Halla Patterns Madeleine Draped Cowl

Halla Patterns newest release is so flirty and fun. This is the Madeleine Draped Cowl Neck Top and Dress.

I love draped cowl neck tops and have a few RTW ones in my closet. My favorite (that I bought in solid black and a solid white) are made identical to this! I'm so excited to make my own in fun prints!

I used a poly jersey knit with 2-way stretch for my Madeleine. There are so many options packed into this pattern. You can make a ruched front top, a tunic, or dress. And then there are multiple sleeve options as well.

The Madeleine can be dressed up or down. It's great with jeans or with slacks and a blazer. I will be making many of these in lots of fun prints.

Grab the Madeleine on sale through April 29th. Use the code MADELINE for 20% PDF patterns. Shop at Halla Patterns.

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.

Zenith & Quasar Fabrics Medical Round

Zenith & Quasar's newest round is Medical prints! There are so many fun prints and I had a hard time deciding a favorite! Check these out!



I spent nearly 10 years of my life in a water quality laboratory. The lab not only had an organic chemistry and analytical lab, but it also had a microbiology lab. I spent a lot of time counting heterotrophic and coliform bacteria. So it seemed only natural that I had to choose the Bacterial Culture print to sew up.

The colors in the Bacterial Culture print are beautiful. There are many colors of heathered Athletic Brushed Poly (ABP) that are a great coordinate. I chose to use the Dark Navy in the light weight.

For my top, I chose the Sew Liberated Paloma Top pattern. This was my first time making the Paloma Top and I love it!

I did make mine slightly different as I added a neck band instead of a binding. I really loved the contrast of the band.

I had a tiny bit of the Bacterial Culture print left and really wanted to show it off with another color of ABP that goes great.

For this top, I used the Mint ABP in the heavy weight. I would have used the light weight, but all I had on hand was the heavy.

My top is my interpretation of a pinterest top that I came across. I really love how it turned out.

I used the Patterns for Pirates Free Spirit Tank as my base. I added color blocking to the back (since I had some fabric to spare) and made the front overlay piece based off of another pattern. The scoop on the pattern piece was modified slightly so that the neck could be banded across the front and it wouldn't interfere with the binding of the overlay and back piece. I plan to post a detailed blog post next month with photos.

The preorder for the medical prints closes on April 30th. The ABP preorder will be open for a few weeks. I plan on ordering the blood cells and the bones. I think they are perfect for me since I have an autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis) that affects my blood and my joints. I think my doctor's will get a kick out of them when I wear them to appointments. 

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.

Fresh Press Patterns Iris Top

Fresh Press Patterns is a fairly new pattern shop, but the designer, Joanna has a long history of working in the fashion industry. When I saw her sample photos of the Iris Top - I just knew I had to try it! I loved the curved high-low hem, cuffed short sleeves, but most of all the very cool overlap/opening on the sides. My hips measure 44" and that put me at the very top of the sizing for the Iris Top. Joanna, sent me an email and let me know that she was working on expanding her sizing. I decided to try the pattern as is, and it came out beautifully. And the sizing has been expanded.

The Iris Top is best made with a light to medium weight fabric with some drape. The Iris Top screamed tropical vacation to me and I immediately reached for this tropical crepe I had in my stash.

I love wild prints like this and the mix of colors feel so tropical. I even already had the perfect pants to match. I made these Zen pants - pattern by 5 out of 4 - a year ago using a light lavender supplex.

For the Iris Top, you will need a lot of bias trim for the hem. I would highly recommend making your own out of the fabric you are using. The bias trim is not only visible when you are finished, but store bought trim never seems to have as good of stretch as when I make it myself. Store bought trim often is very stiff unless you buy the rayon bias tape.

I am 5' tall and I took 2" out of the length of the Iris Top pattern. At this length I could wear this top with leggings.

 The back is long and covers my rear nicely,

 I can't wait to wear the Iris Top on my next tropical getaway.

 The pattern calls for the sides to be sewn together about 4", but I sewed down from the armpit to where the overlapping pieces ended. Even though my hips were at the top end for the size, there is ample ease and I love the finished Iris Top.

