even non-sewers too.  I plan to challenge myself, even more, this quarter and create a jacket or two. One Love, Marica!

Healthy Hair requires tender loving care, patience and time.  Arielle’s healthy hair with growth did not appear overnight in a month. It took patience, trial and error and of course the right combination of products to acquire this mane. I get asked multiple times, what do you do? My answer always is hair care! I am sharing our updated routine and something new with you and hope you can join in on our healthy hair growth challenge from April 2019 to July 2019.  Be sure to check out the video on YouTube and Part I of Healthy Hair Care which includes photos of our journey. We have switched up our routine, added new products to the list, but for the most part, it is still the same.  Some of the products recommended may or may not work for your hair texture or type, however, if you are struggling, why not give Honey Vera JA Growth Package a try (Scalp tonic, Castor or Coconut Oil, Moisture Butter). It works on all hair type and to top it off, it is 100% organic, made from natural herbs and oils. Wash day routine: EVERY 2 to 3 Weeks We typically use Curly Kids shampoo and conditioner most times but when we run out, any brand will do.  We only comb hair when the conditioner is penetrated after it sits on the hair for at least 15 minutes. Hair is sectioned and we detangle and twist before styled.  At least once a month, hair is deep conditioned with Honey Vera castor or castor coconut oil.  A small mixture (capsize) of castor or castor coconut oil is added to about a tablespoon of Curly Kids deep conditioner and then directly to the hair scalp. This stays on the hair for 30 to 45 mins covered with a plastic cap. This helps so much with scalp flaking and we noticed that oil is not even needed for an entire week. Something NEW: What I will try differently over the next 3 months is to add a protein treatment every 6 weeks.  I have seen avocado or banana mask and plan to give it a try.  I will also add a little Honey Vera castor or castor coconut oil to the mixture. DRYING: Arielle’s hair is air dried after wash day. I do not even own a blow dryer as I don’t want to be tempted to use it.  Wash days are planned so that we have enough time to do our routine. Hair is typically braided or twisted and a cotton tee or soft towel is wrapped around the hair. After hair is about 40 to 50% dry, (1to 3 hours later) we style! Styling products: after wash day are key especially to retain moisture. HONEY Vera scalp tonic (Regular or Special Blend) is always used during the process. Hair is sectioned and the scalp tonic is sprayed directly on the scalp.  A dime size of castor or castor coconut oil is added to a leave-in moisturizer and then hair is styled. If hair is deep conditioned with the conditioner,  then no oil based products are added. Plaits or twist dos are our go-to style and we love using Kai Naturals twisting butter with a little moisturizer. School Dos and every day looks! We have yet to do small cornrows as Arielle has tender scalp. Honey Vera scalp tonic is a must and is used at least 3 to 4 times a week.  A detangler is definitely needed as hair is super thick when dry. Hair is always styled when damp. We typically rock a do for 2 to 3 days and hair is combed twice a week for school. In between styling days especially after a non-wash week, we use a small amount of moisture butter.  For maintaining the hair’s moisture, a satin bonnet is always on at night. We have at least 4 and over the past 3 years, Arielle may have gone 2 nights the most without her bonnet. This has become a routine and it helps so much with retaining moisture and shine. Here is a list of recommended products: Wash day: Curly kids Shampoo, Conditioner, and Deep Conditioner  Honey Vera Castor or Castor Coconut oil Creamy moisturizers: Your Curls Defined Your Curls Conditioned  Your Mane Moisturizer Daily product: Honey Vera Scalp tonic (Regular or Special Blend) Detangler sprays: Cantu Care for Kids Conditioning Detangler Curly Kids Super Detangling Spray Oil based products: Honey Vera Castor Coconut Oil Honey Vera Black castor oil  Moisture butter Mango Twist Butter Styling Gels: Honey Vera Lemon Grass Honey Gel ECO flax seed and castor oil gel Bonnets and MORE on Amazon Thank you so much for following our journey! We appreciate your love and support and plan to consistently post and share hair, skin and lifestyle tips in 2019. The winner for the SPECIAL blend scalp tonic is AMANDA LEWIS. I will send an email to you so that you can claim it! DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a sponsored post! All products mentioned have been tested and used.

