{Riley Blake Designs} RBD Basics: Poplin

While I love sewing up gorgeous prints for my two girls, there's something satisfying about choosing a great solid to compliment their personalities and show off details of their chosen dress patterns.  I love looking to Riley Blake Designs for their great 'Basics' selection and was excited to find POPLIN added to the mix.  I've heard really good things about poplin, so I jumped at the chance to try it out!

This is 100% cotton poplin with a thread count of 205.  Poplin has a distinctive ribbed texture and tight weave.

RBD Basics: Poplin comes in a rainbow of colors so I let each girl pick a favorite!  My oldest chose the gorgeous Royal Blue and my youngest picked the prettiest shade of turquoise, Riley Aqua.

As I was awaiting my shipment, I asked some of my sewing friends what poplin was like and they likened it to a men's dress shirt. I remembered that I had Westport by Little Lizard King in my pattern vault so I pulled it back out and really love how this turned out!  

When I had originally sewn the pattern, I made it sleeveless and honestly forgot that the pattern offered flutter sleeves.  Miss 9 is loving flutter sleeves at the moment and is just smitten with her new dress in her favorite color!  

When I was sewing up the collar and collar stand, I grabbed my Riley Blake Tailor's Clapper and Misting Spray Bottle which really aided in getting the crisp lines I needed.

Poplin is a thinner fabric than regular cotton so it's perfect for our hot summer heat!

My oldest daughter is entering middle school this year and has been dreaming of this dress for two years now.  It was fun to finally make it a reality for her!  We used Colmar from Little Lizard King and left off all the ruffles.  I shortened the skirt just a smidge to match the vision in her head.

The circle skirt shows off the drape of the poplin beautifully.

For added interest, I added a tie across the back opening.  We love that this dress has no buttons for her hair to get snagged on and is just pull on and go!  

I really love this picture!  They are the best of friends (most of the time...lol) and seeing this just melts my heart.  I also adore these two colors together -- they really pop against the background.

My first (two) poplin projects definitely didn't disappoint!!  The fabric is lightweight, sews (and irons!) easily and both girls thought their dresses were very comfortable to wear.  I have just a bit leftover so I'm going to see how this fabric does in the new Little Lizard King Halsey shorts!

 

I hope I've inspired you to sew up your own project in poplin -- what would you sew first?  

Visit your favorite quilt shop to pick your favorite shades!  

{Project Run & Play} Hack-stavaganza: Janie Dress & Banana Boat Tee

When I saw Project Run and Play was hosting a pattern hack blog series, I couldn't sign up fast enough.  I love to hack/mash patterns to make it into a different vision.   

After browsing several times through the Project Run and Play store, inspiration finally hit and I selected the Banana Boat Tee by Lil Luxe Collection and the Janie Dress by Mouse House Creations....

and then I made them into one dress!

Here's a peek at how the skirt is attached!  It's the Janie Dress underneath (I chose the gathered circle so I could use a woven fabric) and Banana Boat Tee on top -- connected at the neckline and armscye.

You can view the step-by-step tutorial for this pattern mash over at Project Run and Play

The Banana Boat Tee caught my eye with the added details like the cinched sides, folded cuffs and sleeve detailing.  I will definitely be making some tees for my girls because I love this pattern so much!

I chose the Janie Dress because Mouse House Creations was basically the catalyst for me buying myself a sewing machine and I love sewing her patterns.  I liked that it was a fitted dress too so it would be a pretty easy transformation.  I will add about an inch to the bodice next time I sew this mash so the waist line sits a little lower and allows the Banana Boat Tee topper to extend a little lower.

I have been dying to use this yellow polka dot French Terry from Sew So English that I picked out after I won Project Run and Play Season 23 and it perfectly matched the floral fabric I picked up on clearance last year from Hobby Lobby.  For the under-bodice, I used a white knit I found at Walmart that turned out to be a nice weight.

She really loves this dress and wore it again since photos which is honestly the true test, right?!  I'm going to have to make my younger daughter a version because she's very mad that this wasn't for her. HA!

One Thimble Issue No. 25

It's been far too long since I've blogged about One Thimble!!  I absolutely had to make sure I sat down and took the time to share Issue 25.  The theme of this issue is "My Little Artist" and my girls and I had a lot of fun with this theme.  

One Thimble is an online PDF E-zine with new patterns, past issue pattern hacks (that you can apply to other similar patterns) and loads of inspirational articles.  This issue contains the following patterns:  Portret Top, On The Go Notebook, Graffiti Case and Portrait of the Artist Stencils.  It also contains hacks to: Big Day Out Jacket (Issue 17), Daisy Ray Dress (Issue 20) and #113 Romper (Issue 13).  Also included in the issue is a tutorial for a Pillowcase Skirt and loads of articles!

