{Riley Blake Designs} Leafy Keen by Amanda Niederhauser

My youngest entered middle school last month which means her style has started the shift away from being too "kiddish and young".   Luckily, I've already gone through this with my oldest so I've learned to take a step back and give complete control over the design process.

 

One thing that never becomes too "young" is animal print.  The moment I saw Leafy Keen by Amanda Niederhauser for Riley Blake Designs, I knew it would meet my daughter's new requirements.  I loved the unique color combination of shades of pinks, gold, and greens.  We ended up picking 5 different prints -- 3 for a dress and 2 for a coordinating mini backpack.  We chose Leafy Keen Main Blush Sparkle, Leafy Keen Cats Hunter, Leafy Keen Sketch Daisy, Leafy Keen Sketch Razzmatazz, and Leafy Keen Spots Clover.

Earlier this year, I designed a mini backpack for a travel themed pattern capsule for Project Run & Play.  My pattern, Passport to Paradise Mini Backpack became a quick favorite for my girls and they loved that they could order a matching accessory to their new outfits.  

On this version, I decided I wanted to incorporate a few techniques I learned from the Little Lizard King Vada Backpack pattern.  By adding a zippered slip pocket to the front lining and moving the zipper forward, I could enclose the gusset/front panel seam which makes it a little neater inside (and a quicker finish).  The back panel/gusset seam was finished with handmade bias.

I also added a fusible fleece stabilizer to add extra structure.  I will likely forgo that on the next version because it ended up a little wrinkly after turning it out.

I love the deep gold that matches the kitties on the green fabric.  My daughter was super happy to see a bonus pocket inside too!

For her dress, she picked out the Posie Dress by Peony Patterns.  She loves the extended shoulders, large pockets and the overall fit of the dress.  I love that you can add in a coordinating fabric on the side panels.  I added the Razzmatazz Whiskers as faux piping and the little pop of color looks great!

She styled it with her white tennis shoes and a gold hair tie on a high pony.  She looks sporty and cute!  Apparently tennis shoes with dresses are very "in".   I'm learning as I go.. haha.

There's just enough twirl to satisfy her.  HA!  I hope she never outgrows that!  I will admit, it's a little harder to go through the shift with my youngest.  It doesn't seem possible that she's inching closer to being a teenager.  

What will you make with Leafy Keen?  Check your local quilt shop to pick your prints -- the collection is already in stores!

{Riley Blake Designs} Flower Garden by Echo Park Paper Co.

It's hard to believe we're already in April and Easter is just around the corner.  Every year,  I love to make a special outfit for church.  I've sewn several new dresses over the past couple months that "were in the running" for Easter morning, until I received this fabric in the mail.  All I had to do was figure out a dress that encapsulated the beauty of the fabric.

Flower Garden by Echo Park Paper Co for Riley Blake Designs is a gorgeous fabric collection of stunning floral prints with traditional gingham and dot coordinates.  The color palette is perfect for Spring!  

I absolutely adore floral prints so one of the main floral prints was a must.  I chose the cream colorway.  I couldn't pass up the coral plaid/gingham and then added the blue dots for a pop of contrast.    

Every once in a while, I let the fabric speak to me... I'm never disappointed in what it tells me.  The dress is two patterns mashed together because I really loved the top of one and the bottom of another.  Grabbing a skirt from another pattern is super easy since they are gathered.  Just make sure to double check the skirt length you need in case the bodice is taller/shorter on the second pattern.    Here I've used the Freesia bodice and belt and the tiered skirt from Poppy, both from Peony Patterns.

I added the Tulip hand-embroidery also from Peony Patterns on the bodice and I am so in love!!  One of the options was a bicycle full of fresh cut flowers that was perfect to compliment the fabric.  My daughter, however, was slightly disappointed there wasn't also a bunny riding the bicycle... HA!  She still loves it though and saw the many hours I put into it.  

Riley Blake Designs' fabric is always a dream to work with!  I know I can always line up my prints because it's always on grain.  The colors are vibrant and never run.  It's so good!

