Monday, November 16, 2015

The Margo Blouse: Blue Dot Patterns Creative Sewing Challenge




 I am joining Diane of gatorbunnysews and Melissa of mahlicadesigns in this Creative Sewing Challenge showcasing Blue Dot Patterns.  I met Diane  in another sewing challenge which we both were participants. Who knew that she was a pattern designer, I didn't and I was all giddy when she reached out to me and gifted this Margo blouse pattern. She didn't ask me to review the pattern she just wanted me to have it. Well I'm always game for a new pattern. I picked fabric out of my stash and proceeded to piece the pattern together when Diane reached out to me again. This time she invited me to participate in this sewing challenge. I was like sure, I already had started on the blouse so I didn't see why not. The objective of this sewing challenge was to work with the pattern and do whatever we wanted to do, sew as is, hack it or what-ever. 

I decided to give my Margo blouse three lives..........I know you're like "what the heck is she talking about?" Here let me explain. I took this one blouse and gave it three looks. The first look is the natural beauty of the pattern, the only thing I altered was the front placket piece for the buttons, I made it square, I excluded the elastic on the sleeves and I added 4 buttons instead to 3. I used a African wax print  for my Margo. Here is the first look. [You know me by now and this time is no different, this post is PICTURE heavy!] We went with an African vibe on this post!

 Here we are with look #2 [below] I made two wing sleeves that can be added to this blouse for that extra drama. They have elastic bands which make it easy to add to the blouse and just as easy to remove. I asked my followers on Instagram and Facebook what they thought these were and I got some awesome responses from leg warmers to shoulder puffies [don't even ask me what a shoulder puffie is]. Several people got it right but sooooo many got it wrong.
And for my final look  number 3 [below] I made a mini skirt to wear with the blouse, which was made from the same fabric. I wanted it to look like a dress when worn together and I achieved the look I was going for. The skirt was self drafted and can be worn with another staple piece from Mori's wardrobe.
This pattern fit together very well. If you have ever worked with PDF patterns, you know that not all the time they fit together without issues. The sizing was interesting because my daughter's measurements put her in a size small and she normally wears a medium. I hesitated about cutting out a size small but I did and it was a perfect fit. The instructions were easy to follow and it was a breeze to make. I will use this pattern again and again. I'm really liking BLUE DOT Patterns! My participation in this  challenge to promote Blue Dot Patterns, had no influence on my thoughts about this pattern.

[My blouse made Kollabora's Top-10 Projects for November-2015]

Blue Dot Patterns is running a giveaway starting 12/1 through 12/18. Click mahlicadesigns or click  Gatorbunnysews for your chance to win!

Make sure you stop by to visit the other Creative Sewing Challenge bloggers. Their posts will be live by the 23rd.
Ashley of sewnbyashley
Sara of musingsofaseamstress
Cindy of Cindyparret.com
Rachel of Bobbinsonmymind
Shanni from Shanniloves
Kyla of LifebyKy
Amy of thatssewamy
Melissa of mahlicadesigns

I hope you stay tuned because I have some other projects coming up  that I think ya'll will enjoy, heck tell a friend! Also if you haven't joined my blog please feel free to click that join button over there to your right ......on the side bar......right there with all the faces...... do you see it? Now click it! Thanks, now you're one of my peeps!

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36 comments

  1. Replies
    1. Don't it take you back to the 70's? I love them she said to me "you know I'm not wearing those right?" So she took the blouse home and I am here with those sleeves!

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  2. Love all the looks... but the one with the leopard print boots is my favorite!!!

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    1. Those leopard boots are the truth tho. I am partial to the look with the skirt but I dig them all. Alissa thank you for stopping by, stay tuned for more!

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  3. I saw your post on the BLM FB page and just had to visit! I hope you are on YT with a fashion channel, I see so much income potential and revenue from views alone.

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    1. Thanks for dropping by Lily! I do have a YT channel but It was not started as part of my blog and I have not made the plunge to get that up to speed with my blog. It's something that I plan to consider. Good looking out.

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  4. YASSSSSSSS! You did that right there! I love the removable sleeves the skirt heck I love it all! I am constantly telling my followers to think outside the box, don't just look at the picture on the pattern but to look beyond what you initially see! When you do that MAGIC happens and you are shonuff proof of that! Yes Sew Sis you are the truth and I'm loving what you do!
    Hugs
    Shari
    MyDailyThreadz

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    1. You is so right! Like this pattern I would never have chosen it myself, it's pretty plain on it's own but if you have some fabulous fabric or a twist to add to the pattern you will be [like you said] making magic happen! Thanks for your support!!!

