Girls Portlander Pants

I haven't been sewing much lately because home schooling has been taking up so much time...then throw baseball and softball into the mix and that's about all the hours in my day!  lol

When I saw Terra, the brains behind New Horizons Designs, post the tester call for these shorts though, they were so cute, and I knew they'd be a fast enough sew that even I could find time to finish them, and they wouldn't take a lot of fabric (not sewing much means I haven't been buying fabric and my stash is dwindling!)

The Girls Portlander Pants pattern includes sizes 12-18 months all the way up to a size 16!  I made my girls sizes 8 and 10.  There are also short and pant options, pocket options, and a drawstring option!  Let me tell you, the pockets and drawstrings really push this over the top!  That said, I went simple.  I didn't put pockets OR drawstrings on the three pairs I made for testing and they're still super cute and comfortable!  

These two pairs both have a simple knit body and a cotton/lycra blend waist.  The waist is a mid to high rise but you can always fold it over if you like it lower.  

I also decided the girls needed new tank tops to match so I whipped up the (FREE!!! SAY WHAT?!?!) Key West tank pattern (also from New Horizons) and then added some heat transfer designs that I cut with my silhouette.  Grace's (best seen in the second picture from the top) says "Pool Hair Don't Care" and just seemed very fitting for her, lol, and you can see Kessa's above.  If you click on the link for the tank you'll see that it says it's $7...hmm...I thought it was free!!!  So, to get it for free you'll need to head over to the New Horizons Facebook group and grab the coupon code in the pinned post.  The Key West actually has a TON of different options too, including a slim cut (like the two I made here), a more flowy style, multiple hem lines, racerback or regular tank, and there's a ladies version too!  

How about a few more pictures of more shorts?  This pair is made from sweatshirt fleece and also has a cotton/lycra waist.  Grace loves them and even wore them to softball practice the other night! 

Convinced?  They're on sale for $7 through 5/28 (and if you want the women's version too buy the bundle for only $14 right now!!  That means you get both pairs on sale!)  

Spirit Jacket for Wellie Wishers!

If you've been around for a (LONG) time you might remember the Spirit Jacket I tested for Cole's Corner a few years ago.  I made Zeke a really cute jacket that he never wore (also, click that link up there to see the jacket.  How little does Zeke look?!?!) and I didn't think about it again for a couple years.  

Now I'm on the prowl for all things Wellie Wisher sized since Kessa got one for her birthday so I was thrilled when Nicole said she was going to make the Spirit Jacket in that size.  

How cute does Camille look in her jacket?!?!  It's a raglan style and can be made with sooo many different fabrics!  (I actually misplaced that bottom snap.  That was my bad, not the pattern.)  

This jacket is also the perfect canvas for adding fun embellishments to!  I just slapped initials on Kessa and Camille's with some Under Wonder and then did a quick stitch around them.  

The doll pattern is on sale through Sunday for just $3!  

and if you don't already have the kid's pattern (it's great for girls AND boys!!) be sure and grab it too.  

The kids pattern even has pockets and it's a super easy, beginner friendly pattern!  

see?  Adorable!!!

and if you don't have any bottoms check out these leggings!  Lots of lengths and a SUPER fast sew.  

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.  

Seville Cropped Cardigan (for free!!!)

Easter's coming up which usually means super cute dresses!  Super cute dresses that are all too often sleeveless....or short sleeved.  With Easter so early this year I'm betting on it being cold which means all those cute dresses are going to need a cute cardigan to go with them!

Terra's Treasures Seville Cropped Cardigan is perfect!  It's a super fast sew, it has elbow and long sleeve lengths, it comes in sizes6-12 months all the way to size 16, AND (here's the really good part!!!) if you go join the Terra's Treasures Designs Facebook group there's a coupon code to get it for FREE!!!!!!  Yup.  I said it.  FREE.

Kessa's is a straight size 7.  She picked a shirt from my t-shirt pile and I upcycled it for the front and back.  The amazing Horcruxe fabric is something I won from Affordable Fabrics and More (but you can still buy it here.)  

