City Park tees and Linville rompers.

For this City Park Tee I made a size 16 as that's what she measures in to and followed Adrianna's gathered dress tutorial but kept it at peplum length, per her request. I love the tip to nip it in at the waist, it gives it such a nice fit. This is actually her favorite thing from my recent Abby binge, it is made from brushed poly and she says it is soooooo soft.

This one is also a City Park made earlier in the summer from a rayon spandex.  It was made during testing and the v-neck has since been raised, combined with the fact that the rs pulls down more than a cotton lycra it made it lower than it should have been.  But she still wears it around the house and such.

This one, on the other hand, made from a cotton lycra has been one of her absolute favorite shirts.  It surprised me because I didn't think she'd like the floral, but she is actually the one who picked it out!

This is a modified Linville Romper, Abby has a couple from this summer but has gone up a size, so this time I wanted to try something different.  I lengthened the top to a tunic length and added a side split hem, per Adrianna's (aka, head boss lady at Hey June) advice.

There is a better shot of the hem, and a shot of her Conifer Jacket- I love how so many of her patterns pair so well together.

The top would have been better in a rayon or lawn, but I wasn't sure it was going to work out- so next time!

Here is a made to pattern specs Linville, I used a rayon challis for the top and a chambray for the bottom.

She loved it and got a ton of wear out of it over the summer.

We also tried out a Linville dress this summer, it didn't get as much wear due to her not loving dresses, but I like it.  I want to try a pants or maxi version this winter.

Laramie Shirt x2.

This pattern, ah how I love it.  This is the Laramie Shirt view b in a size 16.  The Laramie is basically the Cheyenne's adorable little sister, and it's just as good as the Cheyenne.  I wear mine waaaaay too much, so I figured I'd share the love with Abby.

And I love the way it pairs with the Conifer Vest, in fact this L was made specifically to go with the vest.

I also made this view A a while back, snaps at Abby's request.  The shirt includes french seams so it has a nice, clean finish, I really love the way it's done.

I also love Hey June's Junior's line because of the slight feminie shaping she gives the patterns.  I love that they aren't unisex but at the same time don't make her look too grown up because she's doing that one on her own (sob!).  Another shameless plug for her sale, I get nothing from it other than maybe she'll keep putting out more amazing juniors patterns, hahaha!  Anyway, until 11/27 use the code BLACKFRIDAY16 for 30% off all patterns:)

Conifer jacket and vest.

I love, love love Hey June's Junior's pattern line, Adrianna has done a fantastic job mixing staples with fun pieces, like this new jacket- the Conifer (link to come when it is released on Friday).  In fact, after I was finished testing I decided to sew up one view of each of the patterns in the line.  I had to limit myself to one view, because the little girls were complaining it hasn't been their turn for a while (I suck at keeping up the blog lately, mostly keeping to Instagram) and Adrianna rocks at including many views in each pattern so I could have spent a whole lot more time working my way through them.

So, the jacket.  This is one is a size 16, when did she grow so much?! I used the regular collar and chose to omit the optional zips on the sleeves.

There is a modified Linville Romper peeking out of this one.

I found this gorgeous raspberry quilted knit from Joann's and chose to use a gray thread for a little bit of a contrast and to match the zipper.  I am undecided on it, but since it was a pain to unpick I just stayed with it, hahahaha!

She really loves this outfit, in fact, it was hanging up waiting for a button on the Linville and she wore it to school the next morning using a wonder clip to close the back.  Ben usually gets up with her and makes sure she makes it to the bus, at first I was annoyed she wore it before pictures (she broke the cardinal rule!) but then I realized it just meant she really liked it.

This view is the vest (obviously) made this time in the cozy charcoal french terry from Raspberry Creek, I love this stuff so much and probably use it way too often.  Wait, no, there is never enough charcoal ft in my wardrobe.

For the vest I used the moto collar.

She is also a major fan of the vest, she has already worn it 3-4 times and I basically had to force her to wash it.

