How many of you sew for more than one child??  How many want to?  As you know I have three kids.  My big 6yr old is a size 10/12, the 4yr old a size 4, and then the baby.  Finding one pattern that has all the size ranges to make coordinating clothes for all is pretty tough.  Might I add too, that it is even tougher to find one that works for both boys and girls?  Well guess what?!  There is a great pattern that was just released on Monday that would work for your team.  Have I left you in suspense long enough?  Or did you cheat and scroll down to take a look at the pics??

Yes as part of the Aspiring Designers challenge on Pattern Revolution Dandelions n’ Dungarees released their Old Tyme Baseball Shirt.  Just as the name implies this gives the classic lines and look of the baseball jerseys we all know and love!  You know how I am such a sucker for the classics, and easy sews are right up my alley as well.  I made all three of my shirts in one night!

This shirt is designed to be loose fitting so there are no play restrictions at all.  Layering for those colder days is also a breeze!  There is piping around the front placket and cuffs for that professional baseball flair too.  Now this shirt is button up.  If you are like be you may dread the time to sew button holes and then attaching umpteen buttons to the shirt. Well don’t worry, it’s not mandatory.  Use snaps!!!  I have a whole bunch of vintage metal snaps that were passed onto me from my grandma.  I was unsure if they would still look good on the shirt but figured I’d give it a try.  I am sure glad I did!  The metal snaps were just perfect and still gave it the classic look!  So go check out Dandelions n’ Dungarees on Facebook or their blog!  Then go get your pattern in your desired size: NB-18months, 2T-7, or 8-16.   But just as a warning, you may have “Take me out to the ball game…” stuck in your head for days after making these.  I know I did!

Oh did I mention that these are fun to embellish however you choose?  Go Team E!!!!!

So who wants to hear about a wonderful pattern that was just released today??  I had the chance to test the new Brassie Pants by Greenstyle Creations.  If you haven’t heard of Greenstyle Creations, please come out from under your rock and step into the light of fashion.  These patterns feature comfort without sacrificing style.  Great part though you wonder?  There are patterns for the whole family: Men’s, Women’s, and Children’s! I have only made the kids patterns, but I am dying to try some of the women’s.  Hopefully soon!  I digress though.  Let’s get back to the Brassie Pants shall we?

This pattern features capri or shorts length and comes in sizes 18months to 14years, so it’s one you can certainly keep using for awhile.   At first glance they look only to be for girls as there is an optional waist sash that you can tie.  However looks can be deceiving my friends!  It is not mandatory to add the sash, thus making these just as cute on boys too.  I am proud to say that my little man now has an Easter outfit.  These pants make me think of days gone by, you know that vintage feel.  I just love vintage inspired clothes.  You can certainly stick with the classic look or spice it with some fun fabric that best shows your personality.  The waistband and leg cuffs have to be made of knit, but the main body can be woven or knit, so skies the limit there!  I made my pair with a green knit waistband and leg cuffs.  For the body I used a patchwork blue plaid woven that I have been hoarding for quite some time.   Almost didn’t cut into it for this project, but I just knew that these would look amazing in it.  And they sure did!

Oh almost forgot the best part, at least for me anyways.  I know I am always super busy with too much on my plate (yeah I sometimes think I’m Superwoman or something) and never have as much time as I would like to sew.  Instant gratification here though!!  I assembled the pattern, cut the fabric, and sewed these up all in fewer than two hours.  These would take even less time but I had two boys that needed a talking to and I had to get a shower in before the baby woke up.  Needless to say that was all accomplished.  Don’t you just love when you feel like you got so much done just in a couple hours?

Anyways check out this awesome pattern and all the other Greenstyle patterns while you are there.  You won’t be disappointed as the style factor is though the roof.  If you pop on over to Greenstyle’s Facebook page, you will find a discount code for the Brassie pants too!

About a month ago I had the opportunity to test something a little different for Stitchwerx Designs.  I think almost all of us sew for our children or grandchildren and maybe even on those rare occasions, sew for ourselves too.  Well this time I got to sew for…my DOG!  Yes even he deserves to be spoiled, and boy, did he love what I made for him.  The I Love Lucy sweater is a great little sweater for everyday use for your little pampered pooch.  It comes in 5 sizes for small dogs and features a turtleneck collar, loop fringe collar and back trim, or even a flower accent.  This is so cozy when made out of fleece, but can also be made out of knit as well.  I know my Scooter Bean didn’t want me to take this off of him to even wash it.  Of course he is a little wiener dog with almost no hair so who can blame him!

