Sunday, October 1, 2017

Cozy Up to Fall EYMM Blog tour



Well...I've been horrible about blogging for awhile (like a year 😟) . You know life happened. But when I saw that EYMM was having another blog tour, I knew I had to jump on it and get back to my highly neglected blog. EYMM is by far one of my favorite pattern companies when it come to selfish sewing and simple, trendy pieces. So here I am to show you some amazing fall pieces of clothing and share a sale with you.  At the end of my post is a coupon code.  

Cozy-Up-to-Fall-Tour-web

Fall is by far my favorite season - the weather gets cooler, the leaves change, I can pull out my boots and sweaters and pumpkin spice EVERYTHING!  Thank goodness for cooler weather so I can wear sweaters to hide my overindulgence in pumpkin spice lattes.  Speaking of sweaters the first item I sewed was an All Seasons Cardigan   I’ve made a few of these in both child and adult sizes in many different types of knit.  It’s an easy pattern that goes together quickly with endless possibilities.  Available in sizes XS-5X with a hood option, length and sleeve options.  This beautiful burgundy hacci sweater knit came from Purple Seamstress. The weight is perfect to layer over a shirt for the chilly fall mornings.








Under my cardigan I layered a Piko top.   Again I’ve made quite a few of these.  I’ve found that the drapier the fabric the better the results.  This particular one is made out of the most beautiful soft bamboo fabric from Knitpop.  This is my first time using bamboo knit and I have found a new obsession.



I also made one out of double brushed poly to show the difference in drape.  I like this one also but it’s not quite as flowy as my bamboo Piko top.

Both versions are 3/4  sleeve) and the side tail hem.  There are two other hem options- regular and high low.  Short and long sleeve options are available also and the pattern is written for sizes XS-5X in addition there is a matching girls pattern. I didn’t make any adjustments to the length and you can see that it just covers your back side making it perfect for leggings.



Speaking of leggings- EYMM updated their Get Moving leggings and they are comfortable!  Three different waistband options are included regular, fold over and contour; six length options and 12 sizes.  Additionally as with all EYMM patterns there is a matching girls pattern.  I chose the contoured waistband which fit comfortably without giving me any muffin top.  A gusset piece is also included if you want to make exercise leggings.  Both the black and floral pair are made out of double brushed poly which is buttery soft.  The pattern is written for compression fabric but recommends to size up if you are using a different type of knit.  I followed this recommendation and had perfectly fitting leggings.

These three pieces are definitely going to be my momiform for this fall.  Our weather fluctuates like crazy this time of the year- from 30-80 degrees within a day so these layers are perfect for staying comfortable and looking good.
They’re also easy to wear and can be used to make a mini capsule wardrobe.  A chunky necklace or scarf would look cute with the black leggings and grey shirt.  The sweater and tops can also be worn with jeans.  There are lots of options making these pieces very versatile.






Make sure to stop by all the amazing stops on the Cozy Up to Fall Tour!! (Keep in mind that the links below won�t work until their scheduled date, but feel free to click through and check out their other blog posts anytime.)

Oct. 3 - Tour Kick-off at EYMM

Oct. 4 - Capture, Craft, and Cook and Boutique Birdie

Oct. 5 - Sprouting JubeJube and EYMM

Oct. 6 - Pretty and Precious�and House of Estrela

Oct. 7 - Analog Bytes and Connected By A Thread

Oct. 8 - Adventures With Bubba and Bug and With Love in Every Stitch�and Beri Bee Designs

Oct. 9 - Five Blessings and Lulu & Celeste�and�Creative Counselor

Oct. 10- Tour Roundup on EYMM

During the tour,�all featured patterns are on sale (save even more by buying the youth/adult bundles!) ...�the Four Seasons Cardigan (both women's and girl's), the Piko Top (both women's and girl's), and the Leggings Bundle ('Get Moving' Leggings for women and Jocelyn's Leggings for girls). Use coupon code FALL17 to save 30% off these 6 patterns and/or 3 bundles in the EYMM shop, but only until 11:59pm on October 11, 2017.  

