Kainara Stitches

I think there are probably quite a few of us that are thinking about the holidays, and not just about finding presents for everyone and all the events we have to attend, but also about the clothing we’ll wear.  As someone that sews, I like to plan in advance.  I like to stalk Pinterest, look through my pattern stash, and scour the fabrics.  Simple Life Pattern Co. started a blog tour specifically for the special occasions that everyone is likely to attend.  All of the bloggers in the tour used SLPco patterns to create a special occasion look.  After looking through all of the patterns, I decided on the Paisley open back dress paired with the Juliette capelet.  

The Paisley dress pattern calls for knit fabrics.  Because of the knit, I knew that she would be comfortable in her dress while she ran and played.  The capelet is for woven fabrics and is a free pattern with a code from the SLPco Facebook group.  Although, I didn’t see any tester pics with fur, I knew that was the look that I really wanted.

I got both of the royal blue stretch velvet and the white faux fur from Hart’s Fabric (the fabric sponsor for this tour).  Dana was amazing to work with, and my fabrics arrived so fast!  The tissue paper pattern that they wrap their fabrics in is such an awesome and fun touch when you open your package.  The quality and feel were both top notch!

The Paisley has a circle skirt option, or a gathered skirt.  I went with the circle skirt, as I knew she’d love to be able to twirl.  I also did the neckline with a binding, but if I did it again with stretch velvet I would do the neckband option, as it was tough to do the binding since I couldn’t iron the velvet.  This was a surprisingly quick sew, and I had it finished in one day.

The capelet was also a quick and simple design that only took me a few hours to complete (after cutting out the fur and vacuuming up all of the fur that decided to take over my sewing room).  The white fur is so amazingly soft that I want to make one for myself too, even if I’ll look like a caroler.  

These patterns were definitely perfect for what I had envisioned her wearing this holiday season.  Be sure to check out what all the other bloggers made, and follow along with the blog tour this week.  Don’t forget to enter the giveaway that is going on as well!

November 13 – Kainara Stitches – Ammon Lane

November 14 – Sew and Tell Project – Lace and Pine

November 15 – Sunflower Seams – SewSophieLynn

November 16 – Wonderfully Handmade – Idle Sunshine – I am Mami de Sofiona

November 17 – Pear Berry Lane – It’s Liesel

There are TWO ways to win in this giveaway!

While both giveaways are open to everyone, contestants outside of the U.S. will be responsible for any excess shipping and fees and subject to the sponsors’ shipping guidelines.

Enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win the following. One winner will be chosen at random after Rafflecopter closes.

1 winner of Rafflecopter of will receive:
5 Patterns of choice from Simple Life Pattern Co.
$50 Gift Card from Cotton Coterie with FREE shipping
$50 Gift Card from Little Feather

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Already sewing for the holidays with Simple Life Pattern Company? Share what you made for a chance to win the Link-Up prize! One winner will be chosen at random after the link-up closes.

1 Winner of the Link up will receive: 5 Patterns of choice from Simple Life Pattern Co. $50 Gift Card to Harts Fabric $50 Gift Card to Sincerely Rylee $30 Gift Card to Punkin Head Threads

I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one that gets inspiration from Pinterest.  I saw a color blocked top on there a while ago and it gave me the inspiration for this Sloane sweater that I made. 

This was the top, and I felt like I came really close to recreating it with the Sloane without having to color block a pattern that I already own.  I’m really lazy and would prefer to have a pattern close to, or exactly like what I’ve envisioned.  The only thing that I had to add myself was a pocket, which was easy to make myself by cutting a rectangle and sewing it where I wanted it.  

I used brushed poly for the top, and I found a suede-like knit at Joann for the elbow patches and the pocket.  The only issue I had was that the knit from Joann was really thick, which is why I did a twin needle stitch around the pocket instead of turning it under and hemming it.  The one thing I wish I would have done differently would be to add length and make the top a bit longer next time.  I usually don’t have to add length to my tops, but this one came out a little shorter than I prefer.  

