Refashion Month 2016

I am extremely excited to join in on the Refashion Month Blog Tour Hosted by House of Estrela. Head on over to her blog to see so many amazing examples of ways to reuse your otherwise discarded clothing. Learning how to refashion existing clothing is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and an extremely affortable way to sew your own clothing. I always love a good refashion (although I usually call it an upcycle). I might switch to refashion though because it is a much nicer and more upscale word, worthy of custom made to measure clothing. Read on to see what I made...

For the top, I decided to upcycle a nightgown into an Essential Tank from Pattern for Pirates. I bought this pattern during their memorial day sale and wanted to test out the tank version before I try the maxi dress. The fit is great and it is super comfortable and light. 

Earlier this spring I started to plan out a capsule wardrobe using the sudoku style wardrobe I learned about through the Free Notion Blog. One of the pieces I decided to try out was a woven version of the very popular Brassie Joggers from Greenstyle Creations. My hubby had this amazing pair of woven athletic style pants from Lululemon sitting in his drawer that he hadn't worn in 5+ years. I elected to size up one from my suggested knit size and I love the results. I used the lower rise option but would likely opt for the mid rise option if I made these in woven again. If you look closely, you'll notice the lululemon logo and mp3 pocket I was able to keep on the back!

This outfit is the perfect lazy summer day outfit to head to the farmer's market or do some gardening in the yard. The best part is that other than my time it was virtually FREE since I used existing clothing and scrap pieces. I hope you like my outfit as much as I do!

Cheers! Michelle

As always, check out my instagram account for other projects

O Captain! My Captain! A new swimsuit from The Wolf and the Tree

I've been testing for Saskia Smith with The Wolf and the Tree (aff. link) for awhile now. So far, all of the patterns I've tested have been much loved staple patterns that I've been able to use again and again. This new swimsuit pattern, O Captain! My Captain! (aff. link), is no exception. There are literally too many top/bottom combinations for me to count. (Although I'm sure someone who can math well could probably figure it out.)

I pre-tested this pattern using one of my most favourite swim fabrics, a wonderful grey and white striped swim knit with mint polka dots from Marshall Fabrics in Edmonton. I've also used it for a swimsuit of my own, posted here. I love the print on this swim knit and I also love that it's not the typical bright pink princessy colours you see for toddler girls suits in the stores. This is an early version, so fit has changed a little, but the overall looks is very much the same. The top is the full length tankini with short sleeves. The bottoms are the regular rise with yoga band.

For the Official Test, I changed it up and made the colourblock bikini length with short sleeves. I found an awesome ladies swimsuit at a local thrift store which I was able to cut up and upcycle into this suit. I didn't have quite enough of the pattern/purple so I did add in some pink sleeves from a swim knit I had on hand.

I also did up another tankini length top with long sleeves in this solid hot pink swim knit. I love having the option of a long sleeve top for the sun protection (and extra warmth in cooler water). Plus the hot pink top matches great with the patterned bottoms as well as both of the swim and surf shorts I made a few weeks ago and blogged about here.

This pattern has a massive size range of 12 months all the way up to 14. My little one is only in size 2T now so I forsee MANY uses of this pattern over the next 10 or so years. Oh, and there's talk of a Ladies pattern, so I guess she'll be covered for life! Don't forget to grab your copy of O Captain! My Captain! (aff. link) while the pattern is on sale for $8.

As always, check out more of my projects on Instagram

Cheers! Michelle

Gazelle Biker Shorts - The Wolf and the Tree Blog Tour

I'm so excited to be a part of this blog tour for The Wolf and the Tree! (affiliate link). I've already written about Gazelle here but I'm back with another pair of biker shorts "AKA Run Shorts"

I love longer run shorts. No matter how good of shape i'm in, I always have a little thigh chafe after running unless I'm wearing proper spandex (long) run shorts. I have a pair that I truly love from lululemon (bought long before I started sewing clothes) but at $60 per pair, I've been making it work with just the one.... and let's be honest, a girl needs more than one pair!

...enter the Gazelle. I made a pair of biker shorts length during testing out of a mystery thicker cotton lycra to try things out and although they do work for running, I'm a little worried about their non-wicking capabilities. I set out to find some athletic wicking knit at my amazing local fabric store Marshall Fabrics and was able to grab some deep blue athletic fabric for $14.99 per meter (and I only needed 0.7 meters!). 

So, basically I managed to make myself a brand new pair of run shorts for $10.50 CDN and about 30 minutes of sewing time. I used the lowest rise and made the yoga band double wide. I tested them out this week and they work great. Best of all, hubby looked at me all ready for my run and said "did you make those or buy those" to which I replied, "I made them", and then he said "wow, good job". I will take that as a sewing win!

Somehow, I managed to go from running in jacket, pants, toque and mitts on Monday to running in (unfortunately store bought) tank and my Gazelle shorts on Tuesday. I'm not entirely sure what to think about the current weather situation, but i'm sick of Winter so i'll take it!

I also thought i'd share with you a fun little collage I made mostly from tester pics of many of The Wolf and the Tree patterns. I have a designer crush on Saskia Smith, she makes such awesome staple patterns that I will be using again and again and again and again and again!

You can get your own copy of the patterns HERE (affiliate link). Use the code YellowRibbon to save 25% through Monday May 30, 2016. Be sure to check out the other blogs this week as no two have sewn the same item!

5/23/2016	Amy Carter	http://wallyandgrace.blogspot.com
5/24/2016	Patricia	www.sewfarnorth.wordpress.com
5/25/2016	Heather Tinkey Jones	http://allthingskaty.blogspot.com/
5/26/2016	Essence	Adventureswithbubbaandbug.wordpress.com
5/27/2016	Michelle	http://littleheartthreads.blogspot.ca/
5/28/2016	Kelly	www.handmadeboyblog.com
5/28/2016	Larissa	www.connectedbyathread.wordpress.com

Tutu Twirl Tunic featuring Black Rabbit Fabrics

I was chosen to test the T Shirt Tunic from Winterwear Designs. I have been testing Free Motion Applique (FMA) for Suzanne Winter the designer behind Winterwear Designs for awhile now, but this is my first pattern test for her. I made 2 different versions of the Tunic, the first with 3/4 sleeves and the second with tank cuffs.

I used all knits from Black Rabbit Fabrics, an online Canadian company from British Columbia. The owl is a gorgeous custom knit that you might remember from here. I love that it's a print that looks just as good on a 2 year old as a 32 year old!

The "Read." is a cutting file for the Silhouette or Cricut cutting machine. There are 5 different files included with the pattern. I got a Cricut Explore for Christmas a few years back and I love it! I didn't have any iron on vinyl left in my stash so I chose to do a freezer paper stencil. I love freezer paper stenciling with fabric paint. I followed this tutorial from Dana Made It the first time I did one.

As you can tell we had a lot of fun taking these photos. Jumping on the bed gets a lot of giggles and when you're 2, and every new dress deserves a good twirl!

For the Tank Tunic, I used this gorgeous strikeoff fabric also from Black Rabbit Fabrics. I couldn't resist adding in a book with this one too. How gorgeous are these prints! Preorder should open today and run through March 25th.

 

And how awesome are those tights! As always they are the Abby's Footed Tights from The Wolf and the Tree. They are probably one of my top patterns. I love having them in some fairly neutral colours so that I can pair them with almost anything.

In fact, they are so awesome they help you fly!

...and another spin with another new dress!

I had some extra strike off fabric so I decided to make yet another dress. What a lucky girl! This time I used the Urban Garden Dress from Sew Straight and Gather. This might be one of the cutest dresses I've ever made! I love the little flounce and I'm glad I decided to use it since it is optional in the pattern.

Photo shoots 3 days in row might have been a bit annoying for this girl but she powered through like a champ. And to celebrate, I made her a matching doll outfit (Swirly Pop Doll Tights are in testing right now from The Wolf and the Tree!) 

    

     

I better run before this post gets even longer! Remember to checkout my instagram feed for other sewing creations.

Cheers, Michelle

Pattern Test: Over Under Racer with KBSD

I'm pretty excited for this next one because it is the first time I have sewn any workout gear for myself. I don't know about you, but I always run faster if I look fast.... and I definitely look fast in the new KB Stitch Designs Over Under Racer. I ended up using a mix of swim knit and power type mesh for this tank. I didn't have quite enough length so I used a band instead of hemming. I also did binding around the neck and armcycles and love how it turned out.

I am not a winter running fan. As soon as the weather gets below -10 Celcius, I am no longer having fun. I blame it on poor genes and even poorer circulation. Luckily, we have been having an extremely mild winter for Alberta. I was able to run outside twice last week after work in sunny, +10 weather. I managed to catch a bad cold virus this week but come next week I will be back at it again. 

I'm all signed up for Melissa's 10km road race in September, a grueling 10km run with quite a bit of Elevation gain in the Rocky Mountains. My last Road Race was The Other Half in Moab, Utah in 2012. It was by no means my personal best since I managed to find myself 15 weeks pregnant on Race Day.

I'm really hoping for a personal best this year. My run jacket has a quote on it that says "Run with your heart, not with your legs". I think that might be my motto for this running season. In fact, I should probably make myself another Over Under Tank that says just that.

Cheers! Michelle

A Little Touch of Spring with the Seville Cropped Cardigan

I just tested one of the best most versatile cardigan patterns that will easily become a staple in my daughter's wardrobe. One of my struggles with kids clothes is how short they are able to wear each piece of clothing due to the seasons changing. Ah the joys of life in Canada.

Enter the Seville Cropped Cardigan by Terra's Treasures - a super cute cardigan with 2 options of either long sleeve or mid sleeve length. Oh and the best part about this cardigan is that if you choose not to top-stitch, this entire knit project can be made on your serger! I was selected to test the mid sleeve option and couldn't be happier as I am busy getting clothing sewn up that can double as resort wear when we head to Cuba in May.

The outfit above features the Seville Cropped Cardigan in a mystery white jersey knit with decent 4 way stretch, the Emily Dress by Mummykins and Me with Free Motion Applique Puppy Dog from Winter Wear Designs. The tights are of course Abby's Footed Tights from The Wolf and the Tree.

As you can see with these 2 very different outfits, this pattern is extremely versatile when sewn up in a neutral colour. Some of the testers used some very bright and fun prints and I love how they turned out too - so I will no doubt need to make a mix of both. Join the Terra's Treasures Facebook Group for an extra special discount code on this pattern (to make it free!)

This outfit features the same Seville Cropped Cardigan but this time I switched it up and made a Girls' Weekender Tunic from 5 out of 4 Patterns with a high low hem in a short sleeve version. The fabric is from a flawed mystery box I bought from Sweet 'n Charmed custom fabric. There were some real gems in that mystery box! I love how springy this outfit feels. It makes up for the face that it is -10 degrees celsius outside (14 F) and very snowy... but seriously doesn't that Tunic just make you want to spin in circles?!

 

I'm impressed I managed to fit in 1 current and 4 older pattern tests into 1 blog post!

As a side note: Check out my instagram page! https://www.instagram.com/michelledschuh/