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!
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!
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!
Art Gallery Fabrics are always a favorite with my girls so we were thrilled to be able to sew up the knit prints from the new Periwinkle Fabric collection.
The Periwinkle collection is full of bright, happy prints that just feel like summer to me.
I sewed up the two new knit prints from the collection, Sun Filled Shades and Frenchie Noir. We all LOVE AGF knits for their softness and weight.
Sophie got a new True Bias Rio Ringer Dress. I sewed up the smallest women’s size, 0, and the fit is wonderful!
The Rio is such a great casual dress and I think it worked so well with this print. It has that fun, retro vibe and really shows off the fabric.
Payton is all about joggers these days so I knew she’d love this look. I used the Joseph Joggers from Project Run and Play. I love the slim fit and classic style of this pattern. We paired it with the Nicky Top from Made for Mermaids, our go-to for a cute, boxy look.
That Frenchie print is just adorable! The simple black and white graphic means she can wear it with any of her solid tees.
We just had to get our new pup Coco in on the action with this photo shoot.
Check out the full Lookbook here for inspiration from the whole Periwinkle collection.
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.
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!
SewSophieLynn 