Inspired by Gracious Threads

This outfit is in large part thanks to Jess from Gracious Threads.

First of all, the Maple Skirt is her pattern, and I was extra tempted to sew it when there was a great prize to be won in her sew along. 

The grey fabric is from Fabricland that I bought over a year ago--it's been in my stash waiting for a pattern like this. It has a slight stretch to it. 

The buttons are from the thrift shop. 

For the top stitching, I used two threads in my needle to really make it stand out, and I love the results. I will be using that technique again! 

Second, the fabric for the shirt I received from Jess when she was destashing.

It's a cotton knit--not great recovery but I couldn't resist making a shirt out of it--neckband included. 

The pattern for the shirt is from Greenstyle--the Easy Options T-shirt.

I find the sleeves a little short on my daughter, so I think I'd lengthen them a bit next time, but I love the slight flare of the sleeve. 

Horses, Shirts, and Skirts

(This post contains affiliate links! Thanks for using them and supporting my sewing habit in this way!) 

Quite a while back now, I won a gift certificate to JoyFits.

The horse print was one of the fabrics I my kids chose. 

I bought a half meter of it, and was able to squeeze a whole shirt and the front panel of a second out of it. 

First up is a Greenstyle Creation's Easy Options T-shirt.

My daughter requested the cap sleeve option.

It's a very easy, quick pattern to sew. 

And it has a ton of options. 

I also made the skirt she is wearing.

It's a basic tiered skirt using her measurements and using fabric that my friend was destashing that screamed 'tiered skirt!' at me when I was looking through her destash. 

The next shirt is New Horizon's Suburban Basic Tee. 

It's also a quick sew, and I've used it quite often for my boys as well. 

The contrasting fabric is a regular cotton/lycra in charcoal. 

Now, the skirt. 

Ha.

Well, I wanted to make something she could wear with the shirt.

And, I thought I could whip one up when I was tired, late at night. 

So, I picked a fabric (of which there was not enough for a skirt) and made a skirt out of it. 

It is more like a pencil skirt than an easy-to-run, play skirt as envisioned.

But, she loves it anyway, and keeps wanting to wear the whole outfit. 

Layer Me Up and a Tiered Skirt

It's mid May and I finally finished my Sunday spring/summer outfit. 

 First, the skirt was sewn with a chambray from Fabric.com. 

It is a self-drafted skirt, perfect for warm summer days! 

The top is the Layer Me Up from Patterns for Pirates. (affiliate link)

I was a little worried that the front would be too low, and that I'd be showing off more than I wanted to when I'd bend over, but it doesn't gape at all, so I'm quite happy with the fit. 

You do need to size up if you are going for a not-too-snug look. I'm on the lower end of this size and I wouldn't want it any tighter.

(I used 3/8" seam allowance for the sides instead of the 1/2" as well.)

It is sewn with a super soft, cotton lycra from Fawnette Fabrics.

The fabric is available for pre-order right now until the 24th of May, in their Facebook group.

(On a side note, you NEED to check out the cat head fabric that she has for pre-order as well! If I could justify buying a yard of the grey or purple, I would!)

Jocole Blog Tour--Skinnies and Skorts and a Giveaway!

First up, my baby girl's skorts.

It's funny how excited a 15 month old can get over new clothes. 

Must be her older sister's influence....ha! 

I used Jocole's Faux-Wrap Skort pattern. 

No adjustments were made to the pattern--they were sewn in a quilting cotton that I had in my stash from a couple years back. 

They're perfect for a little girl on the move, and even though it's heading into Fall here, I think we'll get enough wear out of these, even in the house, or with tights underneath to make it look even more skirt-ish. 

If you follow me on Facebook at all, you may have heard about my hot pink skinny pants. 

Well, here they are, and I'm thrilled with how they turned out! 

I used Jocole's Skinny Pants pattern, and did have to make a few adjustments.

The waist was too big and the hips were perfect (even though I had blended sizes according to my measurements.) 

So, I took it in a bit at the side seams, tapering into the regular seam at the hips. 

I also added darts on the back, just above the pockets, to take in any gaping so that it wouldn't look bunched and saggy while on. 

The fabric is a slightly stretchy twill that I bought off a destash site on Facebook. 

They are super comfy with the yoga waistband! 

