Zip It - The Rebecca Page Zip Ornament Sewing Pattern Review

Santa Paws is Coming to Town!

When I first saw the new Rebecca Page Zip Ornament pattern, my first thought went to Fynn, our Ridgeback.  We've had a rough year, and he deserves an Advent Calendar.  

These Zip Ornaments are the perfect solution!  

- Reusable

- Closed (via the Zipper)

- Available in different sizes

- Super quick and fun to make! 

- A great scrap buster

 

I made all 24 of mine with the small pattern, after doing a quick test ornament (which I gifted to my dad already with a gift card inside). 

I went through my cotton Christmas scrap fabrics that weren't really large enough for a substantial project, and spent one evening cutting all of the circles and tabs.  

I had just enough zippers for all the ornaments (and ordered some back ups on Amazon for a steal - 50-5" zips for $20 for future projects). 

And I omitted the key ring option.

I used iron on fabric for the numbers, which I traced from the original Rebecca Page Advent Calendar.

I easily followed the pattern, sewed up every ornament factory style - the same step 24 times in a row, so all ornaments were on the same step at the same time.  This method of madness is SO much quicker than following the pattern over and over again for each single ornament. 

 

 

Next step was to fill up the ornaments with treats.  We don't really feed Fynn a lot of treats, so there were plenty of options. 

Fynn gets a variety of 4 different treats daily now.  And surprisingly enough, after almost 2 weeks, he hasn't taken the Calendar off the wall and chewed through the ornaments to get the treats.  So he is definitely a Good Boy. 

Side note, I got the Freeze Dried Wild boar treats when we found out Gideon had Osteosarcoma last December. He got those every day - both because they are boar, and secondly because the picture is a Ridgeback!  Fynn never had the boar treats before, as I haven't been able to open the bag since Gideon's passing in January. 

God, I miss that dog. 

For the Advent Calendar, I just cut out lengths and lengths of green felt and fuzzy white fabric based on the pattern pieces (from the Advent Calendar Freebie!), as I knew I needed to fill as much of the rectangle base as possible in order for the ornaments to all hang. 

For the rectangle, I used the same base as in the Advent pattern - the tree is just much taller. 

I took out my trusty Glue Gun, glued the tree on, and then sewed 24 old white and gold buttons onto the calendar - making sure I had enough room between them so the ornaments wouldn't touch. 

I even free cut dog bones and bows to finish off the top of the calendar. 

 

Usually around lunch time, Fynn will come up to my office/craft room, look at me, whine, and it's Calendar Time. 

He loves the treats. 

I loved that I was able to funk up the ornaments with trim and bling that I already had on hand. 

 

Good puppies get treats. 

 

 

As you can see, he's so patient for his treats - and I'm glad I was able to find the perfect pattern for a reusable Advent Calendar!  

Whether they are for a Calendar, Gift Card, earbuds, or small gifts, you'll love this pattern - get it here!

***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!) 

Get Your Beauty Sleep - the Rebecca Page Sleep Mask

Being a sleepy girl with a busy life is hard. 

The new Rebecca Page Sleep Mask certainly helps me zonk out easier at night though!

Make it as simple or as Intricate as you like!  

With templates for eye lashes and your imagination - the sleepy sky's the limit.

I added pom pom trim and fluffy feathery trim to mine - the fluffy trim definitely tells people you are sleeping though (it moves as you exhale - ha ha).   I took out my glue gun for these trims, although they could easily be sewed on.  With minimal wear and tear, I feel my Dewalt glue gun's power will hold on these trims for many years. 

I used iron on fabric for the eyelashes, but you can embroidery them on or even sew them on if you're so inclined. 

I used elastic for my nieces masks, and ribbon for the adult masks (for my friend and I for Girls weekend at the cabin). 

The main fabric is just plain woven cotton fabric scraps I was gifted. 

The backing is a nice satin lining scrap - red to be scandalous!  It's SUPER soft on my skin.  

As long as you use lots of pins before sewing, satin is relatively easy to sew with, and leaves a comfortable finishing touch. 

I was really tired on Girls weekend after Mimosas, so the Sleep Mask really helped me sleep in the middle of the day with no curtains up in the cabin. 

Great gifts or for yourself - betcha can't just make one!

Get your own Sleep Mask pattern here.

***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!) 

Keep Calm and Love Laura - The Rebecca Page Laura Top and Dress Sewing Pattern

The Rebecca Page Laura Top (and dress) pattern is a lovely sew and the perfect pattern for your lightweight fabrics!

It includes the following options:
- Sizing from XXS to 5Xl
- Top or short Dress length
- Knits or woven fabrics can be used
- dropped shoulders
- High low hem
- Optional pockets

 

I am not normally one to wear higher cut tops, but the high front is on par, and the lower back covers my caboose, so I'm happy with the overall fit. 

The armcycle is very comfortable and not tight in any way - either on the shoulder or around the arm itself.  

