All Tucked In for the Holidays – EYMM Riley Blog Tour
All these pyjama blog tours have come in handy. Little Miss V is a summer baby and big sis Silly Bean is a winter baby, so none of the pj hand-me-downs that fit Miss V are the right season. I suppose I could just buy a few pairs of pjs, but sewing them is so much more fun!
Continue reading “All Tucked In for the Holidays – EYMM Riley Blog Tour”
Ruby Jean’s Closet -Marissa the Learning Doll + GIVEAWAY
Every so often I see a cute non clothing pattern I want to try and I just couldn’t resist this learning doll from Ruby Jean’s Closet. Marissa is just so sweet! Read to the end to enter the giveaway!
Disclaimer: I received the pattern for free for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% my own of course!
This was the most time consuming project I’ve done so far, but it’s oh so worth it. My girls just love her! They both want to play with her at the same time, so I need to make a second one now.
The only thing I didn’t do on this were the eyelet holes in Marissa’s top (for lacing the shoe lace through), I had forgotten to pick them up at the store on my last trip there, so I will be adding them on later.
But other than needing the eyelets I forgot to buy, I’m so proud of myself as I didn’t buy a single thing to make her. Or maybe I shouldn’t be so happy, because that means I have an excessively huge stash of stuff. So, yes, this was a stash busting project from start to finish!
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| Moving in for a kiss! |
Little Miss V is a little young for this doll, but there’s something about her face that V just loves. She sees her and she smiles and hugs her, and gives her kisses. (Well, V’s version of kisses).
Marissa is a lot bigger than I realized. The finished sized is mentioned in the listing but I must have skipped that. She’s 22″ tall, she’s bigger than my girls from when they were newborns!
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| Button practice |
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| Perfect bow! |
So what makes Marissa a learning doll? Her starfish hairbow clips on and off; shoelaces to tie and weave through the holes in her top (if I had put them in); buttons on the skirt; a zipper on the back; snaps on the shoulders of her top; and velcro closure on her skirt.
I’m thinking on the next one I’ll make her heart (under her top) out of minky to add some texture fun too.
Pattern Details:
- Pattern cutting layout, fabric requirements chart
- I like how the tutorial separates out each section of the doll so you prepare the pieces for each section (upper body, lower body) before moving onto the next step. I found that to be a good help to keep from getting confused.
- Clear, easy to understand steps with photos
- 15 pages to print
- Glossary of sewing terms included
Would I make this again?
Yes, definitely. It’s a bigger project with all the little pieces to cut out and the snaps, etc to install, but so cute and seeing my girls light up was worth it. I say it took me about 6 hours in all from start to finish.
Keep reading, giveaway at the bottom of this post!
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| Zipper practice! Ignore the rice krispies on her shirt, ha! |
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| Very huggable! |
Do you want a chance to win this pattern? Ruby Jean’s Closet has graciously allowed me to give away the complete learning doll set! The 4 pack includes Marissa, Seabiscuit, Iggy and the fishy friends trio (included with each doll purchase)! Enter in the rafflecopter below. And if you just can’t wait to find out if you win, head on over to their Etsy shop and pick up your favourite doll!
AND for another chance to win, after you enter the Rafflecopter here, head on over to Sprouting JubeJube! She’s also giving away a 4-pack to her readers! 🙂
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Hey this was another stash sew project! Most of the fabrics are leftovers from other projects, the felt I’ve had for a couple years, the snaps and stuff I bought a few months back. The shoelace I stole from a pair of sneakers I barely ever wear :p
Ula writes for Lulu&Celeste
Link up parties you might find me at:
EYMM: My Little Superhero blog tour!
Disclaimer: I received the pattern for free for the purpose of this review. Slight modifications may have been made to the pattern in the final version. This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click the link and buy through it, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links are marked with an *. All opinions are 100% my own though.
Just in time for some last minute Halloween costume sewing, Kymy of EYMM* (Everything Your Mama Made) has come up with a superhero costume pattern bundle.