Photobomb!

Now when I had the opportunity to review another pattern by Stitchwerx, well how could I say no?  Another chance to try out another great dog pattern…YES Please!  I had even more fun with this one too!  Let me introduce you to the Bentley Harness!  If you are a dog owner you know that any boutique harness costs an arm and a leg.  Well now it doesn’t have to!  This pattern makes is soooo easy to make your perfect one-of-a-kind harness for your pooch.  The pattern comes in 6 small dog sizes and of course you can mesh these sizes to make the perfect fit for pooch if they fall within two sizes.  There are also many embellishing options included like pockets and a placket, but you can seriously let your imagination fly with this one.

What I especially love is that the tutorial includes not just using Velcro for securing the harness, but also explains how to attach nylon straps and parachute clips for even more security.

For my harness I used fun gold denim I found.  I added ribbon on either side of the middle with gold buttons in the middle.  Now a couple things I would recommend not doing would be to use the gold webbing for the straps of the parachute clips. It is too slick and slides down on its own.  Ah, well it was worth a shot.  Does look so cute anyways!  It didn’t help that Joann’s had a limited selection of nylon and clips.  Next time I will order ahead of time.  Where may you ask?  Did I mention that the pattern has resources for buying these supplies?  Yes, Kim of Stitchwerx thinks of everything!  Her patterns are always very thorough.

Some other little tips:  Since I forgot to buy the fray check I burned the edges of my straps with a lighter.  Works to stop fraying but just be careful you don’t start a fire!  Also another great way to secure the straps to the harness is using an x box.  No not the game console.  This stitch is sewing a rectangle with an x in it.  Gives it an extra little security for those dogs that like to walk their masters!

Take a look at my girls modeling it!  The harness was intended for Maggie, the Shitzu, however I never knew her modeling skills weren’t up to par until I was trying everything to get her to look normal during the photo shoot.  I finally gave up and put the harness on my other dachshund Stella.  Is there an America’s Next Top Model Dog?  Stella would win if there was!

Anyways, Stitchwerx has many other patterns besides these two.  Go check out her shop to see more dog patterns, kid’s patterns, and more!   You may just fall in love like I have!

Alright!  Are you ready??  I’m sure you all are anxiously waiting to hear who won these two amazing patterns by Little Kiwi’s Closet, so I won’t keep you waiting.  Firstly though, a big THANK YOU for all your wonderful comments.  They mean so much to me!  I was fortunate to have 37 contestants in this giveaway too!  I’m very happy to welcome all my new followers.  Please feel free to comment on posts, ask questions, or use the contact me tab to get ahold of me!  So now what you have all been waiting for:

37 names in my fabric basket!

Mixing them all up!

Picking the winner!

I got one!!

Who is it??

He knows, but we don’t yet…

And the winner is….

Christy is our winner!!!  Please email me at rebekahsews@gmail.com or use the contact me tab above to claim your prizes and to let me know what size you would like of the Sweet n’ Sassy Bubble shorts!  Unfortunately I can only have one winner but you can still purchase the Estrella Apron Top and the Sweet n’ Sassy Bubble shorts in premie-24months or 2-12yrs just by clicking on the links.  Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.  Don’t forget to follow Little Kiwi’s Closet on her blog or Facebook too!  Stay tuned for another pattern review soon.  This will be one you don’t want to miss!!

Just today and tomorrow left to enter the giveaway to win some amazing patterns by Little Kiwis Closet!!  You have until 5pm EST tomorrow to be qualified to win! To enter go read the original post (<—click on that) about the patterns.  Comment on that post AND follow my blog.  Make sure you go back to your email and confirm so I know you are really following!!!  I have 30 comments but only 17 follows so some are forgetting.  I don’t want you to miss this amazing opportunity! Trust me, you will love these patterns!

