Carey Top By Itch to Stitch - release and sale

Here is the newest pattern from Itch to Stitch Designs - the Carey Top. I think this is one of my favourite things I have sewn for myself! It is a lovely simple design, but with great details that make it stand out from the crowd!

The Carey top has elbow-length drawstring-gathered dolman sleeves, for which you could use a contrasting fabric for the shoulder panels to add an extra detail - a couple of the testers used lace which looked amazing and really added a 'dressy' feel to the top!

You can make your drawstrings out of matching fabric (pattern and instructions are all included), or you could just use purchased cord.

It has a round neck line which is neatly finished with a bias strip (which is hidden on the inside) and it has a shirt tail hem - which is more flattering than a straight hem!

There are lengthen/shorten lines and instructions included so you can customise for your height, or it could even be lengthened to tunic or dress length.

I like to wear my top with a belt, as it suits my shape best that way, but I have also worn it for work with a high-waisted skirt, which gives it another style!

The instructions are really detailed with great images - this pattern is aimed at more confident beginners - and it is a quick one to sew up!

I love the flowy style of this top - I made mine in chiffon, but you could use any sort of silky fabric with good drape - and you could even use knit!

The pattern comes in a good range of sizes - from 00 – 20, but don't worry about all the printer ink that would use up - you can select only the sizes you need with the layers feature!

The pattern is 20% off now (for the first month - no code needed), and there is also an additional 15% off for the first week if any two or more patterns are purchased together - the code for this is posted in the Itch to Stitch Designs group.

Check out some of the other testers take on this top, and see some more details HERE.

Go straight to the pattern HERE!

Heavy and Mini Hauler Tote Bag pattern by Two Pretty Poppets

Now released is the next pattern from Two Pretty Poppets - The Heavy Hauler Tote Bag - which you can make as a large or mini bag

First up, here is the large version - designed to carry large loads - the strong handles go all the way under the outer pocket, across the bottom and back up the other side - making it suitable to carry bottles of water, or, as I am reliably informed THREE bottles of wine! Now, that'd be a great picnic!!

You could also use it to carry heavy folders to work, or books to the library and you can even fit a laptop in!

There are frames that support the opening of the bag, they add structure, and hold the bag open so you can load it up.

The bag comes together beautifully and the instructions have lots of helpful pictures that make it really easy to follow along with the steps.

Next, here is the mini version - still a strong sturdy bag, just for a slightly smaller load! The stitched grab handles add a really cute detail!

I decided to make mine as a lunch bag, so I used laminated cotton for the outer fabric and used PUL for the lining, so the bag is completely waterproof.

This time I left the optional pocket off the outside, and made a slight modification to the lining to make a simple little slip pocket - this is somewhere I can pop an ice pack, and there is even a little slot for some cutlery!

The pattern is available NOW at a special release price of $4.50 USD but only for a limited time.
(www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/2657567 and www.etsy.com/shop/twoprettypoppets)

Sasha Easy Fit pattern by Laela Jeyne Patterns

So, we're finally getting a bit of sunshine in the UK - time to do some summer sewing for me!!

The Sasha Easy Fit is a great versatile pattern to add to your collection - options for dress, blouse and romper - yes you read that right - romper! They're not just for kids!!

I think I like mine best styled with a belt - but there is elastic at the waist to keep it fitted perfectly to you as well.

I chose to add the optional sleeves to my romper, and there is also the option to add a pretty lace insert to the back.

Mine is made with a light drapey knit, and is super comfy! Knit definately works best with the romper, as it gives you the stretch you need to get it up over your shoulders!!

And what about trips to the bathroom I here you ask?! Well again, because I used stretchy knit - it's easy to pull to one side ;) So no need to fully undress, lol!!!

Next I made the blouse - this time the sleeveless option and I used chiffon for a nice floaty top (it's hard to see in the pictures, but there are lots of tiny cats on the fabric - CUTE!!!)

There are lots of great images and fitting instructions in the pattern - as well as finished garment measurements to allow you to compare to your own measurements, so you can get the perfect fit for you.

Marisa, the designer, took all the testers opinions into account during the testing, so as to make this pattern as great as it can be!

The pattern is available now HERE and is on sale at just $5.40 (There is also a 40% off sale shop wide!!)

