Halla Patterns Women's Sunny Day Top & Dress

The newest Halla Pattern is my favorite thing to wear right now. It's the Sunny Day Top & Dress for Women. The girls version has been around for awhile and everyone has been asking for an adult version and Samantha finally made it! I loved it so much that I made 5 during testing. I'll show you the three I made "per the pattern". Later, I'll make a new blog post to show you my hacks.

First off, the Sunny Day has a shirt length, tunic length, and two dress lengths. I made the shirt length on all 3. I made this one with the cutest fox bamboo spandex jersey from Nature's Fabrics.

If you didn't notice, the Sunny Day has a stylish split yoke. There's an option to add a trendy pussy bow to the neckline, string ties, or you can even add a hook & eye closure if you want.

The yoke if perfect for using those beautiful woven scraps that you just can't bear to part with. I used a remnant of a beautiful Ivy Jane print that I got at the Dallas Fabric District for the yoke on this top. The remnant was barely big enough to cut the yoke from. It was one of those fabrics that I bought with no good reason other than I thought it was too beautiful to leave behind. I'm so happy to be able to put it into a top that I'll wear over and over again.

The body of this Sunny Day is made with Dark Jade Rayon Spandex from Made Whimsy.

The Sunny Day has two sleeve styles (puff or fitted), each with 3 length  options (short, 3/4, and long), and 3 different ways to finish the sleeve (hemmed, elastic, or banded). I used the 3/4 length puff sleeve for this top and the foxy top. On this top I finished the sleeves with elastic. The foxy one has bands.

In addition, the Sunny Day has two hem options - curved or straight. I chose straight for the one below and curved for this jade and the foxy versions.

This top was my "toile" that I made with some poly jersey knits I had picked up at the Fabric district. I wanted to use something that I liked, but wouldn't be in tears if it looked horrible. I really loved it from the moment I tried it on for "fit" photos and was wishing I had been more careful with my pattern placement and lining up the design at the side seams. But I'll still wear this alot.

This is the long sleeve with a band. And below is the only photo I have that kinda shows the back. I really love that I can make the Sunny Day with a print and a solid and it still looks like a cohesive piece and not like I just ran out of fabric.

Speaking of fabric requirements - I found that I could make the 3/4 length sleeve version of the Sunny Day with 1 yard of 60" wide knit if I'm careful with my cutting layout. But - please not that I am 5' tall and my 3/4 length sleeves are shorter than the pattern by about 2". The length of my shirt is also about 2" shorter than the pattern.

The pattern is on sale through September 9th. Get 20% off all PDF patterns in your cart with the code SUNNYDAY at checkout. Buy it HERE!

Stay tuned for my Sunny Day hacks!

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook!

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.

Elephant House Fabrics What's Poppin'

This will be my last blog post for Elephant House Fabrics. I love their fabrics, but I've elected to leave their tester group as I am going to be out of service for a little while with surgery on my elbow.

The prints in the What's Poppin' round are gorgeous! If you haven't guessed, this round is Mary Poppins inspired. I absolutely love both of the tops I made for this round.

First I'll show you my PG rated sew. If you are easily offended, then I suggest going no further.

The City Border is GORGEOUS! It comes in cotton lycra, bamboo lycra, and cotton woven.   This is the cotton woven shown below.

This is a nice weight cotton. It's comparable to a high quality quilting cotton as it has a super soft yet incredibly smooth surface. It has just a little bit of drape. It's not ideal for this Itch to Stitch Chirripo Top, but I'm very happy with my top.

The City Border is on a blue striped background and the stripes become more apparent with an ombre like feature that goes along the yard.

The border runs from selvedge to selvedge. The border print will come as a panel.

The 1 yard of City Border was enough for my top, but I did have to use another fabric to line my yoke.

I love the side panels on this top and love how I was able to show off the lighter stripes from the print on the side panels and yoke.

Naughtiness follows...

I am so in love with this tank! This is a FREE pattern from Life Sew Savory. Get it HERE.

This is the second time I've made this pattern and love it a little more each time. This Tea Floral is just so beautiful. I'm seriously considering buying more. For fellow spoonies - there are some small but beautiful silver spoons in the print. If you don't know what I'm talking about - read THIS.

My dear friend Sharon at Sweet Mama Life gave me this lace and it is so soft and was perfect for this tank. I plan to wear this as pajamas.

But this Swears Panel - well, it pretty much says it all. Well, at least about how I feel about autoimmune diseases.

I've worn this tank to bed twice and neither my husband or son have said a word about what it says. I have a feeling they haven't paid close enough attention.

Here's a look at all the beautiful prints and panels available in the What's Poppin' preorder.



The preorder closes on September 9th! Order HERE!

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook!

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.

