Flip This Pattern - Alphabet Collection

I've been meaning to participate in the "Flip this pattern" series every month. And guess what? Things get busy and I don't. lol 

I wasn't actually planning on joining in this month either. So much is going on, but when I went to check out what pattern was chosen for this months "surprise" pattern, my mind went off on it's own thinking of ways to flip any of the patterns in the Alphabet collection. I was lucky enough to test 2 of them (The Study Hall Jacket and the W Pants) and I just made the BBC vest for Aevarie (that will be shown in a future post), so I already had a feel for them. 

I put it aside though and focused more on everything else I was doing. 

Then a few nights ago an idea formed and I just couldn't help but make this sweet flip. 

The BBC Vest Dress. 

It's a pretty basic flip. I just cut out the BBC vest pattern  like you were going to add the peplum and added a skirt to it instead. I did trim the collar piece a bit so I could have the button closure go higher. I also added the button placket on the front too so it would be easy to get on and off. And you are going to want to size down with this dress. I made the size 3 for my daughter Paisley originally, but it has a much better fit on Zoe who is a size bigger. 

You can really see the difference.....and ummm....It was ironed in between. That helps. lol

I could have gone all super fancy. I thought of adding pockets to the front, or rainbow embroidery on the bottom, but this dress screamed "Simple and Chic" so I left is as is. 

All of my girls want one now, so I have the option to really change it up with theirs. 

And I just love it in this lovely light and soft chambray. 

The girls were fighting over it, and that's always a good sign!

Go over and check out all the other awesome flips! 

PR&P Week 1 - Oliver & S Popover Dress Flip

Season 7 at Project Run and Play is just starting and I've decided to do just as many boy entries as girl entries this time around. When I saw that the flip was a dress pattern, well....lets just say ideas weren't very forthcoming. I didn't find it surprising. I mean, so far all the flips I've seen have been dresses. This one was just, stumping. 

While I was wracking my brain for anything, I decided to make a list of my goals for this season. 

1- To really push myself

2- To use my stash and buy NOTHING

3- To sew needs and practical items that will be used a ton this winter.

It was with that 3rd goal that an idea finally came to me. 

Fall is, well, here.

And Jude has zero things for it. 

Before I share, lets take a look at the original Oliver & S Popover Dress:

And here is what I finally came up with:

The Popover Jacket

Don't let the name fool you. It doesn't actually pop over his head. 

Obviously there are some massive changes. 

I started out with the bodice outline, then I added a piece at the top so the jacket would go all the way up. 

I split the front on the side and added an inch to each new side so it would overlap. 

I also just had it go strait down rather then flare out. Boys don't do the flare look very well. 

And the last very obvious change, adding sleeves and a collar.

I made it in a size 2T. It's a little big on Jude, but this kiddo is growing fast and winter isn't fully on us quite yet. 

Are you wanting more details??

There's a zipper pocket on one sleeve.

Welt pockets

I made it to be reversible, but then when I went to find buttons, I only had 5 that would match and buying more went against goal number 2.....something I can still add in the future. 

We placed a zip pocket on the inside chest too. 

While taking pics of Jude, Paisley kept coming up and being in the pictures, so I had her try it on. She's a massive skinny mini, and besides the sleeve length, it totally worked.

The moustache fabric is the same I used for Judes coat last year. What can I say? I love it! 

The other is an extremely soft brown corduroy.

The jacket is also quilted, so it will keep him nice and warm.

Great thing is, I feel I met all my goals with this jacket! 

And it looks like Jude loves it too! BONUS!

I'll be putting up the tutorial for this jacket plus the size 2 pattern for free early next month, so keep an eye out! 

Our Week

While I wait for Project Run and Play to start up again, I figured I could post some pictures of our week. 

Zoe and Paisley started preschool, which made them both happy! 

And we started off giving Jude some chores. 

One is definitely old enough to be given chores, right?? He's a pro, by the way! 

Can't wait to start showing everything else I've been working on! This will actually be a really busy month. Not only will I be posting all my PR&P creations, but you will also get to see me doing some selfish sewing!! (Goddess Sewing sounds SOOO much better though!) 

Until next Monday!!

The New School Year

We're heading into the second week of school starting, but I wanted to post the kids first day of school pictures. 

Aevarie started 1st grade. And I couldn't resist adding her pictures from Kindergarten and Preschool. I'm noticing a "hair-up" trend going on......

Gavin started 5th grade. Pretty bitter sweet since this is his last year in Elementary! I can't believe how big he is getting!!

I don't have all of Gavins "First Day of School" photo's on this computer, but we have from 2nd grade up. lol

They will also be getting school pictures soon! They are loving school and their teachers and seeing their friends! 

Happy Start of school everyone!

Hanami Test

I had the pleasure of testing the Hanami pattern from Straight Grain. I was so excited when I saw the email saying I had be chosen as a tester!

A great thing about this pattern is that it has LOTS of options.

Cross-over back
Hidden zipper back
Peter pan collar (not doable with the cross-over)
No collar
Flutter sleeves
Tulip sleeves
Top with flounce
Dress

It was so hard to choose what to do!

I went with the peter pan collar, so that nixed out the cross-over back (PHEW - that choice was made!). Then I chose to do flutter sleeves and to make it a top.

The next hard part. What fabrics to choose!! All of An's outfits are so darling. I didn't want to ruin this top with a horrible fabric selection.

In the end I went with Cruzin by Henry Glass and then a red fabric for that 'POP'.

We went out to the lake to meet up with family and even though I had grabbed some shots at the beginning of our day, we didn't get many good ones. So I figured we could grab some more after she went out on a paddle boat.....

This is the attitude we got after the paddle boat ride.....

Quinoa worthy, if I say so myself. We obviously had to take pictures another day! 

She was in a much happier and sillier mood this time round!

I really love this top and can't wait to make a dress version, and another top....and another....

Another great thing about the Hanami is that it goes to size 10! I did a little happy dance when I found that out. My oldest girly is in a size 8 and is at the the last sizing for most patterns. I'm so excited that I have a couple more years to use this pattern!

Thank you so much An for letting me test for you!!
And again, you can grab your copy here!

Saffron Twirl Dress Release!

I am pleased to announce the release of my first pattern, the Saffron Twirl Dress! 

I cannot tell you what an awesome (and sometimes hard and crazy) adventure it has been to make this pattern.

I had a lovely and amazing bunch of women test my pattern for me and I am so grateful to them!! This pattern wouldn't be nearly as awesome without them. 

Here's some of the tester photos:

And some of the testers made more than one dress and have some fun twists on the dresses. Follow the links for more pictures, tutorials and templates! 

Brianne from Alicat & Co - Tutorial for different necklines.

Crystal from Ginger Dimples - Tear Applique Template

And if you want some inspiration, Mae from The Life of a Compulsive Crafter changed up the button tab for an adorable bow! 

And just cause I can't resist, here's a few pics of the ones I've made.

Notice that I said "some" of the tester photos? Well, a few of my testers have plans up their sleeves, so you're just going to have to hang in there! I am dying to have them show off their dresses! 

Don't forget to, the introductory sale of $6 ends next Monday!! 

School Shopping

This year has been so incredibly different then most. Most years, my kids are dying to go back to school by about 3 weeks into summer vacation, and I start getting antsy by the 9th week. This year, school REALLY snuck up on us though. I realized last night that school starts this Monday and we haven't prepared at all! Grandma DID buy them some pencil cases, but beyond that......

So today I took the kids up to do some school shopping. My number 1 place to go is always Old Navy. My husband helped me get the kids ready, we dropped my husband off at work, and I headed up with all the kids. I was in such a hurry (we had to get my husband back to work) that I didn't really pay any attention to what exactly my husband dressed the little girls in......Lets just say my usually very put together little girls were replaced by street urchins. 

Paisley was the worst in all pink (and all pink does NOT match), her shirt was dirty, there was a hole in her leggings by her bum, and her shoes were incredibly mismatched. At least there was one left shoe and one right shoe. Obviously I HAD to get those poor little kids a decent outfit from the clearance rack. 

We walked around the store for ages. First to the bathroom, and I was very proud of my girls getting that job done quickly and efficiently. There was quite a line that formed. 

