They were both part of the #DesigninDecember 2022 sewing challenge. Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!! & Lányos Handmade organize this sewing challenge annually – give yourself a reminder to get sewing for December 2023!
We had 21 prize sponsors last year – every entry won a prize! I’ll post last year’s sponsors below so you have an idea of what is in store for this year. Here’s a link here to last year’s entries too, so you can start thinking about what you would like to do for #DesigninDecember 2023.
Anyway 🙂 I decided to make my own version of this top by Etro, a paisley Keyhole Top, $1,751.61 CAN. Well I’m not spending that much on a top so #whybuywhenyoucanmakeityourself !
I could not find any paisley fabric, but I did find this fabric in my stash, a soft flowing polyester, and my sister gave me this pattern, McCall’s 7238 from about 1980 vintage. The combo was perfect! I’d just have to make it top length, instead of dress length.
I also wanted these jeans, also by Etro, for $1,344.26 CAN. I was in love with the embroidery. Although I don’t have an embroidery machine, I do have a Janome MC8200 QCP SE with a lot of fancy stitch choices. I figured I could find some appliqué and a fancy stitch of two to spiffy up my denim.
I had some denim on hand already and purchased this pattern, the Arden pants, from Helen’s Closet.
But let’s start with the keyhole top first! I never realized how difficult it would be to choose which thread to use! LOL I hear if you pull some of the thread out and drape it over your fabric and stand back, the thread that disappears into the fabric tones will be the perfect match. Which one would you chose?
The keyhole neckline might be the most difficult feature of this top, but it was actually no problem at all! I pressed my neckline and my self-made bias tape, making sure I didn’t pull on the bias tape as I pressed. I sewed it on, again being sure not to pull on the bias tape. I turned the bias tape over to the wrong side, folded it under again and pressed and sewed it!
The cuffs of the sleeve are fabulously full and pleated! (Ignore the blue tape. I usually put it on the wrong side of my fabric pieces when I put them away in storage, to help me remember how long the piece is.)
The pattern didn’t call for french seams but with this lightweight flowing fabric, how could I resist? First I sewed the seam wrong sides together, then I turned the seam outside in and pressed, pinned and sewed the seam again. Then turned I turned the seam right side out and pressed again! Done!
Here’s my Designer Inspired finished Keyhole Top! I feel so elegant!
Well I’ve run out of time. It’s getting late! I’ll post this tomorrow morning and start another post about my Arden pants. I’ll explain to you too why I started this top and pants in November of 2022 and it took until now to get them posted! 🙂
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Oh yes, as I promised, here is the list of generous sponsors we had last year. Thank you very much for your generosity!
Sew Chic Pattern Company – $24.95 USD coupon code towards a PDF sewing pattern from their website here
Sewing Patterns by Masin – one of three copies of the PDF sewing pattern for the Atlas Wrap Dress – website here
Helen’s Closet – one free PDF sewing pattern from their website here
Joanna Vander Vlugt – one paperback copy of the book “Dealer’s Child” – website here
“Engrossing, action-packed,” Dealer’s Child placed in Amazon’s top 100 and is the second installment in the Jade & Sage thriller series. From the courthouse steps to a possessed typewriter, 1968 clashes with the present as Jade uncovers a deadly secret while trying to stay one step ahead of a murderer hellbent on revenge.
Green Style Creations – $25.00 USD coupon code towards a PDF sewing pattern from their website here
Emmaline Bags – $15.00 CAD coupon code for use on their website here
Susan Jane Wright – one paperback copy of the book “The Glass Lake” – website here
The second book in the Evie Valentine series brings danger and suspense into Evie’s life again. A Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence Finalist.
Patch and Mix Crafts – FIVE 1/2 metre pieces of African Wax Print Fabric from their website here
Vintage Pattern Lending Library – $25.00 USD coupon code for use on their website here
Waffle Patterns – 20 EURO coupon code for use on their website here
Itch to Stitch – one free PDF sewing pattern from their website here
Lányos Handmade – one free PDF sewing pattern from their website here
MM Cork Supply – $25.00 CAD coupon code for use on their website here
Atelier Fiber Arts – $25.00 CAD coupon code for use on their website here
Greyfrairs and Grace – one free PDF sewing pattern from their website here
Stokx Patterns – one free PDF sewing pattern from their website here
Liz Haywood, The Craft of Clothes – one free PDF sewing pattern from their website here
Pattern Union – one free PDF sewing pattern from their website here
Paradise Patterns – one of two free PDF sewing patterns from their website here
EK Sewing Patterns – one of two free PDF sewing patterns from their website here.
J. Desirée Studio Patterns – one free PDF sewing pattern from their website here
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“Why buy when you can make it yourself – better and for less money?”
Won’t you join the DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER Sewing Challenge? Start looking for your “Designer Original Inspiration Photo”!
What will inspire you? Remember Designer Vintage fashion is allowed, as is Designer Casual and Designer Handbags! Good luck in your search!
How to participate in the DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER Sewing Challenge in 2024 and be eligible for prizes:
- BLOG PARTICIPATION: Follow this blog and leave a comment that you’re joining in. Post a photo of your “Designer Original Inspiration Photo” with the Designer’s name and your finished “Designer Copy”, mentioning the DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER Sewing Challenge in your post with a link back here.
- INSTAGRAM PARTICIPATION: Post a photo of your “Designer Original Inspiration Photo” with the Designer’s name and your finished “Designer Copy”, tagging it #DESIGNINDECEMBER and follow/tag me on Instagram @nicedressthanksimadeit
- Remember: Tag #DESIGNINDECEMBER and follow the blog “Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!” OR on Instagram follow @nicedressthanksimadeit Whether you have made it already, are in the process of making it, or plan on making it … LET ME KNOW! 🙂
- For the final voting after DECEMBER 31st, voting will take place on my blog and on my Instagram, I will repost your “Designer Original Inspiration Photo” with the Designer’s name and your finished “Designer Copy”, with a link back to you. Votes will be counted from both my blog and my Instagram.
Only entries using these above methods will be entered into the Sewing Challenge and be voted on and eligible for prizes. Closing date for entries is 31st December 2023 Midnight PST.
We are always so grateful for our extremely generous Prize Sponsors. Thank you!
Happy Sewing!
(This sewing challenge is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by or associated with Instagram or Facebook but is hosted by my blog, Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!)
The top is lovely. Can’t wait to hear the story of why it took so long!
Thank you! and I’m just editing part 2 now! 🙂
Linda, the keyhole top looks gorgeous. Great material too.
Thank you! It’s nice to make something fancy every now and then! 🤩