Happy Tuesday Loves! After watching a few YouTube videos, and doing a little research on bag making, I am happy to share some tips learned as well as the materials and resources needed to create your own wooden  or acrylic handle tote bag.  I have been wanting to learn a little bit more about bag making and since I am home for a few weeks, I decided to take advantage of the time.  When I saw a great deal (50% off)  on mybluprint, I quickly signed up as I knew I would get my money’s worth.  My daughter loves to cook and bake and I know she will truly enjoy watching videos and baking over Spring Break.  I decided to start my bag making adventure and was able to finish up 2 courses and is working on my 3rd. The courses that I completed on mybluprint are:  – Learn to Sew Simple Bags – Nicole Vasbinder  – Building Better Bags: Interface and Structure – https://sewsweetness.com I am half way through Essential techniques for better bags with Lisa Lam and plan to finish this course up before making tote bag #3. Supplies NEEDED ARE: Exterior Fabric: quilt weight cotton, denim, selected home decor, linen cotton blend, ankara wax cotton, oil cloth (water resistant bag) Interior/Lining fabric – cotton Denim needle Bag handle:  (Pacific Trimming or Joann Fabric (Handle used here) Circle diameter must be at least 6 inches or more.  Rectangular handle at least 5 to 6 inches no more than 7) Interface – heavy weight (fusible or sew in) Fusible fleece or  home decor interface Pins/wonder clips Marking tool Cutting tool (rotary cutter or scissors) Quilter ruler,  regular ruler seam gauge Curve ruler – flushed handle  Cotton thread (HEAVY DUTY) Fabric and Hardware Selection: Select a non-stretch woven fabric that has one direction print. For example, a fabric with animals going in all direction (up, down, sideways) may not look good on the bag. Select a fabric that can press well and is not affected by heat.  Select a cotton lining fabric that compliments or highlights your main fabric.  Solid is always safe when working with a print. Select the right hardware based on your personal taste and style. An oversize handle may not work with a small size bag. INTERFACE IS KEY! Choose the interface based on the structure you are looking for with your bag. If you want a tote bag with a great structure, a lightweight interface will not work. Ensure that stressed areas such as snaps and handles are reinforced with the interface. Test your fabric and interface first on a small scrap. Decide on the right color interface to use for your interface. If your fabric is dark, you may want to use black interfacing. If your fabric is light or white,  black interfacing may distort the color. For example, the white fabric may look gray if black interfacing is used. When working with the interface, start pressing apart at the center and work your way out. Use a pressing cloth if need be. PRESS, PRESS, PRESS, it hides your little imperfections. Trim interfacing from seams to avoid bulky seams. (Cut interface without the seam allowance) Sewing your bag! Use high-quality thread with a denim needle for thicker fabric and wonder clips instead of pins. To avoid skip stitching, use a walking or adjust the tension on your machine. Here are some great videos to watch in preparation to create your bag. HOW TO SEW A BASIC TOTE BAG Attach handle first to each piece of outer fabric. Press seams and add the interface after you sew your outer fabric.  Remember interface is 1/2 inch less than main fabric to reduce bulk in the seams.  You can either cut the 1/2 inch later or before. Make sure you leave a hole in your lining big enough for your handle! HOW TO ADD A REGULAR  POCKETS My pocket on bag #2 is 9 inches wide by 7 inches long (INCLUDED SEAM ALLOWANCE).  Finished pocket measurement is 8 x 6 inches perfect for cell phones or keys.  Create any size you want based on your personal style. Attach pocket to lining first before sewing up your bag making sure your pocket is balanced by ensuring the distance from the left and right of the pocket is the same. The easiest way is to measure the distance across where the top of the pocket will be placed. Subtract the width of your pocket and then divide by 2 to find out the distance from the left to the right. HOW TO ADD A ZIPPER POCKET I plan to try this method and will share any tips later in my next blog post. I did not draft a paper pattern and directly drafted the measurements on the fabric. For a beginner, I would definitely recommend drafting each piece on paper first and cutting your fabric. Please feel free to send me any tips, suggestions or even questions that you may have. Be sure to check out my IGTV tutorial on Instagram to create and draft your pattern.  I will also share a step by step tutorial on how to draft your own bag pattern and lining with facing on Thursday. Thank you so much for reading and don’t forget to check out my latest Fabricmart blogpost! One Love, Marica

