Made for Mermaids - Tara Top

I am so excited about this most recent release from Made for Mermaids!  My girl is in a stage where all she wants to wear is twirly dresses.  While I love a good twirly dress as much as the next girl.... sometimes its just not practical. I was SO HAPPY when we tried on this shirt and she absolutely loved it.  In fact, she wore it the whole rest of the day after we snapped our pictures.  This is rare.  Normally, I convince (i.e. bribe) her to take some pictures for me, then she immediately changes out of what we are photographing.  Not the case with this top!  This style is so flattering on her as well. The Tara top is amazing! I love the unique drape on the bodice, and can't wait to make some of the other sleeve styles soon!  The short twisted sleeve is next on our list.  I can tell this is going to be a staple in her preschool wardrobe this fall!

I think part of the reason she loves this top is because of how soft it is.  I used the last bit of some single brushed poly I had ordered from So Sew English last summer.  I love single brushed poly for tops because of the awesome drape!

Just to prove this pattern is a favorite of hers, here's a pic of the girl and her brother eating lunch several hours later.  Still in her awesome Tara Top!!  Be sure to grab this one to add to your repertoire.  I was not able to test the women's version, but I'll be picking up a copy of that one myself as I can imagine I'll love it as much as my little one does!

Please note that this post contains links.  Some of these may be "affiliate links" which means that if you decide to make a purchase I get paid a tiny portion of whatever is purchased, but at no additional cost to you.  Affiliate payments go directly to my fabric fund to continue the cycle of sewing up or testing more patterns so I can share the love with you!

Patterns for Pirates - Linen Lounger pants

Although I do typically tend to gravitate to knit patterns, I am loving the recent trend by some pattern makers to include more woven patterns in their offerings.  I was lucky enough to test the newest pattern from Patterns for Pirates which were a pair of woven bottoms called the Linen Loungers.  The pattern includes hemmed pants or capri lengths, or two different shorts length options with either a cuff or curved hem.  It also includes either a elastic cased waistband or a knit yoga waistband. (helllllllo comfortable pants!) Two different pocket style options are also included (slat or patch) and an optional back pocket as well! There is also a kids version called the Little Loungers, and these are unique in the fact that they are unisex!

I made coordinating bottoms for my daughter and I during the testing period.  I made a pair of capris for myself and a pair of cuffed shorts for my daughter. (She made it clear several tests ago that she did NOT care for pants, and I haven't pushed the issue since! Somehow, shorts are perfectly acceptable to her though...) I went with the yoga waistband on both of our versions for comfort!  I used a linen fabric I found at Joanns in the red tag section about a year ago.  I think I paid like $3 a yard for it! The waistband is double brushed poly, and therefore amazingly comfortable!

I normally try to make more than one version of the pattern during tests, but I had alot going on in my life outside of sewing this week, so I only got to the shorts and capris this time.  I do have a pair of curved hem shorts cut out for myself out of some awesome tencel denim. I can't wait to get them made up! Definitely will be making up many versions of these for me and BOTH kids!

Please note that this post contains links.  Some of these may be "affiliate links" which means that if you decide to make a purchase I get paid a tiny portion of whatever is purchased, but at no additional cost to you.  Affiliate payments go directly to my fabric fund to continue the cycle of sewing up or testing more patterns so I can share the love with you!

Pattern Test - Sutton Dress from Made for Mermaids

About a week and a half ago I sat down to sift through my patterns and start planning Madelyn's Easter dress.  Holiday's always sneak up on me, so I wanted to be well prepared and start on her dress soon.  None of the patterns I own were really jumping out at me for an Easter dress (except Harper, but I used that last year for Easter!) so I took a break and was going to search around for a new pattern to pick up. No joke, I logged onto Facebook and saw there was a tester call out for a gorgeous new dress in the works from Made for Mermaids! It was EXACTLY what I was looking for in an Easter dress pattern!  I signed up and crossed my fingers and toes that I would be chosen!

Thankfully, I was picked to join in on the test and immediately got to work.  I made a trip the next morning to Hobby Lobby to grab some fabrics for the dress, because despite my over-flowing fabric closet, I truly did not have anything that would work for this dress in my stash!  (it calls for about 2-3 yards of cotton woven and I do not have much of that in my stash!)  I picked up several fabric combinations (and a bunch of notions!), and settled on this stripe and floral combination for my first go.  I also picked up this beautiful pink floral I will make up for her actual Easter dress!

