Sewing for Women – Page 14

Sew Ready for Fall with Stylish Fabrics- GIVEAWAY!

Boy, am I excited to be here with you today! I’ve got a new favorite dress and a HUGE giveaway for you!!!

Stylish Fabric is sponsoring this amazing blog tour and huge prize package. It was my first time trying them out and I’m so happy with my experience. I love having another online source for inexpensive, great quality fabric.

I picked a black and off white striped rayon jersey (looks like this exact one is out of stock but this one is pretty close). I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived. I knew I wanted to make a swing dress and this fabric had the perfect drape for one! It’s so flowy and soft!

For my dress I took the Hey June Union St. Tee and followed these instructions on the Hey June blog to lengthen and add volume to the pattern. The tutorial is for the juniors City Park tee but you could use it for any tee pattern.

The slash and spread method was new to me. I added width starting right under the arm. I tapered my hem up about 4 inches on the side but next time I’ll do even more. For now I’m calling the longer sides a design element 😉 I also wanted a midi length dress to help transition my wardrobe into fall so this one got a little more length than my past swing dress hacks.

I really, really love that I can throw on sneakers or sandals and wear this while the temps are still in the 80’s and 90’s. It’s so loose and flowy that it’s perfect for those days when I’m melting!

Grab a few layers and it’s ready for cooler weather too! I love it layered under a sweater or jacket. I’m still on the search for the perfect fall booties and this will be the first thing I wear when I find them.

Speaking of boots… if you know me in real life this totally won’t surprise you. I was auditioning boots to go with this dress and apparently didn’t bother picking! I took a whole shoot worth of pics with two different boots on, haha! I even changed out of them quick and threw on my sneakers without noticing. It wasn’t until I was uploading pictures that it finally dawned on me! Crazy lady! Distracted mom moment or fashion statement? You decide 😉

One more look at that gorgeous fabric! Can I have too many black and white stripes? They seriously are my favorite!

Are you ready for the giveaway?!!

Stylish Fabrics is giving away a Brother XR1340 sewing machine! I have sewn on Brother machines my whole life and love, love them!

There are also pdf patterns galore- over a dozen different designers have generously contributed!

Head on over to the Stylish Fabrics blog to enter.

A huge thank you to Ti for running this super fun tour. Make sure to head over to all the other great blogs. Holy inspiration, guys!!

August 1st
Sewing By Ti and Rebel and Malice

August 2nd
Gray all Day

August 3rd
Wild and Wanderful and The Sara Project

August 4th
Doodle Number 5 and Sweet Red Poppy

August 5th
Paisley Roots and Dos Natural Sistas and My Crafty Little Self

August 8th
Made By Melli and Sew Far North

August 9th
Sew Sophie Lynn and Creative Counselor

August 10th
Frivolous at Last and EYMM

August 11th
Lulu and Celeste and Sprouting Jubejube

August 12th
Adventures with Bubba and Bug and All Things Katy and Sewing by Ti

Love Notions Luna Pajamas

Are you living in your pj’s this summer? No? Just me?!! If you’re enjoying the lazy days of summer like I am then you can now do it in style with the new Love Notions Luna Loungewear!

(This post contains affiliate links.)

In ladies and girls sizes, you will be the comfiest chicks on the block!

There is a cami and short or capris or a darling nighty option. This little one was lucky to get her pants made from yummy Raspberry Creek Club Hearts. Her top is an upcycled tee with Club dots as bands. I love a good upcycle and this tank is perfect for it!

I paired my capris with the La Bella Donna for a cozy, modest look. My fabric is lightweight rayon jersey from LA.

The girls version comes in sizes 2t-16 and 8P-16P.

The Ladies version is in XS-XXXL. They both feature optional pockets and drawstring waistband. The cami also has an optional shelf bra!

We hit the backyard for our favorite summer treat- s’mores!!

Doesn’t get much better than this!

Pick up your bundle here or the ladies version and girls separately and be prepared to spend the rest of your summer lounging in style! And when your neighbors come by at noon and you’re still in your pj’s you’ll be looking good!

Simple Summer Sewing II

Yesterday’s post was all about the skirts. Today I’ve got some simple go-to tops for you, plus my second take on my newest favorite pattern hack.

These are pieces I know I will grab again and again.

The Santa Fe Top from Hey June has quickly become the most worn top in my wardrobe. I’ve got a couple I made in testing that were getting lots of action and I’ve been itching to make more all summer.

