summer sewing: Rose T-Shirt pattern

When Melissa of Melly Sews was looking for testers for her latest pattern, I jumped at the chance. 

Here is my version of her new T Shirt pattern, the Rose T-shirt.

This is an extremely verstatile pattern offering sleveless (like mine), short sleeves (next on my list), 3/4 sleeves or long sleeves.  I also loved the fact that it uses a soft knit but with the extra touch at the neckline, which is a woven fabric.  That meant I could break into my scrap drawer since it only uses about a quarter yard!  I used one of my favorites, this bird print from Studio E Natureology, it was left over from one of my favorite skirts. 

Maura wants me to make one for her, so that's going on my list!

The pattern should be released around March 12th.

Thanks Melly for letting me try it out.  I'll be wearing this all summer.

The timing worked out perfectly, so this will be my first entry for: 

Hooray for Spring tops!!!

Colette Peony 1.0 finished

Hooray!  My first incarnation of the Colette Peony Dress is finished. 

This one is in a gray/black herringbone lightweight suiting fabric.

This pattern was easier than I thought, and I only had to make one adjustment.  The whole dress fit good except I had big time gaping at the back, so I took out my zipper and cut off the excess fabric from the upper back on either side of the zipper and it fits much better.  I made the adjustment to my pattern so my next version should fit well.  My ultimate goal for this dress is plaid. 

This dress looks "all business",  which I sort of like.  This would be good for any serious occasion, like meetings at the school.   I like excuses to dress up.

Here's the back. 

Overall I'm really happy I bought this pattern and I'll be making more Peonies in the future.

I actually got to take OUTDOOR photos!  It was windy but warm. 

C'mon Spring!!

Two Gingers and a Renfrew

If you weren't into sewing that title would sound a little weird.

Here's what I've been up to...

Ginger Skirt #1 

pattern: Colette Ginger Skirt

fabric: sueded twill in Charcoal from Fashion Fabrics Club

I was seriously in need of a go-with-everything skirt, and this works for me!  I'm going to toss out a few ill-fitting skirts in my closet, not naming any names, black cord Gap skirt. 

 

 Ginger Skirt #2

Colette Ginger Skirt  pattern

fabric: Amy Butler Sun Glow in Lake Home Decor Sateen

For this version, I was inspired by Sara at Sew Sweetness.  I loved this Ginger she made in a home decor weight fabric.  I had to eliminate the front seam on the pattern because I didn't want any mistakes matching that distinct pattern. 

 

Renfrew Top

pattern: Sewaholic Renfrew Top 

fabric: interlock knit from JoAnn Fabrics

The fabric for this top is an exact match for my Beignet Skirt.

I bought them at the same time, it was one of the only decent colors I could find, but I just happen to love deep red.

Both patterns were SO super easy and fast!  I would recommend these two patterns to anyone, even a beginner.  The directions are very clear and they can be whipped up in no time with many, many options for customization. 

Here are a few more photos because my tripod was working today!

Some of the outtakes were pretty funny, with Travis "helping" with the tripod.

 Happy Wednesday!

 

 

Reversible Wrap Skirt

Who doesn't love a good wrap skirt?  This one is reversible.

This skirt is all cottons, the first is a quilting weight printed plaid, the other side is standard blue twill.

Pattern is by Fig Tree and Co., the Audrey Wrap skirt.   I purchased it at my favorite online pattern shop,  Pink Chalk Fabrics.  Shipping is free on all patterns every day, which I love!!  I tend to buy LOTS of patterns and pattern books.  They're my weakness.  I know at this point in my sewing career, I could definitely draft more of my own patterns, but I just love when someone else does the trial and error, so I can jump right in and start my project.  I'm a sucker for the smaller/indie pattern companies, I love the modern styling and photos they use.   

Some of my recent purchases that I'm looking forward to sewing up are:
 the Sewaholic Renfrew Top (already finished one, just need to get a photo),
Colette Peony Dress (fabric arrived today!),
Colette Ginger Skirt (in process),
Nowhere Man Pants for Travis, just finished one pair,
Boho Cloche Hat by Heather Bailey
Aurelia Cardigan by Sew Liberated
Mission Maxi and Sunny Day Dress both by Jamie Christina

That sounds like a lot!

