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Category: Tops

PAB Barcelona Blouse

When Amy from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop released a sneak of the summer blouse she was working on, I knew I wanted in. It was light and flowy, and oh so cute!

The Barcelona Blouse is a loose, flowy top that is perfect for summer heat. It includes a sleeveless and petal sleeve option, and can be made with either knit or woven fabrics. The top yoke is lined, which makes it perfect for a lovely lace fabric. It is available in sizes XXS through XXXL; I tested the size XS in the first round, and the XXXL in the second round. Continue Reading

Sew Americana: Sewing Independently

Independence.

noun 1. Also, independency. the state or quality of being independent. 2. freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others. 3. Archaic. a competency.

I’m so excited to be linking up with so many talented bloggers this week during the Sew Americana Blog Tour hosted by Wild and Wanderful! I love celebrating Independence Day with our family. We celebrate it small-town America style with parades, candy, and lots and lots of explosives. You will also see that Alisha and I share very similar tastes as we both used the same panel for our days on the tour. Make sure you check out Alisha’s darling boys from earlier in the week hereThe 4th of July panels, cotton lycra solids, and firework print were all ordered from Peek-a-Boo Fabric Shop. My look was created with Riley Blake white and navy stripes purchased from the Fabric Fairy. Continue Reading

Sew Americana: Welcome Summer!

Summer is finally here in the Upper Midwest! Here in the area where I live, the highlight of summer is the 4th of July rodeos and huge parade that the next town over throws. My boys love a good parade, and when I saw Katy’s call for an Americana blog tour, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to whip up some matching outfits for my boys! I’m taking advantage of the fact that they love to match for as long as I can. My oldest is almost 9 so I know my days are limited 🙂 Make sure you come back on Friday to see Eleri’s awesome post featuring some outfits for the girls! Continue Reading

Blaverry: Nina and Ollie

I love trying new things, don’t you? Today I am going to share a new-to-me pattern company, Blaverry. Christie Archer has excellent designs that appeal particularly to the fashion needs of tweens and their moms who want to sew for them. I recommend getting to know more about Christie, the force behind Blaverry, here.

The Ollie top and Nina skirt are Blaverry patterns that have been reformatted and updated. The patterns come in a wide size range (2T-16y) which is nice since my older daughters are approaching sizing out some of my other go-to companies that end at 10 or 12. The patterns feature layers which make it very easy for me to print only the sizes I need  to save me precious ink, and keep me from going cross-eyed while blending. Blaverry patterns also feature some neat little upgrades such as a cute printable measurement chart to keep track of my growing girls, and detailed instructions for blending. As with many PDF pattern designers, excellent customer service support is available via e-mail and in the Blaverry Facebook Group. Continue Reading

Make Laundry, Don’t Do Laundry Blog Tour: Boys Edition!

Welcome back to the Make Laundry, Don’t Do Laundry Blog Tour! When I heard about a blog tour all about making clothes faster than you can do a load of laundry, I jumped at the chance to join! If you know me in real life, I hate to fold clothes. Once I finally fold them, I then hate putting them away. Why do my kids wear so many clothes? I feel like the laundry multiplies in the clothes basket and in the washer and dryer! So what’s better than folding clothes? Sewing them! Feel free to sew your own laundry this week so you can link up for a chance to win a great prize package. Continue Reading

Make Laundry, Don’t Do Laundry: SLPco Adelyn

Thanks for stopping by Sew and Tell Project today for our first ever blog tour post! We are proudly participating in the Make Laundry, Don’t Do Laundry Tour featuring fabric generously provided for us by The Fabric Fairy and their Fairy Care services.

The Fabric Fairy carries an extensive line of Riley Blake knits as well as other trendy knits, organic fabrics, and performance knits and notions. I selected to use two colorways from some of her newest Riley Blake arrivals : The Desert Bloom Collection. I chose the blue floral for my main print, and the blue stripe for the coordinate. As in my previous Fabric Fairy experiences, shipping was prompt and well-packaged with a friendly customer service experience. Thank you, Meg! Continue Reading

P4P – Semi-Fitted Tank Top and Dress (Racerback and Straight Strap)

Welcome back to the Sew and Tell Project! We’ve been so busy testing and getting ready for our first blog tour that we have been quiet over here on the blog. Make sure you check out Eleri’s post today and Alisha’s tomorrow as part of the Make Laundry, Don’t Do Laundry blog tour!

Patterns for Pirates has been one of my favorite pattern companies for almost as long as I’ve been using PDF patterns. When Judy was looking for testers for her new Essential Tank, I was super excited because this style of tank is what I live in during the summer! Eleri, Genie, and I were all chosen to test this new release. Are you ready for all the versions we made? Continue Reading

Welcome Summer with the Bella Sunshine Designs Felicity Top and Dress!

I’m sure where most of you live, it is starting to feel like summer. Here in the upper Midwest, our days are getting longer, school is almost out, and it’s getting hot! This week I had the joy of testing for a new-to-me designer, Bella Sunshine Designs. You may remember Emily’s gorgeous Vintage Grace Flutter Dress from a few weeks ago. That was my first introduction to Bella Sunshine Designs, and I fell in love with their beautiful girly style. When the designers put up a testing call for the Felicity Top and Dress, I jumped at the chance to test the dress for my goddaughter who just turned one. Having 4 boys myself, it’s fun to sew something with ruffles and gathers once in a while! Continue Reading

Tide Pool Tank Release Day!

I had a baby on February 26. In addition to all my feelings of joy (I am so blessed in my husband and three children), another thought soon began racing through my head:

I can test for boys now!! SEW ALL THE BOY BABY CLOTHES!!

So when Peek a Boo Pattern Shop put out a testing call for the Tide Pool Tank, I was all in.

The Tide Pool Tank is a sweet and simple slim-fit tank top with a hood option. I made the 6 month size for my not-quite-three-month-old-chunk, and the fit is spot on. It is on sale today, for Thrifty Thursday, for $6.75. The top is suitable for boys or girls and is sized from 3 months to 12 years. Continue Reading

Another day, another dolman: Mother’s Day Edition

If you’re anything like me, May is driving you a bit crazy, right? End-of-year parties, finding or making those well-earned teacher gifts, First Communions, Confirmations, Graduations, recitals, field days, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc. All of these awesome holidays and milestones are crammed together right when it is warming up and looking pretty where I live. I’ve had to work hard to stay focused on the things that take priority in our house even though I often just want to curl up in my sewing room while the kids play in the back yard now that our cold spring seems to be disappearing. While I haven’t had time to do some of the more labor intensive sewing projects I enjoy, I have been able to squeeze in a couple hours here and there to sew some simple projects to keep me sane (and well-dressed) through the upcoming weeks. Continue Reading