Blouse – SewSophieLynn

Spring is coming with Ava Kate from Riley Blake Fabrics

I’m sure we’re like so many in the western hemisphere, getting our first glimpses of spring. Utah spring means snow one day and 65 degrees the next. It means constantly checking the forecast but also knowing that if you don’t like the weather today, don’t worry! Chances are tomorrow will be completely different! The warm days have me so excited for spring!

The sunshine and warm weather was perfect to photograph the newest line from Riley Blake and Carina Gardner, Ava Kate. Ava Kate is full of beautiful florals, stunning damasks, and fun stripes. The black, seafoam, blush, and cayenne palette is one I can get behind.

I used three fabrics from this collection. My younger daughter is in Vines Seafoam and my older daughter picked Cayenne stripes. I lined them both with Flowers Cayenne and did a matching hair tie as well.

Payton has a thing for baby doll style dresses. Week after week she reaches for this style to wear to church. Something loose and easy to wear almost always wins with her. I sewed up the Chloe Dress from Vintage Little Lady. This is a free pattern and is available in Tween, girls, and baby sizing. Talk a bout a winner!

I sewed up a tween size 10 and forgot to add length to the skirt (she’s in a 14 height!). Yep, this little miss is shooting up just like her sister. For so long, she was my easy, one straight size girl. The last year she has really lengthened and is growing up way too fast! I tried to convince her it was ‘vintage length’ and she said “Vintage like what they wore on the Brady Bunch?” That was my cue to add a little more to the skirt, lol! Luckily I had just enough fabric left to do another quick tier and now we’re calling it a design feature.

This dress pattern is a dolman style bodice and is a super quick sew. I’m pretty sure both girls will be getting many more of these. It’s just such a classic style!

I had a sweet neighbor give me some of her old sewing notions and I was so happy to come across these buttons in her stash. They were just the perfect pop!

I just love this color on her and will keep filling her closet with it. She had to double check when I told her it matched her eyes perfectly!

This cute girl is definitely a teenager and it’s getting a little trickier to sew for her. Luckily she’s easy to please!

She’s still barely in the sizing at Little Lizard King and I am going to be so sad when the day comes that we can’t use their kids patterns for her anymore. I sewed up the Mavora in top length. The Mavora has so many options and darling ruffles (you might not even recognize it from my version!) but I fell in love with a simple tester version in stripes and knew I had to use it for this fabric. I was hopeful to fit a dress out of this fabric but sadly didn’t have quite enough. I think it was a happy accident though because this top couldn’t be more perfect for her!

I love the wide shoulders and fit. It feels sporty but still very feminine.

I sewed up a size 12 with added length to both the bodice (1.5″) and peplum (1.5″).

I used another vintage button for her keyhole closure and it was meant to be too! Her hair tie is created like you would do bias tape but I just sewed up the edges. Left untied felt very teenage-y!

Shooting these pics really had me excited for more outdoor shoots in the future. I have so many new favorite shots of my girls from this shoot!

Like these two! Pretty much sums up their relationship and personalities!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you’re enjoying that first taste of spring in your neck of the woods!

Faith, Hope, and Love Fabric from Riley Blake

I’m always a sucker for Sue Daley’s lines at Riley Blake and her newest Faith, Hope, and Love line is another winner. I’m always drawn to her style and color palettes and this line will draw you in too!

The pretty pinks, muted golds, deep charcoal, and pale blues are so good together. Throw in simple prints, darling florals, and a vintage feel and this collection is giving me all the heart eyes!

I got Stems in Charcoal and Geo in Antique Gold and was seriously tempted to use them both for myself. I love that these prints aren’t too bold and are fantastic blenders but also work so well on their own. They’re subtle and classic- my favorite combination!

