{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!

{Riley Blake Designs} Beauty & the Beast by Jill Howarth for Riley Blake Designs

My oldest daughter is right at that age where she's transitioning away from things she has loved for years -- traditional "little girl" favorites.  She's not quite ready to let go, but her taste is a little more grown up.  She's always loved Beauty & the Beast growing up (I even made her a present day Belle-inspired outfit earlier this Spring) so I knew she'd love this new line from Riley Blake Designs.

Beauty & the Beast by Jill Howarth for Riley Blake Designs is the perfect balance of whimsy and charm.  The main prints of the collection depict the princess and the prince/beast, but the coordinates are a subtle nod to the details behind the story.  The color palette is light blue, pinks, cream and golds.

I was drawn to the Beauty & the Beast Floral Blue and Beauty & the Beast Fleur-de-lis Dark Pink as a coordinate.  I knew my daughter would love them too!  

When I started to work on the project, I asked which dress pattern I should use.  She immediately asked for Bali from Little Lizard King again.  It's such a sweet, summer dress.

I added a faux tie panel inset on the front bodice.  I nearly left it off, fearing it'd be a bit too young and theme-y for her to want to wear again.  But as I mentioned that I might leave it off, I could tell she was disappointed.    When I showed her the finished dress, she was so happy that I had added it after all.

I love how the Dark Pink Fleur-de-lis really compliments the roses on the skirt.  The rose fabric is my most favorite.  I love the color combination and the light blue background is always my favorite.

I gave my daughter a choice of 3 buttons for the back and she chose the cream rose shank button.  It's the perfect finish to the back!

I wanted to find a "magical" place to take photos and we don't have any castles nearby... HA!!  So, we went to a local garden and got lucky they had opened back up (they had closed during the stay-at-home orders).  We spent some time walking around, just the two of us, marveling at all the beauty that was surrounding us.  

The Beauty & the Beast Collection is now available

at your favorite local or online quilt shop!  

A special thank you to Jill Howarth and Riley Blake Designs for these gorgeous fabrics.  

{Riley Blake Designs} Gem Stones Brights - Blizzard Blue

I'm back with the second half of my Gem Stones Bright reveal and hopefully it was worth the wait!  The delay was double-fold -- this dress was a surprise for my daughter for her 5th Grade graduation and the dress design is a new release so I had to wait for it to be announced. 

In case you missed last week's post, Gem Stones Brights by PSD2 for Riley Blake Designs features gorgeous, vibrant tones in an ombre confetti pattern that runs selvage to selvage.  This collection contains 16 color combinations.

My oldest daughter had picked out Blizzard Blue as her favorite fabric of the bunch,  It's a gorgeous transition from bright blue to turquoise to purple.   I let her pick the fabric, but the dress pattern was a surprise!

The pattern I chose is Bali by Little Lizard King.  As soon as I saw photos of this dress, I knew immediately that it'd be the perfect choice for her graduation.  (And since it wasn't a typical graduation, I didn't have to worry about dress code!) 

This dress is a sweet, summer dress that has a choice of straps and optional flutters with a gorgeous lower back cutout and elastic-backed waist. The instructions for blending sizes are really helpful -- my petite rising middle schooler is wearing a 6 chest, 8 length graded down to a size 3 waist.  It's a perfect fit!!  (Don't worry, the sizing is not off -- she's that tiny!)

While the overall project was a surprise, I did ask some critical design questions along the way.  Because the colors run parallel with the selvage, she had to decide if she wanted the colors to transition vertically or horizontally.  A vertical transition would have been cutting the skirt with width going selvage to selvage and all 3 colors would have been seen on the skirt.  She decided she wanted the skirt to be mostly purple with turquoise near the waist and blue on the bodice.

I love the design on the fabric that comes into view when you get closer.  It's so pretty!  I looked through my button stash and found a small purple shank button.

I finished sewing late in the night before her graduation so I pulled my mannequin outside her bedroom and popped the finished dress on it and then set up the sign next to it.  It was a great surprise to wake up to that morning -- she was SO surprised.  I love that she's still so grateful for handmade sewing.

After we had a little photo-shoot inside after officially completing elementary school, we spent the following morning a  couple towns away for a little girls' morning of outdoor pictures, bookstore shopping and stopping by our favorite bagel restaurant.

This fabric is just SO pretty!!!  Check with your favorite quilt shop and definitely buy some of these prints!  I need to grab some more colors because each one is stunning.    I'm really curious how it would look on a circle skirt pattern!  Riley Blake Designs --- thank you so much for such pretty fabrics!!  My girls' closets are full of pretty RBD clothes! 

{BLOG TOUR} "GET THE LOOK" Kits with SLPco & Art Gallery Fabrics

Eeek!!  I am so excited to be included on the GET THE LOOK Fabric Kits {blog tour} with Simple Life Pattern Co. and Art Gallery Fabrics!  Simple Life Pattern Co has teamed up with Art Gallery Fabrics to offer you sewing kits that include the fabric and the pattern!  All you need to do is order and sew!  

When Katie invited me to participate and to design a custom look to offer, I knew I had to use my signature colors.  Black and white prints make my heart flutter.

{Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.  By purchasing through my links, I receive a small compensation.  Thank you for supporting me!}

The Lagom fabric line stole my heart from the moment I saw it, but I hadn't had a chance to sew any (SHOCKING!)  I chose Etern Soot for Emilya's Skinny Pants -- I ❤ a patterned pant and these skinny pants are so quick!  The pants will take you year-round as they include bermuda shorts, capri and full length options.  There are also cargo pockets or (as I have chosen) traditional pockets.

