Happy New Year!!!
I know what you might be thinking, “how does So Very Jo have a Best Nine already”? Well, before I started the blog, I had an Instagram account where I would post photos of my makes. So without further ado, here is So Very Jo’s #BestNine!
1. This one comes to no surprise. I joined Mimi G Style Sew It! Academy as soon as it opened last year. If you want to learn how to sew, this is the place to be. Even if you already know how to sew, this is still the place to be! Mimi starts straight from opening your sewing machine and goes right into making your first sewing project. Each month you receive a new lesson which builds on your last one. I made this skirt and top using course #3, Intro to Garment Sewing. I purchased this fabric from Michael Levine’s Loft when I attended Mimi’s Conference 2 years ago. They have an amazing selection in their regular store, but they also have a Loft across the street where you can purchase fabric by the pound!
2. This is a self drafted gathered skirt that I made for a client. I totally loved it and she did too. I love this Ankara Fabric. I learned how to make a gathered skirt using Mimi G’s Regal Maxi skirt tutorial. I also got some help from Erin from Style Sew Me. She has an awesome YouTube Channel and a great teaching style. I sourced the fabric from an IG retailer @fabianandmom. She has a website, but I went to her home in Miami, where she sells her fabrics. She has an amazing selection of Ankara fabric with great prices.
3. This is a photo I posted trying to decide which project to start first. The black dashiki fabric is from @fabianandmom and the afro puff girls I purchased from www.Lowcostfabric.com and you can order it here. I plan on making a cowl skirt using the dashiki fabric and will be making a high low peplum top with the afro puff girls.
4. Aww, #4. This is one of my favorite pieces. I made this for a good friend of mine who thinks I can make anything. She was going to a wedding and wanted something different to wear. I found Vogue 1474 and thought it would be perfect for the occasion.
This pattern has a ruffle effect on the back that she did not want so I add not add it. She also wanted the skirt to be straight instead of flaring out. I used McCalls 3830 and just added to the length of the skirt. I purchased the fabric from Joann. It’s from their Casa Collection Satin Solids and can be purchased here.
5. Well it would seem my IG followers like my selfies. LOL This is a shameless bathroom selfie taken at a birthday celebration. I’m giving you all kind of curls in this photo. I used my Curl Keeper hair products I won from one of my fav bloggers Ada from All Things Ada. Her blog is full of awesome curly hair tips as well as makeup tutorials and all kinds of awesome content. Check her out.
6. This is a photo of my amazing folder over clutches I made using Mimi G’s DIY Folderover Clutch Tutorial. She made a pictorial tutorial but spoiled us and made a video too! You can find it here.
http://mimigstyle.com/diy-foldover-clutch-tutorial/
7. So, remember that friend that I mentioned above who thinks I can make anything? Also remember the Regal Maxi Skirt I mentioned? Well, here they are both. I made this for my friend using the Regal Maxi Skirt Tutorial. I LOVE this skirt and is the reason I started sewing. My friend wore this beauty on Christmas Eve and she wore it well, if do say so myself.
8. This is a photo of my very first collaboration I did with LA Finch Fabrics! I was so excited to be able to review these beautiful prints from them last summer. I was able to get this opportunity because I belong to an awesome Facebook group called Sewing Portfolios. This is a worldwide community of Sewing Enthusiasts where you can build your FREE online Sewing Portfolio. I made a few tops using these beautiful fabrics. The one of the left is called Arcadia Rayon Challis and can be purchased here and the one on the right is called Island Love Abstract Rayon Challis which doesn’t look like they carry anymore. I’ll be doing a full review later on my blog since I didn’t have my bog when I did the review.
9. Last but not least is one of my summer favs. I made this off the shoulder top using Simplicity Pattern 8124. This is from their Cynthia Rowley Collection and I made the top version. You can make a dress as well. It seems like there will be lots of exposed shoulders in Spring 2017. Many of the big pattern companies have amazing patterns coming out with exposed shoulders. The lemon fabric was purchased from Joann Fabric. I purchased it when Beyonce’s Lemonade album came out last year. Unfortunately, they longer have the fabric available.
I hope you enjoyed my Best Nine as much as I did! I also hope you have an amazing New Year and I can’t wait for what 2017 has in store for us all! Leave me a comment telling me which was your fav.
