Tag: Handmade

Pattern Review: Petite Stitchery Phoenix Crop, Top and Romper
Pattern Reviews

Pattern Review: Petite Stitchery Phoenix Crop, Top and Romper

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Petite Stitchery just released the Phoenix pattern and it will be your new summer wardrobe staple!   The Phoenix is available in baby, girls and women’s sizing.  I tested the baby size and can’t wait to grab the other two sizes as well.

The baby Phoenix pattern is a spaghetti strap tank style that includes options for a bikini, crop, top and romper.  The optional accents include flounce (front, back or both) or a peek-a-boo back.  The baby sizes include bummies and can be paired as separates or as a romper.  Multiple necklines are available which include scoop, squared or high.  Sizing runs from newborn up to 24 months in the baby pattern.  Check out the line drawings below for even more details on all the awesome options included:

I made two different views for my daughter in testing and love both of them. First, let’s talk about sizing.  Her measurements put her in the 18 month width and 24 month length.  This was super easy to grade and came out in a really great fit on her.  For the first set I opted for separates to mix and match.  I sewed up the bummies with a regular waistband (yoga band is also included) and tank top.  This tank is the regular scoop neckline with no extra accents added.  Both fabrics are cotton lycra from Raspberry Creek Fabrics and I added some glitter HTV with my Silhouette on the tank.  We are heading to the Grand Canyon on vacation in a few weeks and this National Parks fabric was too cute to pass up!

I am a sucker for rompers so I had to sew up the romper view for her as well!  For this one I used the flounce on the front only and scoop neck.  The pastel gingham is also from Raspberry Creek Fabrics and the solid pink is from Purple Seamstress.  Both fabrics are a cotton lycra as well.  I always worry on rompers without closures about over-stretching when taking it off/on.  But, this romper is very easy to get dressed without closures and without stretching it out.  The fit is spot on and SO cute with the flounce! I know a lot of sewists also shy away from patterns with bindings (I know I have in the past) but don’t be afraid.  Binding really isn’t difficult and the instructions in the tutorial make it so easy.  I don’t have a fancy coverstitch machine and just used a triple stitch on the longest stitch length to do my binding (and hemming) top stitching!

I love all the options packed into this fun summer pattern and plan to sew up a bikini top and peek-a-boo back tank top next!  The Phoenix is on sale for a short time and is 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: Petite Stitchery Hibiscus Bodysuit, Top & Dress
Pattern Reviews

Pattern Review: Petite Stitchery Hibiscus Bodysuit, Top & Dress

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Petite Stitchery just revamped the Hibiscus pattern and re-released it with loads of updates!   The Hibiscus is available in baby, girls and women’s sizing.  I tested the girls size and can’t wait to grab the other two sizes as well.

The Hibiscus pattern is an off-shoulder style that includes options for a bodysuit, top and dress.  You can choose from a flounce (in 2 lengths), ruffle or banded neck.  Sleeve options include sleeveless, short, half (elbow), 3/4 and long.  You can opt for crop, fitted top or flare top lengths.  The bodysuit includes leg bands or leg elastic and optional snap crotch.  If the top and bodysuit weren’t enough….there are 2 skirt lengths for a dress or stand alone skirt! Check out the line drawings below for even more details on all the awesome options included:

We started a tie dye tradition last summer and this pattern was PERFECT for tie dye this summer!  For this top I sewed my daughter a 7 width mashed with 12 length according to her measurements which was super easy to blend and ended up with a perfect fit.  This one is a fitted top length, short sleeve and short flounce.  We used a solid white cotton lycra from Raspberry Creek Fabrics and then dyed it.  The end result is so fun and unique!

My daughter is also in need of new swimsuits this summer so we slightly hacked this pattern for a new suit.  The only modifications I made to the pattern were to add a full suit lining and elastic to the underarm seam.  Super easy, right?!  I used the leg bands, short flounce and sleeveless options on this suit.  This swim fabric is one of my favorite new prints this summer from Raspberry Creek Fabrics.

I love how versatile this pattern is and can’t wait to sew up the dress and crop (as a swim top of course) next!  The Hibiscus is on sale for a short time and is 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: Children’s Two Piece Swim Set by Rebecca Page
Pattern Reviews

Pattern Review: Children’s Two Piece Swim Set by Rebecca Page

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When you live in South Florida in the summer you need LOTS of swim suits to make it through the heat!  The two piece ruched swim suit just released from Rebecca Page and it’s full of options.

This pattern comes in a large size range from 12 months up to size 12 which means it will fit all of my girls without buying baby sizing as well! For the swim top you can choose a cropped or tankini length with ruched sides.  There is an optional decorative zipper you can add to the top.   The bottoms have a high or mid rise and choices for plain or ruched sides and/or back.  There is full booty coverage and the entire suit is fully lined.  If you choose to leave off the decorative zipper this is a surprisingly quick and easy swim suit to sew up!

For my first one I sewed up an 11/12 length blended to the 7/8 width for my eleven year old.   It was very simple to grade between sizes and the fit was spot on.  This is the crop length and mid rise side ruched bottoms.  We used a solid swim fabric from Raspberry Creek Fabrics and added a strip of stretch lace to break up the solid color.

For my youngest I sewed up the 18/24 month sizing with no modifications.  The fit is great as well and it is also a crop length with mid rise side ruched bottoms.  The striped swim fabric is also from Raspberry Creek Fabrics and the pink swim solid is from Knitpop.

I already have several hacks planned to add a peplum or band or ruffle to the crop length top and ruffles on the legs!  This pattern is on sale for a short time so scoop it up here (also comes in ladies sizes!) and sew up all the swim suits this summer!  I’d love to see what you create:)

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