A blog of Sewing Sweetness. Pattern Reviews, Tutorials, and More.
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 …
Yay!! Spring break is here for me, and almost gone now. I’m so excited to be joining in on this HUGE blog tour. Bloggers and designers from all over the globe are joining in on this spring break pajama party. My kids and I plan …
The best part about being a kid is getting to believe in all the great magical creatures of our bedtime stories and childhood movies. I’m so excited to be taking the time to credit these great legends by joining in on this blog tour.
I have three daughters, so there isn’t a better legend or creature to celebrate than mermaids for this tour. One can not simply take a bath in my house, rather they must pretend they are mermaids swimming in the ocean. The tub is cluttered with diverse collection of mer-toys. Dora, Barbie, and Ariel are just a few who congregate in the tub for a daily (or almost daily) swim.
I grew up on a lake and as a child. I used to have some of the strangest dreams about creatures that lived in the lake. I currently live on a lake now, and sometimes those weird dreams try to escape even now as an adult. I’m not sure where these come from, but I wish that just for once I could have a peaceful dream where a mermaid lived in our lake rather than something similar to the Loch Ness Monster.
To celebrate our love of mermaids, I stitched up a few outfits for the Littles.Believe it or not, finding perfect mermaid match in fabric was harder than I thought. I used Riley Blake Saltwater Mermaids that I picked up at a local fabric shop in St. Louis last weekend while on a day out with my husband. Poor guy, he barely survived 15 minutes in the little shop before he was asking when we were leaving. Bless his heart.
I sewed up a dress for my prissy diva using the Lil Luxe Collection Lil Luxe Dress. I used a single circle skirt and none of the fancy extras that make the fancy version oh-sew-lovely. If you want to see a fancy one, check out this post. It was such a quick sew for a simple dress. I hemmed the skirt with some single fold bias tape. Ahh! I’ve got to do that more often. Add hemming with bias tape to my “Tried Something New in 2016” list because it is a keeper for the toolbox.
My sporty girl got a top and shorts for her outfit. I used the Lil Luxe Dress again, but this time I used the tutorial from the blog to create a top with a gathered skirt that buttons, or in my case snaps, down the back. If you read my last post about how to line up snaps, you may notice that I will be using them more frequently now. Who wouldn’t really? The top needed some fun bottoms, and there may not be a faster pair of shorts than Tadah’s Flexi Shorts. I used some denim I had purchased from Persnickety (back before they were “reorganizing” their fabric until the end of time). That pattern is so versatile, check it out if you haven’t.
I hope you have enjoyed checking out my creation in honor of the most popular legend among females everywhere. There is nothing better than dreaming of being a mermaid. Heaven knows that if I could see one, or even be one for a day, I would jump all over that! I love the world of legends and hope to keep it alive in my home as my children grow.
Be sure to check out all the stops on the tour and participate in the giveaway too! Good luck. There is also a link up at the bottom for you to share something you’ve made in the last three months that is related to a legend. Be sure to link up to be entered into a drawing to win the latest OneThimble magazine and be considered for the CraftingCon Event.
3/14
The Wholesome Mama•Skirt Fixation•Amazing Adventures Of Bubba and Bug•Bella Sunshine Designs•From-a-Box
3/15
Wild + Wanderful•The Fairy Dust Bin•GYCT Designs•The Kisses Co.•Call Ajaire
3/16
Handmade Boy•Mae & K•create3.5•Pear Berry Lane•Sewing Mama RaeAnna
3/17
The Inspired Wren•Rebel & Malice•Sew Starly•XO Jessica•Falafel and the Bee
3/18
PenSeb&Rox•Knot Sew Normal•Beatnik Kids•Lulu & Celeste•Swoodson Says•Friends Stitched Together
And be sure to check out our giveaway sponsors and enter below!
