Project Run and Play Pantone Party is always a good time! We love to participate each year (you can see our past posts here and here). This year’s color Viva Magenta is all about joy and hope and happiness. What could be more hopeful than sewing swim looks in the middle of a gloomy Utah winter?! This look totally brought us happiness and optimism that warm weather will be here before we know it!
We used three patterns from the Project Run and Play library. The Viridian Swimsuit is a favorite with my girls. The Reef Beach Rashie is the perfect extra layer of protection. And this Cancun Coverup worked overtime last summer so a second one was definitely in order!
It was great to get this same print on two different fabric bases. The swim knit is a poly based print which makes the print really shine. It’s vibrant and crisp on this base. The double gauze is a natural fabric and the print is more muted and soft. It’s perfect for this coverup look.
The Viridian Swimsuit is full of options. From a simple one piece maillot to a color blocked two piece, this pattern is great for girls of all ages. It comes in sizes newborn-12 meaning you can use it for years! For this girly, I sewed up a size 10 with a 12 length two piece featuring a solid bottom and ruffled racerback top.
This vibrant pink color will be at every pool this summer! It’s so fun and it keeps popping up in all the rtw ads I’m seeing these days.
For this Reef Beach Rashie I sewed up a size 12 and really slimmed down the sides to make it more fitted. She’s excited to have a layer that’s perfect for long beach days.
Let’s talk about this coverup! This pattern was just made for double gauze. It’s soft and squishy and still lightweight and flowy. It’s so quick to throw on but oh so stylish!
As I was prepping for this shoot I was feeling all the nostalgia! The retro print of the pieces just had me right back in my own childhood. I knew I had to pull out this super sentimental reminder of my own happy carefree days. This towel was my Grandma Lola’s and every time I stayed with her I pulled out this towel for my baths and showers. I was so surprised when I would come back year after year and she would still have this towel tucked aside for me. When I was in college and would stay with my grandparents for the weekend, I was shocked to see how small my towel had gotten, lol! Funny how that happens, right?!
Well, It was so much fun to be back in this space, sewing and taking pics of my cute little model. I miss those days when I was sewing like crazy but time and season for everything, right? I’m hoping to be back with a fun and different project real soon!
This pretty flannel from the Listen to Your Heart line from Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics was just made for cozy pj’s. Two sets of cozy pj’s to be exact!
Not all teenage girls would be on board wearing matching pajamas with their mama but this one was all over it (or at least she was a good sport about it!). I think the fact that she got a new set of comfy pajamas out of it was all she needed!
The Carolyn Pajamas from Closet Core Patterns is another pattern that has been around forever that I am just barely getting around to sewing. When it comes to classic pajama style, the Carolyn’s are near perfection! The pattern features both short and pant lengths as well as short or long sleeves. I loved that because it meant I could customize these just for me and do pants with a short sleeve top. I hate sleeping in long sleeves, is that weird?
I sewed up a size 10, no adjustments. The pants are your basic pajama pants and sew up quickly. The addition of the pockets make these perfect for lounging too (gotta keep that cell phone handy). The top kind of intimidated me with the button front, notched collar and all of that piping. I was surprised by how simple it was to construct though and the finishing is *chef’s kiss!
Sophie got a pair of Gracie Pajamas from Violette Fields Threads. I’ve sewn this pattern a few times before and she uses it all of the time for simple shorts and pants too. I sewed up the largest tween size and added 3 inches to the pants length and two inches to the sleeves. I think it’s time to retire this pattern for this girl as she is clearly in the adult sizes now (did you notice she’s WAY taller than me?!). Good thing little sis can still fit in tween sizes for a bit longer because we love this pattern and also a bonus that there’s a women’s version too!
My absolute favorite thing about these pj’s is that piping! I used store-bought maxi piping and it really was an easy addition that really elevates these sets.
The theme for the Art Gallery Look Book was sentimental room and something about these pajamas just reminded me of sleepovers at my Grandma Lola’s. I pulled out an old scrapbook that I had made for my grandma and we had so much fun looking at the pictures and reading the stories about grandma’s house from my siblings and cousins. My grandparents were so influential in my life but have all sadly passed away. I love keeping their memory alive in my own children and I feel their love and support often and know they are watching over their family still here on earth. I sure love projects that get me feeling all sentimental!
The Friday Pattern Co. Sagebrush Top has been around forever and I’ve always admired every version I’ve seen. I love that I now have my very own!
I got to work with Sharon Holland’s new fabric line from Art Gallery Fabrics, Listen to Your Heart. For this top I used Fleuron Six quilting cotton. I just love the colors in this print and that floral is so pretty!
This pattern is such a great sew! I sewed up a size medium without any adjustments. The yoke is not lined and the neckline is finished with a bias tape necktie. As far as woven tops go, this one is one of the quicker ones to sew up. From cutting to hemming, it was done in an afternoon. My kind of project!
The chest ruffle detail and those big statement sleeves are what set this pattern apart from your basic top. They are extra full in this sturdy cotton but I bet they’d be drapey and gorgeous in a voile or rayon.
I had the cutest little ten year old photographer who braved the cold with me for these pics. My kids always get the most glamorous pics of me, lol!
For more pics of this beautiful fabric line check out the Look Book. I’ll be back later this week to share our other makes that appear in it too!
Project Art Studio is the newest collection to release from Project Run and Play. It’s a compilation of some of the cutest children’s patterns ranging from a killer denim jacket to cozy hoodies and sweatpants. There are 13 patterns in the collection- holy cow, right?!!
I love a good theme and this one was super fun to roll with. My absolute favorite museum is the Musee D’Orsay. I love all of the impressionist exhibits and never thought I could feel so many emotions from just looking at a painting. I’ve talked about this magical place with my kids so much that I decided to take them on a virtual tour!
Charlie got a Sundowner Sweatshirt and 4 Seasons Joggers. These patterns check all of his boxes. The joggers have a comfy yoga waistband and cool big pockets. He’s obsessed with the pockets in the hoodie and loves the relaxed loose fit. He actually requested no bands or ties so it’s just about as cozy to wear as it can get! I love the colorblocking on the hoodie and the huge size range (newborn-12 years) that they both come in.
Payton is always looking for cute outfits to wear to dance and that double for other activities. She got a Blank Canvas Cardigan, Easel Tee, and Rocky Shore Tights. These three pieces just work right into her everyday wardrobe. The cardigan is the perfect fall layering piece and this pattern will become a go-to for us. It sews up quickly and the fabric options with it make it super versatile. The Easel Tee is a cute basic piece that is fun to show off a statement fabric or keep it simple with a good solid. The Rocky Shore Tights have lots of options. We knew she’d be wearing these to dance so we went with the short option with a little added length. I also cut at the highest waistband height and added the band to it so they’re an even higher rise (to work well with her cropped dance tees).
Make sure to follow along and soak up all of the other stops on this tour. The artistic creativity is breathtaking! So many fun looks coming your way!
It’s been a month or so since I’ve joined team Projector. In that time my kiddos have gone back to school and I’ve been able to sew a few things again. Can I get a hallelujah?! I’ve loved getting to play with my projector and to get my sewing setup updated. With my own laptop now, my sewing room is now up to date and I want to spend every spare minute in it!
The generous team at Vankyo sent me another projector to try out and compare. You can read my review of the Leisure 470 here. I got to try out the Leisure 470 Pro (you can check out their other sewing projectors here).
The Leisure 470 Pro is even smaller in size (7.8x5.7x3 inches) than the Leisure 470. The resolution is higher at 1920×1080. It’s brighter and clearer than the 470 and has 2 HDMI ports, a USB port, a memory card slot and AV input. The sound is even better too! They both come with carrying cases, remotes, and HD cables. The Leisure 470 Pro is even easier to transport and it’s so nice to be able to take it anywhere.
So that should make it better for sewing right? More bells and whistles doesn’t necessarily make it ideal for the sewing room though. For projecting patterns you need a few things. A bright light, clear focus, correct and easy calibration, and the right throw height (the distance from the projector to the surface it’s projected to). My sewing space is in our basement with 8 foot ceilings and the short throw height (50″ from ceiling mount to table top) just was not ideal for the 470 Pro. I could get it to work by projecting from the ceiling to the floor (I know many sewists prefer to cut on the floor so this projector could be for you!). It really just needed about 6 more inches to get a crisp clear focus so even a slightly taller ceiling or shorter table would be perfect!
Before I set the new projector up in my sewing space we tried it out for movie night. We set it up outside and it was fantastic. The picture was amazing and the sound was great. There’s just something about cuddling up under the stars with popcorn and a good flick!
I used a thick rib knit that I picked up from Knitpop last year. It’s a mid weight and will be perfect as the weather cools off. I sewed up a size 2 Monroe Turtleneck with size 3 sleeves. I really wanted an oversized look that was super comfy and I could wear with leggings or jeans too. For the skirt I added a few inches to the midi length and left one side open at the knee. I also added a 3″ elastic waistband.
The Monroe Turtleneck did not have a projector file but it did have a copyshop version that worked just as well. Love Notions patterns come with so many options and the projector file is so easy to use.
If you’re looking to join the projector sewing party, check out the options from Vankyo.
The newest Art Gallery Fabrics collection by Bari J., Garden of Opulence, is here and full of gorgeous prints.
I got to play with this fun rayon, Fawn Day Two. I can’t get enough of AGF rayon. It’s one of my favorite fabrics to work with and wear. That drape- c’mon!!! I love the flow and weight. It’s lightweight but not too slinky and fidgety when sewing.
I sewed up Burda Cotton Blouse 113. It was my first Burda pattern and I learned a lot. Sometimes I get a little cocky but this pattern brought me back to reality! This pattern assumes you are an experienced sewist and the instructions are minimal. I’m to the point that I read a patterns instructions through before diving in then refer back to them as needed so I thought I’d be good with this pattern. Let’s just say, my seam ripper and I spent a lot of time together while sewing this top.
I think the final shirt is so pretty and I’d love to give the pattern another go. It’s such a great pattern/fabric combination!
This is a sponsored post. Products have been given to me in exchange for a review.
If you’ve been around the sewing world for very long you know that projector sewing is here to stay. I’m always on the cautious side of ‘trends’ and usually wait way too long before I pick up anything new technology-wise. I’m a creature of habit and comfort and it’s got to be GOOD for me to change my ways. It seems to take me far too long to pick up on things and man, do I need things dumbed WAY down for me to understand them. So of course I’ve been dragging my feet forever when it comes to switching to using a projector for sewing pdf patterns. When Vankyo reached out to me to see if I would be interested in trying one of their projectors in exchange for a post about my experience, well, let’s just say it was the push this stubborn lady needed!
Vankyo has multiple projectors they promote for sewing (you can see them here) and I got the Leisure 470. It checks all of the necessary boxes for ideal use with patterns- 720p, remote, screen mirroring, WiFi connection. They sent along a ceiling mount as well so I was set to get started.
My ceiling had a spot where a chandelier used to be that was just waiting for a projector to be mounted there. It also means that I will be able to easily wire my projector to the ceiling and ditch the power cord soon! We had this up and mounted in no time.
My sewing space is in our basement right at the bottom of our stairs. It’s not big and glamorous but it works really well for me (and now my girls too!). I was a little concerned that my throw height would be too short since it’s a lower basement ceiling but with 5 feet from the projector to the tabletop, it works great! I loved that this projector was sooooo user friendly- like plug it in and follow a couple of easy steps and my pattern was screen mirrored in seconds! Now actually getting to where I felt good about cutting a pattern took me a bit. There are so many helpful resources out there that really walk you through every aspect of setting up your projector, from calibrating to pattern adjustments. I’ve been in the Projectors for Sewing Facebook group for ages and it was the first place I turned when researching. I highly suggest starting with the files in this group to get you started. Many pattern designers have blogs that offer useful information, especially if you are using one of their projector files. I turned to Love Notions since I was sewing up the Allegro pattern and Katie Kimmell has an excellent post that takes you through the basics of using a projector file.
While the projector itself was a breeze to setup, I thought I’d share a couple of my stumbling blocks as I started this new way of life (there’s no turning back now right?!). With my sewing space in the basement, I typically use my phone for reading pattern instructions so I was hopeful I could use my phone to project from as well. It opened up and mirrored easily but I couldn’t get my pattern zoomed large enough to be calibrated correctly but small enough to fit a pattern piece on my tiny phone screen (that then projects onto your surface). It was also suggested to use Adobe Acrobat to project files (it’s what you typically use to print files as well). One snag is that the mobile app doesn’t support the layers function making it difficult to calibrate a file if you can’t turn on the grid and also difficult to cut the correct size if you can’t turn off the size layers. Now, these are all newbie issues and I’m sure there’s a work around that I’ll need to look more into.
Once I snagged my husband’s laptop we were in business! I was able to easily project my first pattern, the Ellie and Mac Oversized Tee. I went with a loose, knit pattern to keep it simple but I didn’t need to worry. It was super easy to check the 1″ square on the pattern page to ensure my pattern was the correct size. One reason many people are hesitant with projectors is that it makes pattern adjustments a little more difficult. For me, my most common adjustment is adding length and it was so easy! No extra paper to tape on, just my trusty quilting ruler.
Since I sew for my kids so much a projector just makes so much sense! This is my pile of printed patterns from the last year or so that I hadn’t filed away. Going through them about 75% were for my kids which means you guessed it, they had already outgrown them! I can’t wait to not have to print and cut out multiple sizes as my kids grow and grow or when I’m sewing up the same pattern for multiple kids. I’ve cut way down on pattern testing but in future tests a projector file would save a ton of time and paper. Paper- that’s a whole other issue. For patterns that I use again and again, I never felt bad about printing a pattern. But for those patterns that you might only use once or twice the waste is a little disheartening. Not anymore!
This is my first official ‘projector’ outfit: an Ellie and Mac Oversized Tee paired with a Love Notions Allegro skirt. I used a super soft jersey knit I got in LA for a comfy on the go summer look. I’m really wishing I’d sewn this earlier in the summer because it’s so breezy and cute!
It might not have been the simplest choice to use stripes for my first project but it wasn’t too bad. I was easily able to make the adjustments I wanted to these patterns. For the top, I added an inch to the sleeve length and two inches to the hemmed crop top length. For the skirt, I did a yoga waistband to keep it extra comfortable.
I kind of feel like the last person to jump on the projector band wagon but let me tell you, I am so excited! Vankyo has such affordable options and amazing reviews. If you’re anything like me you like to scout out as many reviews as you can and guess what? They all said the same thing- great, easy to use projectors at incredible prices! Thank you Vankyo for bringing this sewing chic into 2022!
As my girls are getting older, their love of clothes is getting RIDICULOUS! They love fashion and work hard and save their money to spend on the latest ready-to-wear trends. I love being able to sew things for them still and it is an even bigger thrill when they reach for their handmade wardrobes over their RTW goods!
This little miss is spending her summer dancing and it was so fun to sew up a new mini capsule for those long dance days.
I used the Made for Mermaids Nicky Top and Bonny Leggings for the rib knit set. The Nicky top is our go-to boxy crop tee. We both love the fit so much. The Bonny Leggings is a free pattern and sooo easy to sew up that she sewed them up herself! It was a fun sewing day with my girly sewing up these pieces.
For the french terry pieces I used the Ellie and Mac Oversized Tee and Shwin Designs Starr Joggers. For the crop sweatshirt I used scraps of ribbing I had in my stash (from RCF as well). The Starr Joggers are modified slightly by cutting them into shorts. She loves this jogger pattern because it is a little roomier and relaxed than most.
