Tuesday 28 August 2018

Sewing Pattern Hack: The Emma Top - Barbie Style!

I'm trying to learn how to properly downsize 18" doll patterns to fit Barbie, as there are so many cool patterns out there that I'd like the extra challenge. 


This is my second pattern I've downsized, and am happy with the fit so far.





The Rebecca Page Emma Top/Dress comes in 18" doll size, which I in turn customized the pattern by reducing it to 60% of its regular size. 

The pattern pieces are tiny, but easy enough to work with. 

And this top/dress is the perfect Barbie pattern, as it doesn't  have to be closely fitted (aka bust to waist) or require a doll version of a full bust adjustment! 









I used some scrap rayon/crepe type fabric from a dress that never quite fit me, but seemed perfect for a mini-Emma top! 


The sash definitely helps bring the Emma Top into the Barbie Zone, giving her a nice peplum top that happens to match with the skirt Barbie came in!









The back collar wasn't as difficult as I thought it was going to be to sew up - just remember to use your iron and a lot of steam to keep the seams flat and make topstitching easier.

The collar buttons up with a plain metal snap I sewed on by hand, and the keyhole opening at the back lays flat and looks just as good as it does on my own Emma top!

Overall, I feel between 60-50% shrinkage on the 18" doll clothing patterns might just work for Barbie - but I'll keep testing to determine the most flattering 18" to Barbie patterns over time.

Sew On!



Monday 27 August 2018

How to Bring Magic to the World - One Small Fairy Crown at a Time

We hosted a 16th Birthday Party for a lovely girl we met at our cabin land this summer.

She has never had a birthday party (hello, mid summer birthday army brat kid with Aspergers).


We found she had a love for Comic Books, Whimsy, Unicorns, and Marvel Movies, so with the blessing of Husband, I had full creative reign on creating a party in the forest in under a week.














Really....he expected the T-Rex to leave her jewels at home??


WHY did he trust me with Pinterest? I get lost in the vortex and my mind explodes with ideas.


I knew the Fairy Crown and Wand from Rebecca Page Patterns would be the perfect fit...once I decided to add a few Comic Book style doo dads from the Advent Calendar Add On!



 


I made some crowns and even a lengthy "trim" for my craft room window with the flower patterns in the past.


This is me trying it out...but with a star, Bam, and Rocket...it is pretty cool!


She LOVED it!
 
Unfortunately I don't have pics in the dark of Maya, her wand, and Crown, but there were some tears of joy. She didn't take that crown off all night long while jamming away to Rock Back in the Woods with a community of people who think she's pretty stellar!




Rock Band in the Forest!




Rock on with Maya and give someone a little glimmer of joy in their lives.


You can make the Fairy Crown, Elf Crown, or Wand for someone special here.


And the Advent Calendar Add on is awesome for daily crafts too!


Sew On!


Friday 24 August 2018

Hoodies. Bonfires. Cuddling. Fall is Near and There's Sew Little Time!



There really should be an 8th day of the week, called Sew Day. 

And all you do is sew without interruption. 

I know - living in a fantasy land, right??

Turning the Page: Sewing For the Seasons, I'm totally OCDing over Rebecca Page Patterns, and I'm sharing why (along with a few HACKS)! 

Read to the bottom to find out how YOU can win PRIZES at the end of our Blog Tour, along with a listing of my enchanting fellow Bloggers' Fall Wardrobe stories!




The Canadian Tuxedo Style




First off, things not to forget when you're headed to a photo shoot in the middle of nowhere: nice shoes. It was either my hiking boots or comfy sandals, so hiking boots it was.

But you know what made up for practical shoes? An amazing outfit!

My Canadian tuxedo style starts off with the Kingston Jacket with Add On features.

I made my First two Kingstons in April 2018 as part of my first pattern testing - but when I saw the Add On features, I had to grab it and make another jacket.

I opted for the following features:
- Exterior welt pockets
- Knit sleeve option
- Hood (duh!)
- Back panel ruffle








I love that the hood will keep my head and neck warm in the fall/spring seasons, and whenever Husband is driving with the Air Conditioning too high and my nose is ready to fall off it's so darn cold.

It is a single hood, but with two sets of hood panels, it could easily be sewn with a double hood, totally concealing any inside seams.


To work, or play? that is the question...





It's all in the details - the ruffle, hood, seams, waistband, and even the snaps...it looks store bought!



...AND I hacked the sleeves to include thumbhole cuffs...because why wouldn't I have thumbhole cuffs for pure warm bliss on my poorly circulated fingers??





Paired with my Knee length Peggy Pencil Skirt and Classic Madison Blouse (which I haven't worn out yet!), I just love this relaxed combo ready for work or play!



Pretty in Pink


Vroom Vroom! Next stop at the cabin lot is adventures with the ATV!  

Geared up in my Riley Vest (with hood and pockets), Wrap Around Top, and Pippa Pants, nothing can go wrong. Right?


I love my new Pippas - and the stretch plaid is perfect for the fall weather. 

I opted for the flat front and took about 3" off the hem (I'm 5'2") for the perfect fit. 

Paired with a casual or fancy long sleeved top, hood or no hood, I am really loving this combination!




 

I love the details too - like the quilting (my first time doing it!). It may take a bit of time, but it's well worth the effort.

The welt pocket is the perfect size to keep my hands warm, and I was able to use some scraps for the pockets and interior lining. 

The pink fabric is actually an old blanket my mother-in-law's sister gave me from a fabric stash (two car loads of sewing supplies) this past summer. 

