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Category: madebyalisha

Introducing the Rowan Raglan from Made for Mermaids

Genie and I are back with a great new pattern for Made for Mermaids today! The Rowan Raglan is a unisex raglan packed with options:

Rowan Raglan Options

Short, 3/4, or Long Sleeves with optional flutter

Shirt, Banded Tunic, Ruffle Tunic, or Dress Length

Neckband, Lined Hood, or Hemmed Hood

Adorable Animal Ears and Faces to personalize your shirt

Trying to choose from all the options was difficult! The animal ears and svg cut files (for a Cricut or Silhouette) machine were so fun that I’m adding a Silhouette to my Christmas wish list. Continue Reading

Back to School, Mermaid Style!

Welcome to our stop on the Made for Mermaids Back to School tour! Alisha and Genie are both sharing today with looks for both boys and girls. #madebyalisha When I first heard about this blog tour, I initially was bummed because my three oldest attend our local parochial school and wear uniforms. I can’t sew much of anything for them to wear to school.  Then I remembered that my baby (who is almost 3) will be attending preschool for speech therapy this fall. While the thought of sending my baby to school makes me want to cry, realizing I could sew some things for him to wear quickly made me feel a bit better. Since I have 4 boys, I chose Made for Mermaid’s Charlie pattern. I love a good classic button up shirt, and adding pintucks just makes it so much more fun! This was a fairly straight foward sew. I did change the assembly just a bit and used a burrito roll method while sewing the yoke. I was familiar with that method from a different pattern I’ve sewn, and it’s my preferred method of yoke construction. I used a orange gingham from Hobby Lobby for my son’s shirt. I wanted a classic look, and what is more classic than a gingham button up shirt? The pintucks can be a bit hard to see with the print, but I love the updated look the pintucks give to a basic button up shirt. Taking pictures of my almost 3 year old was a workout! Initially we went to his school but trying to run to the playground was way more fun than taking pictures with Mommy! In the end, we got a few keepers and I am so pleased with this cute shirt he’ll be able to wear for the first day of school.   #madebygenie My little first grader also wears a uniform for school, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to make her something cute to wear for dress down days, or maybe even fall pictures. After much deliberation (have you seen how cute the patterns from Made for Mermaids are??), I chose to make a Blair Top and Tunic and a pair of Bonny Leggings to match (and if you join the Made for Mermaids Facebook group, there’s a coupon code to get the leggings patterns absolutely free!) I know it’s still summer (it’s oh so hot around here lately!), but fall is coming, and I wanted a look that could transition. I found these fun fabrics at Hobby Lobby, and they’re part of the fall collection. The chevron print is a super soft French Terry, and the polka dots are metallic gold! Early morning sun and my daughter playing with Teddy made for a super cute photo. I love the candid catches that turn out so pretty! The Blair has many options. At heart, it’s a relaxed fit raglan with a v neck. It has options for short, 3/4, and long sleeves, tunic and top lengths, and a unique waterfall hem. You can add a ruffle, or double ruffle, to any of the options. I chose a high low hem. My top uses the ruffle measurements for the second of the double ruffle, eliminating the shorter layer. If you’re doing a double ruffle, you’re probably going to want a thin fabric, like chiffon or lace, to keep it from getting too thick.

The Bonny Leggings pattern is so quick, and so easy! I’m not a fast sewist, and I whipped these together (at the last minute, because of course, I didn’t like the first pair I made with the tunic!) in a half hour! I love how easy they are to customize! The pattern comes with a regular waistband and a yoga waistband, but it’s so easy to alter to in between waistband heights for comfort and coverage. You can also choose between shorties, capris, and ankle length, and a circle skirt pattern is included. Made for Mermaids patterns include a great tutorial for merging sizes to make the fit exactly right. Continue Reading

Get a little bit of Sunshine with P4P!

Hello lovelies!

I’m going to give you a little summary of the Sunshine dresses that Alisha, Genie, and I whipped up this past week during testing for Patterns for Pirates.

The new Sunshine dress has several options that make it a versatile staple for every wardrobe. There is a crossover bodice, halter bodice, and a strapless bodice. The skirt options include maxi length, above knee length, and below knee length. There are optional dress pockets as well. Both the halter bodice and the strapless bodice are lined, while the crossover bodice is finished with bands. Continue Reading

Simple Life Pattern Company Love!