I now want to make many more in different fabrics...we'll see if I ever get to it, but I'm super happy with them.

Hop on over to the Jocole blog to visit all the other bloggers! 

Enter the Rafflecopter below to win one Jocole Pattern of choice! 

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Save up to 25% with Jocole's Fall Blog Tour.

Your entire shopping cart, no restrictions.

Starts: October 15th 12:01amEnds: October 26th 11:59pm PST. 

Use the code "FallBlogTour" during checkout.

Momiform MAKEover

This is an exciting post for me.

I've often struggled with dressing in a somewhat stylish fashion...

And, then in comes, 'Momiform MAKEover.'

 

My plan was to make somewhat of a wardrobe that was stylish, yet comfy.

I want to look put-together at home, while I take care of my rambunctious brood,

and when I head out to town with them in tow!

First up, is the Katie Dress from Greenstyle Creations, along with a new bag pattern, the Buckle Me Up Beauty.

Here I am with my 'Mom-mobile,' all ready to go.

I sewed the Katie Dress up in a lovely cotton knit from Canadian National Fabric.

The flattering gather in the bodice takes it from being just another knit dress to being something fun and stylish.

The Buckle Me Up Beauty is sewn in a brown twill type fabric from my stash with a cotton lining from my local-ish Fabricland, with hardware from Emmaline Bags.

This is the small version, which is great if you're out without the kids...no diaper bag...yay!

I couldn't keep it at one...

The second outfit I made is Jocole's A-line Yoga Skirt and the Willow Wrap Top from Love Notions.

The maxi skirt is sewn with an amazingly soft and comfy knit from Canadian National Fabric.

(Can you tell I really like that shop!)

The yoga waistband and the fitted skirt make for a super comfortable, yet stylish look.

And, the top is sewn from a very drapey knit from Fabricland.  

I sewed the top with the higher neckline, and I love how it turned out.

It's modest, yet stylish--perfect for running after kids!

Plus, the asymmetrical style with the pleated side takes it up a notch from being a plain old shirt.  

The pattern is easy to follow, and the fit is spot on.

Yes, two wasn't enough either...

Here is number three!

The Kinaco Skirt from Waffle Patterns, sold at Go-To Patterns, with the Women's Cowl Neck Tee from Sewing Geek Patterns. And again the bag is the Buckle Me Up Beauty, but a large version this time!

 

The Kinaco Skirt is sewn with a drapey grey fabric that I have absolutely no idea what it is.

It is a thrift shop purchase, but I love the softness and how ideal it is for fall!

The skirt's design is really neat--I really like the asymmetrical design and the fit is spot on.
For the lining, I used the same knit I used for the shirt--it is super soft and comfortable!

 

The Women's Cowl Neck Tee is sewn with a nice eggplant colored knit that I bought through a Canadian destash group on Facebook.

The shirt is comfortable, yet flattering. And, again...it's not just a plain t-shirt!
It is a super fast sew with an elegant cowl and an optional banded hem.
Also, the sleeves are a nice fluttery sleeve instead of the 'normal' tighter sleeve, which is a neat feature.

The Buckle Me UP Beauty is sewn with quilting cotton from Walmart and the accents are Essex linen from Fabric.com. Again, hardware is from Emmaline Bags. It's definitely large enough to be a diaper bag, for which I'm super excited--now I can have a stylish diaper bag as well for taking the kids out and about.

Thanks for stopping by my Momiform MAKEover!

REMEMBER: Scroll to the bottom of this post to enter the two separate Rafflecopters! 50+ winners will be selected! Get 10% off your fabric order from now through October 1 at Michael Levine/LowPriceFabric.com with code: Makeover10

Get 20% off your pattern order now through October 1 at UpCraft Club with code: MOMIFORM Are you MAKE-ing over your Momiform? Join the fun on Instagram with hashtag #momiformmakeover

 

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Be sure to check out all the awesome series participants to get lots of momiform inspiration!