The neck facing offers many options - I opted for the interfacing version with overstitching, and it was easy to follow the instructions.   

 


Lots of pictures and verbiage definitely will help the beginner sewist gain more confidence while sewing and learning new skills - new skills are one of the reasons I keep sewing with Rebecca Page!

I used a light viscose/woven rayon type fabric from Fabricland for my Laura and can't wait to sew more up (can someone give me more time in the day!?!). 

I paired my Laura with my altered Slim Fit Cargo Pants for a nice untucked look:

 

And with my slimmed down Posy Pants (4" off the side seams) as a tucked in top for the office:

 

So many ways to encorporate Laura into your wardrobe whether you are an experienced or new sewist. 

Follow the instructions, grade the pattern (after measuring yourself!) and have fun with Laura!  

***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!) 

Bird Bird Bird, Bird is the Word! Rebecca Page Capetastic and Felt Wings Sewing Patterns Review

Did you know that I worked with parrots for 5 years?

I slept, breathed, and adored the ones I raised, and loved educating people on the ins and outs of life with pet parrots. 

I am currently owned by Stryder, the 15 year old White Faced Cockatiel - spunky and sassy, he loves making paper forts on the bottom of his cage, bells, seed treats, pasta, and broccoli. (I feel like this is a dating ad - he's single, ladies!)

We originally thought he was a girl (Arwen), until he had his first moult, and oopsie -  lost his pearl markings and thus a boy (and indicator of sex in this particular colouration).

 Then there's Rosco, the jerk of a Caique. When I got him 12? years ago, I was only supposed to babysit him for a week for his breeder, and he never went back to her. Caiques are hilarious babies, but from the forums I went on when he was 9 months old onwards - when he turned into Jekyll/Hyde after a traumatic babysitting experience with a, "trusted," friend, everyone had the same Caique issues. He will bomb dive, goes for blood, has attacked another bird, and is a bit evil. But we have a bird room, and he generally respects me and doesn't try to eat me. I let him out while I work in the office next door, and he has a hoot on their jungle gyms, ropes, and even eating food (his favourite hobby). 

If he were human, he'd be a  gang of one. He does not play well with others. 

But he laughs and chatters with the other birds all day, loves his food, and has a good life other than his anger management issues. 

 

 Then Merlin. My Merlin. Husband thinks he's his...and Merlin does walk around the house calling, "My Love" in search of Husband on a regular basis. Meh. Interspecies love at its finest. 

He's 20 years old. I've had him half of my life. I got him when I was 20, knowing fully well that it would be forever. I'm going to outrock him in 40 years! 

Knowing his sarcastic wit, he'll probably do a dance, rap, and then make a sarcastic comment while calling one of the dogs as I pass away rocking. 

 

Merlin and I almost a couple of decades ago!

Anyhow, I love costumes, and bird costumes are pretty epic as they are detailed, but well worth the end result!  

The Rebecca Page Capetastic allowed me to use my inherited felt stash in a cute owl form!  

There's a plethora of ideas added with the pattern, and it's pretty straightforward to follow. 

You can make a Dragon, Butterfly, Octopus, Mouse, and do many more creatures for playtime or Halloween!

I used random cotton fabric for the interior that I'd purchased at Walmart during a trip to the USA several years ago - the bird motif felt appropriate. 

I love the quilted inside look from sewing on all of the feathers - which is easier than you think!  It's a nice therapeutic sew.

The next set of wings I sewed up were the Felt Wings (also Rebecca Page). 

You can either get just the Felt Wings Pattern, OR the best value is the Felt Dress Up Sewing Pattern pack, which includes the Felt: Crown & Wand, Animal Masks, Flowers, and Wings. 

Again, another pattern with easy to follow instructions and great for playtime or a costume (or if you just like to walk around the house with wings on). 

I used inherited felt for this pattern, and they turned out amazing. 

The feathers have 4 different feather type options, and I opted for the more feathery shape. The other shapes definitely lean more towards other creatures like dragons, dinosaurs, fairies, and more!

These are much quicker to sew up (less feathers), and attached just on the arms via elastic or ties. Great for those who don't like to be enclosed in a hooded cape.

The interior is made from funky parrot cotton fabric from Fabricville (I also used it in my Andie Anorak), and again the feathers being sewn on leave a  lovely quilted design on the inside.

So if you don't mind watching some Netflix while cutting dozens of felt or fabric feathers, the rest of the patterns is relatively quick and simple. 

I love these as an adult, and would of loved them as a kid!  

These would also make amazing Hallowe'en costumes, especially the Capetastic, as they provide some warmth - at least here it's always chilly, so having a breathable self made costume would be able to truly showcase your little one's costumes without the need for a coat. 

Get your Capetastic pattern here.

Get your Felt Wings Pattern here.

Go all out and Get your Felt Dress Up Pack Here.

***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!)