The reason I almost always choose a tiered skirt.  The dress must twirl!!  I love the fullness the bottom tier gives to the silhouette of the dress.  Freesia comes with a great double circle skirt for maximum twirl, but I need extra wide fabric to be able to fit her size for the skirts.  For now, she's happy with this solution!

I recently got labels with my blog logo on it made to add to her dresses.  She loves showing her friends and makes her feel like she's got a boutique dress.  These labels are from Jennifer's Jewels Labels and it was super easy to order.

Flower Garden has just been released!  Be sure to check with your favorite quilt shop to purchase your yardage.  Make room on your shelf because you'll want it all!!

{Riley Blake Designs} On The Wind by Jill Finley of Jillily Studio

 

Spring is sooooo close, I can almost taste it! This past week, trees have budded, flowers have bloomed and everything is turning a bright shade of green.  I absolutely love the transition periods to the next season.  Of course, I'm trying to keep up with replenishing my youngest daughter's wardrobe to keep up with the warming temperatures. 

Jill Finley of Jillily Studio has released a fun and whimsical line called "on the line" for Riley Blake Designs.  This collection contains playful prints with kites, airplanes and pinwheels as well as subtle floral prints with dandelions.  Several coordinating prints complete the collection.

 

The dandelion prints caught my eye.  They reminded me of the budding beauty of Spring. I chose the Sky colorway and selected two coordinating prints - Windy Blush and Geometric Clover.

As soon as I saw the fabrics, I knew I wanted to sew carmelo by little lizard king.  I love the tiered skirt, oversized pockets, feminine sweetheart neckline and the show-stopping scalloped back.  It always makes the sweetest Spring dress.

The back is my most favorite detail.  I love setting the scallops against a contrasting fabric to really help the scallops pop.  I preferred the higher contrast of the Geometric Clover so I used the Windy Blush as lining.  

The scallops take a bit more patience to keep them perfectly curved, but I love seeing them take shape.  I used my Riley Blake Quilter's Clapper along with the Riley Blake Misting Bottle to help set the seams here before topstitching.

The pattern has an the option for an exposed zipper dress (which I love too!) but I loved how these green buttons matched the green fabric.

My daughter loves the pockets -- she always checks for them in every dress I make.  I really like this style of pocket over the inseam style pockets. These pockets are much easier to get her hands in and they are nice and roomy to sneak fidgets in them.  HA!

I can't get over how sweet and dainty this dress turned out.  This dress may be in the running for an Easter dress.

Find your yardage of ON THE WIND at your favorite quilt shop!

P.S. Stop back tomorrow to see my project for Riley Blake's BLISSFUL BLOOMS 😉

{Riley Blake Designs} Adel in Spring by Sandy Gervais

I know Fall is in full swing around the northern hemisphere, but warm seasons are my favorite so any excuse to sew for that and I'm in!  (It also helps that in NC, we occasionally get blessed with a warm spell for a few days even in November -- it was 70 the day we shot these!)

Sandy Gervais has designed a gorgeous new Spring line for Riley Blake Designs, called Adel in Spring.  It's soft palette and delicate floral designs as well as a variety of coordinates have me dreaming of Spring already!
 

So many gorgeous prints, but you know I can never resist an aqua/mint colorway so I chose Adel in Spring Main Julep  along with Adel in Spring Lace Stripe Blush which I ended up using as lining and tie/bow accents.  Please note the lace designs run parallel with the selvage (I didn't think about it and only ordered a half yard which was too short to fit my flutter pieces how I wanted the lace to run.)

I knew this fabric needed a sweet silhouette so when I saw Little Lizard King releasing Iluka today, I knew it was meant to be.  Iluka has options for sleeves, neckline and skirt so it's really easy to mix and match the options for a custom dress.  We chose the sweetheart neckline with tie, flutter sleeves and simple skirt.

Sweetheart necklines are always a favorite.  It's so feminine and frames her neckline perfectly.  The tie is the cherry on top.

She can never resist a twirl!  I really love the scooped back too!  The floral design really pops against the aqua background.