For the top, I selected Adelyn's Scoop Back Top (& Dress) in a solid black.  If you haven't sewn with AGF knits, they are a fantastic weight, extremely soft and wash really nicely.  Caviar is a nice, deep black.  I enlisted my 7 year old to choose the Adelyn options -- she chose short sleeve, modest scoop back with a circle skirt for maximum twirlability.  She decided to leave off the bow that ties across the back.  

While I love the bow, the simplicity of the scoop back is the perfect pairing for her bold pants.

I had so much fun creating these kits -- I hope you love them!  The patterns I chose are a couple of my favorites (and super quick too!)  Art Gallery Fabrics have never disappointed me -- they are superior quality fabrics and a dream to sew up!  When I finished sewing, I have to admit, I had outfit envy -- I need this outfit (and booties) in my life!  Until then, I will live vicariously through my daughter -- HA!

Emilya's Skinny Pants in Etern Soot {Lagom} "Get the Look" Fabric Kit

Adelyn's Scoop Back Top & Dress in Caviar {Knit Solids} "Get the Look" Fabric Kit

OOPS -- did I mention the kits are 35% off?!  

PLUS - everyone that purchases a #SLPcoGetTheLook kit 

will get an exclusive 35% off coupon that can be 

used toward your next pattern order! 

(Discount automatically taken off in cart.  Valid through Dec 6th).  

Do not delay!!!

__________________________________

Visit Simple Life on Social Media

{Website}  {Get the Look Kits}

{Facebook}  {Facebook Group}  {Instagram}

__________________________________

Visit Art Gallery Fabrics on Social Media

{Website}  {Facebook}  {Instagram}

Be sure to check out the rest of the blog tour and the kits they've created!

Nov 28th Caroline Hulse -- Sew Caroline   |  Kim Coffin – Sweet Red Poppy 

Nov 29th Kari Steiger – That’s Sew Kari  (that's me!)

Nov 30th Dana Willard – Made Everyday   |  Tami Peterson --  Sew Sophie Lynn 

Dec 1st Bonnie Christine – Going Home to Roost    |    Delia Randal – Delia Create’s 

Dec 2nd  -- Simple Life Pattern Company Recap 

Bundle UP - A Pattern Collection: You Had Me at BG

Eeek!!  Have you seen the new pattern bundle, Bundle UP, coming Saturday to Pattern Revolution - it features 11 popular designers of PDF patterns.  My first introduction to the world of PDF patterns was none other than Brownie-Goose last year with her Summer Sailor Shorts pattern.  It seemed only fitting to try out her newest pattern - the Bay Dress & Top - debuting Saturday with the start of the Bundle UP sale.

Let me tell you, it's swoon-worthy, for sure.

Love the added detail the crochet lace trim gives.

If you've never sewn a pattern from Brownie-Goose, you're in for a real treat.  Amy has a very distinct tutorial style and it will leave you in stitches (see what I did there? hehe).

Let's get to the nitty-gritty of the pattern, shall we?

I added a small grosgrain ribbon across the seamline between the bodice & skirt portion.

Before printing your pattern, I recommend a thorough measurement of your child.  My 3 yr old has a very narrow build and her chest is actually 1.5" smaller than the smallest available (18m).  Now, don't be alarmed, this is something I'm quite used to.  For fitted garments, especially, you don't want to make the mistake of sewing their RTW (ready to wear) size.  Could you imagine if I had just sewn her a 3t simply because that's what she wears in the stores?!  That's the beauty of sizing charts.  I think the fit is great, actually and didn't experience any shoulder slippage.  You can also position the buttons in the back to aid in tailoring the fit just for your child.

#swoon  -- the back!!

 Printing was quick and easy.  All of the pieces are nested with the exception of the 18m back bodice.  The skirt portions are cut following a cutting chart.  There are 3 different cutting options in the chart for each size so pay attention to which style you are creating.

Shhh.... don't tell my husband she was picking leaves off our Japanese maple.

There are so many options included in this pattern that you could make several in a row before repeating.  

Two main options:

Dress
Top

Two bodice options:

Empire

Drop waist (option on dress only)

Two skirt options:

Curved back

Straight back

Two sleeve options:

Sleeveless

Flutter sleeves

Love this top!

So what options did I choose?

• Top - I had the perfect coordinating fabric to make shorts 
• Empire bodice - This is the only bodice option for the top
• Curved back skirt - I don't think I could ever skip this choice!!
• Combination of the two choices - I decided to use my crochet lace trim as mini flutters

Couldn't resist using box pleats instead of traditional gathering.

I bet you're wondering if I changed anything!  Well.... of course I couldn't resist making it my own a bit so I opted to box pleat the skirt portion before attaching it to the bodice.  But that's all I changed, I promise.

The shorts are just fab!!

Remember the perfect coordinating fabric I said I had for shorts?  I used the Clover Shorts available at Willow & Co. and I love how the two patterns came together to make a stunning outfit.  Oh, and her cute little gold shoes?? A lucky find at Target!

OH. MY. WORD.  the buttons!!!

Get ready to break out your most swoon-worthy buttons and trim -- you won't want leave them off!

This is just one of the patterns available in the Bundle UP collection available at Pattern Revolution starting Saturday, April 26th.  There are 10 other designers and if you can believe it, there are two designers in there that I have yet to sew.  The neat thing about Bundle UP is you can build your own bundle!  Of course, the more you buy, the more you save.  Don't delay, though, because Bundle UP is only available April 26th - May 2nd!

Want a chance to win it before you can buy it?  Click HERE to enter.

And on Saturday, be sure to stop back by my blog and

follow the link below

to purchase your Bundle UP collection!

Help me earn points and click over from my blog to buy! #affiliate

Click here to visit Pattern Revolution - Bundle UP.