cute as a button(up tank romper) can be!!! TUTORIAL

I love rompers on my kids! So cute and easy, no finding a matching (or not matching...) top and bottom for them to wear. and very sun friendly.

Today I mashed 2 patterns together to get this tank button up romper! The bow was a last minute addition and not in the tutorial.... but I'm sure you guys can figure it out if you want it, or ask in the LAB group on Facebook! 

To complete this look you will need the Sisboom Tobago (or Tortola if you want a ladies version) and the Easy fits for kids (or adult  if doing a lady version)

CUTTING:

Cut your easy fits to the pattern. I did a 4 inch is inseam length. Really just eyeball it and better safe than sorry, easier to cut off a bit than add to it.

The tank you will cut the back and back facing as per the pattern. The front you will cut a mirror image pair - with an extra inch added to the front of each piece and the facing pieces.

SEWING:

First I want you to take your front pieces and iron the edge over for your placket - do not sew. fold 1/4 inch and then fold 3/4 inch so you have a 3/4 placket - for small buttons this is perfect. If you want big buttons you will want to add extra room to the front in the cutting so you can increase the placket width.

Now sew your facings to the front along both sides as per the tank directions. just make sure you unfold your placket to sew the facings on. and sew the back and facings as well.

Now you will follow the directions in the pattern for the straps and putting the front to the back.

Then Refold the placket area and then stitch it down. Remember for girls the left goes over the right 

pin the tank fronts together overlapping and stitch. I left my pin in there to help the placket area stay together as I sewed - less fabric wiggling about.

**At this point I really feel the need to apologize for these pictures .... This is what happens when you sew and do tutorial pics at nighttime. sorry for the quality.**

Now sew up the sides of the tank as per the pattern. and the easy fits - but don't do the waist elastic. Finish the bottom edges of the tank and the top edge of the shorts.

Next, if the tank width is a bit more than the easy fits width - like mine was, add a little elastic to the tank sides and stretch while sewing. This brought mine in the inch ish that was needed to make it the same width. Yes there will be gathers when you sew to the shorts and it won;t be flat... but we are doing elastic casing in the waistband so you won;t even notice.

mark the sides of the shorts with a pin and place the tank inside - right sides together. pin sides and then pin about.

Sew along the top edge

and then sew another line 1/2 inch ish below that all around

Now flip the fabric flap up, and sew along the top edge - remember to leave an inch open to thread the elastic through. I used the elastic measures from the easy fits for the waistband.

Now do your buttons and holes or just do buttons for the top half and faux for the bottom half (like I did) The buttons do help with ease of getting it on and off so I don;t recommend faux all the way.

TA DA!!!! All done and cute as a button(up tank romper) can be!

and don't forget to be linking up your June sewing !!!! You could WIN!

FOUR brand NEW patterns!!!! Out today!

4 NEW patterns releasing today from Sisboom and Scientific Seamstress!!!!!! Yep, FOUR!

They will be on SEWNEWS's website as exclusives! 

COMING JUNE 22! New web video series with Carla Crim of Scientific Seamstress and Jennifer Paganelli of Sis Boom collaborating together. Take a peek!

There will be the Shellie Clutch, The Wendy Market Tote, the Bonnie circle skirt (xs-3xl), and the Peggy Table runner!

The shellie clutch is a gorgeous little thing with scalloped edges! Have fun on her with fabric mixing, brooches and more! She makes the perfect gift or craft show item too!

The Bonnie skirt is in sizes xs-3xl (our usual size range on ladies patterns) and features a yoke waistband with zipper and optional sash.

The market tote is a nice size bag, perfection for picnics or shopping at the farmers market, or a day out with girlfriends when you need some space! She features a gorgeous front bow and is ideal for mixing fabrics!

Peggy is the table runner! Another fabulous gift or craft show item and great for those of you who love quilting or want to do just a little quilt piecing! A great start into the art! She'll look fab on your patio table or kitchen table - or even your mother in laws table!

Happy sewing!!! Which is your favourite? or will you be needing all 4 ? 

http://www.shopsewitall.com/

Triangle Tortola/Tobago

To start with when you make a tortola or tobago out of knit you will NOT cut on the bias and you WILL use woven facing.  

To get the triangle hemline you will redraw your pattern piece as shown by the red lines below - do this for the front and back pieces. You do not need to do the dart since it is knit and loosened on the fit. Then simply sew as per the directions! 

The back view:

Simple, flowy, and comfy for summer!

EDITED: Someone asked in the LAB how to get the more down the sides handkerchief hemline look so I thought I'd let you know how here too:

Let's Open Up About Angie!

The Angie is one of my favourite patterns to have fun playing with and modifying! it is a perfect easy fitting dress of blank slate goodness! Here is my most recent creation! 

Another great tutorial for a different open back look is here on the Free Notion blog

Is anyone else loving maxi dresses for this summer?

girls wearing Sisboom Gabriella Fae's. All fabric used is a mix of sisboom fabric lines.

and of course don't forget to LINK UP! You could win a pattern of choice from the Etsy shop!

one piece the shannon shift

Guys, This is sooooooo easy it is almost embarrassing to call this a tutorial.... If you want the Shannon as a one piece pattern - just tape the pieces together as seen below. 

yep. it is that easy .... 

 I also did a half lining though since I was out of bias tape and didn't feel like making any... 

Sew around the armholes, right sides together. clip the curves.

Then bring up the sides - lining to lining and outer to outer as shown below for both sides of the shift:

3 Step by step pics of bringing the sides together if you need more detail:

Back to the tutorial:

once your sides are sewn up bast stitch the neckline lining and main together - wrong sides together and then add the collar as per the pattern and finish up the zipper as per the pattern. 

If you make one this June (015) don't forget to link up for a chance to win!