Prize Package 1:
Phat Quarters: $20 Gift Card
Momma Quail Patterns: 1 Pattern of Choice*
Bella Sunshine Designs: 1 Pattern of Choice*
Handmade Escapade: 3 Digital Downloads of Choice
Sewing Mamma RaeAnna: 1 Pattern of Choice*
XO Jessica: 1 Custom Shirt
Knot Sew Normal: 1 Pattern of choice*
Prize Package 2:
Phat Quarters: Legendary Pattern with 3 piece FQ Bundle
One Thimble: 1 Magazine Issue
Modern Yardage: Paul Bunyan FQ
Love Notions: 1 Pattern of Choice*
Beatnik Kids: 1 Pattern of Choice*
Swoodson Says: 1 Pattern of Choice*
GYCT: 1 Pattern of Choice*
Call Ajaire: 1 Pattern of choice*
Skirt Fixation: 2 Yards of Fabric
*Excludes bundles
We will draw a random link-up to win an issue of One Thimble Magazine!
Be sure to link up to have a chance to win the latest issue of One Thimble and be considered for the next CraftingCon Event as a participant.
Last week I stitched up Vivie by BLAVERRY, then waited and waited…and waited for the rain to stop to grab some photos. We had a very small window of cooperative child and no rain so we grabbed these to give you a sneak of our …
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 …
Today I’m helping celebrate the first birthday of Bella Sunshine Designs. And since I would rather be sewing than baking, I sewed up a fun version, or two, of the Adaline Dress (You can get it for $5.97 during the birthday sale). Be sure to read all the way to the end of this post because there is a huge give away and sale information included as part of the celebration! Although this tour is sponsored, all opinions are my own. *This post does contain affiliate links, which means if you decide you need this pattern or others and purchase it through a link in this post, I could earn some money to buy more fabric. 🙂
Find the other stops on the tour for today at Bella Sunshine Designs Day 4 Round-up.
Today Adaline gets pockets. These aren’t just inseam pockets, but frontier pockets (front hip pockets)! Yap, I had to Google around to find out if they had a name, and what do you know, they do!
I just love the pop of color and accent that you can have with the color blocked bodice on the Adaline Dress and Tunic. I thought adding another feature to offer additional color pop would be just perfect. Pockets are always a plus for my girls. They just love to carry around little figurines and critters…pretend ones that is.
I thought I would share how I created these pockets in case you want to add some as well. I stitched up two dresses and created the pockets slightly different on each dress.
1. Create a pocket template/pattern piece by cutting out the pocket shape you desire from a sheet of paper. This piece will be the back pocket lining. Cut 2 Mirror Images from accent fabric as this is the piece of the pocket we will see. Figure A.
2. Using the Back Pocket Lining Piece cut a curve from the corner of this piece. This new piece will be the Front Pocket Lining Template. (Don’t throw the corner cut-out away, we will use it in a moment.) Cut 2 Mirror Images of Front Pocket Lining. Figure B.
3. Use the Pocket Cut-Out Piece as a template to cut out the corners from the front skirt panel. Don’t forget to use mirror images. Figure C.
4. With right sides of Front Pocket Lining Pieces to right sides Front Skirt Panels, pin and sew at the curved pocket edge. Flip pocket lining pieces over, press, and topstitch. Figure D.
5. Lay Front Skirt Panel wrong side facing up. Place Back Pocket Lining Piece right sides together with Front Pocket lining piece. Sew and serge raw edge. Figure E.
6. Baste Pocket Lining Pieces to Front Skirt Panel at the top and sides. Continue skirt construction per instructions. Figure F.
*Note. The pink accent dress has pockets that are smaller and not gathered at the pocket lining. For this skirt, I shortened the skirt width by two inches before following the steps listed in the tutorial above. The orange accent dress has larger pockets that are gathered along with the skirt. These small differences created two different looks for the skirts in the dresses.
Here are some fun photos we snapped at the mall while trying to survive another round of freezing rain and snow. Summer… Please come soon!
So, what do you think? Will you try to add some extra color pop to your next Adaline with some pockets too? This is my first attempt at a tutorial, so feel free to share some feedback. Would photos been easier to follow? I’m so happy with this dress pattern and my final product. The pattern directions include many details that allow for a clean finish on the inside of this dress. Often times patterns omit details like these, and I was happy to use a pattern that takes care to make sure everything is finished in a professional manner. The skirt seam and sleeve seams are both enclosed within the bodice lining. Who doesn’t love that?
Be sure to check out all the tour stops, prizes, and sale information below. There are a lot of goodies you don’t want to miss out on.
