read more posts by

MadebyGenie

Bluezette Blog Tour

Love Notions Bluezette is a pattern that I’ve been wanting to try and I’m so excited that I had an excuse to use it! With five skirt options, two bodice choices, and three sleeve lengths, there are so many ways you can put one together. In fact, I ended up making two, and they are going to get so much use this summer.

The dress is designed for knits, but any of the gathered skirt options will work with lighter, drapey fabric choices, and I knew right away that I wanted to use the amazing Art Gallery Rayon in Swifting Flora Boho I’d been hoarding (it’s so soft, and was a dream to sew). Continue Reading

Love Notions Rhapsody Blouse

Love Notions Patterns has done it again with the release of the Rhapsody Blouse. This flowy blouse is sure to become a favorite summer staple! The pattern is on sale for $8 through Monday, and you can take advantage of tiered pricing with as few as 2 patterns.

Rhapsody features a relaxed fit with some shaping at the sides, a curved hem, and a yoke with gathered shoulders and a pleat in the back. It’s meant for drapy, flowy wovens such as chiffon, voile, challis, rayon, charmeuse, or lawn. You could also use a knit, but might want to size down. The pattern is sized from XS to XXXL, and a full bust piece is included. For us well-endowed ladies, this is great news, as we won’t have to make an FBA–full bust adjustment. Woot! There are also EIGHT sleeve styles–tank, cap, short, flutter, 3/4 with cuff or flare, bishop, or long. Continue Reading

Growing Up Handmade

I have a teenager.

Weird, right? This itty bitty girl is now nearly 14 and in the 8th grade:

This was a flower girl dress that I made her. Back then, she liked party dresses with fluffy skirts, and ruffles, and bows, and really anything Mommy made her. Things sure have changed! She still likes the things that I make her, but the focus has changed. I think now it’s more about my taking the time and thought to make her something, while still wanting to look like her friends. The hardest sewing lesson I’ve had to learn is to listen to her and use fabrics and patterns that she likes. We still have our disagreements, but giving up the ruffles and florals when I sew for her has gone a long way. Now, if we could only find the perfect compromise to hemlines and NOT having everything fit like dance wear… Continue Reading

Be Confident with Ellie and Mac

I have a secret.

I suspect that many of you share the same secret.

I buy pretty fabric. And then I hoard it. Because what if I make something with it but then a pattern that would have suited it better comes along?? WHAT THEN??

I bought a bunch of the Michael Miller Magic wovens on preorder, and they’ve sat in my stash ever since. But then I received a copy of Ellie and Mac‘s Be Confident Tunic and it screamed for the whimsy that this gorgeous Magic fabric provided. Continue Reading

A New Take on a Onesie from Peekaboo Pattern Shop!

Can you really have too many bodysuits for your babies?
That’s a trick question because the answer is no. No you can’t!
Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop is expanding their Lullaby Line with the Cardigan Bodysuit.

This bodysuit (or onesie, if you prefer) has the look of a classic cardigan with the diaper-changing ease of a snap placket at the crotch. The pattern fits sizes newborn through 4t, and the newborn size will fit most 18″ dolls. There is an option for a faux undershirt, and a short sleeve or long sleeve with cuffs.

Genie choose to make her little man’s with comfy cotton lycra from the Peek-a-boo Pattern Shop. The stripe is from the Knit Basics collection (Yarn Dyed 3/8″ Gray & White Stripe, and it was a lovely fabric. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a bargain line of fabric, but this is a nice weight, soft, and has great recovery. The blue can be found here. Continue Reading

Sewing with Girl Charlee: Tips and Tricks for Knits with Genie and Eleri

Have you put off learning to work with knits? Do you struggle with wavy hems and uneven neckbands? Whether or not you are experienced with knits or a brand new beginner, we hope we share some tips and tricks with you today that help you get the finish you want on your knit projects.

Eleri and Genie from the Sew and Tell Project are sharing projects made from two excellent knit patterns made with Girl Charlee BOLT for this tutorial.  Both PDF patterns are available for instant download on the Girl Charlee website. Continue Reading

Sew what Do I Wear? Valentine’s Edition!

With three kids and no family nearby, my husband and I don’t get to go out on date nights often. So when we get the chance, my first thought is almost always OHMYGOSH WHERE WILL WE EAT?? because I love food. 😉 Ok but seriously, I usually think “What am I going to wear???” first.

When the Mama Claire Two-Way Dolman Top by Made for Mermaids was released, I knew it was a style that I’d like, and I decided rather quickly that I wanted to try it out for this blog tour. Continue Reading

Add a Little Joy to Your Wardrobe

Happy Mama Joy release day!

Joy is the newest addition to the Made for Mermaids Dreamy collection, and Mama Joy is the very first Mama version!

Here’s a secret: I haven’t worn ANYTHING knee length in years. When I saw the testing call, I was so excited. Just like that, I had a vision of what I wanted to do with the pattern and what fabric I wanted to do it with, and my knees came out of retirement. Continue Reading

Love Notions Whistler

Love Notions has been hinting about this pattern for a while now, and anticipation has been high.

Let me tell you…it lives up to all the hype. Welcome to the pdf pattern world, Whistler Pullover by Love Notions.

Whistler is a loose pullover meant for layering, available in sizes XS through XXXL.

I’ve chosen the hooded version in a fun Dr. Who print (poly spandex blend from JoAnn Fabrics). I’ve been hoarding this fabric for what seems like a really long time, but this seemed the perfect use for it. The black fabric is a rib knit, also from JoAnn’s. Continue Reading

The Zipster Romper is here!

Amy from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop has done it again with this adorable Zipster Romper!

I think my little mister likes it, don’t you?

This romper is designed with a lined hood and cuffed arms and legs. You have lots of options, too–a full or partial zip, a patch or kangaroo pocket, a snap crotch for diaper changes, and an optional gusset (which is AMAZING for my little guy’s fluffy cloth-diapered tooshie!). The Zipster is available in sizes newborn through 4T. Continue Reading