Skirting the Issue

Every July, Liz and Elizabeth from Project Run & Play host Skirting the Issue. All month long, for this event, skirts, quilts, and pillowcases are made and donated to local Foster Care centres for kids in need. Over the past several years, more than 1000 skirts have been donated! What a wonderful way to give back to countless communities! A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to this cause. All the information you need to get involved can be found here.  It's a huge pleasure for me to join with other bloggers to offer tutorials and patterns, in support of this annual event.

A few years ago, the Magnolia Skirt pattern was released at E&E Patterns. It's a super comfortable, flared skirt with major twirl factor that's really easy to sew. The two styles (flared or A-line) can be sewn in either knit or woven fabrics and is available in sizes 6 months to 9 years. Because the Magnolia's design is so versatile and simple to make, I thought it would be a perfect pattern for Skirting the Issue. So, until the end of July, it's being offered for FREE!  Not only that, but while you're over at the shop getting your Magnolia Skirt pattern, feel free to receive 10% off any other patterns using coupon code "FORKIDS".

My daughter is wearing a size 6 Magnolia Skirt (View B) in jersey knit.

To get your free copy of the Magnolia Skirt Pattern, head over to the pattern listing page, copy and paste the link to your browser, and download it. This offer, as well as the 10% discount off all patterns, is only valid until midnight PST on July 31, 2017.

Thank you, Liz and Elizabeth, for organizing this opportunity to give back to those in need. Here's hoping there will be many, many children this year enjoying beautiful handmade skirts, quilts, and pillowcases, thanks to this event. Share photos of your Skirting the Issue creations at the Project Run & Play link-up.

Fabric Printing by Contrado

Contrado Imaging has been a one stop production facility since 2003. They specialize in creating quality custom products on demand. Contrado also helps people build brands and find exceptionally well-made designer products.

I was so excited to start designing my unique fabric with Contrado. The process began when I received my swatch pack of over 95 different fabrics. Each swatch has the type of fabric and reference on it, so it's easy to identify which one you'd like to select. I decided that I wanted to make swimsuits for my children, so I chose the Digital Slinky Matte Lycra.

Next up, I designed two types of prints, as I wanted to created some contrast on the suits. First, I purchased a stock photo of tiled tropical fish in bright, vibrant colours. 

Then, using Picmonkey, I created a blue background and added a water effect to it.

After placing my order, the fabric arrived within a couple of days and I couldn't have been happier with the result! The lycra fabric is top quality and the print is clear, bright, and precise. I then used some patterns I had on hand to create my children's suits:

Tobias' Top: Abby's Rashguard (Wolf & Tree)

Tobias' Shorts: Ottobre #28, 3/2016

Anja's Top: modified Abby's Rashguard (Wolf & Tree)

Anja's Shorts: modified Abby's Rashguard (Wolf & Tree)

They have been asking for matching outfits for a long time, and I'm so thrilled to make their wish come true with these one-of-a-kind fabrics from Contrado! Then we headed off to the lake for some fun photos in their new swimwear. By the way, total strangers were complimenting them how much they loved their matching suits!

It goes without saying that I completely recommend Contrado's fabric printing services. Having seen samples of all the options, I would feel confident ordering any of their wide variety of available fabrics. The turnaround is so fast, you could design, order, and begin sewing with your custom fabric all within a few days. I look forward to creating designs in the future, and my children look forward to a summer of beach days in their unique, matching swimsuits!