The Sloane pattern has two different views, one is more of a traditional sweatshirt, whereas there is this view which looks more like a relaxed shirt.  There’s only one sleeve length, and it can be made with or without the color blocking at the shoulder.  The elbow patches are included with the pattern. It’s not on sale during this blog tour, as it was just re-released recently.  And don’t forget to check out what the other bloggers sewed up!

This dress is so classic, and I love the belt that comes with the pattern!  I wanted to make a really classic looking dress, almost Audrey Hepburn type of look.  After I made it and tried it on her, I realized that it looked more like Wednesday Adams instead of the look I was actually going for. Haha!  Either way, I love how it turned out.  I still think it looks like a classic dress, but maybe a little more festive. The new Wendy’s classic collar dress gives such a lovely look.  You’ll love the deep hem and all the enclosed seams. 

I found some great black sateen fabric at Joann that was perfect for what I wanted to do with this pattern.  I used some Kona white for the collar and the belt.  I found my slide for the belt at Hobby Lobby, but I also found some on Amazon too.  

There’s several sleeve lengths that are included with the pattern, with the option of enclosing the sleeve seam, or finishing with a serger.  This dress will be another favorite of yours, and is on sale right now for $7.50!

Who doesn’t love a basic tee with a fun detail?  The new Kourtney Knot pattern from Made for Mermaids is a great, fun tee.  It has several options for length and can be made with or without the knot in the front.  I made several of these during testing for both me and my girl.  The knot is really easy and quick.  Megan has done a great job of including a video to help understand how the knot is done.  

There are several sleeve lengths included; tank, short, 3/4 and long.  It can be made as a tee length, tunic, or dress.  The tunic has a straight hem in the front, and a curved hem in the back to accommodate for the knot.  The girls pattern has all the same features of the women’s, so you can match your girl. 

Grab the pattern while it’s on sale this weekend for $7 each, or bundle them for $10.  These will quickly become a staple in your wardrobe. 

As a tradition at Christmas time, we always go as a family to a Christmas symphony.  I enjoy going, as it helps to have my kids embrace the arts.  I love sitting and watching them play, and listening to the classic Christmas songs.  I try and make a dress for my daughter to wear every time we go.  It’s one of the things that I love doing for her.  I’ve had the Evening Primrose pattern from New Horizons for a while.  I’ve wanted to make it, but just haven’t had the time.  Luckily I had some time this week to knock out getting her dress done.  I was so excited to finally use this pattern that has been in my stash for longer than I’d like to admit. 

I knew that I wanted a fancy, special occasion type dress.  I went to Joann and looked through their special occasion fabrics.  Nothing was really jumping out at me.  I wanted something plain, but still special.  I found this polyester/rayon fabric that had a different look depending on the angle that you looked at it.  Sometimes it looks black, and other angles it looks blue.  It had gorgeous drape too.  Since I knew I wanted a full dress, I grabbed some tulle along with this blue and a lining as well.  

I saw Julie’s post on the New Horizons blog about lengthening the Evening Primrose pattern to make it a maxi dress.  I decided to hack the pattern and do it in a maxi length.  The hack didn’t require the lining to be done with the maxi length, but since I wanted to add tulle I wanted to have a lining so that she wasn’t getting itchy from the tulle.  Since the skirt isn’t gathered, I gathered the tulle and sewed it to the lining and from then on considered it one piece.  

The pattern went together easily.  I added a sash out of ribbon to break up the waist.  She and I both absolutely loved the final product.  She twirled so much in!  Who doesn’t love having a princess dress to wear?  I can’t wait for her to wear this gorgeous dress to the Christmas symphony this year.  

It’s my turn on the Love Notions Blog Tour today.  The Origami tunic from Love Notions I think goes overlooked sometimes.  It’s a great tunic pattern that has the option of being a cardigan too.  It has a handkerchief hem as an option, or it can be a regular straight hem.  The handkerchief hem has mitered corners for a nice clean finish.  There’s also an option of having a cowl neck or a regular banded neckline. 

