In this video, I show my shirtdress collection mainly made from one pattern. Simplicity 8014 has been my most worn as it requires no adjustments, and it fits my body. Thank you for watching. Karon
Dear Karen - life is too short not to wear those fabulous makes! Wear them! Get some solid chiffon colors black, green etc and make some long narrow scarves. Wear around your neck and let them fall vertically down the front. That will provide a vertical line through the busy pattern and bring focus back to your face. Wear the dresses. Wear them with pride! They are haute couture and bespoke!
Hello, you brought a lovely smile to my face. Thank you for words of encouragement. I love to read the comments and gain feedback, which helps to build or develop existing knowledge. Thank you🙂
Every single one of those dresses look truly superb and really suit you. Wear your beautiful creations with pride and your head held high. You’re a very talented lady. 👍
Hello Angie, you are too kind. I appreciate your feedback and want you to know this all occurred over a period of time adjusting my sewing style to create the finishing I like. I am sure you can and will. Happy sewing.
Such inspiration! I think as I cut and sew a series of shirts and shirt dresses, I will binge (re) watch your videos. I have the pattern you showcased and several other shirt dress patterns. You have just edged this particular one to the top of the list. Thanks
Karen, These dresses are beautiful. What a wonderful collection. Wear your animal print dress it’s beautiful and it’s not too busy it’s gorgeous. Had you thought about the other version on the pattern? You select such great fabric. Another wonderful video. Thanks for sharing.❤❤❤
Hello Jean, yes, most feedback has been for me to give the animal print dress a try. I will slowly incorporate it in my weekly attire 😀 I have tried the two others, not the longer version and love them too. Thanks for watching 🙂
Karon, as usual your sewing is impeccable with your French seams and your selection of fabric is great. I agree with the others, go ahead and wear the animal print, it is beautiful. Have you considered making the dress two-toned ? Continue sewing these beautiful outfits, matter-of-fact you have encouraged me to get busy sewing my HUGH stash of fabric.
Hello, I appreciate your feedback. Thank you for the encouragement. I am happy you are inspired, and yes, I will give the animal print dress a try😀 The weekly encouragement and positive feedback helps to build our sewing community.
They are all so pretty and beautifully done! I have made it in corduroy for winter and I love it but had some fitting issues. It seems to pull to the back. I don't know if it's me or the pattern or if I did something wrong. I might buy a new copy and try again. I made a midi version and the skirt and pockets are great.
Hello, I had that issue with one but sized to a 14 top and was okay. I would agree, buy another and try again. I have two, the first was too small, and the second works well.
@@cookeka thanks! I believe that might be it. I sized down too much probably. Thankfully the fabric has some stretch so I still wear it, but I will try going up a size or two., especially in the shoulder area.
Hi Karon, I loved all the versions of S8014. I made this pattern too, but just once; I mixed view C & D. You need to wear the animal print dress, you looked gorgeous on the photo 😊😊😊
When you sew the bound waist seam, do you sew it down to the dress above or below the waist seam? Also what width is the bias tape you are using? Do you make it your self? You have convinced me to French seam my dresses. Lovely interior. I have yet to make a collar that doesn’t look professional but it’s my goal. Love your dresses. I also find them polished, flattering and easy. As for a tried and true, I often turn to Love notion pattern Cadence.
Hello Patricia, I use the standard bias tip even if I make my own. I sew the tape above the seem and iron up into the bodice. Learned from error that if I sewed it on the waist seam, it distorts the dress and creates an uncomfortable bulk. Thank you. I have not tried Love Notions but will. Appreciate your suggestion. Happy sewing, and keep going. We encourage and motivate each other.
HI Karon. I love making shirt dresses but I have always passed this pattern by. However, after seeing your beautiful collection from this pattern I plan to rush to nearest fabric store and purchase Simplicity 8014! (I guess it was the cover photo that didn't appeal to me).
Hello Yolanda, you are right. That illustration on the package is no encouragement to purchase, but any pattern with darts in the back often adds shape and fits me okay. Happy sewing.
my Dear, that animal print is to die for gorgeous! And you did a professional-quality job sewing it. Wear it to work and be proud! P.S.--I'll have to go buy that pattern; thanks for showing it!!
Hi Karon, thank you for sharing you BEAUTIFUL dresses with us. I can’t believe that you haven’t worn EACH ONE of them. I especially LOVE both number 5 (animal print) & number 6; that orange and white is EVERYTHING! Absolute favorite for sure, wear it everywhere! Although a newish sewer, I’m gonna try that pattern. 🤞🏿
I love both the black & white animal print, the brown leopard print & the orange print are all beautiful! You should wear them both to work :) I have that pattern & look forward to making a dress with it.
These are so beautifully made. I really appreciate you showing how you use bias tape and French seems on the interior of them. I love that they can be used for a day out with family or friends and professional occasions.
LOVE these fabulous dresses. You look stunning in all of them. Be bold and wear that cheetah print!!! And that red fabric can’t keep up with your beautiful spirit. Totally pales in comparison to your light! Would love to see how you French seam your pockets and how you bias bind your pockets. Would you consider doing a tutorial? I’d love to see/learn from you as well. Go for it, Sis! Life’s way too short (I’m learning how to take up space and be bold too). Thanks for the inspiration!!
