{Collaboration} Peeping Pipers by Kristina Hunter of Arthousewife

When I started sewing 7 years ago, I never anticipated the social connections I'd make.  Of course, I'd think a lot of us could say the same.  Social media has exploded over the last decade and has created new ways for paths to cross.  This is how I came to meet Kristina Hunter of arthousewife online, or should I say how she came to meet me.  Kristina is a surface pattern designer who loves color, kid's prints and all things retro.  She contacted me to see if I was up for a collaboration with her designs.  I was intrigued so I took a look at her work on Instagram and Spoonflower. I really liked her artwork and could see my girls wearing so many of them!

After liking so many of her designs, my eyes were drawn to Peeping Pipers on the gorgeous deep turquoise background.  My youngest loves animals of all kind so I knew she'd really love it.  As I showed her Kristina's Spoonflower shop, I wasn't surprised when she picked out the same print!  (Of course, I had partly picked it out because I knew her new little brown boots would look so good with this print!)

Kristina Hunter's designs can be printed by Spoonflower on a plethora of substrates which is really pretty cool!  I'll admit that I actually hadn't ever ordered from Spoonflower before.  I've known others that have, but I hadn't ever really looked into it.  I am really impressed.  I ordered the Cotton Spandex Jersey and determined it was the best fit for my selected pattern.  Because it was a custom job, I wasn't sure how long it would take, but within 11 days, I had my fabric (after being ordered on a weekend!)  It arrived with recommended care instructions too.

I couldn't resist sewing up yet another Wimberley by Little Lizard King.  It's the quintessential Fall knit dress with the ruched 3/4 sleeves.  While the gathered circle skirt with ruffle version takes 2 yards, the fabric and time spent gathering is SO worth the outcome.  I prefer to hand gather so I quarter the bottom of my skirt and ruffle.  Then I pin the quarters and gather between the pins. (Make sure you have lots of pins... it's about 16 feet of ruffles gathered!)

We had a bonus day off school so my daughter and I drove to our favorite picture spot -- a little shopping community in a neighboring town.  It took longer to drive than it did for her to deliver some really great pictures.  It's always really easy when she loves her outfit though!

A couple months ago, I sewed up the Madison Vest by Little Lizard King in a cream fur and it's proven to be the best little Fall wardrobe accessory.  It pairs well with so many things!

Her Fall wardrobe is looking SO good.  What should I sew next?

Be sure to check out Kristina Hunter's Instagram and Spoonflower Shop -- I think you'll fall in love with her designs like I have!!

{Riley Blake Designs} Designer Knits

Yay!!!  Riley Blake Designs' Designer Knits selection is growing 💗  Over the past few years, knits have inched their way to being my favorite fabric to sew.  My girls reach for their knit selections far more frequently as well.

I was even more excited to see Glam Girl included in the next wave of knits arriving.  (Visit that post here).  I quickly decided on the Glam Girl Black Floral Sparkle and the coordinating Glam Girl Main Pink Sparkle. 

Y'all -- when it arrived, I couldn't believe how soft it is!!!  Downright dreamy.  It's a 4-way 50% stretch 95/5 cotton Lycra blend.  It had minimal shrinkage, low curling when the edges were cut and was super easy to sew.  The greatest testimony: the bottom ruffle of my dress is about 17-feet long and I didn't feel like pulling my hair out sewing it!!  HA!!

I knew I was going to turn the Black Floral Sparkle into a Wimberley Dress.  I'm obsessed with that pattern at the moment and my daughter is too!  I originally got the Main Pink Sparkle to sew up some shorties to wear underneath her twirly dress but then I decided it was far too pretty of a knit to hide under a dress.  I grabbed my pattern piece for the Tacoma Cardigan and had just enough for the single ruffle version.  Both patterns are by Little Lizard King.

  I normally cannot pass up the ruched sleeves on the Wimberley Dress, but thought they might be a bit bulky under the sleeves of the cardigan so I decided to make it sleeveless.  Fun fact:  Sleeveless isn't actually an option in the pattern, but I just used the "burrito roll" method to sew up the armscye and I was on my way.  

The scooped back is so sweet.  I used a lightning bolt stitch on the inside of my bodice and didn't have any problems with wavy seams.  To attach my skirt, I add clear elastic to the bottom of the bodice to help stabilize the weight of the skirt added on.  I then zig-zag the skirt on in order to catch part of the clear elastic in the seam allowance.  

Because this knit is so soft, the drape is really amazing.  This is a gathered circle skirt with added ruffle and it just falls so nicely into place.

The rose gold sparkle on pink is really stunning in real life.  This cardigan is unlined and while the knit has great drape (especially when it's all gathered), it has enough structure for unlined projects. Bonus: This cardigan will pair nicely with the Glam Girl woven Siena Dress I made last month!  #winning

I am so incredibly impressed with the quality and softness of this knit.  I highly recommend!!! Thank you Riley Blake Designs for this happy mail package!!