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

Sewn Grown: How We've Grown Through Pattern Testing

I have been madly in love with sewing for the past few years. When I started testing patterns this year, that love was brought to the next level. I have had so much fun making bazillions of beautiful pieces of one of a kind clothing for my kids. I feel so lucky to have had the chance to try out so many different designer's patterns and work with some seriously talented people! I have learned and grown a lot throughout the past year. I really like to challenge myself in as many ways as possible in all aspects of my life. If something makes me uncomfortable, I force myself to do it until I get it right even if I embarrass myself sometimes!

 I have really been focusing on my photography skills and trying new sewing techniques. Testing has given me more opportunities to try out new techniques and really forces me out of my comfort zone. I have had my DSLR in my hands almost as much as my fabric and i'm always working hard at learning how to use it. My husband has much more experience in that field, but I feel it is important for me to learn and take my own photos for tests. I have found yet another hobby that i'm super passionate about and i'm thrilled that I get to practice both photography and sewing through testing.

I am obviously not the only person involved when I am testing a pattern. My little lady and sometimes my little boys are my models and are very important to the process. I've noticed a lot of changes in my daughter in particular during our adventures in testing this year. Every morning, she wakes up and runs to check the dress form for something new. I don't always deliver, but when I do she asks, "Can we do pictures today, Mama?" in her sweet raspy voice. She knows that we always go out for pictures when I finish a project and she's really grown to enjoy it. She knows what i'm looking for now as she does her "poses". I really can't believe how good she has become at modeling her Mama Made. She has grown so much. Recently, I have been making her several things per week and this enables me to see exactly how much she has grown and changed. I have to measure her pretty often to be sure that we are testing the appropriate sizes. I see those measurements slowly creeping up. I've seen her chubby cheeks start to slim down and her last remaining toddler-like features almost disappear. I've noticed other changes in her as well. Her self-confidence has grown and she has developed her own style already. She knows what she likes and she loves to help me pick out fabric.  I've documented it all. It's written down in my notebooks and it's in all of the many photos I have taken of her. It's a little heartbreaking to be honest. Taylor Swift's "Never Grow Up" plays in my head while she twirls and gathers rocks for her "rock election" as I snap hundreds of pictures. Sigh.

Anyway, testing patterns is a pretty sweet gig. I hope to keep it up and to keep learning and trying my best to appreciate the unique perspective I have watching my little ones grow.

Little Lizard King: Harbor Dress-Sew Patriotic!

We got back from our trip to New Mexico earlier this week and can I just say that I just really missed my sewing machine! I was excited to get working on some projects I had been obsessing over the entire 820 mile drive home. I have been crushing on the Harbor pattern by Little Lizard King for a while. I just love the military style details in this pattern. It was perfect for creating a fun patriotic dress for the Fourth of July! The full gathered skirt kept it sweet and feminine and the peplum gave it a bit of a vintage feel. It reminds me something Agent Carter might wear.

If you haven't noticed already, I kind of like anything antique or vintage. I have a modest collection of vintage Pyrex and other housewares that makes me almost as happy as sewing does. I like to think about the history of an item. While they are just "things" I know that they were a part of someone's everyday life. I enjoy imagining what that life was like. I get really excited about creating thing that have story behind them too and this dress has a little "story" in it.  While I was brainstorming about what comes to mind when I think of the Fourth of July, of course, Stars and Stripes, Red White and Blue, Sparklers, Watermelon, and Fireworks all popped into my head. Then, I thought about our military. My Grandfather, Uncle, and Brother have all served in the military and worn a uniform. They are just a few of the many that have worn a uniform for us, for our country. While we were on our trip, my brother let me have one of his old uniforms and I knew it would be perfect to use for this dress. I used the entire length of a pant leg for the bow on the back!

I hope this gives you some inspiration to sew-up your own patriotic dress for the Fourth. You can get Little Lizard King's Harbor pattern HERE.

