The Princess and I

Another awesome find in my archives. We loved testing the Patterns for Pirates Summer Kimono!

I made the Creative Princess' out of a light sweater knit.

And mine from a fabric my aunt brought me back from Indonesia. It is so light and lovely...

The pattern is easy to sew up and does not take very long. It's a relaxed fit and is super cozy. My mother loved it so much, she tried to get away with mine!

Enjoy!
Heather

Wrigley Fun!

Sometimes, I sew so much that I forget what I've done...the Creative Princess was wearing these tees recently and I smiled..because I really love them. They are fun, playful and colourful...everything a girl should be wearing (if you ask me!)

 You KNOW I love testing patterns! AND I'm always super excited when I get picked. It's not a foregone conclusion, there are lots of times I don't get picked and I don't apply for every pattern I see...just ones that I think will work for my crew here...

SO here it is Love Notions' Wrigley Raglan. Tami at Love Notions works really hard with her testers to make sure the fit is perfect. In fact, that's why I made 2 in the testing period this time around...there were some adjustments made and so I sewed up a second version to see how it worked on my girl.

 This pattern is another fun upcycling pattern. I seriously love that! I love that this was one of my mother's tees and now the Creative Princess can enjoy it...and let's be honest. It's appropriate for her age (she was almost 13 when I made it).

These next photos are from when after the adjustments were made. You can see, it's a little broader in the shoulders and the hood is a little roomier. This tee is from when we travelled to the Crayola Factory in PA about 8 years with my parents...it was my mom's shirt too!

She loves her new tees and so do I!

Enjoy!
Heather

Bloomin' Shorts!

We really love testing for Suzanne at Winter Wear Designs so when she asked about this pattern the princess and I were pumped! As my fabric selection is decreasing, I have been getting a little more creative in my designs! We were thrilled with the outcome of these!!!

I was digging through my upcycling bin looking for fabric to test this pattern with when I came across this Winnie the Pooh shirt that's been hanging around in there for sometime...the pockets are optional but I knew the Creative Princess would want to try them out so I spent a little extra time working these out...

So that we could get just the right placement for that cupcake...mmm

It was fun to put these together and the Creative Princess loved them all summer long since we don't have a/c. They were perfect for pjs...BUT she also loves shorties like these for under her dresses! These are the Toute de Suite Bloomer Shorts...go check 'em out!

Enjoy!
Heather

Back to the basics...

When the opportunity came up to test Dandelions 'n' Dungarees fashion basics, we were all over that! But...it turned out my fabric options were beginning to feel limited...so I posted this picture. Do these work together? 

Mr. CB was a firm no but we disagreed so we forged ahead happily sewing along! This pattern has a dress, skirt and tee option. We went with the skirt and tee as the Creative Princess doesn't really wear dresses to school but she will wear skirts there (I don't know, don't ask!)

So the mistake with the first photo is that it wasn't in good light because once we went outside, we were thrilled!

There is one small change we made (and you can't see it here) but we built in some shorts to make it a skort. Skorts are truly essential in the Princess' wardrobe. She doesn't want to worry about what she's showing off when she's out playing. 

I love the simple finish on the shirt. It's cozy and easy to wear. The skirt is full and fun great for twirling but the yoke takes the bulk away from the waist which we definitely prefer.

Cozy, simple, girly...it measures up for sure!

Go check it out...

Enjoy!
Heather

Goodness Gracious!

More lined pants!

This time the pattern is made to be lined. This pattern is the Everest Pants designed by Gracious Threads for One Thimble Magazine. Do you know what I love most about making my boys pants? This boy in particular is long and lean. So...these pants are size 7 in the waist and size 10 in the length and I love the fit!

These pants are lined with polar fleece and made with a nice stretch twill. My Middle Man LOVES them!

 I'm not sure where and when you can get these pants but I'll update this post if I figure it out!

Pattern Specs:
Pattern: Everest Pants, Gracious Threads
Sizes: 2-12
Fabrics: Knits or Stretchy Wovens.
Difficulty: Adventurous Beginner

xo
Heather

Oh Canada!

I am so excited to be part of the Canadian Pattern Designer Blog Tour hosted by Lulu & Celeste for the month of June! I am not sure how it happened but here I am on Day #1 starting us off!

I was lucky enough to sew up Gracious Threads Henday Hoodie! 

Anthony Henday (fl. 1750–1762) was one of the first European men to explore the interior of the Canadian northwest (source: wikipedia). Pretty cool right? I also think the hoodie is great but...I decided to change it up a bit. Since this is a Canadian Tour and we are headed into the summer...I decided to create something my inspiration will wear when we hit the road for one of our camping trips.

Since I had camping on the brain...I thought I'd take the kids to a more rustic location for the photo shoot. Then this happened...he was SO smarmy!!! Fortunately, my middle man was in a happier place so he filled in.

 Hang on! Wasn't that a zipped hoodie (like a sweater you were sewing up) Heather??? Yup. But I changed it up...I added an inch to the centre of the front panels so that I could use snaps instead.

And because my girl outgrew her vest sometime ago...I made her one too! This hoodie only goes to a size 12 so I graded it up to about a 14 so it would better fit my girl.

 And because I was having SO much fun, I made both of the vests completely reversible! We had loads of fun choosing zippers and snaps to coordinate with our fabrics!

This is my first time doing inset zippers like this...they were SO easy to do! I won't even get into the details on how I made that part reversible but I did it! There is just one set of pockets on each vest so when they wear it the opposite way, the same bits are in their pockets.

 And this is when my little one found his happy...he had a blast taking photos with me a couple of good sleeps later!

