













Head on over to the Petite Stitchery Facebook Group for tons of inspiration and to get the latest on sales and coupons (hint, hint!).














Head on over to the Petite Stitchery Facebook Group for tons of inspiration and to get the latest on sales and coupons (hint, hint!).

If you’re dreaming of holiday sewing have I got a post for you! Hawthorne Threads newest holiday line, Oh What Fun, is spectacular and I’m thrilled to be sharing it with you. The best part is one lucky reader will win 3 yards all to themselves!

I sat down with my girls and we debated FOREVER about which prints to choose. The line comes in two colorways- Spruce and Sweet. I’m a sucker for non-traditional Christmas colors and this line really pulled me in. We picked Dashing Through the Snow in Onyx with a gorgeous mint solid and Merry and Bright in Sweet.

I love that they can wear these dresses all winter long! This fabric is thicker than your normal quilting cotton and a dream to sew.

I knew I wanted a simple silhouette for my oldest- something that would really let this fun fabric really shine. I used the Norah Dress from Welcome to the Mouse House. I did a size 7 with a 12 length for my tall girl. I love the sweet a-line and classic feel it has.
I changed the dress slightly by adding an exposed zipper on the back. I felt like it needed a little edge to please this picky girly.

I’ve been dreaming of making a Little Lizard King Double Scoop Dress since it’s release and I knew this fabric was destined for one. This pattern is AMAZING! It will be my new go-to for that classic fitted bodice dress. The options with this one are darling and I’m already planning my next one.

I did KAM snaps up the back that match the mint just perfect! This dress has a retro feel that I adore! The full skirt, peter pan collar, big bow sash- seriously too cute for words!

These girls were thrilled that their new dresses matched their newly redecorated bedroom- no wonder we were smitten with these fabrics! They had a blast shooting these fun looks.
Now for the good part: You can win three yards of fabric from Hawthorne Threads!
GIVEAWAY OVER!! Congrats Vickie Zaleski, you were chosen by random.org!

All you need to do is head over to the site and check out their amazing in-house lines and leave a blog comment here telling me your favorites. You’ll be blown away with the crazy huge selection and stunning prints they have to offer. They are perfect for apparel, crafts, and home decorating projects. I’ve got my heart set on a few for new pillows to refresh our living room. Winner will be randomly selected and notified after the tour ends- Tuesday November 22.
Make sure you check out the other stops on the tour for more inspiration and chances to win!
Tuesday 11/15- Hawthorne Threads Blog
Wednesday 11/16- Olivia Jane Handcrafted
Thursday 11/17- Holly Gets Quilty
Friday 11/18- Lillyella
Monday 11/21- Violette Field Threads

It’s not very often I get to sew for my big boys so I jumped at the chance to test Pattern for Pirates newest joggers. Best part- there is a pattern for the whole family!

On any given day in our house at least 3 or 4 of us are sporting joggers of some kind. My big boys live in their woven ready-to-wear versions and love to lounge around in comfy knit ones too. My littlest will ALWAYS pick ‘soft pants’ and I can’t make them fast enough for him. Now me, you know I’m a fan (here, here, and here).

This guy is growing like a weed and we have the hardest time finding pants long enough for him. These are perfect for him! We didn’t need to add length this time but it will be an easy alteration in the future.

He likes his joggers nice and skinny and was pretty happy with the fit of these- loose through the hip and thigh and tapered calf and ankle.
For his, we did slat pockets, elastic waist with drawstring, and cuffed bottoms.

This guy is still tiny! He’s finally growing a bit but his waist/hips are staying slim. The fit on him is a bit bigger since I went with his waist measurement and not his hips which would have took him down a size or two.
He likes the fit and has worn them any chance they’re clean.

His pants feature the patch pockets, elastic waistband and rolled hem.

A winning combo!

Charlie is super easy to please. He picked his fabrics and is one happy camper! All of the fabric for our group shoot is from the lovely Raspberry Creek Fabrics.
His love of comfy pants is hard because he’s got a tiny waist and long legs. RTW elastic waist pants are usually too big in the waist for him. So unfortunately (wink, wink) mom has to sew him a drawerful of cute pants.

