A blog of Sewing Sweetness. Pattern Reviews, Tutorials, and More.
Such an exciting post today! I love getting to be part of the creation process with pattern designers. Today I’m sharing about a new pattern release from Chalk and Notch as well as celebrating the Chalk and Notch patterns one year anniversary. Excitement is floating …
Fall is here and what better way to celebrate than to sew up a vest for the changing of the seasons?! If you don’t know me, I’m one of those Pumpkin Spice fall girls. The ones that everyone keeps wishing would stop celebrating the fabulous …
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.
It is Day 6 of the Pre-Show!!! We made it to the end of the beginning. I hope you have been enjoying these quick sew pattern features we have been featuring for you. If this is your first stop visiting the Make Laundry, Don’t Do …
Patty Young is at is again with another simple pattern that makes great pieces. The Laguna Top Collection features 4 shirt views in just one pattern! If you haven’t sewn up a Modkid pattern yet, this would be a great one to try due to …
Legging cuteness ahead! What is better than a great fitting pair of leggings for your girls?! It is a free pattern for a great fitting pair of leggings for your girls. Marisa at Laela Jeyne Patterns is releasing this pattern for free. Laela Jeyne’s first pattern was release in January 2015. I have tested quite a few of her patterns since then and have enjoyed watching Laela Jeyne Patterns continue to improve and advance. The jump to layered printing and no-trim pages was huge, but you can also see a change in pattern presentation. This pattern would be a great way for you to get a glimpse of some of the things you can expect with the patterns. All you need to do is join her facebook group to get the coupon code. This pattern is for simple leggings, however there will be a deluxe version available for purchase soon as well. *This post does contain affliate links, so if you decide to snatch up more than just the Charlotte Leggings with the free coupon code you would be helping to fund my fabric hoarding habit. Fear not, it isn’t a clinical problem…yet.
I stitched up the size 2 and size 4 (with adjusted length) for my girls based on measurements. Be sure to measure your model to get the perfect fit as neither of these sizes are what I purchase in RTW clothes. (Isn’t that almost always true when sewing for your kids?)
I also love how these pants are recommended to be hemmed using wonder tape before stitching. It definitely helped with my semi-slippery fabric used in these pants. I have also grown to prefer the method used for inserting the elastic at the waist. You will have to get the pattern for more details on the that.
I’ve sewn up three other leggings patterns in the semi-recent past, and I have to say there are two places I have had fit issues. The first is baggy- butt syndrome and the second was tightness around the ankles that made them difficult to get on. I did not have either of those issues with these leggings. I did add length to my sizes to be sure that they would have the appropriate length. Even thought my kiddos have a size 2 and 4 booty, their legs are longer than this.
One might say that a downfall to this pattern is that the legs are not one single pattern piece. There are separate pieces for the front and back. I’m wondering if this makes a difference in the fit. If it is what makes the difference, I’m more than willing to have that extra side seam to get the fit I have on these. Don’t let that steer you away from these leggings.
Last weekend Made for Mermaids announced they were hosting a #toptester contest where the winners of the contest would be guaranteed spots in up and coming tests of new patterns. I’ve been a great stalker of the Made for Mermaids group, but don’t post things …
Yesterday was the release of the Samantha and Sammy Swing Top and Dress from Laela Jeyne Patterns*! I’ve been able to participate in sewing up both the Women’s and Girl’s Versions. These patterns have many options, so be sure to get the scoop and check them …
The Women’s Version of the Desert Breeze is ready to go! It includes some new fun features that weren’t available for the girl’s version, so you are going to want to find out more about all the new goodies included in this new Striped Swallow Designs pattern.
Intermediate Level: Honestly, I think this is about the bindings. If you are a confident beginner, I think you could go for it.
Sizes: Xs-3X
Three Basic Views: Top, Dress, and Gathered Dress *Bonus Slim Fit Top Add-on coming soon to the facebook group members with a free code. Join here so you know when it’s ready!
Three Sleeve Options: Straight (fitted style), Flutter, Elastic Flutter
Use the coupon code breeze for 25% off during the Release Sale (expires Friday, April 1 at 11:59PM CST). Coupon is good for all single PDF patterns in the shop (excludes bundles).
Find the Desert Breeze Here:
Women’s pattern XS-3X
Bundle (includes women, girls and baby sizes)
As always, this pattern includes layered printing along with detailed photos and clear directions with the ability to hop around the pattern with tabs! It’s the #stripedswallowway. I think I’m going to start using that tag from now on. 🙂
For my test version, I sewed up the Gathered Dress View with Straight Sleeves. The naked shoulder was definitely something I had to get used to in the chilly weather here. It is quite breezy, but will be perfect for summer. I snatched up this fabric from Hobby Lobby a while back and had just enough to make this and I’m hoping I can squeeze out a matching version for one of the girls. It’s a very light cotton lycra, but super soft and drapey.
To wrap up this share, I did have a little person who realized she also has a shirt in this fabric and ran in to change so we could take a matching photo. She isn’t groomed, but it is too fun not to share. She was so proud we matched and needed a picture. I had some major resolution issues, so it is tiny.
I just sewed up one version. To see what all the options look like, check out the tester round-up here. I love how you can see all the options along with things people did to make their Desert Breeze their own. Let me know what version you will sew up first!
Well, thanks to Kristi from George & Ginger patterns, I have been able to sew up some new shirts just for me. These aren’t just comfy lounge around raglans… They are truly sassy selfish pieces that I can, and need to, add to my oh-so-boring …