Exciting things are happening!!!  I wasn’t planning on posting so soon but something very exciting happened yesterday.  I found out I won something!!  Do you want to know what it is?  Of course you do.  I belong to a wonderful website called sewingmamas.com.  It is a great community of women (wonder if there are some men on there too) that all come together to talk sewing. Ok, not always sewing.  There are spots on the forum to talk about embroidery, yarn work, photography, and the list can go on.  You can strut your stuff in the Runway, buy fabric in the Sewing Boutique, or chat about pretty much anything in Material Girls.   One thing I love about this site as well, are the swaps and contests!  Now I never entered one of the contests before, but when the Upcycle Challenge came around I said, “Why not?”  I certainly have enough sewing to do and there has to be something fun to upcycle for one of the testers that I was doing at the time.  I thought about it for a bit and then it happened!

Yes, this is a horrible cell phone shot!

The Sweet n’ Sassy Bubble shorts came along by Little Kiwi’s Closet.  I have been waiting anxiously for this pattern ever since Lydia released the girls’ pattern (sizes 2-12yr).  She promised me the baby sizes where coming.  So I waited, somewhat patiently, for the testing call.  Now you probably are asking, “What is so amazing about these shorts?”  Have you seen them??!!  The cuteness factor is through the roof!  They start with the bubble look, but don’t end there.  On the side panels of these shorts you can add soooo many options.  Included in the pattern are instructions on adding bows, or pockets.  You can even leave them plain or maybe make them a mesh for extra ventilation during those hot summer days.  Your choice!   And, by the way, the infant size Sweet n’ Sassy shorts comes in premie-24months and can accommodate a clothed or disposable diaper.

Pregnant with Little Miss in my favorite maternity dress.

I knew this was it.   I had a beautiful lacey top from my plus size days and my favorite maternity dress that where just waiting for a special project.  They both landed on my cutting table (well mat on the floor actually) and the rest is history!  The lace and the woven ruffle at the bottom of the maternity dress soon transformed into the cutest littlest shorts ever.  The front and back panels are the lace with the woven lining.  The side panels are just the lace with the bows made out of the woven.  Add the bias tape hem and the contrast band for a super cute finish. 

Now I couldn’t just stop there.  I needed a top to match the cuteness of the shorts.  After all I wanted a whole outfit for the contest!  I had previously tested for Little Kiwi’s Closet the Estrella Apron top.  On a side note my daughter’s middle name is Estrella and this top was named after her, so I lovingly call it her top!!  I still love that Lydia chose her name for this!!  Ok, back to the topic here…I decided to modify the top for this outfit.

Unmodified this top is just perfect, and of course has plenty of options as well.  It comes in sizes NB-12yrs, which if you are a smart shopper like me, the more size ranges the better!  You can make this with laced or knotted straps, open or closed back, and with a lace up or button closure.   It also has instructions for adding the cutest pockets ever.  Wow I really use the word “cute” a lot, don’t I?  Oh well because it seriously is cute!!!  And did I mention that it isn’t just for summer.  My little miss has worn it several times with a long sleeve onesie underneath and it still is cute!!!

Now for my upcycle version I did modify the pattern somewhat.  I wanted a closed back and fixed straps.  For the straps I used the waist sash on the maternity dress.  In order to place the straps I used the measurements for placement of the knotted straps (which attach to the bodice back) and laced straps (which attach to the bodice front).  I also added elastic to the hem (I made the hem a little bigger to be a casing) to make the top bubble like the shorts!  I really needed something to tie it even more together, and that just had to be a bow!  Why not use that as the closure?  I used the width of the bow pattern from the shorts and just made the length double in order to finish the seam and allow the bow to have a two layer look which enables it to have finished edges.  Do you follow me?  If you don’t just ask and I can certainly clarify, just ask!!  Anyways I then put snaps in the under layer and on the bodice.  This made is a snap closure with the bow!!!

Of course no outfit is complete without a headband.  I made the band part from the woven again.  I sewed up a long tube in the width I wanted and sewed two seams down this tube leaving 3/8″ gap in the middle.  This allowed the 1/4″ elastic to be threaded through to give it a gathered look.  Add another bow on top and the outfit is complete!!