These are a size 5 with a 4 yoga waistband. The yoga waistband totally ups the comfort factor even more!
I made two pairs for myself during testing and I can’t hardly stand to take this pair off. It’s a super soft double brushed poly and they feel like heaven!
I struggle with fitting my calfs in other jogger patterns and I love that calf measurements are included in these. I made a size small graded to a large at the calf and then back down to a small at the ankle. The fit is just perfect!
Make sure to pick up your copies today! You can get the bundle or buy them separately- Baby Bear, Mama Bear, and Papa Bear.

Fall in Utah is my absolute favorite! The vibrant leaves, cooler weather and trips to our favorite pumpkin patch are things I look forward to all year.

It was so fun sewing for this week’s Project Run and Play challenge- I’m an Autumn: using the warm colors of Autumn for your primary color palette (red, orange, yellow, and brown). Now admittedly, I’m NOT an autumn and I’m drawn to much cooler colors so this was initially a bit of a challenge for me. I had nothing at all in my stash in those colors so we took a trip to the fabric store (five fabric stores to be exact!).

I had a vision for this dress right from the start and finding the perfect fabric proved to be harder than I thought it would. With our short time frame I knew I had to find it locally and I finally settled on this gorgeous charmeuse from Joann. It has such beautiful drape and worked so well for this maxi.

I used the Lil Luxe Dress from Lil Luxe Collection as the base for this dress. I added the long sleeves and pockets from the Starlight City Dress, also by Lil Luxe Collection. I cinched the sleeves with elastic to create a bit of volume in them. I used the width of the fabric for the skirt portion adding to the drama of this dress.

I raised the back curve a couple of inches. This dress will get worn to church ALOT and I wanted her to feel comfortable in it. And boy does she! She absolutely loves it! She’s all about the maxi dresses and this is her new favorite!

To complete her look I made a luxurious faux fur vest. She’s always wanted one and this was the perfect outfit for it!
I used my go-to t shirt pattern the City Park Tee from Hey June Handmade to start with. I drafted the vest using the bodice pieces with only slight modifications. It’s fully lined in a super soft tweed and closes with a hook and eye at the chest. She’s anxious to wear it with her favorite skinny jeans and boots once the weather stays cooler.

I was so excited to sew for this little guy too! He’s not the easiest to photograph but he’s always a super grateful recipient.

The highlight of his outfit is a vest made using the BBC Vest from Shwin Designs. Flannel and leather are such an amazing combo for fall.

It’s so soft and cozy and will make a great layering piece in his wardrobe. I lined it in cream stretch denim to make it a bit more structured.

The leather details elevate it and I was a little nostalgic digging through my great-grandma’s buttons for this project. These were exactly what I was looking for to finish off this vest.

His pants are Moto Maxx bottoms from Love Notions. I love the details on these and they were so fun to play with.
In my endless fabric search I was trying to find soft, comfortable khaki twill. Everything I found was stiff and not what I had in mind so I headed to my hubby’s closet. I stole his beloved well worn khakis and they worked like a dream! I did diamond quilting on the knees and lined them with flannel from the vest. Comfortable, warm pants will be well loved this fall.

I did triple stitching on the waistband and slightly cropped them to be more like the joggers his big brothers are so fond of. This little man wants to be exactly like them so he loves his new cool pants!

His tee is an ode to another fall staple- long days at the soccer fields! This little guy is so excited to be on his first soccer team after spending much of his life watching all his siblings play. He’s definitely got the soccer thing down and this tee is a winner.

I used the Made for Mermaids Rowan Raglan and slimmed it down to fit better under his vest. I love this pattern and all the options it comes with. He loves hoods so I’ll be adding them whenever I can.

These two are just loving their new looks!
Make sure to head over to Project Run and Play to see the other competitors looks and to vote for your favorite! We hope you like our Autumn look as much as we do!


I was thrilled to test the new Mini Emerson Crop Pants and Shorts from True Bias. I’ve always loved Kelli’s patterns and this is another to add to your collection.

I love the classic design and super professional details.
The fit is fantastic and my daughter loved these so much she picked them for the first day of school. My fabric is a remnant of quilting cotton from Hobby Lobby- I love an economical project! They would be so good in chambray or linen too!
The pattern tutorial is so well written and the techniques are spot on. Such a clean finish!
The front pleats are a charming detail.