The weather was beautiful the day we took these pictures and Kessa had a lot of fun.  She kept telling me, "Mom, I need a book!  I'm Hermione!"  

I have one cut for Grace too but I haven't taken the time (all 20 minutes or so that it takes!  lol) to sew it up yet.  

Kessa says, "YOU should go get your Seville pattern while it's still free!!!"  (again, code to make it free is in the Terra's Treasures Designs facebook group.)

Made for Mermaids has a super cute new pattern out called the Blair top.  Now, I did the most simple version.  Tunic length.  Plain hem.  Nothing fancy.  It's super cute and I did it in sweatshirt fleece so it's extra warm and cozy and my girls love it but it really doesn't do this pattern justice.  

(my yummy sweatshirt fleece is from Mel at Purpleseamstress Fabric.) 

(Grace wanted a picture with Zane too.  Who is wearing some flannel lined Captain Comfy Jeans from Patterns for Pirates.)  

Ok, back to the Blair top.  It's a loose fitting, v-neck, raglan top with 3 different sleeve lengths and a TON of hem options.  There is the plain jane tunic length with nothing fancy like I did, but there is also a Rainbow hem, a high low hem, a curved hem, and options for lace edging, single ruffle, or double ruffle on all those hems as well!

 Because of the fit you can use a WIDE variety of knits for the bodice, from a heavier one (like my sweatshirt fleece) to something more light and flowy.  The ruffles look amazing in light wovens with good drape (think lining fabric, chiffon, lace, etc.)

And the V-neck?  Don't be scared!  The directions are super simple and take you through it step by step.  All of mine looked great (in my humble opinion.  lol!)

So, the girls Blair (from 1/2 all the way to a 14) is on sale right now for just $7!!!  (If you need one for you, the Ladies Blair is also on sale for $7 currently, OR you can buy the bundle and get the girls and ladies both for only $10!!!)

(I should also note that the length on Grace's top is off a little, it was lengthened during testing.)

So, go forth, buy, and sew!!!!  :)

Me Hearties!

I have a few pattern designers that I simply adore and never go wrong with.  Judy, from Patterns for Pirates, is one.  

This new Me Hearties pattern (and the matching mama Sweetheart Dress) are a home run!!!!  

This pattern comes in sizes 3 months up to a girls 14!  It has peplum and dress lengths, short, long, and 3/4 length sleeves, options for FOE or regular knit binding and options for the sweetheart bodice (as seen in both of mine) or a regular solid front and back.  

It also has instructions for a full lace overlay (look at some of the tester photos in the pattern listing.  They're beautiful!!!) 

I love that this pattern can be dressed up or down depending on accessories and fabric choices.  

Kessa getting two of these was actually a happy mistake.  I had cut the Jack panel (below) and Kessa really wanted the lace so I cut it for the top and....they did NOT look good together.  Well...They matched but they looked a bit...ahhh...hoochy, shall we say?!?!  hahahah!!!  Totally not appropriate for my nine year old!  

So, I found new fabric and simple ended up making two and I'm so glad I did!  I love both of them.  

And with just regular knits it's totally cute, comfy, and casual!  

(she was freezing and having a rather hard time modeling for me when we took these pictures.  I'm such a mean sewing blogger mom.  :p )

I did modify the circle skirt on this one by cutting two 1/2 circles instead of one solid circle since my Jack fabric is somewhat directional.  This way the large Jack heads aren't upside down.  

Oh, and for those of you without a serger, have no fear!  I made ALL of the zebra top on my regular sewing machine (well, except the hem.  I used my coverstitch for that but that's just because I'm lazy.  You can totally hem on your regular machine!)  

I dropped the ball on getting my blog post up so these patterns aren't still on sale BUT if you want the mama and girl versions you can always buy the bundle and save some money!

Also, there will be a site wide sale code released soon but you need to run over to the main site and sign up for the newsletter because that's where it will be released.