Instagram Friday (and some things to come)

Welcome to instagram friday!

A little glimpse into life beyond sewing... (the little that is left :)

This week was one of those weeks, you know the ones where you accomplish 1/3 of your to-do list. Yeah... I am hoping to somehow finish the other 2/3 today (never going to happen) Why?

 Because my husband was "home all week" so we decided to tackle a basement project that has been on our minds for about a year now. Board and Batten. I love how it is going and I will share more about all the details later incase you are dreaming of doing the same thing, but man oh man it is tedious and a time sucker...

 Jude is still happily going to Kindergarten everyday which is night and day from the daily struggle to get him to go to preschool. Maybe the daily wall jump and the walk to school is what gets him in the mood?

 We attended a wedding, as a family even and got a shot of all of us together. Why are these moments so rare? The wedding was beautiful, tucked away up in the mountains and yes they had I fire burning in the fireplace even (I was roasting but everyone else was chilly... I blame the bump :)

 On the way to the wedding we even saw some pretty fall colors. Makes me think it could actually be that time of year, cause it is, but I miss my cool midwest weather... (note we did actually get a "cool down" with a storm and we now have mornings in the high 60's it's delightful until it gets back into the 80's)

Speaking of a fall cool down, remember I said there was a sewing project tutorial in the works... you know cause I do still sew some times, here is a sneak peek of what I guess will happen next week (it was part of the 2/3 that did not get done)

Along with some exciting pattern releases... if you follow along on facebook then you know what goodness is soon to come out!

And lastly, we are guest posting on Kiwi Crate Blog again today! We love them, and today you will find me sharing a fun craft for kids, Recycled Jet Packs. They had so much fun creating this! So come check it out!

Whew! I think that's it. Now off to work on the uncompleted projects :)

Link Party #35

Welcome to this week's link party! How is your week going so far? 

We started a home improvement project that is sucking up all my time and energy, 27 weeks pregnant may not have been the best time to take on such a project... but the hubs had a week of work so we went for it. SO if it is a little quiet around here this week that is why, but I do have a sewing tutorial to share hopefully later this week. So on to the party! Here are some of my favorites from last week:

 Frances Suzanne shared their PR&P sew along entry for fashion icon week. This twiggy inspired by dress is to die for cute. It is serious perfection.

 Eat Sleep Make made these yarn wrapped bangles. Not only am I head over heals in love with the color combination but I have some chunky bangles that are in desperate need of this make over.

It's Always Autumn shared these little man Pajamas. So cute, I love the long john style and they are made from a tee shirt... so cute and thrifty.

I am so excited to see what you have in store this week!

New to link parties? That's totally fine here's what you have to do:

Find a entry on your blog that you want to link up.

It can be ANYTHING (unless it's an ad or something let's keep it spam free)

Say it is a great new project you just made and have been dying to share it with the crafting world. 

the link should look something like this:

http://(your blog adress/website)/(the post you want to link).html

Linking to the post is the easiest way for people to get back to that post.

Then click where it says "click here to enter" 

follow the steps to link your post and create a title, and select your picture.

Keep in mind the picture will be small thumbnail so pick a picture that shows it off the best. 

Lastly if you were so kind to add our button to your page or post, or where every you store your link party things that would be super cool. You don't have to use the button to link up, it's just there for you if you can't live without it. 

cool? cool. Let's get the party started!

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No Bake Pumpkin-Oatmeal Cookies

 I have some exciting news! You may remember how I have a love of Kiwi Crate You know the great little box full of crafts to do with your kids, we just got ours for this month and it made me love them even more. Jude checks the mail everyday to see if we have a new one. Anyway I love them. (oh and did you know you can enter to Win a Free Year of Kiwi Crate! Enter now. it is so worth it!) So today I am being featured on the Kiwi Crate Blog! Pretty exciting stuff! I have been having a blast working with them (you may hear more about it in the months to come) So you should hop on over and say hi! While you are there not only can check out tons of kid friendly activities but you can check out the No Bake Pumpkin-Oatmeal Cookies that I made with my kids. They are yummy and healthy :)

Even the pickiest of eaters approved the cookies, they loved making them and eating them. Pumpkin, oatmeal, and even a little chocolate...