I love being able to use small scraps and to mix fabrics in this view. I had just enough of this gorgeous floral rayon spandex from Pretty Posh Prints for these sleeves.

I love, love the flowiness of this top. It’s perfect to throw on with jeans or in my case it’s usually jean cut-offs.

Another go-to tee pattern for me is the Neptune Tee from See Kate Sew. I just love the basic version so, so much!

In a yummy cotton lycra from Raspberry Creek Fabrics I’ve been hoarding away, it really couldn’t be any more dreamy! It’s another great tee to just throw on to run errands or chill at the park.

Surprise, surprise! I just had to make another Neptune dress. My first I have deemed my ‘naked dress’, as in I feel like I’m in my birthday suit it is so comfy!!!

This super soft rayon spandex makes THE perfect easy tee dress. It’s to die for, I tell ya’!

(I got this in a Girl Charlee Knitfix ages ago but So Sew English has had it in stock lately!)

I’m seriously not a dress girl but I could wear these EVERY day! And the best part is- come night time I’m already in my pj’s 😉

Well, that’s my real summer wardrobe for you. I’ve got the glamorous job of shuttling kids around all day or cleaning up after them if I happen to leave them on their own for too long (anything over five minutes, right moms? ;). Comfort is the key and I love my new pieces!

Simple Summer Sewing

Ever look in your closet chuck full of clothes and have absolutely nothing to wear?! Who hasn’t right?

This week I’m sharing a few of my favorite things to actually wear. I love all my pattern testing and have lots of ‘date night’ or Sunday clothes but my everyday clothes have been seriously neglected.

I could live in maxi skirts! I’ve got a few I self-drafted but this year I went ahead and made a few using the Jocole Yoga A-line Skirt Pattern. I love that there are nine (yes nine!) length options. I chose the regular maxi option.

There are options for different waistband heights but I always just make them as tall as I can (using every scrap of fabric left!). I love to scrunch up the waistband or fold it over.

I love that the waistband works as a little magic tummy hider!

I seriously can’t get enough of these! They are a breeze to sew and a breeze to wear. I think I can do them in about twenty minutes.

I can dress them up for church too but more than likely come Sunday they are all in the wash! I love, love them paired with my favorite v-neck tees for easy, summer dressing.

What’s your favorite everyday thing to wear? Do you have a summer uniform? Stay tuned tomorrow for a couple of my favorite tees and another of my new favorite pattern hacks!

Mingo and Grace Gigi Crop Set

Ever since I made my girls their Crop Sets I’ve been dreaming of my own.

I’m so grateful Farrah at Mingo and Grace heard our cries and the Gigi Crop Set is here!

I love that Farrah’s patterns make this mom of five feel hip and cool while still being modest and comfortable.

The skirt features a back zipper and either pleats or gathers. Simple and classic- just how I like things!

The top has multiple back options including this simple one button at the neck.

There are two sleeve lengths and bust darts to get the fit just perfect for your body.

My fabrics are Hancock deals. You might recognize the skirt fabric from this post and the top from this post. You better believe I went back and bought the last little bit of that skirt fabric they had- just enough for something for me!

I love, love the look of the crop top and high waisted skirt. After we binge watched Project Runway Junior I was totally obsessed with this look. The contestants couldn’t get enough of this pairing and I can totally see why.

Make sure you grab your copy today!

Swing Dress Hack

I’ve been after the perfect swing dress pattern all summer. I finally took matters into my own hands and I couldn’t be happier!

I used my favorite tee pattern- The Neptune Tee by See Kate Sew and turned it into a twirly, yummy knee-length dress!

You can find tutorials here and here using your favorite RTW tee or tank. I used a similar method to my Laundry Day Dress (and tutorial). I took my tee pattern and drew a line from the armpit seam down and out to my desired length. I then curved the hem an inch or two and sewed it together per the tee pattern instructions- EASY PEASY!

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Here I am in all my dorkiness showing off that awesome twirl factor! Yes, I was actually that giddy over it 😉 You can never outgrow a good spin!

I think I may live in these all summer! I made this one in a random rayon spandex from my stash (I absolutely adore this color!) but I need to head over to Raspberry Creek Fabrics ASAP to stock up on her newest rayon spandex. How cute would it be in this floral, this tie dye, or this simple charcoal grey.

