HANDMADE Wardrobe // new swim

fabric: sport Lycra from Spoonflower, print is by Erin Kendal

Penny’s swimsuit: Megan Nielsen Mini Cottesloe swimsuit with added skirt (hack tutorial here)

my swim top: self drafted

my swim bottoms: Megan Nielsen Patterns Cottesloe swimsuit

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Its that time of year again, time for some new handmade swimsuits. As if I didn’t make enough last year. While I love all of my Cottesloes, I wanted to try something different this time- a bandeau style with long tie straps.

If you’re looking for a basic bandeau style sewing pattern, the Edgewater Avenue Flynn top is pretty much exactly the look I ended up with. I almost used the Flynn pattern, but I was lazy and didn’t want to get my computer out and print the pages. And I figured, it was a simple enough shape, I can self-draft that, right? So I did. And by self-draft, I mean not very technically. I basically just took some measurements and drew the shape I wanted by hand, and then went through a few trials for fit. It was my first time making a swim top without elastic (Cottesloe uses elastic along the neckline and armholes). So like I said, trial and error. The first one I made was way too tight, especially once the lining was in. The second one’s shape was funny, it dipped slightly in the front and drove me crazy. But the third was spot on!

For the straps, I just cut 4 long strips, sewed them in half wrong side together to create long tubes and then turned them right side out. I placed them 3.5” in from the side seam on each side, sandwiched in between the outer fabric and lining.

For the underbust band, I used the pattern piece from Cottesloe, just adjusted the length measurement to match this suit. And that’s it! It was actually pretty simple once I had the pattern figured out. I also sewed two layers of lining on the front of the top so I could add removable bust pads. This is something I do often, and I will have a tutorial for how to do it on a Cottesloe top (but applies to any swim or bra) up on Design Diary soon.

Penny’s swimsuit is my absolute favorite style to make her. It’s a mini Cottesloe with added skirt/peplum overlay at the waist. I wrote a tutorial for this last year (linked at the top of this post). It’s my favorite style on her, and she loves to twirl!

Handmade WARDROBE // Dove, Hacked

my top: Megan Nielsen Dove blouse, hacked with cap sleeves in a polka dot lyocell linen from Joann Fabrics

Penny’s top: self-drafted

my jeans: Megan Nielsen Patterns Dawn jeans

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Eeeeeeeeek! I’m so excited to finally share this one! If you haven’t heard, Meg recently re-released her Dove blouse pattern in her extended sizing, as well as in Curve sizes! With the re-release, I created two hack tutorials -one of them being this sleeveless/ little cap sleeve version. I looooove it. Probably my favorite woven blouse in my closet right now. You can find the hack tutorial (as well as the other hack for a rounded neckline) on Meg’s blog - Design Diary.

Also, how cute is Penn’y matching outfit this time?! I saw someone on Instagram (ack, I can’t remember who!), make a similar little dress/top in this fabric with tan colored gauze bloomer shorts to go with it, and it was so cute! Penny already had some thrifted bloomers in the same color, so it was fate <3.

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Handmade Wardrobe // first of spring

Fabric : pucker gingham from Joann

my dress: Megan Nielsen Darling Ranges dress lengthened and with added ruffle hem, buttons by Tabitha Sewer

Penny’s dress: Oh Oh My Sewing Sunflower dress

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We may be living in a crazy time right now - self isolating, staying at home, etc, but I can’t stop making pretty things. Sewing keeps me occupied and sane. So while we technically don’t have anywhere to wear these pretty dresses right now, it makes me pretty happy to have them made and in our closets.

My dress is an old tried and true for me - the Darling Ranges dress. I made it maxi length by simply extending the skirt pattern (its a rectangle, so easy to do), and adding an additional rectangular piece ruffle on the bottom. I also brought the neckline up by 1”, and made it sleeveless by just leaving the sleeves off and finishing the raw edges with bias facings instead. I probably should have brought the armscye and shoulder seam in a little bit, so that the shoulders are not so wide. Bt alas, I forgot to.

