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!
