Riley Blake Designs Basics {Swiss Dot}

Everyone loves a good basic!  They make fantastic coordinates, but I also love using them as my main fabric too.  Riley Blake Designs has an entire BASICS catalog.  Last time, I played with the stripes from the basics, but I also love polka dots so I decided to check out the Swiss Dot collection.

When I first heard Swiss Dot, my mind thought it was dotted Swiss because I seen the terms used interchangeably.  However, Swiss Dot refers to a pattern of tiny dots on fabric, not necessarily the raised dots (dotted Swiss).  What's great about Riley Blake's Swiss Dot collection is the variety of colors.  Seriously, there are SO MANY SHADES!

Maybe the cooler weather already has me dreaming of Spring, but I was drawn to the pastel shades.  I let my girls pick their own color and my oldest chose Lavender and my youngest chose Mint.

I sewed up Malibu by Little Lizard King because it was similar to the style of dress they requested, but the elastic at the back is a bit more forgiving in the event that they grow before Spring...lol

I paired the mint with Off-White Linen at Riley Blake designs and I love them together. 

As I was cutting this out, I decided last minute to add a full ruffle hem.    I may add ruffle hems to everything now!!  To get perfectly gathered ruffles, sew one gathering stitch within your seam allowance and a second row of stitches outside of your seam allowance.  This prevents your ruffles from shifting during the sewing process.  After the ruffles are attached, remove the outer gathering stitch and press!  (PS... this works on gathered skirts too!)

I made my oldest a simple Malibu.  She has been crushing on purple lately so she really loves this Lavender. 

She asked where her bottom ruffle was.... whoops!!!  The ruffle definitely adds to the twirlability!

I made up for the lack of twirl with the hidden side seam pockets!!  Whew!  I also sewed up some skinny bows (Sweet Red Poppy) to add to her hair!

What colors would you pick??  CLICK HERE

{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!!

Glam Girl by Dani Mogstad for Riley Blake Designs

Ooh la la...

    There are certain fabric collections that the moment I look at them, I know exactly which daughter needs it in her life.  When I first saw Glam Girl by Dani Mogstad for Riley Blake Designs, I knew my oldest would be in love!  This stylish collection is full of fashion, flowers and stunning plaid and comes in 3 colorways - black, white and mint.  Pops of pink and rose gold sparkle add some extra fanciness.

Immediately my eyes were drawn to that the black plaid peeking out from the stack above.  I also loved the florals.  It was a super hard decision and my original plan was thwarted by my procraftination.  Then I had a tentative plan B, but even that evolved once I started creating.  I really love the end result, but more importantly, so does my daughter!

I ended up choosing the Glam Girl Floral White Sparkle, Glam Girl Words Pink Sparkle, and the Glam Girl Panel Mint Sparkle. 

Glam Girl Panel Mint Sparkle -- photo from Riley Blake Designs

My original plan was to create both a dress and a coat (using the Glam Girls Plaid Black Sparkle as the outer layer and the Words Pink Sparkle lining) but.... I didn't (a story for another day).  HA!!

As I looked at the quilt panel that I impulsively requested (which by the way, I don't quilt...lol), I knew I wanted to incorporate at least one of the quotes somewhere on my dress.  I turned to the Siena Dress by Little Lizard King which features a center panel (which was just the right size!).  I omitted all of the optional ruffles as I wanted the dress to be as sleek as possible.

I chose the "Love your fabulous self" block because it's such an important message for all ages to be reminded of, but especially for these tween years as she inches closer to middle school.

 I added side seam pockets because my daughters are obsessed with them and they are so easy to add!! 

Every "Glam Girl" needs the perfect accessory and right now, the words "mini backpack" are thrown around my house daily (and every time we go to the store).  I knew the Glam Girls Words Pink would look amazing sewn up as a mini backpack.  I started with the Animazing Messenger Bag by Little Lizard King and used the free Animazing Backpack Add-on and added a few of my own touches.

The rose gold sparkle on the light pink completely has my heart!!  I kind of want to keep this backpack for myself 😂 Oh, and don't worry about the sparkle needing special ironing instructions -- I ironed using my normal heat settings!

I added a little handle at the top just because and side ties to help keep it cinched at the top.  I also used a magnetic snap to keep the flap in place in lieu of a button with loop.  Inside, I added a smaller pocket than the pattern called for using the quilt block (from the panel) "Happiest girls are the prettiest girls."  However, it was hard to photograph it inside once the backpack was all put together (whoops!).

This fabric is released and currently available!!!  Check your favorite online retailer and local quilt stores.  I've got to find some of that black plaid so I can make that jacket I was dreaming of!!  Thank you Riley Blake Designs for this gorgeous package of fabric!!