I even learned a new skill! I did my first bar tack and I love the small detail it adds! It’s those little extras that make this pattern so wonderful!

I can’t wait to make more next summer and hopefully we can get a pair of crops made up before the snow hits 😉

Fall is actually in the air here! Cool mornings and evenings mean autumn is just around the corner and the newest Love Notions pattern, the Canyon Cardigan, came at the perfect time!
This post contains affiliate links and I am part of the Love Notions Promo team which means I get paid to test and promote these great patterns. I became an affiliate and promoter AFTER testing for Tami and trying her patterns. Her testing process in among the most thorough I’ve seen and the finished products are always superb so my praise is truly heartfelt!

I feel like Tami at Love Notions can see inside my closet and always knows just what I’m missing! This cardigan is just what I’ve been looking for- a nice drapey-front layering piece with so many options I can fill my wardrobe with them!

There are three different views- a-line skirt, gathered skirt, and waterfall bottom. I used view C, the waterfall front, for both of my versions. I love the flowiness in the front without all the bulk at the neck and waist.

The waterfall hem has the option to leave it raw which of course I love. One less step and it adds to the effortlessly casual look of it. I’m wearing my Sabrina Slims with my vest for these photos and they pair perfectly and I really love all the styling options with it. As I type this I’ve got on my vest with a tee and shorts for my busy summer day. I think I’ll need a few more colors for sure!

Elbow patches make the long sleeves even better! I can’t wait to throw on this version with some skinny jeans and booties (still on the hunt for those…) or leggings and boots for those casual at home days. We joked in the testing group about how many of us were sewing up grey cardigans but there is seriously nothing more versatile! I have a feeling this will get worn almost daily!
I used lightweight sweater knit for both of mine but a variety of knit is recommended. I’m hoping to sew up a cozy french terry version and also a lightweight rayon/spandex version for those warmer fall days.

As always, Love Notions patterns feature layered, trimless pattern pieces and detailed step-by-step photos. It comes together so quickly that you’ll be wearing your new cardi in no time!
Make sure to grab your copy on sale through Thursday September 1st.

I gave you a preview of this dress in my Small Town Summertime Sewing post but it totally deserves it’s own glorious post!

The Alba Dress by Violette Fields Threads has been on this girl’s wish list since little sister got hers last summer.

The fun, wide collar is such a stunning feature and sets this dress a part.

I used this gorgeous Michael Miller Eyelet on sale at Peek-A-Boo Fabric shop lined in matching cotton from my local quilt shop. (I hit up FIVE fabric stores to find just the right match!)

I used a Liberty covered button I’ve been saving forever. It has been waiting patiently for this dress!

Since I fully lined the whole garment, I used clean finishes and french seams when needed. I’m super proud of the improvements I’ve made between little sisters dress last year. Revisiting this pattern made me realize how much I’ve learned and how my skills have grown tremendously in a year. It’s a great fitting dress that she’ll wear over and over again.

I’d say she likes it 😉

I’ve got my last full review for you today. It’s been such a fun, insightful series. Stick around next week for a round-up and I’ll share my favorites and what I’ve learned. Will it be the P4P Pumpkin Spice, EYMM Kymy, Hey June Aurora, Itch to Stitch Carey, or this weeks contender?

Today’s post is a FREE pattern- the Mandy Boat Neck Tee by Tessuti Fabrics.
Here’s the details first:
| Sizes | One Size Fits All (finished bust measures 58″) |
| Printable pattern pages/copy shop version | 20 pages/yes |
| Skill Level | Beginner |
| Measurements for Rectangle Pieces | No |
| Line Drawings | No |
| Size made | I made it as is |
| Options chosen | none |
| Fabric Requirement for your size | 1.10 meters |
| Measurement Chart | None |
| Cutting Instructions | No |
| Pattern Printing Layout | No |
| Cutting Layout | No |
| Suggested Fabrics | cotton, wool, viscose and linen knits |
| Layer Printing Option | No |
| Neck Line Options | No |
| Sleeve Options | 3/4 Sleeves |
| Hem Options | No |
| Color Blocking | No |
| Seam Allowance | 3/8″ |
| Hem Allowance | 5/8″ |
| Separate add-on pack | No |
| Fit | Oversized, boxy |
| Easy to read instructions | Yes |
| Drawing or photograph instructions | Photos |
As you can see, this pattern is missing all the bells and whistles but c’mon… it’s free!