With snow in the forecast, we decided to have a little fun for this shoot. We headed to our favorite little wooded park and had so much fun. It was just cold enough to snow (it wasn’t cold enough to stick to the roads) but not windy or too cold to play in. Payton, in her little short sleeved top, didn’t complain a bit and just loved the novelty of shooting with those big gorgeous snowflakes falling around us. It was a magical moment with my girls and I’m glad to have these pics that captured it all!

This girl has a closet full of dresses and asked for a top this time. I used the Odeline Blouse from Iris May (available in the Project Run and Play Shop). I used this pattern once before and we both loved the top so it was about time we revisited it. The pattern is full of options (like the cute ruffles!) but we stuck with just the simple neck ruffle again.

The pattern does not include seam allowances (are we just spoiled in the US?) and that always intimidates me. I used the two pencil method to trace the seam allowance and it was a quick and simple step that I really need to not stop me in the future. I’m always worried that I’ll do it wrong and end up with an ill fitting garment but the directions are very clear as to where to add the seam allowances and it really just took a few extra minutes.

That pretty button placket in the back is so cute!

This cute teen is inching her way into women’s sizing and I’m always excited when I find more of my patterns that fit her. The Justine Skirt from Ready to Sew comes in sizes 32-52 and was perfect for her. I love that all of the proceeds from this pattern are donated, making it a great one to have in your stash.

The skirt features a fitted waistband (no elastic), button front, and nice big pockets. You can see my other version here for more of those pretty details.

I love the cute midi-length which makes it so versatile. It’s super cute with boots for winter but will also pair so well with a tee and sandals come summer.

I’m grateful for Riley Blake and these cute fabrics. It’s so fun to sew them up and get to see them on my girls! They love their new pieces!

Liberty Flower Show Spring for Riley Blake Fabrics

I’ve been a lover of Liberty fabrics since I started sewing regularly almost ten years ago. I dragged my husband to the Liberty flagship store many years ago on a trip to London and I wandered the store for far too long for someone as cheap as I am! I left with a few small trinkets (fabric buttons, a handkerchief, and some gorgeous bias tape) and vowed to one day splurge on actual yardage when I felt confident in my sewing abilities. When I saw that Liberty has partnered with Riley Blake to offer affordable quilting cottons, my thrifty little heart rejoiced! You get the same iconic prints and Riley Blake’s quality cottons.

I’m excited to introduce you to the Liberty Flower Show Spring line. There’s an amazing variety of prints- from the vibrant and bright spring florals to the subtle tone on tone prints. I requested a few different prints that I fell in love with. I knew I needed something for myself and was torn between which children deserved this goodness.

Payton needed a dress in this happy floral print. I’ve been wanting to make a Simple Life Pattern Co. Newport Dress since it released and I knew this print would be great for it. I love the simple lines of this pattern and those pockets are the coolest thing EVER! The construction is unexpected but the look really adds so much to this dress. I sewed up a straight size 10 (she’s right in between an 8 and a 10 size-wise but I want her to be able to wear this through the summer too) with added length that I ended up taking out by doing an extra wide hem. I always think I want dresses to hit below the knee so she can wear them longer but in the end I decided that I like the look of slightly above the knee so much better. With a wide hem, I can just let it down when she grows! The joy of sewing your own clothes!I paired the Malvern Meadow print with the Wiltshire Shadow Collection Custard for the lining and pockets lining. The colors in the Malvern Meadow print are so fun and cheery. They bring a bit of sunshine to our gloomy winter days. I made a warm weather dress for an upcoming vacation and know she’ll be happy to wear this come spring too!

This print, Yorkshire Meadow, had me so torn. First, it was going to be a tie for one of my boys. The subtle print and muted colors make it a floral that works great for anyone. I finally settled on shorts for my oldest daughter because it was the most practical. As we get ready for our trip I noticed she’s grown about a foot and her shorts are a little extra short now. These will be perfect for throwing on with a swimsuit and wearing while we do a little sight seeing too.

