Monday, August 15, 2016

SLPco Back to School Blog Tour: It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Back to School: Holiday Concerts

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Back to school! I'm sure you've been working on creating some stellar back to school wardrobes. Although it might still seem a little far off, it might be a good idea to add outfits for those holiday concerts and shows to your list for back to school sewing.


My daughter is starting her first year of pre-k in a couple of weeks. She is a very hands-on kind of girl and she doesn't mind getting messy. I am anticipating/accepting the fact that she will not be wearing mama made most of the time. Instead, I have decided to create some outfits and dresses for certain special school events throughout the year.

The school puts on a cute little holiday performance just before Christmas break each year, so I knew that a dress for her to wear for that would need to be on my list. I was given a couple yards of plaid red flannel a while back and I knew it would be perfect for the holiday dress ideas dancing in my head.  I have loved the sort of "fancy flannel" style that has been popping up when the weather turns cold over the past couple of years. I used the long sleeved version of SLPco's Ayda to give a nod to the classic flannel button down. The dramatic v-back of the bodice in combination with the lace trim and tulle underskirts give it the fancy twist I was trying to replicate in my own way.

Ayda is such a good and highly versatile pattern. It's loaded with options and will now be my go to fancy dress. Believe it or not, this was my first time doing a circle skirt and I absolutely love the way it looks. It was so easy to sew and I adore the amazing twirl factor!





I can just see her now, dancing and singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"in her raspy little voice wearing the dress I made for her. I hope I was able to give you some ideas for your back to school sewing! Be sure to enter the giveaways below for a chance to win some great prizes! Please join us for the rest of the tour for more back to school inspiration, SLPco style!

Thanks for Reading!
Christina

August 18th - SewJourners - Sweet Red Poppy
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Tuesday, August 9, 2016

JillyAtlanta: Melbourne Romper for One Thimble!

I recently was lucky enough to have the chance to test The Melbourne Romper pattern by JillyAtlanta. I have followed her and admired her patterns for a while, but I hadn't had the chance to try one until now. I was really impressed by the pattern and I am excited to try more from JillyAtlanta!


The Melbourne works beautifully for both boys and girls and can be made from size 3-6 months all the way to size 4! Yay! I was thrilled that I could make this style for my tall three year old. There are three strap options including halter, cross-back, or cross-back with flutters. I made both of the cross back versions, but the halter is next on my list. The straps are made with three button holes so that the romper can grow with your child. The tutorial instructions are clear and thorough. I didn't have to go back an re-read which made for a faster sew. It's a great pattern and it's one that I can see myself making again and again.


For my first romper I made the cross strap version and layered it over a little t-shirt. The bib is perfect for highlighting your favorite fabric. I used the sweetest print from Sharron Holland's Sketchbook collection. I embellished some of the flowers in the print with some hand embroidery. I am very new to hand embroidery, but I really enjoy it.I also added some mustard crochet trim and a large wooden button to keep with the natural feel of it all. I used this really great ombre fabric that went from a light dusty pink on the straps into a deep maroon shade for the rest of the romper.











I decided to give the flutter straps a try for the second romper. I used Wild Carrot in tangerine by Michael Miller for the entire thing this time. I've had this stashed away for a couple of years and i'm so glad I pulled it out! I think it turned out just darling. It has been perfect for these last long hot summer days. I love how it looks paired with her favorite cowboy boots! I can totally see it with a jean jacket and boot socks in the early fall.

The Melbourne Romper will be available in Issue 12 of One Thimble Magazine that releases this Friday, August 12th! You can also buy the pattern individually through One Thimble's website


Pretty Flutters






Thanks for reading!
Christina