Pattern Review - Blossom's Garden Party Skirts by Izzy & Ivy Designs

We recently celebrated a very special 3 year old birthday for our Lil' Princess. This meant mommy had the perfect excuse to make her some adorable new outfits! I have been wanting to try some of the sweet skirt designs in the new Blossom's Garden Party booklet from Izzy & Ivy Designs since it arrived, and so......

My first one to try was the "Fancy Forget Me Not" and I love it!!!

 This sweet skirt is delightful! As was my sweet girl's squeal when she first saw it, exclaiming "Is it for me????" :) 

One of my favorite parts of the pattern design is the added touch of the placket. I added an additional ruffle ribbon to the top of mine. Paired with some coordinating gingham and pink elephant buttons, I just love the accent it all provides!

I went on to create this chunky elephant applique T using the same coordinating fabrics, button and ribbon for the tail.  

The booklet includes step-by-step photos and instructions for 8 different skirts. The pattern pieces for the skirts that require them are included in the back along with one of those famous Izzy & Ivy "Sprinkle" labels. Over 60 pages of full color photos and inspiration to spark your creativity. 

While I love sewing with PDF patterns, it was very enjoyable to just decide I was ready to get started, pull this book out and go straight to creating! Very pleased with the way this skirt turned out and look forward to sewing the other designs included in the book as well.

SUMMARY

Sewing Experience Level: Beginner

Size Range: 1T - 14 Girls

Special Techniques: Gathering, Double Layers, Elastic Waistband

Pattern Format: Paper Booklet

Materials Used: Cotton Prints - Circus/Anna Griffin , Stripe/Sis Boom, Solid/Kona, Ribbons, Buttons, Elastic, Label.

Personal Notes: This booklet is PACKED with potential! With 8 unique skirt patterns and a lovely headpiece, you could easily sew an entire wardrobe from this one book.

Pattern Review - Butterfly Kisses Olivia Skirt

This week I've had the privilege of sewing for my girls. They are some of my favorite people to sew for! As always, they must have input regarding fabric and pattern selection. "Sister A" chose the darling Olivia Skirt by Jina Barney of Butterfly Kisses Patterns. 

I bought this pattern quite a while ago, but this was my first time using it. It certainly won't be my last though!!! I ran into a question when I first started, and wanted to make sure I understood clearly before moving ahead, so I emailed Jina. Yep, she's one of those great designers that puts an email address right on her patterns for this very reason. And, she responded promptly to my questions to help me get on my way with my project. My daughter and I couldn't have been more pleased with the end results either! The twirl appeal of this skirt is irresistible!

The skirt came together beautifully! Jina's approach teaches some sewing techniques that were new to me even having sewn similar style products before. Techniques that made the sewing assembly easier, more enjoyable and the finished product even more attractive. These are techniques I will apply to other sewing projects in the future and I am thankful to have learned them through this pattern.

And since a skirt this cute totally deserved a matching top...

"Sister A" helped choose her favorite prints on the fabric we were using and we created a one-of-a-kind applique. Then, I hand-stitched the words "bon voyage", including tiny buttons for the o's. The round button even has little stitch marks around it that match the applique stitching, too cute!!! I also added her initial to the luggage tag and a tiny heart button to the suitcase. Yes, I think I may be in love with this outfit! It matches my sweet girl's personality and style perfectly!

Now to get something made equally fitting for her sisters! So until then...

Bon Voyage!

Pattern: Olivia Skirt by Butterfly Kisses Patterns

Fabric: Bon Voyage Collection from Timeless Treasures

Sewin' for FUN!

Well, for my girlies! Saw this tutorial over at Cottage Mama for a super cute bubble skirt that supposedly only took 20 minutes, and I couldn't resist! Thank you Lindsay! Guess what? She wasn't kidding! Both of my girls have a comfy new skirt today, and in about an hour....considering the extra time due to busting one of my gathering stitches mid-way through, < ugh >, not bad! But aren't they cute??? My girls were thrilled, and nothing beats that!

 We had already spent the morning in my sewing room creating our version of this sweet bunny from Sew4Home. These bunnies express the girls entirely different styles, and I love that! 

 

Can't forget those sweet pom pom tails!

It was a very fun and creative day! Now to clean up the mess! lol! (worth every bit of it!)