lizzardtears: 2025

Sunday, June 22, 2025

Rose/Shell sleeved top.

I'm not sure if this is a Rose or a Shell on the sleeve but it sure is adorable!

I was scrolling though instagram one day and came across a really fun sleeve tutorial and saved it with the intention of one day making a top with that sleeve. I save a lot of things with the idea I’ll make them one day and never do anything with them. I think it's a lot like collecting patterns that I like. I have them. I look at them but I probably won’t ever make all of them (although I do use a lot of them). Several months after saving the tutorial I was searching through my saved posts for something different when I came across this one and thought about how perfect the pink knit I had picked up on a whim would be for it.

I used simplicity #9930 from 1972 for the shirt base since I had the pattern and have used it many times, but I think any top with a sleeve would work. I drafted the sleeve as shown in the video. I think I watched it 50 times to really get the idea set in my mind.

I was thrilled that it actually worked, because I have tried tutorials that have failed miserably so it's always nice when something works out. I have noticed that a lot of times when something doesn’t work it's because the tutorial left something important out (I think it's that whole secret ingredient thing) . And while I wouldn’t say this is an easy to follow video, it does have all the instructions there. I just had to use some creative skills to get the curve right and pause it every few seconds to get the measurements.

One thing I did change though is making a facing for the sleeve, I thought it might be a little too heavy to have the fabric doubled. The rose/shell is doubled like in the video since that's the way it has to be done. I think this technique would probably work with most fabrics, so it may be something I try again with another type of fabric.
I really think this is such a fun little addition to any top. It turned out really cute, and it's versatile enough it can be worn with several styles.

Link to tutorial on instagram.

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

1950's blue tiny plaid

I needed a dress to wear for a grease theme event. I’ve seen the movie once and that was enough for me, but a theme is always an excuse for a new dress. Sure I had other 1950 style dresses but obviously I needed another one. And yes I went with a poofy dress and not the cheer look or skinny pants look, because poof is more fun!

I fell in love with the skirt on Simplicity S9536 because it has by far the best pockets I have seen on a dress, they are huge! There is actually enough room in the pockets to hold not only my phone, but also an entire water bottle!

I however was not in love with the bodice. I mean it's cute, but I’m not fond of strapless dresses and I didn’t want another 1950’s dress with straps. I wanted something I could just throw on and not have to think about bolero's or what shirt to wear under it and I happen to be very fond of sleeves.

Going through my stash of patterns I found Vogue 1564, a pattern from the 1950’s. I could have used this pattern for the entire outfit as it has the poofy skirt and the sleeves but it doesn’t have the pockets and I really wanted the pockets so I used the Vogue pattern for the bodice and the Simplicity pattern for the skirt.

I did make the belt too, and it turned out really nice but I forgot to wear it for the photos which I didn’t realize till the photos were done.

I also had to make the decision of where to put the zipper, Vogue calls for it on the side, Simplicity calls for it in the back, I went with a back zipper because of the pocket placement going over the side seams. I think the dress turned out so cute. And it went together easily.

I really do love the pockets!