Hello BEAUTIES! How is everyone? 🙂 First I must say how MUCH I’ve missed posting to the blog! I’ve been absent for a bit because as many of you know I was in LA, California trying a position out at the Mimi G office. While I was there my daughters stayed back so I could settle in before moving entirely. Ultimately and for the best interest of my family I decided to come back home to Texas. I never thought I would miss the humidity here lol. 🙂 Every city has their pros and cons I guess. As much as I appreciate the opportunity, work environment and of course amazing people, I realized that DTLA was not for me. At least not at this current time in my life, mostly because I had a hard time picturing myself raising my girls there without having family close by. I’m proud of myself for trying something new but I’m SO happy to get back in the swing of things here and continue with my own personal goals. I felt I should share that bit of information for those of you who follow before I get into todays jam packed post! 😉

💖 SHOP MY PATTERNS: ROSYPENAPATTERNS.COM 💖

Today’s look is this two piece outfit from a gorgeous LIBERTY LAWN and STRIPED KNIT and I love every bit of it! I may have went a little picture heavy on this one! You’ll find a pattern review below along with tips on sewing gathers and an article on mixing your prints! Enjoy and have a fabulous week! XO ROSY. 

MCCALL’S 7606

Pattern Description: Misses’ Off-the-Shoulder Bodysuits and Wrap Skirts with Side Tie – M7606.

Pattern Sizing: XSM – MED

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like that it has two separates that can be mixed and matched with other outfits.

Fabric Used: LIBERTY PRINT, for the skirt. STRIPED KNIT for bodysuit.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I added almost double to the length in the ruffles, creating much more fullness than the pattern suggests.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I do recommend.

SEWING PERFECT GATHERS

Gathers completely elevate the look of a finished garment. They add elements of flirty-ness and romance to almost any outfit. Not to mention they’re so easy to make! Yes, EASY. There’s a sewing “hack” you can use on your machine, without any special presser feet, to quickly create ruffles. In this article I’m showing you two tried and true methods that I use when making ruffles! I’ll show you an “easy” method and the traditional method. 

Creating Ruffles: The “Easy” Method 

• Start by preparing your strip of fabric as normal, I like to hem prior to ruffling.
• Set your machine to a basting stitch AND turn your tension to the highest setting.
• Place your fabric under your machine and sew as your normally would. You will notice your fabric automatically starts to create ruffles. It’s that easy!

Note: This method works on light to midweight fabrics. You can easy apply this the next time you want to create quick and even gathers. Creating Ruffles: The Traditional Method

• Prep your fabric as normal and set your machine to a basting stitch.
• Using your seam allowance (normally 5/8”) sew a straight line, backstitching at the beginning of your seam.
• When you reach the end of your seam, do not backstitch. Instead pull out extra threads (upper and lower bobbin thread) of around 10” or enough for you to hang on to.
• Start again at the beginning of your seam, this time sewing 1/4” away from your previous stitches. Finish with the same steps as before.
• Carefully pull on your two extra threads from the bottom of your fabric and ease in the fabric to create ruffles by hand.

Quick Tip: I like to use a contrasting bobbin thread when using this traditional method. Threads tend to land in every direction when you’re trying to manipulate your fabric into gathers. By using the contrasting thread you’ll quickly be able to identify which threads you need to pull on. Super simple, but it makes a world of a difference!

Note: This method works great because you have more control of the amount of fullness you want to add to your ruffles. This traditional way takes a little more time but also leaves you with gorgeous ruffles! Now go add some fun and flirty ruffles to your sewing projects!

PRINT MIX GUIDE

Have you ever wondered how fashion bloggers mix their printed garments into effortless and stylish looks? I definitely have! There is a fine line between mixing prints cohesively and looking like a printed mess! SO I set out to discover the “science” behind looking great in bold printed fabrics. I have found there are only a handful of guides that we style lovers can follow in order to help us pair a “perfectly chic” print mixed ensemble! 😉

Guide #1: SHARE A COMMON COLOR – This guide always applies. Choose fabrics that share similar colors, or at least complementary colors on the color wheel. You can get away with pairing even the boldest of prints as long as they share complimentary threads. Takeaway: Stick to a cohesive color palette.

Guide #2: CHOOSE ONE PRINT TO DOMINATE– There is nothing harsher to the eye, when it comes to print mixing, than seeing an outfit and being so distracted by all that’s going on that all you want to do is look away. Choosing one print to dominate over the rest and be the “star of the show”, makes mixing your prints a breeze. Takeaway: Choose one bold print and work around it, don’t compete with it.

Guide #3: USE DIFFERENT SCALES – Playing with size is an easy and awesome tip for print mixing. Pair a small scaled dotted print with a large scaled dotted print. The opposing sizes are more appealing to the eye and interestingly enough, create a better sense of balance when it comes to print mixing. Takeaway: Mix your sizes.

Guide #4: INVERT YOUR COLORS- Another great guide when rocking prints is to simply invert your colors. If you have a primarily white over navy stripe fabric, pair it with stripes that are more navy than white. Super easy, right? Takeaway: Invert your colors from top to bottom. 

Guide #5: LEOPARD IS A NEUTRAL – We all know how to pair our neutrals. Luckily for us, in the print mix world, leopard prints are considered neutrals. Use this guide creatively on days where you don’t want to think about it but still want to look chic and stylish. Takeaway: When in doubt, use your “neutral”! (Row 1) B&W STRIPE, LEOPARD, (Row 2) FLORAL KNIT, PURPLE DOT KNIT (Row 3) WHITE DOT KNIT.

BONUS TIP!: Break things up a bit. Print mixing is awesome and so chic, but don’t be afraid to throw in some solids by using a basic layering piece like a cardigan, or accessories such as a solid belt or purse. Utilizing solid pieces in your print mixed outfits is just another way to show your sense of style and add even more flare to your chic outfit.



This should take some mystery out of how-to pair those fabulous prints in your wardrobe. Apply what you’ve learned the next time you’re feeling adventurous with your wardrobe and ROCK those prints! XO 

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