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Top it Off Blog Tour

Here we are! Back for another Winter Wear Designs* Blog tour! One of the events that Suzanne is doing this year is revamping older patterns to include new features-like layers that have become more of an industry standard-and update the covers. With each one, she is having a blog tour! What does that mean for someone like me that already owns every single pattern? I get to sew them up again! Except in this case, I had not made one of the La Croix before, mainly because when it came out, I didn’t think it would be flattering on me. When this tour started, I figured that I would sew one up for Jody, like I usually do since the girl can wear anything and make it look good!

Then, I saw a picture of a shirt on a Facebook post in a fabric group and inspiration hit! After that, I knew it was going to be a shirt for me! As I started debating fabrics, I had to stray a bit away from the recommended fabrics in the pattern to get the look I was going for. I ended up choosing a gorgeous slinky teal sweater knit that I received in my last knit mystery box from Boho Fabrics. Then, I had to make some modifications to the construction….ALWAYS FUN!

First, I didn’t gather the sides, as I needed a flat bottom to attach a band. Yep, I used the band from the Banded Tee * and put a band around the bottom. I cut my band at 8″ rather than the 7″ to make it a bit wider, then I added a couple inches to the width as the La Croix is a bit wider than the Banded tee. I opted for a sleeveless top, that will work under one of the many cardigans that I have or need to make for this summer. I followed the pattern for all the construction, until hemming the bottom, then I added my band, same as I would on the banded tee. I made sure I had enough band to stretch to fit to pull in the bottom for a flowy bottom on my shirt.

*denoted affiliate links. If you use these links to purchase from Winter Wear Designs, I receive a small commission on the order. I only share links to products I have tried and loved, so never fear that I am just trying to sell you something! I do not see any of your personal information.

 

Now…On to the pictures!

 

A HUGE thank you to Simply By Ti Fabrics for sponsoring this blog tour and providing the fabric prize for the blog tour. Speaking of fabric prize…Do you want to win $20 GC from Simply By Ti Fabrics and 2 patterns of choice from WWD???? Be sure to jump over to the Winter Wear Designs Fun group  and enter to win! Be sure to share your creations as well!

 

Happy Sewing!

Check out all the Stops on the Blog Tour:

3/26
Jessica of Jot Designs USA
3/27
3/28
Ilse of Sew Sew Ilse
Patricia of Sew Far North
3/29
Livia of Liviality
Mari of MNW Sews
3/30
Lisa Dawson guest posting at Winter Wear Designs
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Easter Sewing Tour

We had such a laid back Easter, we stayed in our PJ’s all day! It was nice to have a relaxed holiday, where we didn’t have to be anywhere or do anything on anyone’s schedule but our own! This also meant that  didn’t sew anything for my kids this year! I did sew up a dress for my friend’s little girl though! We went fabric shopping back in January, and I let Miss B pick some fancy fabric for a dress. I waited for the right pattern to come to me and was really getting stuck on what dress to make, as I have been using the bateau from Winter Wear Designs, but knew she already had at least 2 of them!  Then Jessica from Izzy & Ivy posted about her sew a long for the Emory dress! Perfect!


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The pattern is designed for cotton woven, so I had to make a few adjustments like leaving the adorable pockets off the skirt! They are super cute, but wouldnt have looked right with the pattern of the skirt! The second thing I did was line the skirt with the same fabric from the bodice.

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I also did a much narrower hem for the bottom of the skirts, this was more of a personal preference as I don’t like a wider hem on this fabric. The sleeves are a super cute gathered band, and in the satin fabric, I love the way the light bounces off of it! For the back, I needed two buttons. I didn’t have any in my stash that would match this dress, so I opted to make my own covered buttons. they came out so sweet and are the perfect touch to finish this dress!

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A word of advice if you attempt this type of dress, I would take a few inched off the width of the skirt, and put a heavy duty needle in your machine for attaching the skirt to the bodice, I broke 4 needles before it dawned on me to use a heavy duty one!