Underneath this one is a Laramie Shirt view b (that will be eventually blogged, haha).  When I made the vest this is the exact combo I had in mind, this is actually what started me down the rabbit hole of all the goodness that is HJ junior's.

All Hey June patterns are on sale at 30% off until Sunday the 27th, though I absolutely think they are worth full price ;)

Building Block Dress book tour

I was so, so excited when Liesl asked me to join in on her virtual book tour.  From the minute she explained what the book was about and included a little preview, I knew it would be love.  It's no secret I am a huge fan of customizing patterns; in fact check out the tutorial section on the blog, I have written a few posts over there.  I was so excited to learn the correct way to alter patterns, because let's be honest, I was just guessing and hoping it all worked out correctly.

As soon as I opened the first few pages, I was hooked- look at all the eye candy!  The book is beautifully executed and photographed.

There are quite a few pages just of inspiration. I waited until the kids were in bed then pored over every detail slowly and carefully before moving on to the next page, I wanted to take my time and take it all in.

It includes the layout of instructions that we all know and love about Oliver and S.  I love that it was a familiar look, because honestly I was a little nervous at first.

But then I quickly realized, if anyone was going to be able to teach me the correct ways to customize and then sew my customized pattern, it was Liesl.

Each element is broke down in to it's own chapter; sleeves, silhouettes, pockets, collars and necklines, finishes: hems, closures and linings.

There is so much information packed in to this book.  Even if you don't have a little girl to sew for, this book would still be very useful in altering other patterns, I love that I know it will work for me long after the twins outgrow the patterns (hopefully a very long time from now, ha!)

I decided first to sew just the absolute basic dress, no alterations to the pattern.  Well, aside from doing elbow length sleeves, but that is so simple that I hardly can call it an alteration.  I wanted to make sure the fit was what I expected (it was) and that I was familiar with the steps before moving on to more challenging details.

This is the size 5 for reference, I currently make a size 5 for the twins in all my other Oliver and S patterns, also.

Once I had a feel for the pattern and the layout of the book, I moved on.

Normally when I make something, I pick out the pattern and then the fabric.  This time I used the worksheet layout included in the book to really think it through, I picked out my fabrics first and then read through each chapter, picking each element carefully trying to decide which would work best to highlight my fabrics.

Abby is on the high end of the size 12, but as soon as she saw the book she begged for me to make her something, too.  She currently isn't a huge fan of dresses, so she and I chose a sleeveless tunic length, swingy top made from rayon challis.  I followed the instructions on page 82 for an a-line dress but added a bit more width between the slices for even more swing, knowing my rayon challis would lay and hang nicely.

It isn't easy to see in the pictures, but I actually added a half inch to the front center and cut two fronts, sewed together and then topstitched down each side to give it a fun little detail.

I went to page 135 and added a key hole back opening since she isn't generally a fan of button backs, but doesn't mind a single button.

For Elizabeth's dress, I used the basic bodice, collar and the flared gathered a-line skirt found on page 73.  I love the fullness of the skirt and so does she.

For the hem, I used a gorgeous crochet edge bias tape I found on etsy.

I used the bell sleeve found on page 57 and added an elastic casing to the hem, I love the look it gives.

The back is a button down, per the basic building block dress.

For Georgia's dress I used the empire waist found on page 57 with the flared a-line skit on page 72.

I again used the keyhole opening on the back, found on page 135, and added lace to the hem of the skirt.

I actually really like the bias binding for necklines lately, so that is the method I used for all three makes.

I chose elbow length sleeves for this dress also, I find that my girls like to wear them year round, so I figured I get to use the cute elements like an elastic casing or a sleeve cuff (it's hard to see on this one, but it's there) and they will get loads of use.

I also cut a piece a couple inches wide and added a narrow white bias tape to the edges to tie in the tiny bit of white in the print and the lace on the hem.