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Back to School Tour




I had the privilege of being part of another EYMM blog tour-Back to School Tour: Mom's Edition!!!  From past blogs you know I love EYMM patterns.  This time was no exception, I sewed up the Piko top.  I've made the children's version a few times but never the adult version.  Blog tour = perfect excuse to sew up a pattern I've been wanting to try forever.  Plus little ones back in school=more sewing time for mommy :)


The Piko top goes from XS-5X and is a loose fitting comfortable top.  THere are three sleeve options; short, three quarter and long.  Three hem options are also included; side tail, regular and high low.  I made the long sleeve high low version.  I used a lightweight knit that was slightly sheer.  It took me only about an hour to tape the pattern, cut the fabric and sew it together.  Almost immediate gratification-this busy mom loves that!




I styled my Piko top with leggings and flats although it would look great with jeans, shorts or a pencil skirt.  It's incredibly versatile, which I love because I like to mix and match my clothing.  I'm kind of vain and will not drop my kids off at school in my pajamas but mornings are busy so I appreciate clothing items that are not fussy to put on, are comfortable and versatile-the Piko top is all of these!
Scroll down to view all of the other wonderful items Moms sewed up for themselves  now and get a coupon code so that you can sew up something special for yourself.
Back-to-School-Tour-web
Don't miss any of the posts on EYMM's Back to School Tour: Mom's Edition! (Note: the links below will not work until their scheduled day, but feel free to click through and check out the rest of their blogs anytime!)
September 8 Inspinration�and�Idlesunshine
September 9 Boutique Birdie and�Needles to Say
September 13 Recap at EYMM
The kids are back in school and parents and caregivers everywhere are excited to catch up after summer break!�Use coupon code�PARENTSROCK to save�50% off any adult-size patterns�for men and�women now through 11:59pm PST Tuesday 9/13/2016. This offer may NOT be combined with other offers including bundles.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Dorset Dress by Heidi & Finn

I had the pleasure of being able to test the Dorset dress for Heidi & Finn.  Like all of her patterns this dress came together easily with a beautiful way of constructing.



The Dorset dress is an A-line dress with flutter sleeves and button tabs on the sides.  It buttons in the back with a placket that is well explained in the pattern.  The flutter sleeves add just the perfect girly touch and the button tabs are perfect for adding piping like I did or showcasing some fun buttons.
  My daughter is obsessed with "paw print" fabric and chose the leopard print fabric.  It's a fine wale corduroy which worked well although the dress could be made out of something with more drape giving it a different look.  This dress is perfect for school and can easily be layered with a long sleeve shirt to transition into the colder months.



Sunday, June 19, 2016

Daddy and Me EYMM Blog Tour



Woohooo another EYMM blog tour!  I seriously love doing these blog tours!  It motivates me to sew up something I've thought about but never managed to make time to do.  Don't forget to read all the way through for the sale information at the end.

This time I got to sew for my little boy and my husband.  Poor kid doesn't get nearly as much sewn for him as his sister:(  He's super appreciative though of anything I make for him, what a sweetie.  I'm a horrible wife and have never sewn a shirt for my husband lol!

This time around I made the Parker Vintage T-shirt by EYMM.  This is available in kid and adult sizes NB-18 and XXS-6XL.  It has long and short sleeve options and crew or v-neck option and a optional chest pocket.

I originally tested this t-shirt for Kymy, and my son has been wearing the tester shirts at least once a week since then.  They were starting to get short so I bumped him up a size and made a 6 for him.  He's tall and skinny so he needs the length.  The fit is perfect on this shirt, not too baggy not to loose.  I took his measurements and he was in the Large on most measurements so I went with that and I love the way it fits.  In my opinion better than a lot of store bought shirts.


I used a fun custom knit panel with BumbleBee on it and coordinating Transformers fabric for the sleeves and top of the front bodice.  To coordinate my husband's shirt I did a contrasting pocket out of the Transformers fabric.  I thought this was a fun way to coordinate but still look adult.  To make the panel fit I had to add material to the top of the panel which created a fun color block look at the top.

Grab this pattern while it's on sale, you won't be disappointed!  The fit is spot on and it's such a quick easy sew! This is my go-to pattern when I need a great fitting t-shirt pattern.  Bonus-the size range is incredible and the directions in measuring for the adult sizes are very detailed to ensure a perfect fit.





