A blog of Sewing Sweetness. Pattern Reviews, Tutorials, and More.
Do you remember my One Thimble Tour post about the Orbis Skinny Harems? Well the Orbis Harem pattern has now been release back to the designer and there is a little celebration to kick them off for a second time. I do love this pattern. …
Alrighty!! One down and eight more to go on my #2017makenine adventure. For more detail on that, read my post here. Nine projects seems like a lot, but when you just decide to sit down and tackle one you may get the impression that it …
This week I decided I was going to be joining in on some maker fun with the fabulous people participating in #2017makenine. Basically, you select nine projects that you want to complete for 2017. You can find more information about the leader of this fun project here, then join in on the maker fun!
I was having a hard time deciding what I wanted to commit to. In truth, I really want to do two sets of make nine. I needed one for the girls, and one for myself. I just started with the girls and if I crank through it quickly, I’m going to do one for myself too. You can see my projects below.
How did I choose my nine? I started by thinking about patterns that I already have and have been wanting to make but haven’t gotten around to it yet. I put together a list and then started thinking about what patterns would pair well together and the “look” I prefer to go for these days. You see, I started out sewing a lot of boutique-y type stuff and now I feel like I’m pulling away from some of that look and going for more of a high fashion, sleeker vibe. I guess I’m developing my own sense of fashion. That said, there are a few patterns here that can swing either way based on option and fabric choice. A lot also depends on styling too.
So, here are the details from left to right and top to bottom on my collage of nine.
See. Isn’t that super cute?! I love the trousers and the top was a perfect match. This was way back at the beginning of my sewing adventure. In fact, I think this top may have been my first ever button holes. Peyton’s school pictures were in this outfit.
Okay… I think that wraps up my plans for #2017makenine. Come back in a few minutes because I have already made one of my nine and need to tell you about it!
I’m posting over at Simple Life Pattern Co today!! Don’t miss my holiday Helena’s dress and all its cuteness! There is a giveaway too over in the facebook group! Check out my post and enter the giveaway! Do you love this fabric? Find …
Hey Friends! I don’t know about you, but my children are in need of pajamas! I keep saying I’m going to get some done as I see my kids running around the house in belly shirts and capris. Mind you, their attire used to be …
It’s Thanksgiving weekend here in the States and I’m joining in on a tours with some lovely ladies to feature Petite Stitchery & Co. If you don’t know this company that may because it is NEW. They will mainly be releasing patterns by collection, so be sure to be on the look out as seasons change so you don’t miss anything, you can even sign up for the email list on the homepage! Also, there is a giveaway at the end of this post, so be sure not to miss out on entering. I can tell you I have personally had a lot of luck with rafflecopter giveaways. 🙂
The theme of this tour is Everyday Wear. This works great with the Fall 2016 Collection as there are several foundation patterns that work great for daily wear. My big girl hasn’t really been popping up on the blog much lately, so I thought I would make her a little something that would be a great comfy set yet still have a bit of style. She is more into the world of Lego Ninjago than prancing around in fancy clothes, so this theme worked great for her. Of course she was trying to haggle the terms of the photo shoot, but I won because she owes me several from the last payout. She typically drives a hard bargain. (In the picture below she is counting down how many more photos I can take. Bahaha. I took more than three.)
For our outfit we used the Fawn Leggings Pattern and the Sapphire Layering Top. The Fawn Leggings offer an optional tuxedo stripe or a simple legging option. Since our top has a lot going on with the plaid, I chose the simple legging with the yoga waistband. I made the leggings with a double brushed poly that I ordered from fabric.com during a sale a few months back. It was not even close to the quality of dbp I’ve ordered from some Facebook groups, but still super soft so I know my big girl would be satisfied. If you are looking for some quality solid dbp, I’ve had luck with purple seamstress.
The Sapphire Layering top has several options with flutters and sleeve ruffles to create some fun looks to wear alone or as a layering item. If you recall, I mentioned Peyton isn’t really into the frilly stuff right now, so I went with the basic style of no flutters, no ruffles. The buffalo plaid is from PHAT QUARTERS. It’s a cotton/poly blend with not too much stretch, but just enough for a nice t-shirt. I also used it on a shirt I made for myself here.
