Road Trip Pattern Tour! Stop #1

Who was excited to get their first pattern in the road trip pattern bundle yesterday???

Betz White released her Road Tripper Duffle Bag pattern and it is GORGEOUS!!!! 

The Road Tripper Duffle Bag is a great weekend get-away bag. It’s surprisingly roomie without being too bulky to lug around. The outside features a zip top and six scoop pockets. There are two handles and a removable shoulder strap. The inside is fully lined with a large divided pocket and a small zippered pocket. 

Do you love the scoop pockets as much as I do? It is rated as an "eager intermediate" pattern. It looks like it will be great for all your summer travelling, to backyard campouts!

And you can buy the bundle anytime from now until the Road Trip tour ends! You will receive all the patterns released/releasing in the bundle no matter at what stage of the tour you purchase it ! 

I can't wait to see the next pattern  in three weeks time - it's going to be from MODKID!

Sew-a-bration of women! Sew (comfy) You!

(Wearing the Sisboom pattern, Vanessa, sewn in Sisboom Beauty Queen fabric)

Hey ladies! Jeanine here and today we are a part of the Sew-a-bration of women tour and I am so excited to be here! When I heard the Shaffer sisters and Call Ajaire were hosting a month long sewing event to do nothing more than encourage women to sew for themselves I KNEW I wanted in on it! 

And then... I got to thinking, what on EARTH am I going to write about??? I am not so eloquent, as you may or may not know, but I really wish I was so I could encourage you all to sew for yourselves!

Since I have no magic words to give you all the push you need to sew for yourself you are just going to get awkward me! YAY you!!! buwhahahaha!

So to encourage you all to sew for yourselves I decided to make a comfy, easy pattern! The Vanessa! This pattern goes together is just a few hours and is soooo comfy! light and breezy for HOT summer days! I love it in shirt length and maxi already so this time I decided to sew it in knee-ish length! I also added the pocket option the pattern has in it, and I'm so glad I did! As a mom to 2 young children pockets come in SO handy! (hardy-har! haha.)

I certainly do NOT look like a bombshell model (well, not allll the time anyways !) and I think that it's ok to be comfy! As women, I think we should embrace ourselves, even on the days we are feeling a bit lazy and tired, bloated, etc. We are all strong even when we don't feel it, brave even when we are scared, and beautiful even in comfy clothes! 

Plus when we sew for ourselves we can make our comfies out of lovely fabric and look just FAB! 

So, go take care of yourselves ladies! You can sew yourself something lovely, whether it is a gorgeous fitted dress, PJ pants, or a casual everyday dress that has pockets to hold the candy! 

And lucky for you we have patterns for all options in the shop! 

Now, if you actually read this whole post you get a bonus pic, I tell ya, I take some awkward ones! 

So here I am in all my awkward glory, and thanks to picmonkey I look zombiefied too!

Inspired yet??? What will you sew for yourself first?

 The Life Of A Compulsive Crafter | Serger Pepper | House of Estrela | sewVery | Our Busy Little Bunch

Modern Handmade | Golden Rippy | Sew & Tell with Mama Eggo | Shawnta Sews | Fishsticks Designs 
Ali Cat & Co | Paisley Roots | Like a mother | Giggles & Beans | Call Ajaire
Shaffer Sisters | I Married Superman | A Jennuine Life | If Only They Would Nap | Once Upon a Sewing Machine

Naptime Creations | Pattern Revolution | Two Many | Rebel & Malice | Simple Simon and Company

SewingSober | Handmade Dress Haven | Daisy Chain Creations | Swoodson Says | I'm Feelin' Crafty So Cal Sewing Mom | Keep Calm and Carrion | DandelionDrift | The Crazy Tailor | Max California 

Falafel and the Bee | Lexi Made | Winter Wonderings | Kid Approved | Scientific Seamstress
Becca DuVal | Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop | The Berry Bunch | Little Kids Grow | leighlee
Feathers Flights | That's-Sew-Kari

Collared Simply Sweet Tutorial

Another Simply Sweet Change up tutorial !!! Do you love this pattern as much as I do yet??

I will say that this collared look shows better on larger sizes, as you can see below :) either way though this pattern rocks and includes so many options and then all the blog tutorials really just add to the value! Serious bang for your buck on this pattern!