Hello, thank you for your kind comments and encouragement. I appreciate you watching, and I am happy it is helpful. I will keep that request in mind for the next time I have that project.
Maxine, thank you! I will give the animal print a try. The reception/feedback was that it looks great. Thanks for watching and sharing your feedback. Happy sewing 🙂
Thanks Karen - I have looked at this pattern but the sketch suggests that the skirt is very full and this rather put me off as a day to day dress - but your versions just look lovely! It’s given me confidence to try it! Could you show us how you do the bias binding finish on you hems - that seems like a really good way to finish a full skirt!
Hello Moira, thank you! I love this pattern and am happy you have been encouraged by the pictures you saw. Happy sewing, and I will sew another soon that will include a video of the bias hemline.
Your dresses all look great! I made this pattern just a few weeks ago, View D in a dark denim just like the cover. I wear it with a raffia belt. I'm not really a dress wearer, I haven't worn a dress since 2015 but I was brave enough to wear it to church and then I did wear it to work. I love this dress and will defiantly make more.
Hi Kelly, that's awesome! I did start wearing dresses until I made my own when I started sewing. Dresses were never my style, but there is something about making your own and wearing with pride. Happy sewing, and I am also excited you will be making more.
Karen, love all your dresses and your workmanship is amazing! Enjoy seeing your color choices! You inspire! When you enclose the waist /bodice seams, is it sewn flat against dress ? Does stitching show on front side? JMB in south Louisiana
Hello JMB, thank you for watching and providing your feedback. I appreciate you. No, the waist seam when enclosed is not sewn down flat against the dress. It's just enclosed and pressed up to the bodice.
Hello Deb... I appreciate your kindness. Your serger is an asset to the craft as it helps to create lovely seam finishes. I choose to sew without it as I have often fought with mine.😀
I love them all on you. Don't be afraid of the animal print because it looks classy on you. My favorite was the multi-color at the end that you photographed as a duster as well as a dress. The colors are great on you. I will be buying the pattern at the next Simplicity sale at Joann's.
Try washing the black n white zebra dress in regular coca-cola added to the clothes washer... its known to soften the stiffest denim... you may like the fabric better... hope it helps...
Just found your channel and immediately love your style so I’ll work my way through all your vlogs. As soon as I saw your first dress, the black and white one, I thought you should put on the collar, add larger black buttons and wear it as a light coat over black separates, it would look very chic.
Please post a sew along for this pattern. I’ve been sewing off and on for many years but have not done French seams inside my garments nor used seam tape to the extent that you have. Your garments are so very pretty inside. I’ll be waiting for a sew along on how to do pretty insides of garments. Simply beautiful garments. ❤
Hello Pearline, thank you. I have done a sew-alomg on a shirt showing how I do my French seams. Hopefully, I will do another one soon. I appreciate your support.
How do you use the bias tape to finish your waistline and hemline? I know how to use it on a neckline and side seems, but can’t figure out how you use it on the waistline. Could you film a tutorial? I love how beautiful your garments are on the inside, as well as the outside. Would love to see you demonstrate that technique. All of your garments are gorgeous! You have such a wonderful sense of style! I took a year away from sewing, due to frustrating fitting issues, but your videos are inspiring me to try again. Do you have any fitting tips you can share with us? Thank you so much!
Hi Cassandra, thank you for watching and sharing your feedback. I, too, had the same experience re fitting, but I did some reading and found info online from others having the same issues and tried to apply them to my needs. I still have some fitting issues re saw back adjustments. It can be frustrating, but keep practicing, and you will learn to adjust as you continue. I apply the bias tape to the hem the same way you would apply to the neckline. The waist is a bit different as I use the bias tape to enclose the Sean by opening and placing the waist edge into the tape and sewing closed.
@@cookeka Once you enclosed the seam with the bias tape, do you tack it to your waistline in any way? Or do you cover the seam and sew the tape directly to the garment?
Karon, the zebra print cotton sateen dress is gorgeous! Wow! I love your first dress too! The animal print is not too busy. I love it! All these dresses are fabulous. Your absolute favorite is my favorite too! You need to open a boutique! Buy a bunch of that pattern to have on hand too.🥰
Awww, Grace you are too kind. I appreciate your kindness and support. It's a beautiful thing when we all can share our skills, encourage , and all learn from each other. Thank you for watching.
I love all your makes, and I agree with the others that the animal print is no too much. If you want to tone it down a bit, wear a black blazer or short cardigan over it. A chunky gold chain would look great with it. I will definitely check out this pattern. The orange print is so happy, a great wedding dress or church dress.
I love every single version! For the animal print and your favorite coral one, I can see them with a neutral or cobalt blue blazer, to tone them done just a notch for work. The first black one is gorgeous! Maybe it just needs a wider black belt for balance? Or a colorful belt for a nice pop. It also could be great as a duster like the last one. I need to pull this pattern from my stash! Thanks as always for your inspiration.
You have skills!!! I didn’t appreciate seam finishes until I started sewing and your French seams and bias tape treatments are a thing of beauty! Don’t let those other makes go to waste, they need to be shown too. That zebra print is going to look stunning!
Karon , I like all of your shirtdresses I cant see my self wearing them I am so proud of you , I look for your videos when I turn on my Laptop you are my favorited You Tube channels when it come to sewing love your details on all of your garments inside and out ,I appreciated you sharing happy sewing.