My daughter's closet is filled with Riley Blake Designs creations.  I love how well the fabric washes, irons and sews up.  My daughter loves that the wovens are soft and comfortable.  I also appreciate minimal shrinkage and the colors never run.  The quality is always top notch!

Check your local quilt shop or favorite online fabric store for Adel in Spring -- which colorway is your favorite?

{Riley Blake Designs} Lucy June by Lila Tueller

 

Last week, I was prepping for Christmas, but today, I'm soaking up the last month of summer with this gorgeous floral summer dress.  I always get excited when Lila Tueller releases a new collection because she's my favorite designer.  I love her handpainted, vibrant prints featuring large flowers.  Her color combinations are equally stunning.  

Her newest line, lucy june for riley blake designs is a gorgeous collection inspired by summer gardens.  The color palette is aqua, pink, plum and lime.  There's even a fun avocado print!

I tend to gravitate toward the main aqua print because I love the oversized floral prints.  This time, however, I sewed up lucy june flowers aqua.  I loved the added whimsy of the polka dots in the background and the size and repeat of the flowers were perfect for a twirly dress.

I've been dying to try out the emilia dress by little lizard king and it did not disappoint!  It comes with several options and I chose all the little details.  My daughter still loves her dresses and I'm going to cherish every moment she allows me to still make them for her.  At 10, I know I'm on borrowed time.

It has a gorgeous low back which is perfect for our hot summers.  

Fit tip:  If your child has a smaller waist size than chest size, it's important to blend the waistline down at the side seams to the smaller size so the back doesn't gape open.  My daughter currently has a 6 chest, 4 waist and 10 height.  

One of my favorite details is the curved hem with ruffle.  I love that Riley Blake cottons drape so well on ruffles.  And of course, I had to add the pockets!  Pockets are always a must.

These straps are SO fun and unique and easier to sew than you think!  I do wish I had ordered a pink coordinate to peek out on the bottom layer, but all one print is pretty too.

We all know my daughter's favorite part is the twirl though.  The bottom ruffle really makes the difference in the twirl.  It's totally worth the extra effort of gathering.

Gathering tip:  Run 2 lines of gathering threads (at 1/4" and 3/4").  This helps hold the gathers while you attach the skirt.

Be sure to head to your favorite quilt shop to find Lucy June this month!  You'll fall in love with all the prints.  I definitely need to grab the main print for a maxi dress I've designed in my head!

{Raspberry Creek Fabrics} Pink & Black Leopard Double Brushed Poly

 

A girl can never have too much leopard print right?!  I've always loved leopard print and my tween is obsessed!  I don't blame her either!   It's one of those prints that exudes total confidence.

I'm back over at the Raspberry Creek Fabrics blog sharing my tween's latest fashion statement -- a stunning shift dress out of the Tonal Dusty Pink and Black Leopard Print in Double Brushed Poly Knit.  Double brushed poly (also referred to as DBP) is a buttery soft knit with a polyester spandex blend.  It has fantastic 4-way stretch and its lightweight hand provides excellent drape.

 I surprised her with the new Benicia pattern by Little Lizard King.  This pattern is loaded with options, including shirt length as well as multiple necklines and sleeve lengths.  I chose the dress length, Bishop sleeves and cowl neck options.

This is the first cowl neck I've sewn her and she quite liked it!  I love that it adds just a bit extra detailing at the neckline. 

The Bishop sleeve in double brushed poly is total love -- check out that dreamy drape!  Also, a few months ago, I finally learned the magic settings on my coverstitch to sew those hems on DBP perfectly.  

I am so amazed at the variety of prints Raspberry Creek Fabrics offers and I really feel like there's something for everyone!  I know my tween's closet is getting filled up with so many great pieces using a variety of RCF bases.  Sewing for this age can be difficult, but she regularly wears her RCF pieces to school and it always makes me smile.  Thank you Raspberry Creek Fabrics for helping my daughter navigate her way through middle school in total style!

{Riley Blake Designs} Notting Hill by Amy Smart

 

I love large floral prints, plaids, gingham and polka dots so when I saw Notting Hill by Amy Smart releasing for Riley Blake Designs, I was in love!  This collection is inspired by Notting Hill of London and is completely gorgeous!  

