Love Notions Girls Tidal Pattern and a SALE

There is something about the challenge of sewing tween clothes that I love. Kate has a definite opinion on what she wants to wear. Nothing frilly. Nothing with crazy patterns. Nothing over the top. And while it sounds like it would be boring to sew things that meet those requirements, it's not! It's challenging! How can I make it stand out, yet blend in to the ready to wear clothes that her friends wear? The key is simple fabrics and trendy patterns.

This post contains affiliate links.

Today, she is sporting her new Tidal tank from Love Notions.

Kate is athletic. Therefor, she gravitates towards athletic fashions. So, it was only natural to use some poly/spandex athletic fabric I found at Joanns for this tank. I used some black cotton lycra for the trim.

To add some detailing to the shirt and show off those cool princess seams, I did a faux coverstitch look. To do this, I serged my seams wrong sides together and then topstitched the seam down so it would lay flat. I also left the shirt unhemmed, keeping the serged edge exposed. Two very simple steps that give an otherwise plain shirt, some interest.

 The Tidal provides good coverage in the front and the back so Kate can stay focused on her game and not worry about a wardrobe malfunction.

Kate's chest measures for a size 10. However, she is tall (62" or a size 14), and as you can see, has slightly broad shoulders. So, I had to do some custom sizing for her to get something that would fit properly. Sometimes, you have to do more than just add some length at the lengthen/shorten line in a pattern, especially when you are going between several sizes, like I did here. I'll be sharing a tutorial on Love Notions blog next week about how to adjust a pattern for a great length fit.

The girl's Tidal also comes in two dress lengths, knee and maxi. You can have sleeves, or two tank styles, a true tank like I made, or a sleeveless top, with wider shoulder seams. That one is perfect for dress codes with the "three finger rule." I finished the arm holes and necklines with bands, but there is a binding option as well. So many choices!!

The pattern features no trim pages, layers (meaning you print only the size you need) and has a huge size range, 2T-16.

So, the trendy patterns part is all taken care of! And, you can take advantage of a great sale right now so you can sew your tween all the cool things! Use code 'fireworks' for 25% off your purchase of $20. Tiered pricing is still in effect so you can get a really great deal. :) Sale runs through Monday the 4th www.lovenotions.com

Happy sewing!!!

Sew Americana

Welcome to my stop on Wild and Wanderful's Sew Americana tour! I stepped a bit outside of my normal sewing zone and made a quilt!

Well, most of one anyway.....

This is the story of good intentions and life just happening. Because, bloggers actually have real lives outside of the sewing studio. My summer life has been busy!  And well, the weather has been nice and I've been out in it instead of behind the sewing machine.

But, I LOVED the idea of this tour when Katy shared it and I had to sign up. And then, my friend Jen from Patterns by Jen released this amazing quilt and I knew it would be absolutely PERFECT for this tour!

And then, it was fabric picking time. Well, Gemia from Phat Quarters was the biggest help in the world and spent I don't know how long pulling fabrics and sending me pictures so I could decide what I wanted to use. And TWO days later, this pile of gorgeousness was on my cutting table.

The green on the far right is from stash and I have no clue what it is. Next, we have Mediteranneo, followed by Remix Grey Plus, (which I ended up not using) Pretty Flowers on Denim, Off Shore Red Dot, Lakehouse Dot in Dove, Coral Gingham, Fog Peppered Cotton and Lake Peppered Cotton (I had this in stash and it's no longer listed). (also used and not shown, Parchment Triangles.) The white used as the main background is Kona white. Phat Quarters has free US shipping on orders of $25 or more with code SUMMER25 so if feel inspired, now is the time to go grab some fabrics. ;) Code expires at the end of the month, so hurry!

So, I'm #notaquilter. But, once in a while, I pretend to be one, about three times a year. And I'm pretty proud to say that I managed to piece this top together in a mere 6 days. Now, I know that that's not impressive, Jen can knock this out in an evening, I bet. But, for me, 6 days is quite amazing.

   And then, I sewed the final seam and I managed to sew one half of the quilt on backwards.

Whomp, whomp, waaaaahhhhh.

Can we say this again, #notaquilter. 

So, I get the seam ripper out and 30 minutes later, it was correct. And then came time to make my sandwich. If you are #notaquilter, let me tell you what a sandwich is. It's your quilt, in pieces. Your backing fabric, batting in the middle and then the pieced top on top. Because what I made so far, is just a pieced top. It's not a quilt until all those layers are sewn together. So, like a good pretend quilter, I started assembling my sandwich on my living room floor.

And it wasn't long until I was sending this picture to Jen begging her to fly to my house to help me.

