Tag: Clothing

Pattern Review: Island Time by Striped Swallow Designs
Pattern Reviews

Pattern Review: Island Time by Striped Swallow Designs

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I was so excited to test out the newest pattern for Striped Swallow Designs this month.  The Island Time Top and Dress is the ultimate in summer comfort and we live in sunny south Florida!

I tested both the girls and womens sizing and love them so much! First, let’s go over the options. The girls pattern offers sizing from 2T up to 14 and comes in two lengths (dress or top). There are optional pockets and facing or binding choices for finishing. There are also options for a high back, low back, high arm or low arm. The womens sizing comes in sizing XS-XXXL and offers an additional mini length.

I sewed up top length without pockets, high back and high arm for both of us in all photos shown. The first set of photos is using a palm leaf print rayon spandex from Joann which is currently on sale for only $7.99 a yard. I used the clean finish binding option to finish on these. My top is a straight size medium with no size adjustments and my daughter is wearing a size 7 width mashed with a size 12 length.

For these next tops I used the facing finish on both which is SO much faster and easier than the binding but not as nice of a finish on the inside of the shirt. Mine is a jersey knit from Girl Charlee and my daughter is wearing a double brushed poly from Knitpop.

These patterns are both on sale with coupon code ISLANDTIME for $2 off through June 25!    Grab yours before the coupon expires and don’t forget that it’s valid on the bundles as well! We plan to make dress length to use as swim cover ups next, what option will you sew up first?

**I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS PATTERN AS PART OF THE TESTING PROCESS. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.**
Pattern Review: Petite Stitchery Thistle
Pattern Reviews

Pattern Review: Petite Stitchery Thistle

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I was able to test out one of the newest patterns for Petite Stitchery that released this week in their unwind collection.  They released four (plus a FREEBIE) different patterns for the ultimate in comfort and relaxation in this collection.   The Thistle Sleep Set is available in baby, girls and women’s sizing.  I tested out both the girls and babies for the cutest matchy sleep sets for my girls!

The Thistle includes SO many options to create the ultimate sleep capsule that are perfect for warm summer nights!  You can choose from a shorts romper, shorts and tank set or nightgown.  There is an optional placket on all options and ruffle as well.  The tank comes in regular or crop length and nightgown in dress or maxi length.   The baby sizing runs from newborn to 24 months and the girls sizing runs from 2T to 17.  A knit fabric with 50% 4 way stretch is needed such as cotton lycra, rayon spandex or double brushed poly.  The Petite Eye Mask is a fantastic freebie that released as well that we added to our sleep capsule.  This mask is available in adult, child and doll sizing and has a traditional or cat ear shape. 

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Baby Sleep Capsule
Girls Sleep Capsule

As you can see from my capsule lay outs above I went a little extra sewing these up!  For Eliana I sewed the baby pattern in 18 month width mashed with 24 month length.  I chose the tank/shorts separates (with no ruffle or placket so they were SUPER fast) and the nightgown with ruffle.  For Ava I sewed the girls pattern in size 7 width mashed with 12 length.  I chose ruffled and plain separates for her as well as a plain nightgown and the sleep mask.  All pajama solid fabrics used were cotton lycra from Purple Seamstress, the tiger stripes are an oooooold fabric from Girl Charlee in jersey knit and the giraffe floral is from Mabel Madison (who has since closed) in cotton lycra.  The sleep mask used the tiniest scraps of cotton woven and I used FOE from my stash for the band. 

 

I wanted a collection that was easy to mix and match that presented lots of options and the Thistle did not disappoint! These patterns are on sale for a short time and are eligible for bundle discounts on the website as well!   

I’d love to see what you create:)

**I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THESE PATTERNS AS PART OF THE TESTING PROCESS. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS**

 

Pattern Review: Keep Your Cool and Crosswinds Tee by Striped Swallow Designs
Pattern Reviews

Pattern Review: Keep Your Cool and Crosswinds Tee by Striped Swallow Designs

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I was so excited to test out the newest patterns for Striped Swallow Designs this month.  The Crosswinds Tee and Keep Your Cool Shorts are perfect summer comfort outfits for me! Both patterns come in girls and womens sizing as well.

First, let’s chat a little about the Crosswinds Tee options. This will become a wardrobe staple for sure as it’s just a great fitting everyday tee. This top features two different necklines and three different sleeve lengths. The fit is flowy but still form fitting and features the sweetest little crossover hem detail that looks complicated but really isn’t. A knit with nice drape is best for this top such as rayon spandex or double brushed poly.

Next, the Keep Your Cool Shorts are great for lounging but can also be dressed up depending on your fabric! There is an optional faux placket, flared or straight leg, flat front pull on waistband, folded up hem and side ties on the hem and waist (both also totally optional!). These are great in French terry, cotton lycra or ponte to just name a few.

I sewed up 3 pairs of shorts AND 3 tees in testing I loved these patterns so much! The only set I had a chance to photograph is my favorite and has already been worn everytime it comes out of the laundry. My measurements put me into a size medium for both with no size grading needed. For this set I used French terry from Hobby Lobby on the shorts and double brushed poly from Knitpop for the tee. For my shorts I used the flared option, added the side ties on the hem and did the faux placket. For the tee I used the high neckline and short sleeves. For my other two tops I used rayon spandex and they are my favorite new shirts hands down. For my other two shorts I used the straight leg option which I also love.

These patterns are both also available in kids sizing and are on sale with coupon code SATURDAYFEELING for $2 off through May 31!    Grab yours before the coupon expires and don’t forget that it’s valid on the bundles as well!

**I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS PATTERN AS PART OF THE TESTING PROCESS. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.**
Pattern Review: Breanna’s Peekaboo Shorts, Pants & Capris by Simple Life Pattern Company
Pattern Reviews

Pattern Review: Breanna’s Peekaboo Shorts, Pants & Capris by Simple Life Pattern Company

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Simple Life Pattern Company just re-released Breanna’s Peekaboo Shorts, Pants and Capris with updated fit and sizing options.

Breanna’s is an advanced beginner pattern for woven or knit fabrics with sizing that runs from 2T up to size 12.  There are three different lengths to choose from:  shorts, capris or pants and have optional side ties for a ruched look.  The waistband is a flat front and elastic back.

I sewed up the shorts option since it is already HOT here in South Florida and this is going to be our summer uniform this year!  I opted for the optional side ties and used cotton woven fabric from Hobby Lobby.  The pattern was very easy to grade between sizing for that perfect fit.  My daughter is wearing a size 6 in width and size 7 in length.  We paired these shorts with a Kyra Cross Back Top in the A-Line fit in cotton lycra from Purple Seamstress.  This was also my first time sewing up Kyra and it is my new favorite!  This top has so many options and is perfect for summer.  I love the A-Line top and dress but the twirly skirt option gets my girls every time (and Kyra has both!).

 

The pattern is on sale 20% off through May 13 and I can’t wait to see yours sewn up.   If you buy this pattern on sale let us know what you think!

**I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS PATTERN AS PART OF THE TESTING PROCESS. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS**