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Category: Tops
I love mix and match patterns. When Amy over at Peek a Boo Pattern Shop put up a testing call for another new swimsuit top called the Blouson to add to her Bahama Mama line, I jumped at the chance to test it. I had never sewn a swimsuit or athletic material before, but I wanted to challenge my sewing skills. Plus us ladies here at Sew and Tell Project have challenged each other to a swimsuit sewing challenge this summer.
I came across this Pensacola Beach Petal Top by Seaside Notions in a pattern group a few weeks ago and immediately fell in love with it. It’s got that combination of vintage charm and sweet little girl that I just love! Seaside Notions is having a Mother’s Day special through May 12, and this pattern can be purchased for $5.59 (regularly $7.99). All patterns are 30% off!
It was still chilly up here in Michigan at the time, but I knew this was going to be a spring/summer hit with my little girl, and I had some wovens from Hobby Lobby stashed that I was excited to use for it.
I’m going to go off the beaten sewing blog path a bit with this post.
I want to talk a little bit about one of the reasons I sew.
If you’ve read this post, you know that sometimes I sew to preserve a legacy. If you read this post, I also sew to create a special childhood memory. And sometimes I sew just for the joy of creating something for myself.
For the most part, modern day sewing is a luxury that I engage in frequently. I want to be honest here. For the most part, I don’t need to sew many things that I don’t actually want to sew. While about 50% of my sewing is related to pattern testing or blogging, ultimately every project is the result of me trying to push the idea from inside my mind into a reality that benefits and somehow meets the needs of various members of my family.
Good morning, sewing friends!
This morning, I want to introduce you to my favorite person in the world, my husband. My husband is a great guy and has been super supportive of this blogging adventure, the big boxes of fabric, and the bursts of sewing. He has also been behind the camera for me when I’ve been modeling my women’s articles of clothing and I am so grateful for his willingness to learn some photography skills alongside me.
Hello! Welcome to part 1 of my {How to Jazz up Your Kid’s Wardrobe} series! I’ll be posting periodically this summer and sharing some fun ways I’ve found to add some excitement to my boys’ clothes. My boys love characters from Star Wars to Ninja Turtles to Paw Patrol, but as you may know, finding character knit is expensive! Frankly, it’s out of my budget. Character woven is much more affordable; however, instead of just using it to make shirts like the Classic Oxford from Peekaboo Pattern Shop, I needed to think of ways to add it to the knit shirts my boys love. I love sewing with the solid cotton/lycra knits from Peekaboo Pattern Shop, but my kids get tired of just plain solid shirts. I’ve had to get creative!
While looking through my spring and summer wardrobe, I realized one piece I was missing was a lovely sweater to layer over my tops and tanks for those cool spring and summer mornings and evenings. To my delight, Itch to Stitch, a designer I recently discovered, released a testing call for the Lisbon Cardigan right after I noticed this gap in my wardrobe!
The Lisbon Cardigan is available in a full or cropped length as well as with full or 3/4 length sleeves. As testers we were allowed to select which options we wanted to try. After great deliberation, I chose the cropped length and 3/4 length sleeves. I found a beautiful lightweight gray cotton lycra in my stash to use for a nice, neutral layering piece.
If you’ve been following me here at the Sew and Tell Project, you might have noticed that raglans are my favorite style of shirt. What’s not to love about sleeves that are sewn as a straight line? I don’t mind a traditional set in sleeve, but raglans are a quick and easy sew for me. When I saw the testing call for the Riviera Raglan from New Horizons Designs pop up in my Facebook news feed, I signed up right away. I have my measurements (plus the measurements of my kids) stored in my phone so they’re always handy! I’m so glad Terra chose me for this awesome pattern. Let me tell you why you need the Riviera Raglan in your life
Are you still pumped for our Swimsuit Sewing Challenge 2016? I still am! I have yet another suit to share with you today.
This is my version of the 5 out of 4 Patterns Journey Tank and Dress worn as a tankini top!
I have been sewing a lot lately (probably too much) but I couldn’t pass up testing this adorable dress and tank by 5 out of 4. The 5 out of 4 Patterns started popping up in my sewing newsfeed frequently last summer as being awesome for nursing mothers and maternity. However, I knew I was winding down with the nursing stage of my life for now and I am not currently expecting.
Hey guys!
Eleri and I have a treat of a top and dress pattern to share with you today. The Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop is releasing the Flutterby Top and Dress pattern and it is on sale for $6.75 today (4/14). The pattern features a raglan style top or dress with flutter sleeves in sizes 3 mo to 12.
You probably know by now that Eleri loves all the knit dresses from the Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop. Usually, Eleri sews her child’s ready-to-wear size with some added length. Because of the deep armscye and raglan ruffle neck, it is imperative to pay close attention to the size chart on this sew. Eleri usually sews a 10 for her Big Miss, but sized down to an 8 for this test and got perfect results.
When I am shopping for patterns for my 4 boys, I look for patterns that offer a lot of versatility and options. The Peek a Boo Pattern Shop Boardwalk Tee is just that. You’ll probably notice that many of the clothes I sew for my boys are from PAB, and there’s a good reason for that. Amy’s patterns are easy to use and provide professional finishes. Her pictures and step by step instructions have made it easy for me to improve my sewing skills!