SewSophieLynn

A Christmas Jane Dress

After many tears over this dress not fitting, I promised to make it up to my Payton. I let her pick the fabric from my stash and she picked this super soft flannel shirting from my stash. I knew it needed to be a simple sweet a-line dress and the Jane Dress from Shwin Designs would be perfect.

I had made a sweet summery version with a collar during testing of this pattern and decided to leave off the collar and add a detachable one this time.

I used Made for Mermaids FREE Tiffany Collar in black lace and I love the look and the fact that she can wear it with other things.

I added pom pom trim to all the hems for a little pizazz. I just adore this cute, classic little dress.

It just reminds me of how sweet and innocent my little girls are and how quickly they are growing up.

And since big sis got two Christmas dresses you know this one needed another one too. Stay tuned tomorrow for my take on a classic Christmas dress.

A Tale of Three Christmas Dresses

Sophie has a beautiful new Christmas dress that she loves- not this one, but this one. She was so excited to wear our matching dresses and Payton needed one to join us. I love non-traditional colors that can be worn throughout the year and this floral from my stash fit the bill.

It would be only fitting to use another Mingo and Grace pattern- The Charlie Dress. Bonus- I already had the pattern traced and ready to go (in a size 6 with 8 length) but had never made it.

It came together quickly in a naptime and I couldn’t wait for Payton to try it on when she got home. As she twirled around it was obvious to me that it was way too long and very sloppy on her. I could seam rip a perfectly gathered and serged seam or give it to big sis and sew a new dress. All you seamstresses know that was a no brainer.

So big sister got dress number two that fits her perfectly. Which means little sis needed two dresses too… I’ll take any excuse to sew up more easy dresses. I’ll be posting those later this week and also sharing some of my favorite sister pics ever!

Are you sewing up Christmas dresses this year? I love the quick, simple dresses that can be worn for more than a season. This Charlie dress is just that. It will be darling come spring with sandals too and she can wear it now with a tee underneath or a sweater on top. Just about the perfect dress in my book!

Pattern for Pirates Knitfix Hoodie

I’ve been hoarding this floral for months and I’m so, so thrilled I finally cut into it.

I first cut this out and used the scraps to make this sweatshirt for Payton so you probably recognize the fun print.

I wanted an extra cozy sweatshirt so I pulled out my Patterns for Pirates Raglan and Add-ons. I went all in with a cross-over funnel hood, kangaroo pocket, and thumbhole cuffs.

It was the perfect combination for the coziest sweatshirt ev-ah!!

The floral is a Girl Charlee knitfix french terry and the hood lining is Purple Seamstress stripes. The cuffs and bottom band are oatmeal french terry from Raspberry Creek.

I have a feeling this will get a lot of wear this winter. Especially for the holidays- this is my kinda Christmas sweater!

Club Fabric Line 2 Preview

Raspberry Creek Fabrics has a new Club fabrics line coming!!! Are you as excited as I am?!!

I was lucky enough to get my hands on some strikeoffs and got sewing right away!

Payton got an Extraordinary Girl tee from Filles a Maman out of the new Club floral mixed with Riley Blake dots and solid coral (all from Raspberry Creek).

This is quite possibly my favorite t-shirt I’ve made. The colors are just right up my alley and that floral is just to die for!

I did Dressage Leggings from Jennuine Designs for Sophie. They were perfect for a little color blocking with the new Club aztec and black cotton spandex.

These are the best fitting leggings on my skinny mini and I can’t wait to make her a million more.

You can preorder the new Club Fabrics line in the shop. The best part- It will all come in cotton spandex and french terry! I’ll be sharing more projects in the coming weeks leading up to it’s arrival. I can’t wait for you guys to get your hands on this goodness!

Mother Daughter Blake Dresses

Who wants this ladies version for FREE?!! Click through to the end of the post for more details!

Warning! This post will contain an obscene amount of pictures. I just can’t get enough of THIS DRESS!!!

I love Farrah at Mingo and Grace’s simple and classic patterns. Her clean lines and gorgeous silhouettes are so versatile.

Only problem is my girls had already sized out of her one of her most popular patterns- the Blake dress. Farrah listened to all of us tween moms and has now upgraded the Blake to size 12!! Hooray!

And while she was at it she threw in a ladies version as well. Hello awesome!

The bodice of this dress has darts to really flatter and I love the wide shoulders and high neckline too.

There is an invisible zipper and two different back shapes- full and racerback. We choose the full back for Sophie.

The ladies version has a sleeve option as well.

The skirt features big box pleats and optional inseam pockets. Who doesn’t love a dress with pockets?!

We loved dressing this down with a denim jacket and boots.

But she’s also anxious to wear it for the holidays, all dressed up with glamorous accessories.

You know when you go into the fabric store with one vision in mind and come out with something completely different? That was me and this dress. I originally thought of doing this dress in a printed stretch sateen or twill. I did Sophie’s version first and this Casa Collection Satin from Joann’s caught my eye.

It’s such a vibrant, beautiful shade and suits my Soph so well.

I used a stretch sateen from Joann’s for my version and it’s the perfect balance of fancy and easy wear.

Farrah has generously offered the Ladies version for FREE to her newsletter subscribers on Cyber Monday. Sign up today so you don’t miss it! Check out her shop for more Cyber Monday deals.

Love Notions Samson Sweater

I love a pattern that can be used for all my kids. If you haven’t noticed, I’m kinda obesessed with making sweatshirts too. The Samson Sweater from Love Notions just feeds both of those needs (yes, sewing sweatshirts is a NEED for me).

With a crewneck, hood, and jacket option this pattern will get lots of use around these parts.

Charlie got a crew neck with a flannel front and french terry back and arms. Another combo I can’t get enough of. Both fabrics are from Raspberry Creek Fabric.

