Made For Mermaids - Charlotte Top and Samantha Skirt

No matter how hard I try, I think I will always be playing catchup with my blog posts. This is an outfit I tested last month for Made for Mermaids. It's the Charlotte Collar Top and Samantha Suspender Skirt. The skirt is the button front option without the buttons or suspenders. Miss Maddie loves this look. She's always had a preference towards classic and clean lines but still girly. 

These two patterns are great because the possibilities are endless. They both go from 1/2 to 14 which means we should still get a couple more years out of them. Maddie is rocking the size 10 here. The top can be made with or without a collar and the skirt has a ton of options as well. 

I have plans for the suspender version for Abby but Maddie asked that I not include them on hers. I learned years ago to take there preferences into account if I ever want them to actually wear what I make for them. ;)

For our outfit I went with a grey plaid for the skirt with light blue and magenta stripes through it. The top is a white and black polka dot with chalkboard fabric as the collar. Why? Why not, right? In reality, all the fabrics I chose were either on red tag clearance at Joann Fabrics or from the remnant big. That's where the chalkboard fabric is from. I could have swore I had some black leather in my stash but all I could find when I was making this was the chalkboard fabric. 

We did try chalkboard markers on it after school one day but I forgot to take pictures. It came right off in the wash so I know we will be adding it to other outfits in the future. 

I'm finding it more and more difficult to find patterns that fit that in-between sizes when they are growing out of the little kid phase and into the tween one.  Patterns like this are awesome to make her feel grown up while still keeping her looking like my little girl. We paired this outfit with knee high magenta socks (yes they are socks, she chooses to pull them well above her knees) and Mary Jane style shoes. 

 

The skirt is a flat front, elastic back. This is probably the most comfortable and stylish option for most kids. 

 

My Maddie will be 8 soon and I can't believe how fast she is growing. If you are like me and still love sewing for your school-ager, I have created a facebook group called School Age Sewing as a resource to find patterns and get inspired by others who sew for their 'big kids'. 

Happy Sewing!!

Seamingly Smitten Pattern Review - Leslie Flutter Top

So, I don't sew for myself much. Not unless you count bags and household items. I'm a hard enough fit in store bought clothes that sewing for myself is usually too intimidating and stressful to bother. That is until I made the resolution this year to stop being such a baby and sew for myself. 

Jenny from Seamingly Smitten posted a tester call for the Leslie Flutter Top and I thought, I can do that. It's flowy and knit and has to be forgiving, right? 

Based on my measurements I was between sizes so I went with the bigger size and just tapered the sides in to fit. The pattern gives great instructions about how to personalize the fit of the top as well as different cutting lines for a petite, regular or tall fit. 

I don't often show pictures of myself on my blog. I'm nowhere near as cute to look at as my girls are. But I figure I can't give a true review without all the angles covered. Be kind. This is new for me. :)

If you are looking for a new, easy and cute top to sew for yourself  you should definitely give this one a try. It is newly released today.

Whimsy Couture Pattern Review - Boho Tunic

I recently started back to school. With work and my little ladies it has been crazy around here. With what little free time I have I have been sewing up a storm and I hope to be able to share some new posts with you here soon. 

Earlier this summer I had the opportunity to pattern test the Boho Tunic from Whimsy Couture. This pattern is a really quick sew and a great introduction to shirring. There are only 2 pattern pieces to cut and the instructions are very straight forward.

 

This top can be made out of knit or cotton. I went with the cotton on this top because I let Maddie choose her fabric. The neckline is serged then shirred. Sewing with elastic thread is not as intimidating as it sounds. This pattern has great tips to get it done.

There is an option to shirr across the bodice to give the top a more fitted and flared look, but Maddie looked at the test pictures and specifically asked that I didn't add it because she wanted the shirt to be 'flowy'. I have learned by now that I might as well make things like my girls want or they will never wear them. 

My little hippie at heart is happy with her new top and I'm glad that she likes it.

**This pattern was provided to me to test for free, but the opinions are all my own.**

Linking up at:

What Kids Wore Wednesday 

Popolok Design Cece Top/Dress - Pattern Review

I recently had the opportunity to pattern test for a shop that I recently discovered on facebook called Popolok Design. The pattern designer, Alviana, is based in Malaysia and has pattern testers from all around the world. I had to fill out an application to pattern test for her so I was super excited when I was selected. The pattern I got to review is the Cece top and dress for Teens/Tweens. While my Maddie is not a tween yet (she's 6), the pattern is for sizes 9-16 in girls and she is in a 9. I'm only 5'4". Not sure how she got so tall!

This pattern was a lot of firsts for me. This was my first time sewing a fitted blouse, first time trying a collar and my first time sewing an (almost) invisible zipper. 

There were tons of options with this pattern. With or without sleeves or collar as well as top or dess. Every time I test a pattern I like to try a skill that I've never done before so that's why I included the collar. That and I'm pretty much done with summer sewing and have moved on to fall.

I realized too late that the zipper I bought to go with this top was too short so I had to dig through my stash for another one. This deep burgundy one matched the colors in the collar perfectly, but didn't quite come out invisible. I actually really like the accent color that it creates.

The directions were very easy to follow and the measurements for the sizes were spot on. The only downside that I had was that I wished that it bottom of the peplum hit a little longer, but I believe this issue was addressed in the final pattern.

We went to the park and had tons of fun taking pictures. Maddie loves her new top and says that it makes her feel grown-up. I'm not so sure I'm ready for my 6 year old to be such a so-so big girl, but I'm glad she likes her new shirt.

The main part of the top is a stretch corduroy and the collar and lining is some left over cotton that I have from this dress and this ruffled bolero.

And because everyone loves a good photo bomber. Can you spot mine? ;)

Linking up at:

WKWW