Goin' Uptown Tote pattern release by Two Pretty Poppets

Here is the latest pattern release from Two Pretty Poppets - the Goin' Uptown Tote - a practical and roomy bag, perfect for all sorts of uses!

It's a large bag with two outer pockets - ideal for your phone and keys - you know the things you always lose at the bottom of your handbag!!

I chose to add feet to the bottom of my bag, just to make it longer lasting and to protect the bottom and the pretty piping detail from getting dirty when I put the bag down!

You can arrange your fabric in various ways - and because it's such a good sized bag, it really shows off prints well!

The pattern is very easy to follow, especially for a more complicated bag - over 100 colour photos make each step really clear.

The bag has a recessed zip, to keep all your belongings safe, and another zipped pocket on the inside. With all that space it would make an excellent nappy bag!

Get your copy of the pattern HERE for the bargain price of $5.95. And to keep up to date with other pattern releases, check out the Facebook Page.

Head over to the Facebook Group to see details of the Sew Your Own competition - featuring prizes from the following pattern designers (amongst others!)

Hey June - Biscayne Blouse - Testing and pattern release

Not so long ago I tested the Evergreen Jacket for Adrianna at Hey June - and I absolutely loved it!! A great pattern - and now one of my most worn jackets!! So when I saw the testing call for the latest Hey June pattern - the Biscayne Blouse - I jumped at the chance to test again!

This blouse is totally my style! I love to chuck a floaty top on over a pair of leggings - so I can run around after the kids, be comfy, but still keep some feminine styling! I added a belt to mine, to give my waist a bit more definition.

There are some lovely details on the blouse - a little welt pocket, which is optional - but I think it adds a little bit of extra 'something' (but it was really hard to photograph on this fabric!!!), and a super clever placket that hides the buttons and gives a really sleek finish.

There is also the option to lengthen the blouse - I chose to do this, because I wanted it to sit a little lower and cover my bottom!

At the front neckline on each side and at the centre back neckline there is a little bit of gathering, which just adds some nice shaping to the blouse.

I was a little nervous about using chiffon, but all the more fiddly bits of the pattern are interfaced, so it was actually really easy! You could just go with a cotton fabric if you want to work with something more stable, or use a rayon for a bit more drape.

The instructions are really clear and easy to follow - and some great images help out with each step - particularly some of the more fiddly bits!

I love that I can also dress the blouse up with a high-waisted skirt and look really smart for work too!

Get the pattern now while it's still on sale HERE ($8 instead of $10). And check out what some of the other testers did in THIS blog post - there are some seriously pretty tops!!

E+M Patterns Dress Pattern No.19 - Release & Sale

Here it is - the latest pattern release from E+M Patterns - Dress Pattern No.19!! Another beautifully conceived and intelligently constructed pattern from the designer Allison!

As always with E+M Patterns, the finish on the inside is as important as the looks and style on the outside of the dress - this is not a 'quick and dirty' sew! This is a work of sewing art!! All the seams are either completely enclosed or finished so there are no raw edges - I just love this attention to detail.

The pattern comes with lots of different options - Sleeveless, short, cap or flutter sleeves - the bias around the neck can tie at the back or the front where there is a cute little keyhole detail, or you can leave the ties off completely and just have the button closure at the back.

This is a looser fitting dress - so perfect for playing, running and jumping - and the waist is fitted with elastic in a casing, so is really comfy and easy to move around in. And just look at those pretty little pintucks on the front!

We went with the short sleeve version, and chose to have the ties at the back. I let Little B have free reign at the fabric shop, and she picked out this sweet colourful dickie bird fabric! I think she loves her 'birdie dress', as she calls it, all the more for having made some of the decisions!

As always the pattern is really easy to follow, with clear images to help you out with each step, and the sizing is spot on! The pattern comes in sizes 2-10 years. A new feature for E+M Patterns is the no trim pattern pages - all the quicker to assemble and get sewing!!

The pattern is available now and is on sale for $5 until Wednesday night at midnight (regular price is $8).

Where to buy:
Website: www.empatterns.com/allpatterns/dress-pattern-no19
Etsy: www.etsy.com/…/235317…/dress-pattern-no19-pdf-sewing-pattern
Craftsy: http://www.craftsy.com/…/dress-pattern-no19---sizes-…/147082

And if you want to follow E+M Patterns:
FB Page: www.facebook.com/empatternspage
FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/EMPatterns/