I was very pleased with the fit on this top. The neck band is exactly the width I prefer. I am not a fan of thick neckbands and typically adjust mine to be smaller when I’m not testing. I cut the neckband on the bias and lengthened slightly to account for the stretch being slightly less than recommended. After I finished the top, I decided to add a little lace to the the hemline to fancy this up a tad. I’ve seen some tops hanging in the stores recently with pretty hemlines like this, so I thought I would be a total copy cat and use the idea. Obviously, it isn’t like this is actually a new concept, so maybe we are all just borrowing the idea from someone long ago. Now that it’s finished I really wish I would have added the lace before hemming with my twin needle. The finish would have been nicer than the zig zag, but I still think it works. I know for the next go around I suppose. I wish I had taken before and after shots, because the lace definitely changes the vibe of the top. What do you think about it?
Thanks to the Petite Stitchery Ladies for thinking of me and having me along. I’m glad I could join in on the fun. I hope you have liked my creations.
One Thimble #13 is hitting my blog again today! Last week I shared my Orbis pants, which you can read about here. Today I’m sharing my make from the One Romper Pattern from Filles a Maman (FAM) and I used the Danny Donut Applique from Cut …
Okay… So a while back I was on a short sewing spree and sewed up about 5 or 6 versions of the Papillon Shorties from the Lil Luxe Collection. I hadn’t posted about it because I really just sewed them for fun because I was …
How about this dress?! I happened to come across Simple Life Pattern Co. needing a few more testers for a dress a few weeks back. I was pretty swamped, but I just wanted to make this dress. I cranked it pretty quickly and hopped over to a location I’ve been wanting to use forever. The dress turned out great and I am pretty pleased with my photos too. **This post does contain affiliate links which allows me to earn a small amount of spending $$ when you purchase from a link in my post.
The Helena’s Button Top and Dress pattern actually includes a blouse and a dress! Often times patterns that include both tops and dress options are really just the skirt portion of the dress shortened for a tunic length. This is not the case for the Helena’s top. The top and the dress to look quite different when finished.
Helena’s Button Back Top and Dress
Price: $10, but on sale for $7.50 through Sunday 10/9.
Sewing Level: Beginner (Use Snaps if you are anti-button) I used snaps just because I had some that matched.
Size Range: 2 – 12
Features: Dress/Top Options, Button down back (or front), Scoop and Modest Neck Options, Pintuck Placket, Flutter Sleeve/Sleeveless Option, plus three additional sleeve lengths, hemmed sleeve or elastic sleeve.
Layered Printing
No Trim Pages
For my version, I stitched up the dress with the scooped back and 3/4 length elasticized sleeves with the flutter option. Every time I look at my button down back I can’t help but sing… Miss Mary Mac, Mac, Mac… All dressed in black, black, black… It makes me want to do an inspired dress with features of the song appliquéd all around it.
The dress construction overall was definitely beginner level. The only things that could bump it to intermediate are the button holes. If you haven’t done any button holes, this is me encouraging you to give it a go. The doors of creation will open wide with this little skill. If you need help, leave me a comment and we will get you some. If that isn’t enough support, grab your snap pliers and go to work. I used snaps on my version and love how it turned out.
Even though I haven’t stitched up the top version, it is a great pattern to have in your pattern collection. I think it is going to be awesome for leggings and skinny pants. The sleeve options add even more to this. Be sure to check out the top versions in the listing!
My favorite part about testing this pattern is that my version can now be purchased in a Get The Look Kit. You can get the pattern and the fabric to create the same look I created for this post. How exciting is that?! This get this look kit is 25% off through Sunday, so don’t miss out if you are in love with this make.
Overall I’m super happy with this make. It even became a birthday dress last weekend. For a fun little sister photo, I’ll leave you with this little image. Sisters are special, but twins have an extra little connection that is so interesting to watch.
I stitched up Thread Faction #105 to share with you all today. I didn’t really know Thread Faction (or the previously named Hatchling Patterns) until there was a blog tour promoting the newest line of patterns over the summer. You can find the Spring/Summer 2016 …