Blue Ridge Dress + Birds & the Bees Fabric

Hello, friends! Happy Tuesday :)
Last year in September, I got to review and play with some delicious fabric by a Michael Miller designer named Tamara Kate. It was so fun, and I am super lucky that she asked me to give it another go with her newest line, called Birds & the Bees!
If you have been around here (or Insta) for a while, you know I have a penchant for fabric with animals on it. So Tamara Kate's designs are a FAVE!

Birds & the Bees is such a fun line... lots of prints and tons of color!  I let Emmy choose her own prints for this dress, and I think she did great! She's definitely having a purple moment right now... 

I was having a hard time deciding on a pattern until the Blue Ridge Dress appeared... OMGPERFECT. Jenn from A Jennuine Life's version sealed the deal for me. How freaking pretty is that. Wicked freaking pretty, that's how.  

The Blue Ridge is a brilliant inaugural pattern by Hello Holli and I recommend it to the moon and back. 

When the inside is as pretty as the outside...

Em choosing her favorite butterfly... lol. :)

Pattern: Blue Ridge Dress and Top by Hello Holli

Fabric: Birds & the Bees via Michael Miller available in shops now!

Have a great week, all! More soon. :)

Paneled Sunsuit Pattern

Hello blog friends old and new!
I have some fun Summer makes and new patterns to show you this week and next. First up is the highly anticipated Paneled Sunsuit from my good friend Call Ajaire!

Pattern: Designs by Call Ajaire - Paneled Sunsuit

Available exclusively at UpCraftClub through this weekend.

Available on Etsy and Craftsy next week.

Fabric: Deliciousness from the Imagine Gnats shop - Teeny Dots Double Gauze in yellow, and Chambray Union Stretch in light indigo. YUMMY.

I am a hopeless sunsuit/romper/onesie fanatic, so this pattern is perfection to me!  It's got an incredible size range, and a fit that isn't 'babyish' on my five year old. You know what I mean?

I made View A, the short sunsuit. I was actually a tester for this pattern, so I can tell you first hand how much effort and detail went into its design. There are some great techniques and details in the Paneled Sunsuit - whether you've been sewing for years, or are new to the craft - you can create some seriously gorgeous and well-finished looks with this pattern!

Just take a look at ALL THE OPTIONS included in the Paneled Sunsuit pattern... I mean. C'mon!

As if this is not enough, Ajaire is offering a FREE newborn-sized version of the tank, so you can get a feel for her style of pattern-ing. Trust - it's FAB! Detailed to the max.

Speaking of details...

So get yourself over to UpCraftClub for your copy of the Paneled Sunsuit. I truly can't wait to see more of Designs by Call Ajaire... I have no doubt she'll be a phenomenal resource in the pattern world!

HEY! Happy Fourth of July weekend, everyone!

Emmylou's 2014 Christmas Dress

Happy, happy New Year, my friends!
I hope you all had an awesome end to 2014. I have been so busy, I haven't had a lot of time to blog at all. But, in 2015, I want to change that... I miss sharing the things I make for Em and I! This year, I resolve to share more - and more organically - the things I want to make, and the things I do make!
I got into the habit of making something, then snapping a quick Instagram pic, and then like... that was the end of it. In 2015, I'm blogging again. :)
Let me start with Emmylou's 2014 Christmas dress, ya?!

Pattern:  The Caroline Party Dress by Mouse House Creations

Fabric: Rayon something from I can't remember where! (I want to say Fabric Mart.) I've had it for years. It's like a heavier challis with a white/silver metallic glaze. GLORIOUS.  The skirt lining is purple charmeuse and purple tulle, both from fabric.com. The bodice lining is just unbleached cotton muslin (like so) from Jo-Ann. Super soft. 

Shoes: Borrowed from Princess Belle (thanks, Belle!)

Accessories: My belt, from Forever 21, I think?

Other notes:  This was such a fun sew! It was so easy to make, the instructions were great. Em wanted a purple dress this year for Christmas (wha?? why??) so this was what we settled on. We both love it! I think this would be a great great Summer dress in a lawn or voile... dreamy. 

So that's Em's 2014 Christmas dress!  I can't wait to share more of the goodies I've made over the past few months here on le ol blog.

Have a great week, all!

Titchy Threads Rowan Tee

Hello, and welcome to my stop on the Titchy Threads Rowan Tee pattern tour!

Laura of Craftstorming & Titchy Threads has done it again. She's made another outstanding pattern - the Rowan Tee!