I knew as soon as I saw that blanket that it would be either the Amsterdam Jacket or Riley Vest. Riley won!



Now, my only mishap was the blanket fabric. It is SCRATCHY. 

Like Itchy and Scratchy scratchy. And not comfortable. 

So how did I solve that dilemma?  By cutting another collar piece (scrap knit), cutting a good inch off each edge, hemming the edge, pinning it on the inside, and sewing it onto the collar. 

OMG - what a difference that made - now my Riley is so beyond perfect!  

I Lava It (see what I did there?) 


 
Underneath the warmth of my Riley is the newest RP pattern - the Wrap Around Top

Perfect for the...forest?  Sure - I just go with the flow!  

It's really comfy with a rayon knit base, some lace, and breathable random thin knit sleeves. 

And this is what happens when Husband does silly dances while you're doing a photo shoot. Le sigh.

Wrap It Up

 

My final combo includes my Pippas and the Comfy Cowl Hoodie.

I am so delighted that I finally took the time to create the Comfy Cowl Hoodie

I am so in need of Hoodies since I've been working from my home office in the freezing basement, but with the lovely summer weather, it wasn't a priority. 

And now I'm in love!





The hood is a double hood, meaning it's lined inside, so you see no seams. 

And it's quite comfortable to wear as either a cowl or a hood. 

I used a really long shoelace I found (sorry Husband if it's yours!) for the tie, cotton lycra for the sleeves, hood, and pocket, and lightweight sweatshirt fabric for the main bodice. 




It was an easy sew, and I can't wait to make more of both the Hoodie and the Pants.

I must make a few more Pippas for the office - when my Migraine/Vertigo brain decides to behave, I definitely require comfy pants after working from home since March!

For all the patterns, I used the following fabrics:
- Random stashes given to me by family
- Okee Dokee Kids (Canada)

Now for the fun part - PRIZES! 

Please visit all the stops on the Turning the Page: Sewing for the Changing Seasons Blog Tour with Rebecca Page. Don't forget to comment on the blogs each day and enter a Rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win some fantastic prizes from our fabric sponsors!
  1. August 20: Rebecca Page (Intro), Sewjourns, Soul fed on Thread
  2. August 21: Sarcastic Sewist, PatchWitch, Flaxfield Sewing by Anca
  3. August 22: Princesse et Tresors, Bellephant, The Scatty Sewer
  4. August 23: BigFlyNotions, Stitched by Jennie, Millie's Place Handmade
  5. August 24: Sweet Sprocket, Australian Sewing, Advice & Inspiration, The Sewing Unicorn
  6. August 25: LIVIALITY, Diskordia's Curvy Sewing, Simply Kyra
  7. August 26: Seams So Lo, Middle River Studio, Jot Designs

And SALES (because who doesn't like a good sale??)

- Eloise (dolls, girls, ladies, bundle)
 

- Meghan (dolls, girls, ladies, bundle)
 

- Emma (dolls, girls, ladies, bundle)
 

- Portia (dolls, girls, ladies, bundle)
 


Sew on!



Wednesday 22 August 2018

You Spin Me Right Round, Baby Right Round



I want a hug. 

Not a normal hug.


No.


I want one of those pick-me-up-off-my-feet-squeeze-me-tight-spin-me-around-hurts-my-tummy-but-still-makes-me-smile-leaves-me-breathless-gives-me-butterflies-makes-me-fiffle-stupidly kind of hug.

That's kind of the feeling I get wrapping myself up in the Rebecca Page Wrap Around Top.

This is a neato pattern, designed for regular wear, pregnancy, or nursing.

The bust wrap is amazing (hello-lift-up!), and you can wrap it as you like.

The pattern includes:
- short, 3/4, or long sleeves
- optional camisole underneath
- option to have the middle tie section or not






I paired mine with a few different bottoms.

First I tried it with The Pippa Pants, which are also amazingly comfortable, for a casual look.


Secondly - the Peggy Pencil Skirt for a more formal or business casual look.

Don't they pair well together?



The back bodice tucks nicely into the wrap - just make sure to hold the bodice down the first few wraps, or the wrap won't capture the bodice.




The bodice stops just under the bust, in theory, to allow for the expansion of a woman with child's belly as it makes room for babies.

My expansion would only be for if I'm having a poutine or piece of cheesecake.






You can see the comparison of styles side-by-side - same top, different feel with each pairing.







Now, I used an interesting combination of fabrics.


The sleeves are a random stretch fabric from Fabricland


The main bodice and part of the tie are a lovely soft Rayon from Water Tower Textiles.


And I decided I wanted a longer wrap than the two angled tie pieces (there are normally 2 angled pieces, and optional middle straight piece for those of us not with child...but I wanted more wrapping fabric).


So my lingerie stretch lace came to the rescue, being the same width as the rayon fabric! 


So I cut the angles off the end Rayon pieces, and sewed the lace onto the raw edge of the snipped rayon pieces. And voila - a bit of a fancier wrap due to lack of the same Rayon fabric, and a quick gander in my sewing room.





This is a rather quick sew with easy to follow instructions.  And it's a top unlike any that I've seen before! 

You can really scrap together the tie part if need be, and have a beautiful end result.

Best thing? Once you have it wrapped, not only is it flattering, but it also stays put while you walk, dance, or sit down.

If you are super paranoid, you can always wear a camisole underneath, but I feel it's good as-is for me.

Plus if you wear it on date night, it's probably a lot of fun to take off when you get home *wink wink*.

Grab your Wrap Around Top pattern and whip it up in a jiff for a new-kind of top that's going to wow you and those around you.

Sew On!