Blog tour time: For the BOYS!!

For this week's blog tour excitement, I was invited to participate in project from an awesome group of designers at Sewing With Boys - the collaboration is called "S is for Sewing" and includes 4 full patterns that are great for back-to-school. Also included are great tutorials from a number of other designers and bloggers. And it's ALL for the boys - how great is that??! I've mentioned before that I love sewing for my little guy (and the feeling is mutual, so I want to enjoy that while I can!) and it's no secret that patterns for boys are far more limited in scope and design than those for girls. 

All of the patterns included in this e-book look great, but I selected the Radical Raglan hoodie from Jonie of Knot Sew Normal to sew up for A this week. It was a HUGE hit and is jam-packed with options. I sewed up the size 3 based on his measurements (this is his typical size for RTW and handmade) and the fit was great. It's definitely a closer-fitting garment than many boys' hoodies and has great lines. I used microfleece with cotton lycra for the accent fabric. If I used a heavier fabric or one with less stretch, like sweatshirt fleece, I'd definitely size up. The length was good and the waistband was perfectly snug but not tight; I did shorten the sleeves by 1.5" and kept the cuffs - it was good to know that they were a little long so if I wanted to omit the cuffs another time and just hem the sleeves it would work well. 

The front pockets are a key feature of this pattern, and they're great. My guy couldn't keep his hands out of them - I used the microfleece for the pocket lining so they'd be nice and cozy. The size is generous but not ridiculous, and the hand opening is just right for little hands and their cars/Lego/rocks/other assorted treasures. I added a patch to ours, since A loves when I do that - I like to stock up on woven prints like this one so I can just applique a small piece. This particular print is Stenzo, and is still available at Mabel Madison (use the code savemm through 7/31/15 to get 50% off the entire shop!!). 

The main modification that I made to this pattern was the neckline. The pattern is drafted with a cool asymmetrical button placket, and a strap that extends from one sleeve/bodice seam to cross over the placket and snap in place. I COULD NOT convince my stubborn kiddo that the placket wasn't "crooked." I guess 3-year-olds just aren't into design concepts yet lol. So I decided that since this hoodie was for him and I would love if he actually chooses to wear it this fall, I'd just leave off the placket and strap.

Instead of just attaching the hood to the existing neckline, I scooped the neckline and the tops of the shoulders a bit deeper and serged a neckband to the new neckline. I used a 2" wide strip of ribbing, and cut it to about 80% of the size of the neckline. I attached the hood directly to the seam allowance (from where I attached the neckband to the shirt) and then topstitched to help keep the seam allowance tacked down. I left a gap between the ends of the hood at the front so it wouldn't feel constrictive around his neck, and also since I plan on using this for layering over tees when the end-of-summer chilly mornings start showing up around here. 

It's probably pretty obvious by the pics that the finished hoodie was a big hit with my little guy. Taking photos was unusually easy, and he's already asked for another one (he's got specific fabrics in mind, of course!). I'm glad he likes it since I do, too - I love that there are lots of design options included, but the basic pattern itself is so well-fitting that it's easy to customize and make it exactly how my kiddo wants it to look and feel. The pattern was provided to me for my participation in this tour, but all opinions are mine (and those of my little guy, too). He was compensated with a handful of jelly beans, but not the spicy red ones. He hates those. ;)

Make sure to check out the other stops on the tour - today's the last day for new posts, but there are lots of amazing ladies who've already shared their takes on the S is for Sewing e-book patterns. 

July 13th

Pattern Revolution

Sewing Mama Raeann

Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts

July 14th

From-a-Box

Lulu & Celeste

July 15th

Huisje Boompje Boefjes

The Berry Bunch

FABulous Home Sewn

House of Estrela

July 16th

Mae & K

Oh Sew Boy!

Wild & Wanderful

July 17th

create3.5

Call Ajare

The Wholesome Mama

Rebel & Malice

Handcrafted by RED

It's Blog Tour Time Again - Simple Life Pattern Company Mash-Up Tour!

The Simple Life Pattern Co. has only been selling patterns for the past six months, but they've made a huge splash in the pdf pattern world. And for good reason - these patterns are fantastic! They're well-drafted, stylish, and the perfect mix of frilly (pleases my girl) yet practical enough for everyday wear (pleases me).