Size 2 (it was hard to get this one to hold still)

(the size 2 dress on a Size 4 girl. so it is small, but the collar shows much more so) 

Now to get the collar look you will be basically using the ruffled strap piece and making it into a halter strap (x2). To do this You will want to fold the ruffle piece down and get a new line to place on the fold - I measured my child and ended up folding it down by 1/3 ish (see below)

Now place the new fold line on a partly folded piece of fabric making sure you have plenty of fabric to make halter ties. I tried to explain it better on the picture below:

Now fold the ties in half and sew from the bottom end and up similar to how you would a ruffled strap but closing one end. As you can see I rounded my end a bit. 

Now topstitch all the way around each tie and continue sewing the simply sweet as per the halter directions!

Most of our photoshoot went like this picture: 

But the kids did manage a few good ones!

Happy sewing!

ROAD TRIPPING Time!

We are SOOOO very excited to be a part of the Pattern Road Trip Club this summer! 

The Road Trip Pattern Club is an exciting collaboration between 5 of the top sewing pattern designers in the industry. Every three weeks from late May through August club members will receive an exclusive brand new PDF sewing pattern delivered directly to your inbox.

There are 5 travel inspired patterns that include bags, accessories and women’s clothing, ranging in skill from confident beginner to intermediate. The designs will be a mystery until they are revealed at each road trip “destination” every 3 weeks. We promise they will be worth the wait! (and there *may* be a little hint for each one in the meet the designers section below...) 

The patterns will be exclusive to the club for the duration! Which means you as a member will be sewing up some of the summers hottest patterns before anyone else gets to! But don't worry, even if you join after the club begins, you will receive all patterns released to the club up until that point!!!

We’re so excited for you to join us!

The first pattern is being released on Tuesday May 27, followed by 4 more patterns revealed every three weeks through August. The one-time membership fee for the club is $35 for all 5 patterns.

EARLY BIRD sign up starts today! (YAY discount!!!!!!)From now through Memorial Day (May 26) you’ll receive a $5 discount making your membership only $30! The club is a great value, providing brand new, exclusive styles for an average of 40% off of the regular retail price.

To register for the club click on the ‘Add to Cart’ button, and you will be to purchase your membership via Paypal. Patterns are downloaded as PDF filesand will include detailed instructions, illustrations/photos, and templates needed to make the project. After you complete your payment, the pattern download links are automatically sent to your email on file with Paypal, so make sure that is up to date before purchase.

About the Pattern Designers

Our journey starts with Betz White in Maryland. You’ll love the new pattern she has planned and it’s perfect for a weekend get-away. Betz is the first stop on the road trip so you won’t have to wait long to see it!

Next stop: Patty Young in Illinois. Patty of MODKID is a well established pattern and fabric designer known for her bold designs and colorful palette. Her design for the club is something that will take you from hotel to pool in style.

We’ll head north to Carla Hegeman Crim (me!) in Upstate New York. Carla, of the Scientific Seamstress, has a thriving sewing pattern business. Our design for the club is something easy-breezy to get you through a long hot summer.

Next we’re bound for New York City for a visit with veteran pattern designer Liesl Gibson of Oliver + S, Liesl and Co., Lisette and Straight Stitch Society. Liesl knows it’s the little things that matter and her design will help you keep track of them.

Carolyn Friedlander in Florida is our final destination! Carolyn, a quilt and fabric designer, travels frequently to teach quilting and sewing classes. Her pattern design for the club is sure to help you sew on the go.

So who is going on a sewing road trip with us??? 

(If you were able to go on a real road trip this summer - where would you go?)

SEWFAB Wrap up! The bundle deal is ending!

This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase the Sew Fab Bundle through those links I earn a percentage of the sale. Thank you so much for supporting the Sew Fab Sale! We all appreciate your business!

It's the Spring 2014 Sew Fab Pattern Sale and it ends today, May 13th, at 11:59 EST !!!! So buy it while you have some time left!

This bundle is so much fun and I LOVED sewing up the patterns in it! Here is a little round up of the sewing I was lucky enough to show you all this week! I didn't get to nearly all the patterns, but maybe you can!

   #sewfabsale

For less than $30 you get a library of sewing resources that you can use over and over again.

