Hot off the machine and off to dinner! 🍽️ I whipped this dress up today, wanting something easy to do after finishing my last project. It’s the #pselladress by @patternscout which was not intended for knit fabrics, so I did have to take out about 2 inches along both side seams and an inch in the back. The front neckline was gapping so I did a little crossover and added a cute bow to disguise my edits 🎀 It’s a tiny bit short, but with tights it’s fine, and in the summer…well who cares really! #sewing #sewingpattern #memade #hobby

Cheers to 31! I celebrated my birthday this weekend in my fav new outfit. Dress deets: this mini dress is based on the @patternscout Ella Dress, but I skipped the back zipper and flared the skirt out a bit. I added waist ties to give it a bit more shape, and turned the facings into full linings. The fabric is the seafood print linen/viscose from @joann_stores that everyone loves 🧀🦐🫒🍝 Jacket deets: this is a long version of the Ilford Jacket from @fridaypatterncompany. I used the hand warming pocket pieces and the boxy sleeve since I knew I would want to roll them. The brown linen blend fabric is also from Joann (RIP)! My fav part of the jacket is the cute buttons I got from the V&A museum gift shop on my trip last year to London. I waited to finish the hem until I had the dress done, since I wanted them to match in length à la Reformation. #IlfordJacket #PSEllaDress #MeMade #MillenialSewing #Sewing #DIY #sewistsofinstagram #sewists #diyfashion #HandmadeDress

First make of 2025, and although it seems like an impractical one for January, it has great layering potential (like the last slide). This is the #pselladress pattern that I hacked by cutting a scoop neck and a top length. I accidentally cut the neckline about 1/4” too low, but remembered I had this lace lying around and it ended up being the perfect solution. I sandwiched it between the front pattern piece and the bias binging. I bound the neckline and arms instead of using a facing. I really like the length and how it flows due to the bias cut. Hoping to get lots of use out of this year-round! Pattern: Ella Dress (hacked) by @patternscout Fabric: satin jacquard from @fancyfrocksfabrics #sewing #sewingpattern #pselladress #patternscoutpatterns #hobby #memade

Last night was SO FUN! @elinestelle, @open.studio.sewing, and I spent nearly 11 months planning the 2024 Twin Cities Frocktails party, and it was great to experience the event itself. Everyone who attended was so kind, creative, and stunning in their beautiful handmade clothes - it was an amazing way to celebrate the local sewing community and I’m grateful to have been a part of it. From the runway to the raffle and all of the pattern and fabric related conversations in between, a huge thank you to everyone who attended, and all of the sponsors who made the event a success! Let’s talk about the outfit: in true HQmakes fashion, I was hemming it hours before I got to the venue to set up. I used the floatiest sunset ombré silk from @ginnysfinefabrics to make a crop top and A-line skirt. I knew this fabric was the star of the show so I was careful to plan out how to use it in a way that showed off the colors and didn’t disrupt the ombré. I went with the @patternscout Ella Dress pattern for the top, cutting on the straight grain and cropping it at the waist. I also sewed up the back seam without a zip as I found I can get it on without it. I fully lined it instead of using a facing. For the skirt, I used a vintage vogue pattern (V9789) that I picked up from the @textilecentermn garage sale. I had to grade it up and lengthen it to get the look I wanted. Final photo by @sarahkiczulaphotography ☺️ #MeMade #HandmadeWardrobe #MillenialSewing #Sewing #HandmadeFashion #PSEllaDress #PatternScout #TwinCitiesFrocktails#TwinCitiesFrocktails2024 #Frocktails

Happy end to (brat) summer from me, this vegan corn dog, and the only thing I made for myself this season 💚 Pattern: this is the Ella Dress from @patternscout, which can be made on the bias or the straight grain. I love the look of gingham on the bias so I chose to do that! The pattern goes up to a 54” bust, and was the perfect one-evening sew to get me back behind my machine after a very busy summer. Fabric: the most perfect pickle colored gingham linen from @sewingloungemn, which I picked up during their August sale. #MeMade #HandmadeWardrobe #MillenialSewing #Sewing #MeMadeEveryday #HandmadeFashion #SewInspired #PSEllaDress #PatternScout #LinenDress #Gingham #BiasCutDress

