Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Sewing Pattern Testing- Little Lizard King- Janie Lou, I LOVE you!
Little Lizard King- Janie Lou Dress
Cassie of Little Lizard King is at it again.... this time with the Janie Lou Dress!! This dress is described as an, ".... A-line skirted top or a full gathered dress with a chevron bodice inset (optional), side sashes (optional) and a tabbed button closure along with elbow length sleeves with cuffs." This dress is definitely a labor of love, but boy, oh, boy do I LOVE the sweet details!
Little Lizard King- Janie Lou Dress- Front
First, let's talk pattern details;
-The Little Lizard King Janie Lou Dress is sized for 12m-12y.
-The Little Lizard King Janie Lou Dress features an optional pintuck bodice inset (along with a plain bodice inset).
-The Little Lizard King Janie Lou Dress includes step-by-step instructions for the pintuck bodice inset. Be sure to pay close attention to both the words and the pictures- trust me, it will walk you through it!
Little Lizard King- Janie Lou Dress- Pintuck Bodice Detail
-The Little Lizard King Janie Lou Dress features a fun, decorative sleeve cuff.
-The Little Lizard King Janie Lou Dress features a button back closure.
-The Little Lizard King Janie Lou Dress PDF sewing pattern includes a fabric chart, sizing chart and and cutting chart.
-The Little Lizard King Janie Lou Dress PDF sewing pattern is a layered pattern (aka, just print the size that you need/want). This is one of my FAVORITE features in a sewing pattern!!
-The Little Lizard King Janie Lou Dress PDF sewing pattern features step-by-step photographs to help you sew through the pattern.
-The Little Lizard King Janie Lou Dress has a top length and a dress length.
-The Little Lizard King Janie Lou Dress includes measurements for a regular sash, or a jumbo sash.
Let me start off by saying that the Little Lizard King Janie Lou Dress is definitely a labor of love. Those pintucks took me forever...! However, that gorgeous end result... LOVE IT!!
Little Lizard King- Janie Lou Dress- Pintuck Bodice Detail
Little Lizard King- Janie Lou Dress- Cuff Sleeve Detail
Little Lizard King- Janie Lou Dress- Back
Little Lizard King- Janie Lou Dress
Little Lizard King- Janie Lou Dress
***Oh, and did I mention that the Little Lizard King- Janie Lou Dress also comes with a Dolly pattern, too?!?! Dolly and Me matching dresses are ALWAYS a big win in our house...!! :-)***
***Disclosure: "I received a free pattern in order to pattern test for Little Lizard King. The opinions expressed here are my own."***
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Sewing Pattern Testing- Made for Mermaids- Mya Top, Tunic and Dress
Today, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the first Made for Mermaids pattern of 2016- the Mya Top, Tunic and Dress. Regular readers of All Things Katy! already know that Made for Mermaids is one of my FAVORITE PDF sewing pattern designers, and the Mya Top, Tunic and Dress does not disappoint.
The Mya Top, Tunic and Dress is described as a simple a-line profile top, tunic or dress with multiple hem and sleeve options.
Here are the Mya Top, Tunic and Dress pattern basics;
-The Made for Mermaids Mya Top, Tunic and Dress is sized for 1/2-14y.
-The Made for Mermaids Mya Top, Tunic and Dress PDF sewing pattern tutorial includes a measurement chart, a cutting chart and fabric cutting chart.
-The Made for Mermaids Mya Top, Tunic and Dress features three hemlines- top, tunic and dress. Only the tunic length is curved.
-The Made for Mermaids Mya Top, Tunic and Dress features three sleeve lengths- short, 3/4 and long.
-The Made for Mermaids Mya Top, Tunic and Dress also includes pattern pieces/instructions for three different necklines- ruffle, banded and cowl.
