Welcome to my stop on the Sew Long Summer Blogtour hosted by Melissa of mahlicadesigns, it couldn't have come at a better time for us here in the UK as we've definitely seen a change in the seasons in the past week or two!
As we say SewLong to Summer, my thoughts are turned to Autumnal sews and keeping the cold, wind and rain at bay whilst being able to remove layers on those days where the weather can't make it's mind up! (Yesterday we had everything from 23°C bright sunshine to 11°C with thunderstorms and gale force winds!) Whilst I've been keeping up to date sewing cardigans, sweaters and hoodies throughout the Summer, I now need to think about heavier, warmer and drier functionality garments so where better to start sewing for Autumn than a coat!?
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Ever since I made my boys their first Elevation Hoodies (click for original blogpost) almost 18 months ago, my Husband has been pestering for one too! In the beginning I had the excuse that the pattern only came in ages 6-12 months to 16 years, however a few of months ago, the mens version was released which took the available sizes right up to 3XL (up to 57" chest!) so I could no longer use that one! Then I had the excuse of it being Summertime soon so there wouldn't be any need for hoodies for a few months which seemed to pacify him a few more months, THEN, a couple of weeks ago, he saw me looking at this blogpost for a zipper front hack and I really couldn't think of any more excuses so figured it was about time I just made it for him, and what's a good outfit without matching mini versions for the boys? After all, they have both grown significantly since their original ones and could do with some bigger, warmer clothes too.
![]() This Summer one of my sons broke his arm and needed it cast almost to his shoulder, this made getting tees on and off very tricky. Inspired by the port access placket of the Pickle Toes Pattern Hope, I added a snap up placket to the shoulders of some of his tees. I hope you never need it but I've put together a little tutorial for you just in case! A snap placket can either be done on ready made tees or as you are making a new one, this tutorial covers adding one to a new tee and I used the Pickle Toes Patterns Fried Pickles which is FREE with the code from their Facebook Group Some of you may have already seen these, especially if you read my Suit up for Summer blogpost from last week but I wanted to take a closer look at them and tell you a bit more about them. So here is an entire post dedicated to these fab patterns from New Horizons! PS. Did you see there is a code for 30% off sitewide until the end of the day?! quickkk!
![]() I am SO excited to be part of this blog tour celebrating the Bluezette's 2 year anniversary! Released by Love Notions in both Ladies and Girls sizes, this is a dress pattern I've not tried before but have seen so many gorgeous versions of and hadn't realised quite how many variations could be made from the pattern and blog add-on! So many, I couldn't decide on just 1 version to make so made 2! It's the boys turn again with these super cute tees, with options for plain or colour blocked fronts, they have gained themselves 3 tops each during testing and have already chosen and pointed out fabrics for more of them so they must get their approval! The pattern went through almost 10 version during testing to ensure the fit of the end pattern was absolutely SPOT ON. It's a great scrap buster, perfect for panels and also an all round classic essentials pattern. I loved how quickly even the colour blocked version went together. Only the pink tees are from the final version of the pattern but I wanted to show you the awesome colour blocked versions as well.
Following on from the previous Fun Tee blog tour, I was very excited to hear there would be a Christmas Tour following very soon. I LOVE Christmas, I always have, but I especially love giving and receiving handmade gifts, the time and effort which goes into making them for me is far more special to me than quickly picking something off a shelf to give to me. With that said, I already have several MeMade gifts planned for friends and family so took the opportunity to sew myself a couple of things for this tour, after all, I need to be properly attired for gift giving too!
This is a first for me on my blog, it isn't so much a review of sewing patterns but of the fabric itself! I was lucky enough to be selected as a 'strike-off' sewer for this beautiful fabric to test it's properties to the max! I washed it, tumble dried it, checked for colour running, fading and shrinkage and sewed it up into various different garments to test how it sews, stretches, wears and looks! Here are my findings and finished garments with no editing to the photos to try and show as natural a representation as possible in different lighting.
Are you all feeling energetic?! No, I'm not either but this collection of 3 pocketed t-shirts from Kelly J Designs is called the Race Day Collection! My boys love pockets and I've got a love for colour blocking at the moment so these were sure to be a hit all round. So much so, I've made 2 of each final design during testing alone! My personal favourite is the 'On Your Marks' what's yours?
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!
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AuthorHi! I'm Sarah and I live with my 2 boys and my Husband in East Anglia, UK. I enjoy sewing for my family and it is my aim to have a completely MeMade wardrobe for us all! Archives
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