Do you have a favorite tee pattern? This hack would work for any tee that fits you how you like through the shoulders and chest. I was tempted to use the Union St. by Hey June Handmade or the Tabitha Top (affl. link) by Love Notions. The Neptune just has always been a favorite of mine in the neck and shoulder fit and since that’s what’s most important in this hack I went with my trusty tee.

Perfect summer uniform!

Make Laundry, Don’t Do Laundry Tour

Laundry is inevitable. With a family of 7 it’s quite the chore. Most days I’d much rather use my precious time sitting at my sewing machine so when the ‘Make Laundry, Don’t Do Laundry Tour’ came about I jumped on board in a heartbeat!

This is such a fun tour with amazing sponsors and bloggers combining for an awesome week-long party! Prizes and giveaways galore!

For my stop I’m sharing the quickest sew EVER! We’re big fans of pencil skirts and I love, love, love how quick and cute they are. I used Jocole’s Girls Knit Pencil Skirt and Ladies Knit Pencil Skirt for our looks. There are lots of pencil skirt options out there though- Love Notions Sybil Illusion Skirt (affl. link) and the Patterns for Pirates Pirate Pencil Skirt (free to Facebook group followers) are other great options. You can also easily draft your own.

I picked the Jocole pattern since it had a girls version and I love the simplicity of it. It’s one piece front and back which works fine for me and my girls and adds to the quickness of it all. Less pages to print, easy peasy cutting, and cute end result!

I did the mid-calf natural waist option in a gorgeous ponte (ponte and pencil skirts are a match made in heaven!). The women’s version comes in sizes XS-XXXL and features 8 different length options and multiple waistband options too. I love that it takes the guess work out of it all.

The girl’s version comes in sizes nb-14 and includes an 18″ doll version too. It only has one length option but it’s easy to adjust to your preference.

This version is done with a gorgeous stretch lace over a cotton lycra (from Raspberry Creek Fabrics).

My little one was in heaven with the camera remote! Diva in the making for sure!

And this one all of a sudden looks twelve in a sweet pencil skirt!

Summer has arrived and sewing time is at a premium. The sunshine is calling and our days are spent outside instead of at my machine. Quick projects will be a necessity. What are your favorite fast sews? I love simple tees, quick shorts, and fun dresses.

And now for the good stuff! There are three fun prize packages you can win.

I want to thank all of our amazing sponsors for being a part of this tour.

A few of the designers are having sales for the duration of the tour, so here’s the codes!George & Ginger use code MAKELAUNDRY25 for 25% off her patterns
Blaverry use code MAKELAUNDRY for 25% off her patterns
Stitch Art use code MAKELAUNDRY for 30% off patterns
Paisley Roots use code MAKELAUNDRY for 25% off patterns
These codes are good through June 12th!
Then Laela Jeyne’s Emily Womens T-shirt & the Deluxe Charlotte Kids Leggings are on sale through the 11th! No code needed!I know everyone loves a good giveaway so here’s the prize packages:

Link-up Prize Package

Thread Faction Full Collection Spring/Summer 2016

2 Patterns of choice from Momma Quail

$15 gift certificate to Gracious Threads

$25 gift certificate to Peek-a-boo Pattern Shop (good for fabric too!)

2 Patterns of choice from Made For Mermaids

1 Pattern of choice from Blaverry

1 Pattern of choice from Brownie Goose
2 Patterns of choice from Laela Jeyne Patterns (excludes bundles)
1 Pattern of choice from The Wolf & the Tree
1 Pattern of choice from Stitch Art
2 Patterns from Paisley Roots
$20 gift certificate to Phat Quarters
3 Patterns of choice from Everything Your Mama Made

Prize Package 1

1 Pattern of choice from Pattern for Pirates

1 Pattern of choice from Brownie Goose
2 Patterns of choice from Hey June
2 Patterns from Paisley Roots
1 Pattern of choice from Muse of the Morning
1 Pattern of choice from Call Ajaire
1 Pattern of choice from Stitch Art
1 Pattern of choice from The Wolf & the Tree
3 Patterns of choice from Everything Your Mama Made

Prize Package 2

1 Pattern of choice from Simple Life Pattern Company

1 Pattern of choice from Modkid
1 Pattern of choice from Laela Jeyne
1 Pattern of choice from SisBoom
1 Pattern of choice from Stitch Art
2 Patterns from Paisley Roots
1 Pattern of choice from FABulous Sewn Home

You can link up your own projects here to be entered in to the Link Up prize drawing.

