Sew Coordinated Sewing Kit

{GUEST DESIGNER}

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June 2015 Kit

I am so excited that I was chosen to play Guest Designer this month for Sew Coordinated -- a monthly subscription sewing kit (sign up HERE) brought to you by Mama Made and Beautiful Fabrics.  As you can see, my kit was full of lots of fun and cheerful fabric that I was able to make each of my daughters the dress of their choosing and a matching headband!  I spent the better part of a day carefully laying out my pattern pieces and choosing the best layout to maximize the fabric without altering or compromising any pattern pieces.  I also divvied up the 5 included prints between the girls to best suit their personalities and coloring.  This way, they could coordinate (see what I did there?) without being identical.

... and I was literally left with mere scraps from the 3.5 yards included in my kit!

I'd say I used this kit about as well as it could be.  How about a prettier picture of the fabrics?

*NOTE: Kit is not packaged this way -- staged for photograph

Just look at these gorgeous, fun fabrics by Studio E Fabrics.  This is the Around Town by Small Factory line.  Also included in the kit are 2 buttons by La Moda, fun double-sided ribbon, thread (not photographed), and a clip-on drink holder for my sewing room!

Content details:

• 1 yard Around Town by Small Factory -- #2941-99  (Houses)
• 1 yard Around Town by Small Factory -- #2944-01 (Bicycles)
• 1/2 yard Around Town by Small Factory -- #2945-28 (Dots)
• 1/2 yard Around Town by Small Factory -- #2942-01 (Pennants)
• 1/2 yard Around Town by Small Factory -- #2943-90 (Bricks)
• 2 yards of double-sided pink/lime dot ribbon by Renaissance Ribbons
• 1 spool of coordinating Gutermann Thread 
• Clip-on drink holder

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Here's how I used it all!

My 6 year old has been begging me for a maxi dress.  I used the Annabelle Dress by Violette Fields Threads to fulfill her request.  Its chevron-pieced skirt was perfect for showcasing several prints.  Although she's 6, she's small for her age so I made her the size 4.  It's a good thing she's not any taller because the size 4 was the biggest I could squeeze out the Bicycle fabric.

I put the ribbon to good use as bodice detailing and a sash.  One of the buttons takes center stage at the top of the bodice.  I used 3 main prints in the Annabelle.  I used the Bicycle, Dots, and Pennants.  For the center of the bodice, I added a small section of the Houses.   A smidge of ric rac peeks out from her sleeves to bring the hot pink upward.  Lastly, I used a small scrap of the Pennants and a bit of hot pink FOE (fold-over-elastic) for a matching headband!

LOVE is a complete understatement for her feelings on this dress!  I chose these 3 prints for her because pink is her favorite color and being a brunette, these colors compliment her.

My 4 year old loves her twirly dresses.  I had her "go shopping" in her closet to show me what style dress she wanted me to sew.  She came back with the Bubblegum Swing Dress by Candy Castle Patterns which is an add-on to the ever-popular Bubblegum Dress.  The add-on changes the original a-line skirt to a super-twirly skirt.  Her original Bubblegum Swing is getting a bit small on her so it was time to sew up the next size.

For this dress, I chose the Houses fabric and used the Bricks as accent.  She's blonde and blue-eyed and looks fabulous in turquoises and blues.  I made a small change to the pattern and used the width of the sash from the Peppermint Swirl Dress for my wrap-around ties for a bit bigger of a statement.  For this, I chose a navy dotted swiss in my remnant box to bring out the navy of some of the rooftops and the navy in the Bricks.  I used the Sweet Grace Ruffled Headband from Snickerdoodle Stew for One Thimble (Issue 5) for her headband.  It was the perfect place to showcase her La Moda button!

~~~ Best Sisters Forever ~~~

Thank you so much, Sew Coordinated for letting me join in the fun this month!  My girls love their dresses and being sew coordinated!  I love the fact that the kit comes with plenty of fabric that neither girl gets left out.   I'm excited to see what patterns everyone else chooses to sew with their kits!

Meanwhile, I be at my {new} machine, staying hydrated now that I don't have to worry about my drink getting in the way on my sewing table.

Seriously, sign up!  You won't be disappointed!

Look below for Frequently Asked Questions!

Sew Coordinated FAQ:

*Source: Sew Coordinated Facebook page

• What is Sew Coordinated? 

Sew Coordinated is a monthly kit club! Each month, there will be a brand new kit debuting with coordinating fabrics, trims, and other goodies!These kits are guaranteed to be priced lower than if you would buy all the products separately at retail prices. I am SO excited at what I have to bring you!

• How much does it cost? 

Sew Coordinated costs $50/month shipped domestically. It will ship in a flat rate padded envelope with free delivery confirmation and insurance. If you are international, it will be $45/month + the cost of a flat rate envelope to you. If you are a member of Mama Made and Beautiful (my fabric retail shop), I am happy to include it with one of your packages!

• How does it work? 

You can purchase Sew Coordinated as a membership subscription or on a monthly basis. If you choose to purchase on a monthly basis, you do run the risk of the kits being sold out. If you purchase a subscription, you are guaranteed the kit. Subscriptions run for a 6 month time period.

• What is the cost of being a Sew Coordinated kit club member? 

To become a Sew Coordinated kit club member, you will be charged an initial $10 membership fee. You will be required to pay this fee within 24 hours. After paying the $10 fee, I will send you a link to subscribe to 6 months of Sew Coordinated. You will be automatically billed $50/month for the next 6 months starting immediately.

• Why is it worth it to become a kit club member?? 

---- You will be guaranteed to get a kit! The first few months of the kit have already been purchased and I only have what I have so if you become a kit club member, you are guaranteed to get the kit during your subscription period! Your kits will come before anyone purchasing month by month!
---- You will get an extra half yard of coordinating solid fabric in your kit every month! The total retail value of this is around $30 for a 6 month subscription!
---- You will have first dibs at all sales, extra kit offerings, and insider info!
---- Because Sew Coordinated is going to be the next big thing and you want in!! There will only be a limited number of kit club subscriptions and once they are filled, you will be added to a waiting list for a subscription!