Pier 7

I got the pleasure of testing Terra's Treasureshttp://terrastreasuresdesigns.com/ new Pier 7 top pattern (which is also part of the Bundle Up Salehttp://bundleupsale.com/!)  Like all Terra's patterns is unique and cute!  

(you'll have to pardon my photos.  My photographer is the size of most 5 year olds and I didn't think to get her a stool!  lol)

It's hard to tell in my pictures/with the fabric I chose but there are 5 cute little pleats/pin tucks in the center of the bodice.  The bodice neckline has a facing that super easy to put in and several testers left off the flutter sleeves if those aren't your thing.

The bodice skirt can be gathered with shirring or with elastic and I think this would be totally adorable as a maternity shirt too!!!

The pattern is written for light weight, flowy woven fabric but I know at least one tester used knit fabric and her top was adorable!  

Women's Bundle Up Take 2!

It's Bundle Up time again!!!  The Bundle Up sale consists of ELEVEN brand spanking new patterns that are perfect for the rest of Me Made May and all that self care sewing you've been meaning to do.  

With the Bundle Up you can pick and choose which patterns you actually want and get some rocking good prices!  You have to buy at least 6 patterns to be able to bundle up but the more you buy...the more you save!!!  

PRICING DETAILS

•$4.50 each for 6-7 ($27-31.50 total)
•$4.25 each for 8-9 ($34-38.25 total)
•$4.00 each for 10 or more ($40- $44 total)

 I got the pleasure of sewing up Greenstyle's Jillian Tank and Love Notions Bluezette dress.  (Be sure and stop back later this week when I'll be sharing my take on Terra's Treasures Pier 7 top which is also in the Bundle too!)

First, let's talk about this Bluezette.  I made one of the most simple versions but this pattern has sooo many options you could probably make a dozen or more and never have two alike!  Three different sleeve options (tank, cap, and this 1/2 length), 5 different skirt options (maxi, tulip, half circle, high low, knee length), and two different bodice types (fitted and more full so it looks like it's been tucked in) make this one of the most versatile patterns I've seen in a long time.

I choose the fitted bodice with the knee length skirt and the 1/2 sleeves.  I'm already itching to make another one with a circle skirt.  The bodice is a comfy knit and the instructions for lining or doing facings are incredibly clear and easy to follow.  One thing I LOVED about this pattern was the fact that it has hyperlinks between different options!  It makes jumping from one spot to other as simple as clicking your mouse button.   It comes in sizes XS to XXXL and has no trim pages, layers so you can print only the size you want, and lots of ideas and inspiration for great dresses!

Next up is Greenstyle's Jillian tank. Here's what the pattern description says - "The Jillian comes with so many options! An outer, layer tank, an inner tank, a bandeau, and a sports bra are all included in one great pattern. The outer tank can be made with a dressy chiffon and layered over the inner tank for a night out. Or, you can make it sporty by using your favorite performance knit for your trip to the gym or out for a walk."

I used a lightweight burnout knit for my outer tank.  The binding instructions push this over the top making it incredibly professional looking.  You can also use a lightweight flow-y woven fabric for the outer tank.   

The inner tank can have a build in sports bra and there are instructions for making your own binding for the straps and using 1" FOE.  I chose to go the FOE route and omitted the built in bra and this tank was incredibly quick sew up!  The fit is great and the back is super cute!  I see a lot more of these in my future!  Once you have the pattern cut you can probably whip up both the inner and outer tank both in under an hour!

If you want to check out some more reviews be sure and stop by all the other bloggers on the tour!  

BundleUP Girl!

I feel super privileged to get to be on the Bundle UP tour again!  If you remember from the BundleUP Boy tour the BundleUP sales are a super fun pattern sale where you get to pick and choose from multiple (11 this time!) patterns and buy them as a bundle for some great savings!  If you buy 6-7 patterns they're just $4.50 each and they get cheaper from there if you buy more!  

I sewed up Jocole's Wide Leg Pants and FooFoo Threads Adeline Knit Cardigan, Dress, and Top.  

The pants are great!  Super fast sew, super adorable, super great deal!  They come in sizes doll - 14, can be made with inseam pockets (as I did), patch pockets, or no pockets at all and they have three different knit waistband options!  I made Kessa a size 7 with a size 4 waistband (per the measurement charts) and I probably should have gone with a 6 instead.  Oh well, she can wear them longer this way!  lol.  

Now let's talk about this cardi!  The FooFoo Threads pattern can be made as a cardigan, a shirt, or a dress!  AND it has a ton of different sleeve options including sleeveless, long sleeves, short sleeves, elastic cuffs, ruffles, and probably some others I'm forgetting!  It also has a great Peter Pan collar that I chose to leave off so that I didn't cover up any of the "Zebracorn" on the back.  lol.  (can you tell Kessa likes zebras?  :p )  

The front and back bodice are also totally lined which gives you a great opportunity for a pop of fun that's not overwhelming (or even seen at all in some cases!  lol)  I chose to use a neon green zebra print to line the inside.  It's fun...and bright...but you only get little tiny peeks of it so it's not overwhelming.  The pattern includes sizes 3months - 10 and I think I'm going to have to make some more because the dresses are just so sweet and adorable!  BUT, as you can see on Kessa, the pattern is great for older girls that aren't into all the ruffles any more too.

Be sure and check out the other blog tour stops!

Parisian Nights PJs

One of my favorite designers that I test for frequently messaged me a while back and said she had given my name to a new designer looking for someone to test a ladies XL pattern.  I said I was in!  I'm always a fan of testing ladies patterns because it means I HAVE to sew for myself!

Turns out...the "new" designer was Suzanne Winter, the woman behind Winter Wear, who is always making AMAZING clothes and doing reviews over on Pattern Revolution.  She has amazing style so I was super excited to get to test for her!

Her first pattern is available for FREE when you purchase some patterns from the Ladies Bundle Up sale.

So...I got the pattern, whipped up a pair of XL Parisian Nights Pjs (great directions, super fast to sew up, easy and cute!!!)  and then... I tried them on and....they were pretty big and baggy.  Not very flattering....comfy but.....big.

Suzanne asked me to double check my measurements and low and behold....even though I've lost very little weight I HAVE lost some inches since I started THM and working out and I should have made a Large!!!!  I'm counting that as a win!

Now, more about this great pattern...see that contrast yoke on the top?  That can be made with stretch lace and it's SOOO cute!  I was very dissapointed that I didn't have any lace + knit combos that matched but I still like it with just a contrasting knit.  And another secret...soooo comfy!  

Just ignore the photobombing dog.  These pictures are all courtesy of my 7 year old....I think she did pretty darn good!

So....if you sew...run and get some patterns from the Bundle Up sale!  It ends the 27th.  I wasn't really even tempted to get anything in the last Bundle Up but this one has me scrambling to come up with some extra money to get the ones I want because it's SUCH a good deal!!!!

(and there will definitely be more of these pjs in the right size in my future!)