Gérald Boxers by Jalie

I love the new collection of patterns by Jalie. My first sew from the collection is 3885 Gérald boxers. 

All 27 sizes are included in one pattern and not worry, when printing at home, Gérald by Jalie has the layers feature so you can print only the sizes you need. This pattern also includes long johns and and mid-thigh shorts. The recipient of the new boxers says that fit is spot on and that they're really comfortable... he likes the fact that there's no seam at center back.

The style from view A sew up quite quickly so I decided to have a little fun with my Brother CV3550 coverstitch. My favorite pair has to be the ones with the contrasting fabric, in this case a happy accident because I simply didn't have enough of one fabric to make a full pair. The contrast stitcing really give them a fun look.

I'll be back soon with another new Jalie release! 

Until next time, xx.

Everyday Essentials with EYMM for Valentine's Day

To be honest I was a little worried about how I was going to present the pattern on my blog. Wondering if I would be confident enough to do modeled photos of my new nigthgown. We all have our reservations about going out of our comfort zone, we all have our little imperfections that we wish to hide from the world but in the end it is what it is. Yes I have curves, and imperfections that I didn't have when I was 20 years old, but they are a part of me and they tell a story. Really so glad that I was able to show you modeled photos and jump out of my comfort zone on this one.   

This pattern is the Everyday Essential by EYMM (affiliate link). The pattern offers so many options and such a huge size range (xs-5xl) including different cups sizes so its easy to get a good fit. 

The fabric suggestions for a good support fit is a cotton lycra blend, but I wanted the soft flowing silkiness of a rayon blend which doesn't have the best recovery. My solution was to line the bra or bodice part, front and back, with a white 95% cotton 5% lycra knit and get the comfort and light weight feeling of the rayon knit.

I also wanted a girly look to this nightgown and so I went through my stash of elastic lace. Finally I found some matching fold over elastic for the armcye. I spent more time contimplating my fabric selection than I did sewing. The pattern is very easy to understand and I put most of the garment together using my serger.

I haven't had a nightgown in years, I could get used to feeling this girly and leave those old flannel PJ's behind.

Make sure to visit all the stops on the Valentine Essentials Blog Tour! (Keep in mind that the links below won't work until their scheduled date.)

Feb. 3 -Sewing by Ti

Feb. 4 - Joelle at EYMM

Feb. 5 - Embrace Everyday

Feb. 6 - Sprouting JubeJube and Capture, Craft, and Cook

Feb. 7 - Call Ajaire and Blessed x Five

Feb. 8 - Rebel & Malice and Sew Haute Blog

Feb. 9 - Kelly's Sewing Creations and Sew Far North

Feb. 10 - Roundup at EYMM

During the tour, the Everyday Essentials pattern is on sale for half off! Use code VDAYTOUR on the EYMM site to save 50% on the Women's Everyday Essentials pattern until February 12 at 11:59pm PST.

Disclaimers:
This blog contains affiliate links meaning I make a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase through it at no extra cost to you. 
I received the pattern at no charge for the purpose of the tour but all opinions are my own.  

Legend by Sew Straight & Gather

I can really get used to this, more sewing for me! Best of all is that I love the fit and style of my new Legend top. I got to test the brand new pattern from Sew Straight & Gather and I love it! Truth is I really want you to take advantage of the amazing release price that Terri's offering on the ladies and girls version of Legend. Sale end February 19th, 2016.

Et Voila, encore de la couture pour moi! J'ai eu l’occasion de tester le nouveau patron "Legend"de Sew Straight & Gather. J'ai décider de vous donner une chance de pouvoir profiter du prix de lancement. Le patron se vend pour seulement $5.00 pour les grandeurs dames et $5.00 grandeurs filles. La promotion se termine le 19 février, 2016.

  

I only made the ladies version, but knowing how much I love this little knit pattern I think I need to make some for Amelia and JubeJube. Both the ladies and grils version have different sleeve options, and also have dress options (its really cute with a gathered skirt).

