Sewing: Game Day Jersey Sleeveless Dresses

I don't know about you, but we are still occasionally faking summer. The temperatures warm up for a few days to justify sleeveless dresses so I took the opportunity to snap some photos of these.

I sewed a pair of Game Day Jersey Dresses for two of my girls in this reversible striped fabric from Jo-Ann.  (It's got polka dots on the other side.)  It's extremely soft and stretchy and I love playing with the direction of the stripes on this pattern.

These dresses remind me how much I love this pattern and all it's possibilities. I need to pull out some Fall knits from my stash and sew some long-sleeved Game Day Jerseys and dresses!

You can find this pattern in my Etsy shop.

Sewing: Boho Drawstring Dress from Burda

Oh where did the summer go? I'm still around, but blogging is definitely not at the top of my list. I miss sewing and sharing, but I've been deck deep in other creative projects (interior design). I'll share some of that soon because it's been really fun. But it's been important to save time for the things that really matter: my family.

But I decided to hop on the blog for a few minutes to share something I did sew this summer. An easy little dress from Burda #6732. As I've mentioned before, I think dresses are the only way to go in the summer. You've just got one decision to make and you can throw it on! 

This isn't the most figure-flattering but it is comfortable!

I found these great boho cotton prints at the going-out-of-business Hancock Fabrics and used some velvet ribbon for the tie. You can't see them through the grass but I think this dress was perfect with some camel leather clogs. In fact it will take me right into Fall.

Hope you are all doing well and finding time for creative things!

Craft: Spray Dye Swim Towels (Kids' Craft)

I love taking advantage of summer to get creative with my kids. I especially love an activity that is easy for them to do, and not a giant mess for me to cleanup. Though the idea "dye" might cause concern, this dying project can be done on your lawn where there's little chance of permanent staining. 

Because my girls love swimming, and they love playing with color I thought this would be the perfect craft to keep them busy for an afternoon. Adding a monogram acts like a signature on their art and is handy for keeping track of which belongs to whom. And now they have colorful towels to take to the pool and beach to show off their creative work!

Click through for the how-to.

Sewing: Game Day Jersey Sport and Racing Dress (Pattern Extension)

Hi Friends. I have been busily engaged in many things, but not many "blog-able."  Or maybe I just wasn't creative enough about how to blog, but in any event, I've been living life and falling behind on that list of things I wanted to do here.

But now that a big fundraiser is past, and some big family moves are underway I am catching up! I'm starting with this pattern release, my favorite version of the Game Day Jersey pattern. It's a pattern EXTENSION, actually, which means it's an add-on to the original pattern rather than a stand-alone.

This pattern extension includes pattern pieces and detailed instructions for sewing a straight dress, the Sport Dress, version of the Game Day Jersey. And it also has everything you need to sew the Racing Dress version, which has (no surprise) racing stripes down the side. See this fun gold version I sewed a couple years ago.

As with all my Wee Muses patterns, this one is digitally drafted and includes digital illustrations for all of the step-by-step. It also includes yardage requirements (meters too) and diagrams for taping your print-at-home pattern together to make it really easy.

On another note. Has the kendama craze hit your kids' school yet? Ours peeked when I took these photos, which were a year ago. This is one of those much-harder-than-it-looks games, but a lot of fun and so much better than screen time!

The Game Day Jersey Sport and Racing Dress works well in light to medium weight knits. The tribal pattern knit is from Girl Charlee and is lightweight. This cute pink camo is a terry fleece, which is extra comfy. And the sleeveless version is in one of the gorgeous organic knits from Birch Fabrics.

Hop on over to my Wee Muses Etsy shop to find the original Game Day Jersey pattern and this new pattern EXTENSION: The Game Day Jersey Sport and Racing Dress.

And if your kids need some summer entertainment, or you're looking for a birthday present, why not a kendama? (Totally unrelated to this sewing post, other than it was a fun prop, and I wasn't asked to promote it but I am throwing in this affiliate link.)

Sewing: Cocoon Dress in Houndstooth

Ah, Spring! And Spring cleaning. I seem to be busy busy with all sorts of good things, but not so much sewing. I miss it. I'm wondering if I can sew an Easter dress a few weeks after Easter when things slow down?

A few weeks ago I did sew another fabulous Cocoon Dress (pattern by the lovely Groovy Baby and Mama through The Sew What Club). I lengthened the sleeves and left off the shoulder ruffle to suit this girl. It's the perfect in-between-seasons dress in a houndstooth printed knit from Jo-Ann.

I hope you are getting lots done this Spring!

Sewing: City Tee Pattern for the Sew What Club

The City Tee pattern is one I've been working on for some time. Or maybe "not working on" is more accurate! I drafted this pattern and sewed it in time for a summer vacation a couple years ago. Then I thought it would be fun with a three quarter sleeve to push up. Then I thought cuffs would be cute on the short sleeves. And finally I added tie neck.

If it weren't for Kelly and The Sew What Club, I may never have reached the deadline for this project. I have a tendency to iterate forever with something I'm enjoying. 

I am happy to report this women's pattern (my first!) is finished and available to The Sew What Club members for the March subscription. (I'll be selling it stand-alone in my Aesthetic Nest Etsy shop next month.)

The pattern includes the basic City Tee with cap sleeves, which is the quickest sew ever! It's the perfect impulse project and the answer to what to do with that great knit you've been hoarding. The pattern also includes options for a drop-shoulder, three-quarter sleeve, cuff and a tie neck. That should suit you for all seasons! The pattern comes in a great ranges of  women's sizes: from XXS to XXL.

You have to check out the cuff sleeve and three-quarter sleeve versions Kelly sewed. She makes this style look so fabulous! And if you haven't joined The Sew What Club you definitely need to check it out.

Sewing: Pink Wool Wrap Coat and Skirt (New Look S0267)

I found this beautiful pink wool tweed at Hancock Fabrics a couple months ago in the clearance section and nearly bought the entire bolt! Because who doesn't need a pink statement coat? I was determined to sew one for myself while the cold weather lasts because I need to prove that I sew with some of the fabrics piled in my stash.

I chose New Look pattern S0267 (as it was labeled at Hancock Fabrics)/ 6416 because I'm a sucker for a wrap coat, especially with an oversized collar. This pattern is labeled "easy," and it really was, except that I decided to add a full lining. And I broke a few needles on the wool. I lengthened the coat a bit to a midi length.

I can hear my mother kindly reminding me, "now you know tweed adds pounds...," but I don't care. I love the look so I decided to make a tweed pencil skirt to go with my new coat. I used an old (and fabulous!) New Look pattern (6773), which I also lengthened a bit. And I added some faux pocket flaps with chunky buttons.

My sweater is from Athleta, and it is cozy. I love the pale pink. And a love a chunky turtleneck. It's perfect for my monochromatic ensemble. 

So, there you have it. A coat that isn't black! It's pretty cute with jeans too.