{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} Whimsical Romance by Keera Job

 

Ahhh, Fall is finally here!  (Well, in 2 days technically).  After months of mid-90s, we are looking forward to the cooler, crisp air that will hit sometime next month.  It's so close though and that means sewing for new weather.

Whimsical Romance by Keera Job for Riley Blake Designs is a gorgeous new collection that gives off all the Fall vibes, but the collection also has prints that will work for Spring as well.  This collection features both moody rich hues and soft romantic florals.  The inspiration behind the collection is the classic Midsummer Night's Dream.

The above swatches are the cotton woven prints in this collection.  I discovered a rayon option though and my girls are in love with rayon!  It comes in 3 colorways -- I chose Rayon Challis Whimsical Romance Freefly Pine.  The deep rich color of the pine along with the gold, berry and cream accents is the epitome of Fall fashion to me.

My oldest has been increasingly more difficult to sew for, especially woven fabrics.  She does like the feel of rayon so she was actually begging me to sew her something!  I chose Bristol by Little Lizard King and sewed up the top length.  I envisioned it paired with skinny jeans and tall brown boots and it turned out exactly how I pictured. 

My favorite detail is the tie on the sleeve cuff.  The front bodice also gently curves upward which creates a natural high low hem.  The drape on this rayon is amazing!  

My youngest daughter's a little easier to please.  (Although if it was up to her, all the rayon would have been for her!) I chose to sew Sage by Peony Patterns.  This is a raglan-style woven dress which looks best when sewn with drapey wovens.... ahem, rayon.

I sewed up the simple skirt version and I love how it's the perfect Fall dress.  And because it's sewn in rayon, she kept this dress on all the way to bedtime because it was that comfortable!!  

The Whimsical Romance collection is now available at your favorite quilt shop and it's one you surely don't want to miss!!  

{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!

{Peony Patterns) Now in Doll Size

 I'm no stranger to sewing doll clothing, but it's been a hot little minute since I've taken the time to sew some up.  When I saw Peony Patterns was expanding to doll sizes, I had to try some out!  My girls love their Peony Patterns dresses and I couldn't wait to see them sewn up in miniature.   Once I started, I couldn't stop.  In the end, I made 2 of each (but one didn't make the photoshoot since it was an earlier version).

For the doll pattern debut, Wattle, Ivy and Poppy are first patterns in the library (still hoping for Jasmine, Marigold and Daisy too!!).  These are truly miniature versions of the full size girl patterns, but they close with velcro the entire length of the back so it's easy for little hands to dress their dolls themselves.  These doll patterns come in two sizes: 18" and 15" doll.  I sewed up the 18" sizes for our 3 brands of dolls (American Girl, Our Generation and My Life).  The 15" size fits Miniland/Minikane dolls (those are super cute by the way!!)

I sewed up Wattle in some knit scraps I had from Spunkin Honeyhead.  Jojo is a super cool girl with a purple streak in her hair.  She styles it with some mini chucks.

Next up is Ivy.  Vivienne is on her way to a summer wedding so she selected the maxi length and couldn't say no to the special touch of hand embroidery on the bodice using the Briar Embroidery pattern.

Of course I had to make a regular length version of Ivy too!  Julie is ready for a warm spring day, but secretly hoping for rain so she can jump in some puddles!

And here's Poppy!!  Bianca is happy girl who is always looking for the rainbow after the storm.  She was lucky and got a custom color rainbow on her bodice with the Iris Embroidery Pattern.

Another Poppy! Grace is a rock star in the making and is sure to dress the part in hopes her dreams come true.  She's rocking in GemStones Brights fabric by Riley Blake Designs and pulls out the pink accents of the fabric by styling this with her pink star glasses and cool pink boots.

I know most people make matching dresses to their daughters, but I was having too much fun raiding my scrap pile!  Which pattern will you be sewing first?!  (Poppy is my favorite of the bunch and I really need to sew up a tiered version!!)

{Riley Blake Designs} Grove by Jill Finley

I've always been drawn to lemon prints so when I saw Grove by Jill Finley for Riley Blake Designs, I loved it!  (But Kari, you didn't sew the lemons....  I'll explain that in a bit -  HA! )   This collection is full of citrus-y goodness and you cannot help but smile while sewing any of these prints.  The colorways include yellow, pink, green, orange and charcoal.  I love the variety of prints -- from floral to fruit slices to geometric coordinates.  

