Lulu Dress Pattern

This post is way, way, way overdue! About a year ago, Jessica from Craftiness is Not Optional came out with the Lulu Dress and Top Pattern, and I promised to make one and blog about it! I met half the promise since I sewed the dress immediately, but then one thing after another came up and I never took any photos of Ella wearing her Lulu dress. To make matters worse, I finally did take photos last September, but then I never wrote the post--until NOW!

So, so sorry, Jess, for the delay in sharing the news about your wonderful pattern. Ella wears her Lulu dress often and her wearing it today is what reminded me that it was way past time for me to share it.

Nessie Top(s)

I've been meaning to share with you the Nessie Top from Craftiness is Not Optional forever!  It is one of my absolute favorite of all time top patterns for girls.

Weeks (really months) ago, Jess asked me to test out the Nessie Top pattern.  I've tested her other patterns--the June Bug Dress and the Olivia Top--so I knew this one would be just as great.

The Nessie Top was so quick and easy to sew together, plus the fit is loose and comfortable which is perfect for my active little girl.  I think that is one reason why I have not blogged about these tops until now!  Every time Ella wears them, she is too busy running, playing, climbing, jumping, and avoiding the camera!

The Nessie Top pattern is for knits and is so versatile!  It offers a stylish hi-low hem along with three sleeve lengths and three bodice options:  basic, color-blocked, and a peter pan collar.  I made a fourth option (of sorts) by adding a stretch lace as an overlay to the entire front of the shirt.

I made this particular version using an ivory ponte roma and a heart design stretch lace both from Joann's.  This top was sewn back in January, and I meant to blog about it before Valentine's Day! Oops!

And in case you missed it yesterday, here is Ella wearing the Nessie Top with her Triangle Pants--another pattern test but for See Kate Sew.  Read all about the Triangle Pants HERE.

This ivory heart Nessie Top paired with her Triangle Pants, boots, and this faux fur vest I made her (I promise I'll blog about the vest very soon) is my absolute favorite outfit for Ella this season. She is so stylish!

Ok.  Back to the Nessie Top.

Another thing I did a little differently for this version of the Nessie Top is that I used Fold Over Elastic (FOE) to bind the neck and the sleeves.  This was my second attempt at using FOE, but since then, I've gone crazy over FOE and may have ordered over 50 yards of it online recently! So, expect to see it in a lot more projects here in the coming weeks!

I told you she really likes this shirt!  See how worn it is starting to look?

Here is the first Nessie Top I made using a woven fabric for the peter pan collar and ponte roma knit for the shirt.  Again, this top gets worn a lot!  This fabric is so soft, has a little bit of stretch, and is thicker than normal interlock knit.

And here is the color-blocked, 3/4 sleeve version of the Nessie Top that I made during testing.  The top is pique knit while the heart fabric is a cotton interlock knit.  This one is worn often, too!

Well, as you can see, the Nessie Top pattern is getting used over and over here.  With the beautiful sunshine teasing us that warmer weather is on its way, I think I might just need to whip up a few of these in short sleeves.  The hardest part is deciding on which fabrics to use!

Be sure to go visit Craftiness Is Not Optional and check out all her great patterns (including the Nessie Top) and tutorials!

I'd also like to invite you to stop by The Daily Sew on Facebook.  I'm the guest curator there today, where I'll be sharing a few sewing and crafting tutorials as well as some other fun sewing pictures and tips!

Thanks for stopping by, and have fun sewing!

The Olivia Top Pattern + Giveaway

Hello, my sewVery friends and visitors from Craftiness is Not Optional!  I'm so glad you stopped by today to see my version of Jess's latest pattern:  the Olivia Top and Dress Pattern!

All things from CINO are wonderful, and this pattern is no exception.  It's simple and versatile--offering three sleeve variations and two lengths--and can ideally be used for year round wear.  The fit is loose and comfortable and so easy for a 4 year old to put on all by herself!  That earns major points for us since Ella definitely wants to do everything for herself lately.

I love this time of year.  The weather is so mild and fall festivals are happening every weekend. Last Sunday, we decided to head out to a small event not far from home where the kids could run and play, pretend to be farmers, and enjoy some fair food. 

As you might have guessed, Ella dressed herself.  I kept encouraging her to put on some skinny jeans or a different pair of shoes, but she would have none of that!  Oh, well!

She twirled and fell into our couch just before we left home, resulting in a bad carpet-like burn on her elbow.  I think she cried more over this boo-boo than when she busted her chin and ended up in the emergency room for stitches.  You can see her favoring her left arm in almost all these photos!

