BebeLambs’ Hope Floats Breezy Blog Tour

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means if you purchase a pattern through one of my links I will receive a small commission. I received a copy of the pattern for free for participating in the blog tour but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

My first blog tour! I’m a little excited! Welcome! Read to the end to find out how to win a copy of the pattern!

If you came here through the link posted on BebeLambs blog I’ll introduce myself a little. My name is Ula, I’m mama to two beautiful girls, one 4-year-old  “Silly Bean”, and an almost 10-month-old “Baby V”, and I’m wife to G. Presently I’m on maternity leave from my part-time clerical job and I’ve gone a little sew crazy the past 10 months.



When I saw Lynn from BebeLambs looking for contributors for her blog tour I jumped at the chance! The Hope Floats is just too cute and I had the perfect fabric.



I love eyelet. I’ve been wanting to upcycle this eyelet fabric I picked up a few years ago at a craft fair (for free!) for awhile now. This was the perfect pattern for the fabric. 


I had to make a small modification to the pattern since the length of the fabric was a bit short for the requirements for the skirt. So it’s a little shorter than it should be but not by much. BUT since it was already hemmed I got to skip that step! The hem isn’t as wide as what it calls for in the pattern but it was already done for me. Yay for upcycling! The fabric also wasn’t wide enough to make the fuller version of the skirt so I did the simple skirt.


The Hope Floats is quick to make. I think it took me about two hours, it would probably be even faster if you just used a serger to finish the seams or if you skipped topstitching the straps and bodice. I decided to do the topstitching since I thought it would look nicer.



It is so so pretty! Perfect for the beach..


..or playing in the backyard on a cloudy day. 

The back bodice has elastic casings and the straps wrap over and go through a buttonhole in the back bodice and tie into a bow. I did my buttonhole horizontally between the rows of elastic.



I think this pattern is so versatile. The front bodice is large enough to add embroidery or applique, and you could try adding flutter sleeves to the straps for another look.

This is such a great pattern for beginners too. You do need to make a buttonhole though.

Pattern Details:
-Sizes NB to 10
-Skirt can be full or simple
-Pattern piece provided for front bodice, measurement charts for the straps, skirt and back bodice, and elastic.
-Finished length measurement chart included

Fabric used:
Upcycled white cotton eyelet and white Kona cotton for lining and straps.

I paired the Hope Floats top with the Addie shorts from My Little Plumcake (not an affiliate). Perfect combo, fabric and pattern! Eyelet and chambray ♥


Here are the links to other bloggers on the tour:
Manning and the Machine
Keep Calm and Carrion
Sew Like My Mom
Two Novembers
Sofilantjes
Gracious Threads
My Love is Homemade
You can find Bebelambs patterns here or on Etsy here.


And don’t forget to check out the Bebelambs blog for a chance to win your own copy of the Hope Floats pattern! Giveaway now closed!

Thank you Lynn for having me on your blog tour!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I would love it if you left me a comment 🙂 



This post was featured at:
Inspired Us Thursdays: Sew Needle Stitch Hook, a link party of fiber arts. | The Inspired Wren     PiePie Designs Nap-Time Creations


Link up parties you might find me at:

Friday Favs Party, Inspire Us Thursday, Tuesday Sews, We Did it Wednesday, You Made it and ♥ it!, Create Link Inspire @ Nap-time Creations, Worthwhile Wednesdays

Pattern Test: Old Tyme Baseball Shirt by Dandelions n Dungarees

The Old Tyme Baseball shirt by Dandelions n’ Dungarees is part of the Aspiring Designers Challenge happening over at Pattern Revolution. Check out the challenge on their website and find out about all the other aspiring designers participating in it and you also have a chance to win a copy of each of the patterns being released!
I love this shirt. I know, I say that about every test that I’ve done, but I really do love them all.

 

When I signed up to test for this shirt by Dandelions n’ Dungarees, I figured it would be too easy to make it look sporty (and well, seriously she’s 6 months old, it’s not like she can really play baseball!), so I decided to challenge myself to make it a little girly. I think I succeeded! I actually used a vintage pillowcase to make it, I think it works. The print is so sweet!

It was my first time ever doing piping, and while it was a bit of challenge for me the directions were great (although my piping is not, lol).

I really like how it looks layered over a long sleeve. I plan to make more. My older girl could use some new shirts too!

I think a beginner could do this if they’re willing to tackle piping (if they haven’t done that before). Another great thing about their patterns is that they include a sewing dictionary with their patterns. Super helpful at times!

Check out the rest of the designers in the Aspiring Designers Challenge over at Pattern Revolution and enter for your chance to win each of the patterns!

Pattern Test: Little Betty top by Sewpony

I tested a top pattern for Sewpony called the Little Betty top. It’s too cute. Right now there is a 20% off code for her Etsy shop. Just check the blog post.
oops forgot to button it up in the back for these pics

I have to say that I love love LOVE this top. It’s the most adorable top ever! I love the ruffles. The ruffles aren’t overpowering, they’re just perfect. They go all around to the back too. So cute!

It’s great pattern for beginners to try. I’ve only ever (successfully) sewn with knits like 4 times total prior to this top (see here, my other two projects were skirts sewn on my old machine and weren’t that great). You’ll need to make a placket for the button opening and sew on binding, the rest is fairly straightforward.
Did I mention she’s 5 months old now? Where did the time go??? Waah!
There isn’t much taping to do really, most of the pieces fit on one page. (Or at least they did for the 6m size, hmm..) The pattern comes in a size range of 6m to 8y. Baby V is modelling the 6m size. (And for the fun of it, I’m working on a second one in 4T for SillyBean.) No serger needed! You can do it all on a sewing machine, as long as you have a stretch stitch.
Sewing it up is fast and easy. Just make sure you’re not sleep deprived when you’re cutting out the pieces and sewing it or you’ll end up having to recut the bodice and some other pieces three times… Three times.. Make sure you put the fold edge of the pattern pieces actually along the fold.. That may or may not have happened to me. Okay, it did. Luckily I was using an old shirt of mine so I didn’t waste any purchased fabric. But still… For something that in the end was real easy and fast, I sure made things difficult for myself.
I love the cuffs too! And there is actually a wide waistband made of the same ribbing as the cuffs but you can’t really see it when she’s sitting up.
Ah, there ya go! Now you can see the waistband (and a little budda belly).
Anyway, I’m in love. My first tee!
*Just so we’re clear, the instructions are great and easy to understand. I was just having one of those weeks.*

One more pic for good measure.

I wonder what she’s looking at?

 Oh you can’t really see them that well in these pics, but she’s wearing the Metropolitain pants by Terra’s Treasures that I tested. Another great pattern btw! (And if you purchase the pattern you can see a little pic of Baby V in the tester photos!)