There’s just something magical about a floaty, floral maxi dress!The Cora Top, Dress and Maxi from Simple Life Pattern Co. is simple summer perfection. Sewn up in a gorgeous Art Gallery Fabrics rayon challis, I don’t think it gets any better.
The Cottage Favorite print from Sharon Holland’s Willow line immediately jumped out at us. We both love that deep emerald/teal color and the floral print is simple and sweet. Art Gallery rayon challis is so soft and dreamy to wear and sews up easily too!
The strappy back of the Cora is definitely a show stopper! The elastic back casings create a perfect fit too!
I sewed up a size 12 with a little bit of added length to the skirt (using every inch of my three yards of fabric for this!). I’m in denial that my girls are growing out of SLPCo patterns. Hopefully, we can get one more year with this girl!
I really love that it’s both grown-up but not too ‘adult’. She wore this the next day with a little white tee underneath and it was the cutest! I love when she takes my makes and really makes them her own.
We met up with cute little Inara for some pics and these girls couldn’t be more adorable! Aren’t the backs of these dresses to die for?!
These patterns are on sale for the month of June as part of the SLPCo monthly challenge. Don’t you just love any excuse to sew up an adorable new look?!
If you’ve been a follower for very long you know just how much we love to travel. When Project Run and Play announced the theme for the latest collection I was over the moon! It’s been so fun to travel along with the other designers and to see all the incredible and creative destinations. My husband and I have been fortunate to travel to Europe a few times but I’ve yet to go to my ultimate dream destination of Santorini Greece. I knew that’d be the perfect place to let our imaginations explore and I had so much fun creating looks that embodied that beautiful setting.
Between Mamma Mia!, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and my favorite hidden gem tv show, The Durrells, Greece and particularly the Greek Isles and coast have charmed me!
We used fabrics from Raspberry Creek Fabrics for our looks. We stuck with vibrant blues, teals and white to recreate the incredible colors of Santorini.
Charlie went for comfortable travel clothes that can take him wherever he wanders. We used the new Singapore Shorts and Pants and paired it with the Chromium Hoodie.
I used this fun wave print available in the Design Library at RCF. Printed on french terry, it is ideal for throwing on after swimming or on cool summer nights. For the hoodie, I made a couple of alterations. I sewed on the kangaroo pocket from the Story Dress (he can’t live without a front pocket on his hoodies!). I also used the long sleeve pattern piece and hacked it to be elbow length.
The shorts pattern is actually made for wovens making it so versatile. It looks great in linen or even for swimming sewn in boardshort fabric. You know this kid and his sensory issues so I opted to use a soft knit for these. I used a faux denim ponte and love the look! These shorts have a nice wider elastic waistband, front pockets and back patch pockets, faux fly detailing, and short and pants length. They are a little relaxed fit and a great basic pattern to have in your collection.
The first piece for this cute girl is the Cancun Coverup. Again, if you know us, it was obvious I had to sew up a pattern with that name! Bonus that it is the cutest swim coverup EVER!
I used a beautiful woven swiss dot in off white and a cute dot trim I had in my stash. I sewed up the knee length version with a regular hood. The only changes I made were to sew my placket to the outside so I could add a little trim there and I skipped the pocket trim piece and used the embellished trim instead.
I think this piece will get the most wear all summer long. It’s a classic style and so easy to throw on. It sews up quickly and the fabric possibilities are infinite! How cozy would this be in a plush terry? Or sophisticated in a mesh or chiffon?
She’s been adding bucket hats to her accessories collection and I knew the Camper Hat would be the perfect addition. In a classic striped seersucker, this hat can coordinate with so much!
This pattern comes in a huge range of sizes from preemie to large adult. It’s easy to get the perfect fitting hat! I sewed up a teen size according to her head measurement and it fits so well.
It’s fully reversible so you can make it super versatile too. I did the same fabric for the main and lining, interfacing one side per the instructions. This gives it just the right amount of body without being too stiff. It’s also slimmer and the brim is shorter than a lot of her other hats, giving it a different look that I think is too cute on her!
The final pattern in this collection that I sewed up was the Saltillo Swimsuit. I can’t seem to pass up a good swimwear pattern!
This is another pattern that is full of bells and whistles. And in true teen fashion, we skipped almost all of them. I sewed up a solid royal suit with cross-back straps and optional big bow. There are leg and strap ruffles and a neckline flounce that can be added too.
The construction of the straps was my favorite part! I tend to shy away from straps because my topstitching is usually less than desirable. For these you create a casing around the elastic- no topstitching required!
A note on sizing, I talked about negative ease in my last swimwear post and how important it is to note. Her measurements are almost spot on for a size 10 but she is a 12 girth. I sewed up a straight size 10 and had to cut the back straps off about 2 inches each. The pattern tells you to try the suit on to get correct strap length so I just wanted to let you know not to skip that step! Every body is different and it’s great to get a more custom fit. You can also see the suit is a little bunchy and loose. Not terrible but just note that this suit doesn’t have the negative ease I’m used too. This is a bonus though for anyone with sensory issues as they won’t feel as tight or confined as other suits. AND there are no exposed seams on the inside so they’ll be extra, extra happy! The crotch area is wider which provides extra coverage in the front and back but I think I’ll need to slim hers down a bit in the front for her next one.
As you can tell, we had a little too much fun at our photo shoot. It was 8 pm (yassss to late sunsets!), Charlie had just been swimming all night and Payton was at dance all afternoon. It could’ve been a recipe for disaster but these kiddos were amazing! I think it’s the taste of summer in the air. We can’t wait for long days together, sunshine, and fun!
Have you been following along with the Suit Up for Summer tour this week? It’s been so incredible! So many new techniques to try, genius tips, and can we talk about all of the gorgeous swimsuits?! Hello! This year’s bloggers really blew me away. What a privilege it’s been to get to know them a little bit and to witness their amazing talent.
In years past, this week has been a bit crazy for me. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to sew swimwear and usually have about a dozen to share with you (you can find all of our past swimsuits here.) This year I scaled back for multiple reasons but I still couldn’t wait to sew a few new suits. The new Raspberry Creek Fabrics swim collection is just way too hard to resist!
I always love RCF florals and this swim collection is just full of so many good ones. My girls and I don’t tend to gravitate to red but this print jumped out to all of us. My younger daughter requested it, I stole it and sewed it for myself, then my older daughter modeled it and has now claimed the suit for herself!
For this suit I used the Petite Stitchery Colby Bralette and Patterns for Pirates Busy Bee Bottoms. The top is not intended for use as a swimsuit but it worked out great. I did add cups between the lining and main fabrics for a little more coverage. I think next time I use this pattern for swim I will add elastic to the neckline and armscye as well. It’s extra comfortable without it and has plenty of negative ease to stay in place but I think it would lie better. Remember, I made this top for me, using my measurements but it fits my teen surprisingly well. I’m in love with this bottom pattern. My all-time favorite bottom pattern is the P4P Hello Sailors but this one just might be the new go-to. It’s very similar to the Hello Sailors (high-waist, great coverage) but has so many other options as well. The leg line is a little higher and feels more flattering but still is comfortable and modest. I sewed up a size small graded to a medium in the waist. My daughter measures into an XS but these fit great as well.
This is the Petite Stitchery Brooklyn– SO CUTE, right?!! This is another pattern so full of options. I sewed up this swimsuit in a small (again according to MY measurements). When I tried it on though the fabric design was very stretched and distorted so this little miss got another swimsuit! I think in a solid fabric, I’d stick with a small but I hated losing the details of these amazing prints. For the top I did the optional shelf bra and added cups. I also cut it at the longer cut line and added the band for a little more length. The bottoms have real pockets! While I loved this detail, they kept poking out so I sewed them down after these pics were taken. I love the idea of them but they just weren’t practical. I do keep seeing bottoms with pockets and might need to hack another pattern to have them (just big enough for a hotel key while on vacation!).
The colors in these prints are what sold me. The peachy foliage and teal geometric just remind me of our favorite vacation spot in Cancun. I paired these prints with solid peacock teal and tangerine for a little pop!
This girl had a very specific request for me. A ditsy floral swimsuit with flutter sleeves. Done and done!
The Little Lizard King Maui swimsuit seems to be a favorite of the RCF team this year and it’s no wonder! It’s really so, so cute! There are one piece and two piece options and the bow back is to die for. She picked the two piece and I slightly altered the flutter sleeve piece to give her the look she wanted. I extended the curved side of the pattern piece about an inch and then didn’t gather it as much as the pattern intended, starting and stopping the sleeve just under the arm. It gives it a little more of a grown up look than the typical flutter sleeve.
This Sage and White Ditsy Floral print was just what she dreamed. She really wanted a white floral and I love that Diana was able to make that happen! It’s so classic and sweet without being babyish. Just perfect for this almost teenager.
My swim wardrobe is pretty chock full but I really wanted another one-piece. I tend to shy away from them. Store bought suits rarely fit because of my long torso and I’ve yet to get a great fit when I’ve sewed one. I mentioned negative ease a bit before but let’s talk a little more about it. I think it plays such a huge part in how your finished garment looks and feels. Some patterns will have a lot of negative ease, meaning your fabric will be stretched to fit your body. This can be great to hold you in and keep things snug BUT it can also make your prints stretch out and make it uncomfortable to wear. I sewed a fantastic one-piece a couple of years ago but the negative ease really flattened me out (another con if you’re not working with a lot in the bust area like me!) and kept riding up in the length. You can solve this problem by sewing a bigger size (but I’d keep the elastic the same as your true measurements) or adding length.
So it was with a little trepidation that I sewed up this suit but boy am I thrilled! I sewed up the Clara from Swim Style Patterns. Swim Style is a new to me company based out of Australia. I stumbled upon them last year and immediately feel in love with all of their suits. They are so on trend and I initially thought of my girls with all of the adorable two piece options. But when searching for a one-piece with great coverage but a little extra ooomph, the Clara jumped out to me.
I love the leg line and the deep v-neckline really helps add to my (lack-of) curves. I sewed up a size small graded to a medium in the waist. I’m a rectangle with my current measurements being 34-30-38.
This pattern came together sooo easily! I loved the tutorial- not too lengthy but also had all of the information needed. The finish is nice and clean on the inside too making it sooo comfortable to wear. There are pockets to add cups and the option to add elastic to the under bust seam which really gives it that extra support. I chose to do a little gathering instead of the bust pleat since my bust is smaller. I was worried a pleat would be too big and the gathering turned out to be a great call. For my next version (which I seriously can’t wait to make), I’ll shorten the shoulder straps a bit to give even more lift and add power mesh to the stomach area between the lining and main fabric. Remember my rant about negative ease, the Clara seems to have the perfect amount for me! It’s not so tight that the print is distorted and doesn’t feel restrictive at all.
To say I have a thing for black and white prints is an understatement. I love me a good black and white stripe and gingham is right up there with that. This little bench is in our entry way and I was cracking up that I matched it!
I think the RCF CLUB basics don’t get enough love. They work great as coordinates but also stand on their own. This black and white gingham is so classy and timeless. Gingham is still everywhere in stores and will be around forever, just like this swimsuit! I can’t wait to wear it all summer long.
Thank you to all of our amazing sewists who joined in the tour this week! It’s been such a pleasure to sew along side them.
The Love Notions Terra Tunic is re released and better than ever! It’s been fully redrafted using Love Notions current block and went through a thorough retest. It features a separate full bust bodice piece and all of the things you’ve come to love about LN patterns!
I sewed up a Terra for every season and can’t believe how versatile this pattern is! There are six different necklines: scoop, v-neck, v-neck hood, funnel, boat, and asymetrical collar. There are also four different sleeve lengths: long, 3/4, elbow, and short. With all those options, it was hard to pick which version to sew. So I did what any good sewist would do- I sewed up 4! One for each season!
I’m dreaming of spring right now and with warmer weather, I really start to get active again. For this top, I used an athletic brushed poly I picked up on a recent trip to LA. Yes, I dragged my husband to the fabric district on our quick overnight trip to see Smartless live! Anyone else a huge fan of that podcast and particularly Jason Bateman (he’s definitely at the top of my celebrity crush list!). Ok, back to the sewing! This fabric had amazing drape and feels heavenly. I knew it’d be perfect for a fun workout top that inevitably will be worn long after my workout. Only downside of this fabric is that because it’s brushed on both sides it sticks to my sports bra so that accounts for the wrinkles in these pics.
For this version, I did the v-neck hood and added thumbhole cuffs to the long sleeves (I used this tutorial found on the Love Notions blog). All of my versions are a size small.
Don’t you just love that bum coverage with leggings?!
For summer, I love a yummy rib knit! This is an old print from Raspberry Creek Fabrics and I totally need another one out of their new spring prints. I love rib knits for lightweight tops and it worked great for the Terra.
The Terra is a straight fitting top which makes it right up my alley. I love the loose fit! I honestly never would have thought of using it for a basic tee but I’m so glad I gave it a try. To get this length, I cut my bodice pieces at the spot in the pattern where the vent starts. Not too short, not too long! For this top, I did a scoop neck and short sleeves.
Of course, I had to pair it with my summer staple bottoms, the Allegros.
Fall to me is all about french terry! I love that french terry is not too thick and warm making it a great fabric for transitional weather. This is a lightweight terry picked up in LA but RCF has one similar.
For this version, I used the asymetrical collar and elbow sleeves. I love how versatile elbow sleeves are and how easy they are to layer over.
I paired this top with my knit denim Sabrina Slims for an outfit that’s perfect for mom life. Pulled together but oh so comfy!
My winter version just might be my favorite! In fact, I wore it to church the day after these photos and got tons of compliments. I’m really loving the 60’s vibe this combination of options and fabrics gives this piece.
For this one, I used the 3/4 sleeves and funnel neck. I added 9 inches to the lenghten/shorten line to get this knee length.
I picked up this sweater knit from Knitpop a few months ago and sadly it is no longer available. I’m always drawn to plaids in winter and the colors in this are just too good!
You can grab the Terra Tunic today only as part of the $5 Feature Friday sale! You can use my exclusive ambassador code TAMIP10 to save an extra 10% off. It will be on sale for $9 Saturday and Sunday as well.
It’s time to PAR-TAY!!! No one throws a party like Project Run and Play and of course I had to join in the celebration. The Pantone Party 2022 is highlighting Pantone’s color of the year Very Peri.
Very Peri is a vibrant hue full of joy and fun. It’s a pretty combination of blue and purple and was so fun to work with.
I was lucky to be sponsored by Art Gallery Fabrics and we had a blast picking out our fabrics for our looks. Payton and I both were crushing hard on this floral (Asphodel District) and used it as the base for our designs. Sophie wanted something simple and casual so we picked a cute geometric plaid in Blueberry and paired it with solid white linen knit and grey stripes with a pop of daffodil yellow.
Payton has worn her Noel Dress, from our Project Happy Holidays tour, so much that I knew another one would be perfect for her. She loves that tiered skirt and the looser fit of the bodice.
The Noel is so full of choices that I really should have branched out from the last one we made but why mess with a good thing? We did short sleeves and three tiers for the skirt.
This color was just made for her! The modern floral print and the boho style of this pattern are such a great match.
The boxy fit of this tee is just like all of her favorite ready-to-wear tops. It’s super cute with these shorts and also pairs well with jeans. She picked out the graphic from Cricut Design Space and cut and ironed it on herself. I sure love when we work together to get just what she wants!
Such a Sophie look! Easy to wear and the mix-and-match possibilities with her wardrobe are endless.
Thanks for joining in the fun and stay tuned to Project Run and Play for all of the posts from the best group of designers out there!