Reyna Lay Designs | Call Ajaire | Golden Rippy | Love Notions
Sew Not Perfect | Scientific Seamstress | Rebel & Malice
Creative Counselor | Mabey She Made It | If Only They Would Nap | Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts Shaffer Sisters | FABulous Home Sewn | Fa Sew La | Baste + Gather
Lulu & Celeste | Swoodson Says | Phat Quarters | Hey June | Stitch Upon a Time
Climbing the Willow | Everything Your Mama Made & More | Näh-Connection | 110 Creations
A Jennuine Life | Straight Stitch Designs | Sew Straight & Gather | KZJO'STUDIO
Wild & Wanderful | Mae & K | Handmade Frenzy | HattieLu Handmade

 

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Sponsors

 

Special thanks to these major sponsors who generously donated the following items for the giveaway:

(There will a different winner for each line item so we can spread the love around!)

Janome - One Skyline S5 Sewing Machine* Indiesew - Four $50 gift certificates (four separate winners) Michael Levine / Low Price Fabric - Four $25 gift certificates (four separate winners) and 10% discount for readers through October 1 - code: Makeover10 UpCraft Club - Two $25 gift certificates (two separate winners) and 20% discount on patterns through October 1 - code: MOMIFORM

And the following pattern designers who graciously provided patterns for the series participants and/or contributed the following items for the giveaway:

Grainline Studio - Two patterns of your choice True Bias - Hudson Pants & Southport Dress patterns Colette -Two patterns of your choice Closet Case Files -Two patterns of your choice Sew Much Ado -Two patterns of your choice Sew Straight & Gather - Three patterns of your choice Golden Rippy - Two patterns of your choice 110 Creations: A Sewist's Notebook Patterns for Pirates - Two patterns of your choice Itch to Stitch - Two patterns of your choice Mouse House Creations - Two patterns of your choice Hey June Handmade -Two patterns of your choice Peekaboo Pattern Shop - Three patterns of your choice Go-to Patterns - One women's pattern of your choice GreenStyleCreations -Two patterns of your choice Puperita - One pattern of your choice Sofilantjes - Two patterns of your choice Charlotte Kan - One pattern of your choice So Sew Easy - Two patterns or one bundle of your choice OUSM Designs - Women's Thumbs-Up Tee pattern E-Beth Designs - Two patterns of your choice Muffin Head Patterns - Any pattern of your choice up to $10 GrayDay Patterns - Sandpoint Top or Athena Top pattern (your choice) Scientific Seamstress - One pattern of your choice Stitch Upon a Time - $20 gift card 5 out of 4 - Two patterns of your choice Frianki Patterns - Two patterns of your choice KZ Jo Studio - Two patterns of your choice Straight Stitch Designs - Full collection of patterns Sewing Patterns by Aivilo Charlotte - Two patterns of your choice Striped Swallow Designs - Two patterns of your choice Rose and Lee Designs - Two patterns of your choice Sewing Geek Patterns - One pattern of your choice Filles a Maman - One pattern of your choice Bella Sunshine Designs - One pattern of your choice Liola Designs - One pattern of your choice Cali Faye Collection - One pattern of your choice Tinman Patterns - Orbit Skirt pattern Felicity Sewing Patterns - Two patterns of your choice Winter Wear Designs - Two patterns of your choice Ellie Inspired - Three patterns of your choice Love Notions - One pattern of your choice a Sparkly Baby - Two patterns of your choice Terra's Treasures Designs - Two patterns of your choice

*Janome giveaway winner must be located in U.S.A. and is therefore on a separate Rafflecopter below. Machine must be picked up at a local dealer; it cannot be shipped.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This second Rafflecopter includes all the other sponsor items since they can be awarded internationally! You must enter both Rafflecopters in order to be entered to win both the sewing machine and the rest of the giveaway items. All patterns awarded will be in PDF format. Enjoy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Greenstyle Blog Tour

(I received the patterns and fabrics for free but all opinions are my own!)

 

And....now....the Greenstyle Blog Tour!

I had signed up to join in and was thrilled when I learned after signing up that we could choose our fabric from Riley Blake Designs and they'd send it over for free!

 

 

 

I chose to make the Amy Skirt, the Lemon Drop Skirt, and after finding out the Study Hall Shirt had sizing only from tween to adult, I chose the Easy Options T-Shirt.

Now the most difficult part came in--choosing fabric!

For the first outfit--the Amy Skirt and an Easy Option T-Shirt, I chose the Small Dot Navy Knit, Knit Solid Yellow and Medium Gingham Green Woven.

 

 

Both are sewn in size 4.

