Coming Soon...New E&E Pattern!

I'm very excited to announce that the newest E&E Pattern will be ready to launch next week!  The Bubble Pocket Top was designed because of inspiration from the Flip The Pattern series at Frances Suzanne.  There were so many incredibly creative participants who re-invented the Bubble Pocket Shorts that I simply had to get in on it.  And because a top needs a cute bottom to match, the Spin Skirt was made with fun contrasting options for the waistband and ties.  The pattern includes BOTH garments (so it's essentially a 2 for 1 value!) and will include sizes 12m - 10 years.

A call for pattern testers will be made on the E&E Facebook page tomorrow at 3pm EST with slots filled on a first-come first-served basis.  Thanks in advance!

Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Summer Tour & Giveaway

Welcome to the Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Summer Tour*!  If you haven't been over to the shop lately, Amy has given it a whole new look and added some new summer patterns, as well, so you may want to check it out!  

I decided to add some much needed sporty clothing to my son's wardrobe and made him a fun outfit that is going to get a lot of use through the hot summer months.

My Classic Ringer Tee was a size 4T in the short sleeve version with a chest pocket (my boy recently turned 5 years old, but he's on the thin side).  The shirt came together very quickly and would be a great pattern for someone new to sewing with knits.  I upcycled an adult t-shirt for the material and found that it had a bit too much stretch.  Other then that, I'm super happy with the result!  This is a very basic top that will give you plenty of opportunity to add your own personal embellishments.  There are three appliqué templates included with the pattern, too.

For the Hangtime Basketball Shorts,  I made a size 3T/4T with bias tape accent on the side stripes.  Using the recommended drawcord elastic was something new to me, and I love how professional it makes the shorts look.  There are also instructions for using regular elastic as well.  I used an athletic-type fabric (100% polyester) for both the shorts and accent strips.  The fit is a little on the bigger side, but as I mentioned before, my boy is bit thinner than the average 5 year old.  I love how these turned out, and will definitely be making more.  Now, how to grade it up to men's size since my husband wants some, too!?!?

Tobias loved how comfortable this outfit felt, and would have been happy wearing it day and night.

*E&E is an affiliate of the Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop and these patterns were received in compensation for an honest review.  This post contains affiliate links.

Don't miss the other stops on along the Tour!

To celebrate the Tour, Amy is offering a HUGE giveaway: three lucky winners will receive a pack of TEN patterns!!  Enter below for 16 chances to win, and good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Village Green Sundress

It's almost summer, and what better time to make some sundresses?  Over at Melly Sews, Melissa has been hosting the 30 Days of Sundresses series and if you haven't been following along, make sure to check out the pretty dresses you've missed.  By the end of the month, there'll be 30 free tutorials...more than enough to get you and your little girl(s) through the summer in style!

I knew immediately that I wanted to mix up the Pleated Playsuit Pattern once again because of it's versatile design (here and here are the tutorials for altering it to make separates).  

Having recently bought some new fabric, I was excited to use some of it for this dress.  I've always been drawn to folksy designs, but never actually bought any because I tend to usually stay away from larger prints for smaller garments.  This time, I decided it was time to get out of that frame of mind and buy this Village Green by Carolyn Gavin.  Isn't it adorable?  I just love the colour palette, especially that shade of green.  Coincidently, I found some voile in my stash the same colour.  Love it when that happens!  Ready to make the Village Green Sundress?  Let's go!

If you don't have the Pleated Playsuit Pattern, yet, download it here.  I decided to change the design up a bit, and fully line the bodice, rather than use a facing.  So, cut TWO BACK bodice pieces in both your fabric, and lining (you should have four pieces total).  Measure 2"/5cm from the armhole to the bottom edge and cut straight across.

Sew your bodice according to steps 1 through 8 on pages 6 - 8 in the Pleated Playsuit Pattern, keeping in mind that instead of the facing, you now have a complete bodice lining.

Then, cut out your skirt piece(s).  Use the chart below to find the measurement in your corresponding size.  I cut one skirt piece on the fold, however, you may not be able to depending on the width of your fabric and your size.  If you are using 44"/115cm wide fabric, you may need to cut 2, and sew two side seams.

Now, it's time to sew the skirt and attach it to the bodice.  If you have two skirt pieces, sew two side seams instead of one centre back seam, and match those seams to the bodice when you stitch them together.

Hem the bottom, and you're done!

To complete the outfit, I made an adorable sunhat to match.  I highly recommend the Oliver + S Reversible Bucket Hat  pattern I used, since it sewed together quite easily and it's FREE!  Anja's inside crown measurement is 20"/51cm, so I made her a size medium and it fits perfectly with a little room to grow.  You can download the pattern here. 

Click on any name to go directly to the blog of the other participants and keep on following the series.

Reversible Bubble Pocket Top and Twirly Skirt

Ever since I've started seeing all the adorable Bubble Pocket Shorts variations appearing in the Flip The Pattern June Sew-Along Linky Party at Frances Suzanne, I've been wanting to create one myself.  And so, just for fun and NOT for competition, I've created the Bubble Pocket Top....and it's reversible!  Although, I'm already looking forward to making another one with some slight variations, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.  Since I needed something for Anja to wear with it, I drafted a little skirt called the Twirly Skirt.  Together, they're a fun combination!

From Playsuit to Separates Tutorial Part 2

Last week, I shared a tutorial for my Caramel Baby & Child inspired top.  Today, I'd like to share how I completed the outfit with my version of the Luppitt Trouser.  As with the top, I used the Pleated Playsuit Pattern.  If you don't have it, yet, download it free here.

Cut out Pants Back, Pocket, and Pocket Lining pieces from Pleated Playsuit Pattern removing 1 inch/2.5cm from the top edge.  Increase length at bottom edge by 2 inches/5cm.

Complete pages 9, 10, & 11 of the instructions.  Continue as follows:

 All done!!

Hope the little girl in your life enjoys the outfit as much as my daughter does!

Best of Summer Series at CailaMade

Today I'm over at CailaMade sharing why I think the Bubble Dress by StraightGrain is one of the best patterns of the summer (and one of my faves of all-time!).

Come see why!