When I was invited to join their mash-up blog tour this week, I agreed without hesitation and then turned Miss P loose on their website. To mash-up a pattern, I usually use components from 2-3 patterns and blend them for a new look. I think it's a great way to extend the life of a pattern and get even more use from it without looking like I've made three or four of the same dress. (Not that there's anything wrong with that. We've got plenty of "duplicates" in our wardrobes here - it's just nice to get a little bonus add-on from my pattern purchases, too.)

Miss P immediately fell in love with the Lilly Lapel Dress, and what's not to love?? It's GORGEOUS. I reminded her that we live a pretty casual lifestyle with no upcoming big events, and since it was really the pieced version of the skirt that caught her eye we decided to make it a standalone skirt. It was a no-brainer to pair the adorable Cheyenne Ruffled Top with it for a sweet ensemble that is totally wearable but fancy enough to please my little lady.

To make the skirt, I opted for the smaller of the two sizes I was considering and went with the 4T. It left me without enough ease in the waist/hips for her to still be able to pull it on once I added an elasticated waistband, but was a little shorter and less full than the size 5. I pieced the skirt together per pattern instructions (which are so detailed and easy to follow) and then started to draft my waistband.

You can see in the photo above that I serged along the top of my pieced skirt - there are a LOT of seams involved because of all of the panels, and I found that finishing the top edge just cleaned it up a bit as I prepared to add the waistband. I cut my waistband to the circumference of the top edge of my skirt (plus seam allowance) by 4" tall. I sewed up the side seams, pressed in half along the long edge, and also pressed one edge under about 1/4" before attaching the raw edge to the top edge of the skirt. I pressed that seam up and folded my waistband down along the crease I'd pressed down the midline, and then topstitched the waistband in place, leaving about 2" open to thread my elastic. I used 1" elastic, cut just a touch shorter than my daughter's waist measurement. I also stitched just along the top edge of the waistband, about 1/8" from the edge, to help keep the casing nice and snug for the elastic. I hemmed the skirt per pattern instructions but it would look very cute finished with bias tape also!

For the Cheyenne tank, I cut the sleeveless view in the size 4 with added length since I wanted it to be a nice slim fit to tuck into the skirt. Miss P is right between the size 4 and 5 these days, so I can go either way depending on what type of fit we're looking for. I wanted a little cap sleeve to make this a little more of a transitional outfit since the skirt will be perfect for fall, so I made a faux sleeve from the arm band. I simply serged the band onto the tank, right sides together, and instead of wrapping it to the wrong side to finish the arm opening as binding I just pressed the ends under asymmetrically and hemmed in place. I tucked just about 1/2" under at the shoulder, and then tapered down as I approached the side seam/underarm. At that point there was less than 1/2" of the band VISIBLE as the rest was pressed under. Once I hemmed, I just trimmed away the excess knit. It's subtle but I like the way the "sleeve" extends just a tiny bit beyond the ruffles at the shoulder.

Miss P's next request is for me to use the bodice from the Lilly dress since she loves the lapels - and mash it with the tiered maxi skirt from the Mia's Dress. This girl is definitely not into the subtle these days!

Thanks again to Katie, Kimberlee, and the team at SLP Co. for inviting me to join you this week - this was a lot of fun for us! Make sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour, too!

The Sofilantjes Summer Surprise Anniversary Tour!

Thanks for stopping by to visit Day 3 of the Summer Surprise Anniversary Tour! The tour was arranged by Deb of Sprouting JubeJube and is to celebrate the first anniversary of the launch of Sofilantjes Patterns and the Summer Surprise Dress and Top. It's been a great year for Anne and her pattern company, and I'm excited to be joining the tour. I've had this pattern since it was released last year, and Anne has made some great updates to it in time for the celebration this week - including enabling the layers feature for printing only your size, which I LOVE and appreciate.

Miss P lost her second tooth today! :)

There is a huge size range (from 6 months to 12 years) AND Anne has drafted the pattern for regular sizes and slim sizes as well. This means if your child's chest measurement is different from their height measurement, you won't have to mix and match multiple sizes to get a good fit. Miss P's chest and hips measure 22", but she's nearly 45" tall, so I often have to do a bit of mixing and matching. For the Summer Surprise, I used the slim size 4, and the fit was spot on. 

I decided for this tour to mix things up a bit more, though, so I added the Gemini skirt pattern (view A) and made a cute blousy dress for P. I started by cutting the top about an inch shorter - I could have shortened by another two inches or so, but I wanted the top to blouse over the top of the skirt, since it's so fitted. I used the Gemini skirt in the size 5/6, but I'd say in the future I could even go up another size.

