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Category: Blog Tours

Suit Up For Summer – Swimsuit Time!

The Suit Up for Summer Blog Tour is the perfect way to kick off the unofficial start of summer! A big thanks goes to Tami at Sew Sophie Lynn  and Karly at Paisley Roots for organizing all of this! Be sure to head over to one of their blogs to enter a giveaway and link up your own swimsuit projects  – there are two fantastic prize packages to win!

It’s no secret that I LOVE sewing swimwear, so I decided to make two very different styles to suit the different kinds of water fun that we’ll hopefully be enjoying this summer!  I’ve had my eye on this Marilyn Vintage Swimsuit pattern from Peekaboo Pattern Shop ever since it released earlier this year. Such a fun classic style! I opted to make the ruched tankini version with cross back straps. The bottoms have a wide, comfy banded waist. My little girl’s chest measurement was smaller than a 6, but otherwise she needs a 6, so it was a simple matter to tighten the chest elastic so that it wasn’t sagging open in the back like so many swimsuits that she has tried on from the stores. This is one reason I love sewing – custom fitted swimsuits are SO much more comfortable! Continue Reading

Knock It Off Blog Tour! Mini Boden Inspired Skirt

Welcome to the Sew and Tell Project!  I have had so much fun being part of the Knock It Off Tour and I’m excited to share my most recent project with you today!  As fun as it is to let my creativity shine in the clothing that I create for myself and my children,  sometimes it is great to straight-up borrow some inspiration from higher end brands.  It isn’t a secret that I have a weakness for European inspired children’s clothing yet it’s something that I rarely purchase.  Hanna Andersson and Mini Boden are two of my favorites,  but it is hard to justify spending over $40 on a simple play skirt for a little girl.  At times like this, I’m so glad I can sew!  Just look at this darling skirt from Mini Boden! It comes in fun colors and also a classic chambray.  SO perfect for pairing with a simple top and sandals for summer or fun tights for cooler days. Continue Reading

Growing Up Handmade

I have a teenager.

Weird, right? This itty bitty girl is now nearly 14 and in the 8th grade:

This was a flower girl dress that I made her. Back then, she liked party dresses with fluffy skirts, and ruffles, and bows, and really anything Mommy made her. Things sure have changed! She still likes the things that I make her, but the focus has changed. I think now it’s more about my taking the time and thought to make her something, while still wanting to look like her friends. The hardest sewing lesson I’ve had to learn is to listen to her and use fabrics and patterns that she likes. We still have our disagreements, but giving up the ruffles and florals when I sew for her has gone a long way. Now, if we could only find the perfect compromise to hemlines and NOT having everything fit like dance wear… Continue Reading

Fashions for a Fiesta!

Hola! I am proud to be a stop on the Fiesta Fun Fabrics blog tour today!

Last fall, I had the privilege of attending Quilt Market with Simple Life Pattern Company. Right before market, I started seeing sneaks of the Fiesta Fun fabric line by Dana Willard. I drooled over the swatches and waited anxiously for this line to be released.

I actually made a few things for the look book when the line released such as this Simple Life Pattern Company Sophie. Continue Reading

Fat Quarter Skirt and a GIVEAWAY!

Welcome to the Sew and Tell Project! Today I’m excited to tell you about the Fat Quarter Skirt from Thread Riding Hood because it only uses 2 fat quarters AND is the perfect stash buster project!  I’m sure I’m not the only one who buys fat quarters just because they are beautiful, even if I have no idea what I’ll do with them. Right?

The Fat Quarter Skirt comes in sizes 2-6 and is a quick and simple project – perfect for quilters wanting to venture into sewing clothing or maybe even for a little girl who wants to help sew her own clothes. My daughter is content with just picking out the fabrics – she insisted on owls this time. And pink. Always pink. Continue Reading

Welcome Spring with the Rose Dress!

Hi all!  Today we have some news for you – E+M has joined her sister pattern shop Petitboo and we have a special coupon code to share! As part of the re-branding blog tour, I sewed up the Rose Dress.

This simple dress is perfect for all those gorgeous wovens that are hiding away in your stash! I used a pink and white checked cotton from Riley Blake that just seems so cheery and perfect for spring! The dress itself is comfortable and passes the ‘twirl test’ yet is easy to dress up for Easter and other special occasions. Continue Reading

Bold and beautiful in the Simple Life Patterns Jaimesyn Dress!

I am so thrilled to be participating in the Simple Life Patterns Anniversary Blog Tour! Can you believe that Simple Life Pattern Company has been designing quality baby and children’s patterns for two years now? Simple Life Patterns has also welcomed a new designer, my friend Becca, from Sunflower Seams. She has designed the first two SLPco doll patterns! Read on to learn more about the Dolly Ayda and the new release, the Jaimesyn dress by Simple Life Pattern Company! Continue Reading

Sew what Do I Wear? Valentine’s Edition!

With three kids and no family nearby, my husband and I don’t get to go out on date nights often. So when we get the chance, my first thought is almost always OHMYGOSH WHERE WILL WE EAT?? because I love food. 😉 Ok but seriously, I usually think “What am I going to wear???” first.

When the Mama Claire Two-Way Dolman Top by Made for Mermaids was released, I knew it was a style that I’d like, and I decided rather quickly that I wanted to try it out for this blog tour. Continue Reading

Here Comes the Fun Fabrics!

Here comes the fun at Sew and Tell Project today! This post is actually a little bit of a crafty flash back for me. These pieces were actually the first things I created when I returned FULL  of inspiration from Quilt Market last October. I am so glad I finally get to share them on the Here Comes the Fun Blog Hop today! Make sure you visit Sew Caroline HERE  to register for a chance to win a FAT QUARTER BUNDLE and Fiskars Favorites Bundle! Continue Reading

Beautiful in Blithe – with tote tutorial!