This super versatile pattern has so many options - like a hoodie, shoulder and arm stripes, cuffed sleeves and hem, patch & kangaroo pockets - so many that there are 144 possible combinations! It's a one-stop shop tee pattern.

I sewed Em's Rowan in a pretty basic variation, with cuffed sleeves, a stitched hem, and a patch pocket. We live in long sleeved tees around here - they're perfect for layering and they're easy and comfortable to wear.  I want to sew another Rowan in thermal knit for skiing or snow tubing trips!

I also sewed Em a matching pair of Fancy Pants Leggings, also from Titchy Threads!  These leggings you guys. I love them so much!  I have made several of these before - it's such a quick and rewarding pattern. And cute to boot!

The fabrics are an orange cotton/Lycra from Denver Fabrics, a tribal printed knit and gray ribbing both from JoAnn Fabrics. Em helped pick these out, and I think they're a great match!

Together these two patterns make an excellent set of jammies, while on their own they're great wardrobe staples.

Like all of Titchy Threads patterns, this one is brilliantly organized and user friendly. In my opinion, Laura's patterns are really state-of-the-art. Beautifully digitized, containing a wealth of information without being overwhelming, and just downright fun to sew.  Remember those jeans I made?!  SO FUN!

Here, I think Em nicely captured the impossibly beautiful "good morning" face that I handed down to her:

Lolol :D

We LOVE our new Rowan Tee + Fancy Pants. There will be more of both in our future for sure!

Don't miss the other stops on this excellent tour!  And go sign up here for Laura's newsletter + receive an exclusive pattern discount!

:D

Have a great day, all!

Hudson Pants // Perfect Pattern Parcel

Good morning, all!  Happy weekend!
Have you guys seen the latest Perfect Pattern Parcel?  It is SO good. I am actually making (and blogging about!) three different patterns in this Parcel. If I had the time, I probably would have sewn all 6 patterns!
They are ALL so good. So practical, so wearable... so good!

These are the fantastic Hudson Pants, designed by True Bias. They are everything.

I am embarrassed to admit that I bought fabric for these pants three times. I loved this pattern right when it came out, and I've been hunting the perfect fabric ever since!  Two disappointing French terry's later, I somehow landed at camo fleece haha.  Though, I subscribe to the school of thought that camo is a neutral.  As is cheetah. :D

I was at Jo-Ann shopping for Bronte fabric, when I passed this camo fleece. I gave it a tug and 

holy **** it had like 30% stretch!  So I went for it.  I mean, who doesn't need camo fleece pants really?!

I made these up in a size 10. I was nervous about the stretch the whole time, aware that fleece isn't know for its elasticity. But they came out great! They are W A R M - I think they'll be perfect for camping, or just lounging around on blustery New England winter mornings.

The Perfect Pattern Parcel is a collection of patterns carefully curated and handpicked for the benefit of many. For you as the seamstress, for the designers of the patterns, and most importantly, for charity. 

Support Indie Designers:

Independent designers create patterns that are innovative, imaginative and in line with current style trends. Their patterns encompass a broad range of sizes and fabulous “out of the envelope” fit because they're thoroughly tested by real people. Indie designers are approachable, providing support, suggestions, publishing additions to your favorite designs, and hosting interactive sewing events. When we are patrons of indie designers, we are supporting small businesses. We are developing the community around us. We are helping make dreams come true.

Support PPP:

We ask you to dedicate part of your purchase to support the mission of Perfect Pattern Parcel. Our mission is to support indie designers, give to charity, and expand awareness to further those two primary goals. PPP funds cover the cost of all hosting and payment processing fees so the designers and charities don't have to. With any dollar we spend as a PPP expense, our goal is to earn that dollar back and then some. Every dollar that isn't used to cover expenses is reallocated to charity.

Support Children's Education:

Donors Choose is an organization that matches up the needs of teachers and their students for specific projects with willing donors. The funds raised from each Pattern Parcel sale will go to help K-12 students in minimizing educational inequality and encourage a community where children have the tools and experiences necessary for an excellent education. From pencils for poetry to microscopes for mitochondria, your support will help address educational inequality and grow generations to come. To date, you've helped us raise over $13,000! 

I am loving my Hudson Pants!  I am sitting at my computer writing this post IN these pants haha!

So, please consider doing a little sewing for yourself, and contributing to a great cause while doing so! I look forward to showing you my other makes from this Parcel!

Have a great day, all!