Even Abbey (the everything is yucky I only eat pb&j's or cereal girl) loved them, especially the frosting... but come on cream cheese frosting and pumpkin cookies... who could say no? So pop on over for the full recipe 

Sky Reeve Fabrics (giveaway)

We have another great giveaway today! Our newest Sponsor Sky Reve Fabrics is offering up a great prize for one lucky reader!

First lets take a little glance at some of the lovelies found at Sky Reve...

First up since I am in love with all things Nautical of corse I am thrilled that Sky Reve carries the Out to Sea line From Sarah Jane How cute are those little anchors?

There you will also find other adorable prints by Sarah Jane like her Pirates Life How cute would this be for a boy? 

Naturally you will find dozens of other designers and hundreds of other prints, but I have Sarah Jane on my mind lately. (any one else seriously in love with Sarah Jane prints?)

And since Sky Reve is awesome! (and they are) They are giving away a 1/2 yard bundle to one lucky winner! 

The Red and Aqua Basics 1/2 yard bundle! How great are those polka dots? I love the colors as well so bright and cheery!

So if you love Sky Reve as much as we do and you want to enter to win the 1/2 yard bundle here is what you have to do: (leave a comment on this post for each entry 2 possible)

Become a facebook fan of Sky Reve Fabrics  Leave them a little note while you are there (you know since they are so great)

No facebook? It's ok you can still have a chance to enter, or a second chance if you do have facebook. 

Simply hop on over to Sky Reve Fabrics and pick out your favorite fabric. Leave a comment here with the fabric. 

That's all there is to it. 2 possible ways to win!

Giveaway Closes Friday September 28th and midnight

Goodluck!

Adjusting patterns to fit your need

 So last week I shared a free pattern for a baby romper. The catch? It was size Newborn (so up to 8 pounds?) So I thought I would share how to alter the pattern to fit your needs. Really you could alter the pattern to be any size you like with these tips. Also learning how and what to alter can help you alter other patterns as well. So to start things off here is a common question I get:
Can I enlarge the pattern to make it a larger size? The answer? No. If only it was as easy as printing the pattern larger, or blowing it up in a copier. The truth is that not all places of the pattern grow when going up a size. You only add space/length to a pattern where the child grows. So let's get started.

 With the leg of the romper you can follow the crotch line down and add length to the bottom of the leg which will lengthen the leg room since kids grow taller. Also I would add width to the leg so the fit is more comfortable around the leg. To determine the amount of length you should add measure the length of the pattern (subtract seam allowance from top and bottom and typically hem allowance the this pattern has a cuff so you can skip that) Then measure the child from the crotch to the bottom of the leg to decide how much you need to add to the bottom.

 Adding width is the most important through the chest area since that is another place kids grow. Simply bump out the chest line just at the under arm. Then you will likely want to add length in the chest or torso area as well. This can be done one of two ways, you can simply cut across the bodice and add an inch or two to make it longer, or you can add some length at the top of the pattern.
What to choose? If you are only going up a size or two you could likely get away with adding to the top only, if you are going up several sizes you will want to add room in the torso area as well. For all sizes you will want to add width in the chest.

 The line that follows from the crotch to the top should not be altered. The needed width was added to the other side and you don't need to change that line, except maybe making it longer when you add the height in the top or torso.

 You also want to be careful to carry over any marking that the pattern has adjusting them as needed, for example the romper has the leg facing line, and the cut line at the top for the back of the pattern.

 A little tip if you are altering the length and are not able to measure, or unsure about the measurement. Grab a pair of pants that fit well and fold them in half so the crotch seam and leg line are exposed. Then trace the length.

 A few other things, You will want to add length to the shoulder straps (you can always guess and trim it back if needed) also you will want to add width to the cuff. For that simply wrap the cuff around the ankle, (keep in mind the pieces overlap, and you need to subtract seam allowance) then you can add as much width as needed.

 Next, some key pieces that need a little altering. The facing and the back panel. You need to add some width so they fit properly across the chest and back.

So add the width you need along the fold line is easy. Also be sure to add any height to the pattern piece that you may have added to the front and back piece.

Then you are good to go. The pattern is altered and ready to sew in any size. You can use many of these same tips in adding room where your child has grown (compared to the pattern piece) to alter any pattern you need, all you need is a pretty good understanding of how the pattern goes together and what the pieces are for.