I used the Free Purl Soho City Gym Shorts pattern. I love this free pattern! It’s quick and the racer styling never goes out of style. She’s in the largest kid size for her waist and I added an extra inch to the inseam length. I used store bought bias tape and 1.5″ elastic instead of the 1″ the pattern called for. They offer this pattern in children’s sizes 2-11 and women’s waist sizes 33-46″. It’s such a great lounging pattern and works well with lots of different fabric types. It’s fantastic for beginners too!

For my top, I used the Arley Gardens print (not available on the website but it should hit your favorite quilt shop soon!). These colors are divine! The rosey-pinks and dusty blues- c’mon! It feels a little more grown-up and not so flashy. It’s just so darn pretty!

I used the Melody Top from Love Notions (affiliate link). It’s the perfect beginner friendly button-up. No finicky plackets to mess with and great, detailed instructions. I sized down to an XS this time as I was afraid it would look too boxy in this heavier weight cotton. I love that the Melody looks amazing in so many different fabric types. I made one slight change to the pattern and cut the back piece straight across instead of the shirt tail hem. I plan on tying the front whenever I wear it and I found with my last Melody that my back hem just naturally bunched up in the back. Cutting the shirt tail curve off will reduce the bulk back there.

Are you itching to get your hands on some of this line now?! If you’re looking for the Liberty lawn feel, this isn’t going to work for you. It has the same feel and weight as a high-quality quilting cotton. It will be great for lots of home and apparel projects as well as nice on your bank account too! If you’re like me that means you can just buy ALL the prints then!

Back to School with Project Run and Play

Summer is coming to an end and my kiddos are headed back to school next week. Making and buying new school clothes and supplies is one way we make it a little less painful. It’s hard to be sad when you’ve got a cute outfit on, lol! To help with your back to school sewing, Project Run and Play is introducing four new patterns to the shop and you can grab these patterns on sale for 20% off through Sunday, August 18th.

I sewed up the Odeline Blouse and Dress from Iris May Patterns. I loved all the options that come with the pattern and it was so fun brainstorming different ideas. A cute gathered sleeve dress in plaid flannel? I simple solid version with ALL the ruffles? A striped linen dress for the last bit of summer weather? One look at all the listing pictures really had my mind reeling. So.Many.Options!

We settled on a short sleeve blouse in this fantastic pineapple print crepe that I picked up in the LA Fabric District. We’ve got a couple more months of nice weather and I wanted something she could wear the first few days of school. She’s loving the pineapple trend and this colorway feels like something that will work well into fall. Short sleeves are so great for layering once the weather gets cooler too.

This pattern features both blouse and dress lengths. There are short, 3/4, and long sleeve options and you can pick a plain or puff sleeve. You can also choose to add a ruffle to the neckline, bodice, and chest. Mixing and matching all the options gives you so many different looks. I chose the neckline ruffle, plain short sleeve and blouse length.

This was one of my first patterns that does not include a seam allowance. I’ve got to admit- I was terrified I’d screw it up! I watched a couple of YouTube videos to refresh my memory and just went for it. I used the two pencils stuck together method and it worked out great- so quick and easy! I’m glad I won’t have to be so intimidated in the future.

I love how this turned out and I’m so glad I still have enough of this fabric left so we can be twinning. It’s such a versatile piece and will work so well for those hot first school days.

Want to win and sew a dream back to school wardrobe? Every purchase in the Project Run and Play shop during the Back to School event will be entered to win 5 patterns of your choice from the shop. Such a fun giveaway!

This little miss attitude is ready to head back to school in style! Head to the Project Run and Play shop to grab the newest patterns on sale!

Love Notions Melody Dolman

The Love Notions Melody Top is here. I’m thinking this will be THE pattern of the summer (at least MY summer, anyway!).

This post contains affiliate links. I am a Love Notions tester and ambassador. A portion of your purchase through my links will come back to me. I joined the team AFTER falling in love with these patterns and the amazing ladies behind Love Notions patterns.