I was so excited to use these Tabitha Sewer buttons with this fabric! They are called the ‘macaroni’ wood buttons, but I actually see little rainbow shapes. My only regret is not purchasing just one more pack of them to use on P’s dress too. I actually didn’t realize I would have enough fabric left to make anything for P, so that’s why I didn’t. But I suppose that’s an easy thing to swap out if I decided to go back and purchase more later! For now, I’ve used some vintage mix-and-match white buttons from my my grandma’s old stash for hers. Still cute!

Handmade wardrobe // pajama day

fabric: bamboo cotton french terry from La Mercerie

my top: Megan Nielsen Jarrah sweater

my leggings: Megan Nielsen Virginia leggings with optional cuffs

Penny’s top: Megan Nielsen mini Briar tee with straightened hem

Penny’s leggings: Megan Nielsen mini Virginia leggings with optional cuffs

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Nothing crazy to see here, just some simple matching cozy jammies for doing what we do best - lounging all day long, haha.

Just one note about using these leggings for pajamas - If you’re going to use a french terry like this, even lightweight, definitely go up a size! Fabric like this doesnt stretch quite as much as a jersey knit or activewear knit, so it’s best to size up. But otherwise, I like it as an option!

handmade wardrobe // Adirenne, Dawn, and a matching mini

top: Friday Pattern Co. Adrienne blouse in a waffle knit from Fabric Mart Fabrics (sold out)

jeans: Megan Nielsen Dawn jeans in a denim from Style Maker Fabrics

booties: Target

Penny’s tee and pinafore: Simplicity 8706

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First off - yes, my hair is pink! Kinda crazy, right? For me, anyway haha. But I’ve always wanted to try it out so I finally did it!

So these outfits were originally meant to be made back in November - I had the fabrics as part of my November fabric collection. But the holiday months got so crazy, and I had to skip quite a lot of projects. So here we are in January, and I finally got around to making this Adrienne blouse and Dawn jeans! This is my third Adrienne blouse, and probably my favorite one yet in the textured waffle knit. I just love this pattern! One day, I’m just going to have a closet full of Adriennes haha.

And speaking of third versions of a pattern, this is also my third pair of Dawn jeans! Well, fourth if you count the canvas shorts I made, too. But as far as my denim jeans, this is the first time making the tapered leg -both of my other pairs are wide leg. And I don’t know why it took me so long to make this style, because they are soooo good! Fit like a glove. Well, maybe a teeeeeny bit too tight, but I’m hoping they loosen up a bit with wear. As a note - I made my usual size - a straight size 0 with no grading. I did take out just a tiny bit at my hips just in the seam allowance, but that’s it. I do think that next time I might try to pinch out a tiny bit in the back yoke (I may have a bit of a swayback?), just to see if the fit in the back could be a tiny bit better than it already is. But that’s it! For a few little details, I freehand machine stitched a leaf design on the back pocket that I thought was cute and mimicked the print I used for the pocket bags, and I also left the bottom edges un-hemmed to let fray naturally over time.

And then, of course, there is Penny’s matching outfit. The pattern I used is baby/toddler size pattern. So I graded it up a bit to fit her (not very professionally, just by eyeing it). I may have graded the jumper up just a little too much, though, because it is a bit big. But hey - she’ll just get more use out of it as she grows!

I’m going to make a mental note to re-photograph this set outside in better light once we reach warmer months. I don’t think these grainy-ish indoor photos do it justice!

handmade wardrobe // Mommy and Me Tania

both of our sweaters: H&M

both of our culottes (not skirts!): Megan Nielsen Tania culottes and mini Tania culottes in a rayon blend dot print from Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics

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Ok, I’m just going to start off by saying that I’m obsessed with this set of photos and these outfits! I mean, look at that chunky sweater on Penny, omg.

But anyway, could you guys tell that these were both culottes and not skirts? That’s my favorite thing about this pattern. Look Ma - they’re pants! And guess what, Megan is currently offering Mommy & Me bundles for both the adult and mini patterns! So now is your chance to grab them now, If you want to try some twinning, too.

handmade wardrobe .. mommy and me briar and virginia

Both our outfits: Megan Nielsen Patterns Briar tee and Virginia Leggings, mini Briar tee and mini Virginia leggings

Fabrics: rust modal rib knit from Blackbird fabrics, and black/grey athletic knit from Joann Fabrics

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I made these Virginia leggings a while back (with a yoga waisband! You can find the tutorial on Design Diary here), and while I didn’t have any fabric left over, I did have some similar fabric to finally make a pair for P too.