I have been told that Miss B loves her new dress and even tried to wear it to some Easter festivities on Sat (mom was saving it for Easter Sunday!). I love sewing for her becasue no matter what I make her, she always wants to wear it!

I hope you had a wonderful Easter! Check out what some of my favorite bloggers sewed up for the holiday!

3/28/16: Larissa from Connected By A Thread
3/28/16: Linda from Sew Happily Ever After
3/28/16: Amy from Wally and Grace
3/29/16: Cindy from Cindy Parrett
3/30/16: Ula from Lulu & Celeste
3/30/16: Fenna from FABulous Home Sewn
3/31/16: Courtney from the WHOLESOME mama
4/1/16: Patricia from Sew Far North
4/1/16: Tibeca from Sewing By Ti

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Jocole Love Tour

If you have been sewing a while, you are probably familiar with Jocole. I love her patterns! The Derby Jacket was the first pattern I bought (a couple years ago!), during her weekly sale. That was the beginning of the end! I was hooked! Now, I own every pattern of hers, and have made numerous over the years! Now, I get to share some of my favorite bloggers with you this week, and they are sharing some of their favorite Jocole patterns!

Whether you are looking for ladies patterns or girls, there is something for you! I love the Endless dress and add-ons!

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I used lace on the hem of this one!

I used this dress for a tutorial over on Pattern Revolution to replace the buttons with a zipper!

The Yoga A-Line Skirt is a staple for me for summer (I have 4 in my closet right now and plans for more this summer!

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I used scraps to sew the 6 Panel skirt– Twice! Once in Cotton wovens and once with knits!

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I have a pair of skinny’s ready to be sewn this week (maybe I’ll share them at the beginning of next week?)

For now, let me share some previews of the patterns coming up this week!

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Be sure to check out all of the blogs on this tour! Which pattern is your favorite so far?

Feb 8- Larissa from Connected By a Thread

Feb 9- Tibeca from Sewing by Ti

Feb 10- Robin from My Little Lady & Gentleman

Feb 11- Patricia from Sew Far North

Feb 12- Linda from Sew Happily Ever After

Feb 15- Larissa from Connected by a Thread and Essence from Amazing Adventures of Bubba and Bug

Feb 16- Amy from Wally and Grace

Feb 17- Melissa fron Rebel & Malice and Sharon from Sweetpea & Pumpkins

Feb 18- Ula from Lulu & Celeste

Feb 19- Teronia from Crazy Crafty Haute Mama and Cindy from Cindy Parrett.com

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5 out of 4 Fleece Pullover Blog tour

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This week, I am excited to share with you the 5 out of 4 Fleece pullover! I have started sewing more for my little guy, but have had a hard time picking patterns and prints that reflect his style. Yep, at 2 1/2, he already knows what he likes and has no problem telling us! He loves to dress “just like Daddy!” which means jeans and a tee shirt. I debated sewing one of these for myself, and as soon as I pulled out the tub of fleece, he ran over and grabbed this TMNT fleece and told me “I love this momma!” I knew then that I could make this for him!

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He loves TMNT, and just recently received this chair, so he was thrilled that we took it outside for some pictures!

The pattern comes with layers, which makes printing super easy! There are plenty of option within the pattern as well- pockets, color blocking, and zippered pockets!

I sewed up the children’s version, which covers sizes 2-18. There are separate patterns for both men and ladies available as well. I can’t wait to get some more fleece and make these for the whole family!

I struggled with my zipper a bit, and after talkign with the designer, I am ordering some wonder tape (which she recommends in the pattern) for my next one! I love that she uses a knit facing for the zipper which also covers the zipper, reducing the “itchy” factor for little ones! I followed the size chart for his chest measurement and the fit is spot on. I think next time, I will go up a size for this guy, as this one fits just perfect, and I like to have some growing room!

Be sure to check the logs below all throughout the week as we share our visions for this awesome pattern! Check out the 5 out of 4 Facebook page throughout the week as well, They are heading towards their 1 year anniversary, and I know she has some fun planned!

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You know you want to go buy your copy now!

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!**

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**This link contains an affiliate link.