Tumble Tee Pattern Test

My friend, Rachael, from Imagine Gnats has been busy lately developing a couple of children's clothing patterns.  You may have already seen her Roly-Poly Pinafore pattern that was released last month and has been all over the blogosphere lately.  In fact, I'll be sharing my version of the Roly-Poly Pinafore on Thursday as part of her pattern tour.

But the Roly-Poly Pinafore is not the pattern I'm here to talk to you about today.  Rachael asked me to pattern test her latest creation called the Tumble Tee.  It's a colorblock t-shirt style dress or top pattern that is amazingly simple and fast to make.

I chose to test the t-shirt out for Ella in a size 4T.  It's very important to check the sizing charts of every pattern you make against your child's actual measurements.  You see, I would normally have gone with a 5T for Ella because that is what she has been wearing for a while now in most store bought as well as homemade clothing, but according to the chest and height chart, Ella was definitely a 4T for the Tumble Tee pattern.

The top literally took 30 minutes to sew, and the fit is fantastic!  I just love the split front with the horizontal stripes on one side and the vertical stripes on the other.  And with these little cap sleeves, this top reminds me of a mini-version of the Casual Lady top and dress I've made for myself!

Miss Ella was sick all last week when I tested the Tumble Top pattern, so there aren't too many pictures of her modeling this lovely tee.  I'll definitely be making more for her to wear this summer, so I promise to show those off when she is feeling better.

Stay tuned to Imagine Gnats for news of the Tumble Tee Pattern release date!  You will not want to miss it!

UPDATE:  The Tumble Tee Pattern is now available for sale here.

Hosh Pants - Capri Style! + a Tutorial

One of my newest friends, Sarah from Emmyloubeedoo and Lou Bee Clothing asked me to join in on the fun to Fancy Up Your Hosh Pants.  This is a week long mini-series where other bloggers change up her Hosh Pants Pattern by detailing these already amazing pattern!

For my project, I chose to fancy up my Hosh Pants - Capri Style!

To make the Hosh Pants into a pair of Capri Pants is so simple to do.  For Ella's size 5T pair above, I cut them out as normal everywhere except for the length I used the 2T measurement.  

Now, I didn't stop there.  This fabric is a stretch cotton bottom weight, but as you can see, it's a rather busy print.  So in order to make them a little more interesting, I decided to add piping to a cuff at the bottom of the leg opening.  This is a breeze to do, and I've got a tutorial below to show you how you can do it too.

First, you'll need to cut out the two cuff pieces (1 for each leg opening) that are 3" long x the width of the leg opening. Then follow the steps below to put it all together.

Now wasn't that easy?  I told you so!

After I finished Ella's new Capri Style Hosh Pants, I remembered that I had this "whooneecorn" design from Planet Applique that she has been wanting me to put on a t-shirt.  Appliqueing this design on the shirt took longer than making the pants!  I'm not lying!

The shirt is the perfect compliment to these bright, cheerful capris.  I know this is going to be a favorite outfit for the summer!

These pants are so comfy to wear, and Sarah designed the waistband to prevent underwear from peeking out when little ones bend over or squat down while playing.  In other words, there is full coverage for the tushie!

Plus they have that nice, slim fit but because they are made with fabric that has some stretch to it, they keep their shape and adorable style all day long!

Don't have a copy of the Hosh Pants Pattern yet?  Then head over to Lou Bee Clothing (fast) and save 15% on your total purchase through May 12th using code FANCY15.

Want to see some other ways to Fancy Up Your Hosh Pants?  Then check out the faux pocket I added to a pair earlier this year plus all of the projects posted earlier in the week by other talented bloggers.  Links to their posts are below.  

Max California on May 6

Casa Crafty on May 7

Imagine Gnats on May 8

Alida Makes on May 9

Sew Chibi on May 10

sewVery on May 11

Emmyloubeedoo on May 12

Thanks again, Sarah, for inviting me on the Fancy Up Your Hosh Pants tour!  It was a blast!  Oh, and happy birthday this weekend!

How to Add a Button Tab to Cuffed Shorts Tutorial

Yesterday, I showed you the adorable Hattie Button-Up Tank and Sailor Shorts I made using patterns from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop (affiliate link).

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are 100% my own.

As promised, I am going to show you today how you can add a button tab to any pair of cuffed shorts. It's super simple, so let's get started!