The newest Project Run and Play collection, Project Happy Holidays, is so much fun! With 12 patterns that work for the holidays and beyond, it’s a great collection to add to your pattern lineup.
We got together with our sew-friends, Sew Whit Designs, for a fun holiday photo shoot! You know how much I love our PRP shoots and they’re even better with friends. My kids always marvel at how good sewists kids are in front of the camera and Whitney’s were absolute pros!
Our looks were all made with Raspberry Creek fabrics and I love that they work for well after Christmas too.
For Sophie’s outfit, I sewed up the Evergreen Skirt and Blip Turtleneck. I tell you each time I sew a PRP collection that it will probably be the last time this cutie gets in on the action but here we are again. I sewed up a 14 in both of these patterns and added length. She’s officially as tall as me at 5’6″ which puts her off the size charts height wise. She really does fit well into adult extra-small patterns but I just can’t seem to give up the cute kids patterns for her.
The Blip Turtleneck in this adorable rib knit is one of my favorite pieces! You’ve got to check out August Sewing’s versions and you’ll suddenly need one for yourself. It’s a simple pattern that is so incredibly cute!
The Evergreen Skirt is so full of options. For this version I used stretch mesh and lined it with double brushed polyester making it so comfy! The Evergreen Skirt has so many options. I do find with patterns with lots of options that it can be confusing picking which version to do. I spent more time deciding on which version to do than I did actually sewing!
The Noel Dress and Top pattern is so full of options! I love the loose fit and it has quickly become her favorite dress. She adores RCF stretch crepe and this print is way too cute!
The Noel has a button back and multiple sleeve options as well as 4 length choices.
Those tiers are everything!
If you have a 9-year-old, you know that comfort is key and this collection is full of comfy options! I sewed up the Cinnamon Cardigan, Lemon Tee (from Project Watercolor Beach), and Jingle Joggers for a cozy outfit that he loves.
I used simple black french terry for his cardigan and did the banded version. It works great for layering for school or church.
The Jingle Joggers are so awesome! We love joggers in this house and this pattern is really incredible. That side stripe option is so good.
Our favorite part- these hidden inseam pockets! This pattern includes sooooo many options and I can’t wait to make some more for him and for Payton too.
The jewelry Payton wore in this shoot was from Cloudy Jewelry Studio, Sophie’s Etsy shop. Those Merry and Bright bracelets have been my favorite to wear all month long.
For some major inspiration, settle in with your favorite cup of hot cocoa and flip through the Project Happy Holidays lookbook. The designers and other team members really hit it out of the park! Stay tuned tomorrow for details on all of Whitney’s looks too. Hope your holidays are happy and full of the best things in life!
Mulberry Lane from Riley Blake Fabrics is such a sweet collection. The bright cheery colors and prints made me long for spring!
Doesn’t this picture just make you so happy! All of those darling prints lined up. They’re just so cheerful and fun! The color palette couldn’t be cuter!
I used a new pattern that will hit the Project Run and Play shop on Monday, December 6th as part of the incredible Project Happy Holidays collection. I’ve got some adorable holiday looks using patterns from the collection but I was anxious to use the patterns for everyday wear too!
This is the Noel Pattern from the team at PRP. It has a top, peplum and multiple dress length options. I sewed up a dress version for our holiday looks and loved how quick and cute it was! I love the multiple tiers and the just right not too loose not too tight fit.
For this version we did the simple peplum top. When using quilting cotton, I like to do simple skirts as the weight of the cotton can add unwanted bulk with ruffles or gathered tiers. I think this peplum skirt had just the right amount of flare in this fabric.
The back feature a button placket and these snaps are my favorite part! They just added to the fun of this print.
Make sure to check out the other fun prints in this collection and head over to Project Run and Play for the latest on the new pattern collection!
What will the holidays look like for your this year? We’re hosting a small family gathering for Thanksgiving and I think I’ve found the ultimate Thanksgiving outfit!
I’m joining in the Raspberry Creek Fabrics Holiday Blog Tour again and this time I’m sharing two fun holiday looks for ME! This amazingly comfy rib knit look is just too perfect for a day full of food, football, and family.
I used this super soft Burgundy Rib Knit for an outfit that is the ultimate in comfort! I sewed yet another Love Notion Arlington (pretty sure I have one for everyday of the week now!). For this version I sewed a size small, bishop sleeve, mock neck, banded top. For the bottoms, I dug deep into my pattern stash. These are the Jocole Wide Legs. This was one of the first PDF patterns I ever sewed and it was fun to pull it out again. I knew I wanted a wide leg bottom with pockets and this pattern fit the bill. I sewed up a medium with an xxxl rise. It’s made to be more low rise and I wanted a nice rise that hit around my natural waist. The waist is finished with a yoga waistband for the perfect pant to wear when you’re filling your belly with delicious holiday goodies!
I sewed one more Arlington to have handy for all of those holiday parties (and beyond!). This one is a CLUB holiday print in double brushed poly that will work so well all year long. I love finding cute coordinates in the holiday collections that can work well past the holiday.
For this version, I sewed a size small with bishop sleeves and a full turtleneck. Those bishop sleeves are just my absolute favorite!
Make sure you head over to the RCF blog for the final day of the blog tour and exciting sale news and a HUGE giveaway!
I love matching Christmas pj’s and they’re even better if they’re handmade! I’m joining in the fun of the Raspberry Creek Fabrics Holiday Blog Tour and sharing this trio’s coordinating Christmas jammies.
I fell head over heels for this mint Santa print and knew that I needed to use it as a base for this set. It was so fun to mix and match it with other CLUB prints and solids. We used all rib knit fabrics and my kids say these are the softest jammies they’ve ever worn!
I love to use patterns in my stash and for this set I used the Safari Raglan from Titchy Threads and the Northern Lights Pajama bottoms from Little Lizard King.
Sophie got a new pair of Nini Noni bottoms (with added cuffs because she is way too tall and one of these days I will learn to add the right amount of length!) and a Pixie Tee from Chalk and Notch.
I love that they can wear these pj’s all through the holidays. Growing up we always got our pajamas on Christmas Eve and while I loved that tradition, it just seems more practical to let them wear them all season long!
You can join in the blog tour fun by sewing up your own holiday looks with Raspberry Creek Fabrics and sharing them with #rcfholiday2021. Make sure you head over to the RCF Instagram each day to enter to win a $100 fabric gift certificate and to follow along with each days sewists!
As the seasons change, one of my favorite things to sew up is fresh new pajamas for my kids. As we roll into the holiday season, my kids will be getting a few new pajamas and I can’t wait! For their newest sets, we used Riley Blake Designs newest Designer Flannel.
There are so many new prints to choose from and it was fun for my kids to pick their favorites. I was seriously tempted to sew some up for myself because their were so many prints I loved too!
This little guy is in that perfect in between stage. He loves to be big and wants to do everything his teenage brother does. But get him in pj’s and he’s my little snuggle buddy! He still loves to sleep with his favorite stuffed animals and would wear pj’s 24/7 if he could so this new set will get lived in for sure. This simple navy star print is classic and ageless. I used the Northern Lights pattern from Little Lizard King for his bottoms. This pattern is so full of both boy, girl, and unisex options making it a great pattern to have in your collection. It’s designed for knit fabrics but the pants can be made in woven. I love the slightly slimmer cut of this pattern compared to other pajama pant patterns that I have. His tee is from Wal-Mart with a cute iron-on design found in Cricut Design Space.
Big sis got a pair of Limone Loungers from Jennuine Designs in mint stars. The Limone Lounge set is another workhorse of a pattern. It comes in sizes newborn-14 and has pant, crop, and shorts options as well as multiple skirt choices too. It’s great for year-round wear and the elastic waist means that it’s so comfy too! I sewed up a size 14 for this girly and added 3 inches to the length but sadly it wasn’t quite enough so these are already a tad too short. Good thing they’re just pj’s but I think it’s finally time for me to move on to sewing her only women’s patterns. I’m trying desperately to hold on to my little girl but boy is it fun watching her grow up!
“Rise and Shine” is what I say to my kids every morning when I wake them up and it’s one of those phrases that means so much to me. I want my kiddos to greet everyday with potential and shine like the amazing little humans that they are! This graphic is from Cricut Design Space as well.
This little rainbow print was my personal favorite and I’m thrilled this girl loved it too! I used the Gracie Tween Pajamas from Violette Fields Threads for this set. It was a simple set to sew up and I love the option to add piping too. Just a note that I did have a hard time easing in the sleeve cap and have found that on a few VFT patterns that I’ve sewn up. Not sure if it’s just me but I will try to reduce the sleeve head a bit in the future.
I purchased buttons to go with this fabric but pulled out my KAM snaps at the last minute. We couldn’t decide what color to use so we went with all four and she said the snaps are her very favorite part!
I love sewing with flannel! You almost don’t need to use pins or clips because your pieces stick together (anyone else remember using flannel story boards? same concept!) and make sewing a breeze. This fabric isn’t too thick and was easy to iron. The best part? It’s soft and mid-weight making these pj’s a dream to sleep in! Make sure to check your local fabric shop for these cute prints and more.
*The fabric in this post was provided to me by Riley Blake Designs in exchange for this post. All opinions are our own!
The Love Notions Huge 40% off sale is going on through Friday! With so many patterns to choose from I thought I’d do a little fall inspiration post. I rounded up my favorite Love Notions patterns that will keep you cozy and get you through those last warm days before winter sets in. Read on to the end for a chance to enter to win a Babylock sewing machine!
*This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links I receive a small commission that helps keep this little hobby of mine going. Thanks for your support!
In the last couple of weeks I’ve added a few new Love Notions pieces to my wardrobe. This cute plaid Cadence top is one of them. Raspberry Creek Fabrics recently got in a ton of cozy Robert Kaufman flannels and I seriously want all of them! I loved the idea of a simple woven tee that would be perfect for layering and the Cadence top is one of my go-tos (you can see my other versions here and here). I cropped this version so it’s a little more boxy.
I’ve paired it with my all-time favorite Love Notions pattern- the Allegro Bottoms. It’s the all-star pattern in my collection and it always comes in clutch. You’ll see a few different pairs in this post and I love how versatile it is. This pair in lightweight Tencel denim has been a staple for me. I can wear them year round and dress them up or down.
Another must have pattern for fall and winter is the Boyfriend Cardigan. The pattern is full of options and is a fairly quick sew. It looks great in plush sweater knits, soft french terry, or rib knits. I love to throw mine on any chance I get. You can see my versions here and here.
As much as I love to stay in once the weather gets chilly, we still have a few special occasions to dress up for. The Sybil Skirt and Serenity Sweater is the perfect combination for those fancier events. When it comes to options, the Sybil Skirt has you covered. I love how quick and easy the pencil skirt is to sew up but my favorite to wear is the fun pleated version (here). The Serenity Sweater is one of those patterns that looks amazing on everyone I see it on. It’s feminine and pretty and so fun to wear.
When it comes to options, the Terra Tunic and Glissando Bottoms have got you covered! The Terra Tunic is full of neckline choices and sleeve lengths making it a versatile year-round pattern. You can see my other versions here. The Glissando Bottoms have crop pants, shorts, and skirt to choose from. That classic button-fly is the perfect detail and really makes this pattern stand out.
Another easy to wear combo is the Rockford Raglan and Allegro Bottoms. The Rockford is the only raglan pattern you’ll need. There are multiple views but I gravitate to the easy to wear (and sew!) straight banded shirt length. In french terry, cotton lycra, or soft sweater knit, the Rockford is a pattern I use over and over again. These Allegros in a comfy chambray are fantastic for cooler weather. I simply lengthened them a bit and they’re perfect for looking a little dressier but still feeling as comfy as can be!
Another pattern that offers a ton of versatility is the Forte. With tons of top and dress choices to choose from, you could totally sew up a closet full and no one would know you used the same pattern for all of them! I love this dress for throwing on during those warmer fall days.
The Oakley Vest is the perfect layering piece because you can still see those fun ruffle sleeves! This fur version has been so fantastic to have. It dresses up a simple tee and jeans and also looks great over dresses and skirts for those fancier days.
The newely released Arlington Sweater is excluded from the sale but I just had to include it in my must haves! I currently have an Arlington for every day of the week and I don’t see myself stopping sewing them up any time soon. Every fabric I see just needs to become an Arlington!
I love the Arlington paired with practically all of my bottoms but it’s especially cute with Sabrina Slims. The Sabrina Slims pattern is great for so many different fabrics. I love my ponte versions and these stretch denim ones are the best!
For an easy every day look, you can’t beat this combination. Allegro joggers and an Arlington tee are just made for each other! These Allegros are made is super soft hacci sweater knit and they’re the first things I grabbed to wear the second the weather was cool enough. And this simple black rib knit Arlington is working overtime right now. I love it paired with absolutely everything and it looks great layered too.
I couldn’t leave out these three patterns. The Sloane Sweater is much loved in this house (also here). The Classic Tee is my go-to tee pattern. And the Constellation Pattern is the pattern that I’m dying to sew up again!
I had so much fun going through my closet and picking out my essential Love Notions pieces. It was fun to see how they paired together and to try new combinations. I generally wear a mix of ready-to-wear and handmades and I love that my Love Notion pieces incorporate so easily into my wardrobe. If you’d like to see all of my past Love Notions makes head here.
Don’t forget to shop the sale through Friday and head to Love Notions blog for more inspiration. Ready for the good stuff?! Love Notions is giving away a Babylock Brilliant Sewing Machine or a Babylock Victory Serger! This post on the LN blog is full of all the great sale info and giveaway details.
Here are the official rules:
Entrants can learn how to enter to win this prize by following the Love Notions Ambassador team. Each Love Notions team member will be submitting a nomination and will make their own post with directions to enter with them. You can find links to follow the Ambassador team on their social media outlets here (listing of the 2021 Love Notions ambassador team).
Anyone is eligible to enter! Shipping within the continental U.S. will be paid for by Love Notions. Winner outside of the continental U.S. can choose to pay the shipping/receiving/customs difference or select our alternate prize. Please note that this machine uses U.S. voltage.
Alternately, a winner can choose the $1,000 Love Notions store credit to be used on Love Notions digital patterns, workshops, or future retreats.
All nominated entrants will receive the free pattern of their choice.
Nominations will selected by 10/22/21. The final winner will be selected randomly on Tuesday, October 26th, 2021.
You can enter on this post by simply leaving a comment and you can head to my Instagram for an additional chance to enter!
The newest Hey June Handmade pattern is one you’ve been waiting for. If you’ve hit the malls or browsed online at all, you know that shackets are EVERYWHERE! The Fairmount Shacket from Hey June is the perfect pattern to recreate all of those ready-to-wear tops we can’t get enough of.
The Fairmount comes in two size ranges 0-20 with a b-cup or 14-30 with a d-cup. It’s an oversized button down that is designed for layering. It’s perfect to throw on with a tee and jeans or a cozy hoodie and sweats.
For my version I headed to Raspberry Creek Fabrics and picked up some of their new in stock Robert Kaufman flannel. I went with this gorgeous cream and rust speckle shetland flannel. (Just FYI- I caught the last bit of light on a dreary rainy day so my color in these pics is less than stellar. The color on the listing is much more true to life.) It’s nice and thick and was so easy to work with. I love that this color with work over so many of my tees and tops. I can’t wait to sew one up in any one of these cute plaids!
I love the details of this top! The flap pockets, back yoke and pleat, and convertible collar really elevate this pattern.