A few weeks back, Ella had a bathroom emergency on our way to pick up my son at school, so we ran into our local fabric store which just happened to be on our way.  The remnant room is in the back of the store near the restrooms, so on our way out, Ella caught a glimpse of this kitten fabric and insisted I buy it.  We were in a hurry, and to avoid a full blown fit if I refused, I decided to just buy it.  She said, "Moma, you could make me a purse!"  Why a purse, I'll never know, but I insisted we could make her something. Soon after, Jess invited me to try out her Olivia Top Pattern and be a part of the pattern tour.  I knew this kitten fabric would be purr-fect!

I had just enough of the Anna Marie Horner fabric I used for the top part and 3/4 length sleeves. Since the kittens are so cute and cuddly, I decided to add a little ruffle to either side of the button placket to make the top more feminine looking.  

This top was super easy to make, even with the little button placket.  In all, it took me about an hour and a half to sew together.  Just like the free tutorials on her blog, Jess provides lots of simple, easy to understand instructions accompanied by wonderful photographs for each step of the pattern. The Olivia Top and Dress Pattern is one that you'll use over and over again.

Want to win a copy of CINO's Olivia Top and Dress Pattern for yourself?!  Then just enter the rafflecopter giveaway below.  If you've already purchased the pattern and end up winning, then Jess will give you a refund!  Isn't she sweet?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you have to have the pattern right away, then you can buy it HERE.  And guess what?  All CINO clothing patterns are on sale for 30% off this week (Oct. 21-27) in honor of Kids Clothes Week!  

Thanks for dropping by for a visit!  Want to see more versions of the Olivia Top and Dress Pattern?  Then be sure to visit all the stops on the Pattern Tour!  There are some amazing ones out there that will inspire you. I know I have at least two pinned already!

The Junebug Pattern by CINO

If you haven't heard about the Junebug Pattern by Craftiness is Not Optional (CINO), I've put together a quick post just to show you how amazing and versatile it is.

One of my absolute, all-time favorite things I've made my daughter is this Junebug Top.  I love, love, love the colors in the fabric, the matching vintage trim, the piping, and the buttonless placket. Instead of buttons, I used velcro for the closure.  Click HERE to see the original post with a quick tutorial.

Ella has worn this all summer, and sadly, it's starting to get a little snug.  If I had more of this exact fabric, I would make it in a larger size for next year.  Seriously, I love this top that much!  Don't you?

Here's the original dress version I made.  I just love the pop of color on the big buttons, and the cute puffy sleeves give it that classic little girl dress sweetness.

While she has worn this to play in a couple of times, Ella mainly enjoys wearing this for church. To read more about this dress, click HERE.

This post contains affiliate links.  When you purchase the Sew Fab Pattern Bundle through those links, I earn a percentage of the sale.  Thanks so much for your support!

The Junebug Dress and Top Pattern is included in the Sew Fab Pattern Bundle that's up for grabs this week.  You can get 26 terrific patterns all from different designers for just $29.95!  That works out to be roughly $1.15 a pattern!  Have you bought your bundle yet?  If not, you better hurry. The sale only lasts until Oct. 8th at 8. a.m. EST.  Buy it NOW!

Reversible Zippy Hoodie from Kitschy Coo, Ananda Pants from CHOPSTIX, The Sally Dress from Very Shannon, Best Harem Pants from Too Sweets , Notebook Slipcover from Gingercake, Junebug Dress from Craftiness Is Not Optional, Fancy Pants Leggings from Titchy Threads, Skinny Jeans from peek-a-boo, Pajama Eaters from Sew Fearless, Ruffle Dress from Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Go To Cape for Women, Sadie Grace Nightgown from Seamingly Smitten, Vintage V-Neck from Blank Slate Patterns, Zermatt Bow Swing Coat from See Kate Sew, Tumble Tee from imaginegnats, Nituna Jacket from Figgy's, Greenpoint Cardigan from Hey June, Gathers and Giggles Quilt from Sew Much Ado, Billy Car Play Mat and Roll Up from Handmade Therapy, Bimaa Sweater from LouBee Clothing, Candy Carousel Dress from Molly Blossom, Convertible Clutch from LBG Studio , Infinity Sweater from One Girl Circus, Undies Pattern from From the Red Kitchen, Owl Backpack from The Sewing Loft, Ethan Shirt from the Scientific Seamstress


Come back tomorrow to see something else I've made from one of the amazing patterns offered in the Sew Fab Pattern Bundle!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have fun sewing!