The Melody dolman is an easy fit button-up blouse. It features sleeve cuffs, a cute wide collar, and a shirttail hem that can be worn down or tied in front. The pattern comes in sizes XS- XXXL with a full bust option as well.

I sewed up a size small with an inch added for my 5’7″ height. I think I will leave off the extra length next time though. I used an amazing lightweight viscose crepe from Blackbird fabrics (purchased early last year and just waiting in my stash for the perfect project). The fabric has such a beautiful drape and was so nice to wear. It’s not too hot and was so dreamy against my skin. I will definitely be on the hunt for more of this fabric type.

The construction of this top is seriously so quick. If you’ve been wanting to try a button-up but are feeling intimidated by it (do you see me raising my hand- I’m looking at you Cheyenne), this pattern is for you! The collar comes together easily and the dolman sleeve style means no setting in sleeves.

I’m anxious to sew up a couple of more to get me through summer. I’ve been dying over all the tester versions and think I need to try a more stable linen version next. I’ve got my eye on this pretty Buttercup yellow linen or a soft striped rayon challis (both from Raspberry Creek Fabrics). Fabric plays such a role in the look of this pattern and I love the idea of having a closetful but each one being completely different.

One of my favorite parts of testing is the community it builds. I’m so lucky to live by the amazing Rachel of Little Fish, Anna of Kainara Stitches, and Katie of Made by Kates. We met up for a quick shoot in our Melodies and I couldn’t love these pics more. Huge shout out to Nicole for taking these shots and Anna for working her magic on them. I love how our tops all look so different and I want to copy them all!

You can grab this pattern on sale through Sunday, June 23rd.

Coffee and Thread Roho Blouse

The Roho Blouse from Coffee and Thread is here! It’s one of those highly anticipated releases that I know is going to be a huge hit in the sewing community!

The Roho Blouse is a raglan sleeve blouse with billowy sleeves that looks great in drapey woven fabrics. It comes in sizes 2-20 and looks great on all body types. There are multiple sleeve options and two hem styles as well. With no closures to fuss with it sews up quickly and is a great beginner to intermediate pattern. The neckline is finished with a facing for a nice clean look.

I sewed up a size 4 with long sleeves and elastic casings in the cuffs and front hem. I love the slightly gathered front hem look- so unique and flattering.

I sewed mine up in a rayon crepe I picked up at Hobby Lobby. It was a cold and snowy day and this fabric was the perfect pick me up. I was able to sew mine up in a quiet morning alone and then headed to lunch with my husband where he kindly obliged me with photos. I love when I can cut, sew, and photograph a project all within a few hours. Those are definitely my kind of projects!

I’m feeling like I need a little tropical vacation stat! Bring on the palm trees and sunshine please!

You can grab your copy on sale through Monday, February 18th so hurry on over! Make sure to check out all the tester versions here for some beautiful inspiration.

Love Notions Lace Tour

I’m so excited for you all to see the glorious creations coming your way this week on the Love Notions Lace Summer Blog Tour. So many pretty variations on your favorite Love Notions patterns!

I’m a pretty casual gal and don’t usually go for a ton of lace in my wardrobe. I knew I wanted something that would get worn more than just on the rare special occasion and I kept dreaming of an easy lace woven tee. I pulled out my Harmony Top pattern and found the perfect white eyelet in my stash. And that is how my perfect summer top was born.

My last Harmony top didn’t make it to the blog and I’ve been dying to make a few more for the summer. It’s just the perfect light and breezy top. I love a good woven top to dress up my usual jeans and the Harmony is relaxed and perfect for all those wovens I’ve been hoarding.

I love the back shaping of this pattern. It’s a swingy loose top and bringing in the center back really helps it fit just right.

I did modify the neckline this time and used the crew neckline from the Classic Tee. I love a higher neckline and with the back button it works great and still easily slips over my head. I was channeling these two Pinterest tops. They are just so classy!

