Sharon Sews

I love aprons - even itty bitty Barbie(tm) ones.  Since I'm partial to half aprons myself, I figured Barbie could use a new one. So I whipped one up. I'll show you how so you can whip one up too.   Let's get started.  Download the half-circle apron pattern here .  Please NOTE: This is pattern drawn by hand Cut one apron body and one rectangle 20" x 1-1/2" for the waistband/ties. Pin the lace trim on the right side of the apron matching the bottom edge.  Stitch using a 1/4" seam allowance.  The lace trim after it's stitched to the apron. Turn the bottom edge towards the wrong side of the apron. Lightly press. On the right side stitch close to the edge which will hold the hem in place. Fold the back edge toward the wrong side by 1/4".  Finger press.  Fold another 1/4" toward the wrong side. Press. Stitch side hem in place. Staystitch the waist curve by stitching 1/4" from the edge. Carefully clip to the stitchi...

New Look 6754 -with it's front neckline pleats, bias roll collar, and sleeve options- held the promise of stylish summer tops suitable for wearing beneath a suit jacket or on their own paired with jeans. Ah, but the promise was broken. Don't let this photo fool you. This top does not have the design elements needed to make it a winner. While it was indeed an easy pattern, the line drawings are misleading. The neckline is much wider and lower than illustrated. The bias roll collar does not drape softly at the neckline. Instead it stands at attention in a rather unattractive and unflattering stance. The bias flutter sleeves do not fall into soft folds as illustrated. When worn, the sleeves also stand at attention looking more like wings in flight than sleeves. I haven't sewn very many New Look patterns, but I'm not gonna lie. I've had issues with almost every single one. In my experience they have run large, so I cut this one at a straight size 12 with no full bus...