Cut off any extra length from the raw edge of the tab and then finish the edge by either serging or using a zigzag stitch.

There you have it!  What a fun little detail to add to your shorts, plus it helps to keep those cuffs from unrolling!  I already have plans to make more of these great Sailor Shorts from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shops! (affiliate link)

And I just might have to buy the latest Thrifty Thursday $4 pattern from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop:  the Pier 49 Convertible Pants!  (affiliate link)

The Hattie Button-Up Tank Pattern Test & Sailor Shorts

Last week, I had the opportunity to pattern test the Hattie Button-Up Tank Pattern for Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop.  Just so you'll know, I am an affiliate for Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop, but all opinions provided in this post are 100% my own.

I also made a pair of Peek-a-Boo Pattern Sailor Shorts with the pattern I bought a few weeks ago on the Shop's Thrifty Thursday sale.  Most Thursdays, Amy offers up one of her patterns for just $4! Aren't these cute?!

As soon as it was confirmed that I would test the Hattie Button-Up Tank pattern, I knew which fabrics I would be using for this ensemble.  I recently purchased for next to nothing at Joann's a nearly yard remnant of Little Lisette's Sailboat Waves Stripes on Poplin.  Plus, I picked up a couple of yards of stretch chambray fabric at Hancock's.  These were perfect pairings for this fresh summer outfit, plus I still have plenty of both fabrics left over for another project!

The Hattie Button-Up Tank appealed to me from the start because of the ruffled button placket and the tie at the bottom.  I love details!

Instead of making the ruffles along the placket, I chose to use eyelet trim instead.  However, the pattern does provide measurements and instructions on how to cut out and make your own ruffle pieces.

There was something about this little outfit that just reminded me so much of my youth. One of my mom's favorite fabrics to sew with was chambray, and just thinking about the dresses and jumpers she made for me using this fabric made me smile.  Also, the azaleas were in bloom, and my mom used to always have me stand in front of them for spring-time photos.

Instead of using plain buttons, I made covered buttons out of the blouse fabric to match.  Don't you think it's a nice addition to this look?  

I made Ella's Hattie Button-Up Tank and Sailor Shorts in a size 5T, and I'm very pleased with the overall fit.  The only thing I will do differently for the next pair of Sailor Shorts I make is use a shorter piece of elastic for the back waistband. I used the measurement provided in the pattern, and the shorts were just a little loose on Ella, especially after a lot of running around and squatting to pick flowers.

Both patterns provided photos and written descriptions for every step of the construction making them a cinch to sew together.  I completed this entire outfit in an afternoon.

For the Sailor Shorts, I used store bought narrow bias tape to trim the pockets.  The inside of the pockets is lined with the shirt fabric, and the buttons on the front and side tabs are also covered buttons made using the blouse fabric.

The great thing about this Sailor Shorts pattern is that the pockets and front buttons are all functional.  

One thing lacking from the Sailor Shorts pattern (in my opinion) was the addition of a button tab to keep the cuffs from unrolling.  Now, Amy, the pattern designer, suggests in the pattern that you tack the cuffs in place in a couple of spots to prevent the cuffs from unfolding, but I thought the shorts really needed a little tab to help hold the cuffs up and to add another design element to the whole look.

So, I decided to make my own cuff tabs and write up a tutorial so you, too, can add them to your Peek-a-Boo Pattern Sailor Shorts.  Come back tomorrow for the full pictorial tutorial!

I already have plans to sew up another Hattie Button-Up Tank and pair of Sailor Shorts because I know this is going to be a favorite summer time outfit in our house!

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to come back tomorrow to see how to add a Button Tab to a pair of Cuffed Shorts!  If I don't see you here, this is how I will feel...

Don't forget to enter the two contests I have going on this week as part of Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day!  Giveaway No. 1 is for 24 Yards of Fabric from 18 of your favorite sewing bloggers plus a terrific pdf pattern bundle, and Giveaway No. 2 is for a bag made by me using some of my favorite Joel Dewberry fabrics.

And as always, I hope you'll decide to become a follower of my blog and my Facebook page!

Purse Giveaway!

Contest is now over!  Thank you for being a follower and for entering my contest!  Congratulations to Kristy of Hopeful Threads for being the winner!

