Fly away with me with PAB!

I tested the newly-released Wonderland Wings by Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop. The Wonderland Wings pattern includes three unique wing shapes: butterfly, fairy, and dragon. Testers also used the shapes to make angel and bat wings! This is a very versatile pattern to be used for Halloween or everyday dress up. I finished each pair in about 2 hours from cut to finish. The wings are made with 2 layers of very stiff interfacing to give them a nice shape! I was intimidated at first to sew with two layers of Peltex 71F on my little machine, but the tutorial includes tips and suggestions to make it easier. Continue Reading

Kitty Cat Halloween Treat Bag

Halloween is just around the corner, and I’ve got a Kitty Cat Treat Bag for you today, with a super easy tutorial to make your own!

This bag can be made by a beginner, although it does involve sewing a strap and several curves. Don’t worry, you can do it! You’ll need about half a yard of your base fabric; that will be enough to cut your bag pieces, lining, and strap. You’ll also need some scraps to make the appliques for the front. I’ve made a spooky Halloween cat, but this shape easily lends itself to a Jack-o-Lantern or pumpkin, too! While you can just pin the applique pieces down, I highly recommend using some sort of double stick interfacing or tape to hold the pieces in place while you stitch. In addition, you’ll need pins, a sewing machine, thread (I used a contrasting color), about a half yard of lightweight interfacing, tailor’s chalk or a washaway marking pen, a flexible measureing tape, and two round templates (one with a diameter of 12-ish inches, and the other about 8 inches). Continue Reading

Project Run & Play Week 4: Signature Style

The Sew and Tell Project team is absolutely thrilled to have won Week 3 with Emily’s amazing Zorro ensemble and make it to the 4th and final round of Project Run & Play. We have loved connecting with the other contestants, challenging ourselves, and working to bring great new ideas and inspiration to our little corner of blog land. Make sure you visit Project Run & Play right now to vote! Voting closes on Thursday October 6th at 8 PM MST. Continue Reading

Project Run & Play Week 3: Costumes!

Hello and thanks for stopping by!  It is hard to believe that it is already week 3 of Project Run & Play!  This week’s challenge was to create a costume – which is perfect because Halloween is right around the corner.  I’m delighted to share these Zorro and Victoria costumes with you.  Please make sure you click over to Project Run & Play  so you can vote!

Zorro is a favorite around here and we love the TV series – both the Disney one with Guy Williams from the 1950’s and this newer one from the 1990’s with Duncan Regehr.  The costume for this lovely little senorita was modeled after the spunky Victoria in the newer series. Continue Reading

Project Run & Play Week 2: I’m an Autumn!

I was excited when I found out that autumn was the theme for the second week of competition in Project Run + Play. It’s my favorite time of year! I was able to mix some of my very favorite elements into a stylish and super fun outfit for my tween daughter. Tweens are so hard to sew for. They’re picky, for one, and have developed their own sense of style. In addition, this age category, somewhere in between a girl’s and a woman’s shape, is so underserved by pattern designers. Patterns don’t fit well and are often either too old or too young in style. I’ve become pretty adept at modifying patterns to fit better, and definitely at choosing patterns that will suit her for both size and sensitivity. Even though I sometimes have to use adult patterns, she’s still my baby, and she still loves the things her mama makes her. Continue Reading

Ahoy! The Jolly Roger Add On Pack is here!

Genie and I are back with another set of fun raglan tees for our kids! Patterns for Pirates is celebrating Raglan Week this week, and as part of the celebration, they are re-releasing an updated Jolly Roger Raglan. But the best part is they designed an add-on pack to go with the raglan! I’ll talk more about the add-on pack in a minute but first….the basic shirt.

Genie and I both tested the updated basic raglan pattern. I love when pattern designers include layers in their patterns, and it makes taping and piecing the pattern quick and easy! Here are some adorable pics of Genie’s little guy wearing a 6 month short sleeve version with a triangle accent. Seriously, could he be cuter?! Continue Reading

P4P Timeless Tunic

I have a confession to make.

I buy fabric to make things for myself, but never make anything. I end up hoarding it, or using it for my kids. Pattern testing for myself has been an awesome way to break me out of my shell. Since I have sewn wovens for many more years than knits, I was super excited when Judy from Patterns for Pirates announced that she had a woven pattern almost ready for testing. As soon as the call went out, I signed on. And you know what? Continue Reading

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

#swimsuitsewingchallenge2016

Hey all! I’m a little late to the party, but I *did* manage to sew some swimsuits for my girls! I’ve actually had these completed for a few months, but the girls weren’t very excited about having photos taken in their swimsuits. They just wanted to get in the water!

For my middle daughter, I used the Coco Cay Colorblock Tankini with some of Peek a Boo Pattern Shop’s amazing swim fabric. The thought of sewing a swimsuit was completely intimidating, but man…it was So. Easy. I used the Ocean Cuties and Mermaid Scales for this cute colorblocked suit with the bikini cut bottom style. 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