Yesterday was our 3rd wedding anniversary and I really wanted to make something special to wear. I finally found the perfect pattern to pair with this beautiful designer deadstock cotton. 🌷 I used the Ella pattern by Pattern Scout - a timeless boatneck dress. I made a toile (for the first time ever) and decided to extend the bust darts by about an inch and to omit the invisible zipper. The dress slips on just fine over my head and I wanted to keep it as simple as possible. Because I cut it on the bias, I had to let it hang for 24 hours before hemming…which meant doing a quick 20 min rolled hem right before running out the door for dinner 😅 but it turned out perfectly and I’m so so happy with this dress! Pattern: Ella Dress by @patternscout Fabric: Cotton from @moodfabrics #sewing #sewingpattern #pselladress #hobby #memade #summersewing

ELLA DRESS (Giveaway Closed) New Pattern from Patternscout! There are so many good features about this dress, it’s hard to know where to start! The Ella Dress is a sleeveless shift dress with boatneck and centre back invisible zip closure. It’s a classic silhouette and is a great staple for the closet which will never date. I was happy to be part of the testing team for this lovely dress! Sewing Notes: * I’ve made the size 12 B Cup for my measurements (35HB:37FB:33W:40H) Sizing goes up to Size 30 (hip 60”) with cup sizes B to D. * The pattern can be sewn on the bias or straight. I’ve sewn on the bias to achieve a fluid drape. * The pattern makes a Midi length dress which I would have achieved if I had shortened the pattern. This pattern is for a person with an average height of 5’9”. I’m happy with the length. There is also a mini length which falls above the knees. * I’ve used this very fun and groovy Rayon which is lightweight and has beautifully fluid drape. Ella is a great pattern for any lightweight woven fabric. There is currently a discount for a short time to celebrate the release of the pattern, but I have happily been given one free PDF code to gift. I really want this to go to someone who will really enjoy sewing and sharing their make. So, if you have a public account and are the first one in my DM, you will be gifted this code for a free Ella PDF pattern. (This giveaway not associated with Meta). Dress Pattern: #pselladress #pselladressseated @patternscout Fabric: Rayon from @eastcoasttextiles

A late night sew, perfect for Saturday brunch!! This dress was a spur of the moment decision to sew & it was so nice just letting the creativity flow! I'd never made this pattern before & I didn't make a toile first - which is unheard of for me lol AND I cut straight into the good fabric & I don't regret it for a second! The fit isn't perfect, I will definitely make some changes the next time I make it. But I'm still so happy with the results! It's simply ✨good enough ✨ I ordered this beautiful Frutta print @fabricgodmother fabric from @fluidplusdrape back in October & knew it had to be a shift dress with ricrac! The pattern I used is the #pselladress by @patternscout I made the mini dress version, cut on the straight grain instead of bias (a pattern option that I love!) I made a size 14 based on my measurements, hemmed it 3½" & took the sides in from armpit to waist 1" on each side I ended up with a bit of gaping at the front & back necklines, but nothing a heavy necklace won't fix for this dress! Next time, I'll make a size 12 & check any neckline gaping with the facings first. I may still need to take a wedge out of the center front to fix that. But overall, I still love the design lines & construction of this pattern! 💖 Also LOVING my custom spray tan from the lovely @ohyesyoutan sometimes you just need a little pick-me-up for a gloomy rainy week ahead!

