Paneled Sunsuit Pattern Tour...It's More Than Just a Sunsuit!

Welcome to this stop on the 'Not Just a Sunsuit" by Call Ajaire Tour!

Today I wanted to show you a simple way you can add to that Back To School/Fall wardrobe, that is quick and easy, thanks to this new amazing and very versatile pattern by Call Ajaire

But I really think you could call this pattern "Everything But the Kitchen Sink"...you get a ton of options with this pattern. So much so, I'm not going to break it down for you like a normal pattern review...I just wouldn't be able to give an honest review or do it justice.  So for our stop we have the Maxi Skirt option (just 1 of the 9 options!).

When I showed the girls all of the options, they were most excited about the maxi skirt...they have both been begging me to make them one, so this was the perfect excuse.

I feel bad, after seeing all of the amazing variations of the pattern on the rest of the tour, that I probably chose the simplest option there was, but it's what they wanted...so that is what they got.

I actually used knit jersey and sewed up a size 12 and a size 10...yes my littlest is moving into tween sizes, yikes!

To keep it loose and flowy, I omitted the pockets...and by doing so, I think this pattern sewed up faster than it took me to tape it together!

And the great thing about this skirt is that you could dress it up or down and wear it with layers for the winter.  I love how my girls styled their's for the pictures...so comfy looking, which is just what a maxi skirt should be. My husband calls them more formal sweatpants.

Just look at that stripe matching...pat on the back to me!

Good:

Tons of options!!!

Easy to follow instructions that come together quickly

So many ways to make it fit the needs/wants of your daughter...pockets, piping, lengthening/shortening

This fabric didn't repeat as much, so I wasn't able to match the stripes...hopefully it doesn't look to off. She didn't mind

Bad:

Because there are so many options, the pattern itself is a little overwhelming and because of so many choices and the fact that it goes from newborn to size 12...the option to print in layers would have been a welcome one for this pattern.

Ugly: Nothing

So for the Maxi Skirt at least I give this a 4 Lightening Bolt rating!

And here Sophia is showing you just how comfy they are...they still allow you to MOVE!

Major Mama was part of the test group for the pattern and here is her version of the sunsuit:

I'm kind of loving the color combination and just how comfy it looks!  Her biggest recommendation is to pay special attention when attaching the straps and two bodice pieces.  The pattern has a neat trick to make all the seams on the inside, but if you get ahead of the instructions, you could goof it all up.

So if you are interested in the Not Just a Sunsuit pattern, you should try your luck at the give-a-way and then go check out all of the other amazing creations!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday August 24th:  Max California | Filles à Maman | Hey June | House of Estrela
Tuesday August 25th: Skirt Fixation | Gracious Threads | Kimmie Sew Crazy | Shaffer Sisters
Wednesday August 26th: Kid Approved | Pinkel | Falafel and the Bee | Once Upon a Sewing Machine
Thursday August 27th: Buzzmills | Pattern Revolution | Sprouting JubeJube | Handmade Martini
Friday August 28th: That's Sew Kari | Lulu & Celeste | Paisley Roots | Modern Handmade

Monday August 31st: Sew Cool for the Tween Scene | Kadiddlehopper | Imagine Gnats | Nap Time Creations
Tuesday September 1st: My Sweet Sunshine | Straight Stitch Designs | Handmade Boy | That's What She Crafted
Wednesday September 2nd: Climbing the Willow | Rebel & Malice | GYCT Designs | Two-Many
Thursday September 3rd: The Crazy Tailor | sewVery | Just Add Fabric | Delia Creates
Friday September 4th: A Jennuine Life | Conversas de Hermanas | Made by Sara | Not Sew Fast

Extraordinary Girl Tour

We were asked to be a part of a blog tour of the Extraordinary Girl top pattern by Filles a Maman and when we saw the top, we immediately said YES.  There are a lot of great bloggers that have already shared their version of this top, so please go check out what they have done.

And since we both wanted to sew the top...you get a couple of different versions just from us!

And at the end of this post, there is a huge giveaway that you can enter!

The top has a fun neckline of overlapping shoulders and lots of opportunities for color blocking.  It also is available for purchase in adult and child sizes.  (separate pattern for each...but there is an option to bundle for a discount)

Name of the pattern:  Extraordinary Girl 

Pattern Source: You can find this pattern at   Filles a Maman website that is in French and English.

Sizes available:  The children's pattern comes in sizes 12 months to 14 years.  The woman's pattern is available up to XXL. You can buy them separately or you can bundle the 2 for a discounted price.

Special materials required:  This pattern requires knit fabrics with at least a 40% stretch but is not recommended for knits with more than 70% stretch.  The pattern instructions tell you how to test the stretch of your fabric.