Using an eyelet meant I didn’t need to make any other alterations to the pattern. I actually debated between an open weave lace and worried about the seams and front darts looking strange if I didn’t finish them in the exact color serger thread. White eyelet meant no changing thread, lol!

I’m so excited to have this top all summer long. It’s such a great staple and a classic I will wear for a long time to come.

Are you ready for the other stops on this tour? I seriously can’t wait to check them out all week long!

Monday: Sewing Curves SewSophieLynn Kainara Stitches
Tuesday: doodlenumber5 My Heart Will Sew On Third Shift Creations
Wednesday: Princesse et tresors Phat Quarters
Thursday: All Things Katy! Back40life,Sprouting JubeJube
Friday: Sew Like a Sloth Very Blissful Seamly Behaviour

Chalk and Notch Pixie Tee and Dress

Gabriela at Chalk and Notch does such a great job at making me feel like a million bucks! Her patterns are always on trend with classic lines and great details. The new Pixie Tee is no exception.

The best part- This pattern is free for a limited time for Chalk and Notch newsletter subscribers, just make sure you sign up before Sunday, June 24th. Hurry over here and click the little Newsletter sign up in the left top corner. Easy Peasy! Do it now so you don’t forget, you will not want to miss out on this one!

This pattern is super versatile and so cute. There are hem band and hem tie options and multiple sleeve lengths. There are also top and dress lengths. You can make a comfy knit tee dress, chic date night top, and cozy sweatshirt all from the same pattern. I chose to do the hem tie, short sleeve, top version and love, love, love it!

I used a beautiful double brushed polyester from Raspberry Creek Fabrics (this print is currently not available but there are a ton of other cute options!). I love the weight and drape of it for this pattern. There are pattern pieces and instructions for making your own woven ties but there is also an option for ribbon ties. I used a pretty velvet ribbon for mine and love the texture it adds.

My plan as I sewed this top was to wear it styled exactly like this. Who doesn’t love a good jeans and tee combo? I love that this feels a little elevated than my basic momiform and would love to make a couple more.

I tried this tee on right before heading out the door for church and just really didn’t want to take it off! I threw on a skirt and loved that I was able to easily dress it up too.

I can’t wait for you to see all the tester versions. There was a huge variety and each one was so cute! Cozy french terry versions, pretty dresses, and fun fabric combos.

So did you get all signed up?!! Make sure you head to Chalk and Notch so you can grab this as soon as it’s released. Such a fun new pattern!

Watch my Instagram feed for a chance to win a Chalk and Notch pattern of your choice too!

Hey June Phoenix Blouse

Well, be prepared to buy another pattern. The Hey June Handmade Phoenix Blouse is here and it’s perfect for summer (and all year really!). It has all the same great quality you’ve come to expect in a Hey June pattern- amazing instructions, excellent drafting, and incredible style.

The pattern features a loose fit, front yoke with slit, and a back yoke. There are sleeveless and bell sleeve views. The best part for me was the fact that the Amalfi Dress sleeves fit perfectly with this pattern- hooray for even more options! I used the flutter sleeve from the Amalfi for my version.

I love the breeziness of this whole blouse but those sleeves take it to a whole new level!

I’ve had this fabric forever! I found it years ago in LA at Michael Levine’s Loft where you pay by the pound and since it was such a lightweight fabric I got yards and yards of it! I love the subtle print and drape. I think it’s a rayon crepe and it’s just a bit sheer. While I think the finished top is amazing in this fabric, I did have to walk away a couple of times during sewing as it put me through the ringer! I think my next Phoenix will be in a sturdier fabric but those flutter sleeves just needed something that would flow and I knew this would be perfect.

The back yoke construction is genius!! As with all Hey June patterns the insides look just as pretty as the outsides and that yoke is a little mind blowing. It’s a simple to do technique that hides most of the yoke and shoulder seams.

Make sure you grab your copy of the Phoenix Blouse! It’s a wardrobe MUST for sure!

Tag: Blouse