Much to my surprise I won 1st Place in the Upcycle Challenge!!!  I still am super excited about it!  But now it is time to share something very exciting for you too!  MY FIRST GIVEAWAY!!!!  In honor of my win, Lydia from Little Kiwi’s Closet has generously donated both the Estrella Apron Top pattern and the Sweet n’ Sassy Bubble Short pattern (you choose the girls or infant size) to one lucky winner!!!  If you have never tried Little Kiwi’s Closet patterns before then this is your chance to try it for free.  If you don’t win though, you still seriously have to try them.  They are soooooo cute and the instructions and photos in the tutorial are perfect!  So what do I ask of you in order to enter?  All you have to do is COMMENT on this post AND FOLLOW my blog.  I will be checking!! That’s it!!  You have from now till Friday at 5pm EST to enter.  My kids will draw one lucky winner on Friday night and I will announce the winner  on the blog.  So if you don’t sign up to follow you won’t get the email notifying you of the winner and won’t be able to claim your amazing prize.  You wouldn’t want that!!  So a big Thank You for all your great comments ahead of time and for following me!  I can’t wait to give away these awesome patterns!

So where to start?  How about with a big THANK YOU for stopping by my humble and very new blog?  What is this blog, out of the many many blogs, about you ask?  Well that is a good question!  About 5 months ago I started testing patterns.  Sewing patterns that is, to be more specific PDF sewing patterns.  Do you know how many amazing designers there out in the PDF pattern world?  Lots!  And I have had the pleasure and honor to test for a dozen of them!!  But we will get to those patterns later, and trust me you won’t want to miss that!  When testing these patterns, one of the many questions I usually get asked is, “Do you have a blog?”  The answer is always, “no”.  Well after being asked fifty million times and almost everyone suggesting to get one, I finally caved.  So here we are today.  My blog about testing PDF patterns!  Oh did I mention that I always photograph the outcomes of said patterns?  Yes there will be photography as well, mostly of my 3 kiddos modeling.  So fair warning, if you don’t like seeing three cute kids in awesome clothing strutting their stuff in front of the camera lens…then this is not the blog for you!  But if you can’t get enough of all of that like me, then welcome!!!

So I’m sure you want to know a little about the person behind the blog, camera, and sewing machine.  As you may have guessed my name is Rebekah.  I have been sewing since I was little.  I first learned on an old machine, the ones with the exposed belts, at the Boys and Girls Club of America.  I think the first things I ever sewed were a book cover and skirt. Sadly I don’t have these items anymore as I would love to see where it all began.  I didn’t really start sewing, like all the time sewing, till I was an adult though.  And the testing, well that started after baby girl was born!  And that was also when I discovered so many amazing PDF patterns, honestly didn’t really know about the world of PDFs until then!

Now if you remember, this blog is not only about sewing but is about photography as well (although there may be a smidge more of sewing).  My first real camera, and by real I mean SLR camera, was a film Pentax camera.  I had to buy one for a photography class in high school.  However my love soon turned to Nikon cameras after I bought a Nikon aperture priority camera from a tag sale.  I seriously loved that camera!!  I became a Nikon lover since then.  I did try a Canon at one point and well, let’s just say I now shoot with a Nikon again.  Sorry Canon lovers!  Anyways at one point I was going to be a photographer and even was an apprentice to a professional photographer.  However I found marketing too expensive so decided not to go down that career path.  So now I just do it for fun.

Which brings me to my current career, and really the career I absolutely love!  I went into Nursing. I am proud to say that in May I finally graduated Nursing school!!!  I am currently working per diem at my local hospital!  It’s just amazing the joy that finding the right career can bring.

Now for my full time job…motherhood.  I am a single mom to three beautiful children ranging in ages from 5months-6yrs.  They are the joy of my life!  Life can get crazy though and not to mention full of surprises.  So be patient with me and don’t plan on seeing a post everyday.  I am going to commit to at least once a week.  More if possible, but as they say, “Life happens while you plan.”  So we will just go with the flow of life!

Wow I have written a TON!  I was worried about not having anything to say, and yet I can find myself going on and on.  Well I think that is enough for one night.  There will be plenty of time to continue to discover just how this blog will unfold.  I will leave you with these images though!  Here are my three kids and one of all of us.  Enjoy!

Tonight I will be posting my first official post!! Come back then to “meet” me!