Want a shot at winning this great pattern (or another amazing one) from Gracious Threads??? Enter to win here! I almost forgot! Gracious Threads is offering a discount so you can join in the Canadian Tour and sew a long!

Jess is offering readers a discount in her Etsy shop for one week only, read through to the end to get the details!

We've got a sew-a-long, great prizes and loads of fantastic bloggers in on this tour so be sure to follow along with us!

June 1 - 3

Gracious Threads - Interview

Creative Bug - The Wholesome Mama - stitched by crystal

June 4 - 6

Jalie – Interview

Shaffer Sisters – Call Ajaire – hibbadoray

June 8 – 10

Thread Theory – Interview

Handmade Boy – Rebel & Malice – Sew Out of Control

June 11 - 13

Audrey & Tiffany – Interview

All Things Katy! – Not Sew Fast – Conversas de Hermana

June 15 – 17

E+M Patterns – Interview

From-a-Box – Made by Sara – Climbing the Willow

June 17 - 19

Victory Patterns – InterviewSwoodson Says – Thread Riding Hood – Sprouting JubeJube

June 18 – 20

FABulous Home Sewn – Interview

Create3.5 – Calm and Carrion – Stitches by Laura

June 22 – 24Filles a Maman – Interview

Pattern Revolution – PhatQuarters – sewstarly – House of Estrela

June 24 – 26

Closet Case Files – Interview

gloria june – Rebel & Malice – Sew Far North

June 25 – 27

Elegance & Elephants – Interview

Sprouting JubeJube – AmandaRose – Mae & K

June 29 - 30

Lulu & Celeste: new makes and a round up post

July 1st

Last day to enter Giveaways and Final Round up Post!

Did I mention how much my kiddies LOVE their vests???

xo

Heather

Carolina Sweetheart

This is the first Terra's Treasures Pattern that I have ever used. This dress is fully lined and a fairly simple sew. It is a shift style dress and it turned out fairly cute especially on the little ones. I found that in this case, I did not love the dress on the Creative Princess. I am sure I she will be wearing it this summer but it likely won't be a favourite.

I do love the fabrics that she chose and have a shirt out of them myself...it is so fresh!

Pattern Specs:Pattern: Carolina Sweetheart DressSizes: 6months to 14Fabrics: Wovens - I used a cotton lawn for the dress and a thin cotton for the lining.Difficulty: IntermediatexoHeather

Wonder Girl!

I don't know if have heard but the girls 'round here absolutely love Wonder Woman! So when Kymy at Everything Your Momma Made posted this pattern all I could see was Wonder Woman Pants! Say hello to the Freestyle Harem Pants! They have the option to be capris or shorts as well and are super cute as both of those!

I spent a serious amount of time on these and reverse appliquéd those stars on. I love the end result and so does the Creative Princess! They are a fun, comfortable pants that make a statement (but they don't have to!)

Pattern Specs:

Sizes: NB-18
Fabrics: knits
Difficulty: Confident Beginner

I totally love these pants! They are also available in ladies sizes in fact, EYMM goes from XS to 5X. Go check them out here!

xo

Heather

A Rose by any other name...

I know, I know...this seems like a lot of dresses for the Creative Princess lately but she loves them and wears them to school and church pretty regularly. This is especially the case with the nicer weather finally making an appearance. 

Besides, this dress is different...it is the Brueram Dress by Sofilantjes. I know what you are thinking...so what? Well, Brueram is Heather is Latin! Who knew, right? Well, apparently someone did!

I am delighted with this dress...you know why? It used up more fabric from my stash, we'll talk about that later and I learned more about sewing on this one!

It's hard to see it here but I learned about under stitching and finally took a chance and did some shirring! I also had a little fun and lined the bodice with hot pink. My friend likened it to a surprise inside a purse. She was delighted and I think the Creative Princess likes it too! (She's already worn this dress out...it wasn't a hard sell!)

Pattern Specs:
Pattern: Brueram Dress
Sizes: 12months -14
Fabrics: Wovens - lightweights are better for draping
Difficultly: Intermediate

xo
Heather

Let's get Phresh!

Late last year I was chosen to test for Winter Wear Designs for the first time! This stylish girls' blazer is now available in ladies sizes too! This blazer is a great pattern. We really loved the end result!

Specs:

Sizes: 1-14

Fabrics: Bottom Weight Fabric with at least 10% stretch (I used a heavy knit)

Difficulty: Adventurous Beginner

It's just recent that the Creative Princess has started wearing black. In this case, I think the blazer really makes her blouse stand out.

The blazer is easy to wear and comfortable...I love the end result and so does the Creative Princess but it isn't something she turns to often in her closet. I guess nothing can replace her favourite sweatshirts!

I used some fabric from my dress for this and to make a dress for the Creative Princess. I think we will see the blazer on cooler days with her dress!

xo

Heather

So Happy Together!

I had a lot of fun making these Lotus Blossom Blouses by Love Notions for the Creative Princess and I! This knit top has a fun 'twist' in front and I decided to add one on the back too!

This top is out just in time for spring!

 And you can have fun with it a number of ways! I decided to have fun with the backs of our shirts by adding some colour!

Pattern Specs:

Pattern: Lotus Blossom Blouse, Love Notions

Sizes: Girls 2T-16 and Ladies XXS - XXXL

Fabrics: Knits

Difficulty: Beginner - the trickiest bit is the actual twist but if you follow the directions and don't overthink it you will do great. If you are struggling, then head over to the Love Notions Facebook Group and someone will be there to help you get through!

xo

Heather