Sewing From My Stash: Update

Some may be wondering how sewing from my stash is working out for me. Its actually been a little of a challenge for some projects, but its also been very rewarding to see the pile of unused fabrics get smaller.

I have to admit I had to cheat once but it was for a good cause, it was for the Off the Shoulder top I made for the EYMM Think Fall Tour.

I may just have to keep sewing from my stash all through September too, I have a yards of flannel just yelling out at me to become PJ's and as it turns out JubeJube and Amelia are in some serious need of PJ's too. So I'm off to sew a few PJ sets for the girls and I might just let you in on what patterns are my favorite.

Until next time, xx


Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Free Leggings Pattern by E+M Patterns

Last week E+M Patterns released a FREE 3/4 length leggings pattern up on their website, YAY for free patterns! Sizes range from 2-10 and the fit is really nice.
I'll be showing you how to add a cute little ruching detail to the leggings.

To get started you'll need:

• E+M Patterns Free leggings pattern, you can get it here!
• 3 inches of 1/4" elastic for ruching
• Measuring tape
• Fabric marker
• Tracing paper or light weight non-fusible interfacing 
• All materials listed in the pattern supply list in the pattern tutorial

The first thing I like to do is trace my pattern pieces. In this case only one piece :) 

Since there is no side seam to these leggings, measure out where you want to have you ruching detail. I like mine to be a little more to the front rather than on the side so I made sure to go 0.5 inches more towards the front of the pattern piece to mark off my elastic placement.

Cut out fabric and transfer markings for elastic placement to the wrong side of you fabric with fabric marker. Cut your 3 inch elastic in 2 so that you have 1.5 inches for each side. Just a suggestion, place your elastic 0.5 inches above the hemline so you don't have the extra bulk of the elastic to turn over when you hem your leggings.

Set your machine to a width 3 zigzag stich and length can stay at 3. On the wrong side of your fabric, backstitch starting closest to the hem working your way up stretching out the elastic as best as you can. Finish off your seam with backstitching to secure your elastic in place.

This is what the right side of the legging will look like.

Now you're ready to finish off the leggings as directed in the free pattern by E+M Patterns!

Enjoy the free pattern!
Until next time, xx.

Breeze Top for Women a Design by Peaches and Peanuts

Only a few weeks left of warm weather in my neck of the woods, but I'm fully taking advantage of the new pattern release, the women's Breeze Top over at  LKG...and its at a super low price for a limited time so hurry!

You may have seen the tween sizes for the Breeze Top here when I made one for my niece. When I saw the testing call for the women's version I had to make one for myself!

I made mine using a rayon blend fabric, so its super comfy, and fun to dress up for an evening out or as easy as flip flops and jeans in the park with JubeJube and Amelia. 

I never thought I'd be comfortable in a racerback top, but I really am. Another fun thing about this top is the neckline isn't so low that I feel I have to be watching how I move while running after JubeJube and Amelia. 

Her are some of the pattern details:

• Designed for knit fabrics (if you want to use woven you can, just size up and make a muslin to make sure you feel comfortable in the bodice)
• Clear and easy to follow instructions
• Size range for the women's pattern XS - 2XL
• Fast sew (it took me about an hour to sew up, including printing and cutting)
• I used just over a yard of fabric to make the top

I think I need a few more of these tops, maybe one with a lace overlay for the yoke! 

Until next time, xx.

PS. This top was sewn with fabric from my stash...I haven't had it for that long, but I do think it was perfect for this project!

The Cherry Blossom Dress by Mandy K. Designs

I recently got the chance to test the Cherry Blossom Dress by Mandy K Designs and I must say what a fantastic sew! Actually its been a couple of weeks and I've been aching to post about this dress. This pattern is part of the Aspiring Designers Challenge hosted by Pattern Revolution and the pattern is available as of today in their Craftsy shop and Etsy shop, and while you're at it check out all the other patterns Mandy K Designs has to offer becausee for now and for a limited time, they're all on sale, use the code "cherry20" for 20% off in the Etsy shop.

Let me start by saying what I love about this dress! The length is prefect for playing, not too long or too short. The sash is not sewn in so the dress can be worn without the sash. The original design, how many patterns have you seen use frogs. 

The details of the front insert are fun but do require some time. The frogs are decorative and there are buttons at the back for dressing.

Some of the pattern details:

• Size range from 12 months to 14 years
• Easy to follow instructions with tons of photos
• Designed for woven fabrics
• For beginners that are ready for a little of a challenge

I used cotton fabrics but it can easily be made with satins...how pretty it would be with a satin brocard!  

Until next time, xx.

Think Fall Blog Tour With EYMM

I can't tell you how happy I am to show you my Off the Shoulder Top by EYMM (affiliate link). I have to tell you that I almost didn't make it, just say that I made a big booboo while making this top so yes, I do make mistakes but that's a story for another time.