-The Made for Mermaids Mya Top, Tunic and Dress also includes measurements/instructions for ruffle sleeves and ruffle hemline. *Note on the sleeve ruffles- the ruffle length is the same for any sleeve length. This means that the ruffle will either be more or less ruffled, depending on your sleeve length.*
-The Made for Mermaids Mya Top, Tunic and Dress also includes pattern pieces/instructions for flutters (at the shoulder).
-The Made for Mermaids Mya Top, Tunic and Dress PDF sewing pattern includes trimless, layered pattern pieces (my favorite!). This means only cut the size that you need/want and no excess trimming before you put your pattern pieces together. Yay!
The Made for Mermaids Mya Top, Tunic and Dress is a super simple sew. It's a great wardrobe staple with a lot of options included in the pattern. That means you get a lot of bang for you PDF sewing pattern bucks! I sewed up the cupcake Mya Top, Tunic and Dress in about 20 mins.- no joke! It took me longer to print, assemble, tape and cut out the pattern pieces, than it did to sew up the actual top! I love a quick sew!
Also, the Mya Top, Tunic and Dress isn't a fabric hog and the ruffles and flutters are a great way to use of those odd bits of knit scraps. The Mya Top, Tunic and Dress looks great worn out, or layered under a cute jumper, or with a skirt (say, the Made for Mermaids Samantha skirt...? ;-).
So, in conclusion, the Made for Mermaids Mya Top, Tunic and Dress is a simple, versatile, wardrobe staple pattern. There are lots of variations and ways to make each garment you sew up, unique!!
Thank you to the whole Made for Mermaids team for allowing me to test this wonderful pattern. Good luck with the pattern release!! Sew much fun!
**Guess what? If you like Mommy and Me fashions, the Made for Mermaids Mya Top, Tunic and Dress is also available in Mama Mya Top, Tunic and Dress!**
***Disclosure: "I received a free pattern in order to review this pattern for Made for Mermaids. 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.****
Monday, January 18, 2016
Sentence of the Day- Definitions
Katy and I got to spend a rare (now-a-days) Mommy and Katy day. Lil' Miss was off school for MLK day and I took off work to be with her. We lunched at Ikea (as per our usual ways ;-).
Katy had eaten a good lunch and was onto eating her dessert. She offered me a bite. Not really much for the chocolate confection that she was offering, but grateful for her sincere and earnest intentions, I told that I'd, ".... take just a small little bite."
"Technically, Mom, that would be considered a nibble. Something smaller than a bite is a nibble- not a bite," Katy corrected me.
...and there you have it folks.... I live with an walking talking dictionary..... ha!
Katy had eaten a good lunch and was onto eating her dessert. She offered me a bite. Not really much for the chocolate confection that she was offering, but grateful for her sincere and earnest intentions, I told that I'd, ".... take just a small little bite."
"Technically, Mom, that would be considered a nibble. Something smaller than a bite is a nibble- not a bite," Katy corrected me.
...and there you have it folks.... I live with an walking talking dictionary..... ha!
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Sentence of the Day- Dancing Cheek to Cheek...
The other day, Lil' Miss was "helping" me get ready for work by handing me my makeup as I applied. Then, after I was all done, she declared that we should, "....snuggle cheek to cheek..." Thinking that she was being sweet and just wanted to cuddle, I put my cheek to her's. After a couple of seconds, she popped up and said, "Yay! Now I have makeup on, too!" (by transference).
Hahahhahaha... that girl...!
Friday, January 15, 2016
5 out of 4 Fleece Pullover Blog Tour
Back in November, I had the opportunity to test the new-to-me designer 5 out of 4 Women's Ascent Fleece Pullover. This pattern went through a couple of rounds of revisions but we finally got it just right...!
First, let's talk pattern basics;
-The 5 out of 4 Kids K2 Fleece Pullover is sized for size 2-18. (honestly, I could probably fit into the 18!) That's a really great big, wide size range (lots of bang for your PDF sewing pattern buck ;-).
- The 5 out of 4 Kids K2 Fleece Pullover PDF sewing pattern includes a fabric requirement chart, a sizing chart, finished measurements chart and a helpful stretch guide.