With my sewing time being less and less these days, I’ve been picky with my projects. I love quick and easy sews for that instant gratification and to relax. But every now and then I love to really escape and concentrate on something a little more challenging. The Fairmount was the perfect middle ground. It was more involved than a simple tee but each step is easy to follow and it was an ideal quiet afternoon project. Using a solid color was a genius move for my first one since I didn’t have to pattern match a plaid or stripe. It made cutting much quicker but I tried to pay special attention to my top stitching since it’s so much more visible on this fabric. Using metal snaps instead of buttons made it feel more like a jacket and also meant I got to skip buttonholes! Follow me for more lazy sewing tips, lol!
My daughter has requested her own and I’m really hoping to squeeze one in for her this winter. It’s such a fantastic pattern and like always, I count on Adrianna to keep me looking on trend and not to embarrass my kids too much!
The newest Love Notions pattern arrived this week and I can’t help but want to live in it! The Arlington Sweater is so full of options that I can wear it happily all year long.
*This post contains Love Notions affiliate links. Purchasing through them gives me a small commission. I’m thrilled to be a part of the LN Ambassador team.
I sewed up four versions because I couldn’t pick just one option! The pattern is available in sizes XS-5X and includes a separate full bust pattern piece. There are three different lengths to choose from- banded, hip, or dress length. You can do a mock neck, full turtleneck or cowl neckline. AND there are five different sleeve choices- elbow, short or long puff sleeves, bishop, or simple long sleeves. I love that you can use so many different fabrics for this pattern and how each one changes up the look so much! All of my versions are a size small.
This simple elbow sleeve, mock neck top was my very first version. I sewed it up in pretesting and made the subtle changes to make it fit like the final pattern. I used a thick poly/cotton/lycra knit I picked up from Design Co. fabrics at the beginning of the pandemic. The weight makes it nice and sturdy and will be great as a transitional weather piece.
I think the mock neck/elbow sleeve combo is the perfect everyday look! I want a few more to get me through fall. I think it’ll be great in a triblend or modal too for spring.
This puff sleeve version was my next make and has already been worn so much! You know it’s good when you wear it somewhere and everyone wants you to make them one. I did the turtleneck on this version and I love it! It’s a super soft rib knit from Raspberry Creek Fabrics so the neck is nice and comfy. I kinda want an Arlington out of ALL of the colors and with so many pattern options I think no one will notice that I’m wearing the same pattern every day of the week.
I love this one paired with my latest Sybil Skirt. The top can so easily be dressed up or down!
I had to sew up a dress too, right?! While I can’t wait to make a cozy sweater knit version, this fun scuba knit was just meant to be this dress. I picked up this pretty scuba at the first Love Notions retreat. I love that every time I’ll wear it that I’ll be reminded of that amazing week!
For the dress, I did the mock neck and bishop sleeves. I added two inches to the length of the dress as well.
Tights, boots, and a jean jacket make this my ideal fall church outfit.
My last version (for now!) came to me in the middle of the night. Does that ever happen to you? I was sleepless and was going through all of the fabric possibilities with this pattern and I just couldn’t shake the idea of a beautiful velvet version. I’ve had this velvet for years but only had a single yard which limited what I could make with it. I’m so happy that it’s grown up to be an Arlington!
I sewed up another mock neck elbow sleeve version and I absolutely LOVE it! It’s casual enough for everyday but also will look great for date nights or the upcoming holidays.
You can grab the Arlington on sale through Monday October 4th.
As sad as I am to watch my Sophie grow out of kids pattern sizing, it’s also so exciting to know that she is starting to fit into women’s patterns! I’ve had the Cielo Top and Dress pattern from Closet Core Patterns in my stash for far too long and these cute fabrics were the perfect chance to finally sew it up.
The Community fabric line from Citrus and Mint for Riley Blake fabrics is so darn cute! The little houses are adorable and the florals are so fun! The coordinates with this line are just as fantastic as the main prints.
For Sophie’s top, I sewed up view A in the smallest size, 0. I left off the bust darts and used the facing pieces to finish the neckline.
We both love the boxy shape and cropped length of this top.
I sewed up version B in a size 6. I left off the sleeve cuff and simply turned the sleeve hem under and inserted elastic to bring in the puff sleeve. Those full sleeves are everything! There is a darling shoulder yoke (that of course I didn’t get any photos of!) that adds just the perfect little detail.
The colors in this print are all some of my favorites! I was planning on sewing a dress for one of my girls with it but the colors just hooked me and I had to have it for myself. I think it really needs to be a sweet little toddler dress though (paired with knee highs and Mary Janes and I’d die!).
This pattern has so much potential! I love discovering new patterns that we love. There are dress options and a quick IG search pulled up so many incredible hacks. I love that it works with so many different fabric types too. It’s hard to find patterns that work well with quilting cotton and I love how these turned how! It’s very similar to our beloved Inari Dress but includes even more options.
Oh how I love this little mini me of mine! She celebrated her 14th birthday last week and I feel so incredibly lucky to be her mom.
There’s just something about tie dye! It’s having a major moment right now but for us, it’ll always be a staple. My kids LOVE to tie dye every summer (we’ve been doing cousin tie dye days for-ever!) and a good portion of their wardrobe consists of past tie dye projects. When I saw these new Tie Dye quilting cotton prints from Riley Blake I knew we had to give them a try! All the fun without the mess!
There are eight tonal colors to choose from and two fun multi color prints. The quilting cotton base makes them great for clothing, blankets, and decor. My girls had very different ideas on how to use these prints so we went two totally different directions with our projects.
My oldest daughter is my future interior designer. She recently got her own room and has changed up the decor as often as she can. Her newest aesthetic is a playful pastel palette and this tie dye print was just perfect for it.
We debated between so many projects from throw pillows to framed art but finally settled on a fabric covered cork board to display all of her favorite pictures and mementos. I added a LOVE graphic (found in Cricut Design Space) with iron-on vinyl for a little pop and reminder of what’s really important in life.
Little sis is ALL about the clothes. In fact her bedroom is currently decorated with them, lol! She’s our messy one and usually goes through multiple outfits a day and her room is littered with the evidence. It works out great for me though because she is always the happy recipient of mama made clothes!
For this skirt I used the tonal purple tie dye (her current favorite color). She’s been asking for her own version of this skirt and this fabric was too perfect for it! The easy breezy feel of this print just begged to be a tiered skirt.
I used the Made for Mermaids Siena Skirt pattern. It’s such a fun and cute pattern. I love the different options and the results are always so darn cute!
This girl is definitely my free spirit and she channeled those vibes for this quick shoot. Pretty sure she needs to wear this to a summer picnic or concert in the park.
What do you need to make out of these great prints? Are they screaming home decor to you too? Or are you dying to add a little fun to your wardrobe? Whatever you pick, you can’t go wrong!
I’ll leave you with a little glimpse into some of our past tie dye makes! It’s not summer without them!
Can you believe it’s almost time for our kids to head back to school?! We head back mid-August and I can’t get over how fast this summer flew by. The good thing about heading back to class is that it gives me the perfect excuse to sew up cute new school clothes! I joined in the Project Run and Play Back to School Tour sponsored by our favorite shop Raspberry Creek Fabrics.
If you’ve been around these parts very long you know my kids are all about comfy (what kid isn’t?). These knits from RCF were just perfect for them! Paired with simple knit patterns, these makes were so much fun to sew up. These patterns fit my kids fantastic and sew up in no time.
My little guy got a classic jogger and tee outfit. I used the Lemon Tee paired with the Joseph Joggers, two patterns that we absolutely love and use over and over again!
For his tee, I used the diagonal body colorblock front piece and the solid back piece in a size 9. It was fun to play with prints and solids and this pattern is just perfect for it. I started with the Puzzle Cube print on jersey then used Deep Rust and Charcoal jerseys to coordinate. The neckband is bamboo cotton ribbing that matches the sweatshirting of his joggers perfectly.
He recently found a scrap of this incredible bamboo cotton sweatshirt fleece in my stash and carried it around as a blanket for his newest stuffed animal. He declared it the softest fabric ever so you can imagine how delighted he was to get pants made out of this magical stuff! This jogger pattern is a favorite because of it’s classic fit- not too slim but not too baggy either. This is a size 9 with added length.
When looking through the new back to school prints this girl fell hard for this paint splatter print. Just look at those colors!!
She’s still been loving casual dresses so the Story Dress was a great choice for her. Those sleeves are too cute and sewn up in cozy french terry, this dress is beyond cozy! We sewed up a size 10 with added length.
Payton asked to head back to this cool bridge for this shoot and it was so much fun! Charlie really hates the thought of photo shoots but gets into them once we get his music going. These two continue to get closer and closer and summer has been the best for them. They just have too much fun together (with plenty of arguing thrown in too!).
Make sure you follow along all week for some incredible inspiration from past PRP participants. Art Bella Creates nailed her makes yesterday and got me even more excited to see what’s to come the rest of this week.
I love working with Riley Blake fabrics and the opportunity that I have to pick fabric from their upcoming collections. Sometimes there’s prints that I let my daughters pick out and sometimes there’s some that I just fall in love with myself. The Carnaby Collection from Liberty Fabrics is FULL of prints that I just adore!
The retro style of this collection is just dreamy! Look at all of those florals! This collection reminded me so much of my first childhood home. The colorful wallpaper that matched the bedspreads, the bright shag carpet, and the fun vibrant kitchen. Born in the late 70’s, these prints take me back to being young and carefree!
I used Daydream Sunny Afternoon-B because I just loved the colors. I tend to gravitate to blues and I love the pop of yellow in this print. It is just such a whimsical fabric.
I couldn’t help but feel like my own mom when I was thinking about what to sew up with this fabric. The trends of the 90’s are so hot right now (thanks to my teens for keeping me up on things) and it’s fun to see my own kids wearing similar things to what I wore in high school. Just how my own mom would laugh about how those 90’s trends were just like the clothes she wore when she was a teen too! I knew this print needed to be a killer sundress and had planned on making it for Sophie. But, I really wanted this fun print for ME- it’s just so happy!
The Tempo Dress just released from Love Notions and as I watched testers sew up their versions, I just knew it was perfect for this fabric. It’s a classic style that works easily with a tee underneath for that cute 90’s throwback.
I sewed up a size small with the elasticated back. I took in the bust area from the underarm to the waist but otherwise got a great fit from the start (my full bust measures into the XS).
My bottom tier is slightly shorter and more full than the pattern calls for to accommodate the yardage I had (I used three shorter pieces instead of the two pieces per the pattern). I love the midi length!
The pattern sews up quickly and works for so many different fabrics. As always, Love Notions patterns offer a wide range of sizes, XS-5X, and a full bust option too!
As the hot summer days continue, I’m excited to have a cute sundress added to my wardrobe!
As part of my job at Raspberry Creek Fabrics, I get to work with the incredible promo teams. As we end our promo year we’re celebrating with a Favorite Things Blog Tour- our chance to thank our awesome team and your chance to be totally inspired. You’ve got to head over to the RCF blog for some exciting news too!
For my look, I chose a few of my favorite things. I used a couple of my favorite pattern designers, Hey June Handmade and Love Notion Patterns as well as some of my favorite fabric bases, linen and triblend jersey.
Since this is a fabric tour, let’s talk fabric first. This black medium weight rayon linen is the perfect drapey but stable fabric. I love the feel that the rayon gives it and you can never go wrong with linen in summer. I’ve been so anxious to try the new tri-blend jerseys in the shop and just had to get a print from designed by the great Emily Ferguson. This Peace and Love print is just the cutest and I just adore the art on this print.
When it comes to favorite patterns, the Love Notions Classic Tee is WAY up there for me. This fabric was meant for a cool summer tee so it really was a no-brainer! I love the relaxed fit of this pattern and I can never have enough of them.
I think I’ve gotten fabric for the Hey June Greer Jumpsuit at least three times and ended up using it to test other patterns (because deadlines always win!). This tour was just what I needed to finally sew them up and I’m sooooo thrilled to have my own pair at last!
I made a simple alteration and doubled the width of the straps and just cut two of them. I added buttons and buttonholes to the bib front and that’s it. Welcome to another easy hack courtesy of yours truly!
As part of the tour, Raspberry Creek is giving away our favorite notions in their Facebook Group each day. I know I’ve shared about this amazing thread before but I still use it ALL THE TIME. Eloflex Thread by Coats and Clark is now widely available (I pick mine up at Hobby Lobby but Amazon also carries it). I use it primarily in my bobbin when I’m sewing with my double needle on my sewing machine. It gives hems that extra bit of stretch to make them hold up and give just a little more. I also use it with a single stitch in the bobbin of my machine when I top stitch my knit neckbands. And let’s not forget sewing swimsuits. This stuff is perfect for that too! I use it in my bobbin then as well to top stitch elastic down or for binding too.
Not part of the giveaway but I have to share my new favorite tags from Intensely Distracted. Simone was a member of the RCF promo team and I love, love this new adventure of hers.
Make sure you’re following along this week and check out the rest of the team. It has been such a privilege to work with this incredible group of sewists:
When Liz of Thread Faction reached out to see if I wanted to be part of the release of her newest Zero Waste collection, I was intrigued. The concept behind her Zero Waste patterns is genius and so cool! I don’t know about you but I’ve got so many odd size scraps and these patterns are made to eliminate those.
Liz takes an approach to pattern making to eliminate those odd scraps that inevitably end up in our garbage. By creating garments out of rectangles and patterns that don’t use excess fabric to create similar looks of a traditional pattern, she’s come up with a unique collection that is just as adorable as it is functional.
When I showed Miss Payton the patterns in the newest collection, she immediately wanted the jumpsuit. She loves the hip, cool vibe!
I headed into Raspberry Creek Fabrics to pick fabric and have to admit I was a little stumped. In the wrong fabric, she could end up looking more industrial and way less modern and trendy. I settled on this dreamy milk chocolate brown double gauze that is both soft and easy to work with. This fabric is a new favorite of mine and I’m trying my best to fill all of our closets with it! It’s so squishy and cozy and I can imagine wearing it head to toe in a jumpsuit would be the best thing EVER.
I sewed up a size 10 with a 14 length according to her measurements. I sewed it up per the pattern instructions but when she tried it on she wanted a little definition in the waist. The pattern features elastic in the back waistband and I chose to add it throughout the whole waistband to cinch in the waist. I also added a tiny faux button tab to the front chest pocket for a little added detail. I left off the back pockets but only because she didn’t want them (gotta keep them happy!).
I can’t get over this pattern! The construction really is genius and the finished garment is so cool! According to my darling model, it’s super comfy and super cute too. She’s got a list of places she can’t wait to wear it to: as a pool coverup, to dance competitions as a coverup, and any time we travel, not to mention just every.single.day!
We tried out a new location for this shoot and it was absolutely perfect! The evening light was magical and brought out my little supermodel. I love that these pics show ALL her personalities from sweet big kid to sassy almost teenager. We had so much fun and had to follow it up with milkshakes just to cement it as the best night out!
Make sure you check out all of the other stops on the tour and take advantage of the sitewide 30% off sale during the tour too! Head over to my IG for a giveaway for all of the patterns in this newest Zero Waste collection too!
With temps soaring in my neck of the woods, I’m all about summer comfort! I’ve been itching to sew a True Bias Rio Ringer dress and I’m thrilled to finally have one of my own.
I was gifted this amazing Art Gallery Fabrics knit to sew up for their Lookbook. It is part of the Boscage fabric line from Katarina Roccella. The line is full of vibrant colors, bold prints, and gorgeous florals that will have you dreaming of a tropical vacation.
I picked Wandering Leopards Sea in knit for so many reasons. I love this gorgeous teal-emerald shade! I’m also a sucker for animal prints and the fact that this has actual leopards really sold me. Add in my love of AGF knits and this fabric just had to be mine. I paired it with solid knit in Caviar for the bands.