Made for Mermaids: Daphne at Red Oak II

My little brother went into the Air Force straight out of high school. For the past 11 years I've only seen him intermittently in between deployments. He has never lived somewhere within driving distance, so when he moved somewhere that was only 12 hours (more like 15 if you are traveling with kids) we were all thrilled! When he met a nice girl and asked her to marry him, we were even more thrilled, not just for his happiness, but because we know that means he will be around more! Ha ha! This week we all made trip halfway across the country to be here for his wedding. I obviously spent sometime thinking about and planning my family's outfits for the wedding. I still hadn't decided on what pattern I'd use for Pretty Mama's dress when I was asked to test Made for Mermaids' newest pattern, "Daphne". Sometimes, the stars just align and the perfect pattern presents itself and Daphne sure was the perfect pattern. I planned everyone else's outfits to coordinate with it. I will post some family pics from the wedding soon. Before we left, I had to get my tester photos done and I thought of the perfect location.

I had heard about Red Oak II and seen many photos taken there over the years and I had been dreaming of doing our own shoot there for a while. I mentioned it to my husband and he thought it sounded like fun. We packed up all the kids and headed out. Lowell Davis relocated many old buildings from his childhood hometown of Red Oak to his farm to create Red Oak II. This sort of Made Ghost town is like a giant piece of art filled with Davis' sculptures and chippy vintage goodness. It was an absolute dream to shoot there. My husband and I often take turns with the camera, so there is a good mixture of shots taken by both of us here.

This post is less of a pattern review and more about showcasing it's beauty! Made for Mermaids Daphne comes with options for top, dress, and Maxi length, It can be made with a full off the shoulder ruffle or off the shoulder flutters and can be made with or without tie straps. I made dress length with the flutters without straps.  I added a little scalloped lace to the flutters and I love how it looks, although it did change the way the flutters fell a bit. It was a super fast sew and it fit my daughter pretty perfectly.  She loves her dress and had to run and show daddy right away as soon as she tried it on.  We love it! Daphne and Mama Daphne release tomorrow! Make sure you pick them up. 

Anyway, We took lots of pictures! Enjoy!

 

         

Paraplu: Bartowski Slim Tie Pattern

Last week I had the pleasure of testing the Bartowski Slim Tie Pattern by Paraplu! This pattern's name references the main character from the show "Chuck" and his affinity for this style tie. In fact this pattern would be perfect if you wanted to create a "Nerd Herd" Costume for your little guy or gal. I found a Nerd Herd badge template here that would just be the perfect addition.

My oldest boy will be "graduating" Pre-school this evening and just like any event, I had to sew something up for him to wear. I had been lost in my sewing La La Land trying to figure out what I'd like to make when I saw the tester call pop-up for this tie. DING DING DING! This would be so cute on my little graduate. 

It was just a quick one day test and I used my youngest's nap time to get it done. The sizes range from 1-12 years with options of 34,38,42,46, and 50 inch ties. We were assigned the 42" tie. The pattern was well written and full of drawings throughout which I always find very helpful. I really like the clickable table of contents that allows you to easily jump to the part of the pattern you need. It also has the "layers" feature that gives you the luxury of only printing the size you need. Yay, Layers! I also really liked that the drawings were color coded with a key on every page. It was nice not having to scroll back and forth trying to figure out  what I was looking at. I liked how there were quirky little jokes in the tutorial, I mean, I sew for the fun of it and this was definitely fun! Bonus, I was able to make this in under and hour from printing to last stitch and I'd say I'm a bit of a slow sewist! Yes! 

I used some fabric I had in my stash. I knew I couldn't fail with this print for my airplane loving boy! I thought it fit a little with the graduation theme. Something cheesy like, "Soaring to new heights"came to mind. I used a solid red for the contrast section of the tie. As soon as the soon to be Kindergartner got home, I quickly searched "How to tie a Windsor Knot" on YouTube and I found this gem. (A-hem, you're welcome) We headed out for some pics and he totally melted his mama's heart with that sweet smile.

I can't wait to see him sing the songs he's been practicing as I turn into a blubbering mess. I will be able to say, "Hey, I made that! Oh and I made the tie too!" 

Go get your copy of The Barowski Slim Tie in the Paraplu Esty shop and why not pick-up it's counterpart The Halpert while you're at it? There is a special discount code on The Mae & K blog I can't wait to see more patterns from Paraplu! It's safe to say that I'm officially a fan!