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MadeByAlisha

Itch to Stitch Kathryn Top

As many of you from the sewing world have probably heard, Kennis, the designer from Itch to Stitch, came home from vacation to find her home buglarized. She lost her sewing machines, cameras, computers, and many other things. I wanted to share one of my favorite Itch to Stitch tops with you today and encourage you to go support her shop as she rebuilds her business.

I made the Itch to Stitch Kathryn top in a cotton jersey from last year’s Raspberry Creek Fabrics club line. (If you haven’t heard, Raspberry Creek recently moved to their own website from Etsy, and it’s fabulous! Go check out their Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday sales this weekend.) The Kathryn features a pleated upper section and is available in both dress and top length. This is a perfect casual shirt with jeans and I find myself reaching for it frequently. (Fun fact: I was actually about 18 weeks pregnant with my baby in this picture!) Continue Reading

Regem from Sofilantjes: A Wardrobe Staple

Hello everyone! We’ve been a bit quiet over here on the blog lately, but I’m back today with a new release from Sofilantjes. I’m always looking for fun shirts for my boys to spice up their wardrobes. My boys prefer to wear t shirts and pants every day so the Regem is a great way to mix up their wardrobes a bit.

The Regem is a basic long or short sleeve t shirt with two different views. View A is a basic t shirt with no options. View B, which I tested, is a color blocked version. There’s color blocking on the shoulders, yoke, and the bottom of the sleeves. Continue Reading

Back to Preschool!

I don’t know about you all but summer here has just flown by! I’m not sure how it’s almost the end of September! When the chance came up to do some back to school sewing, I decided to whip up a few new items for my preschooler who just turned 4 last week. It was fun to sew him some things now that he’s old enough to provide me with some input.

I started with one of my favorite patterns, the Peek a Boo Pattern Shop Boardwalk. It’s such a fast sew with some fun opportunities for color blocking. I used the Club airplane fabric from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. I love their club line and they’ve recently come out with some more awesome boy prints! I used red cotton lycra from Peek a Boo for the top of my tee. Continue Reading

Delaney Dress and Tunic

I’m so excited to have a little girl  and get to test all the fun dresses and tunics I’ve missed out on with 4 boys. Peek a Boo Pattern Shop has just released the Delaney Dress and Tunic, and I sewed up two tunics for my little girl. The Delaney features a high-low hemline, three sleeve lengths (short, 3/4, and full), a neckband or hood option, and a front pocket.

My first version is a size 6 month long sleeve tunic length without the pocket. I used a panel previously offered at Peek a Boo Pattern Shop. I love the high low hem which adds interest to a basic tunic.  Continue Reading

Hip Hop Tank Tour

Welcome to our stop on the Love Notions Hip Hop Blog Tour! Genie and Alisha have two versions of the Hip Hop Tank to share with you today.

I (Alisha) chose to make the Hip Hop tank with sleeves. Fall is rapidly approaching in North Dakota, and I knew I wouldn’t get as much wear out of a sleeveless shirt. While digging through my fabric stash, I found this coral colored lace I had been hoarding from Hobby Lobby. I decided to layer it over a gray cotton lycra. I made a couple modifications to my shirt. First I lengthened it by 2 inches. I’m about 4″ taller than the height Tami drafts for and I find that adding a bit of length just makes everything fit better. I also prefer my shirts on the longer side. I also widened the neckband to add a bit more of the gray around the neck. Continue Reading

Good Night, Sleep Tight (Swaddle)

If there’s one thing that has been constant between Miss M and her big brothers as babies, it is their love of being swaddled. My babies have all loved that wrapped up tight feeling. Miss M is currently a rock star sleeper, most of which I attribute to the swaddle because she can’t startle herself awake. The only problem I’m finding is that because she was on the larger side at birth, she’s outgrowing many of the swaddle blankets we own. She’s currently growing into 6-9 month clothing and is only 3 months today! Continue Reading

Guess What is Coming to the Sew and Tell Project?!

I (Alisha) have been quite quiet over here on the blog for quite a few months. I hope you missed me! I have a wonderful reason for being so quiet. We are expecting baby #5 in about 8 weeks! Right now I have 4 boys, ages 9, 7, 6, and 3, and we are very excited to announce that we are expecting a little girl! It was shocking news that I’m not sure I’ll believe until I actually see her!

Getting to sew little girl clothes has been so much fun! Caroline Hulse of Sew Caroline, a designer for Art Gallery Fabrics, provided me with some beautiful designs from her Chalk and Paint collection to sew up for my new little girl. 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

Get Ready for Fall with the Bridgeport Jacket!

When I saw the sneak pics of the new jacket Amy over at Peek A Boo Pattern Shop was working on, I fell in love. As soon as the testing call went up in the Peek A Boo Pattern Group, I jumped right in and signed up. And the best part…I got selected! I couldn’t resist sewing more than one version up during testing. Once again, Amy has knocked it out of the park with a great pattern filled with a variety of options. 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