Skill level required:  Beginner!  If you are looking to try sewing knits for the first time, this is a great pattern for you because it is super simple and you do not have to do a circular ribbing at the neck.

How you came to choose the pattern:  We picked this pattern because of the blog tour, but I am so glad we got invited.  I love Filles a Maman patterns as they are simple and right on trend.

We each made slight modifications to the pattern to fit our girlss style.

On Abi's top, I did deviate from the pattern slightly.  I added a slim band of purple on the sleeves to finish them.

For Sophia's I added a lace overlay, which was basically cutting out and sewing 2 of the top insert pieces together.

Good:  The good about the pattern is that it is so easy and it is stylish for a girl or woman.  I loved wearing mine and we did not feel too matchy-matchy as we went about our day's activities.  (We went to the local nature center and learned about the science of snowflakes.) The boat neck and the high/low hem also makes it a great variation to the standard T-shirt.

Bad:  With the overlap shoulder, Abi's cami straps did show.  I did not have that problem, so it may be just the way her skinny shoulders are built.

Ugly:  none.

Overall pattern rating:  4 bolts

The fellow bloggers on tour are:

Monday Feb. 16th

   Call Ajaire -  The Crazy Tailor - From a Box - Sew Out of Control

Tuesday Feb. 17th

Lulu & Celeste - Keep Calm and Carrion - Sprouting JubeJube - Sofilantjes

Wednesday Feb. 18th

Sew Starly - Rebekah Sews - Rebel & Malice - Isn't That Sew

Thursday Feb. 19th

Thread Riding Hood - House of Estrela - Project Destash

Friday Feb, 20th

Sew Cool for the Tween Scene - Phat Quarters - Pienkel 

 Shaffer Sisters - La Casa Cactus - Mabey She Made It 

There are wonderful prize packages associated with this tour!!

Bundle #1:

Filles a Maman 2 patterns winner's choice

Sofilantjes - 1 pattern winner's choice

Julie pattern by Muffin Head

AimeLea & Finn - 1 pattern winner's choice

FABulous Home Sewn -1 pattern winner's choice

Fancy Schmancy - 1 pattern winner's choice

E+M Patterns - 1 pattern winner's choice

Bundle #2:

Filles a Maman 2 patterns winner's choice

Sofilantjes - 1 pattern winner's choice

Fancy Schmancy - 1 pattern winner's choice

MCM Studio Designs - 1 pattern winner's choice

MandyK Designs -1 pattern winner's choice

Striped Swallow Designs - 1 pattern winner's choice

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Around the World Blog Hop

Sally here in this stop of the Around the World Blog Hop at Sew Cool for the Tween Scene, where we blog/sew with tweens (9-13 year olds) in mind. Thanks Melanie of Filles a Maman for letting me participate.  This stop is at the blog that I co-author with another mom, Major Mama, who happens to live across the country, making this a double stop I guess. I also have a personal blog over at Daisy Chain Creations where I keep track of all of my creations, not just my tween centered ones.

What am I working on?

Recently I was the lucky winner of an Abilmente prize package over at Naeh-Connection.

Just some of the fabric I won...it felt like Christmas, seriously

I think I have now doubled my pdf sewing pattern list thanks to that prize package. My projects right now (I usually have more than one going at a time) seem to either involve one of those patterns or the fabrics that I received. I have several patterns to assemble and cut out, a couple of shirts cut out that I need to sew up and a pile of fabric just waiting to be turned into stuff.

I'm also in the Christmas mindset and am thinking of what I need to make; from pajamas to ornaments...

   

each of my kids gets at least one thing created by me each year and I always try to keep it from being a last minute thing.

How does my work differ from others?

My work specifically for Sew Cool for the Tween Scene is different in that we are focused on finding patterns and fashion ideas that work for the crazy Tween years of 9-13. Both Major Mama and I have girls in that age range and were kind of underwhelmed when it came to pattern selections for that age range, as well as being a little appalled at the retail world's offerings. Either they were still little girl-ish or too adult looking. We've made it our mission track down patterns that allow them to dress a little more maturely but at the same time remain modest and age appropriate. Just in the last year it's been fun to see many pattern creators expanding their size ranges and to be creating some stylish designs that work for this age group. You can read more about it here.

Why do I create what I do?

I create because I can, because I need an outlet that allows me to have immediate (compared to motherhood) results and because creativity is a stress reliever. A favorite quote of mine goes "The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul." and sewing helps me with that desire.

Thought I'd share a picture of the other gal I create for.

How does my creating process work?

It usually starts with a need or a bit of inspiration of fabric or pattern that catches my eye. Or when one of my girls says they would like something, I usually try to create it for them...within reason of course. I love it when they come to me and say "I need a black skirt for my upcoming band concert." or "Could you make me a poodle skirt for our themed Read-a-Thon?" It gives me a chance to think it through and make something that is not only needed but personally made for them. I love it!