Then we went to the backpack section. After all chose backpacks we walked over to the girls section to get Aevarie some shoes. Of course she was interested in the ones I thought were the most ugly, and I wont lie, I was beyond thrilled that they didn't have any in her size. Of course the little girls were taking their shoes off to try on shoes as well. Then after finding a pair she liked and that fit, we went over to the boys side to find Gavin some shoes. We found 1 pair in his size! I was so thankful that they had ones he liked! Too, he's in a size 5 now! When on earth did THAT happen?? 

Zoe and Paisley were still playing with their shoes, not putting them on. And if we had had a cart and I wasn't holding Jude, I would have just put them back on myself, but I didn't have THAT patience. I told them to grab their shoes and we were now going to fix the "street urchin" children problem. We found both girls a shirt and a pair of shorts each and we got them new shoes. 

We head up to the cash register and after paying for everything, I realize Paisleys mismatched shoes were NOT in the cart. I send Gavin to go take a quick look, and he couldn't find them, so then we all head back to into the store, retracing our steps. We ask employees. I'm asking Paisley if she remembered where she left them, which she is 3 and just pouted. I COULD have left and just hoped someone would find them, but one of them was from my absolutely favorite pair of shoes of theirs, AND it's over an hour drive from our house. I was NOT leaving that store without those shoes! 

After spending about 30 minutes looking, I finally find them on a shelf in a pile of shirts. PHEW! I know they're shoes, but one of them was my favorite!! 

I also loved all the glares I was receiving as I was herding my hoard of children around, asking my 3 year old over and over if she left them over here? What about over there?? 

Finally we were able to leave the store!!

Maybe God knew I needed it, but as we walked out the front door a lady passing by saw me with all of my children and said, "You are awesome! Look at you go with all those kids!"

I can say that we are now ready for school!!! 

Bullying

School is in plain sight and with everyone getting things ready, new clothes being bought (or in my case made). Choosing out backpacks and pencil cases, I would like to take a minute and discuss something that has been getting a lot of highlights but still not discussed enough. 

Bullying. 

When you think of bullying, you usually think of a giant kid stuffing a much smaller and nerdy kids head into a toilet. Sad to say that my son has had this happen to him. I can also go into personal experience and recite girls throwing rocks at me, kids calling me names, girls undoing my bra in the hallways at school....some people have it worse then others, but we ALL sadly, deal with bullying at many points in our lives. 

We've become aware of it. There's been discussions. But something happened today that made me really wonder if the message has gotten through to US? 

When I first joined the "Blogger world" I was amazed. These women are amazing. Sharing their experiences and crafty knowledge eagerly to anyone and everyone. Bringing each other up and helping.

Then the more I've gotten into it, I've started to see politics. There's a circle, clique, sewing country club, if you will, to it.

Then today I saw it. Bullying. 

I'm going to admit. I am still pretty outraged about it. It was uncalled for and childish. We are supposed to be here pulling each other up. Not tearing each other down. 

That also made me wonder. How do we expect our children to not bully others or to handle bullying, when we ourselves do it? Have we forgotten the old motto, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." Do I need to bring out the Bambi?

I'm not making this post to call out or chastise. More to enlighten or hopefully make people more aware that we are all human. We have amazing talents and I know we all want to share our talents. We have no need to tear each other down. 

Too, good luck for school! I just found out that my 1st grader is going to probably be getting more homework then my 5th grader. Not going to lie.....I'm petrified! 

Happy School Days people!!

Project Run and Play Try Out

It's that time again with Project Run & Play starting a new season! This was the very reason I actually started writing a blog. The biggest problem I keep coming up with is what project do I submit?? If you read my last post, you would see I have no shortage of items to choose from. But, I wanted it to be different. Showing off a bit more of my talent.

Then it hit me. For the last few months I have been drafting my own pattern. Slacking at times and needing my awesome sewing posse to kick my butt into gear, and it is nearly completed. I hope....

So, without further ado, I introduce to you:

The Saffron Twirl Dress.

Why did I name it Saffron? Well, Saffron is my little sisters name, who just so happens to share a birthday with me. And no, we are no where close to being twins! It is also what my blog name means in Swahili. Yeah, you better believe I just googled that to make sure!

Here's a whole bunch more pics to show off this dress.

Zoe LOVED twirling in it!

Both my girls were fighting over it today, so we got pics of both wearing it. I think that's the sign that I need to make another....

Here's to hoping I make the contest this season! :D