 

The Laurel Dress or Tunic by Greenstyle Creations, The Satchel Bag by Handmade Therapy, The Lexi Knit Dress and Top by MODKID, The Piko Top by EYMM, The Bowling Shirt from Scientific Seamstress (unisex), The Seraphic Pant by Figgy's (unisex), The Tulip Pinafore by Too Sweets Patterns, The Big Tote Bag by Things for Boys, The Doll and Carrier by Patchwork Posse, Poppy and Pip Penguins by Betz White, Leather Accent Foldover Pouch by LBG Studio, The Norah Dress and Tunic by Mouse House Creations, Crayon Art Folio by Gingercake, The Tennis Skort (12M-12Y) by Heidi & Finn, The Ruffled Bustle Top by Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Long Beach Board Shorts (unisex) by Terra's Treasures, The Cupcake Top (unisex) by Sewing Mama RaeAnna, The Saffron Twirl Dress from Paisley Roots Designs, The Sweet Tea Shorties by Molly Blossom Designs.

SEWFAB SEWING! The Laurel... another version!

This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase the Sew Fab Bundle through those links I earn a percentage of the sale. Thank you so much for supporting the Sew Fab Sale! We all appreciate your business!

So.... As you know I LOVE sewing for myself! Therefore, I could not help it, I had to make myself another Greenstyle Laurel! I mean, let's be real, the pattern was already printed and ready to go in my size... 

As you can see I skipped the cowl neck this time, and I'll be talking about what I did for that in a wee bit, after the #sewfabsale details ! Tomorrow, May 13th 11:59 EST, is when the sale ends!  

It's the Spring 2014 Sew Fab Pattern Sale!

 

The Laurel Dress or Tunic by Greenstyle Creations, The Satchel Bag by Handmade Therapy, The Lexi Knit Dress and Top by MODKID, The Piko Top by EYMM, The Bowling Shirt from Scientific Seamstress (unisex), The Seraphic Pant by Figgy's (unisex), The Tulip Pinafore by Too Sweets Patterns, The Big Tote Bag by Things for Boys, The Doll and Carrier by Patchwork Posse, Poppy and Pip Penguins by Betz White, Leather Accent Foldover Pouch by LBG Studio, The Norah Dress and Tunic by Mouse House Creations, Crayon Art Folio by Gingercake, The Tennis Skort (12M-12Y) by Heidi & Finn, The Ruffled Bustle Top by Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Long Beach Board Shorts (unisex) by Terra's Treasures, The Cupcake Top (unisex) by Sewing Mama RaeAnna, The Saffron Twirl Dress from Paisley Roots Designs, The Sweet Tea Shorties by Molly Blossom Designs.

For less than $30 you get a library of sewing resources that you can use over and over again.

 

If you are going to skip the cowl neck I suggest adding an inch ish to the neckline - which is as simple as tracing the original pattern and adding a new neckline a bit up as you can see below! PS. How long has it been since you have seen this old school printer paper??

Then you simply add a binding to the neckline. I made my own binding strip by cutting a strip of fabric 1.5" high by the width of the fabric - which is much MUCH longer than needed for a xs size... but better safe than sorry I always say! 

The Laurel is meant for knit fabric, though I did think about doing the skirt in woven and I *think* it would work out well! There are a few sleeve length options, from short as I did here to elbow to long sleeve.

Again I chose the pleated back option, and I'm thinking it must look pretty good because I had my husband taking pictures for me and he kept insisting he didn't have any "good" ones of the backside! haha. 

I also did the a bit above knee length option, I love it! And as you can tell by my lack of colour, it has been a long and cold winter where I live!

(fabric from Girl Charlee)

pps. Do you have a favourite pair of footwear that surprised you? Because I'll be honest, my husband insisted I NEEDED to buy these boots on a shopping trip years ago, and so I did, because when the husband says you need to own a pair or boots/shoes - you BUY! These boots I was not in love with at the time have turned into my favourite go with all sorts pair of summer boots! 

SEWFAB SEWING! The Modkid Lexi!

This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase the Sew Fab Bundle through those links I earn a percentage of the sale. Thank you so much for supporting the Sew Fab Sale! We all appreciate your business!

Today I am excited to show you all the Modkid Lexi dress I made for Berry! 

Berry LOVES dinosaurs, so I drew a little dino and got out the walking foot and did a little free stitching on the front of this dress, The pattern is great for getting creative with!