I really wanted to make a matching set for both my girls and for Silly Bean’s doll, but I didn’t have time to get to the fabric store and pick up enough fabric for all three capes so I raided my stash and made a cape for Miss V. Benefits of sewing for a baby, they don’t require much fabric!
And before anyone says anything, the pattern includes instructions to use velcro for the capes’ closures but I couldn’t find it in my messy craft room. The cape is tied on just for pictures, I’ll add the velcro on before I let her wear it again. 😉
Silly Bean did score a matching mask though!
Pattern Bundle Details:
- 3 mask styles, cape, wrist cuffs and belt, as well as appliques for different shapes (heart, diamond, circle, crown, and more) as well as the alphabet in order to completely personalize your child’s costume. (You can see official details with sizing chart here*)
- big size range: Newborn to 10 PLUS 18″ doll
- Includes sizing chart, yardage requirements chart; clear instructions with diagrams; and plenty of tester photos for inspiration!
I make masks all the time (Silly Bean is always losing the ones I made her), and I’ve found that felt is fiddly and likes to shift a lot. What I like to do is keep the mask pattern pinned to the two sheets of felt, fussy cut around the shape, slip the elastic between the two layers of felt and then stitch around the shape. Once it’s stitched I trim the felt close to the stitch line. It makes adding the elastic a little more difficult but I find it easier to sew in case the felt shifts.
The bundle is for sale here* at the low price of $4.95 BUT until October 21, 2014 with the code HEROSET you can get 40% of the purchase price (valid only on the Superhero bundle) making it just $2.97!!
And I know there are lots of free patterns for capes and masks out there but most of the time they’re in one size only and haven’t gone through testing. I think this is a great deal 🙂
Tomorrow stop by This & That & Craft and see what they made!
Other stops on the tour:
BabyFish Designs
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| I feel like this picture needs some superhero graphics or something |
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This project is a Sewing from the Stash sew! The cape fabrics I’ve both had for ages! (The silver for about 3 years?)
Pattern Parcel #5 – The Playhouse Dress
Welcome back! Today is the LAST day to purchase Pattern Parcel #5, so hurry on over and get it!!
Disclaimer: I received the pattern for free for the purpose of this tour. All opinions are my own of course!
Before I get into the pattern details and show you pics what is Perfect Pattern Parcel #5?In their own words:
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. Together we’ve raised over $11,000 for classrooms in need!
I think that’s pretty cool! The parcel includes 5 patterns:
Lily Knit Blazer by Peek-a-Boo Patterns
Everyday Yoga Pant for Girls by Greenstyle
Asymmetrical Drape Top by EYMM
Playhouse Dress by Fishstick Designs
Mimi Dress and Shirt by Filles a Maman
but if you spend $28 or more you get the bonus 6th pattern: The Sunki Dress by Figgy’s
Anyway, on to the Playhouse Dress!
The Playhouse dress by Fishsticks Designs comes in sizes 12m to 12 years. I sewed up a size 18m for my 14-month-old. She generally fits size 12-18m in RTW and in most PDF patterns. The pattern includes a finished measurements chart only (no child measurement chart) and chose accordingly. Fit is great!
There is also the option for long sleeves, but I decided to go with short (well, I had no choice, not enough of the white knit for long sleeves!)
The fun thing about this pattern is that it can be made in a combo of knit and woven or all knit. I decide to go all knit for the bodice and sleeves and used a plaid flannel for the bottom. I think it makes a great Fall dress. (Although, look at that! It’s October and we’re going barefoot outside! I’m in Montreal, Canada, this is so rare, lol)
The instructions are super easy to understand, there are good clear photos for each step with little tips and tricks along the way. The pattern pieces can be either printed all nested, or each size can be printed on it’s own, or you can take the file to a copy shop and have it printed out on a large sheet.
I highly recommend this pattern. I think it would make a great everyday princess dress what with the little puff sleeves and the curved bodice.
