Tie Dye Diva Pattern Review - Sugarplum Skirt

A little while ago Jen from  Tie Dye Diva Patterns contacted me and asked if I'd be interested in becoming an affiliate. I had never tried her patterns before but I had heard nothing but good things about them so of course I said yes. She offered send me a pattern to review and tell you all about and the hardest part was choosing which pattern I wanted to try first. 

 

I was looking over all the adorable choices on The Tie Dye website when Maddie looked over my shoulder and said I HAVE to have that skirt. It was the Sugarplum Holiday Skirt Pattern. Luck for her the pattern came in her size. It runs from a 6-12 months all the way up to a 13/14 in girls. Talk about a range of sizes. This is definitely a confidant beginners pattern but the instructions are great. 

There are different finishing options in the instructions based on the fabric you choose with some great tips for dealing with specialty fabrics, something I am pretty new to. Maddie chose Brocade and it is gorgeous but I was so afraid to cut it that it sat on my sewing table for about 2 weeks while I worked up the courage. Silly me though because it wasn't nearly as bad as I made it out to be. ;)

Based on her measurements Maddie fits the 9/10 which is her RTW size, but I figured if I was going through all the trouble of concurring brocade I would go up a size and make it last. The pattern also includes instructions for an underskirt which Maddie is also wearing in these pictures.

The next couple pics are just because I think I have the cutest little 6 yr old ever. She comes up with her own poses ladies and gentleman. Enjoy.

This little cuties is out Chihuahua mix that we rescued about 8 years ago. His name is Poco. He's a frequent photo bomber but this is one of the better pics he's ever taken. :)

If you want to get your own copy of this adorable skirt you can go here *affiliate link* and grab one.

Knight Hoodie - Charming Doodle Pattern Tour

I was so excited to get the opportunity to be a part of the Knight Hoodie Pattern by Charming Doodle. I mean seriously, have you seen the other ladies that are participating? To say that I am a little out of my league is an understatement. :)

I originally participated in the testing of this pattern back in December. You can see that full review here. At first glance you might assume that this pattern is all boy, but you haven't met my girls. Put a couple of feisty little ladies, neon sweatshirt fleece and an amazing pattern together and this is what you get. They just look like they're conspiring don't they? 

The directions for this pattern are awesome and so easy to follow. The pictures are very clear which is great for those of us that like to throw on a movie and get sewing without all the reading. This hoodie called for a viewing of "A Knight's Tale" of course! It took me about 2 viewings of the movie or about 3 hours from start to finish. This included everything from putting the pattern together to clipping all of my loose strings. 

My girls are both very tall for their ages. Abby, my youngest, is 4 year old. Her measurements put her in a 5 but I wanted this to last so I made her a 6. Maddie, my oldest, will by 7 in May. She is sporting the size 10 which is the biggest this pattern goes. Larger sizes, including adult sizes are currently in the works. 

So 3 days ago we had over 2 feet of snow on the ground. Two straight days of rain and 40+ degree weather and you get this awesome wet mess. Oy! The day we went out for pics was nice and sunny but windy as can be. Warning: you are about to see some windblown hair and fun faces. 

They were a little bit chilly but ready for battle. The best part of this awesome neon sweatshirt fleece that I found at Joann is that I will NEVER lose them in a crown. HA! 

This pattern is full of all the fun details to make your little guy or gal the most adorable Knight around. I somehow misplaced the large buttons for Abby's hoodie so I will have to clean my craft room pick some more up on my next trip to Joann. 

 Here is my so-so big girl in her new hoodie. By the look on her face you can tell it was a hit. 

Here they are side by side. I couldn't find a ribbed knit or zipper that matched the sweatshirt fleece like I had hoped and I didn't want boring old white so I did what I love to do. I pulled out the fabric spray paint and went to town on some white knit and a zipper. If you have never painted fabric before I would highly suggest it. It's tons of fun and has a great graffiti effect. 

I leave you with this adorable face and a special coupon code just for my readers. Go here to get more details and tobuy the pattern. The pattern normally sells for $12 but if you can use code CraftyBiggers from now until the end of February to receive $2 dollars off the pattern. 

My girls have so much fun running around pretending to be Knights. Hope enjoy this pattern as much as I do. If you get a chance stop by Charming Doodle and see what all the other talented ladies came up with. 

