Pattern Reviews

Pattern Review: Petite Stitchery Hibiscus Bodysuit, Top & Dress

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 Reviews

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

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 Reviews

Pattern Review: Nightingale Cardigan and Top by Striped Swallow Designs

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 Reviews

Pattern Review: On Pointe Leotard by Striped Swallow Designs

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.**