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!  

Wassup?!?!?!

I was super excited when I got the e-mail saying I got to test a new Love Notions pattern.  This was my first time testing for Tami and she was great!  The Cartwheel Collection  started out with 3 pieces and kept growing!  lol.  The final collection has a top, tunic or dress length piece, shorts, capris, a skirt (which can have double layers with a pick up or a single layer) and instructions for mashing the shorts or capris with the skirts for full on cartwheel coverage!

(hehehe, how about that cute little tan line peeking out?!?!)

I tested the dress in a size 4 (the dress option has since been lengthened.)  I love a good A-line and can't wait to make some leggings to go with this.  It's going to be a fantastic late summer/early fall piece!  I love the shape of it and it's great for mixing a few bold patterns/colors but still keeping the over-all look clean and simple.  

Now, I thought maybe I'd compare and contrast this piece with the Soleil pattern because I had someone ask me about them earlier today.  First off, they are, over-all, VERY different patterns.  

The Soleil has a high bodice with a gathered skirt and pockets.  The opening in the back is a different shape and has binding around it as well as being lower in the back.  It doesn't have sleeves.  VERY DIFFERENT.  If you're not someone that is comfortable altering patterns then I'd say, buy both!  Or if you don't have a knit skirt pattern, or any other number of things.  

Those things said, the friend that asked me IS comfortable altering things and DOES already have knit shorts/capris/skirt patterns and she only wanted to buy one pattern.  So, for me, I said I'd buy the Cartwheel Collection because then you can use the bodice and mash it with ANY kind of skirt you want (twirl skirt, ruffles, the sky's the limit) without having to modify it.

With the Soleil, you have to modify the top to even be able to make the bodice of a regular dress.  This is a big thing for us because we upcycle 99% of the time.  

I also told her that the Cartwheel collection is a faster sew.  You just press and hem the opening, stitch the back top and back bottom together and boom!  You're ready to rock and roll with the rest of your design.  The Soleil takes a lot longer because you have to cut and press your binding, bind it all, top stitch half of it,  lay the pieces down NEXT TO the front piece to figure out where they need to be placed on each other, pin, top stitch the other half (this stitches the back top and back bottom together at the same time) and THEN you're ready to move on with the rest of your dress.   

Now, don't get me wrong.  I love the Soleil dress and I've made several and will be making more...but I won't be using it as the bodice for most of my upcycles.  I'll just be using it when I want that whole dress.  The Cartwheel collection has won my heart for an open back for regular upcycles!  :)

And how cute are those shorts?!?!  Grace loves the knit waist band too.