SisBoom Pattern CO – Just For Me January

Did you hear it’s “Just For Me January”? I have been sewing for me much more this past few months, so I was very happy to join in the fun with SisBoom Patterns!

Not long after I set up my instagram account to share my sewing projects, I was contacted by the amazing Jennifer Paganelli. She very generously gave me a copy of the Angie dress pattern to sew up, but I wanted to wait till closer to summer to make it. When I heard about Just For Me January I knew I had no excuse! (Now I just realised that would make more sense if you knew I was in Australia and we are in the middle of summer here right now)!

This is exactly my ideal style of dress, it is so comfortable and is the perfect mix of style and comfort. The brief for this tour was to add a different style spin, so instead of simply reviewing this pattern (which is A+ by the way), I will tell you my inspiration and what I did to tweak it to have a half circle skirt.

I adore the gorgeous eclectic Sisboom fabric designs and this one was always destined for my first Angie! It’s from the Circa collection and it came from Utopian Threads some time ago here in Australia.

Normally I’d fit into a US 4-6 (6-12 months ago haha) so I pretended that I didn’t put on any kgs this year and cut out the small bodice. I omitted the back darts because my waist is where the extra weight sits and it fits nicely. I used the cut line for the lowest front neckline  (there are 3 cut lines) which still gives good coverage and I constructed the bodice per the pattern.

Sisboom patterns are great simple silhouettes that really let the fabric shine. When your fabric is this awesome you don’t need to complicate the garment at all right? I decided to hack a half circle skirt and at first I was a bit scared that I had stuffed it up… I used the skirt from a dress that had a zipper as a template and the Angie has no buttons or zips! I had cut the skirt long enough that I could trim the top of the skirt down to the point where the waists from the skirt and the bodice would match up just fine though.

I still added pockets because pockets are the bomb! I love a bit of a peekaboo contrast, so I used this cute yellow gingham.

I hemmed the skirt with hot pink pre made bias. That is my favourite way to hem a circle skirt. You’ll have to excuse the sun flare here, it looks like I’ve lost an eye, but it was the only picture I had to show the back! The breeze was a welcome relief to our current heat and it blew my skirt just enough to show the bias 😉

I added the elastic to the back of the waist per the pattern to bring it in a bit and I am really happy with the finished product. I will try the gathered skirt next time and will also give it a try all in knit! It’s a great basic shape that you can personalise with your fabric choice.

This is my standard “uniform”! I wear dresses a lot because they don’t require finding 2 matching wardrobe pieces and they look like you have made a big effort (when you haven’t at all)!

My standard styling is sandals or heels and a statement necklace. My shoe and costume jewellery collections are pretty extensive (sshhhh)! A funky necklace and shoes dresses up any outfit.

I’d love to hear what you think of my Angie! I am lucky enough to have a copy of the awesome Angie pattern to give away to one of you! Just leave me a comment here on this blog post, follow me on instagram and I’ll choose a random winner on Friday!