megan nielsen design diary -

wrap it up // versatility

May 24th, 2013

Happy friday, friends! I hope you found this week’s Cascade tutorials helpful. So let’s “wrap up” the week with a finished and styled Cascade skirt, shall we? And yes, that pun was definitely intended. Hehe.

Since Megan showed you a casually styled Cascade outfit earlier this week, I thought I’d show you a bit of a more dressed up version. The fabric I used (which has a matte finish on one side and a shiny underside) pretty much lends itself to be styled a little dressier. But add a little sparkle and shine with the sequins and the shoes, and I’m ready for a lovely late night dinner date with my husband. And with a swept up hairstyle and the right jewelry, I could even picture this being worn to a summer wedding!

But let’s talk about versatility for a second. Do you think about the versatility of a garment before you start a new sewing project? Before you pick out the fabric? It’s just like shopping for clothes – how well will it work in with your wardrobe? How many different ways will you be able to wear it? If you are taking the time (and love and care) to make your own clothing by hand, I doubt you’ll just want it to sit in the back of your closet and never be worn. You’ll want to actually wear it! Obviously, if you are making a gown or something, then that is most likely for a special occasion and is an exception. What I’m talking about is your everyday clothing. Your “everyday” project.

This skirt, for example. Sure, it lends itself to be styled dressier. But I could just as easily pair it with a casual striped tee and ballet flats, or a cropped tank and sandals, or even a sweater and ankle booties. Before I even started sewing this project, I had dreamed up 5 different outfits. Always a good sign!

So what about you? Do you prefer your handmade items to be “specialty” pieces, that only get worn once in a while? Or do you think about versatility, too? Do you think about how a style and fabric (or pattern) will fit into your current wardrobe before you start sewing? Tell us more!

Skirt: Megan Nielsen Cascade skirt // pattern

Top : Le Lapin D’or

Necklace: gifted

Shoes: Blowfish Shoes

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how to : keep your wrap skirt in place

May 23rd, 2013

Ok friends, time to talk Cascade.

A few people have expressed concerns about the Cascade skirt flying open and exposing their goods with just a gust of wind. Rest assured – Meg designed the wrap skirt just right, so that this shouldn’t happen that easily. But as with any wrap skirt, it’s always a possibility.While attaching snaps or hooks and eyes to the outside wrap would take away from the lovely drape and movement of the skirt, we do have a solution for you if this becomes an issue!

The solution is to apply a “stay” piece to the under wrap of the skirt, from left side seam to right wrap, so that nothing is seen from the outside. The flow of the skirt is preserved – and that is the best part of the Cascade! Don’t you agree? Now, I know what you are thinking – won’t the right side still be able to fly open? Yes, technically it can. BUT – your left side shouldn’t fly open, too. Hopefully leaving you with a little peace of mind. Hehe.

So, read on to find out how !

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Clipping vs. Notching

May 22nd, 2013

Oh curved seams. You tricky little things, you.

Have you ever sewn a garment, and a seam just don’t seem to lay right? Or it bubbles or twists in a weird way? Annoying, I know. Chances are, you forgot to clip or notch your curved edge. When you work with curved seams, you can either end up with excess bulk or a lot of pulling and tugging. This is because the length of your stitch line measures differently from the length of the edge of your fabric. So when it is turned right side out, it doesn’t conform correctly or lie flat. You can solve this by either clipping or notching your seam allowance, to allow for that adjustment.

Another time it comes in handy? When trying to attach a curved edge to a straight edge. But we’ll get to that in a minute.

So… when do you clip and when do you notch? Read on to find out!

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DIY tips & tutorials, My creations, Sewing Patterns, MN2202 - Cascade skirt

height / styling / rambling

May 21st, 2013

Megan Nielsen Cascade skirt + tshirt So my dears some of you have asked about what the Cascade looks like on a shorter girl – well lucky for you i’m a good 5 inches shorter than our lovely model for the Breakwater collection!

As you can see on me the Cascade hits lower at the back, closer to my ankles, around maxi length. The front is slightly longer too, but not noticeably i don’t think.

Personally, i enjoy the skirt at this length – but if you’d prefer your skirt around calf height as in the lookbook, it’s pretty simple. Just shorten the skirt hem at the centre back by around 5″ (as a guide), and then using a curve ruler redraw the hem curve to meet the hem at the side seam. I know i’ve said it before but i think its worth mentioning again – just be careful when shortening the front of the skirt – due to the wrap of the skirt it gets short really quickly if you start shortening near the centre front, so keep that in mind!

Megan Nielsen Cascade skirt + tshirt

Meanwhile, this is one of my favourite ways to wear the Cascade casually – a simple tshirt, a statement necklace, chic sandals and we’re done. A variation on this outfit is a pretty good example of my summer uniform. It’s as comfy (actually more so) as track pants and a tshirt, i promise. Have i ever lied to you?!

Most days i’m wearing a Briar with it – either tucked in or a cropped version. I normally tuck with this particular skirt though – since it’s the waistband version that ties in the back, i prefer not to cover up the bows. I like bows :) This was actually one of the first samples of the Cascade, and it’s still one of my favourites – its in pretty epic golden rotation right now, and i’m pretty excited to try it in the cooler weather.

Actually, i snuck this skirt into a previous post a few months ago – did you notice it?! Should we make this fun?! First person who can find that post gets a free Cascade! Do you think you can do it? Ready set go!