For the waistband, I cut two bands (at half the height of the Gemini pattern piece, since it wasn't going to be folded over as in the pattern) and encased my elastic between them. I basted the top and bottom of the waistband closed, and attached the top of the waistband to the shirt hem (I used a long basting stitch to gather the hem of the shirt to fit the waistband) and the bottom of the waistband to the skirt waist.

I used 1.25" elastic for the waistband and used the same measurement that I typically use for skirts/shorts for Miss P - I think next time I'll make it about an inch bigger, since this sat a little snugly on her. Of course, it may have been that we were taking pics in the evening and she'd eaten a huge dinner! ;)

Overall, it was an easy sew - the instructions for both patterns are clear, well-written, and easy to follow - and the finished look is what I intended. I love the details on the Summer Surprise top; the bow detail in the back, the width of the bands on the neck and arms, and the pleat in the front at the neckline all make for a unique but very wearable garment. I'll be making more of these for sure!

Please make sure to check out all of the stops on the tour, and enter the daily giveaways, too - there are great prizes to be had!

Inspinration - The Craftiness in Me - Van Je Veel - Boutique Birdie - Tory Frail Designs - Wining Wife - Keep Calm and Carrion - Moon Star - Circle Meets Line - Amazing Adventures with Buba and Bug - Manning the Machine - Sugarplum Cuties - House of Estrela - Create 3.5 - Handcrafted by RED - Lulu & Celeste - Rebel & Malice - Two Novembers - From a Box - Sprouting JubeJube - Maryall Made - Phat Quarters - Knot Sew Normal - Sew Happily Ever After - All Things Katy

And look at these awesome sponsors!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Time: Little Kiwi's Closet Bow Back Beauty Blog Hop!

It's finally springtime here in the northeastern US, and I've got my mind on summer. We're starting to make vacation plans, got our membership email from the town pool, and I'm coming to terms with the fact that school will be done in less than two short months. Miss P has grown so much in the past few months that last summer's clothes are borderline indecent, and it's time to start filling her closet with all things new. Her summer style is super casual - I like to give her a pile of separates to choose from, and she can mix and match to her heart's content. She's still a dresses-and-tunics girl, and swaps her winter leggings for cartwheel shorts. No big changes here, wardrobe-wise.

When Lydia released the Bow Back Beauty pattern, I knew immediately that Miss P would love it. In fact, I'd already bought it and printed out the pattern before I had the opportunity to join this blog tour. There is a huge size range (from newborn - 12 years) and sooooo many options - attached circle skirt, peplum, double peplum, maxi skirt, high low skirt, multiple sleeve lengths, and even a onesie option for the smallest sizes. I can't wait to make a coordinating onesie version for my niece who is due to arrive in just a few weeks!

I opted to make a sleeveless peplum for P, since she's always a fan of things that twirl. And with a full circle skirt, this one's got plenty of twirl even at the peplum length! There's a plain back option, but there was no way I was skipping out on this fun bow option. Lydia's instructions are clear and well-photographed, and despite the plethora of options it is really easy to follow along with the pattern and find the instructions for your chosen options. There are separate cutting lines on the pattern pieces to place the peplum at the natural waist or at the high hip, and I chose the natural waist here. The way the pattern pieces are nested makes it easy to blend between sizes, too - I made a size 4 for my girl based on her chest and waist measurements but graded the length to the size 5 based on her height.

This kiddo has many amazing personality traits, but her attitude in the mornings is not always one of them. ;) It's a huge testament to this pattern that she willingly posed for photos before school. Before breakfast, even. Seriously, folks, we have a winner here.

You can pick up a copy of the pattern here and here, and make sure to enter the giveaway below (no purchase necessary).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And don't forget to check out the other stops on the hop, too!

Blog Tour Time! The Verona Dress by Jennuine Design

I'm so excited to be joining Jenn from A Jennuine Life/Jennuine Design to kick off the blog tour for her latest pattern, the Verona Dress! Miss P and I had the chance to test this pattern, and it was a huge hit with both of us. 

To be honest, I've been sewing tons and tons of knits lately, and my wovens stash has been pretty neglected. Miss P wears tunics or dresses and leggings to school most days, so that's what I've been sewing for her. We're a pretty casual family (to P's disappointment ;) ) so my fancy girl doesn't have lots of opportunities for nice-dress wearing. For this dress, we will totally make an exception. 

