{Riley Blake Designs} Honey Bee by My Mind's Eye

 

Bees and I have never gotten along -- just ask my mom how many plates I broke outside growing up because I thought a bee was near me.  HA!  But bees on fabric are super cute and more my speed.  Bees always make me think of summer so I knew a summer dress was in order.  

Honey Bee by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake Designs is a stunning palette of black, parchment, daisy and taupe.  The main prints and the coordinates of wildflowers, plaid, honeycomb, and more all mix and match making the possibilities endless. 

Normally when I select fabrics for a new fabric collection, I choose a main print and maybe a coordinate.  This time, I loved so many together that I chose FOUR prints!  I chose Honey Bee Floral Parchment, Honey Bee Honeycomb Daisy, Honey Bee Honeycomb Parchment and Honey Bee Plaid Black.

I knew immediately I'd be adding hand embroidery to the bodice, but first I had to decide the perfect dress.  I almost sewed up a new Siena, but then was reminded recently how much I love Amsterdam by Little Lizard King. Luckily, I could easily switch gears and I'm so glad I did!

I added one of the designs included in the Madeira Hand Embroidery by Little Lizard King.  I love that embroidery allows you to customize the colors to perfectly compliment your fabrics.  Instead of using white for the daisies (which would not have shown up on my fabric), I chose to turn them into Black-eyed Susan flowers.

I added a colorblocking element to the bodice so I could keep my original plan of fabric placement.  To do this easily (without piecing it all together and risk forgetting additional seam allowance), I cut out the bodice from the embroidered panel.  Then I folded under the sides at a slight angle -- I just eyeballed this step.  Once I had it how I liked it, I pressed the edges in place.  Next, I took small strips of the plaid (folded in half) and slipped it under the edge.  Finally I overlaid it a bodice cut in the daisy colorway and topstitched my overlay on top.  To reduce bulk before lining it, I carefully cut away the extra fabric underneath the overlay.

I love the unique back on this dress.  Plus, it is elastic so even if she hits her growth spurt this summer like her older sister did, she can still fit this!  

I also added a ruffle to the bottom of the skirt.  My ruffle is 1/3 the height of the main skirt (roughly).  If you decide to add a ruffle, remember to add in the seam allowance needed to attach it to the skirt.  I cut double the width of my skirt which gives a nice amount of gathering.

My daughter always appreciates when I add hand embroidery.  She sees me working on it and knows it adds time to my creating process.  

I topped off her look with a Nara Bow which is seriously my go-to bow.  I'm pretty sure she has over 20!  It sews up in under 5 minutes and then you hand tie it and slip in a clip.  Of course, I always sew it up last minute too!

Be sure to check with your favorite fabric shop

to get your yardage of Honey Bee!! 

We love it!

{Project Run & Play} Very Peri Pantone Party 2022 with Art Gallery Fabrics

 

It's that time of year again!!  Pantone has just released it's "Color of the Year".  I was excited to see a color in the "Blues" family.  Blue is my most sewn color and one of my favorites.  Periwinkle is a color in the blue and violet family.  Check out Pantone's Coordinating Color Palettes for Very Peri and see if you can figure out which palette I unknowingly used.    

Photo credit: Pantone.com

PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expression.

We had so much fun with Project Run and Play's Pantone Party Blog Tour last year that I couldn't wait to participate again.  Art Gallery Fabrics provided me with all the fabrics I needed for my projects and I loved shopping different collections to create a cohesive collection for both girls that also celebrated their own unique styles.   Thank you SO much Art Gallery -- not only are your fabrics great quality, you have a fantastic and diverse selection.

My youngest daughter has a larger-than-life personality so she likes the "fun" outfits (and hair!).  

Tee:  Banana Boat Tee in  I Scream You Scream District knit

Skirt: Soleil Skirt* in Amethyst PURE Solid

Purse: Fetta Purse in Grapefruit PURE Solid

Purse Lining and Tee Ties: Oval Elements Peach Dust

*shortened to hem length preference

The Soleil Skirt includes a faux button placket down the front of the skirt and I really love the way it's sewn!  It looks like completely functioning buttons.

The Banana Boat Tee is one of my favorites to sew up.  I love the side ruching.  It adds the perfect amount of detail, yet is super comfortable to wear.  

I used the Oval Elements Peach Dust for the ties to pop out the color a bit here.  

I couldn't resist adding another "fruit slice" to our growing Fetta Collection. It's so incredibly fast to sew -- I meant to stop at cutting it out one night before bed and I looked down and it was all sewn up!

She loves that it includes a zipper which keeps her items safely tucked inside without worrying about losing them.  I love that I found a contrasting solid color for Fetta that picked up one of the colors from the ice cream cones on her tee.  This helps pull the whole look together.