He said it was so cozy and didn’t want to take it off. He may or may not be going on day two with it on…

Payton got a hood version out of Girl Charlee knitfix floral french terry and a stripe french terry from Girl Charlee as well. The hood and band is oatmeal french terry from Raspberry Creek that matched perfectly!

I made her a size 8 and Charlie a 4 with the banded bottom. As with most patterns, I will have to lengthen it in the future (that’s what they get for being so darn tall and skinny!).

These two have such a cute relationship. They are usually giggling away together and having a blast. It’s always fun to see the baby of the family grow up and start having real relationships with their siblings. It was fun to capture some of that.

Love Notions is having a great Black Friday sale and you can pick up this pattern (and the dozen others you’ve been eyeing) for 40% off with code thanksgiving15. Here’s my affiliate link if you need anything 😉

Love Notions Pattern Shop

Yet another Hatteras…

I have an addiction… I can’t stop making Hatteras/Halifax hoodies.

I may need an intervention. I can’t help it when it is such a versatile pattern.

This version is view B with a woven plaid front and the very last scraps of my pretty ponte from my Sybil Skirt. I added zippers to the side seams and it’s just fabulous!

I used this tutorial from Sewing in No Man’s Land. It was perfect to achieve just the look I wanted.

Be prepared for a version for me because I can’t stop… won’t stop!

Shwin Designs Eleanor

There are very few patterns that I make multiple times- not because I don’t love them but I just have soooo many patterns and too little time. The Eleanor dress and top is one of those patterns that I’ve been dying to make again though.

The darling collar and puffy sleeve are just too cute for words!

I used Raspberry Creek Club Fabrics and let Payton pick the combo. A happy customer means it will actually get worn.

She loves the hearts and polka dots are always a good idea, right?!!!

I shortened the sleeves (a tad too much) and added bands but if she’s anything like her momma they’ll get pushed up anyways.

Ready to do some pre-Black Friday shopping? Have you signed up for Shwin and Shwin’s newsletter yet? Head over here and get signed up. There are some AH-mazing deals and promo codes in the newsletter (like $3 patterns- the Eleanor is up today). The rest of the week is full of great offers you won’t want to miss!

Gracious Threads New Look Blog Tour

I’m super excited to be on my first blog tour today. Jess at Gracious Threads has a new storefront with a whole new look and feel to her website and blog. To celebrate I’ve joined with other bloggers to showcase a ‘New Look” for us.

I had a hard time picking which kid needed a new look until I realized this boy has already started creating his own fresh look the past few months. He started middle school this year and it’s been fun to see his wardrobe go from comfy sport pants and tees to skinny jeans and button-up shirts.

He is just barely hitting a size 12 and I knew the Jasper Jogger pattern would be a great choice. We headed over to Pinterest for some inspiration before we started.

These are made with grey stretch denim from Joann’s. I used the wrong side of the fabric for the main pants because it felt more lived-in and less dressy. I used the right side as contrast on all the pockets and waistband.

This is the one bum shot I was allowed 😉 I made a couple alterations to the pattern to get the right fit for my skinny guy. I tapered the waist and hips about an inch and cut off three inches from the length. I added a drawstring and grommets to the waistband too.

We headed to his school one night to get some pics and loved our little shoot. He brought a buddy along because what is middle school without your best friends?!!

I love the casual look of these pants but he loves how comfortable they are too.

Ready for the best part? To celebrate head on over to the new Gracious Threads Shop and use code ‘ANEWLOOK’ to get 40% off all patterns (offer good from November 16-29)! See how excited he is…

Make sure to check out the other great looks on the tour from some amazing bloggers.

Nov 16 – Handmade Boy * From A Box * Inspinration * Blessed X 5

Nov 17 – Sew Starly * Sewing by Ti * Climbing the Willow * Kopy Kat Kidz

Nov 18 – Rebel and Malice * Willow and Stitch * Tales of a Tester

Nov 19 – Sew Happily Ever After* Lulu and Celeste * Sew Sophie Lynn

Nov 20 – Handcrafted by Red * Just Add Fabric * Made by Sara

Nov 21 – Create Three Point Five * Lacasa Cactus * The Wholesome Mama

Love Notions Sybil Skirt

I wear a skirt usually every Sunday. So a new skirt pattern that is actually 7, yes 7, patterns in one is just what I need!

Tami at Love Notions has done it again. I had the chance to test this skirt and with each new version the testers sewed up I knew this was going to be a FABULOUS pattern.

The first version I made was a box pleated, midi-length out of beautiful ponte I grabbed in LA.

This is me showing how excited I am over the pockets! I just love me some pockets!

It’s such a simple design but it’s so lovely sewn up.

Styling it was so fun! I loved my easy everyday look with a tee and sneakers or a dressed up take with a button-up and textured tights. I also did just a simple sweater and scarf for a normal church service.

After the other tester versions came rolling in I knew I needed to make at least one more.

I did a midi, gored version out of ponte I picked up at Raspberry Creek Fabrics ages ago (she gets ponte in regularly so keep checking back).

I love the detail that the gore brings and the fit is just fantastic.

So these are just two versions. Let’s talk pattern details. This pattern is made for knits. There are seven versions- box pleated, gored, asymmetrical wrap, drop yoke with swing, pencil, and a-line. You can pick knee-length or midi length and don’t forget the inseam pockets! There is a yoga waistband (like mine) or an optional control panel waistband. I have loved every single version I’ve seen. It flatters all body types and comes in sizes XS-XXXL. It really is the only skirt pattern you’ll ever need!

Pick up your copy here!

I am an affiliate for Love Notions and while I will get a small commission off your purchase my opinions are 100% true! I just adore this pattern and you will too!

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