Mouse House Creations Ladies Caroline - Pattern Review

Hayley from Welcome to the Mouse House put out a tester call for her newest women's pattern. It's the adult version of the Caroline Party Dress. I was excited when I was selected to test because I am new to sewing for myself and I knew that I would never have the courage to try such a fitted dress without the help and encouragement of the other amazing women in the testing group. 

This dress has so many options. It can be sleeveless, faux cap sleeve, short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve or long sleeve. There are options for belt looks as well as inseam pockets. The skirt portion can be gathered or pleated and there are instructions to make it a peplum top instead. The pattern even gives directions for a FBA or Full Bust Adjustment if your overbust is 2 or more inches smaller than your bust measurement. With mixing and matching these options the styles are so different. 

You can go here to read all about this awesome pattern and see a roundup of tester photos. 

I chose to the sleeveless version with FBA, a gathered skirt and inseam pockets. What mom couldn't use pockets? This is also the above the knee option.

Have you done any sewing for yourself lately? What are you waiting for?

Kenzie Party Dress Blog Tour

BLOG TOUR DATES:

2/14 The 3 Little Kiwi's

2/15 Calm & Carrion

2/16 >Confessions of a Barefoot Housewife

2/17 PiePie Designs

2/18 bebelambs

2/19 Crafty Biggers

2/20 The Berry Bunch

2/21 Sunflower Circle

I am so excited to be a part of the Kenzie's Party Dress Blog Tour put on by Everything Your Mamma Made & More. This dress is gorgeous in any version that you make and so versatile.

It is available in two size groups NB-4t and 5-18.  

There is also an 18" doll dress add-on available

OR you can purchase it all in one bundle at an awesome discount.

It can be made as the "Signature style" with all the flounces.

Or as a simple dress, which makes a perfect fancy party dress.

It has Cap sleeves or the sleeveless option.

I was part of the original testing for this pattern and I have been in love with this pattern ever since. Below is my very first Kenzie. You can read my full review of the pattern here.

This time around I wanted to make a sister set for Spring. I can just picture my girls hunting for Easter eggs in these outfits. I know, I know some of you will see matching outfits as silly or even ridiculous, but I just love them and my girls (ages 4 and almost 7) request them. 

For my oldest, Maddie I made the dress with a simple skirt just as the pattern has it. She like simple comfortable clothes that are easy to wear and still pretty. As you can tell, we don't shy away from color or print around here. :)

She is almost 7, very tall for her age and wears ready to wear 9/10/ This is the size 10 on her and she has enough room that it will still fit her through the summer but it's not baggy.

My youngest, Abby is the complete opposite. She loves attention and extra cutsie outfits. For her outfit I made the sleeveless dress as is and just cut the skirt part at half of the length listed in the instructions. It makes for a super cute, extra full top. The shorts are actually bloomers that are part of the Shortie Nightgown by GYCT that releases tomorrow. 

Abby just turned 4 and is tall for her age as well. She wears ready to wear 5/6. I made her the size 6 to make sure it fits her through the summer as well. She's growing so fast these days.

We will definitely have more of these 'tops' in our summer wardrobe. So cute!

I thought about downsizing the bow but I just loved how sweet the over sized bow looks in the back.

I'll share because I've actually had people stop me and ask. The trick to a perfectly tied bow is to use the 2 rabbit ears method. It keeps the tails even and the 'ears' full. :)

I love that each outfit fits their personality, look great together but aren't too matchy-matchy

I love the candid shots of sisters when they aren't paying attention to what's going on around them.

Today was the first nice day we had all year. It was 45 degrees and sunny. The only spot that you couldn't see the huge snow drifts was the drive way. Sorry for the boring background. Hope the outfits are enough to brighten up the pictures. :)

My girls just got American Girl dolls for Christmas. I can't wait to get the Doll Add-On and making 'Mommy and Me' matching outfits.

Want to get your own copy of Kenzie’s Party Dress & Skirt?  Now until 2/24 use the code “kpdblogtour” on a Kenzie’s Party Dress order of $8.95 or more from www.eymm.com & get $1.95 off.  This makes individual patterns just $7 & the bundle with both size ranges AND the bonus doll add on just $12.47.  Limit 1 coupon per person.

Tomorrow's stop is at The Berry Bunch. Stop by and check it out. 

**I am an affiliate of EYMM.com. I received a free copy of this pattern in return for pattern testing. All opinions are my own.**

Seamingly Smitten Pattern Review - Carrollton Avenue Dress

This year my goal has been to become more visible on my blog, step out from behind the camera more and accept myself as I am. 

