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MadebyGenie
I recently had the pleasure of testing a new pattern for Love Notions, the Octave Coat. This coat is so versatile! It can be dressed up or down so easily with fabric choice, offers a shawl or hooded collar, includes generous pockets in a clever design, and the choice of a belt or button closure. The option of a lined or unlined coat also gives all kinds of options for looks and added warmth.
I made a shawl collar coat with a button closure in a thick, cozy fleece from JoAnn Fabrics. Instead of trying to make a buttonhole through those thick layers, I sewed a snap under the button.
The Navigator Pullover is an on trend, half-zip pullover with a front kangaroo pocket, and options for a collar or hood in sizes 2T through 16. It’s designed for stable knits, and perfect for boys and girls. I chose a cotton lycra French Terry with 4 way stretch from Raspberry Creek Fabrics, but many of the testers used less stretchy ponte or fleece with great results.
As always, Love Notion’s finishing is spot on, making it easy for your projects to look professional. The tutorial includes links to videos for the tricky parts. Look at how nicely that collar and zipper line up!
Stay tuned, I’ve heard rumors that this will be coming soon in adult sizes! I can hardly wait! But…one more photo of the boy because he is so stinkin’ cute!
My version is sewn (using double sided, heat sensitive interfacing to hold the layers together, and then top stitching for detail and permanence), but you could easily throw this together with a hot glue gun.
Another great feature is that it’s super inexpensive to make–I spent less than $20 on felt, tulle, interfacing, and the pre-made waistband. I added the rhinestones from craft supplies I had at home because sparkle is necessary for this little girl. I also have a set of Felt Wings cut out to match. I can’t wait to see them together! Don’t worry…I’ll share. 😉
I added an extra layer of tulle. It’s not a full layer, like the first two, just adding pieces here and there to fill in spots or add a pop of color. I used a wide selection of tulle–matte, shiny, sequined, and glittered. I love the effect all the colors and textures make together!
The mask includes sizes 2-10, and the tutu instructions will fit newborn to 12. The tutorial includes instructions to customize to any size, however…even to adult!
I have sewn tons of garments. Pants, shirts, dresses, hats, swimsuits, mermaid tails….lots of variety. But I have never attempted a quiet book! When I saw the pattern sneaks of this darling doll house, I was hooked and I knew I had to sew one up for my baby boy. See how cute he is? <3
The preview images I saw were decidedly girly, and I decided right away that Baby Mac needed a Cabin in the Woods because I knew that this pattern had so many options for so much fun! I also decided to upcycle some of my husband’s old clothing as part of this book. The pattern and tutorial include pieces and instructions to make a front door, a bedroom, a living room, a swimming hole, a tent, and/or a campfire. All of them are just darling and include all kinds of fun details. I’ll warn you; while this pattern is certainly not difficult, it is very time consuming. It’s also a great scrap buster! If you cut on the bias, as suggested, you won’t have to worry as much about fraying fabrics. However, I didn’t have large enough pieces of some of the fabrics I wanted to use, so I did a lot of tight zig zag stitching on my pieces.
This cover uses a pair of old corduroy pants for the house, and the roof is made from an old button down shirt. The button that makes up the door knob is from the shirt! While these patterns come with the book, I added a bit of flare here; the bushes were free-handed, and our cabin in the woods NEEDED a Michigan State University spirit flag. 😉 I also added some of the button flowers detailed in the tutorial (they are detachable and reversible, so little hands can practice buttoning), and my hedge opens to show a little surprise.
My next page is a tent. The pattern calls for a button closure at the bottom, but I decided to add a zipper for my guy to play with. I also split the background so I could use starry flannel for the sky. When you unzip the tent…
Kitty is sleeping in his sleeping bag! The pattern includes 3 dolls–kitty, bear, and mouse. I made my kitty with soft grey fleece and upcycled button eyes.
In the next page, baby can play with the fishies jumping between waves, or Kitty can take a swim in the pond. I added a sun just for an extra pop of color.
The back page of the Dolls House Quiet Book was left up to the imagination; you could make a garden of button flowers of different colors and textures. I decided to make a path into the woods. The treetops and path are freehanded, and the tree trunks are based on the piece included to make the camp fire.
