Wordless Wednesday- "Ice Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For ICE CREAM!!"

Sewing Pattern Testing- Love Notions- Pemberley Tunic and Dress

Love Notions Pemberely Tunic- FRONT

Love Notions Pemberely Tunic

Love Notions PDF Sewing patterns is at it again! This time, with a comfy, all-knit pattern for mama to wear; Introducing, the Love Notions Pemberely Tunic!

The Love Notions Pemberely Tunic features an empire waist, four sleeve options, two hemlines and small/full bust adjustments. Here are some more details on the Love Notions Pemberely Tunic PDF sewing pattern;

-The Love Notions Pemberely Tunic is meant to be sewn in all-knit. light-weight, drapey knit works best and is the most flattering.

-The Love Notions Pemberely Tunic includes sizes XS-XXXL.

-The Love Notions Pemberely Tunic features two hemlines- tunic (sits under the seat), or dress. (above the knee).

Love Notions Pemberely Tunic- Shirt-tail hem Detail

-The Love Notions Pemberely Tunic features four sleeve- short, 3/4, long or bishop.

-The Love Notions Pemberely Tunic also features an optional sleeve cuff and button tab detail.

Love Notions Pemberely Tunic- Button Tab Detail

-The Love Notions Pemberely Tunic features a curved high/low shirt-tail hemline.

-The Love Notions Pemberely Tunic PDF sewing pattern features no-trim, layered pattern pieces (aka, only print the size you need AND no trimming pieces before taping together- yay!).

-As with most Love Notions patterns, the Pemberely Tunic PDF Sewing pattern includes troubleshooting/shortcut tabs along the left side.

-Also, as with most Love Notions patterns, the Pemberely Tunic PDF Sewing pattern includes a pattern layout diagram, print pages chart, fabric requirements, sizing and cutting charts.

-The Love Notions Pemberely Tunic features shaded diagrams and images to aid in the understanding of each step.

I sewed up a size small, average bust, 3/4 sleeve with tab detail Love Notions Pemberely Tunic. I used cool-to-the-touch, one-way stretch knit bought locally off the clearance table at Hancock Fabrics (over a year ago). The dark brown tab detail and neckline are four-way stretch cotton lycra bought online from my favorite place to buy solid knits, the Purpleseamstress Fabrics.

Can I just say that I LOVE this pattern? I know that I'm a touch biased since I tested the pattern, but the Love Notions Pemberely Tunic was easy to sew up, easy to personalize, comfy to wear and appropriate to wear as a summer sundress, or a winter tunic layered with boots and leggings. Seriously- what more could a woman want in an article of clothing?!?!? Best of all, with the Love Notions Pemberely Tunic, you get to make it your own- tall, short (ahem!), thin, or fluffy!

My favorite elements of the Love Notions Pemberely Tunic are the button tabs at the sleeve and the shirt-tail hemline. Both are fun and worth the extra time to get right! 

Thank you, Tami (the talents and brains behind Love Notions!), for allowing me to test another great pattern for ME! I thoroughly enjoyed this one and can't wait to sew the Love Notions Pemberely Tunic as a dress!

Love Notions Pemberely Tunic- DETAILS

***Disclosure: "I received a free pattern in order to pattern test for Love Notions. The opinions expressed here are my own."***

****This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small percentage of the sale.****

July Ladies Shorts Review for The Pattern Exam

I'm blogging over at The Pattern Exam, today! I'm reviewing the Jocole Wideleg Pants (as shorts). Go! Check it out! :-)

Cow Appreciation Day- A Retrospective

Did you know that one day a year (typically in July), you can eat at Chick-Fil-A for free? It's called "Cow Appreciation Day"! The only catch is that you have to arrive at the restaurant dressed head to toe in Cow Attire. As you can see from the pictures below, we've been avid "Cow Appreciators." ;-)

Cow Appreciation Day 2011

Cow Appreciation Day 2012

Cow Appreciation Day 2013

Cow Appreciation Day 2014

Cow Appreciation Day 2015

Sewing Pattern Review- Rabbit Rabbit Creations- Windswept Maxi Dress

I was recently asked to review a lesser-known PDF sewing pattern from Rabbit Rabbit Creations (of the "Hummingbird Dress" fame). This Australian designer is wildly popular in the sewing groups and forums online. So, I felt like this would be the perfect opportunity to try them out for myself.

I chose to sew up the Windswept Maxi Dress. Lil' Miss loves the idea of a "neck tie" (aka, a halter top that ties at the neck) and she loves to feel "fancy" in long, flowing maxi dresses. The Windswept Maxi Dress fits both of those requirements!

First, let's go over some of the Windswept Maxi Dress pattern basics;
-The Windswept Maxi Dress is written for sizes 3-12.
-The Windswept Maxi Dress has no pattern pieces to print/tape/cut out. (I LOVE PDF sewing patterns that just use measurements and a cutting chart!!)
-The Windswept Maxi Dress features a "...halter neck tie closure....bias cut...." (A huge win for Lil' Miss!)

Windswept Maxi Dress by Rabbit Rabbit Creations- BACK DETAIL

-Fabric requirements, shaping chart and sizing chart are included in the beginning of the PDF sewing pattern.

I sewed up a size six. My fabric (main and lining) was purchased locally from Hancock Fabrics. It is a chiffon-esque fabric bought off the clearance table. The Windswept Maxi Dress instructions call for a rolled hem. However, I haven't quite mastered a great rolled hem, so I decided to just finish neatly with bias tape.

