Cole's Corner and Creations: Dive into Swimsuits

Welcome to day 4 of the Dive into Swimsuits Blog Tour hosted by Cole's Corner and Creations! If you know anything about Nicole (owner of Cole's Corner and Creations) you know she LOVES sewing swimsuits and leotards AND she is amazing at creating ones that look like characters! Well, when I was asked to be a part of this tour, I knew I wanted to create something that would make Nicole proud. I used her All 4 One swimsuit pattern (which is on sale for a whopping $3!) to create Snow White! 

This was my third swimsuit to make. Although this is the "hardest" swimsuit pattern from CCC, I truly believe a beginner can do it! As long as you can sew a zig zag stitch and have some patience, dive in!

The All 4 One bathing suit has FOUR options. I chose the "Pin Up" and just moved the buttons on the waistband instead of below the waistband.  This pattern ranges from sizes 1-5 and include detailed instructions on how to pick out the correct materials and which needles and stitches to use.

 This was my first time adding a lining to a swimsuit. I usually just skip in since Brylee has to wear a swim diaper anyways, but I thought it would be fun to learn....and what a more perfect time than during this blog tour! The purpose of the liner is to give extra protection in areas where girls need it most. You can use swimsuit liner material or extra swimsuit fabric for this piece.

The trickiest part of sewing swimsuits is the binding.  An easy way to describe the way binding is folded on a swimsuit is like double fold bias binding is folded. The only problem is that you don't want to iron swimsuit fabric. I used Clover Wonder Clips to hold my folded fabric in place. I highly recommend these!  

It's time for you to go fabric shopping (who can turn that down?!), specifically for swimsuit fabric, and get started!! Cole's Corner and Creations has a swimsuit sewalong running from May 27 to June 3. You can also check out the other bloggers posts here. 

 Just for fun, check out the difference a year makes in my sweet girl's thighs! Haha! The left is a swimsuit I made last year. :)

Happy sewing!!

Kimberlee

PS: Check out the flyers below to find out more about the Dive into Swimwear sewalong and blog tour!

 

Everyday Character Sewing Contest: Jesse

Yodel-ay-ee-hoo! It's FINALLY time to share my version of Jesse from the fabulous movie, Toy
Story.  When I first read that Pattern Revolution was hosting the Everyday Character Sewing Contest, I racked my brain (and some of my family's and friend's brains too) and made a huge list of possible characters I wanted to create. I kept coming back to Jesse, and once I saw the Lily Lapel dress from the Simple Life Pattern Company, all I could think was "It's you! It's you! It's you!"(as quoted from Jesse)!

 

 I purchased the denim chambray and cotton solids from Joann Fabrics, and I found the brown fabric in my stash. For the red detail on the top, I used a red fabric marker. I originally tried 1/8" red ribbon, but it didn't achieve the look I was going for.

Head on over to Pattern Revolution to vote for Jesse! Just click the heart next to our picture! Thanks in advance for your support!



So long partners,

Kimberlee

Little Kiwi's Closet: Bow Back Beauty Blog Tour

Hello friends and welcome to my stop on the Little Kiwi's Closet: Bow Back Beauty Blog Tour! I'm excited to tell you all about this gorgeous dress (or top!). Let's get started with the details!

Pattern Sizes: Newborn-12 years

Sewing Level: Confident Beginner

Fabric type: Knit (95% cotton, 5% lycra)

Bodice Style Options: Natural waist and hip length

Back options: Bow or plain

Onesie option with or without skirt

Skirt Options: Peplum skirt at waist or hip, double peplum, skirt + peplum, dress (below knee), or Hi-Low

Sleeve Options: Sleeveless, short, short with cuff, or long 

Lydia includes fabric requirement charts and cutting charts in both metric and imperial measurements. She also provides a printing chart so you can choose what pieces to print based on the options you are sewing. (Awesome!!)

For the Bow Back Beauty blog tour, I chose to make a bow back sleeveless dress. One Red Blossom sent me this awesome Robert Kaufman by Ann Kelle Laguna knit fabric! It's so soft, bright, and wonderful! (Go now and check out One Red Blossom! They have a fabulous selection of fabrics, are super fast at shipping, have great pricing, and are lovely to work with!)

 **I should note I made this one with a 12 month top (fits perfect) and an 18 month skirt. My daughter is quite tall and I want it to fit her all summer :) **

 That bow!! <3

 I chose to hem the bottom of my dress with a rolled hem, creating this lettuce edge. Isn't it fabulous! It was my first time doing a rolled hem on knit! Thanks for the instructions, Lydia!

The instructions for the Bow Back Beauty are very thorough in explaining how to sew with knits. They provide options when sewing the bindings and hemming the skirt. The PDf is full of pictures to go along with the detailed instructions. The pattern is a SUPER quick sew and SUPER fun too :)

Thank you so much to Little Kiwi's Closet and Lydia for allowing me to be a part of the Bow Back Beauty Blog Tour! It has been an honor and I look forward to making many more of these dresses and tops!

