Junebug Pattern Testing

Good Afternoon! Jennifer for here, after a loooong break from blogging!

I just had to share this pattern I recently tested for Jess over at Craftiness is Not Optional called the Junebug Dress.

This was Jess' first attempt at pattern making and it turned out fabulous, just like everything she does!! She created a Junebug Sew-Along back in 2011 and I participated then (really was it that long ago?) and I loved how it turned out.

The pattern comes in the option to create it as a dress or tunic with sleeves or without. I chose the sleeveless tunic and added it some fun pink pom-pom trim to the bottom, SO glad I did I feel like it really makes the top!!!

The pattern was very easy to follow and clear. It came together fairly quickly, and would have come together even quicker if I didn't make careless mistakes and have to seam rip (when I get really excited about a project, I go a little too fast and don't pay close enough attention - whoops!).

I love the different options and if you check out her post on all the others that tested the pattern, you can see how versatile the pattern really is. If you are interested in the pattern, you can purchase it here. And now, enjoy some pictures of Cupcake showing off her new top. She's become quite the ham as she's gotten older :-)

Really - how cute is she?

One of her fabulous "poses"

Her modeling potential is just astounding ;-)

Love these buttons I purchased form Pick Your Plum

Pom Pom Trim close-up, also purchased from PYP

Onesie Clothes line/Baby Shower

Hello all, I recently threw a baby shower for my sister! I created a clothes line full of onesies and a pair of shorts! 

I made a few different onesies..a plane, an anchor, a tie, and a bow ties with suspenders.  I found the tie onesie tutorial onlineTie Tutorial and used that for my pattern. I just looked up on google a few pictures of a plane, anchor and a bow tie. I used light weight interfacing and ironed it on and it was sewable as well. I did a zig zag stick on it to secure it in place for washing purposes.

I also did a few other fun favors for the party it was a she’s poping type themed shower so we made popcorn and tagged them with a “thanks for popping in”. Popcorn bags receipeWe also made marshmallow pops to go along with it! We made a sweets table as well! I also put together a diaper cake for decoration!

It is pretty simple to do: you gather the items you would like to add to the cake and start with a rubber band and begin rolling diapers and adding them to it and repeat for each layer. I used a empty paper towel roll to hold it all together. I also helped connect it with some receiving blankets as well! You just need a cardboard cake bottom for under it! I used some pins to hold the socks in and the teddy bear!  

Me Sew Crazy Projects

Good Afternoon, Jennifer here to report on two Me Sew Crazy tutorials I attempted recently. I follow Jessica's blog and love so much of what she creates! I finally took the plunge and tried out two of her tutorials.

For the first project, I made my Cupcake's Easter dress using the Spring Fever Dress tutorial. The tutorial was great, it provided a free pattern for sizes 2T - 5! For the most part, the tutorial was very clear. I did struggle with the back of the dress (which was one of my favorite parts of the dress!) but once I posted my question on the blog, Jess emailed me back with a more in depth explanation and I was able to work my way through it. Although the tutorial was clear and provided many pictures, I continued to struggle through the dress. I think I used my seam ripper more than I ever have on any other project. But, beside the back piece, all my mistakes were just not paying close enough attention while I was working - thank goodness for the seam ripper, right? If I made the dress again, I would probably make the skirt more of an A-line rather than straight, so it would look a little fuller. Other than that, I love how it turned out! Unfortunately, I was distracted and didn't take any pictures on Easter day of Cupcake wearing it. The next time she wears it, I will make sure to take some photos.

Close-up of the back of the dress

My second Me Sew Crazy project was The Bustle Backpack. I found this tutorial a while back and pinned it, knowing if I decided to make Cupcake a backpack, this had to be the one! With Cupcake being potty trained, I had less of a reason to lug a big diaper bag along, but I still needed something to carry a few items with us. I decided a backpack she could wear and I could carry would be perfect. I took Cupcake to JoAnn to pick out fabric. She originally chose a bright pink which I was fine with, then she pointed to several different colors and finally settled on a lime green.

This tutorial, just like the Spring Fever Dress was concise and clear. I was a little nervous that this was going to be a very time consuming project as I looked at all the little bustles all over the adorable backpacks Jess made. I went ahead and jumped in. Making the circles didn't take much time at all. It was a little monotonous sewing the circles on the backpack but it really didn't take too incredibly long. Once the circles were all attached, the rest of the backpack came together very easily. I got it done during two of Cupcake's naps and when I showed it to her she was very excited! She immediately wanted the bag and said she needed to put books in it. She filled it up with lots of books and carried it around all afternoon. It is a little big on Cupcake's shoulders, but I know that means she will grow into it. It has worked out really well when we are out and about and I love how it turned out!

Cupcake showing off her new "pack pack" as she calls it

Checking out her treasures

Thanks Jessica for two great tutorials. I can't wait to try more projects from her site!