I already have plans to make another. My next one, I will size down the shoulders and bust and grade out for my hips. I may also take another inch or 2 out of the length so that the next one is closer to a shirt length versus tunic. But I see myself making more tunic length too - probably in solid colors to wear with some of my wilder leggings. I have a vision in my head of making the shirt length one in a lightweight chambray and using a bright fun print or plaid for the bias trim. I think it would be really cute with a pair of white capri pants this summer.

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.

Sew Big Fabrics Swimming Into Summer #SBFSummer

I'm so in love with the Swimming into Summer Round at Sew Big Fabrics. All prints are being offered on swim, cotton lycra, bamboo lycra, double brushed poly, french terry, and cotton woven. Fat halfs and layaway are also available. The preorder closes on April 30th! Order at http://sewbigfabrics.bigcartel.com/category/preorder 

I was so excited to get the Teal Watercolor Rainforest Friends.

I know many will see this print as more geared toward kids, but I have a special place in my heart for the rainforest and it's creatures. In particular the Neotropical forests as depicted in this print. I spent a bit of time over two summers during college in the rainforest of Ecuador for a Neotropical Ecology course.

I have seen all the creatures on this print in the wild - sloths, jaguar, and toucans. Oh so many Toucans! I paired the print with purple brushed nylon from Zenith & Quasar.

The colors in this print are beautiful and vivid. The details are intricate and amazing. This print is also available in a bright and fun turquoise color. My shirt is the Shwin Designs Kaleidoscope Top & Dress. I'll be taking this top with me on my cruise to the Panama Canal later this year. My first rainforest encounter was in Panama when I was in high school. It's where I realized I wanted to go into environmental science.

I also got this gorgeous swim print - Retro Bathers and Sunnies in Salmon Pink. I'm not a huge fan of pink, but this print is so cute, that I couldn't resist it! It also comes in a blue version as well.

The retro vibe of this print is what I really loved about it. The sunglasses are pretty darn cute too.

The watercolor effect of the print is fun and the colors are so vibrant.

My suit is a modification of the Patterns for Pirates Sweetheart Dress.  The modifications are fairly simple - I shorten the bodice to make it empire - stopping about an inch below my bust. I fully line the bodice and add foam cups. Then I add the skirt shortened to 10". I pair it with a simple pair of high waisted swim bottoms to give me a swimsuit with nice coverage and it helps camouflage my belly.

I thought I'd share a few outtakes with you.

The wind blew strongly from behind me and blew the skirt of my suit up ( you can see it by my left arm). It caught me by surprise as I clicked the shutter.

My photographer for my Rainforest shirt was my dear friend Sharon (Sweet Mama Sharon).  We have way too much fun when we get together and always catch photos of each of us doing silly things or just laughing like crazy.

I hope you enjoy seeing these crazy outtakes. I probably should have deleted them, but oh well!

Be sure to catch the Swimming into Summer Round at Sew Big Fabrics. You are sure to find the perfect print for all your summer sewing projects.  Just look at all these amazing prints!




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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.

Little Roots Fabrics Round 11

If you haven't heard, Little Roots Fabrics will be closing up shop in a few months. I'm so sad to see them go, but I understand that this decision was tough but necessary due to health issues. That means if you see a print you really love, or even a past print, now is the time to order. There will be a big reprint round coming soon so everyone has a chance to stock up on any past prints that they need.

Round 11 is at preorder now and closes on April 21st. Order at https://little-roots-fabrics.myshopify.com/collections/pre-orders

This round is full of fun prints.This one was my favorite! These Cameras are so cool! I love vintage cameras and have been collecting them for some time.

There are so many gorgeous earth tomes in this print, that it was so hard to decide on a coordinate. I found this lovely mustard sweater knit in my stash and loved how it looked with the Camera print.

This sweater knit came from Sincerely Rylee. They have great mystery boxes and I highly recommend them. I love using sweater knit and this is one of my favorite sewing patterns for it - the Shwin Carolina Tee.

The photo below is really an outtake. While I was outside in my front yard (my backyard is currently occupied by a pair of Mallard ducks), two squirrels decided to chase each other and one nearly ran into me. I saw them coming and went "Aaaaack!" as they ran close and I apparently hit the remote at the same time.

