Too Sweets Circle Tanks - Finished Objects!

Good day, all!

So if you follow me on Instagram, you might remember seeing these tanks a few weeks ago.  I finally got a chance to take some pictures of them!

These are the Circle Tank from Too Sweets Patterns!  I have been a huge fan of Sophie, designer behind Too Sweets, for ages.  She's a major inspiration to me. Too Sweets designs are right up my alley - no frills, just beautiful, easy clothes.  WIN WIN WIN. 

Here are my Circle Tanks!

Emmy has Do-A-Dot marker all over her face.  Applied lovingly by her father.  Lol.  I couldn't get it off!  At least it sorta matches??  Public service announcement: 

DO NOT DO-A-DOT YOUR FACE. 

This fabric (amazing, right?!) is Space Galaxy by Timeless Treasures.  I used the same for the bias trim.  The wee poms are from JoAnn.

I SWOONED over this version (below) in Too Sweet's Shop, and totally did the exact same thing with the teeny white pompom trim:

Such a cute and simple detail!

This tank is a super quick sew.  So I made two!  I tend to do that - if it was fast and I still have everything out - I just make another one!  Why not!

And here's the second one!

For this version, I used a super lightweight polka dot voile (from Denver Fabrics, though it appears to be unavailable now), and contrasting bias trim made from Delphinium by Philip Jacobs.  I love the combo!

I really love this pattern.  It's simple, straightforward, and oh so cute!  I'm going to try to whip up a few more before summer ends.  Those adjustable straps really lend themselves to longer wear, so maybe we can wear these next summer, too!

BLOOPER REEL!

Ham sandwich. 

Have a great day everyone!

Pattern: Circle Tank by Too Sweets

Fabrics: Space Galaxy by Timeless Treasures

              Orange/White voile (looks like they're all out) from Denver Fabrics

              Delphinium in Yellow for bias binding

The Lady Skater Pattern Tour!

Good morning, all!
Today's my day to share with you my Lady Skater dress!
Amanda of Kitschy Coo - the mastermind behind the Skater Dress for both kids and adults - has become such a great friend of mine.  And omgyouguys she is stateside right now, and I GET TO MEET HER THIS WEEKEND!  I can't wait.  We're going to slow-run to each other in our Skater Dresses, with our children also in their Skater Dresses.  Epic.


Come!  Check out ma'dress!

I was lucky enough to be a tester when Amanda was preparing to release this pattern, so I already knew I loved it, and I already knew the fit was great.  So with that knowledge, I felt free to play around a little bit with added details.  I love the way it came out!  Even though it's 90 degrees here on a cool day lately, this dress is totally perfect for my office job, year-round.

Let me tell you how long it took me to pick a fabric for this dress.  Forever, that's how long.  I wanted a printed dress because in my head that's what I thought I was more comfortable in.  But I love the design and lines of this pattern so much that no matter which print I tried (omg you guys I bought so many lol), I was never totally happy with how it was going to look.  So ultimately I settled on a solid.  Like, two days ago.

I used a black light/mid weight rayon lycra from Jo-Ann.  I still don't know what drew me to the black.  I'm more of a navy/olive/burgundy girl.  After a little boatload of stressing, it hit me - I needed to add something to make the black less severe.  Enter: floral chiffon!

On the bodice front pattern piece, I cut the strap/shoulder area on an angle, about 5 inches down.  Then I used that new pattern piece to make two chiffon overlays.  Then I got into a fisticuffs and swearing match with said chiffon until it was nicely attached.

I LOVE this detail!  I think it really softened up the whole look and made the dress super unique.  I can picture it with leather, sequins, etc. as inserts/overlays, too!  Or what about a back yoke?!?!

Here's a closer shot of the overlays, as well as my tragic decision to not change my serger thread.

At the bottom of the chiffon overlay, I folded under once and bonded (using Heat 'n Bond), then stitched twice to make sure that sucker behaved itself.  So far so good, I can report.  

