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Category: Tops

Project Run & Play: Week 1 – Pokemon Inspired!

Hello! And thanks for stopping by!  This past week and a half has been full of so much sewing and I’ve been bursting to share my creations with you. Project Run & Play has been such a wonderful challenge and so much fun!  Week one’s challenge was to create children’s clothing inspired by Pokemon.

Be sure to head over to Project Run & Play and vote for the Sew and Tell Project so we can continue to be competitors for week two! Continue Reading

The Mama Ava by Made for Mermaids!

After spending most of my August unable to sew, I sure have been making up for lost time! This past week I tested the newly-released Mama Ava from Made for Mermaids! I always love testing a good wardrobe builder. And it’s been even more fun since I got my new serger! It’s a 5 thread and it’s made my sewing time so much more productive!

This was a bit of a sewing challenge for me. Not because it is a difficult pattern – no, it comes together very quickly! It was a challenge because drapey knits are recommended for it and I am a cotton Lycra girl. I have miles of gorgeous cotton Lycra prints  in my studio, but didn’t want it to end up too boxy per the designer’s recommendation. Continue Reading

Canyon Cardigan by Love Notions, Take 2

I am very happy to share my first pattern test for Love Notions, the new Canyon Cardigan. This was such a fun group to test for, and I truly adore this pattern. I see many more of these in my future. I LIVE in cardigans in cooler weather, and there are so many style options to choose from!

The cardigan is available in sizes xs through xxxl. This awesome layering piece has options for 3/4 and long sleeves, and a sleeveless vest option. The bottom skirt can be an a-line, a fuller gathered version, or a super fun waterfall version. Be sure to check out the pattern listing, because the creative testers used so many types of fabric, and each one makes the cardigan look just a little different. Continue Reading

Canyon Cardigan by Love Notions

Hello lovelies!

Fall is in the air where I live. It is still warm during the day but the nights are crisp and the apples are falling off of our tree. I find myself still wanting to dress cool for the day, but then needing layers for temperature changes. Keeping that in mind, I decided to sign up to test the Canyon Cardigan as one of members of Love Notions Promo Team. Testing with the Love Notions crew is always so fun! There is so much style in this friendly group. Continue Reading

Back to School – Peekaboo Pattern Shop Style

Today, as part of the Back to School Blog Tour hosted by Lulu & Celeste and Sprouting JubeJube Productions, I’m happy to share with you this fun and comfy back to school look – Peekaboo Pattern Shop style!

I used the Grand Slam Tee with 3/4 length sleeves and a bit of extra length in hopes that this shirt will last almost the whole school year. The 3/4 length sleeves will stay out of his way as he creates messy art projects but still provide enough warmth to be worn through the fall and winter months. The fabric is fun polyester spandex blend that is reversible – solid on one side, striped on the other. It is a bit thicker than the fabrics normally used for raglans, but it adds a nice bit of structure and warmth making it perfect for cooler weather.  Because of the structure of the fabric and the fact that it is just a 2 way stretch, I finished the neck using a binding method instead of the recommended band. I also added some top-stitching to the sleeve seams to finish off the polished look.  I just love how comfy and soft it turned out! Continue Reading

Back To (home)School

Back to school shopping is so iconic. It brings back so many memories of trips with my mom and grandmothers before school started. Do you remember that feeling you got when you picked the perfect outfit for the first day? And then the feeling you got when you started second guessing it? 😉  Since my kids have gone to private school (uniforms) and been homeschooled, we’ve kind of missed out on that. I mean, let’s be honest…there isn’t the same FEELING when you’re going to buy navy pants, polo shirts, and Mary Janes! And homeschooling is a whole ‘nother battle. “Mom, why do I have to get dresssed? We’re not GOING anywhere!” Continue Reading

Back to School Fun on the Playground with the Simple Life Pattern Company!

Hey fans! Emily and I are so excited to be part of the Simple Life Pattern Company’s Back to School Blog Tour. Today’s stops are all about playground fun, and we’ve got some great looks to keep your girls having fun AND looking great! Before you leave, be sure to enter the giveaway at the end – lots of great prizes!

#madebygenie here, and I chose to make Cheyenne’s Ultimate Ruffle Tshirt and Emilya’s Skinny Pants, Capris, & Bermuda Shorts for my rising first grader. She loves to run, play, jump, and hang upside down, and so skirts are just not an option for playground fun. The outfit we came up with is as comfy as it is fun & stylish! Continue Reading

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

Made For Mermaids Ella 2.0

The Ella and matching Mama Ella tops have been updated! The top has always been adorable, with a ruffled neckline and low back, accented by a tie, but the new options and fit will make it an essential wardrobe piece! Now, the ruffle is optional, there is a higher back option, and in addition to the tie back, there are options for a plain band and bow back. Finally, there have been hemline additions; the regular top hem, which hits at the hip, a front tie option, and a dress option. The Mama Ella top has been updated to fit Made for Mermaids new, extended sizes. It has also added two hemlines, tie front with curved back and dress length, and a new cross back option Continue Reading