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

- Water Tower Textiles (Canada)

- 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!

My First Rebecca Page Love: The Madison Blouse

It was a cold Canadian winter day last year when I stumbled upon a picture of a blouse that wasn't normally a style I would wear..but it looked so fancy and pretty.
It was a love at first sight.

It was the Madison Blouse by Mummykins & Me (now known as Rebecca Page Patterns). 

Part of the allure was the cute bow, the other part was the flowiness of the fabric.


It is also part of The Blouse Collection - 4 patterns for one price (40% off regular price!!) - click on the blouse to bring up my blog posts for each blouse!
- Very Vintage Blouse- Madison Blouse
- Brielle Blouse
- Riviera Ruffle Blouse

What options does it come with?
- Blouse or dress length
- Collar or Tie
- False Bow option
- Wide or Narrow Bow
- Short or long sleeves (with a puff option too!)
- Ladies, Girls, and 18" Doll versions

The buttons at the front were indimidating, and to be honest, the first ones I sewed with my Husqvarna Viking Emerald (aka plain Jane sewing machine). By the third button, I had the hang of how my machine made button holes.

I really love the front and back yokes - it really gives it that professional touch and appeal. The collar is also different and nice on its own or with the tie.

Hard at work!

For me, I opted for short puff sleeves with the wide neck tie, shirt length for my first Madison, and regular short sleeve with the plain collar for my second.

I wouldn't be able to pull off the dress length. Well...oh my - I can pull it off with a sash!  I'll add that project to my list *sigh*.

I took my time and followed all of the instructions, made sure my fabric was right or wrong side up when required, and I think I only had to rip out a handful of stitches due to lack of concentration.

I sewed it up using mainly the sewing machine method with hidden seams...sort of. I got a bit confused with the hidden seams at times, and just followed the serger method with a zig zag stitch method.

Keep in mind, I'd had 2 months of sewing clothing regularly, and will still getting the terminology.

I recently sewed up the Brielle Blouse and successfully sewed the hidden seams without cursing or making BIG EYES at my machine.

I always get compliments when I wear my Madison - and people are surprised that I made it! It really gives me a sense of pride every day I choose to put her on.

Sassy Madison ready for WICC (Women in Insurance...something something Pancake Breakfast)

Puppy Fynn loves Madison (and Me) Too!  

***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!)