- The 5 out of 4 Kids K2 Fleece Pullover features layered, trimless pattern pieces (God bless layered, trimless pattern pieces!!).
- The 5 out of 4 Kids K2 Fleece Pullover PDF sewing pattern also includes a printing guide (to tell you which pattern pieces/pages to print for your specific option). I love when patterns include this type of guide because it really saves paper- only print the pieces/pages that you need! Love that!!
- The 5 out of 4 Kids K2 Fleece Pullover includes two options- solid or color blocked. Color blocked is great if you have limited fleece in one color, etc.
-The 5 out of 4 Kids K2 Fleece Pullover features shaded diagrams for each step. There is a smattering of detail photographs included in the tutorial.
-The 5 out of 4 Kids K2 Fleece Pullover also includes optional pocket pattern pieces.
-The 5 out of 4 Kids K2 Fleece Pullover does require the advance knowledge of how to install a zipper (or more- depending on if you choose to do the zipper-closed pockets).
5 out of 4 Kids K2 Fleece Pullover- DETAIL
For Lil' Miss, I sewed up a size six, solid 5 out of 4 Kids K2 Fleece Pullover. I did not include pockets (much to Katy's dismay- she loves anything with pockets!!). I used anti-pill fleece leftover from my fabric stash (purchased locally from Hancock Fabrics).
The instructions are fairly easy to follow. Right sides together, bodice, sleeves, hem. I did find the directions for the collar to be a big clunky and confusing (I found them to be confusing when I tested the women's pattern, though, too). So, I would definitely deem the 5 out of 4 Kids K2 Fleece Pullover an intermediate level pattern. Basic sewing knowledge will definitely come in handy when sewing up this pullover!
The fit of the 5 out of 4 Kids K2 Fleece Pullover is pretty accurate. I found it to be roomy but not voluminous (aka, big enough to slip on over a top, but not so huge that Lil' Miss is swimming in it). I did make the sleeves 1" shorter (cut on the pattern provided shorten/lengthen line). This shorter sleeve length was perfect for my daughter's wingspan. The 5 out of 4 Kids K2 Fleece Pullover hit right below the seat and the side seams hit directly where they should hit- on the sides.
I did embellish my 5 out of 4 Kids K2 Fleece Pullover by doing a simple My Little Pony Twilight Sparkle cutie mark in the front, lower right hem.
Now, go ahead and show the other participants in the 5 out of 4 Fleece Pullover Blog Tour some blog lovin' by checking out their 5 out of 4 Fleece Pullover Blog Tour posts!
5 out of 4 Blog tour schedule:
1/10/16: Larissa from Connected by a Thread
1/11/16: JaNette from Merri Poppins
1/12/16: Ula from Lulu and Celeste
1/13/16: Tibeca from Sewing by Ti
1/14/16: Melissa from Rebel and Malice
1/15/16: Heather from All things Katy and Patricia from Sew Far North
1/16/16: Essence from Adventures with Bubba and Bug
You can purchase your own copy of any of the 5 out of 4 patterns here for 30% using the code "fleeceforall" now through Jan 17th as they celebrate their 1 year anniversary!
*********************************************************************************Now, my pony-loving girl just had to have a matching Twilight Sparkle hooded scarf to go with her MLP-inspired 5 out of 4 Kids K2 Fleece Pullover...! We had lots of fun trying on the 5 out of 4 Kids K2 Fleece Pullover with her Twilight Sparkle inspired hooded scarf (sewn using the Heidi and Finn All in One Hooded Scarf PDF sewing pattern). I loosely adapted the Sugar Tart Crafts My Little Pony Tutorial found here to do the mane and unicorn horn.
Sew much fun!