I will be framing some of the remaining quilt blocks to hang in my daughter's Paris-inspired room.  I may make a couple of small pillows too for her bed.  What's your favorite tiny panel pattern?

♥ ♥ ♥ Have a fabulous day! ♥ ♥ ♥

{Riley Blake Designs} Llama Llama Flannel Pajama

Llama llama, bedtime drama.... I don't know about y'all, but the moment bedtime rolls around, drama ensues at my house.  I'm not sure what it is about bedtime that my kids (namely my youngest) seem to actively refuse to participate, but oh my, it's my nightly struggle.  My oldest decides it's suddenly time to play and my youngest has an entire list of antics to run through (really, she wrote it down once...lol). Please tell me I'm not alone!!

As soon as I saw Flannel Novelty Llamas by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake Designs, I knew my girls needed some new pajama pants.  I was super excited that these llamas come in 3 colorways -- pink, teal, and white.  My oldest loves pink and my youngest loves teal so this collection caters to both!  The little llamas are super cute and the flannel is unbelievably soft.

Me: It's time for bed.... 
Her: I DON'T WANNA!!!  

I used the Adelaide Pajama pants by Little Lizard King to sew up these cozy pj pants.  While my youngest prefers shorts (even in the dead of winter), I convinced her that pants were better because they had more llamas. To complete her pajama set, I used a store tee and added some iron-on with my Cricut.  (Bonus: she can wear the shirt to school too). 

What I say: Time for bed!
What she hears: TIME TO PARTY!!!!

I added pockets because I love pockets and so do my girls.  Plus, how would she smuggle little toys to bed without them?!  

SWEET SUCCESS!!!

This flannel is so comfy, she fell asleep right on the spot! (HA!! If only it were that easy...lol)  But seriously, this flannel is so super soft and sewed so nicely!  I was super happy I could iron throughout the process without changing any of my settings.

My oldest will fall asleep the moment her head hits the pillow which is fantastic as long as I can get her INTO bed.  HA!

 I also made her the Adelaide Pajama pants and paired with a store tee that I embellished.  The Adelaide pattern also come with a cute top, but I wanted to be able to personalize the shirts a bit for their personalities.

She thought she should pretend to go to sleep so you would know the flannel "worked".  After a rather short adventure during bedtime routine tonight, I'll happily say, "yes, yes it does!!"

Don't worry, she's not mad about her new pjs.... she's showing y'all her mad "It's time for bed" face.   She is such a ham in real life and normally reigns it in for most photo shoots, but these pics showcase their personalities perfectly.  (and honestly, I pared down the gazillion expressions she gave me.)

Best sisters.  They really love to coordinate and will be wearing these cute llamas all winter long.  They will probably make an appearance at their elementary school "pj days" too!

{Rose Lane} by Flamingo Toes for Riley Blake Designs

Sometimes you just need to take a quick break from sewing this season's fabric and play for a moment! 

Meet Rose Lane by Beverly McCullough of Flamingo Toes for Riley Blake Designs!  This collection is full of bright and cheery colors and is purr-fect for kitty cat lovers!  It features 3 colorways (mint, pink, white) and includes a large quilt panel.

My youngest daughter loves all creatures and animals, but especially kitty cats.  Unfortunately she's allergic (as is the rest of my family) so she was very excited to see these fabrics arrive.  I chose the Rose Lane Main Mint as my starting point and added Rose Lane Cat Floral Mint and Rose Lane Tiny Bouquet Mint as coordinates (although I do have a bit of regret that I didn't choose coordinates these in pink).  I was also drawn to the Rose Lane Cat Panel (but I don't quilt...lol) so I figured inspiration would just come to me.

These fabrics are so pretty in person and a little bit dainty so  I wanted to pick a pattern to showcase the sweetness of the designs.  I also wanted it suitable for warmer weather.  I decided on Malibu by Little Lizard King.  

The back features a bow (or a tie) and is perfect for adding in a pop of color.  Luckily I had some yellow stripes leftover from this post and it was just what the back of the dress needed!

I was able to talk her into these pretty flutters and it really softens the look.  Look how pretty this fabric ruffles!

I decided to hem the dress with yellow bias tape to continue my little pops of yellow throughout.

After I looked at the Rose Lane Cat Panel, this kitty inspired me.  I really wanted to keep the block intact rather that use a partial kitty on a bodice so I cut along the outline and decided I'd turn it into a little bag.  I didn't follow any pattern and kind of just made it up as I went along...

I used the Rose Lane Tiny Bouquet Mint for the backside, sides and straps and used another quilt block for a pocket.  I added in the yellow stripes as faux piping at the top of the pocket.  I lined it with the the Rose Lane Cat Floral Mint.

 She is so super excited about this outfit!!  Although she can't wear the dress to school, she cannot wait to bring her new bag tomorrow!