Introducing the Rowan Raglan from Made for Mermaids

Genie and I are back with a great new pattern for Made for Mermaids today! The Rowan Raglan is a unisex raglan packed with options:

Rowan Raglan Options

Short, 3/4, or Long Sleeves with optional flutter

Shirt, Banded Tunic, Ruffle Tunic, or Dress Length

Neckband, Lined Hood, or Hemmed Hood

Adorable Animal Ears and Faces to personalize your shirt

Trying to choose from all the options was difficult! The animal ears and svg cut files (for a Cricut or Silhouette) machine were so fun that I’m adding a Silhouette to my Christmas wish list. 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

Get a little bit of Sunshine with P4P!

Hello lovelies!

I’m going to give you a little summary of the Sunshine dresses that Alisha, Genie, and I whipped up this past week during testing for Patterns for Pirates.

The new Sunshine dress has several options that make it a versatile staple for every wardrobe. There is a crossover bodice, halter bodice, and a strapless bodice. The skirt options include maxi length, above knee length, and below knee length. There are optional dress pockets as well. Both the halter bodice and the strapless bodice are lined, while the crossover bodice is finished with bands. Continue Reading

Made For Mermaids Ella 2.0

The Ella and matching Mama Ella tops have been updated! The top has always been adorable, with a ruffled neckline and low back, accented by a tie, but the new options and fit will make it an essential wardrobe piece! Now, the ruffle is optional, there is a higher back option, and in addition to the tie back, there are options for a plain band and bow back. Finally, there have been hemline additions; the regular top hem, which hits at the hip, a front tie option, and a dress option. The Mama Ella top has been updated to fit Made for Mermaids new, extended sizes. It has also added two hemlines, tie front with curved back and dress length, and a new cross back option Continue Reading

Simple Life Pattern Company Love!

Welcome back to the Sew and Tell Project! As you’ve probably noticed, my life is full of boys! I don’t get a chance to sew girly dresses very often but I have a sweet goddaughter who I love to spoil with new pretty things every so often. When I’m looking for a gorgeous girly pattern, my first stop is Simple Life Pattern Company. I love the frills and ruffles! Right now Simple Life is having a back to school sale so it’s the perfect time to hop over and try their patterns (or add to your collection). Run, don’t walk! The end of sale date hasn’t been announced and I don’t want you to miss it! Continue Reading

Small Town Summertime Sewing Link-Up!

I am so excited to be linking up with one of my blogging friends today!

As soon as I saw that Tami from SewSophieLynn was hosting a Small Town Summertime Sewing Link-Up I knew it would be my cup of tea…. Or should I say “tall glass of ice cold strawberry lemonade served in a mason jar with a red and white striped straw?” We’ll stick with cup of tea. That’s shorter.

  Continue Reading

Introducing the Luna Loungewear Set for Girls and Women!

Today I’m happy to share with you the newest pattern from Love Notions – the Luna Loungewear set.  This pattern for both girls and women is amazingly comfortable and surprisingly quick to sew up with lovely results.

The Luna Loungewear pattern is available in women’s sizes from XS-XXXL and girls sizes from 2t-16 and 8P-16P.  There are options for a just-above-the-knee length nighty and a cami that pairs beautifully with the shorts or capri-length bottoms that include optional pockets. Seriously, who doesn’t need pockets in their loungewear? So perfect!  The women’s version includes a shelf bra as does the girls version in size 8 and up.  Everything can be made out of a cozy knit or the shorts/capris can be made out of a woven fabric. Continue Reading

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

Riley Blake Acorn Valley Blog Tour

Hello lovely readers!

I am absolutely pumped to be on my first tour for Riley Blake Designs today! If you’ve read several of my past posts, you know that I am a big fan of Riley Blake cotton spandex knits. The quality is absolutely amazing and my children love the Riley Blake lines just as much as I do. If you would like your own chance to win a mini-stash of Riley Blake Acorn Valley flannel make sure you read all the way through the end to enter the giveaway! Continue Reading