So basically to sum this all up, I really, really love this book.  I have a stack of papers already filled out waiting to be sewn in to reality and that is just touching the surface of the possibility that comes from the book.  The book is so well written, not that I would expect anything less from Liesl and O+S, but I feel it will become a very valuable tool in any sewing library whether you sew for a little girl or yourself.

First day.

I realized today the big kids start school tomorrow, Abby has her outfit chosen, but Jack didn't.  I haven't made him anything for a while because he still fits most of his handmades, but I figured the first day of school deserved something new.

I pulled out a couple twill colors and paired them with a couple of knit cuts and let him choose, he picked well.

The shirt is the Oliver and S School Bus T-shirt, my go-to, in a size 8 with a little bit of length added.

The pants are the After-school pants, also a size 8, but I added 2" to the length.  He is only 1/2" shy of the top height in the 8 and I want them to last a while.

I really love these pants, and so does he.

Hide + Seek.

I have used this combination of fabrics a couple of times recently (not blogged yet, but grammed) and thought it would be perfectly perfect with the color of Izzy's hair.  The color of the blue/green is hard to capture, it is a little more greenish in real life.

I used this tutorial on the Oliver and S blog to add a cheater pleated bodice to my Hide + Seek dress.  I like the result, even if it did make things a little bulky.

They still wear their other Hide + Seek, it is so faded and soft at this point (and getting too short) so I knew it would soon need to be replaced.

I just love all the details in this pattern and I love that it seems to fit for so long, ha!

This time around I made a straight size 5, no modifications aside from the pleated bodice.

Class picnic times two.

Abby is headed to 6th grade in a few days, that seems so crazy to me!  I figured it was about time to fulfill some of her requests (the paint splatter blouse) and finish up a few UFOs.

I used the Class Picnic Blouse in a size 12.  She is a little above the size 12 for her chest, but this one is nice and roomy so I didn't hesitate when she requested this pattern.  I added 2 1/2" to the bottom of the blouse, and kept the original hem depth.

I added a piece of dainty lace in the front yoke of this oh so soft Robert Kaufman floral lawn.

I picked up this Art Gallery from my LQS at least a year ago, maybe more.  She has been asking for something made from it as soon as I brought it home.  I hesitated to make her something from it, because she wasn't a fan of handmade there for a while, and especially not anything made in woven.

The last couple of months she has decided having mom-made clothes is actually pretty cool, because then she doesn't show up to school in the same top as anyone else.  So I decided it was time to make her request.

I really love these two on her, and I am really sad these will be the last two she gets now that she has sized out of the pattern.

Morrison Tee.

I have been working on Abby's back to school wardrobe (T minus 21 days until the kids go back) and the Morrison Tee came along at the perfect time.  

This view is hands down the quickest and easiest.  Cap sleeve, regular hem.  I think I knocked it out in twenty minutes, granted that didn't include pattern taping and cutting.

I bought this fabric because I loved it at first sight, but I didn't think I could pull it off, haha!  So I crossed my fingers Abby would say yes to it, it turns out she loves it and this is her new favorite shirt.

I love the boxy look on the profile of this pattern.

For my records, I made her a size 14 and that's exactly what she measured in to for chest and height.

The tie didn't grab me at first, but Abby wanted one with it, and I wanted to try out the genius facing Adrianna came up with for it.  It worked out perfectly and gave it a nice finish on the inside, too, because I know it wont always be tied perfectly and the inside is surely going to be seen.

Abby designed this one on her own, well, the fabric and view.  She requested the hi lo hem to go with the tie.

This last one is a super soft knit I actually found at walmart for like $1/yard a long time ago.  I bought so much of it, hahaha!  So I took a chance on this color without asking her, but she loves it.

P.S. Not affiliated in any way other than selfishly wanting Adrianna to design allllll the junior patterns, but her whole junior line is on sale through the 25th, no code necessary. Here's the link to her line. I have made all of them so far and Abby has worn each of them to death.