The only other change I made to the original pattern was to slash and spread the skirt, making something closer to a 3/4 circle skirt.  This fabric was too drapey and delicious not to!  Here's a better shot of how full the skirt is:

Perfect for dancing outside by a tree, whenever the mood strikes!

Cha cha CHA!

I adore this pattern to bits, I can't recommend it highly enough.  The instructions are incredibly thorough, and there is a crib-sheet version of the instructions for those already comfortable sewing with knits.  I found that SO handy.  Of course, I also love the original Skater Dress for kids too - you can see my versions of those here and here!

Additionally, Amanda has extra Lady Skater content on her blog with helpful how-to's and some really cool, simple changes you can make to alter your dress. Do check that out!

You can head over to Amanda's Shop to get your copy of the Lady Skater pattern!  And don't miss the other stops on the pattern tour.  There have been some incredible dresses made from this pattern!

  Many many thanks to Amanda for having me on the Tour!  Can't wait to see you, Lady!

Have a great day, guys!

Shorts On The Line - Prefontaine Shorts!

Good Thursday, all!

Have you been following the amazing series that is Shorts on the Line?!  It's an annual parade of awesome, put on by Rachael of Imagine Gnats and Carla of Small + Friendly.  SO much goodness!

So today, it's my turn to show off ma'shorts!  Also posting today for Shorts on the Line is Anna, of Noodlehead fame!  Don't miss that!

Jill from Made with Moxie kindly donated for review her KILLER new pattern (so new, it was released last night!) The Prefontaine Shorts!  I love this pattern so hard.  Let me show you:

I love them!  

They are such a great, classic, retro, comfortable style - ideal for Summer shorts.  And I made each of these during naptimes!  Wicked quick sewing, this pattern is!  Here's the description from Jill's shop:

The Prefontaine Shorts are designed to fit like the running shorts from the 1970s. They are slightly shorter and baggier than typical kiddo shorts. The pattern features front and back pockets as well as retro contrast trim.

These shorts can be made with a wide range of fabrics: Light weight wovens, quilting cotton, jersey knit, flannel, terry cloth, velour, minky, velvet, upcycled beach towels…the sky is the limit here. The retro trim is a jersey knit trim recycled from an unwanted adult t-shirt.

The Prefontaine Shorts are a quick and easy garment to stitch up. They’re prefect for boys and girls alike. They are so comfortable you’ll have difficulty getting your kiddo to take them off.

My polka dot version is cotton, and the crazy fish version is a dollar store towel that I hacked up!  I wanted to make Emmy a pair that she could throw on when she gets out of the pool.  I think these will be perfecto!

Full disclosure: this child was bribed to go out in the early morning for photos with cherries from our tree.  Equitable and just compensation, if you ask me.

The fit of these shorts is fantastic.  I made Emmy the size 2/3 on account of her ittybittyness, and they are perfect.  She'll be able to wear these all Summer long, along with the 10 MOAR PAIRS I plan on making.  :)

Adorable back pocket:

And the best feature for toddler wear?

POCKETS. 

So what do you think, do you love these as much as I do??  

If you DO, Jill has offered a coupon to my readers for the Prefontaine Shorts pattern!  Use code emmyloubeedoo for $1 off your pattern!  Thank you so much Jill!

OR!  Leave a comment here and tell me what one of your all-time favorite sewing patterns is - then you'll be entered to win a copy of the Prefontaines!  Wahoo!  I'll pick a winner Sunday night (6/23/13).

MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS too, if it's not linked to your blogger account!

Aaaaaaand, BLOOPER REEL!

lololololololol.

Have a great day, everyone!  Be sure to check out the other awesome shorts on the line!