Because, dude, it's HARD! You have to pull all the wrinkles out of all three layers and get them all together nicely. And then, you have to pin them all together. Which, cover your eyes, Jen, I didn't pin it. I used some basting spray and went with it. Yeah, after 45 minutes of wrestling with that thing, I was over it. I drug it to my machine to show it who was boss. 

But not before pretending I could get away with a shot like this pretending it was finished. LOL

So, to the machine we went and I quilted it together. Well, most of it.

I have a couple blocks let to go. This small log cabin is one of them.

 These are beautifully quilted together though, so we can admire this part of the quilt.

I just love how these fabrics work together giving the quilt a vintage Americana feel that is soft and subtle.

The three blocks on the left still need quilted. But, the end is in sight!

And then I have to sew on the binding. Don't worry, I'll share it when I'm all finished!! I can't wait! I know this quilt is going to get LOTS of use!

Thanks so very much to Patterns by Jen and Phat Quarters for sponsoring my post for the Sew Americana Tour!

There are lots of stops on this fantastic tour! Please go check them out and give the blogs some love!

Take a look at the AMAZING lineup for the Sew Americana tour!
Monday, June 27  Wild & Wanderful | Sew and Tell Project | Call Ajaire Paisley Roots | Wally and Grace
Tuesday, June 28 Sew Thrifty | Coles Corner and Creations | Rebel & Malice Friends Stitched Together | The Wholesome Mama
Wednesday, June 29 Sewing by Ti | EYMM | HattieLu Handmade Daydream Believers | PenSebRox | Handmade Boy
Thursday, June 30 Beatnik Kids | Phat Quarters | Sew Starly | Sew Sophie Lynn The Kisses Co. | Adventures with Bubba and Bug
Friday, July 1 Very Blissful | That's Sew Kari | Sew Happily Ever After | Pear Berry Lane
Mae and K | Musings of a Seamstress | Sew and Tell Project
As a special bonus for our readers, use the code ' SEWAMERICANA ' and enjoy a 20% discount at www.THREADandGRAIN.com  You'll find a ton of maker-inspired goodies!
(All created by your tour guide, Katy, from Wild & Wanderful.)

An InLinkz Link-up

It's a Pool Side Beach Party!

 

 

It's officially summer! And thanks to Ula at Lulu & Celeste and Deb from Sprouting JubeJube for hosting the Pool Side Beach Party Tour, I actually got some summer sewing done before July!! 

Every year I hope for a slow, relaxing, lazy summer. And, every year it feels like we are rushing around from one ball diamond to the next, and then to this activity followed by that activity. And this year is no exception. We did finally find a few minutes to go relax in a friend's pool after the ball games last Saturday. And, Thomas got the chance to try out his new suit.

 

Peek-a-Boo Fabric Shop began carrying swim fabric this year. And Thomas fell head over heals in love with this shark print.

 

Seriously, how cool is that?! He asked me every few days if his fabric had arrived yet. And once it did, it was like Christmas morning for him!

And after it arrived, it was when are you going to MAKE it?!

Thomas wanted "tight" swim trunks again this year. We tested Peek-a-Boo's Monaco Suit last year and he loved it. He says it's because he doesn't like how traditional swim trunks float up around him in the water. Makes sense.

I wanted a bit of a cover for him also. So, I used the Maui Muscle Tank, also from PAB and used the coordinating stripes offered by PAB and make a swim tank. He loves it! So, I would call that a win!

Everything stayed in place, even playing around with his sister.

I'd love to give a shout out and a giant THANK YOU to all these awesome sponsors!

So many great sales are going on! Don't miss out!!

Modkid https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/modkid (use the code POOLSIDE2016 for 25% of at checkout until July 2nd)

Sew Happily Ever After with the code Poolside16 get 50% off the Nana tote in thier Etsy shop until July 4th (https://www.etsy.com/shop/SewHappilyLinda)

Also Jennuine Design (one of the prize sponsors) http://www.ajennuinelife.com/shop is having an unrelated sale on selected patterns until June 30th. 40% off with code SATYASEASON

Phat Quarters Free US shipping on orders of $25 or more with code SUMMER25 www.phatquarters.etsy.com

BLAVERRY 15% off with code INDEPENDENCE2016 www.blaverry.com  until July 10th

5 Out 4 Patterns  FIREWORKS2016 for 20% off your purchase now (6/27/2016) through Monday, July 4th, 2016. (Coupon cannot be used on PowerNet fabric) www.5outof4.com

Filles à Maman JULYONETOFIVE for 25% off everything including bundles, the coupon is valid from july 1st ending July 5th midnight EDT

And be sure to enter the giveaway going on!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Thanks for stopping by!! I hope your summer is off to a great start! Have you sewn something for the pool or beach? I'd love to see it! Tag me over on instagram  handmade_boy!