Pattern Testing and Blog Touring

Ever since Rachael got me started on pattern testing and sewing kids clothing at the same time, I have been on a roll with both.  My kids are loving my newfound skills, and I love testing patterns because I always learn something new.

The tumble tee pattern test was no exception.  Here's a little sneak peek at the dress version of the pattern, coming soon from imagine gnats.  Her included tips on finishing seams in knits made me pull out my sewing machine manual and learn the overlock stitch, which is pretty darn close to a serger stitch.  Who knew?!  It's pretty obvious that my girlie loves the dress.

Thanks to the afore-mentioned first pattern that I tested for Rachael, the roly-poly pinafore, I'm a stop on the roly-poly-along blog tour that is going on right now!  Stop by on May 28 to see a new version of the roly-poly that I made, and check out the other stops on the tour for lots of fun ideas. I'll even have a copy of the pattern to give away!

Pattern Testing: My First Garment

With all the sewing I have done, you'd think I would have made some clothes for my kids by now.  Nope.  None at all.  I don't know why, but the idea has always intimidated me.  Maybe because everything has to be exact to make it fit correctly.  Bags and accessories are a little more forgiving.  But I have intended to try out garment sewing.  I even ordered a Renfrew pattern and several knits (because I had no idea what kind I was supposed to use!) last fall.  It all still sits in a pile in my guest-turned-storage room.

So, when Rachael at imagine gnats asked me to test a pattern for a girls' pinafore shirt, I knew the time had come.  If she thought I could do it, I probably could.  She sent me the pattern in a .pdf, with no photo of what the final product was supposed to look like.  The mystery made it fun!  And for such a simple top, I learned several new skills.  Pockets set in the side seams.  Fully lined.  AND---I had to learn to make buttonholes.  Yet another skill that I have avoided thus far.  It turned out rather fabulously, if I do say so myself.  I used some fabric from the bottom of my stash, in case it turned out to be a disaster, so it's not my favorite.  But my girlie loves it.  And has asked for matching pants.  Oy!  What have I done?!

Want your own chance to test patterns for Rachael?  Head on over to her blog and sign up to be on her tester list.  She also has a pattern shop on Craftsy, where I suspect you will find the finished version of this pattern soon!

Pockets at the sides, buttons at the shoulders

I had a lightbulb moment when I realized that it crossed in the back!  Silly me, not knowing what a "pinafore" was!

Her best model pose!

News and To-Dos

The holidays are over and we are all back into a normal routine over here.  My sewing area ended up in disaster after the flurry of gift-making last month, so I spent the afternoon yesterday organizing my fabric stash and finding the surface of my desk.

I have decided to turn my focus this month from making things for others to purchase to making things for myself and my family and friends.  I have quite a few projects that I have been putting off, and now's the time to get them done.

Back to my trusty to-do board I went.  I love having this right next to my sewing desk, reminding me of my ideas.

This is my favorite to-do...

I know...that doesn't really sound like it's for me--but it is!  I love Sew Sweetness, and Sara comes up with some awesome ideas.  Plus I get to pull from my stash.  AND involves using this fabric, yay!

And that's all I can say about that until the pattern is released.

Now for the news bit:

I am also participating in Handmade for Newtown, an online auction by imagine gnats and casa crafty of handmade items and craft/sewing supplies to benefit the Newtown Parent Connection.  I'm donating my very favorite project that I have yet to part with: my linen and cotton nesting bowls!  I'll let you know when the auction is live.