One Pattern, Endless Costume Ideas

I bought a pattern just over 2 years ago to use for Colin's costume. My first time sewing a costume, EVER!!!!!

I think I paid $1 for it at a Hancock's or Joann's pattern sale.



He has always loved dinosaurs and wanted to be one that year. Perfect!!  

 This is the dinosaur costume I made with McCall's 6185.

Then I had a friend contact me asking if I could make her son's costume. He loves Snoopy but all the costumes she could find were crazy expensive and not well made.

Using the SAME pattern, just sizing it up, I made Snoopy!!!

Then this year Colin wanted to be Pichu, a Pokemon. Oh, boy.... HOW ON EARTH???? 

Well, I broke out that same old pattern, once again sizing it up. 

And we have Pichu!!!! 

It's all in the details! You can buy one single pattern and make it into whatever animal, Pokemon, clown, joker, monster, what-have-you... just by changing out the details! 

Sizing this type of pattern up or down is super easy since the pieces are so basic. 

$1 pattern, endless possibilities!!!! SEW EXCITING! ;)

What do you think???? Colin is absolutely thrilled with his costume! YAY!! Score one for mom!!!

Thank goodness, because the Anna dress is quickly becoming a major FAIL!!! SIGH.... At least we can cover the dress with the cape, right????


      HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! HAPPY SEWING!!!!!

Breeze Top Pattern Test

About 2 months ago I got the wonderful opportunity to test a pattern for my friend Shannon over at Little Kids Grow. She is an AMAZING sewist and pattern designer! Guess what! She also does TWEEN patterns!! WOO HOO!! If you have a tween then you know exactly how hard it is to find cute patterns for them. Most pattern makers, independent and otherwise, focus mostly on smaller kids or adults. 

I wanted to be in the blog tour and give you all a big discount on the pattern BUT we moved.... AGAIN! I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to take part in it. Really, with that awful wifi at the hotel it's a wonder I ever got anything posted here at all!

So, now I bring you my pattern test of The Breeze Top (click there to buy).

If the pictures appear too small, just click on them to enlarge.

It was such an easy pattern to follow. The directions were very clear. 

I used the knit pattern but there's also a woven version included.

This quickly became Cailey's favorite outfit!!!

I whipped up a pair of capris to match. ;)

All in all this is a perfect pattern for summer!

I think I might try a dress version next! 

Happy Halloween Peasant Dress

I am in love with this dress!!!! It was so simple and easy to make. I used one of my favorite patterns, Pretty Peasant from SquigglyTwigs Designs. If you scroll down on the page you will see Cailey modeling the peasant top I made with this same pattern.

We are going to try the dress with her orange and black tights, too! LOL Such a FUN dress for the season!

The main dress part came from a remnant I picked up last year at Hancock's. The sleeves are the left overs from the Reverse Applique Leggings and Bandanna Bib I made for my little cousin Liam. I got that print from Joann's.  A word of warning, when working closely with it, you will go cross-eyed a time or two. LOL

So, what fun things are you making for Halloween??? Right now I have the pattern made for Colin's pirate shirt. Fingers crossed that it comes out alright! LOL After that will be the rest of his costume. THEN I will be starting on Cailey's. She wants to be Jinafire Long, a Monster High Doll. No pressure to get THAT one right..... LOL Wish me luck, I'm going to need it! ;)





HAVE FUN SEWING!!!!!

EASY Stuffed Shark Toy Tutorial AND Pattern

I wanted to make a stuffed shark out of that cute shark knit for Sewing to Rebuild,  BUT I was a little intimidated by the free patterns I found. SOOO many pieces!! They all looked very complicated. Seeing as how I am so new to sewing stuffed toys, I thought I would try my hand at making my own pattern and that is what I came up with. Only 4 pieces total and very simple. Easy peasy!! ;)

Click Shark Stuffed Toy Pattern 1 and Shark Stuffed Toy Pattern 2  for the pattern!! (Hopefully the PDF will pop up like it's supposed to...)

After you print, cut and tape your pattern these will be the steps to sewing.

STEP 1



Cut your pieces. This is what they will look like.

STEP 2

Sew your fin together, right sides together, leaving the bottom open.

STEP 3



Cut the slit for your fin.

STEP 4



Turn the fin right side out. Insert it into the slit in the top of the shark body. Pin it in place and very slowly sew the bottom of the fin to the sides of the slit in the shark.  The fin will be open for the stuffing.

You COULD stuff the fin and then sew it into the slit. Whichever is easier for you to do.



This is what it will look like when you are done.

STEP 6



Pin the fin out of the way. Now, pin the shark body pieces with right sides together. Sew the pieces, making sure to leave an opening for the stuffing.

