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!) 

Dress to Impress: The Rebecca Page Patterns Phoebe Party Dress Sewing Pattern

Life isn't perfect, but your outfit can be. 

Introducing the Rebecca Page Phoebe Party Dress Sewing Pattern - the to-go 2019 Holiday Dress pattern!

I am in LOVE with Phoebe - the original, and all the Add-Ons.  

The FREE Original Phoebe Pattern includes:
- Original A-Line Dress Pattern with godet and Modesty Panel options

Add On Dress Patterns:
  - Fishtail Skirt
  - Tiered Skirt
  - Jumpsuit with Optional Side Modesty Panels
  - Layered Skirt
  - Maxi Pencil Skirt
  - Knee Length Pencil Skirt
   - Optional Ruffle Sleeve Detailing

 



Today, I'll be showcasing the Original Phoebe Dress and the Fishtail Skirt Dress Option.  

I even made the Betty Vintage Skirt (petticoat underlay) to boost up the Fishtail

 

The Original Phoebe Dress was a beautiful sew.  As always, FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN ORDER!  If you want to know all the steps involved or are so superb at sewing that you require few instructions and pictures, there is a two page Quick Sewing Instruction Tutorial. 

I used costume satin (thin satin) for the fuschia portion of the dress.  I spent a whopping $18 for 6 Metres of fabric, and still have 2 metres leftover - I am VERY creative and efficient when I cut my fabrics out to get the most bang from my buck.

I opted for the Gaudets and Modesty Panels - in a lace fabric from Fabricland. I LOVE them in lace, as it gives such a nice and different flow than just sticking with the same fabric.  But you know me - I rarely have just one fabric for an outfit. 

 


The zipper really is easy to sew in as per instructions, and is straight in real life (I was pulling the dress forward in the pictures).  

As you can see, my caboose looks pretty amazing in this dress.  

I took 4" off the height, as I'm only 5'-2" tall.

 


This is the first Phoebe I sewed up, and without the modesty panel....well there's cleavage there - you've been warned!  

I did have to take a bit of length off the front of the bodice as the bust is designed for a slightly larger cup size. But I have to say from all the Phoebe pictures I've seen from other Sewistas, everyone's Ladies look spectacular!

  I did sew foam cups into the bodice as per instructions, and also suggest wearing those silicone "bras" that cover just your lower front bust (made specifically for backless tops/dresses) if your foam cups aren't thick enough to prevent a bit of a show in the front if it's cold outside. 

This is the Fishtail version of Phoebe - part of the Add on Patterns. 

I graded this from a Medium bust to XL waist/hips, and it's just the perfect fit - like a glove!

I used the same thin costume satin for the bodice and skirt, and the last of this beautiful brown embroidered satin type fabric that I've had for years (used originally for my Doctor Who Bolero) - both from Fabricland.

Doctor Who Bolero picture - because....DOCTOR WHO!

I was surprisingly delighted that, unlike typical Mermaid style dresses, it's easy to walk in, dance in, and probably do other things in. 

I altered the bust the same way as I did with the original, taking some length off the bodice front.  This helps keep the straps where they ought to sit, and prevents gaping.  There are great instructions for how to get the perfect fit for you, as we're all different. 

 

I also made the Betty Petticoat, but lowered the bottom tiers by about 6" so it would sit lower with the Mermaid style skirt. 

I think it's a cute touch, and poofs out the bottom with a bit more flair.

 


I also added a fun bit of lace around the waistline in black to bring things together a bit more. I also added the same lace in 3 lines at the bust, as this dress lacked the modesty panel...and I am not sure where I'm wearing this, but if it's at a work function, I felt a bit of coverage there would be beneficial. 

This is the skirt without the tulle.

I feel everyone is a Phoebe.  Which one are you? 

Get your Original FREE Phoebe Pattern on here, or delve into the beautiful Add-Ons 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!) 

Bananas in Pajamas! The 5 out of 4 Molly & Desmond Pajama Pattern

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? 

I think you are...

It's Pajama time!  

I lack comfy pajamas - they're old, tattered, or just don't fit.

5 out of 4 has designed the perfect fit pajamas which sew up in a jiff and have multiple options and sizing for the whole fam jam! 

Options include:

- Long or short sleeves

- Optional long sleeve cuffs

- Shorts or Pants length

- Knit or elastic waistbands

- Optional Pants cuffs

- Optional Bum panel

- Newborn to Tween, Ladies, and Mens sizing! 

We opted for ALL the options!

For the Molly, I opted for:

- Long Sleeves & Pants

- Yoga Waistband

- No Bum Panel (boo!)

I used some "faulty" lightweight cotton lycra from Water Tower Textiles for the bottoms. Apparently the lines are supposed to run horizontally, not vertically, so because of the misprint, I was able to snag this fabric at a steal (and they always have awesome clearance fabric!).

The band was a tighter cotton lycra, which is SO comfy without putting pressure on my belly.

The top is another clearance snag from Water Tower Textiles - lightweight cotton lycra - It came in at a different weight than they expected.  Due to their meticulous standards, Clearance away! 

I did use a fun Panel from the Freebies section for my top (Eat, Sleep, Sew).  As I lack a Cricut or cutting machine, I printed both of the panels onto printable fabric paper, ironed it onto white cotton lycra, and sewed it on with a zig zag stitch.

I know from the past, that this paper doesn't have longevity, so will replace it in about half a dozen washes with another cut out. I'm going to try tinkering with heat transfer vinyl sheets and cutting out cute cut files by hand and see how durable it is. Another machine isn't in the budget, so I'll experiment, as there are so many fun Cut Files from 5 out of 4 (and everywhere) that I'd like to try out.

Onto the sewing, the instructions were clear, easy to follow, and the pictures showed me what to do - perfect for those of us who are visual or have brain injuries/issues where the words sometimes don't compute (hello migraine brain 24 hours a day!).

The fit is medium loose fitting - and doesn't billow out anywhere.  I feel it's flattering...and really I could make these into regular day wear pants and they'd be perfectly comfortable and suitable.

Sweet!  Pajamas for ALL day pants!

The Desmond for Husband included:

- Shorts

- Bum Panel (because his bum is really cute!)

- Short Sleeves

Again, I used the same lightweight Black Cotton Lycra and a cute Doodles Print from Water Tower Textiles for his outfit.

Now, for the top, I did modify it to compensate for Husband's front girth (he's "normal" everywhere else).

How, you ask?

I cut the back panel at an XL shape.

THEN I cut the front panel to grade from XL at the chest up to 3XL for the waist and hips.

This led to the perfect fitting top for him without looking all billowed out. The chest fit well, but it also isn't too tight around the belly area.

I used this same method on the Rocky Tee, and it's his favourite T-shirt pattern

So, if the man in your life has essentially a beer belly, use the method above to grade JUST the front panel, and you should have the perfect fit.  Make sure to do a muslin first to ensure the fit is proper, and the length is sufficient.

If the length is still too short at the front, you can always lower the front hem with a deeper curve (so add paper to your pattern, and draw a curve from side to side). Make sure it's gradual so it doesn't look apparent, and your man will be asking you to sew clothes for him too!

And because Husband gave me a hard time about pictures, it was difficult to keep him sort of serious.

Grab your partner's behind and these patterns for the whole family and get sewing - these will make awesome Christmas gifts or everyday gifts.

And you'll have troubles getting everyone out of their pajamas!

Babies & Kids

Ladies

Mens

Until next time! 

***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!)