Designer Stitch Gemma Twist Tops

I love testing patterns for Ann Grose of Designer Stitch. Ann keeps us entertained and her patterns are always perfectly drafted. This time was especially fun for me as my friend Sharon also joined in on this test.

The newest pattern from Designer Stitch is Gemma. Gemma is a beautiful top that has two variations - each is equally beautiful. I only had time to test one variation, and that was the twist front.

Gemma is Italian for precious stone  - a gem or gemstone. This was stuck in my head as I pursued my shelves of fabric looking for the perfect fabric to make my Gemma with. So when I came across this jewel covered jersey, I knew I had to make a gem covered Gemma.

I'm wearing my Blue Tactel Shakti pants in these photos. The Shakti pants go perfectly with Gemma.

The Shakti Pants are also from Designer Stitch. You can read my blog post about them HERE. I absolutely love the 5 pairs I made and wear them non stop.

I removed 2" in length from the Gemma for my height. I think this length is perfect on me. If I made it longer, I worry that the knot would then land right under my belly and then accentuate it.

I really love that the neckline has a very gentle v-neck shape. It's also not daringly low, but also not too high either.

Ann asked us to give a sexy look to the camera. I decided to give the camera a smoldering gaze. I think I just look pissed off.

Either way, I do feel beautiful in my Gemma.

Sharon and I met up for photos. It was a lovely day, hot, but not unbearable.  I decided to switch out of Shakti pants and put on a pair of black RTW pants.

We of course talked about Ann and her asking us to be sexy. I asked Sharon if this was sexy enough?

And she laughed at me! Then we both had a good laugh and called it a day.

I just love Sharon's mustard Gemma. If you want to read her review of the Gemma, head over to her blog Sweet Mama Life.

The Gemma is on sale through September 3 for $8. Ann is in Australia, so in the US the sale ends sometime on September 2. You can buy the pattern HERE.

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook!

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.

George + Ginger Sincerely Darcy Pants

Kristi of George + Ginger and Darcey of Sincerely Rylee have teamed up to bring you a new pattern that is a fun way to finish off summer. These are the Sincerely Darcey Pants and they are a Free Pattern! Go to each of their Facebook Groups to get the code to make them free.

The Darcey Pants have a cool high-low hem that goes from side to side.

They allow you to still show off a bit of leg, without being in shorts.

But they are just as breezy and comfortable as shorts.

They are like a fancy wide leg capri with sass.

They are seriously comfortable and looks great with flip flops and sandals.

I paired mine with my cold shoulder hacked RuLo. Read all about it HERE!

A lightweight drapey knit is best for the Darcey Pants. I made mine with a poly jersey knit.

Darcey has the perfect fabric for these at Sincerely Rylee. It's called Cupro and is a new type of knit for her to carry. It's a super soft modal blend knit. I can't wait to get my hands on some!

Grab the pattern, then head over to Sincerely Rylee to order some Cupro. Make some Darcey Pants and enjoy the end of Summer!

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook!

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.

Ellie & Mac Be Confident Update!

I love a good tunic, because I tend to wear leggings whenever I'm working from home and on the weekends. I especially love wearing tunic that have a high-low hemline. I love the shorter front to show off more of the fun print of my leggings, but enjoy the extra coverage on my rear (where I need it). I was excited to hear that the Ellie & Mac Be Confident pattern was being updated and signed up immediately to test the revisions.

I compared my original Be Confident pattern pieces to the newly revised pieces. I found that the shape of the high-low skirt had been modified. It now has a more gentle slope from the front to the back.

The length of the tunic length skirt was not changed much - it is just a tiny bit shorter. I'm 5' tall and did not remove any length from the skirt. I did remove length from the bodice.

The Be Confident does have a full circle skirt. Which means it is perfect for doing some twirling!

As an adult, I think we forgot how fun it can be to let loose and go for a spin.

I forgot how dizzying it could be.

The bodice of the Be Confident was slimmed down for an improved fit. I made the Be Confident last year and had been disappointed in the fit as the bodice was extremely loose. Now - the fit is just perfect.

The bodice is intended to end at your natural waist. I'm 5' tall and I removed 2.5" in length from the bodice. I recommend measuring yourself to determine if you need to shorten or lengthen the bodice.

I used a slinky lightweight knit for this Be Confident and the wind was able to blow my skirt around.

I'm wearing leggings I made with this fun blue plaid plush brushed poly from Zenith & Quasar Fabrics.

There was one revision made to the pattern after I made this version. The revision narrowed the shoulders by 0.5 inches. If you notice in my photos, the edges of the shoulder go out and slightly over the edge of my shoulder.

If you already own the Be Confident, you will get an email with the updated pattern. If you don't already own it, now's a great time to buy it at the price of $3.85. In addition, there is a site-wide back to school sale. All patterns are 40% off - no code needed! Shop all patterns HERE!

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook!

And here's a few photos of an earlier version I made. This was the looser fit bodice.

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.