Dive Into Swimsuits!

Hey! It is my turn to show off my swimsuits!!! I am so excited!  I was lucky enough to participate in the Coles's Corner and Creations: Dive Into Swimsuits blog tour and I choose to sew the All 4 One Stylish Swimsuit.  This pattern is so versatile and has so many options I spent days trying to figure out what to do! And I know that I will use this pattern over and over again and for many years to come!

This is actually my fourth swimsuit I have ever sewn and I am still learning a lot about sewing them. Last year, I managed to make one swimsuit for my daughter and it was not my best showing.  But it fit and it wasn't the pattern but my inexperience with the material and sewing altogether.  So this summer demands that I redeem myself and my sewing machine and crank out some swimsuit fun.

Beachy Keen Bikini/Tankini By E-beth Designs

Recently, I tested the Lakehouse Swimsuit for Cole's Corner and Creations and that was one of my first swimsuits for this season.  It is truly adorable so a few quick pictures of that one.

Some helpful hints I learned between that swimsuit and the current ones:

1) Measure and measure again.  My daughter is muscular and long so one pieces are a challenge and I am constantly adjusting them.

2) Go slowly and hold on tight. I have a lead foot and swimsuit fabric can be super slippery!

3) Start thick!  My red and black dots is so thin I wondered if it would be see through.  This caused me a lot of frustration. I should have picked a thicker fabric at first until I got the hang of it.

So now my version of the All 4 One!

She loves her new suit.  I think it is still looking a little short in her torso even though I thought I adjusted enough.  Refer back to lesson 1 above!  I will probably alter this one and give it back to her because she really loves those black and red dots.  

During the tour, the All 4 One suit is on sale for only $3.00 so there is really no excuse not to go grab the pattern and make a swimsuit!  Make sure you check out my fellow bloggers on the tour because they are some of the most talented ladies I have seen!  Don't forget to head over to Cole's Corner and Creations and enter to win amazing prizes too!

Summer Surprise Anniversary Blog Tour

Welcome to the Summer Surprise Anniversary Blog Tour!  I have been working with Anne Jacobs for quite a while. The Summer Surprise pattern was the first pattern I saw of hers and I knew that I had to make one for my daughter.  At that time, I had barely unpacked my sewing machine and didn't know how to do most things.  But I just knew I needed to make one.  I was lucky enough to get picked to test the extended Summer Surprise sizing for my daughter.  And then I offered to help her behind the scenes promoting and sewing and being a part of the Sofilantjes family.  And I have loved every moment!

I just knew I had to beg to be a part of this blog tour!  And I had an idea on how to hack this pattern and give my darling Diva a dress she would die for!  I bought some Minecraft fabric for my son that he went wild over and my Diva had been begging me to let her have what was left.  So I knew I wanted to use that.  Now, maxi skirts are my Diva's new craze and everything needs to go "to the floor, Mom!" But how to turn the Summer surprise shirt into a maxi dress?

First, I measured from my daughter's shoulder to where I wanted the bodice to end and cut the shirt pattern to that length plus seam allowance.  Now here is the trial and error.  I used the Greenstyle Amy Maxi skirt to define the shape of the skirt.  Any long skirt pattern would do, this was just the one I had on hand and I cannot draw well enough to handle simple shapes.  Sad, I know!!!

So my first try...

To which I was given the feedback... "it isn't long enough mom!"  Now I was working with a t shirt and the scraps of my yardage so I needed to figure out a way to lengthen this dress and make it match.  I estimated needing another 6 inches to give me the final length I desired.  Instead of cutting two pieces, I cut one large waistband-like strip and put it in the middle.  And she loved it!

She now refers to it as her Minecraft Princess dress!  And I got some super high fashion modeling from her! :) She keeps me laughing!

The details are to die for!

So now for the fun part!  The Summer Surprise pattern has been re-released in a new updated format.  If you already purchased this pattern, just reach out and you can receive your copy.  If you don't own it yet, head over to www.sofilantjes.com and use the code anniversary for 25% off your purchase!  

And before you leave, enter to win one of our amazing prizes!  Because winning things is my Diva's favorite pasttime! There is a new giveaway daily so don't just enter mine today, check out the links to the other blogs and enter there too!  I can't wait to see everyone's creations in the Sofilantjes Sew and Show fb group!  Happy Sewing!

Day 2 giveaway

-Serger Pepper Designs, winner's choice 

-Lily Bird Studio, winner's choice 

-Cole's Corner and Creations, winner's choice 

-Paisley Roots, All Spice 

-Kelly J Designs, winner's choice 

-Laela Jeyne Patterns, winner's choice 

-KB Stitch Design, winner's choice 

-Sofilantjes, winner's choice

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Ladies.... Bundle Up!

Ha! So I am very last minute but I wanted to give you the down and dirty on the few items I tested for the Bundle Up collection. So hang on and I will run through them really fast so you still have time to get your shopping in!

First up, Jocole's A-Line Shift dress.

Details:
Sizes included:
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL

2 Neckline Options:
Scoopneck and Boatneck options
Pattern includes 4 length options:
tunic, above the knee, at the knee and below the knee length

I love everything Jocole and this quick dress is no exception. This is the perfect dress for a beginner to cut her teeth on some intermediate skills.  The back has a zipper closure and the armholes are bound with bias.  There are bust darts and this is the easiest pattern to learn to mash sizes and get the perfect fit for your shape.  You know I loved this pattern... I cut into my favorite fabric for it!  

Next up...Greenstyle's Jillian Top and Sports Bra.  

Details:

Sizes Included: 

XXS to 3XL

Options: 

Outer tank, inner tank, bandeau and sports bra, all in one pattern!

I have worked with Greenstyle more than once and everytime it is such a pleasure and so much fun!  If you ever have the chance, jump at it! I was the freakishly tall tester on this pattern so it took me a lot of work to get this one right but it was worth it.  I love the fit and as soon as this weather gets warmer, I intend to be in a lot of these!

And then... I made jeans! Actual real life jeans! Or rather The Real Deal Jeans by Winter Wear Designs!

Details:

Sizes Included:

XXS-XXXL

Options:

Full Length jeans

Capris

Board Shorts

Shorts with 5 inch inseam

Shorts with 3 inch inseam

I only recently started working with Suzanne and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite designers to work with.  She takes the testing process in steps and is always available to help us and ensure she is putting out a polished and professional final product. And so I knew I could trust her to help me make a pair of jeans.  And I did! This pattern comes with a ton of instructions to ensure you are getting the perfect fit and detailed instructions on how to construct the scary zipper fly and making some unique pockets!  Go make yourself a pair of jeans!

And last but certainly not least The Everyday Essentials by EYMM.

Details:

Sizes Included:

XS-5X

Options:

Included are a comfortable sleeping bra, a cami, 2 different length gowns that can be made as nightgown or has a full slip and chemise as well as 2 different length half slips.  3 different cup sizes are available for each size of the bodice, as well as a variety of finishes for the neck, arms and hem including knit binding, elastic and lace. There are also instructions for making the whole set maternity friendly!

                         

Working with Kymy from EYMM is like winning the lotto, I am always wayyyyyy to excited when she picks me!  But I am never unhappy with the finished product and this is no different.  I even felt comfortable taking pictures in my undergarments.  It took me like 2 hours to even decide what to make but I intend to make all of the pieces and use them regularly.  I just can't get enough of all of the options in this pattern and I don't understand why you wouldn't go buy it right now?

So ladies, those are my testers and like you, I still have to shop so click the link and go BUNDLE UP! And then stop back in and let me know what you got and what you think!