Sewing for Girls – Page 8

Patterns for Pirates Me Heartie Dress

Being my kid is hard. Mom will make you new clothes all the time but then mom makes you stand outside when it’s 20 degrees and threatening to snow just to take a few pictures. Never mind that she’s dreaming of spring and makes you a short sleeve dress. You just suck it up, smile, and know there’s a treat in it for you when you’re done. And mom hopes she can edit out the goosebumps later 😉

These girls are getting so good at just smiling and pleasing their crazy mom.

And they even have a little fun while they’re at it.

The pattern I have for you today is the just released Patterns for Pirates Me Hearties Dress. I was thrilled to be able to test it and my girls just love their new dresses and top.

The first one I made was a simple short sleeve bodice with fold-over-elastic binding and a dress length circle skirt.

This was my first time using FOE to bind hems and it was just fantastic! I followed this tutorial from Made for Mermaids and it made for perfect hems every time!

I don’t do circle skirts very often and my girls loved it so much that Sophie requested her own version. They just twirled and twirled til they were dizzy!

For fabric on these I used a black and white stripe from Purpleseamstress, Club dots from Raspberry Creek and a photo floral print I picked up in LA. I love the selection of FOE at Hobby Lobby and used a couple different ones for my dresses and top.

After I did the dresses I just couldn’t stop! The sweetheart neckline option of this pattern is just too cute!

I used a knit lace I had in my stash, backed with white cotton/lycra from Raspberry Creek and Club floral from Raspberry Creek (that is unfortunately sold out). The neck and sleeves are bound with FOE.

I did the shirt with peplum option and my sleeves are an in between length as I was using every last bit of the lace I could.

I absolutely adore this top and love how sweet it looks on my girly.

There are so many options with this pattern! Check out the Pattern for Pirates Facebook group for some incredible inspiration. With the lace overlay, this simple dress becomes a stunning fancy frock. And the best part… you can make one for yourself, too! Pick up the women’s version here or grab the mommy and me bundle here.

And I saved my favorite picture for the end… Seriously, this girl is one spunky chica!

Lucy’s for two

You know I’m on a major plaid kick. These plaid Lucy tops from Shwin Designs are pure perfection!

My lil Payton got hers before Christmas and I could hardly wait to make my own!

I used plaid flannel from Joann’s for my outer and lined it with a cozy cream microfleece. We took these shots in freezing temps and we’ve done some award worthy acting to hide our shivering 😉

The top features a crossover front with buttons at the shoulders. It’s fully lined so you can make it reversible!

I added a fun little leather detail to the hem of mine that gives it a little more ready-to-wear vibe.

Payton’s is made out of Joann’s flannel and a light chambray from LA. I added the extra buttons to hers to make hers reversible (I didn’t add the extra buttons to mine because I don’t forsee me wearing the fleece on the outside).

The fit on her is spot on and so, so cute!

I made us both size 6’s. I’m sad it only goes to 6 in girls. I’ll be adding length and tweaking the pattern so I can make many more of these for my girls in the future!

The ladies version features bust darts that add to the flattering fit. I added two inches to my length (per pattern instructions) since I am 5’7″.

The Ladies pattern offers the suggestion of wearing it open or even adding a button at the waist to wear the collar down while bringing in the waist.

I love this fall/winter version but I’m also excited to make a flowy light version for spring too.

You can pick up the girls Lucy here and the Ladies version here.

I am a Brand Ambassador for Shwin and have been provided the patterns for free but my thoughts and opinions are purely my own. I have a true love of all things Shwin!

Mermaid Tails for Christmas

Mermaid tails are everywhere these days and I was so excited for my girls to open their’s up on Christmas morning. These are definitely the most used Christmas gift at our house. They’ve slept in them every night and are usually curled up in them watching a show or reading a book any chance they get.

I used the Anna Banana Mermaid Tail pattern. I purchased it on Black Friday and wouldn’t you know a free version from another designer came out just days later!

I’m glad I purchased this though because the shape of the fin is so cute and the waistband is darling too.

It comes with an 18″ doll pattern and 8 different sizes from infant adult.

My girls rarely play with their dolls anymore so it was fun to see them break them out again so they could be matching.

I made an adult version for another family member and I think it was the gift I was most excited to give this Christmas. It was so cozy I almost stole it for myself!

These blankets are such a quick, fun sew and I highly recommend them if you are just beginning to sew or are looking for a project to use up all that fleece you couldn’t resist. My fleece is all from Joann’s and all bought during their sale so these blankets cost about $8 each to make. I love me a great deal and simple, fast sews!

Sew Straight and Gather’s Metro Pullover

Terri at Sew Straight and Gather has got another brilliant pattern for you. I have an addiction to making sweatshirts and consider myself quite the hoodie connoisseur so when I say you need this pattern you better hop right on that!

There are two patterns- one for kids and one for women/men. A pattern for the whole family is always going to get a lot of use in my house.

Each pattern comes with a hooded version or a cowl neck. I made a couple of each just because I couldn’t stop. Seriously, I want to see you make just one…

This cutie got the first one off the sewing machine. I just adore his little face peeking out of that hood. I love the unique hood and the fit of this sweatshirt.

