Little Artist Palette - an add-on tutorial and a pattern review

Hi everyone! I found the most perfect sewing project to teach toddlers all the different colors! It is the Little Artist Palette, a pattern by Swoodson Says. My 3 year-old (who actually just turned 4 last Monday) was learning the colors by the time I made this (last December) and it helped immensely! She loved (and still loves) to play with it all.the.time. 

When Stephanie put out a testing call I missed it. Well, I actually answered it but it was too late, she had already picked her testers. A few days later I got the most lovely response from Stephanie offering me the Little Artist Palette pattern in exchange of a blog post! (Nonetheless all opinions are my own!) Wasn't she sweet? She got a new fan immediately! :) 

The Antalya Dress

I am so in love with this dress! It is the new - released yesterday! - Antalya dress pattern by Kid Approved for the Spring/Summer 2015 collection of Willow & Co. 

Boys can wear pink!

When Kelly - who blogs over Handmade Boy -  said something about hosting a blog series on boys wearing pink I immediately said yes! I never say no to a chance to sew something for my little guy since he gets so much less sewing from mom than his two sisters. 

He is always so happy when I do! (As in opposed to his sisters who often say things like "Oh no mommy, another dress?!? Don't I have enough yet?" As if it was possible that a girl could ever have too many dresses!... Well, according to their book it is, haha! ) 

And I love new sewing challenges and I knew sewing something pink for him would be a challenge. And I wasn't wrong. 

The Sugar Plum Sweater

Hi! I had the chance to join the Ellie Inspired Holiday Tour, so here I am! You already know how much I love to find new patterns and pattern designers and although Ellie Inspired is in the pattern market since 2010 and has over 100 (!) patterns to choose from I haven't had the chance to sew up one of their patterns before. If you like classic and timeless pattern designs you have to check Ellie Inspired's patterns.

Pattern
The Sugar Plum Sweater dress pattern, pattern by Ellie Inspired.

Fabric
Two different double-knits.
I usually don't make things for my kids in these greyish-black darker colors but honestly it was the only knit I had with a holiday feel. :) (And it is very very hard to find good knit prints around... They are mostly color blocked...)

Details
This pattern comes in sizes 1-16! It is a super simple sweater or dress pattern with a few options: short or long sleeve and a crew neck or a turtle neck.
I have to say I almost never sew t-shirts or sweaters for my kids without adding some pizzazz. Either it is a ruffle collar, a kanguru pocket, elbow patches, or simply by using two different knit prints or playing with some color blocking... In this case I have add a kanguru pocket and bow straps as a closure at the back - they are both not in the pattern options. I love the result! I want a sweater just like this to myself...
This is a beginner friendly pattern so if you want to try a simple project with knits this is it.

Ellie Inspired Clothes is offering a discount of 25% off all your cart with the code PARTY valid through Friday (Nov 14th). I already have a few patterns in mind I want to try... (Like the Sweet Pea Coat - how lovely is that?)

See what the other participants of this tour are sewing up with Ellie Inspired patterns
Crazy, Crafty Haute Mama
Know Sew Normal
That's Sew Kary

And she is back to normal... That sassy girl... :) Thank you all for your kind words. All the bugs are gone now and this family of five is back to regular routine. Finally. :)

The Barcelona Wallet

One of my (sewing) goals for this year was to venture myself into the art of sewing bags. Some say it is easier than sewing clothes, some say it is harder. I say... it depends on the pattern! :)
This year I had already the opportunity to make two amazing bags - the Retro Rucksack and the Senna tote - and I loved sewing them up! The only thing I regret on bag patterns is that it takes a lot more time to cut and interface all the one million pieces then to sew it up. :) But the result is always so rewarding!

Today I am sharing with you my last making - the Barcelona wallet!

These next two weeks are going to be Handbags Galore on the sewing blogosphere, because it is time for Perfect Pattern Parcel #7 and it is all about HANDBAGS!!
This parcel includes: 

• Barcelona Bag and Wallet by Pat Bravo
• Butterfly Sling Purse by Emmaline Patterns 
• Evelyn Hangbag by ChrisW Designs 
• Midtown Messenger Bag by Betz White 
• Betty Bowler by Swoon Sewing Patterns 
• BONUS PATTERN (if you choose a price higher than $32): Daphne Bag by Clover & Violet - this is an exclusive release!

Pattern

Barcelona wallet, pattern by Pat Bravo.

Fabric
Cork (as main fabric), wool (for the tab, you may recognize it from this dress) and floral cotton (for the lining).
Who would say that cork would make such an amazing fabric? Well, it does! It is super pliable and great to work with. It is very resistant and waterproof! Great for making wallets and bags. And umbrellas and shoes. Oh yes, just google it and you will be amazed! 


