Wonderlust by Monaluna

Yay its Friday and its finally my turn to show what I've made with the wonderful fabrics from the Wanderlust collection from Monaluna.

When Gemia of Phat Quarters intorduced the idea of embroidery hoop art to me I must admit it took a little bit of brainstorming to create something that would really showcase how beautiful each print really is and how they could come together as a whole.

The print that spoke volumes to me was Sky, so I started with that one. I love how you can play with the fabric placement in the hoop and not get the same image.

After the hand embroidery was done I felt my sky look a little empty so I decided to appliqué some feathers from the fabric print by the same name. I love that the feathers added a little dimension to my work.

Again, thinking of fabric placement I went with Wild Horses...making sure I got an image of the horses running and not cutting off legs or heads. Yes it will take up a little more fabric that way, but so worth the effort.

Then wanting to combine all the fabrics into one piece I used 2.5 inch squares to create a miniature quilt. Don't look too closely though, I must admit I'm not a quilter.

The original plan was to create three hoops but the project took on a life of its own and I still had fabric left to play with...so Diamonds in the Rough got some Feathers appliqué to it and I also wanted to show more of the pinks that we see in Sky. Then finally is a 5 inch hoop I framed out Wild Flowers.

A huge thanks to Monaluna and Phat Quarters for supplying me with these beautiful fabrics to work with!

Want to win your own half yard bundle of this gorgeous fabric...here's your chance, enter here through Gleam

Monday Aug. 8 - Monaluna & Phat Quarters

Tuesday Aug. 9th - Crafting in the Rain & Simple Life Pattern Company

Wednesday Aug 10th - Jilly Atlanta & Chalk and Notch

Thursday Aug. 11th - Paisley Roots & Blaverry

Friday Aug. 12th - Sprouting Jube Jube & Phat Quarters

Take time to check out the other posts and see how they were inspired by these beautiful prints form Monaluna!

Until next time, xx.

Vivie by Blaverry

Vivie by Blaverry has been revamped! So excited to show off the newest options on this practicle and classic style shirt dress.

This is a great pattern with a classic style but with all the details involved I wouldn't try this as a first sewing project. The bodice has darts, there's a collar stand with collar, side seam pockets, button placket with buttons all the way down the front. If you feel that you're at that point in your sewing skills, then yes, go for it!

The new feature on this pattern is the sleeve! Actually 3 sleeve lengths are now available on this pattern, short, half sleeve, and long sleeve.

I have a confession to make, This dress started out being for JubeJube, so I cut out a size 5. All through the process of sewing up the dress I had JubeJube try it on to make all the adjustments needed. When I got to the end...she says "but there's not enough pink, I don't like it." So Amelia has it, but I also had to bribe her with ice cream to get her to wear it because she wanted a polka dot fabric. You'll notice that the waist is a little bit low on her, Amelia's torso is a lot shorter than JubeJube's. Amelia's bodice would have been a size 4 in length and I would have added some length to the skirt for it to hit above the knee.

 Lessons learned, I should keep letting them choose their own fabric so they like everything about the garments I make them.

Looking for more fun inspiration with this pattern from Blaverry, visit these blogs!

Crafti Mom - Ruby Rue Creations - Snixie Bear - Sprouting JubeJube - Blaverry - Princesse et Trésors - Captures by Chris

Until next time, xx.

* I was given this pattern for the purpose of the review, but all opinions are my own!

Sew Ready For Fall with Stylish Fabrics

What am on doing on what seems like the hostest and most humid day of the year? Yup, I'm dressing myself up for fall weather!

I did have some help thanks to Sylish Fabrics, I was sent 2 yards of this beautiful sweater knit to use for the purpose of this tour. I was also sent over by the Patterns for Pirates team the add on pack to the Raglan Slim Fit  to add the hood to the pattern I already love so much! As always, my opinions are my own!

Check out their links here. Twitter – Facebook – Instagram – Pinterest

So back to this hot and humid day...and me dressed like its getting cool outside! I can't say that I'm ready for fall to come just yet, but at least I have this oh so comfy hoody!

About the fabric... I chose based on color and what I thought the texture would be, not sure exactly what to expect since I shop a lot by touching fabrics. If I don't like what it feels like, I don't buy it. When the fabric arrived I was pleasently surprised at how soft and light weight it was.

So I couldn't just drape myself in this wonderfully soft fabric, so the next best thing was to make it a hoodie. My go to top pattern lately has been the Slim Fit Raglan by Patterns for Pirates....add on a hood and I'm a happy lady!

I have to admit, I've never sewn up this type of knit before. So with caution, a lot of clips to avoid having wonky seams and good ball point needles I got the job done. I added some twill tape at the neckline to stabilize it and avoid stretching it out and glad I did.

So if you don't mind...I need to get back into the AC and cool off!

Make sure you check out the other stops on the tour! 

There are TONS of prizes, for which I’m not able to win so go on and enter and increase your own chances to win!

Enter the giveaway by going here: Sew Ready for Fall Intro post

August 1st

Sewing By Ti and Rebel and Malice

August 2nd

Gray all Day

August 3rd

Wild and Wanderful and The Sara Project

August 4th

Doodle Number 5 and Sweet Red Poppy

August 5th

Paisley Roots and Dos Natural Sistas and My Crafty Little Self

August 8th

Made By Melli and Sew Far North

August 9th

Sew Sophie Lynn and Creative Counselor

August 10th

Frivolous at Last and EYMM

August 11th

Lulu and Celeste and Sprouting Jubejube

August 12th

Adventures with Bubba and Bug and All Things Katy and Sewing by Ti

Until next time, xx.

