I recently made the Love Notions La Bella Donna pattern for the very first time during a pattern testing process. I really loved the tunic version I made and I knew it was not going to be my last. I wrote a pattern review of the La Bella Donna sewing pattern then. Today, I am sharing with you how this pattern can be worn in both warm and cold seasons.
I have been a pattern tester with Love Notions for over two years and recently became an ambassador. This means that any purchases you make using the Love Notions patterns links I share here earns me a small commission which supports this website. This comes at no extra cost to you.
I Chose two different fabrics: a cotton jersey for the warm weather and the sweater knit for the cold or winter months. I realised that the fabric chosen for the La Bella Donna greatly contributes to the fit and shape of the final garment. I sewed up my first version in a viscose jersey which was a drapey fabric which gave a close fitted look.
I made my second version in a white cotton jersey for a classic Look however it came out more boxy than the first. This has a lot to do with the cotton jersey being less drapey compared to Viscose jersey. It also gave it a loose fit which I was tempted to take in but I decided to leave it at that. The loose fit pairs well with tight jeans.
My third version is a tunic version with a cowl neck and long-sleeves. I sewed it up out of two different sweater knit fabric with different shades of grey. I had no intention of a colour-blocked one however it turned out better than I had envisioned. I was not sure of the fibre content of both of the fabrics because I have had them in my stash for a while. The dark grey fabric was scratchy which I suspected to have some wool content whereas the lighter grey one was soft to the touch. That is why I opted to use the soft one for the cowl and the sleeves because i intend towearit with a top underneath.
The Making
I made all my three versions in size XS. This pattern is such a quick make which can be made up in one sitting. I sewed most of it up using my overlocker/serger and used my coverstitch machine for the hems.
The Finished Garment
I love my new La Bella Donna tops and it is about to become a wardrobe stable of mine. The pattern can be worn throughout of the year depending on the features and fabric chosen.
I recently had the pleasure of pattern testing the Love Notions most recently released pattern. And this was the Vivace dolman pattern. All I can say is that I love it and I am sure all who have made it love it too.
The Vivace pronounced as ‘vee-VAH-chay’ dolman pattern is a classic style with a unique v-neck feature with off-set pleat. It is designed to be made with both knit and woven fabrics. It is loose-fitting which makes it flattering and easy wearing. And of course, it offers you a few three length options. It can be made as a shirt, a tunic or a knee-length dress. This pattern is a quick and easy sew with only five pattern pieces.
Key Features
Sizing from XS-5X
Knit and woven versions
Full Bust pattern pieces if needed
Dolman style sleeve
Three lengths- shirt, tunic & dress
Trimless pattern format
Fabric
The Vivace dolman pattern is recommended for knits and woven fabrics with a fairy amount of drape. If this is ignored, you could easily end up with a boxy shaped top instead.
Light to medium weight knits with at least 40% 4-way stretch such as Rayon jersey (Viscose jersey), ITY knits and Modal jersey.
Light to medium woven fabrics with a good drape are recommended such as Rayon / Viscose, Crepe, Tencel.
I made the top version in the gorgeous viscose crepe fabric I purchased from my local fabric shop. The top hangs perfectly in this particular fabric because it is drapey.
The Making
This pattern is such an easy make and I would recommend it to a beginner. However, the only challenge a complete beginner would face would be working with less stable fabrics.
The pattern comes with no closures whatsoever which makes it an easy and fast make. And the V-neck and the front pleat feature are both easy to sew thanks to the video link in the instructions.
All I can say is that I love this pattern and not to mention the options it offers. I hope to make the dress version in a drapey medium weight woven fabric soon. And a few knit tops are in the plan too. I hope to come back to you with more Vivaces soon. Keep well :).
I am was overjoyed when I was chosen to join the Fabrics for all blogger team. he first time I set foot into the Fabrics for all shop, located in Armley, Leeds, I was amazed by the different and beautiful range of fabrics. For any sewists out there, we know the feeling we get when we step into such a place. I chose a gorgeous cotton fabric to sew up my very first pattern from the Burda Style Magazine.
The Fabric
The fabric I chose was a 100% cotton fabric which is lightweight and perfect for the warm weather. It is bright red fabric with beautiful flowers in brown and green that caught my eye. This fabric is pretty lightweight that it could easily be mistaken for a viscose because of its feel on the skin. It is perfect for sewing lightweight blouses, tops and dresses too (but would need to be lined).
This fabric washed really well and I noticed it had a unique texture to it once it had dried before it was ironed. It took on heat pretty well too.
I had made plans to sew up the blouse pattern 03/2019 ~103 Burda Style magazine but I was yet to find the perfect fabric. And when I did, I knew I was ready to undertake my very first sewing project from the Burda style magazine.
This pattern comes in sizes 36 to 44 and I made size 36. And
it features overcut shoulders and set-in mini
sleeves, a flattering V-neckline and a belt. It is a loose-fitting blouse which
can be worn with either the belt or without.
The making
I will not say the making was straight forward when it came to tracing out the pattern from a maze of a pattern sheet from the magazine. It is also worth noting that the patterns from this magazine do not come with any seam allowances. I had to add the seam allowances to the traced out pattern prior to cutting out the fabric.
The sewing process was straight forward even with the less detailed instructions in the magazine. And this is due to the simple pattern I chose which did not have any closures of any kind.
The only alteration I made to the pattern was omitting the belt loops on the top and the use of a fabric-covered belt buckle. Apart from that, I sewed it up as per the instructions.
The finished project
The finished blouse looked exactly as it appears in the magazine and I was thrilled with the final outcome. I am glad I had a go at making a pattern from the magazine considering the many and fashion-forward patterns this magazine has to offer.
Every girl or woman should own a cami top in their wardrobe. And if you are a sewist, you should own many of them as they are such a feminine versatile piece of clothing. They can be worn layered under jackets or cardigans and by themselves (of course with some bottoms) when the weather is warmer.
I am confident to say that the best cami you will or should ever need is the Ogden Cami by True Bias. This cami features a soft V neck at both centre front and centre back necklines. It also has delicate spaghetti straps which add a feminine touch to this blouse. It can be sewn up in a variety of lightweight fabrics which makes it the best top for the warm weather.
Pattern Sizing:
This pattern comes in sizes 0 up to size 18 and I cut and sewed two in size two which I found to be true to size. I did not need to make any adjustments regards to fit apart from shortening the straps by 2 and 1/2 inches or 6.4 cms as the straps came up a bit long.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
This pattern is drafted for a confident beginner and i can’t agree as the instructions were very easy to follow.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
One thing anyone would love about this pattern is the fact that that it requires such little amounts of fabric. It is the best fabric buster.
Fabric Used:
I made both my camis out of rayon fabrics I picked up from my local fabric shop B&M Fabrics in Leeds. I recommend any lightweight viscose or rayon fabric for this pattern.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I love wearing both my camis and it does not help that they are made out of these pretty prints. And I have recently hacked this pattern into a midi dress with frills at the bottom for my Minerva makes.
Conclusion:
The Ogden Cami is a beautiful piece of clothing to have in anyone’s wardrobe.
Lifestyle blogger
Josephine is an entrepreneur, blogger, public health professional who loves sewing, baking and is passionate about a healthy and natural lifestyle.
Josephine is an entrepreneur, blogger, public health professional who loves sewing, baking and is passionate about a healthy and natural lifestyle.