A beautiful make i would consider this. My partner and I went to his best friend's wedding earlier this month, outdoors in Whangarei in the middle of summer, so I knew I needed to make something light and breathable, modest but still showed off my tattoos 🤭🙂‍↕️. The @patternscout #pselladress was the perfect match for my vision, boat neck sleeveless shift dress, cut on the bias to skim nicely. I made it in the newish European Linen from @spotlightstores in the colour leprechaun, it's 150cm~ wide, so perfect for cutting out a long single panel dress on the bias in a larger size. I loved the making of the dress for 95% of it. The only issue I had with the pattern was the fit, and honestly, it probably comes down to the fact I have small shoulders and a fairly rounded upper back. You can see in the 4th slide, the very wobbly zip I first installed. I ended up omitting the zip entirely and taking around 2in out of the back neckline. This alteration definitely improved the fit, but it was still a little off across the front neckline. Other than that though, the pattern includes french seams for most finishes, and i finished the hem with a blind hem. Highly recommend. #nzsewist #nzmade #memade #memade2024 #memade2025 #weddingguestdress

Classic, but make it pink 💕🎀💗 This dress came about when @acolourfulcanvas passed along this windowpane linen to me. I knew I wanted a no frills dress to show off the fabric. When @the.gentle.stitch offered me a copy of the #pselladress, I knew I had the right pattern for my vision. I love the classic silhouette and boat neck for hot summer days. Whenever I wear this dress, I'll think of these two ladies and the sweet sewing community here in Vancouver 💕 Pattern: @patternscout Ella dress Fabric: @blackbirdfabrics lightweight windowpane linen in hot pink (thank you @acolourfulcanvas for passing along this fabric to me 🤗) Sewing details: - this linen is slightly sheer at the checks, so I swapped the facing out for a cotton voile lining - this pattern can be cut on the straight grain or bias. I cut mine on the straight grain - I ended up taking out ~1" of ease from the hips down and shortening the dress by 5" #dresssewing#diydress#vancouversews#handmadestyle#sewistsofinstagram#bflinen#thanksimadeit#isew#petitesewing#summersewing

Hot off the machine and off to dinner! 🍽️ I whipped this dress up today, wanting something easy to do after finishing my last project. It’s the #pselladress by @patternscout which was not intended for knit fabrics, so I did have to take out about 2 inches along both side seams and an inch in the back. The front neckline was gapping so I did a little crossover and added a cute bow to disguise my edits 🎀 It’s a tiny bit short, but with tights it’s fine, and in the summer…well who cares really! #sewing #sewingpattern #memade #hobby

Yesterday was our 3rd wedding anniversary and I really wanted to make something special to wear. I finally found the perfect pattern to pair with this beautiful designer deadstock cotton. 🌷 I used the Ella pattern by Pattern Scout - a timeless boatneck dress. I made a toile (for the first time ever) and decided to extend the bust darts by about an inch and to omit the invisible zipper. The dress slips on just fine over my head and I wanted to keep it as simple as possible. Because I cut it on the bias, I had to let it hang for 24 hours before hemming…which meant doing a quick 20 min rolled hem right before running out the door for dinner 😅 but it turned out perfectly and I’m so so happy with this dress! Pattern: Ella Dress by @patternscout Fabric: Cotton from @moodfabrics #sewing #sewingpattern #pselladress #hobby #memade #summersewing

First make of 2025, and although it seems like an impractical one for January, it has great layering potential (like the last slide). This is the #pselladress pattern that I hacked by cutting a scoop neck and a top length. I accidentally cut the neckline about 1/4” too low, but remembered I had this lace lying around and it ended up being the perfect solution. I sandwiched it between the front pattern piece and the bias binging. I bound the neckline and arms instead of using a facing. I really like the length and how it flows due to the bias cut. Hoping to get lots of use out of this year-round! Pattern: Ella Dress (hacked) by @patternscout Fabric: satin jacquard from @fancyfrocksfabrics #sewing #sewingpattern #pselladress #patternscoutpatterns #hobby #memade

