Frolic Collection

It's been a while since I've shared something from My Little Plumcake but Michelle has been hard at work behind the scenes for months now preparing for the Frolic Capsule Collection!  

So, what is a capsule collection you ask?  It's a collection of patterns (five have currently been released with more coming -- including a few freebies!) that can all be mixed and matched to create a wardrobe full of basic staples.  Since all the patterns can be mixed and matched it saves you time and money!  

I've only made two of the patterns so far but I'm very excited about some more that are coming too!  

First up let me tell you about the Frolic Shorts.  They can be made from any number of woven fabrics, have a flat front waistband with simple little clean pleats, pockets and a cute curved leg hem. 

I did all my top stitching in a contrasting color to make it stand out a bit more.  

The top I paired with it is the Frolic Crop Top.  

The Frolic Crop Top is a simple, fast sew, fully lined, with buttons (or snaps if you're lazy like me!) down the back.  

The skirt and shorts are both designed to be slightly high waisted so that even with the crop top there is still good stomach coverage (although if you're like me and want to make sure it's all covered even when they're squirming and jumping just slap a tank under it.  I picked up several for my girls for like $1.69 each at Wal-Mart.)

Now, let's talk about this skirt.  Oh.My.Stars.  My girls wore these outfits for Easter and they're both in LOOOOVE with them.  I think it makes them feel extra feminine and fancy,  The skirts have a wide elastic waistband covered with soft knit.  The skirts themselves are layer after layer of fancy goodness.  

The cream and pink one has a lining, four layers of tulle, and then two layers of chiffon.  I did a rolled hem on my lining and chiffon but there are also instructions for a narrow hem if you don't have (or want to use) a serger.  

All of the fabric for the above outfit I picked up at Joanns.  The chiffon is NOT as high a quality as the purple that I got from another site.  I had a really hard time doing the rolled hem on it because it kept shredding.  I ended up roll hemming both layers together...which I wouldn't recommend...but hey, it worked!  lol 

 The fabric for Kessa's top is from Joanns but the chiffon I got from Stylish Fabric on etsy.  It's a GREAT quality and was surprisingly easy to work with (for chiffon).

The patterns all go from 18months to size 10...I know a lot of people wish they went to larger sizes but be sure and check the size charts too.  My (small) almost 10 year old wears a size 7 so we'll still get several more years out of these patterns!  

The other patterns in the capsule that have already been released are a jumpsuit (with a really unique design at the leg cuffs which makes it stand out from other jumpsuits around), and lined jacket pattern that looks cute with the skirt, the shorts, AND the jumpsuit. 

Now, if you made it ALL THIS WAY, I have a reward for you!!!  Coupons!!!  Sales!!!  WOOHOO!!! You can use the code CAPSULE (in the etsy shop)  for 20% off your purchase, or, if you're loving a bunch, you can use the code BUY2GET1 for (you guessed it didn't you?) buy 2 get 1 free!  lol.  

Be sure and share all your creations or ask any questions you might have in the facebook group!  

and just for laughs...I leave you with this little gem.  You're welcome.  

Compass Sweatshirt

I had the pleasure of testing for Michelle from My Little Plumcake again this past week.  I've only made a few of her patterns at this point but I'm always impressed by her attention to detail and her vast knowledge of sewing technicalities.  Don't let that scare you though!  She doesn't assume we know everything she does and she walks you through it all.

Ok, so, first off, my pictures aren't stellar...my husband and my camera aren't always the best of friends.  I really have to get my remote working!  lol, secondly, the pattern has been tweaked a bit since I made this one.  This thing is CRAZY comfy but the one I made is just a bit too big.  It will be perfect to make this size in a thick fabric like sweatshirt fleece for winter (I LOVE my hoodies!!) but if I use a thinner knit again, like this one, I'll size down so it doesn't make me look bigger than I am, amiright?  :p

Anyway, the Compass Sweatshirt has this great hood (that I didn't get any pictures of on!  Oops!) that will keep you extra toasty and the neckline when it's down looks a bit like a cowl neck.  Keeps your neck warm even without the hood!  I love it as a breeze blocker on my neck.  It's also a pretty darn quick sew.

It has two different pocket options, as well as regular cuffs or extended cuffs with thumb holes.  I LOVE me some thumbholes!!!

Have I convinced you yet?  Oh!  I forget to mention that it comes in sizes xxs-xxl!!  That's a pretty darn big size range!  

I have like 3 or 4 orders I have to finish up and then I have BIG plans for a lot more of these for my fall and winter wardrobe!  Oh, and that amazing star fabric on the sleeves and pocket?  My sister-in-law dyed that for me!!!!  How much does she rock?

Spring Dress

 

I've had the pleasure of being on the testing team for the Spring Line of patterns over at My Little Plumcake.  Michelle's patterns and styles are very clean and classic.  I'm totally in love with the Canaan's Incredible Blazer pattern!  I've already bought it and have high hopes of getting at least one done for Easter for the boys.    But that was a total tangent.  lol!

 

 

Moving on... today we're going to talk Spring!  I tested out the new Spring dress in a size 4 for Grace.  She's totally in love with her "rainbow dress" as she calls it and has worn it a lot (despite the fact that it's FAR from spring here.  In fact we had to do photos inside because it was like 8 degrees outside and snowy!)  

 

The back has a cute squared off button and loop closure.  Instructions are included for making the loops from your fabric or using elastic cording (or you can get really crazy and use decorative elastic like I did.) 

The bodice has a really fun and unique design with the semi-circle surrounded by gathers.  In my version there are gathers around the semi-circle and also on both sides but in the final version Michelle has taken out the side gathers.

The dress is fully lined and even the inside is finished beautifully!   I will make it slightly longer if I make another one for Grace but besides that I love everything about it!

And just wait till you see the next pattern we tested for MLP!  It's sooo cute and has several versions so it's perfect for the "cute" crowd and the "in" crowd!