For the longest time I only worked with knit fabric, and I've gotten used to the more "forgiving" nature of knits.  If knit pieces aren't cut precise, its much easier to fudge it with knits because you can stretch them a bit.  I had forgotten how time consuming woven projects are, but I sure do love the crispness of a perfectly finished woven piece!  The details on this dress are stunning: from the princess seams, to the bias ties and plackets on the sleeves, to the perfectly twirly gathered circle skirt!

If you are in the market for a new Easter Dress pattern or just a beautiful everyday dress, go get yourself a copy of the Sutton Dress and top pattern while its on sale (for $7 instead of $9 through 3/5 only!!)

Please note that this post contains links.  Some of these may be "affiliate links" which means that if you decide to make a purchase I get paid a tiny portion of whatever is purchased, but at no additional cost to you.  Affiliate payments go directly to my fabric fund to continue the cycle of sewing up or testing more patterns so I can share the love with you!

Claire pattern - a 2 way dolman top from Made for Mermaids

If I had to list one of my top priorities when choosing a new sewing pattern to purchase.... it would have to be versatility.  I tend to quickly pass up patterns I know I can only sew up once or twice.  I want patterns in my stash that I can use over and over again.  The new mama Claire top from Made for Mermaids is pretty much as multi-purpose and versatile as they come!  Its a dolman style top with a cross over bodice piece, and a crew neck bodice piece, and the kicker is that it can be worn with the cross over in either the front or the back!  I made up 2 versions during testing for this pattern, and love how both turned out!

My first version I made in a cute checked jersey knit I got from Fabric.com a good 2 years ago.  I should note, this was the first version of the pattern that was later tweaked, so the neckline is a little higher on me than it would be with the final version!  I love this worn both forwards and backwards.  I have a thing for pretty lacy bralettes, so I adore how the open crossover back shows them off!  It also looks cute worn with the crossover in front as well!

My second version I made from a very stretchy and drapey rayon spandex that I got from So Sew English fabrics as part of their "make it a bundle" offering. Next time I make one of these tops in such a stretchy material, I will size down as this one grew a size as I sewed it! But, I also love how this turned out!

Be sure to pick up your copy of the pattern this week while its on sale! There is also a girls version of this pattern too. The tester photos of the girls top all look super cute as well! For a limited time, you can also purchase a bundle of the two patterns for an even bigger discount!

Please note that this post contains links.  Some of these are "affiliate links" which means I get paid a tiny portion of whatever is purchased.  Affiliate payments go directly to my fabric fund to continue the cycle of testing more patterns so I can share the love with you!

New Horizon's Dublin Dolman Patterns

A month or so ago I tested another pattern by Terra for New Horizon's patterns. (Formerly called Terra's Treasures, this is also the designer of the awesome color-blocked Elevation Hoodie I wrote about back in February!)  The pattern was for a Dolman top with loads and loads of options!  I made a long sleeve version that included a gathered back and POCKETS!  I have a mild obsession with pockets.  When picking out store bought clothing, I always check to see if tops have pockets or if its a top I would pair with pants that have pockets instead. Either way, I ALWAYS gotta have pockets in some way, shape or form!!  Its definitely a deciding factor in whether or not I purchase store bought clothing.  The good thing with sewing my own garments is that even if a pattern doesn't include pockets, they are fairly simple to add!  Well just my luck, I simply suggested to Terra prior to testing that she include pockets in the pattern, and lo and behold she did!  Hallelujah! There are a lot of Dolman patterns from various designers out there, and I've tried a handful of them, but I just have to say I LOVE the way Terra's patterns are drafted and all the options this one in particular includes!  I was excited when she came out with the girl's version as well! I knew this would be a style I would make a lot for my daughter with the various sleeve lengths and hemlines!  I opted to also make a tunic length for my daughter, but with a straight back instead of gathered like mine.  I love that we can have similar shirts, but with slight differences to keep it interesting! And the icing on the cake of these patterns:  The girl's version includes and 18" doll size pattern as well!  So, OF COURSE I had to make Sienna a matching outfit as well! :)  Now, just LOOK at all of the variations these patterns have!

And, take a peek at some shots of our versions!  Yes, my husband thought I had gone crazy when I sent him the picture of us matching, but you can tell by my daughter's smile that she's in heaven!