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  5. Great review. My favorite looks was that faux dress! I could swear it was a dress had you not told us!

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    1. I know! Everybody who is not actually reading the post is calling it a dress. My mission was a success! I see you over there at stylesewme!

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  6. Seriously, you need a superhero cape because you are my creative hero! You made my Margo Blouse pattern really come to life in a way only you could. The dress is my absolute favorite...but those removable sleeves...I can't even stand it! You continue to inspire me...thank you. D

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    1. Diane thank you for inviting me to play along! I gotta tell ya, I probably would not have picked this pattern myself.
      This pattern is one that lets the fabric shine. I have something more for this pattern coming. Thanks again.

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  7. This is soon heart warming and takes me back to Kenya and all things African.As always #YYAASSS !!!

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    1. I am glad I can bring found memories with my work. I knew I had to go full on Africa with my styling for this fabric that I love so much.

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  8. Wow, Wow, Wow! Simple additions made the Margo crazy cool. I love the sleeve add ons.

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    1. Thanks Melissa! Believe it or not that ungrateful daughter of mine said she's not down with those sleeves! I'm just kidding about the ungrateful part but she left the sleeve add-ons at my house and took the shirt and the skirt. Thanks for hosting the challenge with Diane, this was fun.

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  9. Okay, commented before I saw all the party / casual looks, need to restate and clarify my remark. I loved EVERYTHING, the print, the boots, and the outfits, the model wore head to toe. What you did with that pattern is Catwalk worthy as well as refreshing, now I need to start looking for bolder prints and reviewing my patterns. keep doing what you do .

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    1. Thanks Siretha! Funny thing is I ordered this print and I did not really like it but I bought it in order to get a wholesale deal. I wasn't really about the pattern so I decided to use it and low and behold I really liked it when these pieces were completed. So yes buy that bold fabric and get that pattern out and get to work!

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  10. That print is gorgeous! Beautiful work! The "dress" is my favorite :)

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  11. Okay, I am still on the floor! Seriously, someone needs to come help me up, because you just knocked me out, cold! Miss Lady, you rocked the WORLD out of that pattern. You took me from very nice to jaw-dropping silence, with the progression of your looks. Those wing sleeves--I've never heard of such a thing, but that was crazy genius! Then you went and hit me with the skirt. That was the "knock-out" round. I've never sewn anything with African fabric, but I'm seriously gonna have to try it. Between you and Shari Williams rocking these African fabrics, I'm gonna have to keep a oxygen mask close by, because you ladies are taking my breath away. Your daughter is one blessed lady. She must be the best dressed young lady in town. You have an awesome model. Great job!

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    1. Anita, Anita, Anita, this is the bestest compliment I could ever ask for! I am so glad I was able to take you on that journey with my designs and you can come back any freaking time you want, I ain't got no oxygen though!!! And you are right my Girl Shari did a fabulous job on her Ankara coat!

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  12. The second and 3rd looks are my favorite! This fabric is amazing! Awesome awesome!
    Your creativity is so inspiring

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  13. This is so good, I think my jaw actually dropped. You killed it!

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  14. Stunning!!!!!
    http://fashionablyidu.blogspot.com/

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  15. I have been eyeing African prints lately...and now you have inspired me to take the plunge! Girl you did ALL THAT! Absolutely gorgeous! (standing ovation)

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    1. Thankya Thankya, Thankya! Go for it. I have about 5 new prints that I'm about to get busy with!. Share what you make!

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  16. Love all the looks but the "dress" is my favorite. Really love the fabric

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  17. Wow I really love all your looks! Those removable sleeves are genius! Just seen this on Kollobora's top makes of 2015. Awesome!

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    1. Thanks so much! I know I saw the Kollobora's list yesterday and you know I had to tweet about it, yay, yay!

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  18. THAT HEADWRAP is giving me life !!!!!!! And all the look s are cute,



    http://www.afrogenik.com

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  19. I secretly envy creative, inspiring types such as yourself. You always do awesome work. You take simple things and turn them into masterpieces.

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    1. Thank you sew much Josephine! I creativity came from necessity honestly. We was so poe [yes I said Poe] when I was a young adult I had to be creative in order the things we could afford into the things everyone else was wearing and then I started making things everyone else wanted!

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