Last month I made a Lisse* (please click here or on the photo to see the original review and photos for this) and I really wanted to enter at least one upcycled version of each of the new horizons patterns I owned into the contest, so I went hunting around the house for something I could use to make one from.

For the full Lisse pattern review please see my post HERE

When I saw the upcycle challenge listed, I wanted to make something from each of the 4 new horizons patterns I owned.  I quickly got searching around the house and found this lovely green knitted half waterfall cardigan which had sadly been shrunken in the tumble drier.  I loved the colour but could no longer wear it, so I was quite excited to be able to reuse the fabric for the lisse*.

Another of my upcycle challenge entries was made using the Elevation Hoodie Pattern* to make this age 2 short sleeved tee version in cotton lycra and interlock, upcycled from a ladies stretchy tee and a childrens tee and I did add some dinosaur cotton lycra fabric to this one as well.

Above are the two tops I used and below is what I made from them!

Right at the beginning of April, Terra's Treasures changed it's name to New Horizons and with it came a fab contest to get people sewing their patterns using up cycled fabrics!  At first I wasn't sure I'd be able to fit any entries in but right on the last couple of days I managed to finish all my ongoing pattern tests up and entered 4 garments! Here I'm going to talk about them all but if you want a detailed review or information on how I hacked the patterns then I'll give links to individual blog posts about those too! 

Do you remember the Fried Pickle tees I made for my boys in a test last month? As soon as that test was over, the designer put out a tester call for this colour blocked tee.  I have developed a real love for colour blocking as it means you can easily use up scraps from other projects or use your gorgeous {but expensive} designer and custom printed fabrics sparingly so you can make more things from them!  It was my youngest cutie pie who got to try this one, and as you can see he thinks it's great!  Keep watching my blog for a 'matching but different' tee for my eldest!

Earlier this year I found some jersey in a sample sale, there was 3m, in just the colours and pattern I am usually drawn to, so it simply HAD to come home with me!  I knew I wanted to make a maxi dress with it even though I'd never worn one before, it just told me this is what it needed to be! No more than a week later, on of my favourite designers, Sew Straight & Gather, announced in their tester group that they had plans to re draft and re-release their very first pattern, the girls Uptown Downtown.  I instantly went to check it out and not only was the style PERFECT, I could easily fit into the age 14 measurements! It couldn't all have happened more perfectly if I'd have tried to schedule! So here we have my super elegant Uptown Downtown.....

It's all too easy to get caught up in the sewing of outerwear but what about underwear? If I'm going to be able to wear fully handmade with nothing new being shop bought, I'm going to need undies! So, when a tester call for a variety of styles came out from Little Finch Designs*, I jumped on board and started busting through my scraps pile!  There are 2 styles included in this first pattern bundle with another 2 styles in testing for release in a couple of weeks and I'm sure you're pleased to hear these won't be shown as modelled photos, I'm not sure anyone wants to see that!!

This jacket is a little different to my usual style but having had a few weeks between the teaser photo and the tester call going out, I didn't have to search far to see that bomber jackets are in most of the UK high street shops this season and are quickly turning into the must have wardrobe essential! They are being dressed down for daytime wear and up for the evening and everything in between, they are everywhere! With this in mind, I thought it would be a great addition to my wardrobe and definitely wanted in!!  I went slightly against tradition with my jacket, going with white base colour and ribbing as opposed to the standard white or striped, however I kept the trademark metal tooth zipper and a quick Pinterest search confirmed that actually, even going white is very on trend right now! So here is my take on it!

This last week has been another busy one for my sewing machine with the first release being this gorgeous Starlight City Dress and Separates pattern from Lil Luxe Collection.  It was the pretty twist back which attracted me to applying for this pattern test and {unlike the weather every time I tried to get photos} it didn't disappoint!  

Whilst the majority of my sewing projects are clothes, every now and then an 'accessory' pattern pops up which seems perfect for someone in our family.  This time it was the Cuddly Carrie​r by Bishy Barnababes.  Being a babywearing family, this toy version is right up our street!