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MadebyGenie

Make it Sew!

We’re nerds.

There, I said it. We love Star Trek, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Dr. Who…well, let’s just say we like lots of geeky, convention-worthy things. My husband and I played AD&D well into our 20s, and I even LARP’ed now and then. And…we both played Magic: the Gathering. Husband calls our eldest “Number One.” Our kids are following right in our footsteps, and we watch Star Trek together often. Eldest and husband watched the entire Star Trek: Voyager series, then The Next Generation, and now they’re watching the Original Series. Good times. 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 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

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

#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

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

New Made for Mermaids Lea!

The Made for Mermaids team has been busy cooking up your new favorite pattern, and I was lucky enough to test the girls version.

Introducing the Lea Dolman!

Lea is a super easy sew available in sizes 1/2 through 14 and offers options for a romper, dress, and tunic. It’s a dolman style, which means the sleeve is part of the body (woot woot…no sleeves to set in!) The pattern is designed for knits, although a woven can be used for the dress or tunic skirt. 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, 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

SLPco Showcase: Saige

Hi guys!

I’m so excited to be a part of the new SLPco Showcase series. Come visit my guest post at the Simple Life Pattern Company Blog to get all the details on my gorgeous Saige made with the Michael Miller Magic line that I preordered at Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop