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/

Pattern Testing: Legends Mommy and Me Dress

I am extremely excited to write this post! Sew Straight and Gather is one of my most favourite pattern companies. Aside from the obvious reason - that I like the look of what I can make with them - I also love the actual patterns themselves. Layers and Trimless pages always impress me and so does navigation links within the pattern. Oh and the icing on the cake, supporting a local Canadian (Albertan) business!

This is my second time testing for Sew Straight and Gather but my first time blogging about it. I tested the Metro Pullover for myself before Christmas. I've also made myself a lovely Uptown Downtown dress out of a wintry bamboo french terry and have plans for a sleeveless maxi dress for summer.

 Now for the legend dress. We are headed to Cuba in May and in dire need of some comfortable resort wear. Even though it is February in Alberta, I went sleeveless with these matching mommy and me dresses. I decided to go with the Dress View A, but there are a total of 4 views with this pattern! I used a super soft cotton/lycra custom knit that I have been hoarding from Fabric Snob since I got it last spring.

        

The only different between the two dresses I made is that the toddler dress is lined with pink and hemmed with pink thread. My dress is lined with the same grey and white and hemmed with white thread.

We even had a fun little mommy and me photo session. I don't have many nice photos of just the two of us as I'm usually behind the camera, so I know I will cherish these next ones.

 Thanks so much for stopping by to check out my blog. Can you believe this is already my third post?

You can find the Legends Patterns Here. There is a special 3 day sale to celebrate the release for $5 CDN for each pattern (that's approx $3.75 USD!) While you're at it, why don't you join the Sew Straight and Gather Pattern Co. CLUB Facebook Group.

I STILL haven't figured out how to link up my instagram account to this blog. I really better get on that.

Cheers! Michelle