I really wanted to sew up the other patterns from this parcel, (and I will eventually), but check out the rest of the blogs on the tour schedule below to see some of the other looks that were sewn up. And click the link below to get to the Pattern Parcel website to find out more info on the different patterns available.
Happy sewing!
TOUR SCHEDULE:
Friday, September 19 Pienkel || Cookin’ and Craftin’
Saturday, September 20 Sew Busy Lizzy || The Life Of A Compulsive Crafter
Sunday, September 21 Keep Calm and Carrion || Felt With Love Designs
Monday, September 22 Radiant Home Studio || Sewing Sober
Tuesday, September 23 Sew Fishsticks || La Pantigana || Amanda Rose
Wednesday,September 24 Shawnta Sews || Sprouting JubeJube || Knot Sew Normal
Thursday, September 25 Make It Perfect || Mimi’s Mom || Climbing the Willow
Friday, September 26 Needle and Ted || Our Family Four
Saturday, September 27 Froo & Boo
Sunday, September 28 Stitches by Laura || Vicky Myers creations
Monday, September 29 Cookin’ and Craftin’ || The Crazy Tailor
Tuesday, September 30 mama says sew || FABulous Home Sewn || The Inspired Wren
Wednesday, October 1 lady and the gents || That’s-Sew-Kari || Sewing Sober
Thursday,October 2 Gracious Threads || Blogs Like A Mother || SewsNBows
Friday, October 3 sew chibi || Lulu & Celeste || Made by Sara
Link up parties you might find me at:
A Look Back: Monkey Leggings by Terra’s Treasures
I’m back with another pattern by Terra’s Treasures that I tested way back when!
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| MONKEY LEGGINGS PATTERN BY TERRA’S TREASURES | KAUFMAN LAGUNA STRETCH KNIT BUTTERFLIES |
Disclaimer: I received the pattern for free for testing it. All opinions are my own. The pictures are of a tester version of the pattern, slight modifications may have been made in the final version.This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click the link and buy through it, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Here’s another pattern I had tested for Terra’s Treasures (affiliate link). These were super cute and fun and easy to make. I think the Monkey Leggings (affiliate link) were one of the first things I tested with knit fabric. These were made this past March, so she’s about 7.5 months in these pics.
When I had tested the pattern, the legs had wound up a little long, so the length was adjusted in the final pattern. I ended up leaving them too long which worked out great because they lasted her for so long. This pair was the size 6-9 months I believe and she only just outgrew them a few weeks ago. (The waist is a little tight now, the too long length is now perfect. But the corrected length in the pattern would have been too short now).
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| I tried to match up the butterflies at the seam but couldn’t figure it out. |
I love the little bum piece. You could have so much fun with it doing appliques and stuff. (Don’t you love my technical term, “stuff”?) However, I have to say that my mum was always asking if there was a hole in her pants, LOL.
The pair I tested were the regular (non-cloth) version, but she also has a cloth diaper version (affiliate link) of the pattern to accommodate fluffier bums.
Pattern Details:
- Sizes 0-3 months to 5T
- Finished measurements chart, size chart, yardage chart, and a stretch gauge are included
- Tips for sewing with knits
- Cutting layout included
- Professionally graded pattern pieces
- Two cutting lengths: capri and regular
Fabric:
- Both the red and butterflies are Kaufman Laguna Stretch Knits purchased from Fabric.com
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| And a cheesy pic because why not? |
Don’t forget to check out Terra’s Treasures. Her patterns can be found on her website here (affiliate link), or on Etsy.
Till Next Time!
Ula writes for Lulu&Celeste
Link up parties you might find me at:
Friday Favs Party, Inspire Us Thursdays, Tuesday Sews, We Did it Wednesday, You Made it and ♥ it!, Create Link Inspire @ Nap-time Creations, Worthwhile Wednesdays, Inspiration Monday Party, Craft Lover’s Link Party, SNAP, Threading My Way, Sew Many Ways