Since there were so many great colors in this print and I really couldn't choose just one, I decided to just make two tops.

For this one, I decided to use a rust colored lightweight cotton/poly jersey knit. I love how the Camera print really pops with the darker color.

For this top I used the Duck Butt Designs Offside Raglan and modified the body to be a-line.

Here's a look at the other great prints offered this round.




The preorder is open through April 21. Order at https://little-roots-fabrics.myshopify.com/collections/pre-orders

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.

Bella Sunshine Designs Ladies Sahara

I can't believe this is my first time making a Bella Sunshine Designs pattern. I love peplum tops and just had to try the Ladies Sahara Dress and Top.

This pattern happens to be on sale for one day only - April 8th!

Prices
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•Ladies - Use the code “sunshinesale”
Coupon Sale Price $6.00

•Girls - Use the code “sunshinesale”
Coupon Sale Price $5.00

•Bundle (ladies and girls) - Use the code “sunshinesalebundle”
Coupon Sale Price $10.00

Pattern Information
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•Sizes
Ladies 0 to 30 (see listing for measurements)
Girls 6mo to 12 years (see listing for measurements)
•Layers option
•A0 print shop file
•Trim patterns formatted for letter and A4

I made the shirt length. There is also a tunic and a dress length.

 There are also two necklines. I made the higher neckline. The other neckline is a lower scoop.

There are several sleeve options as well. This is the 3/4 length sleeves. It also has a sleeveless option, along with short and long sleeves.

I made my Ladies Sahara Dress and Top using a plush brushed poly from Zenith and Quasar.  This print is called "Secret Garden". This print is out of stock on the plush brushed poly, but is available on a Yoga/Swim Spandex HERE.

A unique feature of the Ladies Sahara Dress and Top is the low scoop back.

 I really love the Ladies Sahara Dress and Top and think I'll make a few sleeveless tunic length versions for summer.

Don't miss the one day sale! Join the Bella Sunshine Designs Facebook Group to get notifications of all sales!


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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.

Made Whimsy Fun N Sun Preorder

I just love the Fun N Sun Round at Made Whimsy! All the prints go so well together, giving you many mix and match opportunities. All prints this round are available on swim knit and cotton lycra.

Mandy sent me an adult panel of the Magical Mermaid, some of the Magical Mermaid print, and Magical Mermaid Scales. My sewing BFF, Sharon - Sweet Mama Sharon, also sewed up samples from this preorder. I couldn't miss a chance to take some photos of her little baby girl in the Unicorn Seahorses and the Bubbles.

 Her romper is just so cute! And look how great these prints look together!

 

 She's such a little baby doll and I could have played with her all day.

Sharon was my photographer on this day. I went to her house to take photos of items she made and that I made and I forgot a very essential piece to my tripod. So, I handed my camera over to Sharon and told her that she'd have to be my photographer. She did a great job!

When we get together, I smile so much more. We make each other laugh over the most ridiculous things!

 I used the Sinclair Patterns Penny Classic Leggings for the Magical Mermaid Scales. The Penny Classic Leggings have become my go-to pattern for casual leggings. I just love the fit!

 My tank is the FREE Racerback Tank from So Sew Easy. I used the Magical Mermaid panel for the front and the Magical Mermaid print for the back. I used a small scrap of the Magical Mermaid Scales for the back yoke.

 It has a great hi-lo hem that covers my butt and is long enough in the front to cover my crotch. But remember - I'm only 5' tall! I did grade this out from a medium to an XL, but next time I'm making a straight medium. I thought I'd like the extra volume, but it's a bit too much extra volume.

This is going to be such a great outfit for me to wear when I workout.  I used the Caribbean Athletic Brushed Poly from Zenith & Quasar for the bands on my tank and the waistband of my leggings. 

 

 I think this outfit will also find its way into my luggage on my next cruise.

 The Magical Mermaid panel is so beautiful! I love the jellyfish and the squid. The colors are just amazing as well.

The Magical Mermaid print is cool with all the jellyfish scattered throughout the design.

One thing that I love about this tank pattern - is the pleated back. I love that little added detail.

This preorder is just perfect for sewing up summer vacation clothes and swimwear. The prints are appropriate for all ages and genders.

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.