In celebration of hitting a milestone of over 200 blog followers and almost 400 Facebook Likes, I've decided to give away a purse I made last year that I've never used.  It's beautiful and deserves to be used by one of my followers!

Read my original post about it here, and enter the contest below.  Contest is open to US Residents only.

I'm also participating in a huge fabric and pattern giveaway along with 17 other bloggers.  Pay careful attention to the bag above, and you should be able to figure out which fabric I've donated to the Fabric Match Up Giveaway.  It's from my favorite fabric designer, Joel Dewberry!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you'll decide to become a follower of my blog and my Facebook page so you can keep up to date on all the latest sewing projects I've finished and contests I am hosting. I can't wait to discover a few new blogs myself!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fabric Match Up Giveaway & Pattern Contest

Today is the start of Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day, and I'm participating in an exciting fabric giveaway hosted by 18 of your favorite bloggers!  There's a total of 24 yards of fabric that will all go to one lucky winner!  

Here's the catch.  You have to match the fabric to the blogger giving it away!  We are calling it the Fabric Match Up Giveaway!  Keep reading below on how to enter...

Have you ever wished that your favorite sewing bloggers would go fabric shopping for you? Or seen a project on a blog and thought, "I could really use a yard or two of that fabulous fabric." If so, today is your lucky day!

Eighteen sewing bloggers picked out a yard (or two!) of a fabric from their stash and we're giving them ALL away to one lucky winner!

To win this awesome stash of fabric goodness, just match the fabric swatch to the blogger (hint- most of us have used the fabric we chose in a recent project, so our recent posts are your fast track to fabric matching success). The first person to correctly match all of the swatches will receive ALL of the fabric shown!

 

A- 1.5 yards, Mini Dot in Sunspray by Lotta Jansdotter, B- 1 yard, Paradise Garden in Periwinkle by Amy Butler, C- Florescent Pink & Gray Striped Jersey Knit, D- 1/2 yard Heirloom Tile Flourish in Garnet and 1/2 yard Heirloom Opal in Fuchsia both by Joel Dewberry, E- 1 yard, Houndstooth in black by Michael Miller, F- Pink/Orange Stripe knit, G- 1 yard, Orange and Light Heather Gray Stripe Cotton Jersey Knit, H- 1 yard, Light pink linen, I- 1 yard, Mustard and Ivory Stripe by Girl Charlee, J- 1 yard, Rally Cream/Grass by Dan Stiles, K- 1 yard Riley Blake Ombre Dots in Aqua, 1 yard Target Polka Dot Sheet Fabric, 1 yard Lizzy House Pearl Bracelet in Persimmon and Michael Miller Happy Tones Charm Pack, L- 1 yard, Remix Triangles B/W by Ann Kelle, M- 1 Yard, Novella Rain Rayon in Aqua by Valori Wells, 1 yard, Lush Running Stitch in Purple by Patty Young, and 1 yard, Porcelain Tile Garden Wall in Olive, M- 1 yard, Mustard cotton sateen, O- 1 yard, Summer Totem in Grapefruit by Anna Maria Horner, P- 1 yard, Black and white chevron, Q- 1 yard, Parenthetical in Berry by Anna Maria Horner, R- 2 yards (1 yard each), ABC 123 by American Jane for Moda

Here is the list of bloggers (just in case you have a little research to do)

Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy crafts       The Cottage Mama                crafterhours

Craftiness is not Optional            delia creates                          girl. inspired.

icandy handmade                       If only they would nap...        imagine gnats

kojodesigns                               Melly Sews                            Nap Time Crafters

See Kate Sew                            Sew Country Chick                The Sewing Rabbit

sewVery                                    Sumo's Sweet Stuff               The Train to Crazy

And just to sweeten the pot a little, every reader who submits a guess will be entered in a fabulous pattern bundle giveaway. 

The prize:

The Sugarplum Top + Dress pattern by See Kate Sew

The Surfer Slacks Lounge Pant pattern by See Kate Sew

The Casual Lady Top and Dress  pattern by Go To Patterns,

Two "Winner's Choice" patterns by Blank Slate Patterns,

Pattern 5 Pack ("Winner's Choice") by Peek-a-boo Pattern Shop,

Riding Pants pattern by the Sewing Rabbit, 

Roly Poly pattern by imagine gnats, and the

Ruby Ruffle dress pattern by The Cottage Mama! 