You can find these patterns for sale on the New Horizon's Website. They can be purchased individually, or as a bundle as you so choose! There's the Women's version, the Girl's and Doll version, and the Bundle!

All fabric is from So Sew English.  The leggings are made from a luscious Double Brushed Poly, and use the (free) Peg Leg and Bonny leggings patterns from Patterns for Pirates and Made for Mermaids! Codes for these legging patterns are available in each designer's respective facebook group! The dolman tops are made from a couple different rayon spandex cuts I've received in various bundles from So Sew English!

Please note that this post contains links.  Some of these are "affiliate links" which means I get paid a tiny portion of whatever is purchased.  Affiliate payments go directly to my fabric fund to continue the cycle of testing more patterns so I can share the love with you!

Best Friends Collection from Made for Mermaids

Believe it or not, I have been doing a whole lot of pattern testing over the past couple months, but I haven't kept up with blogging each one, because well, ...life.  Now that my kids are in preschool a couple days a week, I actually have a bit more time to catch up on that silly game of life and can do other fun things like share my creations with you!

So, without further ado, I present to you the details of my latest pattern test.  These are a couple pieces of the new "Best Friends Collection" from Made for Mermaids.  You can read all about the pieces in detail here, on the official release blog post if you'd like, but I will summarize for you as well! The boutique inspired collection includes 5 patterns, 3 of them brand new and 2 updates.  These 5 patterns include the Skipper Skirt (a cute tiered skirt with optional attached shorties, capris or full length leggings), the Stacey Shirt (a tee with lots of cute add ons like button tabs, a chest pocket or a beautiful ruffled bib), the Barbie headband (a fun knit headband with shabby chic rossettes), the Rose Ruffle shirt (a knit tee with ruffled sleeves) and Hailey pants (knit OR woven pants with a comfy knit waistband and ruffled bottoms. Also includes a new shorty length too!) 

I sewed up 2 versions of the Skipper skirt, one with a woven skirt and full length leggings attached, and one all knit skirt only.  My daughter lovingly refers to her ruffly skirts as tutus, so I thought "what would make a ruffly skirt even better for a 3 year old..... um, how about ruffly fabric for the ruffles!"  Ruffles for days on that one!  I also made 2 of the Stacey shirts, one long sleeve and plain and one 3/4 sleeve with a chest pocket to match the chambray Skipper skirt.  I wasn't sure the bib was our "style" at first but the more I see them, the more I love them and have a couple versions planned to include those for my daughter's fall wardrobe!  I also sewed up one set of Hailey pants.  These are awesome!  I purposefully made most of the pieces to be mixed and matched (aside from the fun ruffly "tutu" as my daughter calls it) in order to have a sort of capsule wardrobe! I am so thrilled with how they all turned out! Be sure to visit the Made for Mermaids site and click through the pattern listings to see all the tester pics.  There are some AMAZING outfits in there that these talented ladies put together!

Here are some of the details on the fabrics used:  The floral Stacey shirt is a cotton/spandex from Raspberry Creek Fabrics on Etsy.  It is one of their custom CLUB line prints (that is now sold out...)  The chambray Stacey skirt is a remnant from Joann's.  The fabric for the attached grey leggings (which I also used as the neckband on the Stacey shirt) is a brushed poly from So Sew English fabrics.  The frozen Elsa fabric is from Fabric.com and the ruffly aqua fabric is from Joann's.  The regular aqua fabric on the ruffly skirt is a bamboo blend from Girl Charlee.  The grey Hailey Ruffle pants are made from ponte de Roma from Girl Charlee.

Now on to the details of purchasing these awesome patterns!  As always, the patterns are on sale for release only.  They are on sale through Sunday 10/2 for $7 individually ($3 for Barbie headband by itself) or you can purchase one of the bundles pictured!  Bundle 1 gets you the 2 new patterns, Skipper and Stacey, for $10 together, and you get the Barbie headband pattern for FREE!  Or, buy Bundle 2 and you get all five of these patterns bundled for just $20!  You are going to want all of them, so grab one of these bundles now as they are only available at release!

Please note that this post contains links.  Some are "affiliate links" which means I get paid a tiny portion of whatever is purchased.  Affiliate payments go directly to my fabric fund to continue the cycle of testing more patterns so I can share the love with you!