I was drawn to SO many gorgeous prints, it was really hard to narrow down my choices.  Some of my favorites were the royal blue polka dot, the red/blue plaid and of course the main floral prints.  In the end, I chose the Notting Hill Main Songbird and the Notting Hill Diamonds Raspberry to coordinate.

I always have a basic idea of what I might sew, but sometimes I need to see the fabric in person to solidify my plans.  When I saw the gorgeous English roses on the main print, they reminded me of the Briar Embroidery pattern by Peony Patterns.  While I stitched that out on white, I decided I'd sew up the Poppy Pattern by Peony Patterns.  It's sweet and feminine and totally perfect for these gorgeous fabrics.

Before I could get it all cut out, Natasha (of Peony Patterns) added a Pocket Pattern and I couldn't turn down the chance to give my daughter "snack holes".  (Better be a mess-free snack with this fabric!).  Plus, when someone compliments her dress, she can now say "Thanks, it has pockets!" Hehehe.

I also tried the double-sided ruffle on the Peony Patterns website so the Notting Hill Diamonds would peek out of the bottom of the ruffle too instead of a hem.

Riley Blake cottons always sew up so nicely.  I know the dresses I sew will also last though all the washes.  I've sewn these fabrics for years and even by the time they've been handed down, they still look brand new.  

Notting Hill releases this month -- check with your favorite quilt shop to order your yardage!!  It really is a sweet line and will be so pretty for Spring/Easter.

We had a somewhat warm-ish day the other day and we rushed out to take advantage and shoot outdoors.  In my haste, I failed to really look at the details of the photos until later.  Somehow, one of the ruffles was laying super funny in nearly every picture.  I nearly cried.  The photos were so pretty in the light.  I grabbed the two that turned out and had my daughter reshoot (unfortunately it was gray and cold then).  Here's to warmer days ahead!

{Little Lizard King} Roseville Hand Embroidery

 

It always pays to dwell slowly on the beautiful things -- the more beautiful, the more slowly.  -- Atticus

In a world that seems to be rushing by, I had the best time taking my time to create this stunning hand embroidery to add to my daughter's dress.  I'm completely guilty of adding a million things to my to-do lists and I realize that this *is* technically one more thing added, but it forced me to sloooow down and appreciate the art that I was creating stitch by stitch. 

Roseville by Little Lizard King is a collection of hand-embroidery patterns that includes both floral and heart versions.  With a variety of sizes included, this pattern can help you embellish the smallest of pieces (like a hairbow or collar) to pockets to full bodice sizes.   I chose the full bodice size to pair with the Amsterdam Dress.

I was drawn to the floral version  -- it's a combination of stitches including French knots, modified lazy daisy, satin stitch, lazy daisy, woven wheel and backstitch.  As I went in search of coordinating fabric, I found a couple of yards of this bright floral print I'd picked up on clearance a couple years ago.  I love how bright and cheery it is!   Luckily, I am always saving my fabrics for "just the right project".  (My husband may disagree on that...HA!)

The great thing about embroidery floss is the variety of colors and can tailor the choices to suit your fabric.  I recently picked up a whole little kit and I was able to find several "perfect" matches.  Then, I had fun deciding each flower color.  After seeing all the other creations with this embroidery pattern, I can tell you it looks fabulous in all sorts of different color combinations. Each one is stunning.

The pattern comes with a great tutorial that thoroughly explains each step as well as an embroidery stitch guide for the design you choose.  This helps you quickly know how many threads you need for that step and whether it's single fold or doubled in the needle.   I used it as a coloring guide too so I could remember my choices!  

Also, don't be intimidated if you're new to hand embroidery.  I can count on one hand how many I've done!  You can absolutely create a beautiful masterpiece with little to no experience!

I added the embroidery pattern from the newborn-3m collar to the one of the ends of the 3" Nara Bow and I'm so smitten with how cute it looks!!

Slow down. Enjoy the process. Admire the beauty around you. Stop and smell the roses.