Happy Monday LOVES! “Your greatest responsibility is to love yourself and to know you are enough!” I can’t believe it’s already February of 2019, my favorite month of the year!  February is the month that we celebrate Black History, Valentine’s Day and President’s day.  It’s the month where the color RED seems to be in the windows and of retail stores and Valentine’s day candy and chocolate is all in your face. I get a chance to wear all my favorite handmade pieces in Ankara and of course my favorite red make on Valentine’s day. I fell in love with this beautiful Folashade RED and WHITE fabric from Ankara and Lace.  The company is based in New York and sells beautiful unique Ankara as well as offer a fabric subscription service. Their subscription service offers 1, 3, and 6 yards subscription chosen and delivered to your doorstep.  I was in awe when I came across this fabric on their Instagram page and couldn’t resist making a beautiful wrap top.  Unfortunately, the fabric is sold out but the Irene fabric here would look just as beautiful as well using this pattern. The top is made using NEW LOOK 6560, an easy sew pattern with great details.  I love the belt, the back darts and the gathers on the yoke. I did not want a long wrap top as I wanted to be able to rock it with a pencil skirt or high waist jeans.  I selected to make VIEW A without the ruffles around the neck area which has a great bishop style sleeve. I am so loving both looks and definitely plan to wear this top either with jeans or skirt on Valentine’s day! Thank you so much for reading and don’t forget to stop by Ankara and Lace and grab some amazing fabric.  Spreading the  LOVE , they are offering a 25% discount to all my readers and followers with discount code OVERDRIVE which expires on Valentine’s day. Have a GREAT WEEK! MARICA!!!

Happy NEW YEAR Loves!!! I am so excited about this new year and a new beginning!  2018 I learned so much about myself through sewing and this year I plan to build on the skills I have gained and learn from the mistakes that I have made.  Sewing has been so therapeutic and rewarding.  December I did not sew half the items I planned while on school break, but I created a great dress to wear to an event next month. I decided NOT to rush the process of making the dress and take as much time needed to improve my craft.  I wanted to work on finishing and improve my skills when working with prints. I truly enjoy working with prints especially Ankara and ensure that it is balanced, matched and stands out. Here are some tips based on my personal experience while working with prints.  There is NO science to it, but your math skills will help! 1. Always buy at least 1 to 2 yards extra if working with prints or plaids. 2. Find a pattern that has minimal darts and seams. (It is more difficult to line up prints when working with princess seams) 3. Find the focal point on the print and work around balancing and highlighting the colors. 4. MEASURE, MEASURE, MEASURE!! – Adjust pattern layout when working with prints, avoid sewing darts to distort the appearance of the focal point if possible by shifting pattern pieces up or down. 5. Spend time when cutting. Don’t rush the process and cut single pieces instead of on fold of fabric to match. I tend to cut prints first thing in the morning when my brain is fresh and alert. 6. Always shift and add the seam allowance when matching to avoid distorting the seam. 7. Perfection doesn’t always work but match seams that are more visible to the eyes. ( For example, side seams are more visible on pants vs. crotch seams) I am still learning as I work more with prints and will continue to share. Here are a few of my favorite ankara and print makes! You can check out the blogpost here for more photos! As always, thanks for reading and have a wonderful and blessed week! Feel free to share your thoughts below!!!  I plan to share another BLOGPOST on working with BODICE FIT and will make a few modifications and share! ONE LOVE, MARICA

