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Category: Tops

Add a Little Joy to Your Wardrobe

Happy Mama Joy release day!

Joy is the newest addition to the Made for Mermaids Dreamy collection, and Mama Joy is the very first Mama version!

Here’s a secret: I haven’t worn ANYTHING knee length in years. When I saw the testing call, I was so excited. Just like that, I had a vision of what I wanted to do with the pattern and what fabric I wanted to do it with, and my knees came out of retirement. Continue Reading

The Paris Party Dress Release Day!

Today I’m happy to share with you the newest release from Mummykins and Me – the Paris Party Dress.  The timing is perfect –  there is still time to sew up one or two of these before the holidays!  While the title may have the word ‘dress’ in it, this pattern includes much more than that!  There are multiple options for a skirt and top, in addition to the option to sew the two together – especially useful for very little ones.  I tested the basic three-quarter length sleeve top with a simple neckband and the knee length skirt with a back elastic option. Continue Reading

Love Notions Whistler

Love Notions has been hinting about this pattern for a while now, and anticipation has been high.

Let me tell you…it lives up to all the hype. Welcome to the pdf pattern world, Whistler Pullover by Love Notions.

Whistler is a loose pullover meant for layering, available in sizes XS through XXXL.

I’ve chosen the hooded version in a fun Dr. Who print (poly spandex blend from JoAnn Fabrics). I’ve been hoarding this fabric for what seems like a really long time, but this seemed the perfect use for it. The black fabric is a rib knit, also from JoAnn’s. Continue Reading

Comfortable Style with Laela Jeyne!

Hello lovelies! Welcome to my stop on the fabulous Laela Jeyne Patterns Plaid and Boots Blog Tour! There is a big giveaway for this tour so make sure you read all the way through, visit the other pages, and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway at the bottom of this post. Bonus: I’m leaving a lovely coupon code for you at the end of the post as well for 20% off your cart at Laela Jeyne Patterns!

My theme for today is Black Friday shopping! While these pictures were taken behind our home with no stores in sight, I do actually leave my little town to do some shopping on Black Friday. In the Midwest, layers are key, so you’ll notice that I used longer sleeves and comfortable knit pieces for my long drive to the store and for all-day comfort. And if there is a blizzard, I’ll be just as comfortable shopping at home from my computer! Continue Reading

Love Notions Celebration: Time to Cartwheel!

Hi Love Notions fans! I am so excited to be on the final day of the Love Notions Spectacular Blog Tour! I am honored to be blogging alongside some of my favorite ladies in the sewing blog land and I’ve enjoyed seeing the new ideas they are sharing with us! The mini-hack I am sharing with you today is so simple, but I hope it inspires you to look at the Cartwheel Collection at Love Notions! The Cartwheel Collection was actually one of my first PDF pattern purchases, and in a household with three girls it is a big hit! The Collection contains tee, dress, skirt, capri, shorts, and tunic. It is a great set for someone new to knits who wants to have a quick, simple, and cute sewing project! Last April, I tested the Summer Caye shorts and pants on my sweet little daughter (can you believe how much this kid has changed over the last 6 months?!). Since I used a plain tencel twill for the shorts, I really wanted a handmade shirt to complete the look. This was the first time I made a full-coverage back Cartwheel Tee! I have since made several and wanted to share the so simple and quick way I set up my pattern to do it. First, print your pattern. I love that Love Notions offers layered printing. I only have a black and white laser printer so it is so easy to just the print the sizes I am using! Cut out the Cartwheel Collection Tee/Dress Back Top piece. Next, find your Tee Back piece. You will need to flip your back piece so the text side is down and match it along the armscye on the Tee Back piece. There will be a small gap between your pattern pieces on the edge that is cut on the fold. Use a ruler to draw a line connecting the two pieces so the fold line is straight and even. Your modified pattern piece is ready!  You will cut out the rest of your pattern pieces as directed and start following the pattern tutorial at Step 3 on p. 6 of the Cartwheel Collection. I have now made several of these full-coverage back Cartwheel tees because they fit my daughter well, and they are very quick. This coral tee is my most recent one that I paired with the newly released Skater Skirt with sewn in Leggins’ (free!). Make sure you join the Love Notions Fan Group on Facebook to get the coupon codes to access the new skater skirt for free! This entire outfit took me less than two hours to sew! I am so thrilled with the new skater skirt (which includes instructions for sewing in the free Leggins’ pattern). I love that the Cartwheel Tee can complete just about any look so make sure you do some shopping at Love Notions during the big 50% off sale and create your own stylish combination for your kid, or check out the Love Notions women’s patterns and sew something special for yourself! Love Notions

would like to thank all of the amazing bloggers on the tour. Please be sure to stop by and see what awesomeness was created! And don’t forget the guest bloggers participating each day on the Love Notions Blog! 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