The Verona Dress has lots of great features that make it a fun sew and really wearable - Jenn drafted and tested the dress from newborn to size 12, and in the non-baby sizes there are no closures at all. The dress has a neat notched collar, a notch in the back of the neckline, and elastic in the back at the waistline to make it easy to pull on and off. The bodice is fully lined, and Jenn even made a great video tutorial to further illustrate how to sew up a lined sleeveless bodice like this one. I'm completely challenged when it comes to spatial relations, and despite clear and well-illustrated instructions in the written tutorial, it took the video to really make it easy for me to complete the bodice. Actually, once I viewed the video, I went back to my sewing machine and finished the bodice on the first try - and then shrieked a little about how cool it was that it came together like that!

The skirt is also lined, and the underskirt is cut a little longer so it peeks out from the bottom. The way Jenn wrote the pattern encloses the elastic and leaves the skirt nice and full at the waistline - the extra volume is perfect for twirling!

When we tested this dress, Miss P was still sporting two casts from her tendon surgery, but that didn't stop her from dancing and twirling for our photoshoot. I'm sure she'll be wearing this for Passover with our family, and throughout the upcoming summer, too. Jenn includes detailed size charts, and because the skirts are cut separately from the bodice, it's easy to mix and match sizes or add length to either portion if you need to. I cut a size 4 based on my girl's chest and waist measurements, but lengthened the skirt based on her height. 

I'm glad we went the classic route with this watercolor fabric - the Verona dress has a great vintage vibe and is an awesome mix of classic styling with modern details. Jenn included lots of other options, too, including several sleeve lengths, an adorable notched pocket, and instructions for adding tulle to the underskirt. Miss P has already asked me to add those pockets to the next Verona dress I sew for her!

You can find the Verona dress in Jenn's shop here (and it's still on sale through Saturday!), and make sure to check out the rest of the tester tour this week and next! 

Flip this Pattern! Part 2 - the Snappy Playdress

For Miss P, I wanted to make a dress using some of the styling from the Boardwalk but with a more streamlined silhouette. 

It's a Boardwalk/Gloria mashup!

For this Boardwalk flip, I was inspired by this dress from a recent Hanna Andersson catalog:

dress by Hanna Andersson

To achieve a similar look, I used the Gloria playdress, also from Peekaboo Patterns, and mashed it with the placket and henley neckline from the Boardwalk. I used the Gloria because it is a more fitted silhouette than the Boardwalk, and I wanted that fit for my dress. I extended the placket to the full length of the bodice (which is longer with the Gloria dress than with the Boardwalk, where it is more of a contrast yoke style) and added interfacing again to support the snaps. I mashed the necklines a bit as well, so I could use the henley neckband from the Boardwalk. I added the gathered skirt from the Gloria dress, and my look was complete!

I'll be entering both of these flips in the linky party over at Frances Suzanne - make sure to check out what the competitors have come up with this month, too!

Flip this Pattern! Peekaboo Patterns Boardwalk Henley and Hoodie

Well, it's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Peekaboo Patterns, and the Boardwalk Hoodie and Henley is one of my all-time faves. I love patterns that are unisex (this actually has a tee and a dress version along with both neckline options) and the hood is the perfect size to mash with other patterns (like the Grand Slam tee). When I saw that Frances Suzanne's Flip this Pattern was going to be taking on the Boardwalk, I knew I had to join in.

Nephew cuteness overload!

For my first flip, I made a fleece jacket for my cutie pie nephew, E. I had made a similar one last year when he was tiny, and my sister said it was great for keeping him warm in the carseat and for quick trips around town. Because the Boardwalk pattern has a nice amount of ease, it lends itself well to becoming a jacket - plenty of room in the arms and just enough room for a light layer underneath without having to upsize. 

To make it a jacket, I joined the pattern pieces for the top and bottom bodices so I had a single front pattern piece (instead of a separate top and bottom as in the original colorblocked version) and one for the back. I extended the placket from the top of the front bodice piece all the way down to the bottom, and widened it just a tad. I cut two mirror images for the front so I had a left and a right, and cut the back on the fold as in the pattern. The ears were self-drafted and sewn into the outer hood layer before joining the hood to the lining. I put a strip of interfacing into each side of the placket to support the snaps, and used KAM snaps for a pop of color. And that was it! A few small changes to bring about a whole new look for the Boardwalk. :)

Read on for how I flipped the Boardwalk for Miss P, too!