Tag: Striped Swallow Designs

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: 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: Nightingale Cardigan and Top by Striped Swallow Designs
Pattern Reviews

Pattern Review: Nightingale Cardigan and Top by Striped Swallow Designs

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I was so excited to test out the new Nightingale pattern for Striped Swallow Designs a few weeks ago.  I am a sucker for cardigans and feminine details so this pattern was right up my alley.

There is an oversized cardigan with a high-low hem and bishop sleeve option as well as a button up crop top with long sleeve option.  There are optional pockets as well.  If you prefer a straight hem there is also a blog post on the Striped Swallow Designs website on how to hack this into a straight hem instead of high-low.

I sewed up the cardigan option with pockets and am just in love with the bishop sleeve!  For my cardigan I used an oatmeal french terry from Knitpop (I bought it a few years ago though) and sewed a size medium.  I have already sewed up a second one in sweater knit and have 2 more planned.  This is a fairly easy sew as long as you are comfortable with buttonholes.  If you are scared of sewing buttonholes, don’t be!  It’s much easier than it looks and there are tons of tutorials on youtube to teach you!

I paired my cardigan with SOS pants from Patterns for Pirates and the Harbor Knot Tee (in slim fit/lower knot option) from Striped Swallow Designs.  This was my first Harbor Knot Tee although I have made several in the tank option and let me just say it is LOVE and I see many more in my wardrobe soon!

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This pattern is also available in kids sizing and is on sale with coupon code NIGHTINGALE for $2 off through January 31!    Grab yours here before the coupon expires and I hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I do and I can’t wait to see what you sew up:)

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

 

Pattern Review: On Pointe Leotard by Striped Swallow Designs
Pattern Reviews

Pattern Review: On Pointe Leotard by Striped Swallow Designs

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I was so excited to test out the new On Pointe Leotard pattern for Striped Swallow Designs a few weeks ago.  With my girls both in dance we are always on the lookout for new unique leotard patterns to try out.   The On Pointe Leotard pattern is the newest pattern in their Movement line and it does not disappoint.

This pattern has a stunning elegant open back with lots of details and options including:

*Three sleeve lengths (sleeveless, short, long)

*Side accent piece (optional)

*Unique color blocking on the front bodice

*Elastic or banded leg options

I sewed up the sleeveless option with leg bands and skipped the optional side accent pieces.  You can use a sheer mesh for the bodice colorblocking but we went with a more modest look on ours and used cotton lycra.  For this leotard I used all cotton lycra, the solid black and pink are both from Purple Seamstress Fabric (their solids are the very best I have found for such great prices!) and the giraffe print is a custom from Mabel Madison Fabrics.  You may be able to find your s-hooks locally however I ordered mine from The Fabric Fairy as I could not find the right size locally.

I was a bit intimidated initially by the color blocking and open back binding.  However, the instructions are very clear and it was actually very easy to sew up.  I love that it has a leg band option as my girls do not like the feel of elastic on their legs.  It was also easy to grade for size, we needed a 6x in length but a 5 in width to get that perfect fit.

 

Striped Swallow Designs also released a second pattern in the Movement Collection alongside the leotard that is for separates.  I did not test the On Pointe Crop Top and Briefs pattern however I will certainly be sewing that up in swim fabric for a fantastic swimsuit option with extra sleeve coverage this summer!

These patterns are both on sale with coupon code onpointe through Friday March 22.  The coupon is valid on both patterns or the bundle for both here.  I hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I do and I can’t wait to see what you sew up:)

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