I recently got the chance to test a Women's dress pattern and do a little #SelfCareSewing I jumped at the chance. Here is the newly released Carrolton Avenue Dress by Seamingly Smitten. I used a Green and Blue mid-weight knit that I found at Joann in their new Nautical inspired section. I even lined up my stripes on the sides and was so excited that it worked. haha

This was seriously such a quick and easy sew. I was able to finish in just under 3 hours from printing to finishing the hem. I even busted out my twin needle for the first time and overcame my fear of it. :) 

The pattern is pretty versatile and comes with cut lines for petite, regular and tall. I'm actually pretty short so I went with the an xl petite for this dress and just lengthened the skirt about 3 inches. That was just a personal preference as I feel weird without my knees covered. We all have quirks right?

 

These pictures were taken by my awesome 6 year old daughter, Madeline. I think she did a pretty good job, don't you? At the end I agreed to do whatever poses she wanted and she came up with some pretty crazy ones that I won't share but I thought this one was fun. She said this is how I make my girls pose when they are taking pictures of new dresses and I think she got it pretty accurate. haha

Right now you can use the code HAPPYBIRTHDAY40 to get 40% of your total purchase over at Seamingly Smitten. That includes this new dress as well. Have you done any self care sewing lately? 

I received a free pattern for testing this dress but the opinions here on my page are all my own. :)

Hair cuts and big hearts

Back in October of last year I donated about a foot of hair and my girls have been talking about it ever since. When I told then that they were going to get their hair trimmed this past weekend my oldest daughter came to me and said that she wanted to donate her hair. I was a little surprised but I was all for it. She said she wanted to "give her beautiful hair to another little girl so they could feel pretty too." I almost cried I was so proud of her. 

My youngest hear this and said, "I'm not giving away my hair!" lol Fast forward a couple days and as she sat in the haridressers chair and saw Maddie's hair get cut she announced that she wanted to give her "pretty hairs away too." I asked her if she was sure then told the hairdresser to go ahead and cut it. 

When all was said and done Maddie (my oldest) donated 12.5 inches and Abby (my youngest) donated 11 inches. There was no tears and they both love their new haircuts. I think they look super cute too. Keep scrolling for some fun before and after shots. (:

Here they are right before the sat in the chairs then each of them right before they cut. I love that you can see their sweet smiling faces in the mirror.

Here they are in the parking lot outside of Great Clips. They were feeling pretty sassy at the time. lol

Maddie even managed to get a selfie in during her cut.

Here is a quick before and after. They look deceivingly sweet now. Better keep my eye on these two. :)

Peek-a-boo Pattern Shop Thrifty Thursday Deal

Peek-a-boo Pattern Shop just released her first pattern in her Spring line called the Boardwalk Hoodie and Henley **Affiliate Link**. Today only you can use the code boardwalk15 and received 15% off of this pattern. I definitely plan on making my girls this dress for the warmer weather. 

Go here **Affiliate Link** to get your own copy of this adorable pattern.

GYCT Pattern Review - Shorties Nightgown and Bloomers

I recently had the opportunity to test the first children's clothing pattern being released by Chelsea from Get Your Crap Together. This pattern has a vintage feel and a couple of different options. I love that it goes from 6 months all the way up to a size 8 so it fits both my girls. There is a top and bloomers or a nightgown option as well as puff sleeves or sleeveless. 

I tested the size 6 short sleeve top and bloomers for my youngest and she was hamming it up for pictures as you can see. This came together quickly and used less than a yard of each fabric.  I can't believe how cute these are. The bloomers are my favorite part.

Since the top is a little roomier I decided to try the size 8 in knit for my oldest. She usually wears a 10 but the 8 fit her great. She isn't a fan of elastic sleeves so she asked that I leave those off. I also made a band to fit around the sleeves instead of adding the lining that the pattern called for. When she saw it she said it needed more color at the bottom so I added a band of the turquoise there as well. That was all she needed to put a smile on her face. 

Since these came together so fast I decided to try it again but with fleece this time. I also went down a size in the top. So this version is a size 5 top and size 6 bloomers. The fit is perfect and who doesn't love Strawberry Shortcake, right?

Just to show you how fun it can be to take pictures of an ornery 4 year old, here's some outtakes. :)

This pattern will be available for instant download in February 20, 2014 so keep your eyes open.

**I received a free copy of this pattern to test. All opinions are my own**