Let’s talk about this dress! I sewed up a size 8 graded to a 10 from the waist down with 2 inches added to the length. I also had to adjust the length of my bands since I used cotton lycra instead of ribbing (I added 2 inches to the sleeve band).
This dress is the perfect throw on and go look. I love it with sneakers but it will also be awesome with flip flops for the pool. I’ve decided I need to embrace dresses this summer. They’re just so easy!
Make sure to check out the whole Lookbook for more inspiration and lots of cute looks from my amazing sewing friends!
Our newest makes for Riley Blake Designs might have you a little confused. Christmas prints in June? If you’re a planner, that’s perfect! Time to get your handmade holidays started. If you are anything like me though, you sew for the here and now. If only I was able to think that far ahead…
All About Christmas by J. Wecker Frisch is such a fun collection. I love the color scheme and think these prints would make adorable stockings. The snowflakes would have been top of my list for matching dresses for my girls when they were just a bit younger too!
When picking prints with apparel in mind, I tend to go subtle and was immediately drawn to the Stars in all of the multiple colorways. In thinking summer holidays, I went with Charcoal and Red. I think these prints will be festive throughout July but will work year round too!
I originally planned dresses with these prints but really wanted them to get more wear through the summer so I did top versions instead. As my teen quickly outgrows most kids patterns, I’m finding more and more women’s patterns that she now fits into. This is the Inari Top and Dress from Named Patterns (one of my go-to patterns for myself!) I sewed up a size 0 crop top version with no alterations.
I love the almost boat neckline and cuffed short sleeves. This pattern works well with a variety of fabrics. There is an option for a neckband when using knit fabrics but the woven version is finished with a neck facing. The crop length works so well on her!
Payton got a Vintage Little Lady Chloe Dress hacked into a peplum length top. This is a free pattern and such a great one to try if you’ve been eyeing Vintage Little Lady patterns but are hesitant. I love the simple dolman sleeve and baby doll waist. It’s a quick sew and has a handful of cute little details you can add.
Isn’t that back just too cute?!
So tell me, do you have Christmas sewing on the brain already? What’s your favorite handmade item to gift? I love this collection and think it’d be perfect for gifting this holiday season. And if you’re like me, don’t brush those Christmas prints off as just for December!
I sewed up 5 of the patterns from this collection and they’re perfect for summer!
As with all of the Project Run and Play collections, our photoshoots are always a hoot and I end with some treasured pictures of my kids on top of great new clothes too! All of our fabrics were sponsored by Raspberry Creek Fabrics and my kids are huge fans of all things RCF.
I was a little nervous to sew him a polo shirt because he is so picky! He loves CLUB fabrics though and the softness of this top won him right over. The Parfait pattern is a unisex pattern with tons of options. It comes in sizes 1-16.
The Limone shorts have an elastic waist that makes it easy to get dressed and perfect for those kiddos that detest anything with zippers (please tell me I’m not alone!). They’re nice and relaxed fitting and the big pockets are a little guys must have.
I’m afraid this might be Sophie’s last Project Run and Play shoot as she’s barely fitting in the size charts. You know I’m going to push it as long as I can!
She got a Fragola Dress in pretty rayon linen. The Fragola comes in sizes 12 month to 14 and has top and dress options.
The Fragola is absolutely adorable! I love the wide, sleeveless style. I added length to the top version and then added a ruffle with all of the fabric I had left! It was a game of fabric tetris to play with the stripes but being flexible on the length made it fun.
Payton loves bright and fun clothes so I knew this theme was meant for her. She got a pair of Limone capris and a Bacio Tee.
The Limone pattern is another super versatile addition to your collection. There are multiple short lengths, capris and pants as well as two skirt options. It comes in sizes newborn-14 making it a pattern you can use for years! And you know how much I love a good unisex pattern- anything I can use for all three of my younger kids. Sewn up in a comfy chambray, these are the perfect hanging out pants!
The Bacio Tee is a unisex relaxed fit tee. It’s a great basic to have! It comes in sizes nb-14 as well. I love the raw edge neckline option!
This double brushed poly fabric has a special place in our heart! This print was designed by Diana’s daughter Grace, one of Payton’s oldest friends. Seeing her wear one of her friends prints was so sweet, especially since I’ve been wearing fabrics designed by Diana forever!
The last pattern I sewed up was the Sorbetto Swimsuit. The Sorbetto is another pattern full of options!
I sewed up the two piece color blocked pieces with the optional sleeve. I love that fun detail!
Raspberry Creek swim solids are so good and it was hard to pick which color combo to use. I ended up with Lipstick Pink, Bright Yellow and Solid Orange for a fun color scheme reminiscent of a summer sunset or a delicious Popsicle!
For loads and loads of inspiration, head over to Project Run and Play and flip through the Project Smooth Sorbet Lookbook. It’s the perfect way to spend a hot afternoon. Grab your favorite frozen treat, kick your feet up, and prepare to be blown away by all of the amazing sewists and their adorable children!
The much anticipated Love Notions Ballad Blouse released this week! I fall more and more in love with this pattern with each new version I see!
This pattern is made for drapey wovens and is so perfect for spring! It comes in LN standard sizing XS-5X and also features a separate full bust front too. Just scroll through the listing for a TON of inspiration! You’ll see it looks beautiful on all body types and there’s such a variety of styles that you’ll surely find a few that speak to your taste.
I sewed up a size small with short cuffed sleeves and gathered shoulders. There is a shirred shoulder option as well as multiple sleeve styles.
I used a stretch crepe from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. I love sewing with this fabric. It’s got amazing flow but not as slippery as some fabrics. The stretch also makes it so comfortable to wear! If you’re new to sewing wovens, I highly recommend this fabric.
I paired mine with some Sabrina Slims for a comfy but pulled together outfit.
Looking to sew your first button up? Are you an adventurous beginner? This pattern is made for you! There are videos to walk you through the tricky parts and it’s a surprisingly fast sew. Grab this pattern on sale through May 16th!
I’m sharing another great fabric collection today from Riley Blake Fabrics. Beautiful Day Fabrics from Echo Park Paper Co. are so pretty and totally on trend. My girls were in love with these prints!
The pretty boho florals won them over but look how darling those ginghams and bees are too! I keep imagining the CUTEST summer picnic quilt in this collection. Isn’t the color pallet so fresh and fun?!
My girls have requested more skirts and when I saw the new Siena Skirt from Made for Mermaids I knew it would be a great addition to their wardrobes. The Siena is a woven, elastic waist skirt with multiple length options. Tiered skirts are so in style this spring and those Made for Mermaids girls do a fantastic job keeping up with RTW trends. They keep these picky girls happy with all of their patterns!
Cute Payton got a mini skirt version. I had one of those amazing mom moments when she slipped this outfit on and it was just so HER! A little sweet but fun and trendy too.
Sophie wanted a midi version. Hers is slightly modified to work with the amount of fabric I had so the last tier is shorter than the pattern calls for. It’s still a great length and nice and comfortable on her. She wore hers to church this week which I always count as a huge win when they can’t wait to wear their new handmades.
Sophie is my crafty queen and is always trying something new. She started embroidering a little and I thought these skirts were perfect for a little embellished tee to match. We grabbed tees from Target and spent an evening working on these tops. She did hers and I did the simple lazy daisies on Payton’s (yes she is WAY better at it than me!). I love catching any moment I can to spend quiet time with my kids and this was such a fun night. Don’t be surprised if we start adding a little embroidering to all the things!
I love discovering new patterns that will get added to our go-to collection. The Siena skirt was just meant for these cute prints!
May seems to be the craziest month in our house but I love it! It’s a month of recitals, big games, so many end of school activities, and the hope of lazy summer days ahead. It’s the perfect time for new summer clothes and the big Love Notions Mother’s Day sale as we look forward to warm, fun days coming our way. Today I’m sharing our latest Love Notions and Raspberry Creek makes in honor of the 40% off LN sale and RCF’s newest summer line release.
This post contains Love Notions affiliate links. If you purchase patterns through my links I receive a small commission in return. I am a Love Notions Ambassador and love the patterns and LN community and want to share my enthusiasm and get y’all as hooked as I am!
Let’s talk fabric for a minute. Raspberry Creek Fabrics typically does two big CLUB fabric releases each year for Spring and Fall with Summer being a smaller release. This year, the summer release is just as big and there are soooo many amazing prints to choose from. I sat down with my kids and let them pick their favorites and let me tell you, their list was LONG! I usually let my kids have all of the CLUB goodies but I had to get my hands on some this round too. The new line is on sale through Monday, May 10th at $1 off per yard (which really adds up if your cart grows as much as mine!).
I sewed up this first batch in some of our favorite Love Notions patterns but will be bringing you a few more makes later this week too. These CLUB prints are available on their 95/5 cotton spandex jersey and french terry bases. These are all on jersey and are a great weight for so many things. We love tees, dresses, and pj’s in CLUB jersey. CLUB french terry makes cozy hoodies, dresses, shorts, and joggers.
Love Notions has some of my go-to boys patterns- the Moto Maxx being right at the top.
The Moto Maxx pattern has so many fun details! It features both a top and jogger pattern (you know how we feel about joggers in this house!). The top can be made with short, long, or layered sleeves making it a great year round pattern. I love the shoulder detail and the opportunity to do a little color blocking. It was perfect for this fun National Park print that had so many colors in it to pick from!
My teen has been growing like crazy and it always becomes obvious when she pulls out clothes from last season! She loves to throw on a t-shirt dress on Saturdays so I know that I need to sew up a few for summer. It was a great excuse to sew up a Prisma Dress! The Prisma Dress has multiple options and I always forget about the simple a-line (hello, that pleated drop waist skirt is too cute!). The simple shaping of the a-line was just right for this girly.
I love that so many of Love Notions kids patterns go up to a size 16 (this is one of them!). I sewed up a size 14 with a 14 length because she wanted it above the knee. It’s such a great throw on and be done dress. Paired with some sneaks and she’s good to go. She has come around to florals lately, especially if they have a little retro feel like this print.
We debated what this print wanted to be and really leaned towards a ringer tee. She has a darling muscle tank that she wears often and when I showed her the Sprint Muscle Tee she quickly made up her mind that was what she wanted. I love the color block and hood options but for this we went simple. We cropped it a few inches to wear with her high waisted shorts and jeans.
This cute stripe can read really sweet and girly but we wanted something a little more grown up. We had about 10 fabrics that we considered for the bands. RCF has solids that match almost all those stripes but we went for a little more contrast. Grey is always a good choice, right?
I couldn’t let my kids have all the fun! I fell head over heals for this print from Brittney Laidlaw and knew I needed something just for me. I wanted a tshirt dress and hacked my all time favorite LN pattern to get this look. The Classic Tee makes up a good percentage of my summer wardrobe so I knew it’d be perfect for this.
I measured from my shoulder to just above my knee and lengthened the side seams accordingly extending the curve out as well. I love the fit through the shoulders and then that it gets looser through the waist and hips. This makes for such a comfy and flattering dress too!
It is beyond comfy and I can’t wait to wear it all summer long!
Are you stumped which patterns to pick up during the sale? You can check out my past Love Notions makes here and hopefully I can help you narrow it down. I have so many Love Notions patterns that I reach for again and again. I love how easy they are to print at home, the clear concise tutorials, the great fit, and the wide variety of patterns for the whole family!
This girl has too many dresses as you all can probably guess but I can’t help but keep sewing them for her! These gorgeous prints from the Tea with Bea line from Riley Blake Designs were just meant for this dress.
This whole line is the best of all spring has to offer. The pretty soft hues, florals, and fun geometric prints are just so lovely!
I used the Sprigs Lake for the main and the Honeycomb Coral for the bodice. I love this combo! The colors in these prints are some of my favorites on her and are just so springy.
I sewed up the Tween Ashton Dress and Top from Violette Fields Threads. I usually show my girls all of the new releases from our favorite pattern companies and she immediately fell in love with one of the modeled versions of this dress. I’ve been patiently waiting for the right fabric to sew it up!
Now if you’re thinking, “WAIT! Those sleeves go against all of my rules for sewing for my tween/teen”, I was right there with you. They are so dramatic and usually not my girls style but I was excited to give it a try. Sometimes it’s good to push her style a bit and since she liked the examples she’d seen I felt good giving it a go.
She loved it during the shoot and I love that it’s different from her other dresses.
I sewed up a size 10 with a 14 skirt length. This girl keeps stretching right out and is trying to catch up to big sis!
You can grab Tea with Bea from your local quilt shop or online shop!
The Newport Dress pattern is part of the April Simple Life Pattern Co. Monthly Challenge. Each month a new collection of patterns is highlighted at SLPCo and you can enter to win store credit when you sew them up and share! Bonus, all of the patterns are on sale for the month of April!
As part of the SLPCo Promo team, I got to sew up this pattern in pretty Art Gallery Fabrics. I had made this pattern once before in a pretty floral that unfortunately didn’t get worn a ton. She loved the style but it was a little too young feeling for her so I knew fabric would make all the difference.
We went with a bright fun pink solid, Dragon Fruit, with a simple graphic print for the pockets, Seedmap from the Pollinate collection from Jessica Swift.
The bold bright color is so happy and I love it on her. It matches her sunny personality!
I sewed up a size 10 with added length. I love the simple design but those big fun pockets are the highlight of this pattern.
She said she was feeling very Audrey Hepburn in this (she’s forever our ideal of classic style!).
Make sure you head over to the SLPCo Fan FB group for details on the Monthly Challenge and for all the girly inspiration!
I’m thrilled to be here sharing the newest knit solids from Art Gallery Fabrics. This was one of my kids favorite shoots of the year- good friends and comfy clothes, yes please!
It was fun to work with Karly of Paisley Roots again and I’m always happy to be part of an Art Gallery project! You HAVE to head over to her blog to check out her incredible makes!
For this shoot we met up with Anna and her kids of Kainara Stitches and my kids really did have a blast! All of the group shots are courtesy of Anna (she’s an amazing seamstress AND an awe-inspiring photographer too!).
The newest colors added to the knit collection are soooo good! From dusty blue Spruce to the peachy blush Cinnamon, these colors are so on trend and beautiful! Art Gallery knits are the perfect weight for everything from tees to dresses and leggings. I’m always so sad when I don’t use them all for myself! They are incredibly soft and so easy to sew with.
I’ll start with Sophie’s simple tee. I used Cinnamon knit and the Made for Mermaids Pepper tee. This pattern is so full of options! I sewed up the scoop neckline, short puff sleeve with banded bottom. She is a jeans and tee kinda gal and this fits right into her wardrobe.
The cute little puff sleeve is the sweetest touch without being too much.
Charlie got really spoiled with a whole comfy outfit. I had to pry this outfit off of him after a long lazy weekend! I judge how much my kids like their handmades by how much they choose to wear them and this outfit has definitely gotten the gold stamp of approval!
For his outfit, I used Spruce as the main for his pants with accents of Camouflage, Sienna Brick, and White Linen. I sewed up the Retro Joggers from Lowland Kids and the True Bias Rio Ringer. The whole retro feel of this outfit is everything!
This top was a last minute addition and it turned out to be my favorite piece! I just couldn’t let any scrap go to waste.
This is the Logan Colorblocked Crop and Hoodie from Made for Mermaids. We made the short sleeved, cropped hoodie options and it is beyond adorable!
I’d say these are some happy kiddos! Make sure to check out the other seamstresses who are joining us!