STEP 7



Turn it right side out, stuff and sew the opening closed!! :)

Now you are all done!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Let me know what you think!! Are the steps easy to follow??

Sewing Hannah's Pillowcase Bubble Romper Pattern

I am still doing Sewing to Rebuild! :) My latest project was Hannah's Pillowcase Bubble Romper from Create Kids Couture. The pattern can be found free for a short time on Fabric.com.





This was a super easy, super fast pattern to do. I was able to make it in just a couple of hours.
Now I am going to have to make Cailey one!! LOL The pattern only goes up to a size 6 but I already sized it up to an 8 for her. ;)
I decided to leave off the sash. It looks more comfy this way. ;)
I now have 3 complete sets to send. I need 3 more!!! :D I am going to be sewing up a storm this weekend!!!
Next up, a bag, PJ pants and a toy for a little boy!!

HAVE FUN SEWING!!!!!

SquigglyTwigs Designs Pattern Tests AND My Signature Look

I was planning on creating a separate look for the Project Run & Play Signature Look Challenge BUT I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the way the pattern tests for SquigglyTwigs Designs Cute and Quick Pants and Peasant Blouse turned out so I will be entering them. ;)

I have very eclectic tastes and style.  Just like my preferences for reading, music and movies, they seem to be all over the place! I love modern, retro, vintage AND classic looks, so it's sort of hard to pin down just one look to describe my signature style....







I used SquigglyTwigs Designs Pretty Peasant Dress pattern for the tunic. I used the standard size 8 with added ruffle.

The capris are SquigglyTwigs Designs Cute and Quick Pants custom size 7 with added ruffles.









If you've been following my blog for a while then you'll know how much I LOOOOOOVE eyelet! I can't get enough of it! LOL And I think it goes wonderfully with the 2 vintage look prints.

I have to say, though, that print was a pain in the rump to sew with!!! It's woven but it reacts like knit!! PAIN IN THE BUTT!!! And every time I took the iron to it, it would expand! I love it but it was a PAIN! ;)













I also made Colin a pair of pants from the same pattern. I used the standard size 6 with added cuff. I used a heavier weight knit for the main pant portion and a medium weight knit for the cuffs. He LOVES them. He would rather wear knits than anything else! ;)





















I will be linking this up with the sew along linky party at Project Run & Play tomorrow!! You should go check out all the AWESOME looks that link up every week! SOOOOOOOO much talent!!!!

SquigglyTwigs Designs Pattern Test

I had the wonderful opportunity to test another pattern for my friend over at SquigglyTwigs Designs.  I just love her patterns and tutorials!!! They are so easy to follow! It took me only a couple of hours to cut and sew this cute skirt!! The patterns and tutorials are great for both beginners and intermediate sewists.

The length on this skirt (the Twirl Skirt) is supposed to hit just below the knee. As you can see mine is quite a bit longer. LOL I did the pattern test for the standard fit size 8. The reason that pattern designers want pattern testers is so they can check fit and make sure that all pieces and instructions are there, accurate and easy to follow.







All SquigglyTwigs Designs patterns are wonderfully priced and most include instructions for adults, children and dolls!

I hope you go check SquigglyTwigs Designs out!!! You won't be sorry!! Be sure to click on the Tutorials section!!!

Pink Fig Market Day Gauchos

This is what I have been working on, The Pink Fig Market Day Gauchos.  I wanted to give them a bit of a holiday flair so I used crushed panne in 4 colors.

I really liked this pattern. It's the first I have used from Pink Fig. It had an easy to follow booklet with directions and the lines on the paper pattern were a dark blue and easy to easy.

The only issues I had were solely due to my sewing machine acting up! ARGH! More tension issues and now I can't set the length between stitches. I think something came loose during the move. :( And even though I LOVE that my new foot is clear, it is NOT a Singer foot and I think it is a tad bit too thick. I have been having feed issues because of that.

ANYWAY! I love the Pink Fig pattern designs and I can't wait to try out the other patterns that I won! ;)





So, what do you think of my take on the Market Day Gauchos??? I will have Cailey model them as soon as the top is done!

I will be starting on a matching shirt of my own design today. As soon as I am done I will be posting the tutorial! :)



Tomorrow I am going to get together a list of Christmas homeschooling links. I've been having a hard time getting into the Christmas mood lately. I hope that will help! I think it has a lot to do with the fact that we basically skipped Thanksgiving, Jacob is not here AND it's still VERY warm down here! LOL It does NOT feel like Christmas!!! ;)

McCall's M6362 Is FINISHED!!