Sneak Peek - Wanderlust by Monaluna

My post for the blog tour for Monaluna fabric hosted by Phat Quarters isn't till Friday, BUT I figured I'd share all the news that comes along with this tour before its too late!

First, the Phat Quarter shop has the whole collection available in their shop, and it is stunning! These organic cottons are so soft and easy to work with. So much inspiration comes from just looking at them.

Second, want to win some prizes? The Rafflecopter giveaway for a bunch of PDF patterns ends on Thursday and there's a giveaway for a bundle half yard of each print in the Wanderlust collection powered by Gleam (click here to enter) ... you'll want to enter that too! So what are you waiting for!

Don't forget to come back here on Friday to see my post! And check out the other stops on this tour!

A huge thanks to Monaluna and Phat Quarters for supplying me with these beautiful fabrics to work with!

Monday Aug. 8 - Monaluna & Phat Quarters

Tuesday Aug. 9th - Crafting in the Rain & Simple Life Pattern Company

Wednesday Aug 10th - Jilly Atlanta & Chalk and Notch

Thursday Aug. 11th - Paisley Roots & Blaverry

Friday Aug. 12th - Sprouting Jube Jube & Phat Quarters

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monaluna Wanderlust Fabric Bundle GIVEAWAY

Sandy's Beach Bag by the Handmaiden's Cottage

So off AGAIN to the beach...I can't complain. I've been making my way so oftern to the sand and sun this summer that I don't want it to end! The joys of my job!

This time its all about a beach bag, Sandy's Beach bag from the Handmaiden's Cottage.

I used a beautiful canvas for this one. The shape of the bag is pretty basic with a flat bottom, but all the details that have been added like the outer and inside pockets, the loops for the drawsting and all the top stitching make this bag so stylish and durable.

Clear instructions on bar tracks and top stitching to create this beautiful bag are in the tutorial along with step-by-step photos.

And look at those fun loops at the top of the bag opening for the drawstring.

So I've fit 3 beach towels, my book, sun glasses and a couple of water bottles in my bag, and we're ready to go!

Ok, kids are looking at me asking if I'm ready to go to the beach! Summer isn't over, you still have time to make your own!

Until next time, xx

Summer Swimwear Tour 2016

Making our way back to the beach for another swimsuit. This one is from The Wolf and the Tree as part of the Summer Swimwear Tour 2016 along with Call Ajaire and Gracious Threads. 

I made the shortie shorts and the bikini length color block top.

I made the size 5 as indicated by JubeJube's measurements of 23 inches at the chest, 20 inches at the waist and 23 inches at the hips. After stitching the side seam at the recommended 3/8" I had to take it in another 1/2" on each side to get a slimmer fit. I still find the top a bit loose to my liking but she will grow and have it for next year.

I omitted waist band on the shorts, I felt they were highwaisted enough for JubeJube without adding another inch. I also left out the bands around the armscye, simply turning to hem at 1/4 inch. Again with the shorts I used a 3/8" seam allowance as recommended in the tutorial, and this time the fit was snug, but I wouldn't say they were too snug.

Changes to the pattern have been made, but unfortunately I have been able to sew a new one up in time to post it here. I can tell you that JubeJube is thrilled about her swimsuit, and for me, the next time I make it, I'll make sure to slim down that top a little more.

For now, I'm just going to sit back on the beach and enjoy watching JubeJube and Amelia play!

Until next time, xx.

*I did get this pattern for free for the purpose of the tour, but all opinions are my own.

Join in on the Summer Swimwear Tour fun by using the hashtag #sewswimtour to share your favorite swimwear makes.  And don't forget to enter the rafflecopter below to win some fabulous prizes from our sponsors!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

During the tour Designs by Call Ajaire is offering 20% off all patterns in the Etsy shop using the code SWIMTOUR, Gracious Threads is offering 15% off the purchase of 3 or more patterns in her shop (no coupon needed), and The Wolf and the Tree is offering 15% off patterns in her shop using the code SWIMTOUR as well.  So take a few minutes to visit Call Ajaire, Gracious Threads, and The Wolf and the Tree and of course the rest of the lovely blogs we have on the tour:

imagine gnats - Buzzmills - Sprouting JubeJube 

Our Chez Nous - Replicate Then Deviate - Once Upon a Sewing Machine

Once Upon a Sewing Machine - Kadiddlehopper - Lulu & Celeste - Skirt As Top - Needle and Ted 

Straight Stitch Designs - Rebel & Malice - Rae Gun Ramblings

Paisley Roots - Made by Sara - The Crazy Tailor - Skirt Fixation

Sew Chibi Designs - Max California - Better Dressed Child - Shaffer Sisters

Sew Country Chick - Handmade Frenzy - House of Estrela - Elegance & Elephants - SewsNBows

Yves by Blaverry

Another pattern by Blaverry has been updated, and here it is! JubeJube loves the dress I made her using Yves and the light cotton voile from my stash.

Updates includes three different lengths (dress, tunic and top), full linging to make it reversible and little extras like a coloring page for your budding designer.

What you can expect with ALL Blaverry patterns:

• Huge size range, from 2T to 16 years.
• Layered printing, print only the sizes you need.
• Easy instructions for blending sizes for a custom fit.
• Measurement charts in imperial and metric.
• Easy to the point instructions with tech drawings for each step.
• Fun styles that your kids will love to wear. 

JubeJube and I took a walk in the woods for this mini shoot. The fabric has a definite boho style to it with its ombre dye and ribbon appliqué.

As we walked she kept on say that she was like a real princess, like Poca-the-hauntis (I just love when kids change words around).

Until next time, xx

You want more inspiration with this pattern take a look at these blogs too!

Blaverry Blog - Stylin' Stacey - Élégantine! - Sprouting JubeJube - Sew Sophie Lynn