As I sat down to select fabrics, I thought I'd select the lemons.  They are my favorite!  But then, I was drawn to the main floral in charcoal.  I always double check with my girls though and well, you can see, she didn't approve my charcoal selection.  She really wanted Grove Main Cloud which matched the lime coordinates.  Soooo, I changed my plan and I am glad I asked her opinion because I'm absolutely smitten by the final result.   For the coordinates, we chose Grove Slices Limeade, Grove Mini Limeade, and Confetti Cotton Treetop.

By the time I sat down to sew it, I also decided to change the original pattern I had planned.  Instead, I sewed up the new Jasmine Dress by Peony Patterns and was so happy to have just enough for the knee length tiered version.  While we love the mini version, we are heading into winter here and I want her to fit in the Spring (in case she grows an inch or two...).  The first time I sewed this pattern, I used a rayon which had beautiful drape, but the sleeves are even more gorgeous and puffy in this cotton.  

I used the Limeade Slices for the lining and a little hairbow (Nara Bow from the Nara Dress pattern by Little Lizard King.  She rarely lets me leave her hair down and curl it, but she was so excited about her new dress that she said yes!  (I had to whip up that bow really quickly though.)

I used the Mini Limeade print for the ruffles at the neckline and as faux piping between each tier and again at the hemline.  For the faux piping, I cut the strips 1.25" wide and folded them in half.  Once my 1/2" SA was sewn, it left me with 1/8" visible.  The hemline, I cut at 1.5" and sewed  it on along the bottom tier (RST) like you would when finishing with bias tape and then flipped it to the back, but purposely left 1/8" showing. (Don't forget to fold the back raw edge in like bias tape for a clean finish!) It was totally worth all of the ironing!

Finally, I used the solid Confetti Cotton in Treetop to make a lime version of the Lemon Slice purse I made back in March for Project Run & Play! I lined it in the Limeade Slices and then added the iron-on with my Cricut!  I want to make a whole citrus collection now!!

This whole collection is so fun and bright!  It is releasing this month so be on the lookout at your local quilt shop or favorite online fabric source!!

{Raspberry Creek Fabrics} Painted Leopard Rayon Challis

 

Remember my quest last week to push myself to try new fabric bases?  I'm checking off another box on my list!  Today, I'm sharing my adventures with Rayon Challis and why it's jumped high on my list of favorite fabric bases.  

This year I as chosen to be part of Raspberry Creek Fabrics {Blogging Team} and this is my first post of the year!  As I was "shopping" for my selection, I clicked over to woven apparel to see what was offered.  I was intrigued by stretch crepe and rayon challis.  I actually selected the stretch crepe but found out just after it shipped that it would be a retired print before my post was live and it just so happened the new club rayon and stretch crepe prints were loaded.   Lucky me!

The moment I saw the Black Brown and Cream Painted Leopard Print, I really didn't need to look any further.  I knew my tween would flip out for it.  In fact, I nearly interrupted her online class to show her.  She immediately knew she had to have it!!

To showcase this show-stopping fabric, she chose one of her new favorite patterns -- Marigold by Peony Patterns.  She loves the sweetheart neckline, unique puffy sleeves, fully functional front button placket and most of all, the mini length!  It's a babydoll style cut and flowy fabrics drape so beautifully from the bodice.

Rayon is one of those fabrics that I kind of built up in my mind as being way too fiddly to deal with. In reality, I knew nothing about it.  It's a man-made fabric made of natural fibers and is super lightweight.  It's has amazing drape.  It turns out, I was scared for nothing.  It sewed up easily and even cutting was no where near as hard I imagined.   I made sure to use a nice sharp needle and also turned my iron down a bit.  When I finished the dress, I just couldn't stop staring at it!  The print may be one of my most favorite prints ever.

Pretty sure my tween thinks she's one of the coolest around.  She's never lacked confidence, but it's just oozing from her in this painted leopard print.  What prints are your favorite?  Click here to check them out!