For patterns that I am sewing for the first time, I ALWAYS read over the pattern instructions before I start sewing. So, before starting into the Windswept Maxi Dress, I read through the instructions. I'll admit- I was confused!! There are written instructions and pictures to go with each step.

I'm a visual learner who also learns by doing. So, after my initial perusal of the Windswept Maxi Dress instructions, I decided to just start in and hopefully things would be cleared up as I started sewing. Even after starting to sew the Windswept Maxi Dress, I was still confused!

So...... I decided to email Jasmin, the talent and brains behind Rabbit Rabbit Creations. She answered my plea for help (with minimal lag time, due to the time difference- yay- thank you!!) with some more specific instructions and I was able to proceed and complete my very first Rabbit Rabbit Creations!

Well...... what do you think...?!

Windswept Maxi Dress by Rabbit Rabbit Creations

Just look at that beautiful, flowing Windswept Maxi Dress! Lil' Miss is in LOVE with her new dress!! Just look at the twirl factor! Lil' Miss loves that it has a "train." (It's a bit long on her, but she doesn't seem to mind!).

Windswept Maxi Dress by Rabbit Rabbit Creations- TWIRL FACTOR!

Would you like to create a Windswept Maxi Dress of your own? Or, would you like to try another Rabbit Rabbit Creations? Jasmin has kindly agreed to give away a three pattern pack (including the Windswept Maxi Dress PDF sewing pattern and two other Rabbit Rabbit Creations PDF sewing patterns, of the winner's choice) to one lucky winner of All Things Katy! Just enter the rafflecopter below. The winner will be chosen on July 31. Good luck and happy sewing!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Windswept Maxi Dress by Rabbit Rabbit Creations

(Hubby said he wasn't ready for her to look so grown up- I agree!)

***Disclosure: "I received a free pattern from Rabbit Rabbit Creations in order to review this pattern The opinions expressed here are my own."***

Wordless Wednesday- Green Beans from the Garden!

Wordless Wednesday- Big Splash!

Wordless Wednesday- Red, White and AWESOME!

Little Lizard King- Road Trip Racerback PDF Sewing Pattern Release

The Road Trip Racerback by Little Lizard King- FRONT

PDF Sewing pattern designer Little Lizard King (LLK) is at it again... this time, with the Road Trip Racerback, designed by my "sew sister", Cassie, for LLK. The Road Trip Racerback (RTR) is a knit, racerback bodice with a top, tunic, dress or maxi-length woven (or knit) skirt.

The Road Trip Racerback by Little Lizard King- RACERBACK

First, let's talk RTRPDF sewing pattern basics!

- The RTR includes sizes 12m-14y. (I LOVE that this pattern will last me for many years, to come! I hate buying a pattern for a limited size range).
- The RTR pattern includes a size and finished measurements, cutting and fabric requirement chart.
- In addition to a top, tunic, dress and maxi-lengths, the RTR also includes an option (and measurements) to do a strip work maxi dress option. (Lots of bang for your buck!)
- The RTR pattern also includes an option to us a store-bought T (directions, included).
- The RTR pattern pieces print out on four pieces of paper- the rest are all measurements. (Have I ever told you how much I love a pattern with minimal paper to print, tape and cut?!)
- The RTR pattern includes an option to do a flutter sleeve. (Because, really, what little girl WOULDN'T want a way to make her dress fancier?! ;-)
- While the bodice of the RTR must be in knit, the skirt can be made of either knit or woven materials. (Great for using what you have in your stash!)

Lil' Missy needed a fun Fourth of July dress and I immediately thought the RTR would be the perfect summer dress pattern! I sewed up a size six dress. I used a knit bodice and a woven skirt. I did not do a flutter sleeve. Though, in retrospect, I'm sure my little Fancy Nancy would have loved it! Next time, next time...!

My solid red cotton lycra came from my favorite online place to get knit solids, the lovely Purpleseamstress Fabrics. The woven red, white and blue stars are by Spring Creative, bought locally at Hancock Fabrics.

The RTRwas a quick sew! Between breaks, going back to the grocery store (for the third time, this weekend) for something I bought and then proceeded to forget at the check out line (ahhh!), I probably completed the RTR in about two hours cut to finish. Using a store-bought tee would definitely make the dress even quicker!! Love that in a pattern!

I found the RTRto have a good fit in the front bodice. It hugged the torso without being too tight. The back was a touch roomy, but nothing that some minor adjustments (ie, grading down the back, width-wise) wouldn't solve! The shoulders sit nicely and aren't so super-skinny that they'd be banned from school dress code (Yay! We're gonna need some nice, Kindy-appropriate dresses for the fall!). The dress length fell right below the knees.

The Road Trip Racerback by Little Lizard King- TWIRL FACTOR!

There are lots of progress pictures included in the RTRpattern tutorial. I believe even a novice would be able to tackle this pattern with ease. There's a lot of reading to do before you start sewing, but I would HIGHLY recommend not skipping it. Trust me, there are lots of tips and tricks and set-up that will help you achieve a great end-product. :-)

All in all, the Road Trip Racerback dress is another fun, quick by the lovely ladies at  Little Lizard King! Thank you, Cassie, for another opportunity to sew up one of your fabulous designs! Sew much fun!

Silly girl in her new 

The Road Trip Racerback by Little Lizard King

***Disclosure: "I received a free pattern in order to review this pattern for Little Lizard King. The opinions expressed here are my own."***

Wordless Wednesday- Breakfast with Dolly!