Welcome back to the Sew and Tell Project! As you’ve probably noticed, my life is full of boys! I don’t get a chance to sew girly dresses very often but I have a sweet goddaughter who I love to spoil with new pretty things every so often. When I’m looking for a gorgeous girly pattern, my first stop is Simple Life Pattern Company. I love the frills and ruffles! Right now Simple Life is having a back to school sale so it’s the perfect time to hop over and try their patterns (or add to your collection). Run, don’t walk! The end of sale date hasn’t been announced and I don’t want you to miss it! Continue Reading

Poolside Tour: 5 out of 4 X Factor

Welcome to my stop on the Poolside Blog Tour! Make sure to hop over and check out the other stops today and come back here on Saturday to see Eleri’s post! Also, read all the way to the bottom, there’s some great coupon codes, and a Rafflecopter giveaway for fun prizes!

Here at Sew and Tell Project, we have challenged each other to a swimsuit sewing challenge this year. Eleri has written a great post with some beginner swimsuit sewing tips to get you started if you want to join us! I was nervous about sewing swimwear because it sounds so hard, but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and fun it was. Continue Reading

Sew Americana: Welcome Summer!

Summer is finally here in the Upper Midwest! Here in the area where I live, the highlight of summer is the 4th of July rodeos and huge parade that the next town over throws. My boys love a good parade, and when I saw Katy’s call for an Americana blog tour, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to whip up some matching outfits for my boys! I’m taking advantage of the fact that they love to match for as long as I can. My oldest is almost 9 so I know my days are limited 🙂 Make sure you come back on Friday to see Eleri’s awesome post featuring some outfits for the girls! Continue Reading

Make Laundry, Don’t Do Laundry Blog Tour: Boys Edition!

Welcome back to the Make Laundry, Don’t Do Laundry Blog Tour! When I heard about a blog tour all about making clothes faster than you can do a load of laundry, I jumped at the chance to join! If you know me in real life, I hate to fold clothes. Once I finally fold them, I then hate putting them away. Why do my kids wear so many clothes? I feel like the laundry multiplies in the clothes basket and in the washer and dryer! So what’s better than folding clothes? Sewing them! Feel free to sew your own laundry this week so you can link up for a chance to win a great prize package. Continue Reading

P4P – Semi-Fitted Tank Top and Dress (Racerback and Straight Strap)

Welcome back to the Sew and Tell Project! We’ve been so busy testing and getting ready for our first blog tour that we have been quiet over here on the blog. Make sure you check out Eleri’s post today and Alisha’s tomorrow as part of the Make Laundry, Don’t Do Laundry blog tour!

Patterns for Pirates has been one of my favorite pattern companies for almost as long as I’ve been using PDF patterns. When Judy was looking for testers for her new Essential Tank, I was super excited because this style of tank is what I live in during the summer! Eleri, Genie, and I were all chosen to test this new release. Are you ready for all the versions we made? Continue Reading

Welcome Summer with the Bella Sunshine Designs Felicity Top and Dress!

I’m sure where most of you live, it is starting to feel like summer. Here in the upper Midwest, our days are getting longer, school is almost out, and it’s getting hot! This week I had the joy of testing for a new-to-me designer, Bella Sunshine Designs. You may remember Emily’s gorgeous Vintage Grace Flutter Dress from a few weeks ago. That was my first introduction to Bella Sunshine Designs, and I fell in love with their beautiful girly style. When the designers put up a testing call for the Felicity Top and Dress, I jumped at the chance to test the dress for my goddaughter who just turned one. Having 4 boys myself, it’s fun to sew something with ruffles and gathers once in a while! Continue Reading

Introducing the Bahama Mama Blouson from Peek a Boo Pattern Shop!

I love mix and match patterns. When Amy over at Peek a Boo Pattern Shop put up a testing call for another new swimsuit top called the Blouson to add to her Bahama Mama line, I jumped at the chance to test it. I had never sewn a swimsuit or athletic material before, but I wanted to challenge my sewing skills. Plus us ladies here at Sew and Tell Project have challenged each other to a swimsuit sewing challenge this summer. Continue Reading