Details
I really enjoyed making this wallet.The instructions are clear and easy to follow. 
This pattern has lots of pockets: 3 card pockets, a big bill pocket, a zipper pocket, and a main pocket which is perfect for carrying your smartphone!
It closes with a zipper and a snap that is sewn to the tab.
I have add a keychain and a little bling to the zipper - a charm and a little black bow.

This wallet is perfect to keep all your important stuff and the size is just perfect! (Not too small, not too big!)

I already have fabric cut to make one more bag from that amazing list... the Betty Bowler! I have been eyeing it since it was released and I have been tortured by all the wonderful versions of it on the Swoon Patterns group on Facebook. I am so excited for being working on this patern! 
I have to say I am not sure I will stop after this one... I mean, look at all these gorgeous bags!!... 


How Pattern Parcel Works Here at Perfect Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers. It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too. So, we allow customers to show their support in naming their own price for each Parcel. We also encourage customers to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. Its our goal to raise over $20,000 for Donors Choose this year.  This is the last Parcel of the year and it is all about great patterns to make gifts for the holidays as well as do some selfish sewing! 

Make sure to check all these links in the next two weeks to get your daily dose of Inspiration for these Pattern Parcel!

Friday, November 7 Stitched || Sew Exhausted Saturday, November 8 Made by Sara ||Oliver's Fancy || Strawberry Patch Ramblings Sunday, November 9  from a box || Mia's Creations || MOMENTS Monday, November 10 owen's olivia || While she was sleeping
Tuesday, November 11 Nutta || Radiant Home Studio || La Pantigana
Wednesday, November 12 Sew Fishsticks || Stacy Sews || Stitching Insane || GnomeAngel
Thursday, November 13 Needle and Ted || Patchouli Moon Studio || Sprouting JubeJube || The Crazy Tailor
Friday, November 14 Casa Crafty || A Jennuine Life || 'So, Zo... What do you know?'  Saturday, November 15 Stitches by Laura || Rebekah Sews || Serger Pepper
Sunday, November 16 Blogs Like A Mother || Vicky Myers creations || Blossom Heart Quilts
Monday, November 17 Shanni Loves || So Sew Easy || GYCT Designs || Tiger In A Tornado
Tuesday, November 18 The Nosy Pepper || Keep Calm and Carrion || There & Back || Sewing Sober
Wednesday, November 19 Sew Like My Mom || Knot Sew Normal || Stacy Sews || sewVery
Thursday, November 20 Mimi's Mom || Our Family Four || shades of BOLD || Modern Handcraft
Friday, November 21 Shawnta Sews || Lulu & Celeste || Amanda Rose || Robin's Fabric Nest || House of Pinheiro
Happy sewing!
And, Peace!

The Franklin dress

If you follow my blog you alredy know how much I love to find new pattern designers. I already talked about how it always feel as a shoot in the dark but hey, I guess I like to live dangerously. :) So, when Erin from Brooklin Pattern Co. asked me if I would like to join the Franklin dress & top pattern tour I immediately said yes! I loved the pattern from the minute I saw it and I would have the chance to work with a new designer.

Erin was born in the UK but grew up in the east coast (USA). She worked as a costumer and a patternmaker on Broadway for several years until she became a mom to two munchkins. She is now lauching her patttern company with this debut pattern.

I was very impressed with the overall quality of this pattern. The pattern pieces have a lot of notches, on the right places and they match perfectly (I won't talk again about the importance of notches :) ), and the instructions look amazingly professional (something it is not common to find in the indie pdf patterns).

Pattern:
The Franklin dress pattern by Brooklin Pattern Co. 

Fabric:
This fabric is rayon challys. It worked great! It is super soft and it drapes beautifully. 
This fabric was chosen by my little princess from my stash, so no suprise it is... a floral print. :) I had 3 yards of this print and I was saving them to make something for me (I have to say it was a favorite fabric from my stash... but what's a mom supposed to do when a child asks for it?...) but because I had to fussy cut the print to center and match front, back and sleeves, I was left with 2 yards of scraps... I really don't know to do with them... They are big enough to make maybe a girl's blouse or top but I am not sure I will be able to match the print perfectly... Oh well...

Details:
This pattern is available in sizes 6 months to 8 years. It features a beautiful pleated yoke, gathered sleeves and in seam pockets. I love it!!
I did some things differently though: I have made the button placket a girl's placket (the pattern instructs on how to make a boy/ unisex placket) and I have enclosed the yoke seam (so it wouldn't itch, not that it would in this case because this fabric is really soft, but I am used to make enclosed seams since I personally prefer it to exposed seams).