So me and my morning coffee at 6am ready for pictures. I'm so glad I used a heavy knit to make this top because fall is coming and its cool out! "falliscoming" is also the coupon code you can use at checkout for 25% off your purchse of the Off the Shoulder Top & Tunic in either girl's (newborn-18tween) or women's (xs -5x) or you can purchase the bundle to get all sizes! Coupon expires August 20th at 11:59 PST.

 

I had to change the construction just a bit due to the fact my knit was so heavy. I inserted an elastic at the neckline for structure and I only used one layer of fabric instead of two layers cut on the fold for the cowl or it would have been just too heavy and I would constantly have to pull it back up. 

I also changed the direction of my fabric of the cowl, I had to make sure my knit had the same stretch in both direction so I wouldn't feel confined at the shoulders. 

Under normal conditions, this top would have been done in about 45 minutes, but even the best plans can sometimes fall apart at the seams. This top is not at all hard to get to put together, I woud say its for a confident beginner. You'll also want to know tha Kymy's patterns are so easy a quick to tape together because there are no borders to trim, just print and tape. 

I'm thinking I need to do 6am shoots more often, I acutally look well rested, ha!

Just a look at the other stops along this tour you'll want to check out!

Rebel & Malice - Sprouting JubeJube - Mimi's Mom

Bigg Stitches, Little Stitches - Stitching Insane- Sewn to the Core

Until next time, xx.

Best Friend Dress a Design by Ellie Inspired

I have another pattern to show you by Ellie Inspired! I thought I'd make this one for Amelia since all the attention has been on JubeJube as she gets ready to go to kindergarten. You saw the Primary Pinafore here, and today I'm showing you the Best Friend dress. By the way, great sales going on until Friday the 15th in Ellie Inspired's Esty shop...

The Ellie Inspired Back -to- School collection includes 6 new patterns for both boys and girls in sizes 1-16, 4 upgraded patterns, 1 Accessory pattern, PLUS a FREE tote pattern with every purchase. The More you buy the more you SAVE!Buy 2- Save 30%Buy 3 -Save 35%Buy 4- Save 45%Buy 6- Save 50%

Amelia chose her fabric form my stash and I think she did a fine job! Its a light weight cotton print so it can be worn all through fall layered with leggings. I didn't want to push my luck and have her wear leggings the day I took photos, it was just too hot and humid out.

The dress is knee length and has an elastic at the waist that can eithr be put in with a casing, or you can do a little bit of shirring. I went with the elastic cassing it was just easier to adjust the dress at the waist for Amelia that wasy.

The neckline is a boat shape and there is an option to have a little button closure in the back at the neckline.

Some of the pattern details:

• Size range from 1 - 16
• Designed for kint and woven fabrics
• Easy to follow instructions 
• Fast sew (I spent more time taping my pattern together than sewing up this pretty little dress)
• Dress is to the knee, short sleeves, boat neck with button closure.

You might want to take a look at what others have made with these patterns, just click on the links to other stops on the tour!

Sprouting JubeJube - Sweeter Than it Seams - That's Sew Kari 

Pattern Revolution - Chasing Merma

Still more to come tomorrow!

Until next time, xx.

Primary Pinafore and Blouse a Design by Ellie Inspired

Back to school sewing continues, and today I have a sweet little pinafore to show off! Its a new pattern from Ellie Inspired. I'll have a couple more to show you through the week. The Primary Pinafore has a classic look, perfect for school uniforms. See what gorgeous patterns are available in their Etsy shop and some older patterns have been upsized!

I must have posted in the past few weeks that my little JubeJube will be starting kindergarten. I remember as a child I loved back to school for  all the fun new outfits I got to wear. Some were store bought but a lot of them were made by my aunt. One of my favorite ourfits was my classic grey skirt with pleats and white blouse with a grey pinstirpe. When I saw the pinafore it brought me back to my school days and how fun it woud be for her to have this fantasitc wardrobe of classic school clothes.

By the way, Laura from Ellie Inspired gave me a bundle of 3 patterns to giveaway to one reader! Thank you Laura! More details below so keep reading!

This is the test version of the pinafore, so it has undergone some adjustments. The length did stay the same however. The front features inverted pleats and the back has a zipper closure and its fully lined.

The blouse is buttoned down the front with a puffed sleeve and features a peter pan type collar. 

Some of the pattern details:

• Size range from 1 - 16 
• Easy to follow sewing instructions
• Fully lined pinafore for beautiful structure
• Advanced beginner (back zipper for the pinafore and buttons with buttons holes for the blouse)

Just in case you're keeping tabs, this is another one sewn from my stash, the plaid fabric was first featured here on my niece.

This is one smart looking outfit, if you want to make your own don't forget to enter the giveaway! Stay tuned, tomorrow I'll be showing you another pattern from the back to school collection by Ellie Inspired! Here are few other stops on this tour, go check them out!

Sprouting JubeJube - Sweeter Than it Seams - That's Sew Kari 

Pattern Revolution - Chasing Mermaids

Until next time, xx.

a Rafflecopter giveaway