***Disclosure: "I received a free pattern in order to review this pattern for 5 out of 4 Kids. The opinions expressed here are my own."***
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Sewing Pattern Review- Finn by BLAVERRY
Recently, I had the opportunity to sew up the Finn top by BLAVERRY. This new-to-me PDF sewing pattern designer was a pleasure to work with. Christie, the brains and talent behind the brand, definitely has a clear-cut vision for her BLAVERRY. Sleek, modern and fun are all adjectives that I would use to describe the BLAVERRY brand.
-The Finn top by BLAVERRY is sized for 2-16.
-The Finn top by BLAVERRY has three sleeve lengths- cap, mid and long.
-Some reviewers of the Finn top by BLAVERRY lengthened the skirt ruffle in order to make the top a dress.
-The Finn top by BLAVERRY PDF sewing pattern includes nested, trimless, layered pattern pieces (love that!).
-The Finn top by BLAVERRY PDF sewing pattern tutorial includes shaded, step-by-step instructions.
-The Finn top by BLAVERRY PDF sewing pattern includes a sizing chart, a fabric chart, and a hand fabric stretch guide. Measurements in the sizing and fabric chart are given in both imperial and metric.
I sewed up a size six Finn top by BLAVERRY. Technically, Lil' Miss is a size five chest (and six height). However, due to the material that I was using for the body of the top, I knew that I'd need to have her layer the Finn top by BLAVERRY over another top. I wanted to make sure things weren't too constricting. The silver metallic material was purchased locally at Hancock Fabric and the black cotton lycra neckband material was purchased online from Purpleseamstress Fabrics.
I also love that the skirt part of the Finn top by BLAVERRY is shaped and slightly longer in the back. It's these little details that make a pattern extra special.While this may have been my BLAVERRY pattern, I can guarantee I won't be my last! :-)
To connect with BLAVERRY, be sure to check out the following:
Web: http://blaverry.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blaverry/?fref=ts
Also, when you get a chance to sew up the Finn top by BLAVERRY, be sure to tag it #blaverry and #blaverryFinn on all your social media!
***Disclosure: "I received a free pattern in order to review this pattern for BLAVERRY . The opinions expressed here are my own."***
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Little Lizard King- Guest Blogging #yearinreview #favoritesew
I'm guest blogging over at Little Lizard King Sewing Patterns blog. Come on over and check out their newly designed website and find out which Little Lizard King PDF sewing pattern was my #favoritesew of 2015.
Little Lizard King Merry Dress and Mod Dress
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Sewing #YearInReview2015
Sewing #YearInReview2015
(pictured l-r, starting at the top)
Katy's 5th Birthday, LilyGiggle Poppy Bubble Tunic, Cole's Corner and Creations Katie John Skirt, Sofilantjes Summer Surprise Dress, Little Kiwi's Closet Bow Back Beauty, Cole's Corner and Creations Too Cute Tank Dress/Lakehouse Bathing Suit/All-4-One Bathing Suit, Made for Mermaids Lily Lace Dress, Audrey and Tiffany Secret Garden Dress, Made for Mermaids Emma Dress, Little Lizard King Road Trip Racerback Dress, Little Lizard king Daddy's Girl Dress, Made for Mermaids Millie Romper, Felicity Sewing Patterns Carousel Vintage Sundress and Topper, Made for Mermaids Grace Dress, Cole's Corner and Creations Victory Cheer Uniform, Made for Mermaids Everyday Princess Collection Tinkerbell, Made for Mermaids Everyday Princess Collection Jasmine (as Belle), Made for Mermaids Molly Dress, Love Notions Li'l LDT, Made for Mermaids Hampton Romper and Dress, Made for Mermaids Sophie Dress, Little Lizard King Library Cardi, Made for Mermaids Brooklyn Dress, Heidi and Finn All In One Hooded Scarf, Peak-A-Boo Patterns Sugarplum Nightgown
Not only have I improved my sewing skills (tremendously!) since I first started out, but I've also made some really great friends and sew sisters along the way... Sewing has become a much-needed creative outlet for myself and I'm so grateful to learn something new with each pattern that I sew. :-) Sew Much Fun!
****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.****
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