For the non-sewing/creating part of blogging, the writing, I love coming up with our posts that follow trends and current fashion. I have fun pursing the internet for inspiration and seeing the beautiful creations of others.

Now to pass the baton on to someone else...check out Stacy at The Land of KA! She creates such stylish clothing for her kids and for herself!

Breeze Top Blog Tour

You know you have a great pattern when your daughter's friend asks you for the same thing. I had the honor to test Shannon, of Little Kids Grow, new pattern the Breeze Top/Tunic. When Sophia's best friend (they've known each other since they were 9 months old!!) saw it she asked if she could have one too. It is a great, summery top with lots of character and is simple to sew up, so it's easy to see why she would want one. It's also got lots of style with a razorback yoke and high/low hem, just what these 2 style loving tweens thought were cool.
(Scroll down for the give-a-way and discount code)

Like I said I think that means it is a good pattern that a tween is asking for it.  I gave her the measurements for the fabric and she picked out her own.  Her's are both knit from JoAnn's and I love what she picked out...it is "so" her.

For Sophia's I wanted to try a knit on top and woven on the bottom.  And it worked out great as well...although Sophia says she prefers the all knit one the best because of the way it hangs. I've made 6 of these now, 1 all woven, 2 all knit, 1 knit/woven and 2 knit and terry cloth. You can see the 2 I tested on the 'cover' of the pattern and you can check out the terry cloth ones over at Daisy Chain Creations tomorrow.

Once the shirts were made, we got the 2 together for a little photo shoot. Sophia is wearing her's with layers, which is another great thing about this pattern...it should layer well with things like turtle necks too making it wearable all year long.

Both girls both wanted the non-banded look because they like the "flowiness" of it, but it does come with the option to put a band, perhaps contrasting, around the bottom.

These 2 were so silly...but you can see the shirts well. I think I made her friends a little too large, but didn't have the luxury of trying it on as I sewed. I sized up to a 12 for her because she was on the edge of the 2 sizes and has been growing like a weed lately. I figured she'd grow into it if it was too large.

And just so you know that it is a comfy, easy to play in shirt...here are some action shots:)

So you should really go and check out some more versions and then go buy it yourself! Shannon is offering a discount right now as well of 25% off. Just type in "BREEZETOUR"

"/> a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own, but I was given the pattern to test and try out as part of the tour.

Mimi Dress Blog Tour

Over here at Sew Cool for the Tween Scene, we were so excited to see this new pattern, the Mimi Dress and Shirt released by Filles a Maman!  Why were we so excited, you may ask...well it's because it happens to be a great tween pattern(it goes up to size 14!).  There are loads of options sure to satisfy any picky tween. It calls to be made out of knit, which is perfect for the ever changing and hard to fit tween bodies. And most of all it's a stylish, yet easy to sew pattern! Throw in that the pattern is well written and comes together beautifully and you have a winner in our books!

Thank you Filles a Maman for letting us be a part of your tour!

 As for my version...well here it is, although I did add a few changes.  The biggest change was that I made 2 dresses in 1 by making it reversible.  The actual pattern has a collar facing, which looks great on all of the pictures I've seen. I had plans on doing one, but when I realized the brown and white striped fabric, although a dream to touch because it was so soft, was terribly see through, I knew I'd either have to make a lining or my girl would need a slip (she's outgrown the one she has).

This got me thinking of what I could do and that is when I came up with the idea of instead of lining it, I would simply make it reversible. This really meant that I followed the instructions for the collar facing, but did it rather with a whole dress.

 For an added touch, instead of finishing the hems of the sleeves and bottom of the white side of the dress, I ruffled them by stretching the fabric while zigzagging over it (I think this is called lettuce edge hem). I finished the brown/white striped side with a simple hem and this allowed the ruffle to peek out from underneath...a detail my daughter loved. 

 And here you can see the white side.  You can kind of see the stripes through the white, but it makes it a little more interesting to look at. By making it reversible, the button ends up on the other shoulder when you flip it around. I also added a button to each side.

 As for my picky tween, she loves the dress and says it is super comfortable and perfect for summer. She wore it to church and kept it on afterwards, which is her way of saying she loves it...usually she is fast to change out of her dresses and church clothes.  There will definitely be more of these to come.

 Thanks again Filles a Maman for sharing this wonderful pattern with us and letting us be a part of your blog tour! You should head over to see what everyone else comes up with...she has an amazing line up!

She also has a great give-a-way going on as part of the tour, so hurry and check it out! 

Also, she's offering a discount code at her etsy store...just type in MIMITOUR20.

a Rafflecopter giveaway