The Amy Skirt is a super quick and easy sew--I love it!

 

When my daughter first tried it on for hemming, she gushed over how soft it was.

And, the Riley Blake knits are truly very soft and as an added bonus, super easy to sew up.

 

The only modifications I made was to add a woven flower applique with buttons and woven cuffs.

I basically traced the lower part of the cuff and cut them out of the woven. Sewed the sides together and sewed them with the right side of the woven against the wrong side of the sleeve with a 1/4" seam allowance. Then, I turned the raw edge over by 1/4" and topstitched that down after pressing the cuff up. Super quick and easy but it gives a whole new look.

 

My daughter loves the fact that it reaches her feet--'it's like a dress, Mommy!'

 

For the Lemon Drop Skirt and Easy Options T-Shirt, I chose Hot Pink Solid Knit, Gray Solid Knit, and Fancy Bikes Teal Woven, Fancy Floral Pink Woven, and Snapshots Family Gray Woven.

 

For this Easy Options T-shirt, I used both the long and short sleeves to make a layered look.

 

I first hemmed the short sleeve and then sandwiched both sleeves against the bodice and stitched them all on in one pass.

Then the under-arm and side seam was stitched again all in one pass--with the short sleeve sandwiched between the long sleeve.

 

The Lemon Drop Skirt, I made exactly according to the pattern though I left off the optional pockets.

I love that the waistband doesn't look super gathered or scrunched from the elastic.

It's short enough that it is only tightened a little with the elastic.

 

 

Make sure to enter the great giveaway!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And, Greenstyle Creations is offering a 25% discount off their patterns with the code "25discount" during the tour, so be sure to hop over and snatch up some great patterns.
 

  Greenstyle Creations Focus on Fall Blog Tour Schedule

October 13- Kick off Post by Blogs Like A Mother

October 14- Friends Stitched Together

October 15- Handmade Boy

October 16- Becca Duval Photography

October 17- The Lady and The Gents

October 18- Snickerdoodle Stew

October 19- The Sewing Sparrow

October 20- Once Upon A Sewing Machine

October 21- Babyfish Designs

October 22- FABulous Home-Sewn

October 23- Gracious Threads

October 24- Wrap Up Post by Blogs Like A Mother

Saucy Skirt and Flyaway Ruffle Cardi--a Pattern Test

When I got to test April's newest patterns from Dandelions 'n Dungarees, I was rather excited.

They fit perfectly with my goal of sewing all my kids some fall/winter Sunday clothes.

 

Let me introduce the Saucy Skirt and the Flyaway Ruffle Cardi!

 

 

I really like how it turned out. Instead of the knit fabric ruffles that were shown in the tutorial, I gave it a try with some ready made eyelet lace that I got from a friend.

 

 

The body of the Cardi I made with a nice ponte knit from Girl Charlee (referral link).

It's left over from my husband's Newcastle Cardigan.

 

The finishing of the neckline looks so professional with some bias tape.

And, I love the look of the one button closure.

 

For the skirt, I used some of the left over cotton-spandex fabric from my Color Block Dress which is also from Girl Charlee.  

It has options for a single layered skirt, a double layered skirt and a double layered skirt with a super cute tie.

I couldn't resist the tie.

 

To finish off the look, I whipped up a pair comfy ponte knit version of Go-To Leggings. (affiliate link)



And, a Sunday outfit for my youngest daughter.

 



 

Yep.

All ready for Church.

 

 

Hop over and get the bundle for $9 for a limited time.

Or get the skirt or the cardi separately for $5 each.

Betty Skirt and Skirting the Issue!

I recently got to test a very cute little skirt from the Shaffer Sisters!

The Betty Skirt. (Soon to be re-released--will update with link when released!)

There are so many options and sizes in this skirt:

doll, newborn and all the way up to 16, including plus sizes!

Options include a gathered skirt with placket, small pleats, and big pleats!

 

 

I chose to make the large pleats in a 3 month size, using fabric from the Fat Quarter Shop.

My plan is to donate this to the Pregnancy Care Center during our next Pregnancy Care Center Sew-along!

The pattern went together very well--you can print which ever size you'd like with the handy layers feature.

 

I had to let my little girl 'model' it for us...

 

 

I'm joining in on Skirting the Issue over at Simple Simon and Company!