And while I was at it, I might as well throw in some matching Briar tees, as well! Because why not, haha. I made them both in a really drapey modal rib knit. I kept mine simple with no fancy details, and the longer length to be more comfortable worn with leggings. For Penny, I wanted to add more details so she would be more excited about it. Luckily, Meg includes multiple patch options with both patterns. So I added a contrasting heart applique and matching contrasting bands. She was so excited when I showed it to her! Although you may not be able to tell in these photos - she wasn’t acting herself when we went to take these. Usually shes pretty happy and smiley and totally into it, but not this time. Well we found out why an hour later… she threw up all over herself and her cute new outfit. She was, and has been, fine since then, but oh man! That was a rough evening. And yes, the outfit is fine too, after a go in the washing machine haha.

Megan is currently offering Mommy & Me bundles, so you can get these adult and mini patterns together at a special price!

handmade wardrobe // Sudley dress, and matching Cottesloes, too!

dress: Megan Nielsen Patterns Sudley dress in a burnout organza from Joann Fabrics (no longer available)

swimsuits: Megan Nielsen Patterns Cottesloe and Mini Cottesloe (tutorial for peplum and skirt) in a rust swim fabric from Blackbird Fabrics (no longer available)

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Its a two-in-one post! Or rather, three-in-one! Back in July, I made another set of matching Cottesloes for me and P to wear to a beach party. For these ones, with just one hack technique, I created two different looks - peplum bottoms for my two piece and a skirted one piece for Penny! You can find the tutorial for how to do this over at Megan Nielsen Design Diary.

I also made a really fancy beach cover up using this sheer/burnout organza, and you guys, I’m in loooooooove. Exactly what I was imagining. And that little keyhole detail in the back of the Sudley (can be worn in the front, too!) is just too cute. Because It’s sheer, I had to take extra special care to make the inside pretty as well. Since you can see it! So I finished all seams with either french seams or bias bound edges. I have a really pretty mustard yellow silky fabric that I want to make a slip dress out of to wear underneath, so I can wear it off the beach, as well!

handmade wardrobe // lovely Sudley

top: Megan Nielsen Sudley blouse in crepe de chine from Spoonflower (designer is Michelle Aitchison)

jeans: Megan Nielsen Ash jeans

boots: Target

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I don’t make a lot of woven blouses, especially longer sleeved woven blouses, so I needed to fix that! How cute is this little Sudley one? I simply used the cropped bodice length of the dress view, but shortened the skirt to peplum length. I also lengthened the sleeves to just below my elbow, and added an elastic casing at the sleeve hem. Easy peasy! One of my favorite things about the pattern is that it is reversible - the keyhole can be worn in the front or back!

Love love love this fabric! I’m kind of obsessed with Spoonflower. Not the prices, but the infinite options. I’ve been really into leopard print lately, after years of being anti-leopard print, ha. But this one subtle and cute. I also chose the crepe de chine because I liked how lightweight and floaty it was for this style. It is sheer, so a cami is needed underneath. But that was anticipated.

handmade wardrobe // mommy and me Eucalypt tanks

both of our tanks: Megan Nielsen Eucalypt tanks, women’s and mini in a dotty rayon from Fabric.com

my shorts: Peppermint Magazine Spring Shorts in a slub linen from Stonemountain Fabrics

Penny’s shorts: self drafted

my hair clip: Turtle Story

both our shoes: Old Navy (mine & Penny’s)

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My friend Megan just released two new mini paptterns - including the Mini Eucalypt tank and dress! I made these matching tanks for me and P back and June, and have dying to share them. It’s a simple pattern, a quick sew, but oh so satisfying.

Penny is wearing the smallest size available which is a size 3, with no adjustments (she is 3 years old). It is just tad bit big on her, but she also falls just outside the measurements for the size 3. I chose not to make any adjustments, because I figured that it being a tiny bit oversized now is worth it for it to fit her still next summer. The more wear, the better! And the longer I can twin her in it haha.

And now that summer is dying down, I’m also picturing it with a cute chunky cardigan layered over it with her little leggings. Cuuuuuute, right?!