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

Inspinration - The Craftiness in Me - Van Je Veel - Boutique Birdie - Tory Frail Designs - Wining Wife - Keep Calm and Carrion - Moon Star - Circle Meets Line - Amazing Adventures with Bubba and Bug - Manning the Machine - Sugarplum Cuties - House of Estrela - Create 3.5 - Handcrafted by RED - Lulu & Celeste - Rebel & Malice - Two Novembers - From a Box - Sprouting JubeJube - Maryall Made - Phat Quarters - Knot Sew Normal - Sew Happily Ever After - All Things Katy

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!   

Bow Back Beauty Blog Hop

Hello Again!!!! I am soooo excited to be participating in the Little Kiwis Closet blog hop!  I test for the amazingly wonderful and talented Lydia often but I did not get to test this gorgeous dress.  So when she was looking for people to participate in a blog hop I jumped at the chance.

Officially welcome to the BOW BACK BEAUTY BLOG HOP!

If this is your first time seeing my blog: Welcome! I am glad to have you. Feel free to look around! I sew for my two children and mainly for my daughter who is fashion minded and has a unique style of her own.  

First about the pattern:

Sizes: nb-12 years, so basically everyone!

Fabric: This is a great time to use those yummy knit fabrics you have been stashing. 

Options: 

My! So many options let me count the ways:

Bodice length

~ natural waist

~ hip length

~ Onesie option too!!! (in sizes nb-4years)

Back options

~ bow

~ plain

Skirt style

~ peplum

~ dress

~ hi-low

Sleeve type

~ sleeveless

~ short

~ short with cuff

~ long fitted

So how did I choose with so many options?  Well, I asked the diva of course!  She is in love with length on her dresses so she chose the high low option with the bow back.  And told me to surprise her with fabrics.... I think I chose well!

 I left the bottom unhemmed to give her a little bit of extra length which made for a very happy little girl. The top is a shiny spandex that she loved and gives her a little sparkle. The skirt fabric was directional and the pattern gives great instructions for using this type of fabric.

The binding on the bow creates a beautiful look that calls attention to the back and wraps around for a full coverage look.  The instructions are very clear and easy to follow.

So head over to get your copy of the Bow Back Beauty and make your own! I know I will be trying the other options very soon.  Leave me a comment letting me know what option you would choose!  But wait before you leave... enter the rafflecopter to win one! And head over to the blog and see my fellow blog hoppers creations!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring Summer Collection by Gracious Threads!

So some of you may not notice but I tend to test a lot!  I am not really sure why I test as much as I do.  For some designers, I love their designs, some I love to work with and some I just like to help out if I can.  And then there are the people that are all of those things and so much more.  One of those is the amazing Jess DeWit from Gracious Threads.  She works so hard to get all of her patterns just right and is so nice to work with.  So today I wanted to introduce her newest release that I had the honor of testing.

It is three patterns! And all of them are amazing!  This bundle includes the Cirrus Skirt, the Rainbow Tee and the Sunshine Headband.  The three patterns are also available separately but why not just go buy all three?

The Particulars:
Sizing Fun:  Both the Cirrus Skirt and the Rainbow Tee run from a 2T to a size 12 and the Sunshine Headband comes in a Small, Medium and Large. (Pssst... I have a secret.... the large headband fits the adults too!!!)
Fabric Choices: The Cirrus Skirt and the Rainbow Tee are both for knit fabric and the Sunshine Headband is for woven fabric,

All right enough of that nonsense... time to get to the pictures.

       I decided to go with the plain view instead of the color blocked option for the Rainbow tee.  I could never be completely plain so I used a different fabric for the back of the shirt to match the waistband of the Cirrus skirt and add a bit of contrast to the outfit. There is elastic in the skirt waistband but there is also a very fun drawstring to allow for further adjustment.

There is this amazing method of finishing the neckline and arm bands with elastic that creates a great clean look.  And avoids that sad stretched out neck band look that I create so often despite my best efforts.

The headband has a fully enclosed piece of elastic that creates a clean look.  Plus the ease of the construction methods creates a lovely product in only a few minutes.  Perfect for making one in every color or just making one on the fly to match the perfect outfit.

So why are you still here? Head over to grab your bundle HERE!  Or browse around the SHOP and buy what you need. Or if you are still on the fence or just want a chance to win it, go check out the Gracious Threads blog for a chance to win the bundle!