ANNA ALLEN CLOTHING

The other day I needed a sewing “win” and had the idea to hack the #antheablouse so it has a scooped neckline (also cut the front on the fold to eliminate the button placket). I also added 2” of extra width at the front and back so I could gather it at the neckline, making it a fuller blouse (you wouldn’t need to do this, but I like how this looks). I attached a neckline ruffle with narrow bias tape as well as adding a faux necktie (although as this neckline is quite big I wish I had made the ties more functional so I could cinch it in more). I cut the sleeves straight at the hem and narrowly hemmed it (turning up 1/8” pressing, then again 1/8”). I sewed two rows of elastic shirring about 1” from the sleeve hem to create the cuff and ruffle. But the shirring didn’t give a tight enough cuff so I gently pulled the elastic a bit tighter. I then knotted the threads and sewed a French seam. For the puffed sleeves I decided to sew basting stitches higher up the sleeve so instead of having the gathers all around the armscye, they are more concentrated at the shoulder. I also pressed the sleeve seam towards the sleeve (unlike the instructions tell you to press away from the sleeve) so it gives a puffier puff! It’s fun and I love how it turned out! Anyway, I know this isn’t exactly a tutorial but I haven’t had the time or energy to write one up yet. But I might if there’s interest. Enjoy these unedited photos in my messy studio! ❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CRWwQLdsbLq/?utm_medium=tumblr

I started crocheting this hat the end of May and then put it away for a few weeks as life got pretty busy this month. Now I’m trying it on and think maybe a few more rows will do it! It’s FAR from perfect, but I’m pretty happy with how it’s turning out! I used the raffia bucket hat pattern by @time_knitting which I bought in their Etsy shop. It’s a great pattern and I highly recommend it! I have only crocheted one thing before and that was like 15 years ago so the video instructions were very helpful in this pattern! I altered the pattern to create a shaped crown and made it a bit taller, but mostly followed the pattern closely. I’ll certainly be wearing this a lot this summer! Now to actually finish the hat… ☀️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CQbzV_EsAXD/?utm_medium=tumblr

I spent my 37th birthday having a picnic on a mountain with @jrmcclurg and we had the best time! I wore this dress because I couldn’t stop thinking about how much this place reminds me of the spot in “Picnic on Hanging Rock.” No one was around and it was so peaceful. I’m looking forward to another year full of happy moments like today. 💗 (at Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CP4SAXsMWD0/?utm_medium=tumblr

Do you ever see a garment in an old film and wish you could have it? Well the other say I was watching an old favorite, “The Divorce of Lady X” from 1938 and there’s this wonderful gown Merle Oberon wears very briefly in one of the last scenes. It’s perfection and I wanted to try my hand at drafting something similar. I changed the petal sleeves because I didn’t want it to look too “vintage” if you know what I mean. Bedsides I feel like those sleeves would look best in a silk chiffon or something similar like the original dress was likely made from. I made a test muslin first to see how it would look with just basting gathers. Then I decided to try a wearable muslin because I really don’t have a lot of time these days and wanted to get something made before I lost the momentum. This is the first time I’ve ever seen elastic ruching and it was super fun and easy! You wind the elastic thread in the bobbin and use regular thread in the needle. I tested a tiny piece of fabric first and then just went for it. I also sewed French seams throughout. Anyway, it turned out better than I thought! Eventually I would like to make a dress out of this but right now I think I’ll get more wear out of a cotton lawn blouse. Swipe through to the last images to see the original dress. Making something purely for fun and not work was just what I needed right now. I don’t know if this will become a future pattern. I have way too many on my list to even think about this one but never say never! 💗 P.S If you’re a weirdo like me who likes these obscure movies, you can find it on YouTube. There’s also a fascinating look at Merl Oberon’s life in the @youmustrememberthis podcast called “Passing for White” episode 155. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPttq77M4JT/?utm_medium=tumblr

This photo was taken last year on Christmas Eve, but I still wear this outfit often. I also get asked about this quilted jacket I drafted and sewed last year (worn inside out here). I still plan to make this as a sewing pattern but haven’t had the chance to start working on it yet. Hopefully I’ll find the time for this one next year! Quilting isn’t something I hardly ever do, so it’s a new area for me. I made the jacket not thinking I would create a pattern (as I often do) but you all seem to like it so it WILL happen in the future. Just not sure when yet. But I’m glad you guys are patient! 😁 At least the jeans pattern is starting to come together (made here in a natural 11.5oz cotton duck, it’s very stiff). • Also wearing a basic Uniqlo hat, but I really want to knit the Pip Beanie by @northsideknitco just need to dig out my knitting needles...it’s been ages since I’ve knit anything! https://www.instagram.com/p/CITnYA4AR8e/?igshid=1o1ojd7094ybt