I was a little unsure if my guy would like this; he’s at that age where toys are interesting for about 10 minutes before he tosses them aside to climb onto my desk and try to press all of the buttons on my sewing machines while simultaneously throwing all of my wonder clips on the floor and trying to eat my pins. 😉 But…he likes it a lot! One of his favorite activities right now is putting something in something else, and then taking it out again, so he LOVES putting Kitty in his sleeping bag and pond.
Be sure to visit the Rebecca Page PDF Pattern Group on Facebook to see all of the other darling Quiet Books, and be sure to join in the Dolls House Quiet Book Sewalong! The pattern is available at its introductory price of $5 through the end of the sewalong, August 13, 2017. After, it will be priced at $6.50.
 5 Duchess and Hare Patterns and a $25 gift certificate to Threads and Stitches Fabric…may the odds be ever in your favor!
The simple, sweet design, easy construction, two inseam lengths, and endless trim options interest me. My daughter likes the not-too-fitted fit and…
POCKETS. Yup. Seven-year-olds need pockets so Mom and Dad get their share of summer excitement when laundry day comes. 😉
This is the longer inseam, and I like this length on my long-legged, knobby kneed girl. The flat front gives them a nice, clean look, while the elastic back keeps them really comfy. This super soft chambray from Hobby Lobby was a great choice; it’s got the look of denim, but is much lighter and smoother. This hot pink ric rak came to me in a box of vintage trims and miscellany from my husband’s grandmother. I love that I’m able to use them for my kids!
The construction on these is a little different than other tulip shorts I’ve made, and I liked how the tulip pieces were separate, rather than continuations of another piece. These cross over in the front rather than the back and I really don’t have a preference there, but it’s nice to have the option.
Today is your last day to catch Tess on the introductory sale price, so don’t hesitate!
ps…they’re also available in women’s sizes…
Maybe a bit over the top, but seriously. This pattern is all that AND a bag of chips. I give you the Love Notions Allegro!
The Allegro pattern offers options for shorts with a 5″ or 9″ inseam, a cropped pant, a knee length skirt, or a maxi length skirt. The shorts options can be hemmed or cuffed. The maxi offers two slits up to the knee. All options offer front slash pockets, back patch pockets, and a drawstring waistband.
The pattern is designed for a semi-relaxed fit through the hip and thighs (the cropped pant’s fit tapers down toward the ankles). It should be sewn with medium to light weight woven fabrics. Knits can be used (check out the tester photos!), but you may need to size down.
These shorts were made with a lightweight chambray from Hobby Lobby. It’s so comfy and breezy; such a great summer fabric. This is the 9″ inseam, with cuffs. I did not add the drawstring because the teenager didn’t want it. Yes, I do try to humor her. I want her to actually wear the things I sew her, so I do try to follow her wishes and compromise when necessary.
I’ve mentioned before that I had this fear of sewing pants, and I seriously wish I knew sooner how easy they are. These look so professional, come together quickly, AND look great. I have some fun cotton duck that I want to make her another pair in!
Allegro is on sale now for $8, for a limited time. Get it while it’s hot! 🙂
With school ending, I had some non-dedicated sewing time and decided it was high time to whip up a fun, summery outfit for my middle daughter (who is now a SECOND GRADER!) What says summer more than a cute halter top in a fun print? This is the Be Trendy Halter Top by Ellie and Mac, and I have a copy to give to a lucky reader! The skirt is SLPco’s free Gracie’s Pocket Skirt, and all three of the fabrics came from JoAnn Fabrics.
This super simple sew is fully lined and so quick. In fact, with the full lining, it wouldn’t take too much effort to alter the waistband so the top could be reversible (how fun would that be? Why didn’t I think of that sooner??) I don’t think this took me much more than an hour, including printing, taping, and cutting, and I am NOT a fast sewist. The ties are what takes longest, but it’s really worth it to take it slow and follow the instructions.
This one would even be cute by taking the straps down to make a criss cross back instead of the tie, if you’re so inclined. You could also make a casing to include some elastic along the back if you’d like to keep the back a little higher. The best part is that my little Ellie loves it!
For your chance to win a copy of Ellie and Mac’s Be Trendy Halter, like both the Sew and Tell Project and Ellie and Mac Patterns on Facebook, and leave a comment below! I’ll randomly choose a winner on Wednesday, June 14. Happy sewing!