6/10 - Petit a Petit and Family and Schwin & Schwin

6/11 - Delia Creates and Buzzmills

6/12 - Cirque du Bebe and Sanae Ishida

6/13 - Fake It While You Make It and elsie marley

6/14 - No Big Dill and Max California and Designs by Sessa

6/17 - girl inspired and Casa Crafty

6/18 - Frances Suzanne and Caila Made

6/19 - Made by Rae and Craftstorming

6/20 - Noodlehead and emmyloubeedoo

6/21 - Siestas & Sewing and Made with Moxie

6/24 - imagine gnats and small + friendly

This post is part of shorts on the line sewalong hosted by imagine gnats and small + friendly, sponsored by Jo-Ann, Pretty Prudent/Pellon®, and Hawthorne Threads.

Roly Poly Pinafore Blog Tour & Giveaway! (giveaway closed)

Hello, and good Monday to you!
I'm so psyched because today I get to share with you my take on the Roly Poly Pinafore, a pattern by my friend Rachael of Imagine Gnats!

Coyote Roly!

This is my second Roly Poly Pinafore (first one here!), and I loved making this one as much as the last.

This pattern is so many things that I love - simple to sew, easy to customize, and showcases your fabric choices beautifully.  Rachael pretty much knocked this one out of the park!

the roly-poly is a pinafore-style tunic top with crossover back that fastens at the shoulder with two buttons. it features clean lines, neckline pleat, optional in-seam pockets, and is reversible. whether you layer your roly-poly with a colorful cardi and skinnies, pair with your favorite summer skirt, or use as a keep-clean smock, this tunic fits perfectly into the wardrobe of the easy, simple days of childhood.

This version is sewn in a dark blue/grey super soft chambray, and a woodland print on the inside.  Though this pinafore is totally reversible, I didn't add buttons to the inside of this one because I am so madly in love with this coyote that I can't imagine ever keeping him hidden!

To make the coyote pocket, I used this printable fabric, and an image from this Etsy seller.  I printed it out, then sewed it to some natural colored muslin with right sides together, leaving room to turn it rightside out, then top stitched it to the pinafore, leaving a long space open along the top to make it  a pocket!

Isn't he handsome?!

Here's a shot of the inside fabric!  So cute. ALL the woodland creatures ALL the time.  :D

Photoshoot day was a washout!  What a bummer!  But here's the pinafore on Emmy out in the rain:

She loves the pocket!

So would you want to sew your own Roly Poly?!  

You can win a copy, right here!  Just leave a comment on this post to enter to win, and a winner will be randomly drawn at the end of the Tour - Friday, May 31st!   Good luck!

***EDITED TO ADD: About half of the comments I've received so far are from no-reply-comment bloggers!  PLEASE, leave your email address with your comment, or go HERE to see how to unset this no-reply setting.  How else will I find you to lavish prizes and compliments upon you?!?***  

Thanks to Rachael for inviting me along on the Roly Poly Tour!  I adore this pattern!

Don't miss these other super talented contributors!

5.13 Jill Made with Moxie / Stephanie The Crafty Kitty

5.14 Stephanie NeurosesGalore / Cherie you & mie

5.15 Ari Max California / Caila Caila Made

5.16 Veronica SewVery / Tara Girl like the sea

5.17 Nancy owen's olivia / Adrianna Crafterhours

5.20 Ajaire Call ajaire / Sarah EmmylouBeeDoo

5.21 Laura Craftstorming / Jessica a little gray

5.22 Frances Miss Matatabi / Nicke kiss kiss quilt

5.23 Amy formwork design / Kat Sew Chibi

5.24 Joanne Rose & Dahlia / Amanda Kitschy Coo

5.27 Celina Petit a Petit and family / Delia Delia Creates

5.28 Christy a.Amelia handmade / Carolyn Fake It While You Make It

5.29 Bonnie Fishsticks Designs / Maria La Inglesita

5.30 Jane Buzzmills / Kate Things for Charlie

5.31 Polly Jack & GeeGee / Molly Rose & Odin

Have a great week, everyone!