This pattern is one of the amazing patterns in the #SEWFAB bundle! And Wait until you see the back! 

But first some of the details on the sale  :)

The Laurel Dress or Tunic by Greenstyle Creations, The Satchel Bag by Handmade Therapy, The Lexi Knit Dress and Top by MODKID, The Piko Top by EYMM, The Bowling Shirt from Scientific Seamstress (unisex), The Seraphic Pant by Figgy's (unisex), The Tulip Pinafore by Too Sweets Patterns, The Big Tote Bag by Things for Boys, The Doll and Carrier by Patchwork Posse, Poppy and Pip Penguins by Betz White, Leather Accent Foldover Pouch by LBG Studio, The Norah Dress and Tunic by Mouse House Creations, Crayon Art Folio by Gingercake, The Tennis Skort (12M-12Y) by Heidi & Finn, The Ruffled Bustle Top by Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Long Beach Board Shorts (unisex) by Terra's Treasures, The Cupcake Top (unisex) by Sewing Mama RaeAnna, The Saffron Twirl Dress from Paisley Roots Designs, The Sweet Tea Shorties by Molly Blossom Designs.

For less than $30 you get a library of sewing resources that you can use over and over again.

 Now fir the promised back view! Keyhole!!! Nice and high so it is still modest and girly.

Beacause the waistband is an elastic casing I decided to use a woven fabric for it and the button tab and I love the woven pop of colour!

I choose to make Berry's a couple inches longer than the shirt length and a couple inches shorter than the dress length. Why you ask? Well, In summer my girls like to be active so little tights and shorts are a must wear even for dresses, so I thought maybe having it tunic length would be cute with tights under it and be a little bit cooler and a bit of extra length should keep mosquitos from being able to bit her tummy! 

Hugging her Dinosaur dress!!! She LOVES this dress! 

It's the Spring 2014 Sew Fab Pattern Sale! Sale ends may 13th at 11:59 EDT

 For less than $30 you get a library of sewing resources that you can use over and over again.

 

SEWFAB SEWING! The Sweet Tea Shorties

This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase the Sew Fab Bundle through those links I earn a percentage of the sale. Thank you so much for supporting the Sew Fab Sale! We all appreciate your business!

 Today I am excited to show you those Sweet Tea shorties from Molly Blossom Designs that you got a peek at yesterday! and Cheeks is very excited about showing them off!

This pattern has 2 different options, I choose the looser ruffled option for both girls to match the Norah tunics I showed you yesterday.

I even had "handmade to cover me booty" tags to sew on! I LOVE it when I have the little things to complete the look! and now these shorts are nautical too!

This pattern goes together great and is light on paper to print as well! 

Even with the ruffling I was able to finish both shorts in a short evening of sewing - yay!

On Berry's shorts I did double ruffle and on Cheeks I did a single ruffle (mostly because I was bored of ruffling) Cheeks has short legs for her age so I figured I could get away with one ruffle, and I feel I have!

Are you convinced yet you need the bundle? I only have 2 more looks to show you! The bundle sale ends May 13th at 11:59 EST/EDT! So don't delay! I'd hate for you to forget and end up disappointed when you start seeing posts popping up of all the amazing patterns in the bundle being sewn up!

For less than $30 you get a library of sewing resources that you can use over and over again.

 

The Laurel Dress or Tunic by Greenstyle Creations, The Satchel Bag by Handmade Therapy, The Lexi Knit Dress and Top by MODKID, The Piko Top by EYMM, The Bowling Shirt from Scientific Seamstress (unisex), The Seraphic Pant by Figgy's (unisex), The Tulip Pinafore by Too Sweets Patterns, The Big Tote Bag by Things for Boys, The Doll and Carrier by Patchwork Posse, Poppy and Pip Penguins by Betz White, Leather Accent Foldover Pouch by LBG Studio, The Norah Dress and Tunic by Mouse House Creations, Crayon Art Folio by Gingercake, The Tennis Skort (12M-12Y) by Heidi & Finn, The Ruffled Bustle Top by Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Long Beach Board Shorts (unisex) by Terra's Treasures, The Cupcake Top (unisex) by Sewing Mama RaeAnna, The Saffron Twirl Dress from Paisley Roots Designs, The Sweet Tea Shorties by Molly Blossom Designs.

and one final pic of cheeks in her outfit :) Just because she is cute!