Tester: You Need the Love Notions Pemberley Tunic

Ever look at your wardrobe and think, 'Hmmm.. too boring, too functional, not flattering enough, not dressy enough" about your clothes? Love Notions Pemberley Tunic and Dress (coupon code at the bottom), a gorgeous new release, will dispel all such thoughts. This is such a dreamy, romantic silhouette, suiting almost every figure.

Tons of options - dress or tunic, three sleeves (AND an amazing bishop sleeve - soooo rare to see one nowadays!) There are pattern pieces for average bust and full bust adjustment, and a tutorial on how to do your own adjustment for those that don't fit into one size easily. Mine was an XL average bodice.

My tester versions - I made two, I'll show you the second in a future post. This filmy rayon spandex from Hancocks was perfect for this style. I also used a stretch lace for the sleeves.

I haven't worn much makeup these days, V has been too busy to take me out lately. I did appreciate (and treasure) the look in his eyes when he saw me in this top. I sew late at night, and rarely show him my creations before "picture day". This top elicited the best response in him, ever. Like ever. You gotta get this one! It's on sale till Saturday, August 1, 2015. Use code 'tunicsale' for 20% off through Saturday. Buy it here!

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Tester - The Peggy Swim Cap from Filles a Maman Patterns!

I am an absolute fan of Melanie, of Filles a maman patterns. Mel has a wonderful sense of design, with a modern, chic outlook. She primarily speaks French, although her patterns are available in both English and French. Her store is beautiful, I must say, with patterns for men, women, boys and girls. There are also a few free patterns!

One such free pattern, releasing today, is the Peggy Swim Cap.

 Have you ever gotten frustrated with your kiddo's hair getting in their eyes when you're at the pool? The Peggy Swim Cap is tied under the chin and is fully lined.

It's a very easy, super quick sew with a few cool tips to handle swimsuit fabric along the way. Best of all, it's free! And tested by yours truly! He he. 

The matching swimsuit is from Cole's Creations, the CCC's Bowalicious Suit. That is a review all of its own. 

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Swimsuit Season!

Lately I have been obsessed with swimsuit fabric. It looks like most of the fun prints are on a nylon/spandex blend, like these from Fabric Fairy:

Amazing, right? I made Miki a swimsuit from Cole's Creations, and while it was a simple task, it was thoroughly enjoyable. I also made my Greenstyle Inspire Tights with swim fabric, and I really love them.

I'm planning a Bombshell Swimsuit in the next few weeks, but I just can't decide on a fabric. Should I do a solid for a muslin? Or go full-out and use my favorite fabric? Hmm.

In the mean time, I've been sewing up a storm, making myself a few essentials for my wardrobe. I'll share pics soon.

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Tester - Greenstyle Inspire Tights!

GreenStyle Creations is a brilliant pattern company. The patterns are modern and stylish, yet easy and fun to both sew and wear. There is a nice variety of men's, women's and kids' wear, with their Centerfield Raglan and Brassie Joggers being my all-time favorites. I do have my eye on the Taylor Shorts and Jillian Tank which I will probably buy at full price - these patterns are really worth it!

The Inspire Tights are very comfortable. That's what was foremost in the minds of us testers, and the designer who is very fit herself. We worked with the pattern over and over, until the tights didn't slip even once over a full, grueling workout for most of the sizes. The instructions were tweaked, the hidden pocket was added (I love pockets), the rise was adjusted for larger hips and big bellies like mine - I can honestly say these are comprehensively tested, because none of us "phoned it in" - like Jillian Michaels says.

I had the most fun buying fabric for the tights. The Fabric Fairy's extensive swimsuit fabric collection sucked me in and stole my heart. The fabric in these pics is called Euphoric, That's how I feel in them, Inspired and Euphoric. I went out and bought an elliptical machine the day I made these tights. I swear. I just have to make a few more pairs so I can actually work out!

I also had a blast posing for these photos. Obviously, I have very little idea of exercise, but I did what I could distantly remember about working out :) 

The Inspire Tights have a few great options that includebasic tights, back of knee inserts, front angled inserts, back angled inserts (or both at the same time), an athletic crotch gusset, and  a hidden waistband pocket.  The length options are capri (shown), cropped, regular and extra long I believe,

GreenStyle Creations Inspire Tights

Sizes Included: XXS to 3XL
Skill Level: Confident Beginner and Up
Pattern Features: PDF Instant Download, Layered Sizes, No Trim Pages, A4 and Large Format available upon request

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Tester: Fresh Stitch Patterns - Testing The Overlap T-Shirt and Harem 3/4 Pants!

I've always been intrigued by tees and onesies that overlap at the shoulder. The resulting boat neckline is very cute, and has great coverage for babies that burn easily (like mine). Fresh Stitch Patterns is releasing these cute patterns this week (and are on sale right now), the Overlap T-shirt and the Harem 3/4 pants, and I was chosen to participate in testing them. You can buy the combination of  both patterns for an even deeper discount here.

The T-shirt is easy to sew, with plenty of style and the cute boat neckline which is great for big toddler heads. It's not a fitted top, so there is room to grow. There are two sleeve options, full and short. There is also an option for a banded hem that is great for adding length if you need it.

The Harem pants take about an hour from start to finish, and the directions are so clear even a beginner can make these in one sitting. The drop crotch makes cloth diapering easier, while the elastic waist keeps the bulk down. These pants would make great gender neutral gifts at baby showers!

 The Harem pants are really easy to play in, too. Here you can see Miki squatting, a pose she manages with ease, She spends a lot of time sitting like that, and not once did her pants ride down! The pic below shows how much ease there is, and I do think that that's what kiddy play clothes should be - easy.

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Back in the Groove!

We have finally moved the majority of our possessions into our new home. It's a little house in a little neighborhood, and perfect for the three of us. I absolutely hated not being able to sew all day, everyday, and knowing that my sewing machine was sitting idle while I unpacked a billion boxes these last few weeks was torture. I did, however, test a few new releases in the mean while, and make a few clothing items since I needed hot-and-humid weather items in this coastal city.

First up, is the amazing LoveNotions Women's Bluezette tester pics. A wonderfully simple pattern with over 30 options, this dress can be with or without two kinds of sleeves, slim or blousey bodice, faced or bound necklines, woven or knit skirt with five different skirt options. Whoa!! Here's my first one, with many more to come.

The red top is a mystery synthetic knit with lots of stretch and great recovery, while the skirt is a cotton interlock. I look so great in this dress that I couldn't resist posting all my final pics. I couldn't choose just a few!!

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A Moooove is Coming!

I've been away from my sewing machine for over a month now, and I haven't missed it all that much, to be perfectly honest. While immersed in my sewing frame of mind, I tend to be constantly on, planning outfits and photoshoots and blog posts, leaving little room for other things. I really needed a break, which these last few weeks have been all about.

We went to India for three weeks, and had a really wonderful holiday. Miki had a blast with both sets of grandparents, going to the park and feeding the neighbors' dogs and eating all kinds of junk food and ice cream while I was not looking. Just as it should be, right?

A few days after we got back home, we found out that we're moving to Columbia, SC. V has accepted a position there, which means packing up our stuff and finally facing the fact that I have a fabric stash bigger than I would care to admit. It's really easy to accumulate things, and over time unless I make an effort to throw things out or sell them, I forget I own something and it just - grows. One yard of shiny fabric becomes a boxful, even though I hate shiny fabric. I have found so much tulle that I just need to give away.

I have been slowly sorting and packing my sewing supplies, and will be away from sewing for another month or so. Wait for me!

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