I’m sure we’re like so many in the western hemisphere, getting our first glimpses of spring. Utah spring means snow one day and 65 degrees the next. It means constantly checking the forecast but also knowing that if you don’t like the weather today, don’t worry! Chances are tomorrow will be completely different! The warm days have me so excited for spring!
The sunshine and warm weather was perfect to photograph the newest line from Riley Blake and Carina Gardner, Ava Kate. Ava Kate is full of beautiful florals, stunning damasks, and fun stripes. The black, seafoam, blush, and cayenne palette is one I can get behind.
I used three fabrics from this collection. My younger daughter is in Vines Seafoam and my older daughter picked Cayenne stripes. I lined them both with Flowers Cayenne and did a matching hair tie as well.
Payton has a thing for baby doll style dresses. Week after week she reaches for this style to wear to church. Something loose and easy to wear almost always wins with her. I sewed up the Chloe Dress from Vintage Little Lady. This is a free pattern and is available in Tween, girls, and baby sizing. Talk a bout a winner!
I sewed up a tween size 10 and forgot to add length to the skirt (she’s in a 14 height!). Yep, this little miss is shooting up just like her sister. For so long, she was my easy, one straight size girl. The last year she has really lengthened and is growing up way too fast! I tried to convince her it was ‘vintage length’ and she said “Vintage like what they wore on the Brady Bunch?” That was my cue to add a little more to the skirt, lol! Luckily I had just enough fabric left to do another quick tier and now we’re calling it a design feature.
This dress pattern is a dolman style bodice and is a super quick sew. I’m pretty sure both girls will be getting many more of these. It’s just such a classic style!
I had a sweet neighbor give me some of her old sewing notions and I was so happy to come across these buttons in her stash. They were just the perfect pop!
I just love this color on her and will keep filling her closet with it. She had to double check when I told her it matched her eyes perfectly!
This cute girl is definitely a teenager and it’s getting a little trickier to sew for her. Luckily she’s easy to please!
She’s still barely in the sizing at Little Lizard King and I am going to be so sad when the day comes that we can’t use their kids patterns for her anymore. I sewed up the Mavora in top length. The Mavora has so many options and darling ruffles (you might not even recognize it from my version!) but I fell in love with a simple tester version in stripes and knew I had to use it for this fabric. I was hopeful to fit a dress out of this fabric but sadly didn’t have quite enough. I think it was a happy accident though because this top couldn’t be more perfect for her!
I love the wide shoulders and fit. It feels sporty but still very feminine.
I sewed up a size 12 with added length to both the bodice (1.5″) and peplum (1.5″).
I used another vintage button for her keyhole closure and it was meant to be too! Her hair tie is created like you would do bias tape but I just sewed up the edges. Left untied felt very teenage-y!
Shooting these pics really had me excited for more outdoor shoots in the future. I have so many new favorite shots of my girls from this shoot!
Like these two! Pretty much sums up their relationship and personalities!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you’re enjoying that first taste of spring in your neck of the woods!
This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing through them costs you nothing extra but does provide me a small commission. Thank you!
The women’s Love Notions Boyfriend Cardigan is the newest pattern to get updated! It’s re-released today and on sale today only for just $5!!! You can get it for $9 through the remainder of the weekend. You can also grab the girls version for just $5 today!
The Boyfriend Cardigan was my first ever Love Notions test years ago. My little miss is still as sassy!
We’ve loved our past Boyfriend Cardigans and wear them all year round. The classic style makes them easy to throw on with just about anything.
The newly redone pattern is now full of even more options. It’s been redrafting using the current Love Notions block and is now available in XS-5X. In addition to the previous mid-thigh length there is now a duster option. AND there are now choices to do a hood, shawl collar, or plain front. It’s crazy that they can make an amazing pattern even better!
I wanted to sew a lightweight spring version and picked up this gorgeous mint rib knit from Raspberry Creek. I’ve used double knit, waffle, french terry, and now rib knit for this pattern and love it in all of them. It drapes beautifully in this soft rib knit. I sewed up a size small with the shawl collar.
I wanted this to be as versatile for warmer weather as possible so I made a simple waist tie to be able to wear it as a swim coverup as well. I love it with jeans and a tee but it’ll also be great to throw over a swimsuit (especially on those vacations when you want to get from your hotel room to the pool!).
Make sure to take advantage of the major discount today and pick up the women’s and girl’s cardigans!
This is it! The last of the the Suit Up for Summer tour. It’s always bittersweet. I love what we’ve seen all week and the other bloggers on this tour have just been incredible. With each new suit I saw, I had a new favorite. It feels like an honor to be surrounded by such talent!
Today’s post will be covering two things- coordinating swimwear for the whole family and using your favorite everyday patterns for swimsuits. I love that Raspberry Creek fabrics swim line is so full of options. You’re sure to find something to suit your own personality as well as everyone around you. If you’re looking to sew coordinating sets, RCF has you covered!
Each collection has little mini collections that perfectly coordinate making it so easy to pair prints. Throw in all of the swim basic dots, stripes, and ginghams and you can have dozens of cute combinations. This is so fun when you want to do family suits but don’t want to be too matchy.
I put together some more options featuring prints from different collections and throwing in swim solids and CLUB basics too! When shopping on the website, note the colors that are listed in the title of the print. If a color is listed, it will match other prints and solids with the same color.
This year we didn’t try to be too matchy and each kid picked out prints they loved. I was thrilled when went together so well.
Of course you can always just go big and pick one print and sew for the whole crew! I think the tie dyes, the paint splatter, the orange abstract, and the earthtone palms might be my top choices if I went crazy and sewed for all of my family.
One of the questions I hear so much in my sewing groups is what rashguard pattern people use? Or what is your favorite little boy boardshort pattern? And don’t forget, what’s your favorite swim bottom? I think we naturally think that if we’re sewing a swimsuit we need a swim pattern. Guess what? You don’t!
This is particularly true when looking for a rash guard pattern. Chances are you have a good slim fit tee pattern in your stash. I like the Rowan Tee from Titchy Threads for my boys, the Camden Raglan from Hey June or Xfactor Top from Patterns for Pirates for my girls.
The Layer Me Up from Patterns for Pirates is my go-to for myself and the Xfactor is my new favorite. I’m smitten with my new Love Notions Willow Wrap top too! I’m also tempted to try the Summer Basic tank from Love Notions (this one comes with a shelf bra option!), the Hepburn from Patterns for Pirates, and the Be Trendy top from Ellie and Mac. The tricky part for women is finding the support you need but once you figure out that alteration (or if you like to wear a supportive swim top underneath) the skies the limit!
For boys swim trunks, you can use your favorite shorts pattern! The Sew A Little Seam Linden is a swim short and everyday short in one and was the a-ha moment when I figured out that I had way more options than I thought. You can take the lining/underwear piece from a trunks pattern and add it to another pattern if your son prefers them.
For women’s and girls bottoms, look to your underwear patterns! I prefer those with a little more coverage and that makes it easier to fully line them as well. The Norah’s from Petite Stitchery have me so intrigued and I’d love to sew up a pair of swim bottoms with it for this summer.
As far as swim coverups go, this is where we can really think outside the box. Cardigans, robes, dresses, skirts, flowy pants, tunics… you name it will all work when you want to get from the car to the beach in style. I sewed up the Love Notions Boyfriend Cardigan in rib knit and added a removable tie to make this easy coverup that can also be worn over jeans and a tee! I’m all about versatile pieces! The Love Notions Allegros in a lightweight or sheer fabric would make gorgeous beach pants. One more Love Notions pattern I love to throw on over my suits is the easy breezy Laundry Day Tee. When we finally hit the beach earlier this year, I couldn’t wait to wear my Vero Beach Set from Hey June. I made this one during testing and it just was born to be worn at the beach. What are your favorite things to wear over your suits? Do you have a dedicated coverup or do you throw on anything that’s clean?
Can you believe this is it? The end of another great year of the tour. Make sure you head to the RCF Instagram for an extra special giveaway today.
We’re almost to the end of our week ‘o fun! I’m pretty sure I’ll go into swimsuit withdrawals when the tour ends. Good thing for you, you can still pick up Raspberry Creek Fabrics swim fabrics at 15% off with code SWIMTOUR.
Every year my girls and I go swimsuit shopping and every year we leave empty handed. We struggle so much trying to find suits that both fit their personalities and just plain FIT! My oldest daughter is now in junior sizing and somehow that means that their are even less options that work for her. It makes me so happy that I can sew both of my girls suits that really work for them.
This year I tried a few new to us patterns. The first is the Hibiscus pattern from Honeydew Kisses.
I think my girls have been a part of the design process for so long that when I asked for swimsuit ideas this year, I should not have been surprised to get this drawing from Payton. She really wanted the cutouts on the side and a fun strappy back. She was thrilled when I pulled up the Hibiscus pattern and it matched up with her vision!
I sewed up view B in a 9/10 with added length. We skipped all the ruffles to get as close to her inspiration as possible.
When I was her age, I had a very similar suit that I thought was THE COOLEST! My mom loved it because it was a one-piece and I loved it because the little cutouts seemed so grown up to me. This tie dye print just ups the rad factor!
For her second suit I used the Little Lizard King Sanibel. She loves all the little tie front tops in the shops and the Sanibel is absolutely adorable! I love all of the Little Lizard King swim line and plan to work our way through them all.
We used another fun tie dye and paired it with the light blue and yellow swim solids. The colors are just so cheerful and scream summer to me!
I sewed up a size 10 classic neck tankini length top with tie and the gathered side panel bottoms. This pattern had multiple options for the top and you can add lots of little extras like flutters and ruffles too. It’s no surprise that we skipped most of those. I love that this suit feels sporty but also a little feminine with the side gathers on the bottoms and tie on the top.
Big sis picked out fabrics and had ideas too but I steered her towards the Xfactor top after sewing my own. She was super easy to persuade and picked out the long sleeves for her version.
I added the same bra cups and shelf bra lining to hers that I did to mine and it gives just the right support for her.
She picked out this Dash Dot Abstract print and then we struggled with what to pair it with. It looked great with the black and white micro stripe as well as the bright yellow solid we had too. We settled on this vibrant lipstick pink and I love the pop of color it brings. We used the Calypso bottoms (they’re her most worn from previous years) and I did the same modification from the past, cutting them at the non-banded line but still adding the band. This gives them a little more height and she likes that her top and bottoms just meet.
Sophie has had this inspiration pic saved and wanted to recreate it. The Viridian from Jennuine Design was perfect with it’s separate panel pieces.
She loved this bold leopard print and then pairing it with black really made it suitable for her. She loves fashion but doesn’t like to draw too much attention to herself so this is the perfect way to wear a bold print like this.
For her top, I lined it in a lightweight techno scuba fabric instead of adding cups. This added a bit of smoothness and was a great solution. I sewed up a straight size 12 with the racer-back and she has a teeny bit of growing room so hopefully this will last all summer.
While getting ideas this year we came across this unique top from Albion Fit. She loved it and I immediately started looking for ways to recreate it. It’s a simple peasant style and searched my pattern stash to no luck. I asked in our swim tour group and they were so helpful and I landed on the Gypsy Top from Striped Swallow Designs.
I sewed up a size 12 crop length with short sleeves. We made it so she can wear her Viridian top underneath so this is just like a little coverup top. I made casings instead of following the pattern instructions since she wanted it to look more like the inspiration.
I like the higher neckline but could see her wanting a wider, lower neck in the future. This was a fun, creative make that isn’t your typical swim top and that’s what we love about sewing our own swimwear! It allows you to dream big and try new things.
My girls are loving their new suits and we’re dying for warm weather to break them in! Sewing for tweens and teens can be tricky but I love the collaborative process with my girls. It’s so fun to bring an idea to live and to create suits that fit them so perfectly!
Make sure to check out the other amazing blogger this week! Today’s sewists are bringing it big time!
A huge thank you to our sponsors and don’t forget to check out today’s giveaway!! Again, you can find the tour on Instagram with the hashtag: #suitupforsummer2021
In the middle of all of my swimsuit sewing, I took a break to sew up this sweet dress. I’m really in the mood for all of the warm weather sewing and this dress just hit the spot.
Working with Riley Blake is a treat and I love being able to sew up their new lines. Stardust by Beverly McCullough of Flamingo Toes is such a fun line and was a pleasure to sew up!
I picked Glam Glasses in mint as our main print and paired it with Scallops Peony. I love the retro beachy vibe of the whole collection.
To keep with that retro feel, I sewed up the Byron Bay dress by Little Lizard King. The simple silhouette screams 50’s housewife to me. I sewed up a size 10 according to her measurements and lengthened the skirt a bit for her height (she’s a 14 for height).
The elastic back means this dress will grow a little with her. I love the look of it too!
I kept things simple and used snaps instead of buttons. I can’t remember the last time I used snaps and I love how easy and quick they are!
To finish off the look I sewed up a Lilly Bow Scrunchie from Little Fish. Rachel shares a genius way to make a scrunchie using your favorite hair elastics and the end result is just too cute!
This dress makes me want to head to the boardwalk and eat ice cones as the sunsets. It just makes me think of all the simple pleasures of life!
We’re halfway through this year’s tour and I hope you’re learning lots! I’ve learned we need more swimsuits, lol! I’ve been so inspired by the other bloggers and my sewing list keeps growing with each new make I see. Luckily we can still get 15% off all swim at Raspberry Creek with code SWIMTOUR through Friday.
Every year I try to sew a couple of suits for me but then I get so wrapped up in sewing for all my kids that my own sewing often gets rushed or doesn’t happen at all. This year I was determined to change that! I sewed all of my suits first, even snagging some of the prints my daughter requested for myself, such a bad mom, lol! I know they have PLENTY of suits and she got over it real fast when she saw her own new suits. Plus, the swim season is young and I’m sure she’ll get even more suits by the time the summer is over.
Part of my struggle in sewing for myself is that I have a hard time settling on patterns for me. This year I tried a new to me swim pattern, used my tried and true bottoms pattern, and used a couple of regular top patterns for swim tops that I adore! After seeing what the other bloggers on the tour have sewn up, I think there are a few more adult swim patterns I’d like to try too.
This is the first suit I sewed up this season because I was dying to try this pattern and this print is my absolute favorite from the new RCF swim collection. The colors in this print are so gorgeous and muted and it comes in both swim knit and boardshort fabric. I think it’d make darling little boy swimmers too! This is one of the prints both of my girls were fighting over too but mama won for now.
I sewed up the Midline Swimsuit from Gingham Hive. Ashley is a local friend and has amazing style (check out her Instagram for the proof!). I knew anything coming from her would be well done and this suit pattern is no exception. She has a sewalong on her blog that really helps walk you through anything that might be tricky.
There are multiple support options and you can use this pattern to create a super supportive sports bra as well. I did the shelf bra option and added bra cups. I skipped the extra lining since RCF swim is pretty substantial and the part that really needs it (the bust) has the shelf bra. The bottoms have a genius construction method that leaves you with pretty insides and no exposed seams. I used swim fabric to line my bottoms. I usually use power mesh in the front of my bottoms and didn’t on these. They still feel pretty supportive but I may add it to the front middle piece in the future (I just really love that extra bit of structure it gives). The multiple pattern pieces on the bottom make them fun for color blocking or playing with pattern too.
I am super happy with the coverage of this suit and love that I can mix and match it with the other pieces I sewed up. I’m pretty positive that there will be more Midline Suits in my wardrobe.
