Pattern Testing Hemlock Top and Magnolia Skirt for E&E

I was recently given the privilege of once again testing for Elegance & Elephants. I have tested many of her patterns and have loved every one. (Bohemian Babydoll Dress, another Bohemian Babydoll, Bubble Pocket Top & Spin Skirt, Bubble Pocket Shorts, and the Ruffle Top). Heidi always gives clear instructions and I often discover new techniques while completing her patterns. This pattern will be released later this week with E & E's Fall Collection.

The Hemlock Top is for knit fabrics. I found it quick to put together and love how it turned out. I even learned a new method for sewing on the neck band and am pleased with the professional look of it. My daughter is 5 years old and usually wears size 6. I wanted to make sure the body was nice and fitted, so I used the size 5 pattern and added 3/4 of an inch to the sleeves and bottom hem.

The Magnolia Skirt is put together with 6 panels and is perfect for twirling in! I love how fast this skirt is to put together. The pattern is quite generous in length. I sewed this skirt using the size 5 pattern and even with a generous hem, it is plenty long for my lanky 5-year-old.

Thank you Heidi for asking me to test this pattern! Elegance & Elephants will be releasing their Fall Collection later this week.

Another Bohemian Babydoll Dress

I made another Bohemian Babydoll dress (pattern by Elegance&Elephants). This time it was for Isla. Recently she has become picky about what she wears, and when she saw me making the dress she asked if it had any kitties on it. I told her no, but it was going to be pink and have ruffles. She told me it had to have a kitty on it. So to appease her (and in hopes she'd want to wear it) I stamped a kitty on the bottom corner. This worked and we're now both happy with the dress.

Bohemian Babydoll Dress Tour

I am very excited to participate in Heidi's Bohemian Babydoll Dress Tour! I love this pattern (available on her blog Elegance&Elephants) and couldn't wait to make it! It has no zippers or buttons, so it is quick and easy to make. I decided to try a knit fabric for this dress. It was not one of the recommended fabrics for her pattern, so I was curious about how it would turn out. My daughter usually wears a size 5/6 and since knit fabrics have so much stretch I cut out a size 4.

 I added a little pocket at the top. I thought it would look cute and my kids always like pockets ...even if the pocket is tiny!

 Heidi's instructions include a contrasting fabric in the hem. I had wanted to do this, but since I used knit fabric it wasn't working out so well for me. In the end I just serged the bottom. This added a little length which worked out well on my daughter. I love the high/low shape of the hem and for the next dress I make I'm looking forward to adding the contrasting hem.

Anja loves the ruffle sleeves. She likes "girly" clothes, so this pattern has just enough frills to satisfy her.  Rather than using two layers of fabric for the flutter sleeves, I just used one layer and serged the ends to finish it off. I finished them this way to match the hem on the bottom of the dress (and because it's faster).

...And here's an outtake. It was such a windy day, so I had to shoot in between gusts of wind. She thought it was pretty funny when her hair was blown all over the place.

All of Heidi's patterns are fantastic and her instructions are so easy to follow. This pattern, though, is my favourite. It's one I'm sure I'll use many, many more times.

Pattern Testing the Louisa Dress

I had the honor recently of being a pattern tester for CompagnieM. I tested her Louisa dress which is 10% off from now until Dec 7th (23:59 CET time zone) with the code Louisa10off. Her pattern is for the experienced beginner or intermediate sewer. The Louisa pattern includes references to very helpful tutorials for sewing an invisible zipper, adding bias tape, and making your own bias tape. This was my first time sewing a pattern my CompagnieM. and I found her instructions clear and easy to follow. Pictures are included with each step. The Louisa dress pattern provides many opportunities for creativity with three back options.  Also, if you have purchased her Mara blouse, the sleeves from this pattern can be used on the Louisa pattern. (For those who have not purchased the Mara blouse, CompagnieM. is offering a 2pack where you can purchase both patterns for 12 euros.)

CompagnieM.'s description of this dress sums it up perfectly: The Louisa Dress by CompagnieM. is a vintage inspired pattern with a modern twist. Unique pockets and three back options make this a versatile pattern. Add lining according to the season and enjoy this pattern the whole year round.

I chose the horizontal back option and fully lined the dress so my daughter can wear it this winter. I made this dress in size 4 for my daughter who will be 5 in January. I made the dress 2 inches longer than the pattern since my daughter is tall.

Now it's time for a GIVEAWAY...

One of my lucky readers will have the chance to win CompagnieM.'s Louisa Dress pattern! 

To enter all you have to do is click on the Rafflecopter below. 

This giveaway will run from today (Dec. 2) until Dec. 5 at 12am CET timezone.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Diaper Bag

I made Isla a diaper bag with some accessories to go inside for her 3rd birthday. All of the links to the sewing patterns I used can be found on my pinterest board: Sewing For Isla.

Pattern Testing for Elegance & Elephants: Bubble Pocket Top & Spin Skirt

I just finished sewing another E&E pattern! I was asked to test her soon to be released Bubble Pocket Top & Spin Skirt. This pattern is quick to put together and perfect for the hot summer days that are finally here. I decided to use a light weight cotton floral fabric for the top and sequence fabric for the skirt. I added a layer under the sequence fabric just so the skirt wouldn't be see-through. The sequence layer isn't hemmed because I liked the look of the raw edge with this fabric. One thing I really like about the skirt pattern is the waistband that has an elastic as well as a drawstring. I learned a new way to sew a waistband and I love how it looks. And the best part is Anja now has a new favourite skirt! I love it when my kids actually want to wear what I make them. (Anja is a slim, tall 4-year-old and is wearing size 4/5.)

So here it is...

A "New" Bike for Our Big Girl

Anja has quickly outgrown her first bike. It was a hand-me-down from Eli. Eli has also recently outgrown his bike and it's now a good size for Anja. She actually didn't complain when we told her she was getting her big brother's bike again, but I felt a little bad that she's getting another hand-me-down. So I did my best to spruce it up for her. It could use a paint job ...but I'm not sure I'll get around to that.

Old bike:

New...ish bike:
I peeled off the "Pirate" decal and recovered the bars with a fun laminated fabric that just velcros on. I think it would look super cute spray painted teal blue, but that seems like a lot of work!

*On a side note, do the shorts look familiar? I'm making good use out of Elegance & Elephants Bubble Pocket Shorts pattern! For these ones I added a lace overlay to the pockets. I think I'd prefer them without the lace, but I wasn't sure if Anja would wear them if they were just plain brown. She calls these her "skirt shorts" because she thinks the lace makes them look like a skirt.

Hooded Towels

A fond memory I have from childhood is wrapping up in a hooded towel (made my my mom) after stepping out of the bath. At the time I appreciated the warmth and comfort, now I also appreciate the time and love that was put in to making the towels. So, now that I'm a mom, I hope that I can recreate memories like that for my children.  I recently purchased beautiful, organic cotton fabric from SewFineFabric on Etsy. I love the colours and print. I wanted to make hooded towels for my children that appealed to them, but also to me. The animal print is for them and the colors and modern style are for me. For the inside of their towels, I used the same towels that we use in our bathrooms to tie it all together.