She wanted to take it to school today and I was "hummm, no!" :) She would be comfortable, no doubt on that, but it is a bit too much of a dress up style to go to school, don't you agree? :) 

I think I am on an experimental phase of my sewing... 
I should be making pratical clothes for my kids, things they really need, but instead I am finding myself lately wanting to try new things and to use new or fancier fabrics... It is a shift on my sewing style? Only time will tell...
I began sewing for me not for my kids. Then when I found the whole sewing-mom-blogger online community I was compelled to sew for my kids - something that surprisingly has never crossed my mind, maybe because I thought it wouldn't be worth it since they grow up so fast and let's face it, sometimes a handmade outfit costs the same or even more than those from RTW... 
So, even when I decided to start sewing for my kids it was more about me (about learning more and making sewing experiments and finding new patterns, new designers, new techniques...) then about them (making them clothes they need)... I guess that for me selfish sewing is not just about sewing for myself but also sewing for my kids... I mean, sewing is my hobby and just as any other hobby it is supposed to be a creative outlet or something that keeps you sane or something that makes you relaxed... So it is always a bit about ourselves and our well being, right?
Is it shocking? Or is it something you relate with? I wonder... 

This post is part of the Franklin dress pattern tour. Take a look at all the other participants versions for some inspiration!

Erin is giving away a Franklin dress pattern, just entry the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Floral Jacket

  

In this photo it seems that the jacket doesn't fit, but it does! She was moving and her left shoulder is lowered, that is why it looks a bit lopsided...

I had the chance to test this pattern about 2 weeks ago just a few days after I pinned almost every single outfit from Dolce & Gabbana's Fall/Winter kids collection to my kids fashion pinboard on Pinterest. I was in love with those bold floral prints at first and then, oh well, I fell in love with the whole collection... So I just had to make this jacket in a bold floral print. :)
I waited until week # 4 of Project Run and Play to post about it because I think this jacket actually shows my signature style - florals and details, like piping! (I have joined Signature Style challenge on season 8 of PR&P also with a floral + piping. :) You can check it here.)

Pattern: the Beetle jacket by Mamacosesola.
Fabric: floral cotton piqué as main, and a polka dot rayon for the lining.
Details: I love this jacket! I love its design and details, as the piping (you know how I love piping... :) ), the peplum style and the sleeves that are slightly gathered - adding to the overall design. It features a peter pan collar, it closes with a button placket or with big sew-in snaps on the inside (which is what I used) and it is fully lined! It is a feminine short jacket that goes well in several styles, depending on the fabric you use. The instructions are in spanish but there are lots of images to help you through the construction. 

I should have ironed the lining... :)

This jacket is perfect for Fall weather.! I can't wait to make a few more with other fabrics, such as corduroy or tweed. I think they will look great!

The Summer Soirée dress

I should have understitched that lining... ;)

So Summer is definitely (and finally) over around here. (I don't hide that I am a Fall lover. Maybe because I was born in October. :) ) The weather is still nice for short sleeves during the day - if it is  not raining that is - but the early mornings and after dusks are already a bit chilly. 
Shamely I have still a few outfits I made for summer that haven't been blogged yet, so I thought that maybe this was a good time to do it since in no time it won't make much sense... at least for all my upper hemisphere readers. ;)

I have tested this pattern a few months ago but unfortunately at the time I couldn't take proper outside photos... I was finally able to have this photoshoot a month ago, but life just got in the way and for one reason or another I didn't shared this project until now. Before I started to blog more often (earlier this year, after 7 years of blogging just for myself :) ) I didn't realized all that it takes to make a sewing blog post or a DIY post... Well, it takes a lot! :) And sometimes we just don't have the time to go to a certain place to have *the* phoshoot, or we don't have the time to edit the photos and write about it... Oh well, I have a couple of other summer projects to blog and (doing a happy dance) I have all the photos taken, so I will be blogging about them in the next 2 weeks.

Pattern: the Summer Soirée dress by Lil Luxe Collection
Fabric: I have used a medium-weight satin brocade fabric (the kind of that is used for kimonos). Both bodice and skirt are from the same fabric yard. It was a chinese print border fabric with three layers - one green band with chinese dragons, one pink with small red flowers and one red and small pink flowers. It had this colored stitching lines between layers that I carefully cut to match at the bottom of the bodice pieces.
Details: This dress features a beautifuly designed bodice, a bubble skirt, a V back, and in-seam pockets. It was recentely revamped into a new pattern - the Socialite Peplum Bubble dress - which I love even more! It can now be made either as a peplum top or a bubble dress, sleeveless or with short/long sleeves. Perfect for Fall weather.

You can see by her face that he was having all the fun... :)

We took this photos at the same time I was also photoshooting the Knight Hoodie (for Pattern Parcel #4). If you missed it - and want the to get the story behind this - go check it here.