Can we talk about this top?!!! This is my absolute favorite piece I made for myself. I love the sportiness of it and the coverage is awesome. I used the Xfactor Top and Dress from Patterns for Pirates. It’s technically not a swim pattern but with a couple of simple alterations it works so well. The pattern has multiple sleeve options and a dress version too. I’m sure I’ll eventually get to all of the options but for now I just want to sew up a million JUST LIKE THIS! I want a couple in my workout wardrobe for summer too.
To make this more practical for swimming, I added a front lining and shelf bra. I cut the lining on the fold (I folded over the front pattern piece on the notch marking) and cut it just under the bust. I added cups to the lining and a taught 1 inch elastic strip near the hem of the lining. The elastic adds support and also keeps the lining in place next to my skin. The rest of the top is a little loose making it comfortable and flattering. That twist in the front is my favorite detail! I sewed up a size small, according to my measurements. If you preferred a tighter fit, you could try sizing down a size.
This pretty sage and white diamond print is such a gorgeous color and pairs so well with so many of the new spring prints as well. It also comes in boardshort fabric and I’m dying to make Charlie a suit out of it.
The bottoms I’ve paired with it are Hello Sailor bottoms, also from Patterns for Pirates. I turn to this pattern year after year for so many reasons. I absolutely love the fit of these bottoms. I sew up a size small and there is quite a bit of negative ease, sucking things in where I need them! I like to use power mesh in between the lining and main fabric on the front from the top of the leg seam to the waist. For these, I used power mesh on the green and brown pair but skipped it on this pair simply because I forgot. I also like to do the waistband slightly wider and add one inch elastic to it but alas I forgot on these ones too (I think I was just too excited to be sewing for myself again!). It doesn’t necessarily need it but when editing these pics I noticed the waistband is rolled in many of the photos. Adding elastic eliminates the rolling and also adds just a little more support too.
I sewed up one more top and I’m in love! I purchased this top for a vacation earlier this year and loved it so much I wanted to recreate it. I turned to my trusty Willow Wrap Dress pattern from Love Notions. It had the perfect cross front and sleeve options like the inspiration. I wanted to add a little more length than the original and while it did complicate things a bit, it was easy to get the length I wanted starting with the Willow Wrap bodice. For this top, I used the dark peach triangle stripe. I love that this print coordinates with so many prints too and it looks darling with the multi stripe from my Midline Suit too.
I’ll tell you what I did and also what I’d do differently next time. Something about swim makes me less nervous to try new things. Maybe it’s the fact that it takes much less fabric or maybe it’s just a chance to be a little more adventurous. For this top, I cut my pattern pieces out per the instructions, cutting the bodice pieces at the shorten/lengthen line. I also cut two front lining pieces out of white swim fabric. I’m really leaning towards lining all of our suits in swim fabric instead of actual swim lining. It’s softer against the skin and doesn’t get snagged or stretched out with wear. Ok, now we’re going to get a little crazy. I layered my bodice pieces at the shoulder like this- front lining, back bodice right side up, front bodice right side down, and sewed the shoulder seams. This gives you a hidden shoulder seam. Next I sewed 3/8″ swim elastic to the inside of the whole neckline. I used my serger and just pulled it tight as I sewed, not stretching it too much but just enough to help it lay snug against the body. Now flip it to the inside to cover the elastic and secure with a zig zag or coverstitch. Now this is where I’d do things a little differently. I basted my sides and then determined where my cups should go. Then pulled out the basting stitches, sewed my cups in and proceeded to sew the rest of the top. I think it’d be genius if you left a small opening in the lining to add removable cups after constructing the top. This is what my RTW version has and then you can adjust the cups to be exactly where you want them.
After sewing on my cups, I basted the front bodice pieces together, leaving off the main front bodice piece that is on the outside. I sewed a plush 1.5 inch elastic across the underbust for support through the three layers of bodice pieces. Again, I would change that up and sew it just to the side of the bodice that will be on the inside next to your skin. If you didn’t want the longer top length, you could omit this all together. My rtw version just has elastic in the bottom band and it hits right under the bust so it’s very supportive. After you finish the front bodice construction you will sew the sleeves and side seams according to the pattern. To finish it off I sewed a band to the bottom of the bodice.
Did I thoroughly confuse you?! There’s a reason I don’t write tutorials, lol! When I do stray from the pattern, I usually wing it and hope it all works out. If you do feel like giving this a try, don’t hesitate to reach out to me and hopefully I can help you out. More than likely, you all have a better, easier way to do it and you can pass those tips along to me!
I did my pictures after grabbing my kids photos and I couldn’t get my remote to work right so my youngest two got to man the camera. I set up the tripod to make it as easy as possible for them and all they had to do was hit the button. I’d ask if I was in the frame and they said yes every.single.time! And guess what, most of the pics I am in the frame even if just barely, lol! I laughed and laughed as I scrolled through the hundreds of pictures they took and this gem right here is me taking tips from my sassy tween.
I’m so excited to have a new set up suits for summer! I’m so looking forward to pool days (even if they’re kiddie pool in the backyard days like last year!). I want the warmth and lazy days right about now.
I hope you’re following along this week as we showcase all of the amazing swim fabrics Raspberry Creek Fabrics has to offer. A huge thank you to all of our sponsors for donating patterns to our team of bloggers as well as patterns and shop credits to our daily giveaways. This sewing community is really the best!
Please stop by all of the other stops on the tour this week. Today’s bloggers have more cute adults suits as well as some darling little girls suits!
It’s day two of the Suit Up tour and I hope you’ve already been thoroughly inspired. Today I’m sharing my tips for adding graphics to your swimwear and a happy little discovery!
The techniques I share work great for embellishing rash guards but they’ll also work well for the front of a swimsuit or wherever you’d love a little something extra. For my kids tops, I turned to two of our go-to patterns: the Hey June Camden Raglan and the Titchy Threads Rowan Tee. I use these patterns often in their everyday wardrobe and they work great for swim tops too. Both of these patterns are slimmer fitting making them perfect for the pool.
I sew up my boys rashguards exactly like I would a tee shirt but for my girls I make a couple of simple alterations. I like to line the front of theirs with an extra layer of swim fabric for a little more coverage. When cutting this lining piece, cut it slightly shorter than your outer piece so you aren’t folding it up in the hem. I also cropped this top 2 inches to better suit wearing it with all of their high waisted swim bottoms. If you’d like even more chest coverage you can follow Nicole’s easy tutorial to add a shelf bra or head to my post from last year to add swim cups as well.
I love any chance I get to pull out my Cricut and adding a little personality and pizzazz to their pieces. For these tops I used stretch vinyl and Cricut Infusible Ink. In the past I’ve used Cricut SportFlex HTV and I’ve been thrilled with the results. I use my Cricut EasyPress and their swim tops have held up year after year (until they’ve outgrown them but they still look brand new when we pass them on!). I swear by Teflon sheets when using iron-on vinyl. They add a layer of protection to your garment and also seem to help the vinyl melt into the fabric better. When pressing SportFlex on to swim fabric I set my EasyPress to 305 degrees and do 30 seconds on the right side then flip it and do 15 seconds on the back.
This year I headed to my local vinyl shop, Vinyl Outlet, and picked up these three stretch vinyl sheets. You want to look for stretch vinyl since knits, especially swim, will be stretched when worn. I’ve heard great things about this stretch vinyl so I’m hopeful it will hold up as well as the SportFlex. There were so many colors to choose from that I’d love to be able to match all of the RCF swim fabrics! I designed this digital design and it’s available in the Project Run and Play shop.
For this one, I was dying to try Cricut Infusible Ink. Cricut recommends only using their blanks but that is so limiting. With a little research I found that many had had great results using synthetic fabrics, perfect for this poly spandex swim knit! I did a couple of test swatches and then went for it. I recommend doing all of your embellishing PRIOR to sewing up your pieces. 1- it’s easier to lay our your fabric and 2- it’s not quite as heartbreaking if you mess up!
For this design, I used a graphic available in Design Space and Bright Teal Infusible Ink. I followed the instructions for cutting and fusing the ink (using the Heat Guide here) and it worked beautifully! I love seeing that ink just melt right into the fabrics. I talked to Diana of Raspberry Creek Fabrics and she said the infusible ink process and setting temperature is similar to what they use in their shop when printing swim fabrics so the result should be easy and long lasting.
These both have their pros and cons. The infusible ink will only work on white, possibly light colors, while the vinyl will work on any solid or print. The infusible ink melts into the fabric making it a great choice if you want to add sizing labels to garments without the itchy tag or vinyl. Vinyl is fun to layer and you can create more complicated designs with it. I’m just excited to have options when it comes to creating unique looks for my family!
My little guy got two new suits this year. And I promise he wasn’t as miserable during this shoot as his pictures look! This studio looks out over a busy street and this boy is so car obsessed he hated missing watching them, even for the few minutes it took to take these photos.
His first suit is a Lowland Kids Swim Brief. This pattern is unique because it uses swim knit making is especially soft and great for kids with sensory issues (there’s instructions to fully enclose seams too!). I used this teal tie dye print that I think is perfect for the whole family.
His second suit is Jennuine Designs Cobalt Boardshorts. I like the clean flat front and elastic back. He likes the pockets! I used this Teal Wave Print, another classic print that I think all of my boys would wear.
This is his “I’m not trouble, you’re trouble” look!And this one is his “What?! I’m smiling, I promise” reaction.
I hope you’ll follow along all week as these incredible bloggers show off their new swimwear! I promise you’ll be in love!
And make sure to pick up your swim fabrics this week at 15% off with code SWIMTOUR.
I’m so excited to be co-hosting the Suit Up for Summer blog tour again with Karly of Paisley Roots. We hosted our first Suit Up Tour way back in 2017 and the last two years have co-hosted the tour featuring Raspberry Creek Fabrics. Sewing swimsuits is one of my favorite things and this tour always gets me so excited for pool days and sunshine! To get you started on your own suits this year you can use code SWIMTOUR to get 15% off swim fabrics all week long.
This year I sewed up almost twenty different pieces and can’t wait to show them all to you this week! Raspberry Creek’s swim fabrics this year are sooooo good and were so much fun to work with. I loved that my kids and I got to really pick fabrics that suited us and we’re just itching to hit the pool now!
You can find our first year of the swim tour here. I give tips for adding a shelf bra to your favorite raglan or tee pattern for a supportive rash guard. I rounded up girls and women’s swim patterns, sewed the most complicated swimsuit to date (I’ve yet to tackle that pattern again), and even did coordinating family suits. Looking back at these pics brings me back! My kiddos have grown so much since then! Would you believe that Sophie is still trying to squeeze into that darling black and white stripe rashie suit?!
2018 wasn’t a tour year but that didn’t mean there wasn’t swimsuit sewing. This was the year of the Made for Mermaids Mermaid Shores collection and we were instantly smitten! The Calypso, Camila, and Lainey are still go-to’s at our house and I sewed up more Calypso’s this year too! If you are a beginner at sewing swimwear, I highly recommend Made for Mermaids for their spot on fit and excellent construction and instructions. I also love that some of these suits have held up so well and are still in rotation!
2019 brought more gorgeous Raspberry Creek swimwear as we hosted the Suit Up tour through the then new RCF blog. I love looking at the huge variety of prints from that year from bright bold florals and stripes to that soft pink floral. Those black Hello Sailor bottoms are my most worn swim piece ever! Classics like that are the best!
Last year’s tour was epic. It was at the beginning of the pandemic and sewing swimsuits seemed both silly and also just the distraction we all needed. The hope of sunny days ahead kept us going and these fun prints were such a joy to work with.
As you can see, sewing swimwear is something I never get tired of. You can search this blog for all of my past adventures in swimsuit sewing or simply click here. I also have a post over at Cali Fabrics full of all my favorite tips to make sewing swimwear a dream!
Make sure you check back in all week for this year’s new suits! I’m happy to share this tour with an amazing group of bloggers too!
Project Run and Play is hosting a month long event in honor of the Pantone colors of the year, a Pantone Party! A party all about colors, fabrics, and sewing for my kids- I’m 100% in! Read to the end to find out how you can get in on the fun too!
The Pantone colors this year are Ultimate Gray and Illuminate, a bright vibrant yellow. I love that these colors have opposing feels- the gray is calming and basic and the yellow is cheery and bright, but together they highlight the best of both. It was fun to create looks that spoke to these colors and what they represent.
I was lucky enough to get to work with some amazing Art Gallery fabrics paired with patterns from the Project Run and Play shop. We’ve had glimpses of spring weather and these looks will be perfect for the season ahead.
Sophie is growing out of most of her dresses (she’s grown 3 inches in a year!) and I knew I wanted to do a cute dress for her. I love Art Gallery stripes and picked Striped Bold in Graphite for her look. Art Gallery knits are such a great medium weight and have great recovery and softness. I think they work well for tops, dresses, and leggings.
I used the Story pattern for her dress with a few alterations. I skipped the bottom sleeve piece and created a cuff piece instead so that she has a cute short sleeve. I also used inseam pockets from another pattern. A dress is ALWAYS better with pockets and I think the inseam pockets add a little more grown up look compared to the kangaroo pocket included in the pattern.
I think this dress will be great all summer long and will even work well as a swim coverup. After taking these pics I was reminded that I have my own version of this too! We can totally be twinners (and I can unapologetically embarrass the heck out of her!)
Charlie got a simple, classic summer boy look. A tee and comfy shorts and he’s a happy camper!
For his top I used Striped Alike Grey paired with solid Daffodil knit. I sewed up the color block option of the Lemon Tee (are you sick of seeing my kids in this pattern yet? I hope not because I’m not giving it up any time soon!). This pattern is so loaded with options and I love when the pattern does all the work for me.
My boys (including the hubs!) are super into trading cards these days and the ultimate score is getting a numbered limited sports card. I knew adding a little 1 of 1 to this Limited Edition graphic would be the perfect touch for this kid. Super personal and oh so true about all of his mama-made makes too!
For his shorts I used the Prose Cargo Joggers. They are the perfect woven jogger pattern and it’s loaded with options too! I sewed up the shorts version, leaving off the side cargo pocket. I love the little hidden side pocket and so does he! I used an Art Gallery Denim in Clouded Horizon. This is actually the ‘wrong’ side of the fabric. The front features a cool crosshatch pattern but I loved the more subtle look the back side gave. It’s a great mid weight denim that was perfect for these bottoms. And if you know this little guy, they got the softness approval which is huge for a denim bottom!
Can I indulge you in a little parenting story?! This little man was BEGGING for a haircut after letting his hair grow out all winter. We loved his curls when done just right but most of the time it was a crazy mess. He loved the length but complained that the sides were constantly getting pulled by his masks (something we never had to deal with in the past!). His solution was to just cut the sides and leave the back so he could have the best of both worlds. Yep, business in the front and party in the back. I took him to the salon and really hoped he would hate it once she did the sides and agree to a full trim but that grin when he saw himself in the mirror with just the sides trimmed up- oh man, I was putty in his hands. And now I have a kid with a mullet and I’m honestly ok with it. Is that what happens with the baby? You just give up? I like to think that I know what battles to pick and also how important it is for them to be themselves. At nine, he’s totally entitled to his own opinions and I want him to feel comfortable being just who he wants to be. Luckily right now it’s just about a haircut!
Ok, back to what you came for- the sewing! For Payton’s look I knew I wanted to use a fabric that would tie all of the looks together. This pretty floral, Fields of Goldenrod, was too perfect! Art Gallery quilting cottons are lightweight but have a drape and feel unlike most cottons. I love using them for dresses and other garments.
For her dress, I sewed up the Robin Dress. This pattern is full of cute details and like I often do, I left them all off! I think for tweens, the simpler the better!
I did the open back, short cuffed sleeve dress with ties. It’s such a classic silhouette!