Last night was SO FUN! @elinestelle, @open.studio.sewing, and I spent nearly 11 months planning the 2024 Twin Cities Frocktails party, and it was great to experience the event itself. Everyone who attended was so kind, creative, and stunning in their beautiful handmade clothes - it was an amazing way to celebrate the local sewing community and I’m grateful to have been a part of it. From the runway to the raffle and all of the pattern and fabric related conversations in between, a huge thank you to everyone who attended, and all of the sponsors who made the event a success! Let’s talk about the outfit: in true HQmakes fashion, I was hemming it hours before I got to the venue to set up. I used the floatiest sunset ombré silk from @ginnysfinefabrics to make a crop top and A-line skirt. I knew this fabric was the star of the show so I was careful to plan out how to use it in a way that showed off the colors and didn’t disrupt the ombré. I went with the @patternscout Ella Dress pattern for the top, cutting on the straight grain and cropping it at the waist. I also sewed up the back seam without a zip as I found I can get it on without it. I fully lined it instead of using a facing. For the skirt, I used a vintage vogue pattern (V9789) that I picked up from the @textilecentermn garage sale. I had to grade it up and lengthen it to get the look I wanted. Final photo by @sarahkiczulaphotography ☺️ #MeMade #HandmadeWardrobe #MillenialSewing #Sewing #HandmadeFashion #PSEllaDress #PatternScout #TwinCitiesFrocktails#TwinCitiesFrocktails2024 #Frocktails

GIVEAWAY CLOSED! Congrats @voxsoares!🌟 Meet the Ella Dress from @patternscout ! I was a tester for this lovely new pattern AND I have a code to give away for a free copy of it! To enter, comment with either a dress emoji (👗) OR write DRESS in ALL CAPS and I’ll do a random draw on Friday, June 14th at 10am PDT. Why might you want this pattern? Well, here are some of its features:
 * It’s a simple shift dress that can be cut on the bias OR straight grain * Two length options and could also easily be shortened to a top length * Clean-finished facings * It does NOT use the burrito method to get clean finishes on the neckline and armholes! Instead, the instructions outline what I think is a more RTW method that will NOT have you cursing and pulling an entire garment through a 1 1/2” tunnel. So good! 🙌 * An elegant boat neck and the armholes are cut slightly high on the shoulder, but you can still wear a regular bra with it * Front darts that originate at the armhole, with instructions on how to adjust position if needed * As with all of Casey’s patterns, ALL sizes come in B, C, and D cup options For my final version, I used some burgundy satin from my stash, and I cut it on the bias. The closure is supposed to be a centre back invisible zipper, however, I found that with my size (12, D cup), head circumference (about 23”, so…not small!), and the bias cut, I’m actually able to get it over my head without a zipper, so I omitted any closure. I also shortened the midi length by about 3” (I’m 5’6”). I forgot to do a slight swayback adjustment after my muslin, so this one is without that, but I still love the fit!
 This can be made out of almost any light-to-mid weight fabric, with drapier fabrics giving more slink factor, and stiffer cottons or linens giving a more structured look. Anyone looking for a quick, simple, super-comfortable dress for any wedding party, summer celebration, or some gorgeous printed fabric that you want to shine, Ella is pretty dang perfect, so don’t forget to enter the giveaway (which has nothing to do with IG)! #psEllaDress #newPattern #patternTester #SewOver50 #SewOver50june #sewistsofinstagram #sewFancy #patternscoutpatterns

This beautiful viscose linen snuck onto the website last week and is a real gem. She's called Simone and is more viscose than linen, so has a lovely fluid drape but is still quite stable to work with. Look closely and you'll see jungle animals in a really lovely colour palette of blues, greens and yellows. It's a beautiful combo. The @sewliberated #petrichorpinafore would be a really lovely option for this fabric, plus you could layer it with a blouse or jersey top for lots of styling options. Or for something with a simpler silhouette, the @patternscout Ella Dress is a really elegant shaped boatneck which would really compliment the jungle design. Happy sewing xx #pselladress #sewingproject #sewingisforeveryone #sewistsofinstagram #sustainablefabric #sewingisthebest #sustainablefashion #imakemyownclothes #sewingisfun #dressmakingfabric #sewinghobby #fabricshopping #fabricshopuk #sustainablesewing #memadewardrobe #memadeclothes #dressmaking #dressmaker #dressmakersofinstagram #fabricshoppingonline #ilovesewing #sewcial #sewcialist

