{Riley Blake Designs} Honey Bee by My Mind's Eye

 

Bees and I have never gotten along -- just ask my mom how many plates I broke outside growing up because I thought a bee was near me.  HA!  But bees on fabric are super cute and more my speed.  Bees always make me think of summer so I knew a summer dress was in order.  

Honey Bee by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake Designs is a stunning palette of black, parchment, daisy and taupe.  The main prints and the coordinates of wildflowers, plaid, honeycomb, and more all mix and match making the possibilities endless. 

Normally when I select fabrics for a new fabric collection, I choose a main print and maybe a coordinate.  This time, I loved so many together that I chose FOUR prints!  I chose Honey Bee Floral Parchment, Honey Bee Honeycomb Daisy, Honey Bee Honeycomb Parchment and Honey Bee Plaid Black.

I knew immediately I'd be adding hand embroidery to the bodice, but first I had to decide the perfect dress.  I almost sewed up a new Siena, but then was reminded recently how much I love Amsterdam by Little Lizard King. Luckily, I could easily switch gears and I'm so glad I did!

I added one of the designs included in the Madeira Hand Embroidery by Little Lizard King.  I love that embroidery allows you to customize the colors to perfectly compliment your fabrics.  Instead of using white for the daisies (which would not have shown up on my fabric), I chose to turn them into Black-eyed Susan flowers.

I added a colorblocking element to the bodice so I could keep my original plan of fabric placement.  To do this easily (without piecing it all together and risk forgetting additional seam allowance), I cut out the bodice from the embroidered panel.  Then I folded under the sides at a slight angle -- I just eyeballed this step.  Once I had it how I liked it, I pressed the edges in place.  Next, I took small strips of the plaid (folded in half) and slipped it under the edge.  Finally I overlaid it a bodice cut in the daisy colorway and topstitched my overlay on top.  To reduce bulk before lining it, I carefully cut away the extra fabric underneath the overlay.

I love the unique back on this dress.  Plus, it is elastic so even if she hits her growth spurt this summer like her older sister did, she can still fit this!  

I also added a ruffle to the bottom of the skirt.  My ruffle is 1/3 the height of the main skirt (roughly).  If you decide to add a ruffle, remember to add in the seam allowance needed to attach it to the skirt.  I cut double the width of my skirt which gives a nice amount of gathering.

My daughter always appreciates when I add hand embroidery.  She sees me working on it and knows it adds time to my creating process.  

I topped off her look with a Nara Bow which is seriously my go-to bow.  I'm pretty sure she has over 20!  It sews up in under 5 minutes and then you hand tie it and slip in a clip.  Of course, I always sew it up last minute too!

Be sure to check with your favorite fabric shop

to get your yardage of Honey Bee!! 

We love it!

{Project Run & Play} Very Peri Pantone Party 2022 with Art Gallery Fabrics

 

It's that time of year again!!  Pantone has just released it's "Color of the Year".  I was excited to see a color in the "Blues" family.  Blue is my most sewn color and one of my favorites.  Periwinkle is a color in the blue and violet family.  Check out Pantone's Coordinating Color Palettes for Very Peri and see if you can figure out which palette I unknowingly used.    

Photo credit: Pantone.com

PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expression.

We had so much fun with Project Run and Play's Pantone Party Blog Tour last year that I couldn't wait to participate again.  Art Gallery Fabrics provided me with all the fabrics I needed for my projects and I loved shopping different collections to create a cohesive collection for both girls that also celebrated their own unique styles.   Thank you SO much Art Gallery -- not only are your fabrics great quality, you have a fantastic and diverse selection.

My youngest daughter has a larger-than-life personality so she likes the "fun" outfits (and hair!).  

Tee:  Banana Boat Tee in  I Scream You Scream District knit

Skirt: Soleil Skirt* in Amethyst PURE Solid

Purse: Fetta Purse in Grapefruit PURE Solid

Purse Lining and Tee Ties: Oval Elements Peach Dust

*shortened to hem length preference

The Soleil Skirt includes a faux button placket down the front of the skirt and I really love the way it's sewn!  It looks like completely functioning buttons.

The Banana Boat Tee is one of my favorites to sew up.  I love the side ruching.  It adds the perfect amount of detail, yet is super comfortable to wear.  

I used the Oval Elements Peach Dust for the ties to pop out the color a bit here.  

I couldn't resist adding another "fruit slice" to our growing Fetta Collection. It's so incredibly fast to sew -- I meant to stop at cutting it out one night before bed and I looked down and it was all sewn up!

She loves that it includes a zipper which keeps her items safely tucked inside without worrying about losing them.  I love that I found a contrasting solid color for Fetta that picked up one of the colors from the ice cream cones on her tee.  This helps pull the whole look together.

My oldest is *almost* a teenager and I'd describe her style as girly athletic.  Hoodies are pretty much a staple of her wardrobe, but she also enjoys a short, bouncy skirt.

Top: Chromium Cropped Hoodie in Snow White Knit Solid

Skirt: Soleil Skirt* in Across Sparks Blue from Here Comes the Fun collection

*shortened to hem length preference

I hoped a solid white Chromium wouldn't be too boring and I'm actually glad I went for it.  It adds a preppy element to her outfit and definitely compliments the busy print of the the skirt.

As I looked back through last year's details, I discovered I had to "hack" the hood last year too to include a facing in lieu of a full lining.  I couldn't decide between a neckband and hood this year, but my daughter ultimately landed on having the hood.   I had only ordered 1 yard of the knit though so the hood facing was the only way I could make it work.

The print we chose for her skirt may be one of my favorites.  (Sadly, it's not available at AGF any longer, but it looks like online retailers may still have some yardage left.)  She opted to eliminate the faux button placket on the Soleil skirt and I think she made the right decision.  

Over the last few years, I always let my girls help make all the decisions.  It really helps involve them in the process and gives them control of the details.  At the end, they have an outfit that they basically designed which guarantees that it won't just hang in the closet. 

Now, it's your turn to join the Very Peri Pantone Party!

Link up here!