First day of school with Made for Mermaids

This post contains affiliate links and coupon codes

Just in case you are not much into reading it all and just like to look at the pictures : ) I'll post the deals first 20% off Made for Mermaids HERE with code M4MB2S
And the cute removable bows for socks by 421 Myers Design Studio $2 off with code 421ABC1 HERE

Tear drop Tear drop...yes first day of school ever will be here in a few weeks for my daughter.  OK, in real life, no tear drops,  She will be starting preschool which is just a few hours a day a few days a week.  Kindergarten...yes when that comes real tear drops.  Preschool does require a little headed to school sewing.  Mila aught to be the Best Dressed right : ).  Or will she arrive home covered in paint and glue?  Made for Mermaids has become one of my very favorite pattern companies so when I was asked to participate in this blog tour I jumped at the chance and had to feature two of my many M4M favs.

I decided to share my Harper Dress and the Samantha Skirt.  I went with a Moda vintage print fabric from my local quilt shop.  The line is called 30's playtime.  If my husband would allow it I would walk right back into the quilt shop and buy every last yard of the whole line because I am in love with it and it's no longer in print.

 Look at those cute little tiny elephants!!!  The Harper was a perfect match with this blue print and my daughters blue eyes.  Yes I am a dork.  I chose the blue to match her eyes.  Anyone else do that?  She has fantastic blue eyes : ).  I may be a bit biased since I am her mommy.

I love the Harper!  This was my first time sewing it up.  I shortened it because I wanted a more vintage look.  I like vintage length.  I think I just cut the skirt somewhere in between  the dress length and the tunic length and hopped for the best.  Yay, it worked.  This dress is my favorite think to date that I have sewn for Mila!  I paired it with big bow socks.  The bow socks is a new pattern by 421 Studios.  The Bows are actually removable and interchangeable.  She includes a template for making the bow and all required measurements.  They are AMAZING and I plan to have them in every craft fair I participate in.

You can grab the pattern for the socks HERE and make sure to use coupon code 421abc1 to receive $2 off your purchase.

I should maybe talk about outfit #2  : ).  The Samantha skirt!  I did change my look a little by stitching the straps to the outside of the waist band.  I just added a few inches to the length of the straps.  I see this skirt being part of Mila's wardrobe for years to come.  And probably in my Big Cartel shop as well.  It is cute and simple to sew.  In my opinion All M4M patterns are.  I LOVE that I do not have to cut off the edges when taping the patterns together.  Man, that cuts prep time in half it not more.  I think this skirt pairs perfectly with the vintage inspired fabric as well.

The back is just as cute as the front! : )  Plus allows for a more adjustable look/sizing.

This is really one really great blog tour with LOTS and LOTS of inspiration looks, so make sure to hit up every stop!!!!!  It's the last day so that make that easy : )

Aug 8 - Lily Shine Boutique   Wild & Wanderful   Paisley Roots

Aug 9 - Handmade boy   Coles Corner & Creations   Pattern Revolution

Aug 10 - Pear Berry Lane   Snickerdoodle Stew   Squishy Face Collection

Aug 11 - Not Sew Plain Jane   Three Penguins   Sweet Red Poppy

Aug 12 - Better Dressed Child   Sew Sophie Lynn   Sew & Tell Project

Coupon!  Awesome during the tour Make sure to use the code M4MB2S to save 20% off patterns.  So stock up! : )

Now be aware, I have lots more photos to share : )  They were just to cute to not overdo it : )

"whats that nogaroo cover you are wearing"

Sweetest little girls ever! : )

Hey you! Look at how cute we are in our Made for Mermaids outfits : )

They found a Cicada : ) They were pretty impressed by it's size

Thank you so much for stopping by !!!!!

Swim Tour 2016

Summer is my favorite of the seasons!  We spend just about every day at the pool, and the weekend at one of out 10,000 lakes : ).  When I was asked to participate in this tour I jumped at the chance. Mila can never have enough swimsuits with how much she is in water.  Plus swim suits are FUN to sew!  It's something different from all the cotton dresses I tend to sew.

I choose to create the Classic Maillot by Call Ajaire.  This pattern is full of options.  Just see her illustration bellow : )

I choose view G with a bit of my own twist.    Obviously I added the ruffle along the front bodice.  I did not line the skirt of the tankini but just hemmed it instead, and I added a some width to the back and closed it in with a pleat.  All together I love the look.  It's fun and Mila likes it.

I bought all of the fabric at Hancock Fabrics.  Anyone else out there want to cry about Hancock's closing : (.  I loved them!

Discounts just because these ladies are Fabulous!-
During the tour Designs by Call Ajaire is offering 20% off all patterns in the Etsy shop using the code SWIMTOUR
Gracious Threads is offering 15% off the purchase of 3 or more patterns in her shop (no coupon needed)
The Wolf and the Tree is offering 15% off patterns in her shop using the code SWIMTOUR as well.

And make sure to stop at all of these amazing bloggers for more summer swimwear inspiration and  reviews.

