Sunday, July 27, 2014

My Blogiversary and a Giveaway


Can't believe it's that time again!
I have been blogging for a ((little)) while now and it doesn't really feel like it has been that long.

Looking back through some of my posts I can see how much I've grown as a blogger.
Not really my typing/wording but how much my photographs and sewing has come along.
Let's be real here; I'm not winning a Pulitzer anytime soon.

I thought I would share a few of my favorite and most viewed pages before getting to the giveaway.


Most Viewed















Followed a close second by my tutorial on
how to make this bag



(see those awful photo's I was talking about??)














My favorite things on the blog that I sewed


The whole musketeer ensemble
for Halloween that year.
















Something I sewed (and loved) but he only
wore one other time














Now that we've completed our walk down memory lane...



THE GIVEAWAY!!



I am giving away 2 Wishes by Moda charm packs
and 3 spools of my favorite Gutermann threads
in color 20,22 and 102








a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, July 20, 2014

The Janey Jump Around Dress

The Janey Jump Around



A couple of months ago I sewed up the Janey Jump Around dress by Peek A Boo Pattern shop but just got around to getting pictures done.







It is a FREE pattern so go to the peek-a-boo pattern shop and download it today!
It is so nice when the pattern designers offer a pattern for free. I know how much goes into designing and testing each pattern. I believe that the drafting takes a long time too even though I never have done it myself. 


I made this for my Niece using some red tag knit from JoAnn's and the solid came from there too.
The cute little blue buttons came from my stash.
 I just can't help myself; anytime there is a cute girl's print in knit the red tag section I have to buy a few yards. 



Ok, well ... 

truth time here...




If there is ever ANY cute knit print in red tag I buy it. I have a ridiculous stash of knits 
and I just can't help myself. 

Ready for another truth?
There's 5 more lengths of different knits that are not pictured here...
and that does not include performance or swim knits.


Anyhow, lets ahem, move on and keep this our ((little)) secret and get back 
to the Janey jump around.







I opted to do this Janey Jump around in a size 10.



I did contrasting short sleeve band and lengthened them a little so it would be appropriate for the fall with legging and boots too.

Who's with me on getting some sewing done for
back to school??







Sunday, July 13, 2014

Cartwheel Collection by Love Notions



I have been very fortunate recently to be picked to test some patterns. I can't tell y'all how much it means to me to be selected. I think that it speaks volumes to how much my sewing skills have come along since I started sewing. I know that I still have much to learn and I am grateful to have these opportunities.

Well now that I have gotten the mushy stuff out of the way...


My next pattern test is the cartwheel collection by











The lovely Tami of Love Notions has a new pattern in the works for a collection called the Cartwheel collection. It is appropriately named because the girlies can do all the cartwheels they want and remain modest with the attached bike shorts on the skirt (if you pick to sew that version). This is a a great collection because you have so many options. You can have a dress, shorts, tee shirt or a single or double skirt either without or with shorts attached.











I made the collection for my eldest niece. I think that it will be great for back-to-school which is quickly approaching. I used a purple and pink hounds tooth from Jo-Ann's as well as a solid lighter purple.








I was picked to do the tee-shirt
 (don't you just LOVE the cut out back?))
and the double skirt with attached bike short.

I have the perfect fabrics to do another one
for another niece, next time I'm making the dress though.


Here is a link to the Love Notions Etsy page.
The word is the first 100 purchasers can use the code
sixinone 
     for 15% off their purchase of the cartwheel collection!







Shared on

Friday, July 4, 2014

The Run Hop Skip Jump Shorts/Pants Pattern Review


  • Hey! As my followers already know, my name is Susan and I blog from just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I almost always sew for my little man but occasionally throw in a quilt, gifts or something for myself.





I recently saw in blog land that Stitch it Now was looking for pattern testers for a new pattern for shorts and pants. I knew that I had to get right on that! As I mentioned before, I almost always sew for my little man and there are just not that many patterns out there for boys ((although this one definitely works for girls)) so I had to put my name in quick! Luckily, I was picked and the rest as they say is history.




This pattern has patch pockets on the front and back which give an excellent opportunity for using a different fabric for interest. The pattern also comes in two lengths, shorts and pants, which is great for transitioning a pattern from summer to winter. I also could totally see myself doing a cropped pant (capri for girls) with the tabs on the side for fall/spring too! This pattern also includes a flat front with elastic in the back.



For my version I picked white and red bottom weight. I used the white as the base and wonder under-ed the red stripes to it, edge stitching each strip. I did not fold under and stitch, I opted instead to them raw so the would fuzz up a little after washing. For the patch pockets I used regular denim and grabbed a Clorox pen to draw on the stars. 




Lesson learned after above picture-put on the bleach gel thicker the first time, I had to do two applications because some were not visible.



I think the sizing was pretty spot on...or my guy was spot on her size chart! He is placed firmly in the size 5 which is what I made for him and it fit like it was made for him ((ha ha ha)). No modifications for the actual sizing were necessary; It is so nice when a pattern fits with no mods.





I think the shorts turned out great and I will surely be making again. I have plenty of bottom weights in my stash and think pants in kelly green will be made. It was 88 degrees out today so the pants are in the future! These were a easy sew and can definitely become a staple pattern. That being said I think that there are some things I would do differently. I LOVE the stripes but it made for a very thick faux fly. I would also always add the button/faux button hole on the waistband because it makes it look like real pants--not pull up pants. After a certain age I don't prefer the look of pull up pants but I still love the ease for them dressing and going potty. See the bottom of this post for my how-to on the faux button hole on the waistband.



Overall, I like the pattern and will be doing them again. The printing was easy although I would highly recommend printing in color for the pattern portion. It can get a little jumbled in black and white even with the very helpful different prints. I hate to print in color because I like to preserve the expensive ink but trust me; go for color!



So, Make sure you take the time to go to Stitch it Now and find out how to purchase your own pair of Run Jump Hop Skip Shorts/Pants. While you are there make sure you enter the giveaway! There's a chanceto win your own copy of the pattern, a fabric gift card or your choice of wither boy or girl inspired Japanese Echino fabrics!!

**Although the actual tour has been cancelled, Stitch it now is still having the giveaway. **

 photo 92050c1f-07eb-4b59-92b7-d2175f6055ed_zpsa8b03590.jpg


P

  • Faux Button Hole Tutorial

  • I marked on the waist band where I wanted it and folded over the faux fly so it was not as thick. Then you just use your button hole attachment and put it in but dont cut open the button hole. Then I stitched on a button over the faux button hole and all the layers of the waistband.




  • So starting off with my faker waistband after stitching the faux fly. Press your waistband down and mark where you want your button hole.
  • Then you select your button hole style, I always suggest testing it out on a scrap of fabric first.















Then you put the faux fly open, notice the pressed lines to the left of the needle in the picture above.

After that you can stitch down your waist band like normal.


Then you can stitch on button! 
Yay your done!!!!



 *** I was given this pattern for free in exchange for testing, but all opinions are my own. ***