J'ai seulement eu la chance de coudre la version dames mais j'adore tellement la coupe que je crois je vais devoir m’essayer et en faire pour JubeJube et Amelia. Plusieurs logeurs de manches sont offerts dans le PDF ainsi qu'une version robe.  

I usually wouldn't opt for a sleeveless version, but in this case, Legend is great for layering. I don't know about you but I find it can get quite uncomfortable with many sleeve layers. The neckline hits at just the right place.

En temps normale, je porte toujours un haut avec une manche mais ce petit haut et parfait pour y rajouter un cardigan. 

I'm sold, I think I need to make myself one in every color! I may make a nice cozy long sleeve version next, after all its still winter here!

Je suis acro a ce model, je crois que le prochain "Legend" va être a manches longues, après tout c'est l'hiver! 

Until next time, xx.

A la prochaine, xx.

Fun Wardrobe Basics For My Sweet Little Valentines

I've been making the girls a lot of wardrobe basics like undies and socks...JubeJube asked me for some undershirts to keep her tummy warm she said. I looked in my pattern stash and saw that I had the Classic Camisole and Panties from Peek-a-Boo patterns (affiliate) so I decided to make some, for Valentine's Day.

And well since I was making the cami I thought I should make the matching set.

Each with their own special little details. The floral print fabric is a wonderful soft cotton knit by Riley Blake "Vintage Market", supplied to me by Threads and Stitches on Etsy. The solid knits are from my stash.

And how about that sweet heart appliqué, its one of those iron ons, and Amelia loved it!

Both Amelia and JubeJube so pleased to get such cozy Valentines.

Until next time, xx.

*This blog contains affiliate links meaning I make a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase through it at no extra cost to you.

Sew Yourself Some Love 2016

Its no secret, I don't often sew for myself...but for this month I'm trying to do a little more for me. Its not selfish at all. Over the past years my body type has changed...a lot. I used to sew paper patterns for myself, always the same size with the same adjustments no surprises. With PDF patterns and my body type changing I felt it was harder to get a good fit so now that I've seemed to hit these two PDF's out of the park this is actually making me feel really good and embrace my curves.

The first patterns that I sewed up for this post are both from Jocole, the Shoreline Knit Tank and the Basic Briefs. Everyone deserves to have undies that fit, properly! I can't imagine I was still wearing my maternity undies up until now...yes I have a whole new stack of bottoms that I made from fabric that I've been hoarding for what seems to be forever!

I used fold over elastic to trim out the bottoms and the neckline and straps on the cami. For the hem I made a rolled hem with my serger. The fabric is from my stash, a netting that I've had since 2003 (the bill was folded up in the fabric).

Both patterns have a great size range (XS-XXXL), and the bottoms have so many variations...high wiast, hipster, brief, bikini, boyshorts...along with helpful hints on sewing up stretch fabrics. These two patterns are a good place to start to "sew yourself some love". Being comfy in your undies is key to making the rest of your clothing feel great.

So here's one more for you, the Slim Fit Raglan by Patterns for Pirates. Seriously, why have I not made this one for myself before!

Yes, that's me with an actual smile (see comfy undies that fit make for a happy lady!) BUT I'm also loving this top on me and its so comfortable, and I feel like I can leave the house with this on and not look like, ummmm I just got out of bed. 

We all need basics in our wardrobe and if you're looking around for a pattern to fill that need for a basic raglan tee, go with this one. Why...it has so many options included, different sleeve lengths, variations on the bottom hem and different lengths, even tunic length. Sizes range from XXS to XXXL. Features like no trim pages and layering to print only the sizes you want are including in this pattern. 

Sewing up these patterns has really been a way to do something to help me feel great about myself and like the way I look. When you feel great it shows in everything you do, and how you project yourself.

Go on, go sew yourself some love, ya know you want to!

Join us through the whole blog tour and don't miss a day!!!