I used Raspberry Creek Fabrics french terry in solid charcoal and oatmeal. The combo is neutral and the charcoal stripe hood lining just ties is all together.

Payton’s was next and sewed up in a flash. She picked out this anti-pill fleece from Joann’s and it worked just lovely for this pattern.

She got the cross-over cowl version. It’s nice and big which makes it so cozy and cute!

The girls and ladies version have this darling pleat detail in the back. It gives it a little more flow and adds just that little something extra.

There is a curved hem or a banded bottom option. Payton got the curved hem. I loved her version so much I headed to the fabric store the next day so that I could make one in my size!

I wasn’t signed up to test Sophie’s size but just loved this pattern so much I knew she needed her own too! She got a cowl with a banded bottom out of Joann’s fleece.

My first version was a beautiful eggplant french terry (from Raspberry Creek) hoodie version.

I’ve had this lightweight mustard/cream stripe in my stash and it was absolutely perfect with this eggplant. I used it to line both the hood and the pocket.

I love the slim fit of this sweatshirt- not too baggy, not too tight!

I whipped up my cowl microfleece version in about a half hour after making the others. Seriously, the cutest, quickest sew ever. It is so cozy and I dreaded taking it off!

I think we’ve found a new favorite pattern. The big boys are feeling left out so we might need to whip up a few more real soon!

Terri’s patterns are so clearly written and I love her clean, crisp layout. She offers lots of tips and her tutorials make sewing a breeze even if you’re just a beginner to sewing.

Terri has graciously offered both patterns for $4 each or $8 (CAD, so us Americans will save even more!) for the bundle for a limited time. Are you doing last minute Christmas sewing? Or finished up and need a little selfish sew? I’d waste no time and grab this pattern TODAY! Pick up the kids version here or the ladies/mens here but really you should just get them both– you won’t regret it!

Angelic Li’l LDT

This little girl had her winter dance recital the day we took these pics. She wore an angel costume for her recital and I spent the day thinking how appropriate that was.

For this version of the Li’l LDT I used a cream sparkle ponte from Joann’s. I had originally gotten it for a cardigan but it was really meant to be this dress- I heard it calling to me 😉

As I sewed this up in the wee hours of the morning, I was nervous it would either be fabulous or look like a fancy nightgown. With every project I cut out it’s so nerve-wracking hoping it turns out like the vision in my head.

This one was exactly as I’d hoped. Once she got it on and styled I fell even more in love with it.

I did the cowl neck, bishop sleeves and high low dress version. The front of the high low has been lowered a bit in the final version.

The cowl and bishop sleeves together just make such a classic, sweet combination.

This pattern will be such a go-to pattern in our house. The girls love all their versions and I love how quick and easy they are to whip up. It’s so fun to think of all the possibilities and how it will work for every season.

Have you picked up your copy yet? Head over here and use code ‘forthegirls’ to get 20% off until 12/19.

That scrunchy nose smile gets me every time!

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!

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

Heidi and Finn Cocoon Dress (x2 of course)

Can I just shout from the rooftops how much I love, love, love this pattern?!!!! This is the Heidi and Finn Cocoon Dress and it is my new favorite thing, EVER!

It’s got such a fun silhouette and is so simple and classic at the same time. It’s got sleeves and is a modest length, too! And the kicker for me is that it’s FAST, like start to finish in an hour fast! Can I just make Cocoon dresses for the rest of my life, please?!!

My obsession began with an early morning vision of the cute, quilted knit version. I’ve had the fabric, from Raspberry Creek, since Spring and have always pictured it as a hoodie or sweatshirt. That is until that fateful morning…

Sophie’s birthday was coming up so I whipped it up that morning and had little sis try it on after school (the benefits of having all the same measurements but height). Well, Payton fell in love with it too (Can you blame her?) and this corduroy version was sewn up for her.

She picked the zipper out of my stash- she’s a sucker for hearts.

You know how I feel about pockets…

And that fabric? Just another great find from Hobby Lobby.

Sophie opened her dress on her birthday morning and immediately put it on to wear to school. She totally thought I’d bought it and was thrilled by how soft and cozy it is!

I adore the zipper on this one!

She came home from school and ditched the leggings and threw on her jean jacket and looked too darn cute I made her take more pics. It may or may not have been raining but she was such a great sport!

Can’t wait to make a million more… I’m thinking a french terry version would be fantastic. Oh, or I’ve got a plaid corduroy that would be great for the holidays. Or a simple denim one? How will I ever decide?!!!

Love Notions Boyfriend Cardigan

Can you feel that crispness in the air? We’re getting our first taste of fall and I’m loving it! I love to throw on a cozy sweater or sweatshirt and dust off my favorite boots. Fall brings a renewal in our house… we’re back on a schedule, we’ve got new activities and projects, and there’s a new hope as the school year really gets going. It’s my favorite time of year by far!

As the days get shorter and nights start cooling off the Love Notions Boyfriend Cardigan will be perfect. I got to test this pattern in the Ladies and Girls versions. It was so fun to sew up and then get to take pictures with my Payton. I really hate to be in front of the camera but she sure made it fun.