A Retro Rucksack!

Hello, and happy Wednesday!

Today I am pumped to be sharing with you my version of Radiant Home Studio's Retro Rucksack!

I love this bag!  I am not a bag maker by any stretch (I've made one tote bag), so when Sara of Radiant Home Studio asked me if I'd be interested in joining her blog tour, I really had to think about it!  I didn't want to do her a disservice by destroying her gorgeous pattern.  But the style really appealed to me, so I quickly signed up and put m'big girl pants on.

So happy I did. Between the design and the built-tough construction of this bag, I can safely say it's going to get tons of use!  We're going camping this weekend, and I am stoked to stuff this bag full of... anything! Everything!

The lower fabric is a vinyl called Nassimi Vibe. It's discontinued, so if you want some, act fast!  I love how it looks like a woven fabric but it has the durability of vinyl.  The main floral fabric (brown + florals AGAIN SARAH?! Lol :) is an out-of-print Waverly fabric from the remnant bin at the retail store of the company I work for - OnlineFabricStore.net! It's truly hazardous heavenly to work there.

Speaking of ALL THE FLORALS, we're having a sale! All floral fabrics are 15% off until July 21st. I'm not asked to advertise these things, just love my job and want to share the awesomeness with you.  Get the florals before I do.

The amazing hardware is from BuckleGuy.com.  That transaction was smooth as silk.  They had everything I needed and it arrived super fast.  Will visit them again for sure!

The brown cotton webbing is from this lovely Etsy shop. Another smooth transaction there.  I had also purchased the wider width brown webbing from the same shop for the bags' shoulder straps, but when I sat it all together, it was too much brown. Even for me hahaha. 
So I hemmed and hawed about what to use for those backpack style straps, until I set eyes on my yoga strap.  Ha!  It was the perfect accent to the light grey/blue subtleties in the floral print. It was also exactly the width and length called for in the pattern.  What the what?!  LOVE. IT! Sorry not sorry, yoga strap.

Huge amounts of space.

Recessed zipper to keep all your things safe.

Pockets on either side, perfect for a phone or compact umbrella. So cool.

I failed to get pictures of the inside (DAH!!!), but it's got two perfect pockets - one a large, stabilized patch pocket (ideal for a tablet or book), and the other an easy to install zipped pocket.  Perfection.

I am loving this bag, guys!  It was not hard to make at all - it was smooth and so rewarding! Pick up your copy HERE, and make an awesome rucksack!

Make sure you visit the other stops on the tour - so much creativity, and not a single bag looks alike!

Retro Rucksack Inspiration Tour:

Monday, July 14th Radiant Home Studio || Sweeter Than Cupcakes 

 Tuesday, July 15th Quarter Incher || Dandelion Drift   Wednesday, July 16th Glitter + Wit || EmmylouBeeDoo   Thursday, July 17th Casa Crafty || Behind the Hedgerow   Friday, July 18th SewVery || Raspberry Sunshine   Saturday, July 19th Mia's Creations || Made By Sara
Have a good day, guys!

Vintage May!

 

Hello!

 

Today, I get to share with you my take on Vintage May, an awesome series curated by Jess of Craftiness is not Optional and Kristin of Skirt as Top.

 

I was SO EXCITED to be asked to be a part of this series!

 

 

 

 

I have a humble, yet beloved vintage pattern collection... I started collecting them when Em was just a baby.  The 40's and the 70's are my favorite eras... Random, right? :)  Here are some of my favorites:

 

 

 I made the top left pattern here, and the bottom left pattern here.

 

For this occasion, I was going to make a yellow gingham romper from another vintage pattern I have, but when I went Google searching for inspiration pics, the first thing that popped up was a certain gingham romper made for Vintage May by Jess herself.  Lol. Ooops.

 

So I changed things up, and settled on this pattern:

 

 

 

 

Which I've also actually made before, right here!

 

 

This time, for the shorts I used the Clover pattern from Willow & Co.  They are sooooo adorable!  These short were a snap to make, and I truly enjoyed the entire process.  Also enjoyable - sewing with this clay-hued stretch twill from Mood.  I actually bought this fabric to make a Moss Skirt for myself.  I'm hopeful I have enough left. :)

 

 

The super sweet white floral used for the halter top is a rayon challis from Denver Fabrics.  Hello my name is Sarah, and I am addicted to rayon challis.  And florals.  Nice to meet you.

 

Em's shoes are vintage suede Sperry's from this little Etsy shop.  So sweet.

 

 

I love how this outfit turned out!  It doesn't necessarily scream vintage, but there is a classic vibe to it.  I love it.  :)

 

Cheeeeeeese!

  Thank you so much Kristin and Jess for having me as part of Vintage May!  It really was a blast to poke through my vintage patterns again.     Have a great weekend, everyone!

Shandiin Tank & Tunic - New Pattern Release

Hello, everyone!

SO EXCITED to let you know that my newest pattern, the Shandiin Tank & Tunic, is officially released!

The Shandiin (pronounced 'shun-deen'; Navajo for 'sunshine') Tank and Tunic is the perfect Summer top. The A-line shape allows for little bodies to stay cool in the heat, as does the unique back crescent cut-out. The Shandiin has sturdy-yet-feminine narrow straps, hem facings, and options galore. 

Button-front Tunic version:

Solid front Tank version:

Puffed hem Tank version:

Tomorrow I will share my testers' versions - wait until you see just how creative you can get with this pattern!
You can purchase the Shandiin Tank & Tunic pattern here on Etsy, or here on Kollabora!

I hope you like it guys!  Happy sewing!

Krazy For Kat!

Good morning!

So just a few short weeks ago, my good friend Kat from Sew Chibi gave birth to her third beautiful daughter... Akira! Kat and her family are just the freaking awesomest people I know, and this sweet new babe is probably the luckiest in all the land.

If you don't know Kat, allow me the pleasure of telling you a little about her!

She has a beautiful daughter named Sephira, to whom Emmylou blows kisses to everytime she sees her picture:

See more about this outfit HERE

She has another beautiful daughter named Azriella, whom Emmy wants to be when she grows up:

See more about this lighted dress HERE

And it goes without saying - Kat sews the MOST INCREDIBLE CLOTHES!  Every single things Kat does sparks the imagination and thrills the creative soul.  She is fearless, she is fun, she is infinitely creative, and she is a SUPER GEEK.  Lol  - I love you Kat!

Head over to Kat's blog - you will never want to leave!  The amount of inspiration and eye candy is unending:

Add wings to a dress

See more about this outfit HERE

Make bunny ears - just in time for Easter!

See more about this outfit HERE

See more about this outfit HERE

Follow Kat on Instagram HERE

And Kat is also a founding member of the series Sew Geeky - set to relaunch on May the Fourth!

See more about this outfit HERE

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH, KAT!  

Congratulations to you and Jon, Azy and Sephy!

Oh!  I've made you some things, too!

Akira will be the proud new owner of these galactic leggings:

Pattern - Go-To Leggings

Fabric - Girl Charlee (print no longer in stock), and Kitchy Coo ribbing

And also a sleep sack!  I am about 85% done with this - I made a change of plans when this pattern came out yesterday lol.  :)

I hope you like it!  The inside is 100% cotton double gauze from Japan - it's softer than anything!

Pattern - Lua Sleep Sack

Fabric - double gauze, cotton print from Pink Castle (out of stock) but available elsewhere.

These will be coming to you soon. :)

Kat, never change.  Love you Lady!