Feb 1     Sew Thrifty

Feb 2     Feather's Flights

Feb 3     The Wholesome Mama

Feb 4     Sprouting JubeJube        

             Sugarplum Cuties

Feb 5     Shaffer Sisters

Feb 8     Mabey She Made It

Feb 9     Rebel and Malice

Feb 10   If Only They Would Nap

Feb 11   Sugarplum Cuties

Feb 12   Hibbadoray

Feb 15   Bee Quilted Beauties       

             Mabel Madison

Feb 16   Sew Starly

Feb 17   All Things Katy            

             Handmade Boy

Feb 18   Friends Stitched Together

             Lady And The Gents

Feb 19   Sew Happily Ever After

             Sew Like My Mom

Until next time, xx.

Fun Wardrobe Basics: Socks

You know when you go shopping at one of those high-end stores and they whole fun outfit including the matching socks is out on display and it makes you want to buy the whole kit and caboodle. Yup, that's me. I've always wanted to add the matching socks to outfits I've made the girls and insted settle for plain neutral that wont stick out like a sore thumb.

I've found the answer thanks to The Wolf and the Tree patterns. Well no, actually Saskia has found the answer for me by creating a sock pattern! This is the Abby Trailblazing sock pattern and can be found in their Etsy shop.

I have to admit that I was just a bit worried that the girls would complain of discomfort with the seam, but no, not at all. Infact when JubeJube put on the first pair she exclaimed how comfortable they were and wanted to wear them to school.

I made the knee high option and for the first pair I used cuff method and sewed them up using only my regular sewing machine to see how that would work out. The sock itself is a rayon blend and the cuff is a cotton lycra blend. Love the results and love that with Saskia's instructions are so clear on how to create these socks with just a plain machine.

I figured that if I'm going to try this pattern our properly I should also use the fold over hem option with the elastic.

I also decided to use my serger for these, just to see how that would work out...I may never buy another pair of cute socks again, I'll be able to make them without wondering if the pattern will work out.

Sizing is also very easy to figure out...measure your child's inseam and foot length and done! The chart is very clear. AND the layering feature is available on this pattern too so you only print the sizes you need and want. The size range on this pattern is from 0 to 14 (a total of 17 sizes!). Along with the knee high socks you also get the higher over the knee sock option, bobby and crew sock length, baby legs and leg warmers. If you don't want to be printing out all those style there's a fun little printing guide to only print out the styles you want to sew up.

By the way, The Wolf and the Tree just released the Going Rogue Sock pattern, adult sizes! I may just have to make some for ME now!

Just so you know, I did get this pattern for free for the purpose of this review, however all opinions are my own!

Until next time, xx

Fun Wardrobe Basics: Undies

I've been contemplating sewing up undies for the girls for some time now, but then I get to the big box store, pick out a bunch that seem reasonably priced, buy them thinking I've saved myself time and energy, wash them a couple of times....and they fall apart! Yup, not really the way I want to spend money. 

Instead, this time, got cute fabrics from my stash, had the girls choose their favorites and something a lot more fun than boring big box store basics came out of it. 

The pattern is from Little Kiwi's Closet (I got the pattern for free for the purpose of this review, but all opinions are my own). The fabrics are all from my stash, and so much fun to mix and match to create colorful undies for Amelia and JubeJube. I made sure that the main part was 100% cotton jersey knit and that the bindings where a cotton lycra blend for good recovery after being stretched out.

The first thing I did was read all the instructions...They're very complete, clear and easy to follow with step-by-step photos included in the tutorial. I measured the girls, and lucky for me, they have the same meaurement around the hip area. I cut out the recommended size according to the chart...and we had a winner! The fit was perfect with full bum coverage. The girls flat out refused to be photographed in their undies so you'll have to take my word for it. I've been telling them not to show off their undies and well I guess they got it, now if only they would listen to me when tell them to clean up their toys.

The size range for this pattern is 12 months to about 13 years old, but again use the measurement chart and you really can't go wrong to find a good fit for your child. Also included in the pattern is doll size undies. I have a feeling that the girls will be asking me to make some dolly wardrobe essentials to match their own.

My favorite pair, and Amelia's favorites too, are the ones I played around with fabric placement and got the penguin at center front.

I'll be reviewing wardrobe essentials all week. Come back to see what other fun wardrobe basics you'll have fun making!

Until next time, xx