House of Estrela | Pattern Revolution | Pleats & Ruffles
Itch to Stitch | Fabulous Home Sewn | Sew Sophie Lynn
Sewing by Ti | Made By Sara | Candice Ayala
Seaside Notions | Pear Berry Lane | Made By Melli
Adventures With Bubbe and Bug | Crazy Crafty Haute Mama | Rebel & Malice
Bella Sunshine Designs – 2 Patterns of Choice
Once Upon A Yard / Sew It Seams Facebook Group – Grab Bag of 7 yards of fabric
Bella Sunshine Designs – 2 Pattern of Choice
Bethany Lane – 3 Sets of “Cute as a Button” wooden buttons (30 buttons total)
Bella Sunshine Designs – 2 Patterns of Choice
Sofilantjes Patterns – 2 Patterns of Choice
Knot Sew Normal – 1 Pattern of Choice
Muffin Head Patterns – Any 1 pattern up to $12.00
Itch To Stitch – 1 Pattern of Choice
Rachel Rossi – Squared Fashion Wrap Sewing Pattern
FABulous Home Sewn – 1 Pattern of choice
Seaside Notions – 1 pattern of choice
Laela Jeyne Patterns – Pattern of choice (excludes bundles)
Pickle Toes Patterns – 1 Pattern of choice.
Hurry, the giveaway ends on Sunday, February 28th at midnight! The Final Giveaway Announcement will be posted on Monday the 29th via the following link.
Mabel Madison – 10% off their website with coupon code BELLABIRTHDAY until February 29th.
Sew It Seams – 15% off their website with coupon code BELLASUN until February 29th.
And of course, you can get 40% off all Bella Sunshine Designs patterns on our website until February 29th. No coupon code needed!
Ready for one more surprise? Check out the Bella Sunshine Designs website on Friday for a new release or two!
This week I cranked out the Blaverry Decklyn on a surprise snow day! (I feel like I’m living for snow days right now so I can get all my projects finished.) I have had everything all cut for a while, but I was basically terrified …
Welcome to the beginning of the Love Notions: For the love of Dresses and Tunics Tour. On this tour we are going to be sharing our Valentine plans and what Love Notion Pattern went perfectly with our plans. Enjoy checking out the projects! What is …
I’m typically posting about pattern testing or sharing my creations for blog tours, but today I’m doing an official pattern review for Little Kiwis Closet. This pattern was provided to me at no cost for an honest review, so that is what I will be doing today. I’ll sneak you a picture here, but you have to promise to keep reading! *This post does contain affiliate links. If you decide you need this pattern and purchase it from my post I can earn some change to support my fabric habit at no additional cost to you.
I stitched up the PeekabooPocket Pants*, 0-5years size range. These come in multiple size ranges, so be sure to purchase the one you need. I’m always afraid I’m going to mess up and purchase a size range I can’t use. These listings are clearly marked, so you shouldn’t have an issue.
I was super excited to get these pants stitched up. I had been wanting to find a quick, stylish knit pant pattern for everyday play wear for my girls. It has been time for me to do a few more things that Presley would prefer to wear, and I think these pants hit the spot.
Printing is between 6-11 pages depending on whether or not you use the cutting chart or not. This pattern does not include layered sizing for printing, which I always love to have. However, this is not a breaking point for me. The pants come together very quickly, even when including the pocket feature. The directions and photos within the tutorial were very clear. The written directions include bold print where things are important to help with any confusion you could have. The fit of these pants is what I describe as a comfy urban style. They aren’t quite as baggy as a harem, but still have a similar look about them. The ability to wear a cloth diaper with these pants would normally be a great perk for our house, but…. WE ARE FINALLY POTTY TRAINED! (with the exception of a few accidents here and there.) I’m ready to sell my diapers and buy some more fabric!
Overall, I’m very pleased with the finished product from this pattern. I will make these again for sure. I think a few pairs without pockets could make some great pajamas too. What do you think? Would you do pajamas or play wear?
PeekabooPocket Pants Size 0-5years*
LittleKiwisCloset Facebook Group
Floral, dots, and stripes from Raspberry Creek Fabrics
I hope this review has given you some extra information to help you decide if you need to add to your pattern stash. This would be one worth purchasing and stitching up. Fast, easy, and cute.
Not so recently I was welcomed into the testing group for Lil Luxe Collection. When I was able to join in on this pattern test I was excited and nervous. This group is filled with some amazing sewists, photographers, and bloggers to say the …