Month: March 2022

  • Pattern test & review of the Baby Poppy

    Pattern: Baby Poppy
    Designer: Made for Mermaids
    Fabrics: May Gibbs Accent fabric – Spotlight. Solid Cotton Lycra – Sew Unique
    Measurements: Chest: 19″ Waist: 21″; Height: 31″
    Size made: 9-12 months
    Adjustments: None
    Pros: As soon as I saw the tester call for this one I signed up immediately. I couldn’t resist the bubble romper option and adorable flutter sleeves.
    Cons: I wasn’t a huge fan of the way the crotch snap section was done in the instructions, so I may change it to something I am more comfortable with in future garments I do.

    Links:

    Baby Poppy Pattern
    Made for Mermaids FB group

    The Wrap up:

    The minute I saw this pattern I knew I had to test it. It just looked so dang cute! I love a bubble romper style and flutter sleeves get me every time. Throw in the button front and I was seriously swooning.

    I am very lucky to live next door to a pretty cute little girl and her amazing mum and dad who let me sew and use this little cherub as my model. I love sewing for Ted, but I don’t think its any secret that girl clothes are cuter. Well, they are easier to dress up I think.

    The baby Poppy also has plenty of other options included such as sleeveless, short & long sleeve, skirted and peplum. The button placket can either be faux or functional. Being a bubble romper style there is also plenty of room for either disposable or cloth nappies and the snap crotch makes it super easy to change when needed.

    I did have a little trouble with the snap crotch as its not a style I am used to and I’ll be honest, I didn’t love it. I think in future I might change it slightly to something I am more comfortable but is just as functional. Though I probably need to give it another try the way it is listed in the instructions before I make any rash changes haha.

    This pattern is definitely a winner for me and I have already ordered some gorgeous lounge rib from Clover & Co (I love their printed lounge rib) to make some more as I saw another tester use lounge rib and it was to die for. It almost makes me want another baby. *Almost* haha.

  • Pattern Review of the Staycation Dress

    Pattern: Staycation Tiered Dress & Peplum
    Designer: Ellie & Mac
    Fabrics: Sew Unique Cotton Lycra
    Measurements: Bust: 44″ Waist: 39″; Hips: 48″
    Size made: XXL
    Adjustments: None
    Pros: I’m really into tiered dresses at the moment, so the Staycation is a bit of a fave of mine. I also love pockets of course!
    Cons: I wish this came with a flutter sleeve option. I think it would be a really great edition

    Links:

    Staycation
    Sew Unique Fabrics SUF+ program

    The Wrap Up:

    This is the second Staycation I’ve made, and I still love it.

    There a few different options for the skirt, including a few different tier configurations and also the option for a plain skirt or a peplum length. I really wanted to change the sleeves on this to something more flouncy and trialled it with the ‘Be Dreamy’ sleeves, another pattern from Ellie & Mac, but I didn’t love the outcome so I stuck with the short sleeves and it turned out fine.

    I have had success before using the Love Notions Willow Wrap Dress flounce sleeve in Ellie & Mac patterns, so maybe if I make another I’ll try substituting those in instead.

    No I can’t do this review without talking about how absolutely GORGEOUS this fabric is. This is the Sew Unique Fabrics exclusive March subscription fabric and its bloody amazing. I’ve written about their subscription program before >>here<<. If you were ever going to join, THIS is the month for sure. If you sign up before the 31st of the month, you will get shipped this beautiful fabric along with a neat free gift (also crushing hard on this months gift). You can cancel your subscription at any time, but shhhh, I’ve seen the next couple of months of prints and they are pretty special so I don’t think you’ll regret it❤️

    Learn more about SUF+
    Trialling the Be Dreamy sleeves

    The other version I made I hacked to be sleeveless which you can see in the gallery of images below. I will try and get a blog written up on how to change it to sleeveless soon for those who would like to know.

    All in all though, the Staycation is a winner and you should definitely get it while its on sale!

    BUY THE DRESS

    Gallery:

    My beautiful dress
    Sleeveless Version

  • Pattern Review of the Berkley Knot Top

    Pattern: Berkley Knot Top
    Designer: Peek a Boo Pattern Shop
    Fabrics: Bamboo Lycra
    Measurements: Bust: 44″ Waist: 39″; Hips: 49″
    Size made: 2XL
    Adjustments: None
    Pros: I love the built in knot option. It adds a fun feature.
    Cons: No real cons, I had a little trouble with the top stitching on the knot, but it was user error, not the pattern

    Links:

    Berkley Knot Top
    Iris Shorts
    Sew Unique Fabrics

    The Wrap Up:

    I’ve had this pattern in my stash for a while but never got a chance to make it. But when my Sew Unique fabric subscription came this month (read more about the program here), I knew the shorts I wanted to make and that this top would be the perfect piece to complete it.

    It was a really quick sew, the hardest bit was facing the tie pieces, but even that wasn’t too difficult. I did make a mistake when top stitching however. After I had very carefully coverstitched all the way around the edge, I realised I shouldn’t have coverstitched those bits as they are faced and therefore don’t need it.

    I think the whole thing took me about 40 minutes to make, so a very quick and easy sew.

    I do want to make a note about my fabric choice. This was my first time trying Sew Unique’s bamboo lycra and oh my goodness. It is SO soft and delicious to wear. I have felt other bamboo lycras and this by far my favourite. I have already planned a nightie with the black I have sitting there as well.

    I paired this top with a pair of Iris shorts which are SO comfy and the fabric pairing for that one is next level. I can tell this combo is going to get a good workout!

  • Sew Unique+ – Monthly Fabric Subscription Review

    Do you love fabric and want it delivered to your door every month?

    I love fabric. I love to look at it, I love to search online for it, I love to touch it, I love to plan with it. I just love it. When I heard about Sew Unique’s monthly fabric subscription program, I had to find out more.

    What is it?

    SUF+ is a monthly subscription of fabric, delivered to your door. The fabric is delivered after the 19th of each month and the design is a surprise, which only adds to the excitement. There is also a super handy surprise gift included which is always practical and a great addition to your sewing tool kit.

    The designs are usually chosen with adult females in mind, however there is quite a variety of designs. My daughter has tried to take it for herself a number of times haha.

    Examples of past designs

    One of my favourite things is there are different levels for different budgets. The cheapest starts at $40 for 1m of fabric and includes shipping. There is also an option for 1.5m and 2m of fabric, plus the option to upgrade to express shipping, generally for only a couple of dollars more. Throw in the free gift plus early access to all retail releases and the entire back catalog of SUF+ designs, and it really is great value for money.

    The other great thing is the longer you’re in it, the more rewards you get! After being in the program just 4 months, you automatically upgrade to Silver membership which qualifies you for $5 shipping on all your orders. You can also go up and down each month as you need. If you’d like 1m one month but want to try 2m the next month, you just upgrade your subscription before the 19th and it will be updated.

    I’ve made some amazing makes with my subscription, but I think February’s design takes the cake for my fave. It’s no secret the Iris shorts from Sonia Estep are my fave knit shorts and as soon as I saw the design, I knew they would be perfect. I paired mine with another of Sew Unique’s fabrics, their cranberry Bamboo Lycra. It was the perfect match and the bamboo lycra is like butter to touch. SO soft! I’ve written a review of my outfit >>here<<

    I also just received March’s fabric and all I can say is O.M.G. It is so pretty and I can’t wait to sew it up and share it. Just secretly, I’ve also seen the next couple of months of designs and squeeeeeeee. I can’t wait to make ALL the things.

    So don’t wait any longer and treat yourself to a fabric package each month. You won’t regret it!

    SIGN UP NOW