“What we see or what we seem are but a dream, a dream within a dream...” • I’m living my best “Picnic at Hanging Rock” life in this @shopdoen dress that just arrived. I need it to be summer so I can go climbing in this absolutely stunning creation. Of course I won’t go climbing in it but you know, just carry it in my backpack for the picnic at the top of the mountain... • Although my wardrobe remains mostly handmade, I will occasionally purchase ready made. Sometimes it’s fun to share these pieces alongside my handmade garments and sewing patterns. I hope it’s not too annoying, as I realize most people who follow me here come for the sewing content.🖤 #doencollective #picnicsthangingrock #letsplaydressup https://www.instagram.com/p/CIRh03AlE2U/?igshid=11l7gde4swkwk

Nature is my happy place, always.✌🏻 https://www.instagram.com/p/CIJ9gsSlsz7/?igshid=1qkla13c3nepx

Just finished this sample puffed sleeve blouse yesterday. (No date yet! Don’t worry I’ll be sure to update here when I know.) Someone asked how my jeans look while sitting down so I thought I would share some photos including a video (swipe to the next slide). This is the size that gives me the closest fit while still feeling comfortable. I also washed them and they really do fit perfectly. The cream pair I made a size larger and would have also shared how they look sitting down, but they’re in the wash. 🌾 •Blouse fabric from the Etsy shop Cottonweavers (shipping was fast considering they are from India shipping to the US) •Japanese selvedge denim 14oz from @fashion_fabrics_club • Jeans buttons and rivets from @citronjeans Amazon shop •2nd hand clogs (Sven?) I bought from @ahistoryofarchitecture years ago in the blogging era! ❤️ #annaallenclothing #selvedgedenim #selvedgejeans #heritagejeans #rigiddenim #puffedsleeves #indiepatterns #handmadewardrobe https://www.instagram.com/p/CH56rb4F-0J/?igshid=xus0k51c5akt

Posting two days in a row. Who even am I?! Now watch, I won’t post again for another month. Anyway, here are the jeans I just made, fresh off the sewing machine. Still need to hem them. These are the slim straight leg (yesterday’s jeans are the basic straight leg). I made these a size up (taking in a tad at the center back waist) because in my experience this particular denim tends to shrink more, plus it has less give than my other selvedge denim I’ve used. And to be honest I like having a few different sizes to wear on rotation. I think most people can relate to wearing more than one size. No problem with that! Also you see these are cuffed!🙃 I think I’ve finally arrived at the final pattern draft that I’m really really happy with. (To my friends who have heard me say this over and over again, only to find I tweaked the damn pattern yet again... this time I mean it!) If only you knew how many drafts I’ve gone through... 😅 Anyway, lots of work left to do on the pattern. But, I will get there! Okay so which one do you like better? Basic straight leg or slim straight?? I can’t decide! That’s why I’m including both in the final pattern. ☺️ 🌿 • Made with 12oz preshrunk (I still prewash/dry) natural bull denim from @bigduckcanvas • Buttons and rivets from @citronjeans • Pointelle top from @shopdoen (because I’m obsessed) #rigiddenim #heritagejeans #highwaistjeans #doencollective #indiepatterns #indiepatterndesigner #pdfpattern #annaallenclothing https://www.instagram.com/p/CHyqFpXl7kO/?igshid=17v80tu129kq8

Are you team cuffed or uncuffed? I can’t decide. Sometimes I feel taller when I leave them long and sometimes I just want that ankle length goodness. I like options. Which I guess means sewing lots of jeans in different lengths... Which I’m fine with because I have discovered sewing jeans is my happy place. I LOVE sewing jeans! Just made these and haven’t washed them yet (they’re pre-washed though). Made with 14oz Japanese selvedge denim from @fashion_fabrics_club and buttons/rivets from @citronjeans (button fly as well). Pointelle top from @shopdoen ❤️ Messy room by me. 😁 Pattern for jeans are a work in progress... no date yet. Doing the best I can. ☺️❤️ • • • • #handmadewardrobe #selvedgedenim #heritagedenim #selvedgejeans #doencollective #indiepatterns #indiepatterndesigner #sewingpattern https://www.instagram.com/p/CHveTCFl-qU/?igshid=oowfun5k2t0q

Hello new week. 👋🏻 https://www.instagram.com/p/CFpMJBNlfGN/?igshid=p62mnjbcg9jt

Happy Autumn! 🍃🌾🦌🍁🍂 I made these #selvedgejeans recently and I’m loving the fit. The pattern (that I drafted) is the same one I made a few photos back, only I sized down. Still working on the pattern! I’m sharing these photos waaaay in advance, so don’t be looking for this one for awhile yet! I just feel like posting some of the things I’m working on. Hope you don’t mind! Also I’m finally starting to get into autumn (despite wanting summer to last longer). The air is a little bit crisper and I’m starting to wash my woolens. Sweater weather is getting close! 🍁 Also wearing my new @shopdoen plaid Darien blouse that I’m really loving right now! And the @christydawn boots I got last year. Fabric: 13oz selvedge denim from @fashion_fabrics_club Buttons hardware: @citronjeans https://www.instagram.com/p/CFffYAkFwWT/?igshid=1hjlyxstlu6y1