WOW!

Good luck!  Oh, and I would love it if you would become a follower of my blog and Facebook page, too!  

Check back here tomorrow for another giveaway I'll be hosting!  Here's a hint:  I'll be giving away a purse I made using some of the same fabric I'm giving away in the Fabric Match Up Giveaway!  

*Fabric Match Up Giveaway and Pattern Bundle Giveaway end at midnight MST on Friday, May 10, US residents only.

Zig Zag Pattern Tour

If you follow Project Run & Play like I do, then during the latest round of competition, you saw See Kate Sew's chic zig zag top.  I remember thinking the day I read that post that the top was adorable and just my little Ella's style.

Well, call me lucky, because a few days later, Kate asked me to make up my own version of the Zig Zag top using her new Zig Zag Pattern and to participate in her pattern blog tour!

Justine at Sew Country Chick | Veronica at Sew Very | Sabra at Sew a Straight Line | Ashley at Cherished Bliss | Angelina at JoJo and Eloise | Summer at Sumo's Sweet Stuff | Jen at The Crafting Fiend | RaeAnna at Sewing Mama RaeAnna

I immediately began to think of all the fabrics I have and what would make the perfect Zig Zag Top.  And then it hit me.  I've had several pieces of Valori Wells Nest collection for ages, and I knew the Zig Zag Pattern would be the perfect design to showcase some of it.  However, when I found the fabric, I realized that I didn't have enough of all one color to make the entire top.

Well, I started playing around with some ideas so I could use this fabric because I just couldn't image using anything else, and I did not want to go buy more fabric (I'm trying to cut back).  Instead, I decided to make it all pink on the front...

and all green on the back!

I know it's a little crazy, but I love it, and most importantly, Ella loves it!  She's worn it several times already, so I know I'll eventually make another version.

This top is so sweet with all it's charming little details--pleats in the front and back, elastic on the sleeve cuff, piping, and big buttons!  And I thought about adding in seam pockets, but opted not to since I had limited fabric.

I handmade the piping using the green fabric on the front and the pink fabric for the back.  I ran out of cording, and since I didn't have much time, I ran into Wal-mart to pick up more.  I wasn't surprised that the fabric section did not having any cording, so I headed over to the hardware section to look for narrow rope or twine.  I found a perfect 40' spool of nylon 1/8" twine/rope for under $3!  It worked perfectly and cost a lot less than had I bought it at the fabric store.

Besides participating in Kate's Envelope Clutch Sew-a-Long, this was the first clothing pattern of hers that I have tried.  I was very impressed with the amount of detail she provides in both the written instructions as well as the photographs.  Her blog fonts and photo style definitely carried over to her pattern, so it's light and fresh and so easy to follow.  I was really amazed at the simplicity of the pattern design and how quickly the entire top came together.  Making the piping took a little extra time, but I love the pop of different color on each side that it adds.  It was time well spent.

Ella normally wears a 5T, and based on the pattern sizing chart, that's what I made for the Zig Zag Top. Its a great fit, and if I made it a few inches longer, she could definitely wear it as a dress.

The beautiful light gray buttons are handmade from ceramic.  I won these in a contest last month, along with a few others in various colors and sizes.  These were just the perfect combination for this outfit.  And you know what?  I'm not scared of making buttonholes anymore!  I made these with no problems and have just learned to go slow and make sure I've run my bobbin thread through that little hole on the bobbin case.  It makes a world of difference!

To complete the look, I whipped up a pair of Go To Leggings.  I blogged about this pair a couple of weeks ago here.

I took a lot of pictures, so I am going to share some of the out-takes from that afternoon.  Apparently, the Zig Zag Top is great for running and playing football in, too!

Plus, Ella always stops to pick a beautiful flower when she sees one.  She has the sweetest heart.

This Zig Zag Top makes me happy when I look at it.  I'm not sure if it's because of the pretty colors, or the pretty little girl wearing it, or because of the fun time I had watching my children get along at the park! I am so in love with these two children!

And just so you'll know, no bribing was involved to get this picture.  I just asked them to stand next to one another.  I just wish they would act like this all the time!

So I highly recommend See Kate Sew's Zig Zag Pattern.  It's great to sew, has a unique style to it, and has the possibility to make you and your little ones so very happy!  Thanks again for having me on the pattern tour!