Megan Nielsen Cascade skirt + tshirt [Make this look]

Skirt: Megan Nielsen Cascade skirt // pattern + similar fabric
Tshirt: NOTW // pattern + similar fabric + fabric paint
Sandals: Country Road // Eve
Necklace: Merl Kinzie / Clydes Rebirth
Bracelet: Kristin Hassan

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My creations, Sewing Patterns, MN2202 - Cascade skirt, Styled & Worn

3 ways to sew a rolled hem

May 20th, 2013

Have you ever seen or done a rolled hem? This type of hem finish is usually used on lightweight and delicate fabrics, and produces a very, very small turned hem. And it just so happens that three of the patterns from the new Breakwater collection call for rolled hems. If you plan on making the Cascade skirt, Crescent blouse, Tania culottes, or any other garment with delicate fabric, you should be considering this finish.

And lucky you – there are actually multiple ways that you can choose to do a rolled hem. Three, actually! You can do it by machine using a special presser foot, by machine without the foot, or by hand. And we’re here today to show you how to do all three.

Bare with us – there is a lot of information in this post. We just wanted to give you all of your options, and all of the info in one stop for easy reference . So read on to see them all and pick your favorite!

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DIY tips & tutorials, My creations, Sewing Patterns, MN2103 - Crescent Blouse, My creations, Sewing Patterns, MN2202 - Cascade skirt, My creations, Sewing Patterns, MN2203 - Tania Culottes

Breakwater pattern tester round up: part one

May 17th, 2013

We have a special treat for you all today! All of these lovely ladies were kind of enough to serve as pattern testers for the new Breakwater collection while Meg was finalizing everything. They’re here today to share what they have done. And let me tell you, that all did amazing (and these are only half of them!). Check out all the girls below, and stay tuned later this month – we will have round two with even more amazing ladies and their creations!

who: Sophie of Cirque Du Bebe

pattern tested: MN2103 Crescent Blouse

what did they think?: “This top is dreamy! I had so much fun testing this pattern, usually I steer towards prints but this pattern already has so many cute features and details I went with a solid, in a silk cotton. Though the pattern certainly has scope for lots of fun variations, I think if I was to make it again I’d play with some fleuro color-blocking. It’s comfy and a lovely fit, even if my shoulders only just fit into the cut outs, genetics can take the blame for that one.”

who: Ginger Makes

pattern tested: MN2103 Crescent blouse

any variations planned?: “I’m planning quite a few variations– I’d like to lengthen one into a dress, and make another with a pointed collar. I’m also really excited to make one using sheer fabric for the crossover hem for some extra fun.”

who:Sallie of Sallie Oh

pattern tested: MN2103 Crescent blouse

any variations planned?: “When I first saw the sketch for the Crescent blouse I was really inspired to make one that was dressy and feminine, a perfect summer date-night top! But now that I made that one, all I can think of is making a more relaxed version – almost sporty – maybe in white mesh with turquoise contrast binding.”

who: Melissa Esplin of I Still Love You

pattern tested: MN2202 Cascade skirt

what did they think? any tips?: “It’s imperative to trust the grainline on the pattern pieces! Megan knew exactly what she was doing when she drew up the grain lines. I wasn’t sure about it at first, but I’m so glad I followed her instructions. It made the drape of the skirt just right on all sides.”

who: Michelle of Handmade Martini

pattern tested: MN2202 Cascade skirt

what did they think?: “This pattern was very easy to sew, and the resulting drape of the skirt is gorgeous. Even with basic cotton gauze, which is what I used, it’s definitely a statement piece.”

who: Michelle of Handmade Martini (again!)

pattern tested: MN2101 Eucalypt tank and dress

any variations planned?: “I’ve already finished one variation — a version with the front seam and contrasting fabric. I’ve got a Liberty of London fabric (with parrots!) on order that I’ll use for another version. It won’t be the last one I make, that’s for sure.”

who: Anna of Blogless Anna

pattern tested: MN2101 Eucalypt tank and dress

what did they think?: “When Megan sent me the proposed line drawings for her new collection, I was VERY excited about the Eucalyptus Tank & Dress. A woven tank was a missing item in my wardrobe, I loved it’s simple lines and all the possible variations. I made the tank and was thrilled with the result. It’s such a flattering cut for my body shape. In fact, I was so thrilled with my tank, I raided my Liberty tana lawn stash and made a dress straight after.”

who: Amanda of Bimble and Pimble

pattern tested: MN2101 Eucalypt tank and dress

any variations planned?: “Yup, I’m thinking a lace yoke version for spring… Just got to make it through winter first!”

who: Jen of Made On The Couch

pattern tested: MN2203 Tania Culottes

what did they think?: “I loved it. These are totally my kind of culottes. Not only do they look nothing like the horrid ones I was forced to wear when I was a girl guide (yep, that’s how cool I am), they’re SUPER practical for Perth weather- we’re in the top ten windiest cities in the world (or so the internet tells me), but I still love to wear pretty skirts- these culottes are totally the solution. You can also run around in them, sit on the ground without fear- there really isn’t anything that you can’t do with them. I’m pretty much in love. And seriously, when you bend over in them in a most unlady like manner, they are the most hilarious things to look at in the world. I don’t even know how to explain that. Anyway. Moral of the story? Awesome, sneaky pants inside a skirt. I am quite taken with them :)”

What about you?! We’d love to see what you’re creating from the Breakwater collection! Join the Megan Nielsen Flickr group to share what you’ve been working on, and check out what everyone else is up to!