Printing the pattern, I was very skeptical. It’s hand drawn but went together very easily.

It’s one size fits all but I’m not sure who ‘all’ is 😉 I usually wear a small in ready-to-wear tops so that will give you a reference on fit. The body is very loose on me but the sleeves fit just right. I think the sleeves may be the biggest fit issue for anyone much bigger than me.

The top is very boxy and wide. It’s so different from what I usually wear but I think it’s fantastic!

I used a super flowy remnant piece I got in LA and was barely able to squeeze this top out of it so don’t judge my stripe matching (or lack thereof!). It was the perfect weight and drape for this top.

The sewing went so quick. It’s only a couple seams and hemming so it was done in a flash. The instructions were great and I think this would be a great beginner project.
What are your thoughts on this silhouette? Loose, flowy tops are all the rage right now and I think paired with some skinny jeans I could wear this just about anywhere.

And with that my new dolman sews are done. I’ll have a bonus post soon with my go-to dolman patterns that were already in constant rotation in my closet. Have you picked a favorite yet?
Make sure to check out the other bloggers and their tops this week:
Diving Into Dolmans Week 5
Sewing By Ti: Patterns for Pirates Pumpkin Spice
Creative Counselor: EYMM Natasha
Made by Melli – Maria Denmark Kimono Tee
Guest bloggers: Sew Far North – Nap Time Creations Easy Breezy Summer Tee

It’s rare that I get to sew just because but ever since I got this fabric it’s been calling to me.

I knew when I saw it that it would become a maxi skirt for Soph. The colors and print are so bright and totally her.

The top is a Lil Zippy top from See Kate Sew in a mystery rayon blend from Hancock’s. I love the almost neon color of it too!

For the skirt I used Mingo and Grace’s Crop Top Set as my base. I lengthened the skirt and I used the width of fabric instead of the skirt pattern piece. The skirt fabric is also from Hancock’s (man, I’m going to miss their apparel fabric deals!).

I love the drama of this outfit but also that it’s comfy and practical enough for church on Sundays. She wore this to church and didn’t want to take it off the rest of the day. Maxi’s are the best for Sunday lounging!

This is totally another outfit I’m wishing I’d made in my own size. If only I didn’t need twice as much fabric…
I loved this shoot! We drove past this little water feature a few days ago and she immediately said, “That’s perfect for a photo shoot. I really want to do my skirt pictures there!” Is she a pro or what?!!

And this my friends, is why I sew! She’s thrilled with her new outfit and I couldn’t be happier!

(This post contains affiliate links. I became a Love Notions affiliate AFTER trying her patterns and loving the high quality, amazing results I got from them.)
I’ve been dying over all the ready-to-wear tops with fun shirt-tail, lace, or other trim hems. They seem to be everywhere these days.

I can always count on Tami at Love Notions to fill my closet with the latest trends and classic pieces.

The Tabitha Top is a classic semi-fitted knit top with multiple sleeve and hem options.

My first shirt I made with the cute shirttail hem. It’s such a darling detail and adds so much charm.

My second tee is more casual with a contrast yoke and split hem.

There’s also a fun lace hem option that I can’t wait to make. I want to fill my wardrobe with these tees- they take my mom-i-form up a notch for sure!

Like the Tessa Dress, the Tabitha has multiple sleeve choices (sleeveless, short, elbow, 3/4, and long) and an optional front and back yoke.

I love the turned bias neckline- such a clean finish!

I love being able to use a bright, fun fabric for the yoke. I always fall in love with pretty prints but tend to gravitate towards solids or stripes in my everyday wear. This is the perfect solution! This fun print is part of the next Club Fabrics line from Raspberry Creek Fabrics (join the Facebook group to see more sneak peeks!)

The stripe version is 3/4 sleeves. The stripe fabric came from a Girl Charlee knitfix trade and is the same I used for my little miss here. The floral has been in my stash forever but I think it came from Denver Fabrics– they have a great selection of floral shirtings.
You can pick up the Tabitha Top on sale through Sunday. You can get it bundled with the Tessa dress for a great deal and the perfect jumpstart to your spring wardrobe. You can read my Tessa review here.