Happy Monday Loves! Can’t believe I will be heading back to work this week.  It has been a great summer and yes I am excited to be heading to a new school this year.  I will NOT miss the 1 hour or more commute and will be able to get an extra hour of sleep or work out before I go to work. I waited last minute to make a few basic staple work pieces and decided that I would use my easy to sew patterns that would take me less than 2 hours to create.  My first option was to create at least 3 palazzo pants with 3 different fabric types using Simplicity 8605. My first pants had so many issues and taught me so many life lessons.  I first looked through my stash and found a lightweight denim, however, I did NOT have enough. I needed an extra 10 inches if I had to cut on grain. I decided to CUT it cross grain not realizing that IT was definitely a BIG NO NO!  For the most part, I always cut MOST of my patterns on GRAIN except when I want to add a little drama or play with the stripes.  For gathered skirts or a top, YOU may be able to get away with it but I PROMISE you, it MAKES a BIG DIFFERENCE with these wide leg pants. SO here are the mistakes that you may NOT see with the denim: 1. Need to add a little bit more adjustment to the crutch and the waistband.  This is a paper-bag waist and sits at the natural waist and I had to wear it super low to avoid crotch issues.  I adjusted the crutch before cutting and it needed at least 1/2 inch more. 2. Grading in between so many sizes to have a WIDER leg did NOT work for my body type.  I had to adjust it before shooting as it had some serious issues on the thighs and sides. 3. Use fabric that works for the desired look.  Rayon drapes better so of course I will use this block for rayon palazoo pants. After seeing a sewist (skirtboss on Instagram) wide leg palazzo pants and how she explained grading to the largest size, I figured it would work for me since we are both tall. The issue is I AM NOT PETITE and more on the CURVY body type so mine did not look like not even close to any of her wide-leg pants.  I had to grade in between sizes for the waist and hip and grading between 2 larger sizes for the pants below did not give me the right fit.  I adjusted it slightly for it to look halfway decent to wear outside the house. I needed that epiphany to learn that what works for someone else may not work for me. Some life lessons are: 1. God created us in HIS own image and we all are unique.  Our body types are different even though we may have the same characteristics (height, shape) it may not come out or even look the same. 2.  If you don’t have enough, just don’t cut!  We often times want to take shortcuts to get to the finish line.  Life is NOT a race! I wasted 2 yards of lightweight fabric that I could have used for something else just because I wanted to cut these pants so bad. 3. Failure is the best life lesson.  If I had given up after my first pair, I would not have created a winning look and learn how to stitch down the elastic in the waist area.  I will always look at each failure as a valuable life lesson. 4. Only you sometimes will see the mistake so brush it off and keep it moving.   Everyone loved the pants including me at first and a NON-sewist will say how beautiful it is. I am still proud of it no matter what and got so many compliments.  We are our biggest critic and beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.  Once you rock it with confidence, that is where the focus will be. I am so happy with VERSION 2 and somewhat pleased with VERSION 3.  I graded to the large, adjusted the waist and the crutch by 1/2 inch and it was perfect. In addition, the reason I even more in  love with version 2 more is the fabric choice was perfect and it drapes so beautifully.  I used 100% rayon from my stash and with version 3, I used 100% polyester. Will the fabric and cut make a DIFFERENCE? Absolutely!!!  I am in LOVE with this pattern after a few modifications and will create it as a block for any future 100% rayon wide leg pants.  I am pretty sure it can work for polyester, lightweight denim, and even linen but I have to note that the drape will be different. I truly enjoyed shooting with Carlos a local photographer at this rustic location in Miami!  BE SURE TO CHECK HIM OUT ON INSTAGRAM HERE! I loved every single photo which captured the natural elements and the beauty of the fabric.  I definitely will be using him again in September for my Fabric Mart and #sewyourview. Thanks so much for stopping by and stay tuned for VERSION 3 and 4 later this week or next Monday! Have a BLESSED WEEK! One Love, Marica