Hopefully that helps!

Link Party #34 (and some winners)

Welcome to this weeks link party!

Before we get started we have some winners! 

First the winner from the Fat Quarter Shop Giveaway!

Jessie

Congrats! You will get an email from me later today!

And the winner from last weeks link party giveaway for a $50 amazon gift card is

Kimberly from &#39;bugaboo&#39

Congrats Kimberly! You will get an email from me later today as well!

Ok now on to the goodness from last week, you guys linked a lot of great stuff which always makes it hard to choose, but here are a few of my favorites:

 The Plum Verbana shared this pretty fall wreath, I love the bright pops of color! So pretty!

 Winter Wondering Wanderings And What Nots shared this bias lace romper she made for the Project Run and Play week one challenge... I am so in love with this sweet lace, so pretty and elegant for a baby.

Begin With B shared a sweet Abbey Dress she made so naturally I had to share. How cute is this baby outfit? I love the print of the dress.

I am so excited to see what you have in store this week!

New to link parties? That's totally fine here's what you have to do:

Find a entry on your blog that you want to link up.

It can be ANYTHING (unless it's an ad or something let's keep it spam free)

Say it is a great new project you just made and have been dying to share it with the crafting world. 

the link should look something like this:

http://(your blog adress/website)/(the post you want to link).html

Linking to the post is the easiest way for people to get back to that post.

Then click where it says "click here to enter" 

follow the steps to link your post and create a title, and select your picture.

Keep in mind the picture will be small thumbnail so pick a picture that shows it off the best. 

Lastly if you were so kind to add our button to your page or post, or where every you store your link party things that would be super cool. You don't have to use the button to link up, it's just there for you if you can't live without it. 

cool? cool. Let's get the party started!

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The Bow Belt {Belly+Baby}

 It's Monday! That means another installment of Belly+Baby! So I don't sew a lot for myself while I am pregnant... well I don't sew a lot for myself in general. However something I do wear all the time when I am pregnant, is a belt. No not at my non-exsistent waist... I wear it up high so there is some definition between my chest and my belly, since nearly everything just likes to tent over my body, and let's face it pregnancy doesn't mean no shape. So I have a old belts I wear, and a few I made. I made one exactly like Kate did here I made mine with 1/4 inch elastic and a floppy lace bow, but same idea. (I am wearing it here even though you can hardly see it) I love the elastic but I wanted some other belts thrown into the mix as well.

So I decided to make a belt that I can wear non preggo too (since I am already dreaming of those days :) I am in love with bows, but I made this one so that it can be removed, or moved to the back if you want the bow in a different place. And it was super easy to make, which is always a good thing

 I started with a strip of vinyl (faux leather) and made it 3 inches wide and long enough to wrap around me. Then I folded it in half width wise and sewed the edges. (this made it 1.5 inches wide when done) Tip when sewing with vinyl place a piece of tape on the bottom of the sewing foot and it will glide through much easier.

 Then I slipped two D rings on one end and sewed the end over.

 Lastly I sewed along the folded edge and now you have a belt. Simple and done... unless you want a bow.

 I cut two rectangles one large, one slightly smaller.

 Then I pinched them in the center and wrapped a thin strip around the middle.

 I hot glued the edge down in back.

 Then I used some embroidery floss to make two loops on the bow, to make sure it would fit on the belt I looped it right around the belt. Don't sew to the belt though, then you are able to move the bow, or take it on and off.

 Then you are done. With a cute new belt.

 To wrap around your growing belly... (26 weeks) or to be worn at any other time.

And just because I care... I will show you how you can wear it as a back bow, but pictures from the back... not my best angle :) Still it is cute to have a little bow in the back...

Be sure to check out these great posts from Jess and Kate:

A DIY Nursery By CINO
and
DIY Ruffled Belly Band By See Kate Sew

Instagram Friday!

Welcome to Instagram Friday! A little glimpse of life beyond the sewing and crafting. 

 Jude has a lot of energy. (a lot) We have always found ways to expound his energy, and he has taken quite a liking to track and field events. He was a runner. We have kept records of his times. Then we watched the olympics and he is now into the running long jump. This week he blew his old record out of the water by landing a 77 inch jump. With every jump he gets up and says... I can do better

 We started the canning process of the tree full of pears. Canning is a lot of work, all the cutting and peeling, and cooking, and the canning... but man seeing beautiful jars full of pears... it's love.