An InLinkz Link-up

You can enter the Rafflecopter giveaway here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Head to all the other tour stops here:

6/6 Creative Counselor / Phat Quarters / Call Ajaire / Friends Stitched Together / The Wholesome Mama / Wild & Wanderful

6/7 Blaverry / The Inspired Wren / Sew Sophie Lynn / Sprouting Jube Jube / Coral & Co / Once Upon A Sewing Machine

6/8 Paisley Roots / Sew Happily Ever After / Randoms By Rydz / Elegantine / Rebel & Malice / Fabulous Home Sewn / Candice Ayala

6/9 Create 3.5 / Muse Of The Morning / Sew & Tell Project / Gracious Threads / Beatnik Kids / Everything Your Mama Made

6/10 Sweeter Than Cupcakes / Pear Berry Lane / All Things Katy! / Sew Starly / Handcrafted By RED / Adventures of Bubba & Bug / Sew & Tell Project

Love Notions Tidal Top and Dress

It’s here!!! The Love Notions Tidal Top and Dress is the summer essential you’ve been waiting for!

(I am a paid Love Notions tester which means I get a little compensation for my time and materials. I’m also a Love Notions affiliate so if you purchase through links on my blog I’ll get a small kick back. Just enough to get me a little more fabric to keep up with the next fabulous Love Notions pattern!)

I love, love testing for Tami at Love Notions. Each pattern goes through the ringer and the end result is always the best it can be. She is super receptive to feedback and works right along side the testers to perfect the fit of each piece.

There are a three different sleeve options- tank, sleeveless, and short sleeve. You can also make it a top, knee-length dress, or maxi. I need a sleeve so I was thrilled when she added that option.

It features a wrap around seam and either bands or binding finishing options. The top has a slight high low hem. It is an amazingly quick sew and I couldn’t stop making them!

This cute coral dress was made in the first round of testing. The fit right off was pretty good and I absolutely love this dress. I used beautiful stretch lace and cotton lycra from Raspberry Creek Fabrics.

I made version two in more cotton lycra and stretch lace from RCF. Cotton lycra is a bit thick for this drapey top and I was anxious to make another version with something a bit more flowy.

This version is one of my favorites! I love the fit of it. The sleeves were a bit wide though and continued to be tweaked through the testing process.

This top was made with the final version and the sleeve fit is perfection!

I’d been dying to make a maxi version and this one in CLUB stripes from RCF is just what I was looking for.

It’s so fun to accessorize and so comfy and chic!

I have a feeling my summer wardrobe will be filled with Tidal’s!

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Make sure you check out Love Notions Memorial Day sale to get all my favorite patterns for a steal! Check out my Summer Caye’s, Tabitha Tops, Tessa Dresses, Li’l Laundry Day Tee, Sybil Skirts and Sabrina Slims.

Hey June Handmade Sante Fe Tee

Adrianna strikes again… I’m convinced everything she touches is golden!

The Santa Fe Top is no different.

I’m going to live in these tees this summer!

A loose, flowy top is on everyone’s wish list right now. They are so on trend and this pattern checks all the right boxes.

With multiple options, you can have a cute tank or a fun cap sleeved tee.

The fun sleeve color-blocking option resembles a raglan and lends itself to some super cool pattern mixing.

There is also an option for a top-stitched seam down the center front and back- a detail that total elevates this tee.

Fabric choice makes such a difference with this pattern. The drapier the knit the better. My main fabrics are LA scores and the floral is from Pretty Posh Prints. I chose not to hem my tees since it won’t fray and I’m lazy 😉 I added an inch to the stripe version and 2 inches to the grey. I did a regular neckband on the grey also to bring it in just a touch.

Run and get your pattern NOW! Seriously… You won’t regret it! It’s on sale through May 16th.

Summer Caye Bermudas

Summer is in the air… The kids are getting antsy, end of the year programs/performances fill our days, and I’m hanging in there just waiting for those lazy summer days.

As the weather warms up, off come the jeans and in come the shorts- hallelujah!

For the Summer Sewing- The Long and Short of it tour, I sewed up some bermuda length Summer Caye’s (affl. link) by Love Notions. I love my pant versions and knew these would make the perfect summer short for me.

For my version, I cut them at the knee line in the pattern and did a full elastic waistband with a faux drawstring. If I’m wearing shorts, I’m most likely chasing kids at the park or roasting in the sun at a soccer game so comfort is key. I also used the slimmer wide leg cut line for the back piece and just rolled my hem up instead of using the cuff piece (the cuff pattern piece is made for the palazzo width).