Grab your Early Bird copy here!!  $12 AUD (~ $8.40 USD)

The Portret Top by The Eli Monster is a sleeveless woven tank with collar and optional oversized statement bow.  

The pattern also includes details like curved hem, back yoke and bias-finished armscyes.

When I opened the pattern, I saw a line in the description "Perfect for sitting for photos!"   This line actually set the entire photoshoot into motion.  I knew my youngest daughter's larger-than-life personality would pair perfectly with the top.

The Daisy Ray Crop Top Hack is a super fun and easy hack (and written by me!!) When the  Daisy Ray Dress by Ainslee Fox Boutique Patterns first came out in Issue #20, I actually hacked it for my blog post.  When Lucy asked if I'd share it with everyone, I had to say yes!  My oldest loves crop tops.

The original pattern calls for a shirred back, but during my tutorial sew, I ran out of elastic thread with just 3 lines left to go.  Of course, every single store was out of it so I changed it to elastic casings.  The shirring method is much quicker in my opinion, but if it intimidates you, you can still sew up the top and add elastic!

We had quite the photo shoot right in the cul-de-sac.  Of course, the neighbors to the left of our photo spot were out trimming their tree during all of this.  My younger daughter told me "The neighbors must think you're so weird..."  HA!!!  They already know.   I've been shooting out here since we moved.  

My youngest was a little sad she didn't have a chance to paint so big sis gladly changed spots and wasn't upset about it at all!  I guess both of my girls have a larger-than-life personality.

This is the perfect tween summer outfit.  Crop top, shorts (Oceaan Shorts from Issue 22) and tennis shoes.

My oldest started "painting" my youngest and I couldn't help but take a few pictures for memories.

Ready Set Splash! by Sandy Gervais for Riley Blake Designs

Hoppin' in this Friday with the cutest little froggy fabric collection!!  My daughter has been froggy-obsessed since she was a baby (my brother gifted her a stuffed frog for her 1st Christmas) and it's not common to find froggy fabric, let alone an entire line!  

"Ready Set Splash!" by Sandy Gervais for Riley Blake Designs is a toadally cute collection featuring frogs, fish, bubbles, dots, suns and plaids. The color palette is pistachio, teal, aqua and coral.

I chose 3 prints to play with -- Ready Set Splash! Main in Pistachio, Ready Set Splash! Plaid Coral and Ready Set Splash! Fish Teal 

The moment I saw the collection, I knew Eden by Little Lizard King would be perfect to mix several prints together.  

This plaid has my whole heart!!  For the scallop overlay, I turned it on the bias for a bit of visual appeal.  I really love how it picks up the coral in the main print.

The coordinates in this collection are just so good!!  I had to narrow it down to just 2 coordinates, but I really love how all the colorways can mix and match and highlight different colors from the main prints.

I couldn't resist making a little ponytail holder bow to match the detailing on the pockets.   I will probably hoard every last scrap of that plaid so I can sprinkle it into creations over time.

My daughter is smitten with her new sundress and thinks the froggies are the cutest thing ever.  I hope she always wears what she loves!!  These prints are now available -- check your favorite local or online quilt shop!!  

Thank you Sandy Gervais and Riley Blake Designs for sending these fabrics our way!!!  You toadally made our day!!

{Project Run & Play} Watercolor Beach - Ripley Swimsuit

Kicking off July with another swimsuit!!  We practically live at the pool in the summer so it's nice to give the girls a variety of swimwear options.  It's quickly become one of my favorite things to sew too!  

When I first saw the line drawings for Project Watercolor Beach for Project Run & Play, the Ripley Swimsuit (by Bubby and Me Creations) was at the top of my list!  (I'm pretty sure I bugged Audrey about it weekly...lol)  I'm happy to say the pattern is finally ready for purchase and I had a lot of fun sewing it up!!

Ripley is a one-piece suit with cross-over bodice, deep v-neckline and optional ruffle.  It covers sizes 1-10!  The instructions are easy to follow and the suit is fully lined with all seams enclosed.

The top of the swimsuit is finished with binding and 1/4" elastic.  I found it a little easier to add the elastic after I basted the swim binding piece on.  It gave me a little something extra to hold onto while stretching the elastic to fit.  I also recommend dabbing fabric or tacky glue on the back when you wrap your binding to the back.  It really helped hold it in place!

I've had this pineapple fabric patiently waiting to be cut.  I finally sourced some solid yellow swim that was perfect for the little ruffles.  I was able to get a size 7 height out of a half-yard cut which isn't always easy to do with a one-piece! 

If you haven't gotten your copy yet, grab it HERE!!

🌊 Click to see more Project Watercolor Beach inspiration!

{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.