A beautiful make i would consider this. My partner and I went to his best friend's wedding earlier this month, outdoors in Whangarei in the middle of summer, so I knew I needed to make something light and breathable, modest but still showed off my tattoos 🤭🙂‍↕️. The @patternscout #pselladress was the perfect match for my vision, boat neck sleeveless shift dress, cut on the bias to skim nicely. I made it in the newish European Linen from @spotlightstores in the colour leprechaun, it's 150cm~ wide, so perfect for cutting out a long single panel dress on the bias in a larger size. I loved the making of the dress for 95% of it. The only issue I had with the pattern was the fit, and honestly, it probably comes down to the fact I have small shoulders and a fairly rounded upper back. You can see in the 4th slide, the very wobbly zip I first installed. I ended up omitting the zip entirely and taking around 2in out of the back neckline. This alteration definitely improved the fit, but it was still a little off across the front neckline. Other than that though, the pattern includes french seams for most finishes, and i finished the hem with a blind hem. Highly recommend. #nzsewist #nzmade #memade #memade2024 #memade2025 #weddingguestdress

Happy end to (brat) summer from me, this vegan corn dog, and the only thing I made for myself this season 💚 Pattern: this is the Ella Dress from @patternscout, which can be made on the bias or the straight grain. I love the look of gingham on the bias so I chose to do that! The pattern goes up to a 54” bust, and was the perfect one-evening sew to get me back behind my machine after a very busy summer. Fabric: the most perfect pickle colored gingham linen from @sewingloungemn, which I picked up during their August sale. #MeMade #HandmadeWardrobe #MillenialSewing #Sewing #MeMadeEveryday #HandmadeFashion #SewInspired #PSEllaDress #PatternScout #LinenDress #Gingham #BiasCutDress

ELLA DRESS (Giveaway Closed) New Pattern from Patternscout! There are so many good features about this dress, it’s hard to know where to start! The Ella Dress is a sleeveless shift dress with boatneck and centre back invisible zip closure. It’s a classic silhouette and is a great staple for the closet which will never date. I was happy to be part of the testing team for this lovely dress! Sewing Notes: * I’ve made the size 12 B Cup for my measurements (35HB:37FB:33W:40H) Sizing goes up to Size 30 (hip 60”) with cup sizes B to D. * The pattern can be sewn on the bias or straight. I’ve sewn on the bias to achieve a fluid drape. * The pattern makes a Midi length dress which I would have achieved if I had shortened the pattern. This pattern is for a person with an average height of 5’9”. I’m happy with the length. There is also a mini length which falls above the knees. * I’ve used this very fun and groovy Rayon which is lightweight and has beautifully fluid drape. Ella is a great pattern for any lightweight woven fabric. There is currently a discount for a short time to celebrate the release of the pattern, but I have happily been given one free PDF code to gift. I really want this to go to someone who will really enjoy sewing and sharing their make. So, if you have a public account and are the first one in my DM, you will be gifted this code for a free Ella PDF pattern. (This giveaway not associated with Meta). Dress Pattern: #pselladress #pselladressseated @patternscout Fabric: Rayon from @eastcoasttextiles

Cheers to 31! I celebrated my birthday this weekend in my fav new outfit. Dress deets: this mini dress is based on the @patternscout Ella Dress, but I skipped the back zipper and flared the skirt out a bit. I added waist ties to give it a bit more shape, and turned the facings into full linings. The fabric is the seafood print linen/viscose from @joann_stores that everyone loves 🧀🦐🫒🍝 Jacket deets: this is a long version of the Ilford Jacket from @fridaypatterncompany. I used the hand warming pocket pieces and the boxy sleeve since I knew I would want to roll them. The brown linen blend fabric is also from Joann (RIP)! My fav part of the jacket is the cute buttons I got from the V&A museum gift shop on my trip last year to London. I waited to finish the hem until I had the dress done, since I wanted them to match in length à la Reformation. #IlfordJacket #PSEllaDress #MeMade #MillenialSewing #Sewing #DIY #sewistsofinstagram #sewists #diyfashion #HandmadeDress