 I made mini pot pies this week in hopes that they would please even my picky eaters... Leaving out the peas even since Abbey won't eat things that are green. (She is very open to foods of the purple and pink variety, that just limits things) Jude thought they looked delicious, he ate most of one... Abbey wouldn't touch them, but they were delicious.

We had literacy night at Jude's school. Jude thought it was pretty boring, except for the part that he got to act out the book "caps for sale" (he was a monkey in the tree) He did however come home and read a book to his sister, which was sweet.

The Color Block Dress {Free PDF Pattern 12m-6Y}

So I made Abbey a dress, I made it with a bodice pattern I made ages ago. You know when you are cleaning through piles of papers that have needed attention for quite sometime, and low and behold you come across a drafted pattern that was never made. Yeah I am pretty sure I have a few more of those. So I thought I would go ahead and make the bodice up, and I added a color blocked skirt to the bottom to finish it off. So, I thought I would go ahead and share the pattern with all of you. So the pattern is in sizes 12m-6years. It is for the bodice and sleeve and then you can make the skirt piece pretty easily. 

The sleeve has cute little pleats, and I double pleated the sleeve (top and bottom) for a fun shape.

So the pattern has not been tested in anyway, but I made one up and it came together fine. So if you would like the pattern you can download the pieces here:

Colorblocked Pattern (media fire)

or

Colorblocked Pattern (google doc)

Please do not share, copy or sell the pattern. Do not share the link to the pattern, please just link to this post. 

I used about 1 yard of the purple and 1/2 yard of the white. 

You will also need a zipper I used a 7" zipper

 Start with your bodice pieces all cut out, like so.

 Then sew one front bodice piece to two back bodice pieces. You will do this twice so you have two identical pieces.

Then pin a sleeve into the arm curve. Add pleats to fit. Then sew in place. Repeat this for the other sleeve and the two sleeves for the lining as well. 

 Then with the right sides together sew from the sleeve edge to the arm pit and down the side. Again repeat for the lining as well. You should have two identical bodice pieces now.

 Grab one and with right sides together sew the zipper down the edge of the back. I did not use an invisible zipper since I was ok with the zipper showing. Sew as close to the zipper as you can.

 
Then when you fold the zipper to the back you will see that the zipper is sewn the right way. It is a good time to check yourself if you are new to zippers.

 Then right sides together you are going to sew the other side of the zipper to the other side of the back. Sew the same way you did the first side, sewing as close to the zipper as possible.

 You can check your zipper again. At this point your zipper should look how it will when it is done (more or less)

Now with right sides together you will sew the two bodice pieces together. You are sewing along the same line you sewed for the zipper. Start a few inches up from the bottom of the back edge. Then sew up the edge, around the neck and down the other edge. 

Turn the whole bodice right side out. Then on the back side you will want to fold the edge in that you left un-done.

Then you will top stitch along the zipper edge. Nice finished zipper with fully lined bodice... done. 

I tacked the bottom under the zipper together since it will be sewn together to the skirt part. 

Then fold the edges of the sleeves in and top stitch along the edge. 

I also added pleats at the bottom of the sleeve since the sleeve was a little too full for my liking, and I loved the pleats. Just pleat the bottom and sew in place. Bodice done. 

 For the skirt I made it the same way I made this skirt I decided how long I wanted the skirt to be and divided that by 3 adding in seam allowance to each piece. I made the strips that height and the width was the width of the fabric. I simply cut 3 stripes for the front and 3 for the back. Then pieced them together the way I did the skirt and stitched the front and back together at the sides.

 Then gather the top of the skirt. Mine was pretty full which I wanted, you can make it as full as you want.

 Then with right sides together sew the bodice to the skirt piece. Hem the bottom of the skirt piece and you are done!

 Zipper down the back... not too bad right? And how in love are you with color blocking?  I think I am making Abbey and the new baby matching ones for Christmas this year... color blocked with red and white, or green and white... oh so many options.

Abbey loves the big full skirt, and since she was a pill for the pictures we ended up on the trampoline, let me tell you a full skirt has some great movement.

So if you make one upload it to our flikr group we would love to see it! (link found at the top of the page)