For this shoot we headed to the local middle school common area. We were surrounded by a group of high school skateboarders as we shot and I love how my kids acted like it was totally normal to be taking pictures there. You can tell some were more comfortable than others. That cute yellow lunch table and stark grey concrete walls were just too perfect for this party!
As part of the party, Raspberry Creek Fabrics is giving away two $50 gift certificates! You can join the sew along for your chance at these amazing prizes. Make sure to check into the PRP blog every day to get more incredible Pantone inspiration (did you see last weeks AH-MAZING looks?!!!). Thanks for joining the fun!
The newest Hey June Handmade pattern has arrived! I was lucky enough to test the new Sitka Sweatshirt and you know it’s a good pattern when I make multiples during testing.
The Sitka is a ‘shrunken’ fit sweatshirt pattern that is that perfect in between fit of crazy relaxed and fitted. It’s designed to hit at your high hip making it perfect for both your high-waisted and mid-rise bottoms. There are three bodice options- plain front, two-piece, and three piece chevron color block. There are two size ranges 0-20 B-cup and 14-30 D-cup.
I sewed up this view A as my ‘muslin’. I used incredible bamboo sweatshirt fleece and matching ribbing from Raspberry Creek Fabrics, with total trust in Adrianna and knowing this pattern was very forgiving. This fabric is so heavenly and this pattern is perfect for it! I’m dying to use all my scraps for a view C (it’s so perfect for all those yummy leftovers you can’t bear to part with!).
My upper bust measurement puts me in a size 4 with a size 10 waist and back down to a 4 in my hips. With the relaxed fit of the pattern, I sewed a straight size 4. It fits good but I forget how my small bust measurements don’t quite take into account my broad shoulders or biceps. This fabric has plenty of stretch and this top is still uber comfortable but I did choose to size up for my next one.
For my second one I got brave and used a print for the top. This marble swirl from RCF’s new spring line is one of my favorite prints ever! I tend to gravitate more to solids in my everyday dressing and was nervous I wouldn’t wear a full printed sweatshirt as much. This color blocking option is just perfect though! A little party on top but not too busy. I paired it with blush pink french terry and white french terry for the bands.
Bumping up one size gave me just the right wiggle room and I love, love the fit of this one!
Adrianna has done it again! Make sure to head over to her blog for all of the incredible tester makes and to grab your copy!
I’m always a sucker for Sue Daley’s lines at Riley Blake and her newest Faith, Hope, and Love line is another winner. I’m always drawn to her style and color palettes and this line will draw you in too!
The pretty pinks, muted golds, deep charcoal, and pale blues are so good together. Throw in simple prints, darling florals, and a vintage feel and this collection is giving me all the heart eyes!
I got Stems in Charcoal and Geo in Antique Gold and was seriously tempted to use them both for myself. I love that these prints aren’t too bold and are fantastic blenders but also work so well on their own. They’re subtle and classic- my favorite combination!
With snow in the forecast, we decided to have a little fun for this shoot. We headed to our favorite little wooded park and had so much fun. It was just cold enough to snow (it wasn’t cold enough to stick to the roads) but not windy or too cold to play in. Payton, in her little short sleeved top, didn’t complain a bit and just loved the novelty of shooting with those big gorgeous snowflakes falling around us. It was a magical moment with my girls and I’m glad to have these pics that captured it all!
This girl has a closet full of dresses and asked for a top this time. I used the Odeline Blouse from Iris May (available in the Project Run and Play Shop). I used this pattern once before and we both loved the top so it was about time we revisited it. The pattern is full of options (like the cute ruffles!) but we stuck with just the simple neck ruffle again.
The pattern does not include seam allowances (are we just spoiled in the US?) and that always intimidates me. I used the two pencil method to trace the seam allowance and it was a quick and simple step that I really need to not stop me in the future. I’m always worried that I’ll do it wrong and end up with an ill fitting garment but the directions are very clear as to where to add the seam allowances and it really just took a few extra minutes.
That pretty button placket in the back is so cute!
This cute teen is inching her way into women’s sizing and I’m always excited when I find more of my patterns that fit her. The Justine Skirt from Ready to Sew comes in sizes 32-52 and was perfect for her. I love that all of the proceeds from this pattern are donated, making it a great one to have in your stash.
The skirt features a fitted waistband (no elastic), button front, and nice big pockets. You can see my other version here for more of those pretty details.
I love the cute midi-length which makes it so versatile. It’s super cute with boots for winter but will also pair so well with a tee and sandals come summer.
I’m grateful for Riley Blake and these cute fabrics. It’s so fun to sew them up and get to see them on my girls! They love their new pieces!
It’s with mixed emotions I bring you this post. I’ve joined in Project Run and Play Mini Season 2 as a last minute replacement for our dear friend Gemia Carroll, who tragically lost her oldest daughter this last week. My prayers are with Gemia and her family in this tender time and I’m so grateful for this community and the way they have rallied on her behave. While I love a good PRP challenge, sewing and photographing our looks in a weekend provided an added obstacle. Lucky for me, my family was up for the challenge as well. You can head over here to vote and to check out my competition.
The theme for this week is Comfort Encapsulated and if you are a follower of mine you know just how perfect that was for me and these kiddos. This season is focused on the Project Lounge Library patterns and that was another reason for me to jump on board. The Lounge Library patterns are some of our favorite PRP patterns and just work so well for our lifestyle. They are easy to wear and sew up so quick. I was able to sew Friday and Saturday and my kids were happily wearing these on Sunday.
I picked our theme, Easy Like Sunday Mornin’, because Sundays have become the perfect family day this past year. We usually do a quick Zoom or in person church service in the morning and then get to spend the rest of the day lounging and enjoying each other’s company. We binge watch tv shows, play all the board games, bake cookies and cakes, do puzzles, and recently joined the Nintendo Switch world and like to get our Just Dance on. Sunday’s are all about comfort and these outfits are meant for these lazy days.
When it comes to comfort, it’s all about the fabric, right? I’m lucky enough to live just down the street from Raspberry Creek Fabrics so my first stop in planning was to raid the fabric racks. These fabrics are all sponsored by RCF and I don’t know what my kids would be wearing without Diana and her magic fabric shop. Raspberry Creek Fabrics is known for it’s huge selection of cozy knits and it was the perfect place to get started. I grabbed silky double brushed polyester, cozy waffle knits, plush sweatshirt fleece, and soft ribbed knit. I love that I was able to find coordinating prints and solids that work so well together.
Charlie is all about comfort and hates anything stiff or itchy. I usually have to bribe him to wear jeans so I knew he’d be so excited about these denim look joggers. I used a double brushed polyester for pants that are so soft. He says these are his most comfortable pants ever! I used the Joseph Joggers and adjusted the waistband for a wider elastic. A little added top-stitching and these are the perfect little boy pants.
His top is a Theodor Raglan with the George hood added. Sewn up in camo and rust waffle knit with soft ribbing cuffs, it’s such a cozy top! The Theodor is a favorite of mine now. It’s a great loose fit and such a fun sew. I like to add top-stitching where I can and I think it really elevates it. Throw on a couple of tags and I think this top passes the ‘cool’ test for sure.
To finish his look, he got a Bookish Beanie out of the charcoal ribbing lined with the heather grey ribbing. He’s growing his hair out and I love that he can throw on a beanie for those not-so-great hair days.
Payton is my busy bee and loves to really relax in her rare spare time. I knew a cute lounge set would be perfect for her. She’s totally obsessed with rib knit and she’s living her dream in this head to toe look.
We picked this pretty floral rib knit to coordinate with her siblings. I sewed up a Story Top for her tee. She’s loving mock necks right now so I used two back bodice pieces and added a tall mock neck band. I also cropped about four inches off of the top length to give her this cute cropped length.
The pants are the Nini Noni Pajama pants just slightly modified with a wide yoga waistband. Skipping the elastic waist really ups the comfort factor!
Sophie is on top of all the latest trends and wanted a cute sweatsuit. It was fun to brainstorm and come up with the design for this adorable set. I used the Joseph Joggers and George Hoodie for her look. She’s getting so close to outgrowing most children’s patterns and I’m pretty sure I’ll cry big crocodile tears when that day comes. She’s just at the top of these two patterns size charts and I was glad I could squeak this outfit out for her.
She got all of the yummy sweatshirt fleece for her outfit. I used a combo of light grey, mustard, and mauve. RCF sweatshirt fleece is super plush on the backside and oh so cozy!
The color blocking on this sweatshirt was my biggest challenge and so much fun to come up with. We searched Pinterest for ideas and boy are there some incredible looks out there. I don’t color block often and now I’m wondering why. It adds so much to a simple silhouette. For her hoodie, I chopped off three inches and added a drawstring hem casing.
I added a wide twill tape side stripe to her joggers. I also used cuff ribbing for the ankles and wrist bands to tie the two pieces together.
For this shoot I went back to our PRP roots and headed to our local parking garage. I’m pretty sure the first time I shot here was for week 3 of Season 15, our Shine Bright looks. I loved our shoot that day and have since used this location a TON! It’s perfect in winter or rainy weather because you still get lots of light but are protected from the elements. I love the neutral backdrop that really lets the colors and outfits take center stage.
You can head over to Project Run and Play to vote for your favorite looks. This week I am competing against Carin of Art Bella Creates. I absolutely adore Carin’s style and she always blows me away with her creations so I know I’m in for tough competition this week. Thanks for all your support and make sure you join in the sewalong with this mini season!
Over the years, I’ve made many sewing friends and it’s been fun to meet them in real life. It’s rare when a real life friend comes into your sewing world. I’ve known Corinne Wells for years and to see her beautiful work become fabric has been such a treat! Her newest venture with Riley Blake Designs is absolutely gorgeous and it was so fun to be able to sew up her designs. Her line Rocky Mountain Wild is now available at your favorite quilt shop.
Rocky Mountain Wild is full of pretty prints inspired by the beautiful mountains that surround us. From lovely wildflowers to quaking aspen trees, these prints bring to life spring in our area. I feel so lucky to live at the base of these mountains and the year round beauty they bring. Currently covered in snow, they stand majestic and tall. Come spring they are bursting with color and life and provide such a comfort and peace to me. I love that Corinne drew on these mountains as inspiration and the collection really speaks to their beauty.
As I sewed up these prints, I envisioned styling them with chunky tights, boots and warm beanies and doing our photos in the actual Rocky Mountains. Through a series of crazy events, these pictures are taken in the opposite of picturesque mountains, instead on our quick escape getaway to sunshine and sand. It has made me excited at how versatile these prints are and how great they are year-round.
For these dresses, I knew I wanted to draw on the prairie-chic looks that are everywhere these days. Something loose and non-fussy, I searched my pattern stash and actually tried a new pattern I’ve been wanting forever too. Sophie is in a hacked Hinterland Dress by Sew Liberated. Payton is in a Spencer Dress from Violette Fields Threads.
I sewed up the smallest size (she is just under the measurements) and used two back bodice pieces. She didn’t need the bust shaping and I knew the front neckline would be a little low for her liking. I skipped the button placket and because this has no closures I lowered the front neckline three inches to be able to fit over her head and give her a little room in the neckline in front.
Side note- the walls of our resort are all this pretty pale yellow color and we laughed that she just camouflaged right into them!
She loves the loose styling and this will be such a cute dress to throw on. I’m anxious to make this pattern again and maybe try the placket as well.
Payton described the dress that she wanted out of this fabric as “Ya’ know, kinda flows out from here (under the arms) and no ruffles!” I searched my pattern stash for a-line dresses and the Spencer was the winner. I’ve made two in the past (one for my niece and one for Sophie) and have always loved them.
That little yoke and the puff sleeve are so cute! I modified the sleeves to omit the cuff and placket and I just did a simple elastic casing. I wasn’t sure if she’d want them 3/4 length or chopped to short sleeves but she was a fan of them just like this.
The full back button placket is one of my favorite details.
I loved everything about these dresses! Getting to work with fabric designed by an incredibly talented friend is such a treat. I hope you guys can get your hands on these beautiful prints!
2020 was a doozy in so many ways. It was full of incredible moments and so much uncertainty. Looking back over my sewing projects for the year, they were a true reflection of life and how we rolled with the punches. My sewing time was at a premium and as a result I sewed less and sewed more quick, easy to wear pieces that fit into my new, low-key lifestyle. In honor of Love Notions big site-wide 30% off sale, today I’m sharing some of my favorite LN makes of 2020.
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I started the year with a quick fun Sloane in this darling print from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. I used the Classic Tee neckline and have since made that my go-to neckline for the Sloane. I just like crew necks and I figure if I’m making my own clothes, I should be making them exactly how I like them. Sometimes, a too-wide neckline is enough to make me not wear something so I need to remember to make the slight adjustments so these pieces will get worn!
My second quick make of the year was this amazing Sybil pencil skirt in Raspberry Creek ponte (good news, it’s BACK!). I wish this had gotten more wear this year but sadly with online church and no big nights out, this piece is just waiting for a bit of normal life to return. I can’t wait to wear this more! The Sybil Skirt collection is so full of options and a must have in any pattern collection.
The Sabrina Slims rerelease in early February was great timing. I made two pair for the rerelease- one stretch denim and one soft ponte. Sabrina’s are great for this time, still comfy but they look a little nicer than the sweatpants you’ve been reaching for.
This Rhapsody Blouse was a staple for me this summer. I love the easy, breeziness of it and in this amazing Art Gallery rayon, this is one piece I can’t wait for warm weather to wear it again. I have a stack of fabrics pegged for more Rhapsodies this year and I’m really hoping they happen sooner rather than later. I really need to get the Rhapsody maxi dress out of my head and into reality STAT!
This post just had to include the Allegros. I think we’re looking at a three way tie for my most used LN pattern with this, the Classic Tee, and the Sloane Sweater. I now have a pair of Allegros for every day of the week in everything from tencel chambray to rayon challis to double brushed poly and even hacci sweater knit. This is the pattern of quarantine life. Easy to wear, oh-so-comfortable, and so, so versatile. I love using this pattern as the bottom piece in a faux romper look. I’ve lengthened the pants a bit to really work year round too. A good, elastic waist pant and skirt pattern is such a workhorse and I will continue to reach for this pattern in 2021 (and beyond!).
This Namaste set has been one of my most worn makes this year. I admittedly wear them all day and then sleep in them at night (or vice versa on especially lazy days!). I love that this feels ok to answer the door in at 2 pm and no one really suspects you’re still in your pj’s (not that that’s happened or anything ;)). The Namaste Nightwear Collection is latest sewalong pattern happening on Facebook and I highly encourage you to join in the fun. This is such a great versatile pattern that will get you through whatever these next few months have in store.
These were some of my final makes of the year and boy are they favorites already! The Compose Robe came at the perfect time. My girl loves hers and I love cozying up in mine too!
Acorn VestHarmony Top and lengthened AllegrosCadence TopCadence Top and Glissando BottomsNamaste Nightgown hackRockford RaglanSabrina SlimsSloane Sweater and Samson SweaterSloane SweaterClassic Tee and Allegro BottomsSprint Muscle TeeLuna Loungewear and Namaste NightwearTidal TopSloane Sweater and Allegro Bottoms hack
Looking back, 2020 was chock-full of Love Notions sewing for me. Although it was less than my normal crazy sewing years, it was still productive in the best way. These pieces really worked for us and I love, love the time I was able to carve away to create. Love Notions patterns give me a chance to get creative and make clothing pieces that all my kids and I reach for all year long. Make sure to check out the 30% off Love Notions sale and let’s kick off 2021 with some sewing and hope for a great year to come!
SewSophieLynn 