I love wearing tunics and leggings with boots for the cooler months.  I live in Salt Lake City, and we get snow a few times during the winter.  To be able to throw on a tunic and leggings with two little kids is a quick way for me to get ready.  The cowl is such an added bonus as it helps to keep my neck warm without having to wear an extra scarf.  I was in dire need of a black one last year, so when the tour came up I knew that I needed to make a black one to pair with everything.  The only thing that I noticed about the pattern pieces that I didn’t really care for was the fact that the bodice piece for front and back was the same piece.  I think next time I make it, I will print an extra for the bodice so that I have two separate pieces.  I think it’s nice to be able to save paper, but I prefer to have them separate.  Both the women’s and the girl’s versions are on sale during the tour $8 for the women’s and $6 for the girl’s. 

Tours LOVE to have a sale!

Stop by and say hi to all the fantastic bloggers joining in!

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The TAMI hoodie from New Horizons Designs was updated just recently.  Extended sizes were added, there’s a long and standard cut line for the length, a lower neckline, and a slimmer fit.  I was lucky enough to test both the original and the new revised version.  I have several (5!!) different TAMI hoodies in my closet.  I wanted to do a comparison post of both the original and the revised side by side.  In the photos, you can tell, as well as when I wear them, that the neckline is lower.  The left is the original and the right is the revised.

Another thing that changed during testing was the size of the hood.  Several testers found the hood to be a little too big.  On the left is the original, then the first draft of the revised, and then the final draft.  You can also see the lower neckline in the photos below too.

And finally, the slimmer fit.  I personally haven’t noticed a huge difference in the fit from the original to the revised version.  There was 2″ removed from the width on the size Medium, with less being removed from the smaller sizes and more removed from the bigger sizes.  I’ve actually been wearing all of my TAMI hoodies this week.  Fall has started here and it’s been rainy and cold all week.

I hope that this helps give some perspective on the difference in fit from the original to the new updated version of the pattern.  If you bought the original, you can download the new revised version from your account.  If you haven’t gotten the pattern yet, it’s still on sale until tomorrow 9/25 for $7.

The new Bitty Brunch and Brunch Blouse from Patterns for pirates is rounding out the summer of wovens.  It’s a dolman style sleeve, with also a tank cutline too.  Judy didn’t disappoint with options on this pattern.  There’s a henley placket neckline, dress lengths, waist ties, sleeve cuffs with button tabs, and so much more.  

I made our matching versions in the cap sleeve length.  Her dress was done in the dolman sleeve length with the waist ties.  The pattern is best with a woven that has drape.  I used a woven that I found at Hobby Lobby for our matching shirts.  Her dress is in a Tencel denim that I got from Cali Fabrics earlier this summer.  

The girl’s version does have a top button closure, whereas the women’s doesn’t.  Both patterns have two back pieces that give the back a more fitted look.  Both patterns are on sale individually or bundled through Sunday, 9/17/17.  

This dress is everything! I just love this cute look! The Ainsley dress has tons of options and can pair easily with a few of the other Made for Mermaids dresses (Brooklyn, Riley, and Cassie).

The top of the dress requires a knit fabric.  I used a cotton lycra. The skirt is made using a woven fabric.  I used a chambray fabric.  Both of the fabrics I purchased from Raspberry Creek Fabrics.  

The Ainsley features a gathered sleeve, with flutter, short, elbow, and long lengths.  The skirt has and elastic waist back.  It can have waist sash ties, pockets, and as shown a faux button placket front.  I’m absolutely in love with the cute look of this dress!  It’s so adorable, and I love that it can mash with other bodices or skirts. The Ainsley is on sale until through Sunday, 9/17/17.  You can bundle it with the baby pattern for $10, or get the girls or baby for $7 each. 

My mom used to make dresses and clothes for me all the time, up until I didn’t want clothes made for me anymore.  I can see now why she loved doing it so much.  I love seeing my vision come together and see how adorable all of these patterns come out looking on my kids.  I love the look of the sweet bow dress from Patterns for Pirates.  The sweetheart neckline is such a cute look.  The back straps can either be crossover or easy on off (the bow is required to keep them together).  

There’s the option of making it into a top, dress, or maxi lengths.  It can either have a small bow, mega bow (pictured above), or no bow at all.  It’s such a cute and simple sew!

The good news is if you already own the pattern, you can re download the new pattern and get the update from your P4P account.  The Sweet Bow pattern is on sale right now fro $7.50 through Sunday 9/10/17!