Two Henday Hoodies

As a pattern tester, I was provided this pattern free of charge, but all opinions are my own.

I'm the kind of person who appreciates a quick and dirty project - one that I can sew during naptime or right after the kids go to bed, so I typically stay away from outerwear. I know, I'm such a baby. I don't want to have to sew a lining because I'm pretty much sewing two jackets...which is exactly the point so it'll be warm. And don't even get me started on pants. I've had the same pair of shorts for my daughter sitting on my work table for months. MONTHS. Because I can't bring myself to make another fly or sew on tiny belt loops. Pants are my kryptonite.

And I mean that is a completely non-creepy way.

Anyway, after making up a few Raindrop Tees, I called my fall sewing done and set out to catch up on Game of Thrones - I've become a recent addict and am currently in the middle of season 3. And then, Jess of Gracious Threads put out the call to test her newest fall pattern, the Henday Zip-Up Hoodie. My kids are always in need of outerwear (probably because I never sew any??), so I asked Jess how long it took to make one. Less than 90 minutes, she said, zipper and all. Sold.

The Raindrop Tee Blog Hop + Giveaway!

As a pattern tester, I was provided this pattern free of charge, but all opinions are my own.

Today, we have the honor of being part of Gracious Threads' Raindrop Tee blog hop and giveaway! Jess is the creative mind behind The Raindrop Tee, and plenty of other fabulous patterns you can check out here on her Etsy site, including the Lazy Days Lounge Pants that I really wish came in my size. Get on that, Jess! ;)

I got to test her latest pattern, which so happens to be a fabulous addition to my daughter's fall wardrobe in preparation for kindergarten which starts in 2 weeks - gah! 

Women's Magazine Street Maxi + A Giveaway!

I was provided this pattern free of charge, but all opinions are my own.

Hey guys! Shannon and I are so excited to be a part of the Seamingly Smitten pattern tour today and share a really great pattern (and a giveaway!!) with you all.  I already own a couple of Seamingly Smitten patterns, so when Jenny contacted me and asked if I'd be interested in trying another pattern, it was an easy yes!

My initial inclination was to sew up the Magazine Street Maxi Dress for Girls because I've been eyeing it for-ev-er, but my daughter, Haley, has enough dresses to last her until she's 42 and I have a pile of gorgeous knit from Girl Charlee just waiting to be cut into, so I thought it was about time I did some selfish sewing!

The Hummingbird Pantsuit by Rabbit Rabbit Creations

I'm so excited to tell you about one of my new favorite summer/fall wardrobe staples - the Hummingbird Pantsuit by Rabbit Rabbit Creations. I'm sure many of you are already familiar with the Hummingbird Dress. I'd seen so many cute versions floating around the internet that I HAD to buy it myself. That bodice? Adorable. After making a few dresses, I saw there was a call on the Rabbit Rabbit Facebook page for testers for it's big sister, the pantsuit, and couldn't apply quick enough! I'm so honored to have been picked to test such an adorable pattern, and it doesn't disappoint. I wasn't required to blog about it, I just love this pattern and wanted to share.

Be prepared for an overload of cuteness.

Classic Chinos

Sewer or Sewist....do you have a preference? I tend to lean towards sewer myself, but I'm sure it doesn't sound as polished as "sewist" (plus, I'm sure there are plenty of people who don't envision thread and a sewing machine when they see the word "sewer." Whatever the case, I recently had the opportunity to pattern test the Classic Chinos pattern for Amy of Nap Time Crafters and Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop, and it really challenged my skills as a sewer (or sewist :)

Before trying out this pattern, I had never attempted to install a real zipper fly, hammer on button, or welt pockets. After finishing these babies, I felt like a sewing rock star! And let me tell you, Amy made it really easy to understand with all of her pictures and explanations. I won't say I didn't do a couple things wrong at first (because isn't that tradition with all of my sewing projects anyway?) but after I finished the pants, I felt so accomplished!

For my daughter's pair, I went with a pretty blue chambray that I found in the remnant bin at my local Jo-Ann's (and I haven't been able to find any since, gah!) It has a beautiful feel to it and it was perfect for these pants, but for the love of all things holy, I can NOT get the wrinkles to come out! Can anyone please tell me how to get wrinkles out of chambray? I also have a chambray shirt that I adore but don't wear very often because I get what I call "accordion sleeves." After washing, the sleeves scrunch up accordion-style, and I can't get them to iron flat to save my life. If you have any helpful tips to solve my problem, I will give you a giant virtual hug.