Make sure to take a few minutes to visit Call Ajaire, Gracious Threads, and The Wolf and the Tree and of course the rest of the lovely blogs we have on the tour:

Imagine Gnats - Buzzmills - Sprouting JubeJube 

Our Chez Nous - Replicate Then Deviate - Once Upon a Sewing Machine

Once Upon a Sewing Machine - Kadiddlehopper - Lulu & Celeste - Skirt As Top - Needle and Ted 

Straight Stitch Designs - Rebel & Malice - Rae Gun Ramblings

Paisley Roots - Made by Sara - The Crazy Tailor - Skirt Fixation

Sew Chibi Designs - Max California - Better Dressed Child - Shaffer Sisters

Sew Country Chick - Handmade Frenzy - House of Estrela - Elegance & Elephants - SewsNBows

Join in on the Summer Swimwear Tour fun by using the hashtag #sewswimtour to share your favorite swimwear makes.  And don't forget to enter the rafflecopter below to win some fabulous prizes from our sponsors!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thread Faction Blog Tour

Hi, it's me Kimmie Sew Crazy.  I decided to change the name.  I was getting a bit confused between Kimmie Sew Crazy and Better Dressed Child so I made it easy and combine the two.  

I am sharing today a new to me pattern company called Thread Faction.  When Liz (owner at Thread Faction) asked if I would like to join a certainly jumped at the chance after seeing the patterns.

I love the modern, comfy look.  Knit is really my favorite fabric type of fabric to sew and to dress Mila in so I knew I would be using these patterns on a regular basis for years to come.

I should let you know that I did alter almost every pattern shown just to be fun, and maybe a bit lazy : ).  I added a cuff to the top (pattern #104) just so I would not need to hem : ).  Yes, lazy.  I like it though but I think I like the original intended look a little better.  I also did the binding in my own way on the tank and the neckline of #104.  Uggg, I wish I would have went with the correct way,  I think it had a more professional look.  I will have to make sure I share my next version.  I will do that one as shown: ).

I used 3 of the patterns for this post.  #103 the shorties shorts which I LOVE!!!!  , #104 the tank, and #105 the hi low top.  All three work so well together.  My photo shoot day was actually perfect for the combo.  It was 70 degrees but kept going from sunny and hot to cloudy and cool.  

Here are a few more versions I created : )

This is #104 but I added a 4" ruffle and a few bows.  I also have #103 under the nightgown.  Mila was in real need of summer pajamas!  

And I had created a few rompers that have been a hit for my Better Dressed business.  

Final thoughts on the actual pattern-  Fit excellent!  Instructions- my favorite kind, no fluff, not over done, perfect easy to read excellent pictures.  Really I can not say enough on the directions.  This is a pattern company I WILL be buying more patterns from.

Thanks again Liz for inviting me to participate!

More on the blog tour-  LEAVE A COMMENT!  ONE LUCKY COMMENT will win a FREE Thread Faction PATTERN.

Follow along on the tour by stopping with all of these awesome blog stops!

26/5 Nap Time Creations Miss Castelinhos Swoodson Says Needles to say 27/5 Made By Sara Sew Not Perfect Hello Holli Whisk 'em 28/5 House of Estrela Made By Amanda Rose Max California Brave Fabrics 29/5 Create 3.5 Bless by Tone The College Seamstress 30/5 Ma Me Mi Mo Paisley Roots Skirt Fixation 31/5 Sew Very Rebel and Malice Call Ajaire 1/6 Better Dressed Child Buzzmills Handmade Frenzy 2/6 Lamb and ewe crafts All Things Beautiful Pen, Seb & Rox

Hawthorne Threads and Lucy Star Dress

Hawthorne Threads and the Lucy Star Dress

 So...What happens when you combine the Lucy Star Dress with Hawthorne Threads?  How about one of the most adorable little dresses you have ever seen.  I have been waiting awhile for the Lucy Star Dress Release by Snazzie Drawers ever since setting my eyes on the doll versions. I had made the doll version in this post.  Once the pattern was released I knew that it had to be created in this new line by Hawthorne Threads- Cotton Tail.

This dress is meant to be dressy, but sew it up in a high quality cotton and it's an everyday dress that is a whole lot cuter than anything you could find at the Gap (by the way I love the Gap).

The custom prints by Hawthorne Threads is the perfect cotton line for this pattern.  They have a high thread count but are not thick.  With all the detail; this dress needs a thinner cotton.  If you have purchased any of Hawthorne Threads custom lines you know it has a different feel, it is crisp (still soft) and light weight.  Absolutely perfect for this pattern.

A Tips for sewing Hawthorne Threads lines- Use an extra sharp thin needle.  I used a needle meant for silk and it was perfect.  I also did not pre-wash the fabric.  The pre-washing is really a personal preference.  For me I like the outcome on woven fabrics without the pre-wash.  The fabric will come with a care tag for best sewing results.

 

This dress was Mila's Easter dress.  Every single person who looked at her complemented her on her dress : ).  She also spilt everything possible on the collar.  Really...everything.  I am not sure if it is the thread count or what but not a single stain, and the dress was not washed until the next day.

We just love photo shoots, uggg...no.  Really she is not a big fan  We need to run outside and play, then the photo shoots are just bit more fun!

Ok, now lets just bring on Spring Minnesota! 

Here are a few more pictures : )

Did you know if you leave off the skirt the Lucy Star Dress is a really cute top pattern as well : )

Here are a few other items I have sewn up with the Cotton Tail Line

This top pattern is by See Kate Sew the Manhattan Blouse

Last three : )  A review for Pattern Revolution, Foo Foo Threads new patterns

For the Fabric- http://www.hawthornethreads.com/fabric/designer/hawthorne_threads/cottontail
For the dress Pattern- http://www.snazziedrawers.com/collections/patterns/products/lucy-star-child-dress-pattern

Thanks for reading