Oh! Don't forget to hop on over to the other blogs featured on this tour!

And finally, here is your chance to win a copy of the Bow Back Beauty pattern:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Much love,

Kimberlee

Perfect Ten Knit Top Blog Tour

Welcome to day 2 of the Perfect Ten Knit Top Blog Tour! I'm Kimberlee with Harper Creek Boutique, and I'm ready to show you all the awesomeness that is this versatile top! With ten options to customize this knit top, you can have a different top for every day of the week....or month for that matter :)

Let's talk about the details:

• Sizes 12 months to 14 years
• Sleeve options: cap, short, 3/4 and long 
• Hem options: hemband or basic hem
• Tips on sewing with knits
• Fabric requirement chart, size chart and finished measurement chart
• Pattern pieces and fabric cutting charts    
• Very detailed and easy to understand instructions
• Table of contents for the {perfect} ten embellishment options
• Step by step pictures

Before I reveal what options I chose, let me list all of the Perfect Ten options:

Sleeve Detail Options

1. Button tab
2. Bubble sleeve
3. Double ruffle
4. Rouched hem

Bodice Detail Options:

     5.   Heart pocket

     6.   Peter pan collar

     7.   Neckline ruffle

     8.   Ruffle shoulder

     9.   Button placket and ruffle

     10. Bodice bow

For my first Perfect Ten shirt, I made a 12 month size with button placket and ruffle, and double ruffle sleeve. I did forgo the buttons and replaced them with lime green rick rack :)

Aren't those ruffle sleeves to die for?! You can use two layers of knit fabric, two layers of woven fabric, or use a little of each like I did.  

I also used woven fabric for the button tab, but again that can be replaced with knit fabric.

My daughter agrees this pattern is a PERFECT TEN! And you've only seen two of the options.  Let's move on! 

For my second Perfect Ten shirt, I made a peter pan collar with rouched sleeves. 

With clear elastic and fab instructions, the rouched sleeve was super easy and added such a cute touch!

 I used Riley Blake 4-way stretch knit fabric for the shirts. For my first shirt, I followed the instructions for the basic neckband, and for the second one I used fold over elastic. Both easy peasy! The pattern also includes instructions to sew an enclosed neckband.  

Seeing as how my daughter has worn these shirts for the past three days, I'd say it's time for me to head out and make more of these Perfect Ten shirts! 

Happy Sewing, 

Kimberlee 
xoxo


P.S. Here is the schedule for the week :)

The Perfect Ten Knit Top Blog Tour

Friday, February 13th: Kickoff release with Little Lizard King, special tutorial by JAB Creations

Saturday, February 14th: The Cutest Babe on the Block with Harper Creek Boutique

Sunday, February 15th: Sweet and Stylish with Beri Bee Designs

Monday, February 16th: Oh Sew Chic with Daydream Believers

Tuesday, February 17th: Puppy Love with Stitched by Crystal

Wednesday, February 18th: A Knit Panel and Flutter Tutorial by Chasing Mermaids

Thursday, February 19th: A Colorblocking Tutorial by That's Sew Kari

Friday, February 20th: Sassy Style with Blink: Life & Clothing and a Tour Wrap up with Lily Shine Boutique

LLK Sewalong- Day 5 Retro Glam Skirt

Hello again friends!

It's our final day of the Little Lizard King sewalong featuring the Retro Glam skirt! We've already picked out our fabrics, cut out the pattern pieces, constructed the waistband and assembled the skirt. Now it's time to put it all together! 

Take your skirt and turn it inside out. With the waistband right side out, position the front of the waistband between four triangles. This will ensure the front of your Retro Glam skirt is centered. Pin to secure and continue pinning the raw edged of the waistband to the raw edges of the skirt. Sew the two pieces together with a 1/2 seam allowance and serge or zig zag to finish. 

Press the seams towards the waistband, flip your skirt right side out and topstitch. 

I also added a button for decoration....which my 10 month old likes to attempt to pull off. 

If you used buttonhole elastic, we have two more steps. Sew two buttons on, one between each side seam and button hole on the back waistband. 

Finally, thread your elastic through the two button holes and secure by looping one of the buttonholes around the button. 

Your Little Lizard King Retro Glam skirt is complete!! Hooray! Great job sewalong-ers!

It's time to share your finished Retro Glam skirts in the LLK Cafe. You can also follow Little Lizard King on Instagram and Twitter. Make sure to use the hashtag #LLKRetroGlam. We'll be on the lookout for your photo because.......drumroll please..... there are PRIZES!!!! Thats's right! Three lucky skirts will be chosen at LLK Fav, Fan Fav and Participation Winnner! 

It has been such a joy to host the Little Lizard King Retro Glam skirt sewalong! I hope you learned something new, enjoyed a few laughs and now have a beautiful new skirt. 

Before I close, here is my finished skirt:

Until next time! Xoxo,

Kimberlee

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