All that said, I absolutely love how these pants came out, and I don't regret using chambray because it looks gorgeous on these pants (and will look even better once I figure out how to get those blasted wrinkles out.)

After making the first pair, I was feeling pretty invincible, so I decided to make a pair of shorts for Connor using the same pattern. I forced Connor to take photos right after nap, so he was less willing to cheese it up for me :)

Connor's pair was made from a wonderfully soft pair of my husband's discarded khakis. Like the first pair, they have a flat front with elastic in the back. While Connor typically wears 2T, I made the pants in a 3T so he can grow into them and use them next summer as well. I'm all about stretching the wardrobe :)

I love this pattern! So versatile and classic. And I'm proud to say I can now make functional zipper fly's and welt pockets thanks to Amy! I definitely see quite a few more pairs of these pants in our future. 

Check out our Link Party Page to see where we link up each week!

An Anywhere Dress

I've been looking for a simple, versatile dress for my daughter that doesn't take me hours and hours to sew (I don't know what I'm going to do when my kids give up napping), so when Andrea of The Train to Crazy and Go To Patterns offered to let me try out The Anywhere Dress, I jumped at the chance.

The Anywhere Dress is one of my new favorite go-to dresses for Haley. There are several different options for sleeve length, which makes it perfect for all seasons, plus it has a fully faced neckline so I didn't have to bother with hemming the neckline (yay for laziness!) This was such a quick sew too, and you know I love that. Since this dress is so simple, there's also a lot of room for creative variations. A ruffled bodice, maybe? Color blocking? Oh the possibilities!

I decided to jazz it up a little and add a sash. I simply cut a long strip of black knit fabric and tied it around her waist. I think it dresses it up a little bit.

I actually had plans to use this polka dot fabric for me, but I gave in and let Haley have it for this dress. Oh the things we do for our children :) I think she looks way cuter in polka dots than I do anyway, plus I have some left over, so maybe I'll get around to making myself something one of these days.

She loves her new dress, and so do I! Haley's at the age when she actually appreciates the things I make for her now. When I showed her this dress she asked, "Mommy, did you make it for me?" After I told her yes, she gave it a big hug and asked to wear it right away. Hopefully she feels the same way when she's a teenager!

Photo shoots, on the other hand, are still not her favorite. I'm working on that.

To get your own Anywhere Dress, go HERE.

Some Riding Pants

Can I just say that I love the blogging community? There are just so many wonderful, supportive people out there (including our wonderful readers, we love reading your emails and comments!) Ever since I started writing about 5 years ago, I've been lucky to "meet" some truly nice people who leave sweet comments, give me blogging advice or simply just send an encouraging email. Jess at Me Sew Crazy is one of those wonderful people. I was thrilled to open my email last month and see an email from her with her Riding Pants pattern attached! I just love all of her patterns (I'm still itching to make her Forget Me Knot Dress for Haley.) We had quite the busy month last month with Made It for Me that I wasn't able to post them sooner, but better late than never, right?

Haley's favorite pants are leggings (or "soft pants" as she calls them.) I don't know what your stance is on whether or not leggings should be worn as pants, but Haley is obviously in the "I'll wear them however I want" category. She was only too happy to have a few new pairs of leggings!

I really wanted to use up more of my leather stash so for the first pair of Riding Pants, I decided to make some simple gray ones with leather patches on the inside. I love how they turned out! The steps to make the pants were really easy to follow - and I even learned how to make my first faux fly. I'm addicted; I want to make all my daughter's leggings with a faux fly now! They just give the pants more of a "finished" look.

And the button placket down each side is adorable!

Of course, being the girly girl that Haley is, she insisted on wearing her sparkly TOMS.

After making the first pair (which I totally tailored toward my own taste), I decided to make Haley a pair that was more her style - and that means lots and lots of pink. I'm loving all of the floral printed jeans and pants out there this spring, so I dug into my stash and made her this cute pink polka dot version with floral patches. (In case you're wondering, I got both the knit and cotton fabrics from Walmart, and the gray knit from the pair above from JoAnn's.)

I didn't get a close up of the buttons on this pair, but I used little flower buttons on the side placket. These are SO girly, and definitely Haley's favorite.

You can get the digital pattern for The Riding Pants HERE in sizes 18mos-8 years. I know I'll be using this pattern to make plenty more in the future!