2024’s Hidden Gems: Sewing Projects I Never Shared (And My Proudest Makes!)

Hello! Ok, hear me out. I made a lot of promises on Instagram that I would blog about the things I made. I will tell you, I didn’t make that many things and the things I did make, I never took the time to blog about them, does that make me someone who doesn’t tell the truth ? I’m sure there’s a reason, but the reality is, when I have time, I really, really want to sew . I can’t tell you, how many times I wore an item I made, and couldn’t remember anything about the garment, process, fabric, nothing! I mean, that is the entire reason I blog, right?, (sigh) anyways.

I have a new space in my sewing room I like for blog photos, I have a tripod and I have a watch that has applications (apps) on them, and one is a timer for the camera!!! Now, I don’t know if I’ve been under a rock or what but I’m not sure how I know “discovered” these things! I would say, “why didn’t any of you tell me this”, but then that wouldn’t be right, it wasn’t your fault, or is it ?? Actually, at Raleigh Frocktails, I saw someone using it and that’s how I discovered it. I thought it was some kind of sorcery!

Speaking of Frocktails, Raleigh Frocktails was awesome, the planners, prizes, food, venue and sewist really made the evening memorable. Raleigh had excellent food, the location was perfect, they had a ring light for pics, what more could you ask for? This was my first Frocktails, and I made a pattern that I’ve made before but never blogged the Muna and Broad Alister. I don’t have many pictures from that night, but you will get the gist of the vision. You get to see a true day and night version of this dress.

I will share what I wore to Charlotte Frocktails too if anyone is interested. I wore something old, and I mixed and matched to make a faux Maxie for Charlotte. I give most of the details on Instagram. Charlotte was a great experience too, I mean two Frocktails in I believe three weeks was crazy, but so much fun! The organizers, prizes and sewing friends at both Frocktails was just awesome!

On to the pattern. My favorite make of 2024 was the Muna and Broad Alistra dress. The Alistra dress is a body skimming (not body con) column dress. I would say it’s an elevated t-shirt dress but when I think of t-shirt dresses, I think of knee length or above although I’m sure that’s not a concrete description. I chose this dress because of the care in accommodating bigger bodies by the designers and the center back shaping. The backslapping is what sets the pattern apart from the rest of the t-shirt dresses. Think the Iconic McCalls 6886 dress that I made a few times but even better.

The Alister is true to size and the instructions were good, they don’t go into a lot of tips to working with knits. If you have challenges sewing knits, remember to stable areas that typically get wavy with sewing on a home machine, necklines, shoulder seams, pockets, and hems. That tip will usually work on most knits, and can’t hurt, I use a knit stay tape from SewKeys. Lots of folks use a walking foot when sewing knits, try and see if it helps. Or, you can use a serger and coverstitch machine if you have them. I have them, and sometimes (90%) I don’t use them so knowing how to manage on a home sewing machine is a good skill to have.

I made my typical length adjustments because I’m taller than what the pattern is drafter for and, I like things like hems and sleeves to stop at a certain point. The only other adjustment I made was to give myself a one inch side seam allowance for fitting. Knits can sometime act differently and I don’t always have the vertical stretch in fabric I want to use so that gives me a good just in case seam allowance.

For the first version, I used a Rayon knit from Fabric Mart, I lined up the stripes and best as I could, I almost cut the pattern single layer, but I would have to make a full front because that’s my preference and I was lazy so I cut it on the fold. For stripes, I typically make a full front, taping paper to one side of the front bodice and tracing the other side, that way you you ensure both sides of the front are straight. I

For the Frocktails dress, I added a few inches to the length and added side slits to give me some movement. I used a chain look knit from Joann Fabrics, my goal was to have a little grunge, little bling and an unexpected chic look with no fuss; the fabric was the star. I wore a low cut tank type t-shirt dress underneath and the rest is history.

Have you been to a Frocktails? Do you stay on theme, and is the pattern or the fabric the star?