Today it was in the 40's, and it feels like spring is on the way.

Have a great week!

Valentine's Beignet

disclaimer: I just had to get some photos on the blog since it's my Valentine's Day skirt, and so I settled for these crappy shots!

I let Travis play with my camera's tripod, and amazingly enough the piece that holds on the camera is now MIA.  That means I had to wait until Liam got home from school to take the photos and because he isn't used to the new prime lens (he actually is a great photographer) AND we were running late for the orthodontist, this is all we got!  
Either my legs were cut off or it was blurry.

I'm sure all parents out there can relate to being in a big rush.

 

 The pattern is the Colette Beignet.  This is my first time using 
Colette Patterns and I wasn't disappointed.  
I went on and immediately scooped up the Peony Dress Pattern and the Ginger Skirt Pattern.  So look for versions of those coming up soon!

 

I made this out of thick red corduroy, and planned on wearing it out for dinner with my husband for Valentine's Day to my favorite restaurant, the Bedford Village Inn.  So we went a week early and this wasn't done,  it's an excuse to go back soon!  

Originally I wasn't interested in all the high-waisted skirts because I'm not one to tuck in my shirts, I look like I'm all legs, but the trend is starting to grow on me.

I really love the shaping on the skirt made by the panels, there are no darts!  I followed the directions exactly and the skirt came out very professional inside and out.  I lined it with Bemberg and it was a slippery devil, but I worked slowly and used lots of pins. 

I would definitely make another Beignet!

Linking up here:

Sewing For Boys Sew Along

I was hoping to have time to join the Sewing For Boys Sew Along, apparently I had forgotten just how fast you can make the Raw Edge Raglan!  

I  was able to whip this one up while Travis was busy watching a few episodes of Avatar: the Last Airbender with Maura, James and Liam.

 I embellished this one with faux layered sleeves (is that what you call it when it looks like two layers of shirts?), then I used this rocket ship applique made from scraps of knit fabrics.  You can find a free template for the rocket ship here, thanks to Ashley of Lil Blue Boo.

I used Heat N Bond Lite for the appliques.  I just drew the shapes on the paper side, ironed it to the t-shirt scraps.  Then cut on the lines, assembled the design on the front of the shirt, then ironed.  Last I used a basic straight machine stitch around all the edges.  This is my favorite method of doing appliques.  They seem to launder very well, which is important!

This is a really versatile pattern with endless possibilities.  

I love the casual raw edge finish too.

This shirt pattern is found in the book Sewing For Boys, along with a ton of other great patterns and ideas.

Here are a few of my earlier versions of this pattern:

original post for these shirts here

and

my St. Patty's Day version is Here

Today was a two-hour delay for schools because of icy roads and I was woken up by Travis waving the rocket ship shirt in my face telling me to put it on him.  I guess it's a winner!

Check out the Flickr Group for the Sew Along!

Valentine's Day Outfit

Three posts in one week!  I'm on a roll.  

OK, I confess, I went ahead and ordered some really great knit fabric from this Ebay store.  I can never find any good knits at my local JoAnn's and though you can find great stripe/printed knits online, the price and shipping make me feel quite guilty.  So I looked for a store where I could buy multiple yards and combine shipping.  It worked out great, and I will buy again from them in the future using the same strategy to combine the shipping.  That was how I got the fabric for Travis' Stripey PJ's.

Here's an outfit I made for a friend who recently adopted a daughter.

The patterns are both from Too Sweets Patterns.  This is the Chic Chic Dress.  The colors made me think of Valentine's Day so I added the "chocolate" heart applique.  Super easy.  I  know this will be a go-to pattern for little girl gifts!

Here is the cardigan.  Pattern found here.  I really love it!  

I added a hidden heart on the lining where a tag would go.

I'm still not done sewing up baby gifts.

My husband's best friend and his wife are expecting their first baby next month.  

I'm in the planning stages for that one.

I also just heard about the Sewing For Boys Sew Along and I'd like to get in on that if time allows.

Have a great weekend!