Make sure to check out all the stops on the EYMM Daddy & Me Blog Tour! (Note: the direct links below won't work until their scheduled day, but feel free to click through and check out their blogs any time!)
June 16
June 17
June 18
June 19
During the tour, all Daddy & Me patterns are on sale!  Use coupon code MINIME on the EYMM site to save 25% on the Parker's T-Shirt patterns (Boy's or Men's or the Bundle) or the Hoodie patterns (His & Hers Hoodie or Zander's Hoodie or the Bundle) until June 21 at 11:59pm PST.

Monday, May 9, 2016

Mommy and Me Tour







Yay another EYMM blog tour!  For this fun blog I pulled out one of Kymy's patterns that I tested the girl version of quite a while ago; the four season cardigan.



  I have seen quite a few floral drapey cardigans in the store but because I sew there was no way I was going to purchase one when I knew I could definitely make one.  Of course, I already have a very long list of things that I refuse to buy because I can sew it.  But this particular item got bumped up to the top and I'm so happy it did.



Where I live we have very bipolar weather.  It can start out freezing, become quite warm in the afternoon and finish off with wind therefore layers are essential.  This cardigan is perfect!  You can use any type of knit, the only limit is your imagination.  This particular knit is a sheer mesh like material.  Sweater knit, lace and jersey would all make excellent cardigans also.


Little Miss is so goofy

The pattern is available in girls sizes newborn to 18 and womens sizes XS-5X.  There are two different lengths to choose from, cardigan and duster (the length I chose).  In addition there are 5 sleeve options, sleeveless (like a vest), short, 3/4 (what I chose), long and longer.
To add a little interest I edged the entire cardigan in crochet lace.  I love the Bohemian feel it gave our cardigans.  Fringe would be fun too!  My daughter loved this cardigan and I know it will lots of wear.


Be sure to check out the other stops on the EYMM Mommy and Me Blog Tour and see what beautiful things the other mommies have created, plus there is a coupon code below :)


Mommy-&-Me-web
Make sure to check out all the stops on the EYMM Mommy & Me Blog Tour! (Note: the direct links below won't work until their scheduled day, but feel free to click through and check out their blogs any time!)
May 6
May 7
May 8
May 9
During the tour, all Mommy & Me Bundles are on sale!  Use coupon code MOMMYANDME2016 on the EYMM site to save 25% on any Women and Youth Size Pattern Bundles until May 10 at 11:59pm PST (note: build your own bundles are excluded from this sale).

Saturday, April 9, 2016

EYMM Capsule Skirt Tour















I was so excited to have the opportunity to participate in the EYMM Capsule skirt blog tour.  I love EYMM patterns! The fit is always spot on, the directions are clear and all of the patterns are trendy and fun.

This blog tour was exactly what I needed to motivate me to sew a couple of skirts for myself and one for my daughter.  I've had the capsule skirt pattern for awhile now but unfortunately hadn't gotten around to actually sewing it up.  I've been missing out!  It is such a quick sew, about an hour with distractions and the result is so amazing.  It's the perfect comfortable length without looking dowdy or being uncomfortable that your booty is showing.  It's extremely versatile, and can be dressed up or down.  Most importantly it's incredibly comfortable.  This is the ultimate basic skirt that every wardrobe needs!

This is my favorite version, I got to use this amazing Art Gallery fabric that I've had my eye on forever.  I look awful in this color but I love it, so a skirt is the perfect way to use this fabric.

I did the yellow skirt in a size small and the white in a size medium.  I fall in between the two sizes and thought I would try both.  My daughter is in a size 5 and of course her doll needed a matching Capsule skirt.  I chose to go with the very simple design, no pockets and plain waistband.  There is also a yoga waistband option. This pattern is available in doll size, girls sizes NB-18 and women's sizes XS-5X.
I'm off to make another Capsule skirt in black this time.....because it is the perfect addition to a capsule wardrobe.

Scroll down through all of my adorable pictures :) to check out the other stops on the blog tour to see some fun versions of the Capsule skirt and there is a coupon code at the end so you can sew up your own Capsule skirt.


My sweet daughter and her dolly!



I'm off to make another Capsule skirt in black this time.....