I finished it! :) YAY!!! I love it! It is so light and so airy.  I love the way it moves. The neckline is a little too low but I can just wear a tank under it. The whole thing is about a size too big but that's OK. I tend to like clothes like that to be roomy and comfy.  ;) If you are thinking about making it you might want to cut a size smaller, though. The pattern was very easy to follow. I was a little concerned about the pockets but they were super easy to do. :)  I will definitely be making a pair with the long pants for fall.



Now, what's next??? I have no idea.... I have several things bouncing around in my head but I haven't been able to settle on one of them.  Do I make a bag from the yellow and blue toile? Do I make the owl bag I have been thinking about??? Do I make a companion outfit for c1's Flower Power outfit??? Do I do the McCall's M6553 or the Vintage Vogue V8812?? I'm soooooo confused!!! Help me out here! LOL



While you're here don't forget to enter the CONTEST!!!! :)

McCall's M6362 Progress

ALMOST done!! YAY!!! I just need to finish attaching the back bodice to the bottom, hem and sew the sash! :) YAY!!!!!!  This pattern has been a breeze to follow!!! But I am starting to think I should have gone down a size..... LOL Anyway, it's says easy on the front and that has been very true. SHEW!!!!!



Don't forget, that pattern is on clearance for $3! ;)  Click HERE!!!!

I was putting the zipper in when the needle broke. Part of it flew up and hit me in the face.... LOL My 2nd oldest son (j2) said that I am the only one he knows that needs to wear goggles when they sew.... Gee, thanks... LOL  It would be SO much better with a zipper foot! WHY do I keep forgetting to get one???? Good grief!! I only remember right before I start putting one in!

I think once that is done I will make a purse out of the yellow and blue toile that I picked up the other day! :)





But then I have a few ideas floating around in my head and just might do those first...... LOL  I've been sketching a lot of ideas lately. Too bad I can't draw worth a darn! LOL

Either way it goes, I should be getting a new tutorial up soon. :)

Where do you look for inspiration? Do you just look at patterns? Or maybe stores? Pinterest?

I now have 3 tutorials up on AllFreeSewing.com YAY!!!!! :) It is SOOOOOO cool! LOL

So, tell me, what are YOU working on? Seriously, I want to know! LOL Talk to me! ;)

McCall's M6362 and GREAT News

I got started on the McCall's M6362 today! YAY!! It says easy on the package and so far that has been correct! ;) I'm thinking I ought to be able to finish it up tomorrow! :) I decided to go with the red jacquard since the back of the envelope suggested light weight fabrics and the views all show a light weight FLOWY fabric. LOL

Here's a look at the envelope.





I am making View A. OH, and by the way, that pattern is on clearance for $3 right now! Just click HERE! Yes, there I go being a pattern pusher, again! ;) LOL



Oh, I almost forgot to tell you my GREAT NEWS!!! I received an e-mail yesterday from AllFreeSewing.com and the editor liked the links that I sent in!! She asked for permission to link to my other projects! YAY!!!! AND I will be on the designer's page! WOOO HOOO!!! :) Isn't that AWESOME???? I love it!!!



I have been thinking about taking some design classes. That's my favorite part of sewing, taking an idea out of my head and making it come to life.  I don't know, though... Maybe when my youngest 2 kids are older.... School will be starting back soon and that will limit my time.



So, what are YOU working on???? I would LOVE to hear about it!!!

McCall's 6467 and Upcoming Tutorials

I have been working on the McCall's 6467 but I have hit a brick wall. I need more bias tape!! And I am so sunburned that I can't even wear regular clothes so I can't go to the store! Let's just say that I have been celebrating No Bra Day for the past 3 days....LOL The seat belt is a real problem for me.... You see, I couldn't quite stay out of the pool yesterday or today... I know, I know... Stupid move... But I LOVE the water!! And I wore a t-shirt and gobbed on the sunblock..... Yeah, it didn't help much. I now have a blistered face and one hand. SIGH..... Will it keep me out of the water??? Probably not. LOL

Anyway, here is where I stand with the McCall's 6467-



Dang, 3 yards of bias tape doesn't go very far does it?? LOL I think it's really helping the look of the blouse, though. The Hubby thought I was making a nightie.... LOL He says the bias tape makes look more like a blouse. ;)

Soooo, since I can't work on the blouse I figured I would work on a couple of tutorials for y'all. ;) Here are the fabrics that I put together. I have a plan for each set but I can't figure out which one I want to do first!











And for Carol.....







Either way it goes, I hope to have a new tutorial up for you tomorrow!!! :) In the mean time you can always check out my tutorials page or my Pinterest! There are tons of tutorials and free patterns and such on there!