My oldest is *almost* a teenager and I'd describe her style as girly athletic.  Hoodies are pretty much a staple of her wardrobe, but she also enjoys a short, bouncy skirt.

Top: Chromium Cropped Hoodie in Snow White Knit Solid

Skirt: Soleil Skirt* in Across Sparks Blue from Here Comes the Fun collection

*shortened to hem length preference

I hoped a solid white Chromium wouldn't be too boring and I'm actually glad I went for it.  It adds a preppy element to her outfit and definitely compliments the busy print of the the skirt.

As I looked back through last year's details, I discovered I had to "hack" the hood last year too to include a facing in lieu of a full lining.  I couldn't decide between a neckband and hood this year, but my daughter ultimately landed on having the hood.   I had only ordered 1 yard of the knit though so the hood facing was the only way I could make it work.

The print we chose for her skirt may be one of my favorites.  (Sadly, it's not available at AGF any longer, but it looks like online retailers may still have some yardage left.)  She opted to eliminate the faux button placket on the Soleil skirt and I think she made the right decision.  

Over the last few years, I always let my girls help make all the decisions.  It really helps involve them in the process and gives them control of the details.  At the end, they have an outfit that they basically designed which guarantees that it won't just hang in the closet. 

Now, it's your turn to join the Very Peri Pantone Party!

Link up here!

{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} Designer Flannel

 

Fall is finally here (and our temps are at least cooling overnight) which means comfort sewing season is here!  After spending years in toddlerhood trying to get these two to wear (and keep on) pajamas, they finally fully embrace the PJ life.  They've realized they are SOOO much comfier.  Flannel PJs are super cozy in the Fall and Winter!

Riley Blake Designs has several new Designer Flannel options by several designers.  The variety of prints is really great and I saw several that I thought my girls would love.  I enlisted my 10 year old to make the selections this time.  She immediately saw the Salt and Honey Sunny Skies by Ashley Collett and had to have them!  Then we selected two coordinates so her older sister could also coordinate.  We picked Salt and Honey Hearts and Stars in the same collection and found Baby Boy Stars in Yellow by Echo Park Pater Co matched perfectly!

Photograph credit: Riley Blake Designs

Our favorite pajama patterns come from Little Lizard King.  The bottoms are Adelaide PJs in shorts length.  I love adding a faux drawstring so they know which is the front.   The top is Laramie and while it's not intended to be a sleep shirt, it's perfect for the tween crowd.  It's simple silhouette with no closures make it super comfy, especially sewn up in a soft woven like flannel.

Even though the temps are cooling down, my girls prefer "summer" pajama styles or they get too hot at night.

In the last couple of months, she's become obsessed with becoming flexible so she practices and stretches every moment she can.  She was showing me how comfortable her new pjs are! 

I discovered the Laramie Top as a sleep top over the summer when I was sewing up the Spotted Collection.  I had actually meant to recreate the entire outfit using the Halsey Shorts, but I had cut and sewn the Adelaide shorts before I remembered. Whoops!  The Adelaide shorts are more relaxed in the fit whereas Halsey is sportier.

This flannel washes up easily and had minimal shrinkage.  I was able to mix and match two pajama sets out of 1 yard of each print.  The suns and coral print are directional, but the yellow stars made it possible to rotate my pieces to achieve two separate pieces.

I love adding little details on their outfits and turned one of the suns into a cute custom tag.

The Designer Flannels collections are releasing this month (and a few are coming next month).  Visit your favorite quilt shop for details!

{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} Animal Kingdom

By now you know my (and my tween daughter's) affinity for animal print.  We're wild about them! HA!

We got really excited when we saw "Animal Kingdom" by the Riley Blake Design Team.  This fun collection has an assortment of animal prints -- crocs, snake, leopard, giraffe, zebra and tiger - oh my!

I had to refrain from sewing up more leopard print -- even though it's my favorite.   I selected the Animal Kingdom Crocodile in Black with intentions of maybe some cool, slim trousers.  My tween had other ideas for the fabric, however.

Recently Bruges from Little Lizard King released and it reminded me how much I love sewing purses and bags.  This time, my daughter requested the large size, vertical purse.  By adding some midweight stabilized to each piece, this Riley Blake fabric was perfect for a faux croc purse!

The large size easily fits all of her essentials.  The slip pocket inside helps keep it organized.  This purse is finished with bound edges inside which helps provide additional structure on the gusset and there's no awkward "birthing" process through the lining.

She likes that she can wear it as both a backpack and as a crossbody purse.  

This fabric is definitely tween approved!  And while it was not my original plan, this will get way more use than some slim pants.   I call it a win!  (Plus, she gave me my pineapple bag back in exchange for this... hehe)

Animal Kingdom releases this month!!  Stop in your local quilt store or shop your favorite online store to find your yardage!