2016-Capsule-Skirt-Tour-web
Make sure to check out all the other stops on the EYMM Capsule Skirt Tour. (Note: The links won't be live until the day they're scheduled, but feel free to click through and check out other blog posts any time.)
Wednesday, April 6
Thursday, April 7
Friday, April 8
Saturday, April 9
Sunday, April 10
Monday, April 11
Don't forget to pick up your copy of the pattern while it's on sale!  Use coupon code PERFECTSKIRT to save 25% on the Women's Capsule Skirt, Girl's Capsule Skirt, or Capsule Skirt Bundle until April 12 at 11:59pm PST.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

EYMM Zander Hoodie Blog tour












Phew is all I can say!  Have you ever committed to something and then have just about everything that could go wrong go wrong?  I'm sure we all have at some point, well anyway that's how this blog tour was for me.
When Kymy announced this blog tour I was like "Yes!  My son needs a new sweatshirt, I have the fabric, I'll even make one for myself and it will be sooo much fun!"  Well in the weeks leading up to the blog I've had three out of five kids sick, including high fevers and asthma attacks, high school and elementary school shenanigans to deal with,  secular work fiascoes and issues with my blended family that are so complicated I can't even begin to get into here....
BUT, I did manage to finish this just barely and my son did get an AWESOME new sweatshirt in his favorite colors with a super fun lining.  No I didn't get one done for myself but sometimes you just need to accept what you did accomplish and not dwell on what you didn't.
Enjoy the pictures and at the end there is a giveaway!

Now onto the pattern...the Zander hoodie is a lined sweatshirt or vest with a slightly over sized hood and asymmetrical zipper down the front.  I originally helped test this pattern so I've made it a few times before.  I would consider it more of an intermediate level compared to some other EYMM patterns.  This pattern is available in sizes 3 months to 18.  The directions are clear and offer lots of color photographs to help you through difficult areas.  I did the 4/5 size, which is great because it offers room for growth or layering.

I used a lightweight navy french terry for the outer and lightweight cotton jersey for the lining.  I accented with a red zipper and red ribbing for the wrist cuffs and waist.  My son's favorite part was the zipper because his favorite color is red.
I'm glad he enjoyed the zipper since it only took me four tries to get it lined up perfectly,  no joke, that's when I realized that perhaps I wasn't completely concentrating on my sewing.....
My advice for the zipper is first of all pin and check to see if the waist ribbing and pockets are lined up correctly BEFORE you sew and clear your mind before you start ;)
He was also pretty excite about the race cars on the lining fabric.  This is a great way to make something like a sweatshirt fun for a four year old boy who doesn't always want to wear a sweatshirt.
 So after  I finished I had to convince my four year old that it was time to take pictures, this is when the difference between boys and girls becomes extremely apparent.  I tell my daughter it's photo shoot time and we're going to take pretty pictures and generally she gets excited.  In contrast I had to bribe my son and even at that I only got a few good pictures before things deteriorated quickly first with the dog becoming part of the blog (haha Disney channel reference)  and then with my son attempting to give me some sort of GQ pose, then dirty looks and finally licking the tree.  Yes licking the tree, that's when I gave up.
A boy and his dog in a blog....

I'm not sure if this is I'm a serious model look or I'm plotting my next public fit to get back at you mom for making me do this....


Ummm yeah, I don't even know what to say.....


You made it to the end!  Congratulations!  Leave a comment below with your email address and your choice of Zander or his and hers and one person will be chosen randomly to recieve a free copy of EYMM's Zander hoodie or His and Hers Hoodie.




2015-hoodie-tourweb
Make sure to visit the other stops on the tour to see more versions and hoodie inspiration!�Many�are giving away a copy of the pattern! (Psst ... check out the awesome savings listed after the tour links!)
*NOTE* The links below won�t show the tour posts until 7am PST on their day of the tour, BUT you are welcome to click through and check their blogs out at any time.
9/25
9/26
9/27
9/28
9/29
Hop over to the�EYMM shop and use code FALLHOODIES2015 to save 50% on either hoodie pattern! Coupon is good for�Zander's Hoodie & Hooded Vest (newborn-18tween) or�His & Hers Hoodie & Hooded Vest (adult XS-5XL)�and�expires�11:59pm PST on Sept. 29.
*NOTE*�These two patterns are INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED sewing level, as they include zipper installation and some unique assembly techniques.