Sunny Top in Arrows and Dots

I'm so thrilled to be a part of SewVery's Sunny Dress & Top Tour!  It's a wonderful pattern with different design options, so that you can make several pieces with the one pattern.  I love patterns with versatility.

During the tour week the pattern can be purchased for 20% off using code SUNNY20!

When the Sunny Dress first came out in sizes 5-7, I had planned to modify it for my size 3T girls.  Luckily Veronica decided to expand the sizes and I was able to test!  You can see my dress version here.

This is the Option B Top, my fav.  The top fits my girls just right and is something they can get on and off themselves when I keep the back tied.  

 The sleek A-line shape allows elements like fun fabric and the adorable back ties to shine.  

(all fabrics were from JoAnn Fabrics) 

Look at that neckline.  It sits perfectly where it should and doesn't shift when she's running and jumping around the playground.

I prefer the back ties styled straight down, but they're also long enough to style them crossed.  

The design of the pattern back inspired me to make some matching shorts with side bow pockets.  They're modified Elegance & Elephants Bubble Pocket shorts.  I almost changed the bows to the contrasting arrow fabric, but my little one saw it this way and told me - "don't touch my outfit mama".  Well okay then mini designer...

I plan to sew some more Sunny tops since it's so quick and cute (stay tuned), but in the meantime make sure to check out all the other versions of the pattern during the tour this week!

There is also a giveaway for 2 free patterns!

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Monday, August 11th Sewing Mama RaeAnna While she was sleeping 4Kids + 1 Momma = chaos Mama Says Sew Wednesday, August 13th Sew Like My Mom Made by Sara Shaffer Sisters Friday, August 15th Rae Gun Ramblings Rebel and Malice Right Sides Facing Sunday, August 17th sewVery

Tuesday, August 12th Handcrafted by RED Two-Many Feathered Ruffles Call Ajaire Thursday, August 14th Crafty Biggers Sweeter Than Cupcakes Giggles and Beans Pattern Revolution Saturday, August 16th Thirtynine Made by Momma Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop

W shorts

I've only made the girls one pair of W pants, but they have been the best fitting pants I've made for them.  So of course I knew I had to make the shorts version of the pants this summer.  The Shorts on the Line series has motivated me to make them before summer is over (I tend to procrastinate...).

The design of the back is really fun to construct.  I just played with some fabrics until I got a look that the girls would like and I thought was interesting.  The flat piping is made with some scrap floral linen, and the contrasting black and white fabric is the last bit of scrap from my original W pants.  Main fabric is some green twill from JoAnn Fabrics.

A fun surprise for the girls was that I used some super hero girl fabric (by Anne Kelle) for the pocket lining.  They are super hero obsessed!

This pattern is a little more boyish than girlie (it's unisex), but that's one thing I love about it.  The girls always look really cute in boy tees and plaid shirts, so why not boy shorts.  Just don't tell them it's not girlie!

The fly construction is so confusing yet simple at the same time.  I just blindly follow the pattern and it works out perfectly, even after sewing way past my bedtime.

BTW, this kid didn't really want to take pictures today.  I'll leave you with how she thinks the shorts look photographed best. Oy.

City Gym Shorts

I went a little crazy sewing yesterday night.  I couldn't help it - not only is the City Gym Shorts pattern over at Purl Bee free, but it's just what I was looking for to make.  

The awesome shorts made by Teresa at Dandelion Drift were the first pair I saw that got me printing the pattern.  Now the Shorts on the Line project collection over at Kollabora are being dominated by City Gym Shorts.  

My first pair was made with new fabric from JoAnn Fabrics by Jennifer Paganelli - the Nora Mae Gaulden Rose print (part of the Jenny Eliza collection).  I could make an entire wardrobe with this floral and not get tired of it.  The colors are gorgeous.  I framed the floral with a waistband and bias tape made with chambray.

Since the pattern takes very little fabric, I had plenty to make myself a matching pair.  This time you can see that I made the back with the contrasting chambray and the bias tape with a white on white dotted fabric.

And because I couldn't stop there (one girl would be left out!) I made one more pair.  Of course it was made with fabric that contained purple, or else it would have been thrown back at me with demands for a purple version.  

The front is a Robert Kauffman fabric that I bought so long ago that I've forgotten the name.  I only had a half yard so I was waiting for just the right project to use it for.  The bias tape and waistband is the same white dotted fabric that was used for my shorts.  

You can see in the pic above that the shorts are different sizes.  The floral is a 4/5T and the arrow print is a 3T.  All the girls' 3T shorts are getting snug but the next size is too big.  I figure the best option I have is to sew the bigger size and make the elastic in the waistband snug enough so they don't fall off (leaving extra elastic for when they grow).  

Speaking of waistbands...I thought it was strange that the pattern instructions didn't include trimming the large seam allowance before tacking down the other side.  But now I see that all those layers of fabric making up the waistband help it be more stable, and I bet the elastic won't turn as easily.

Ha, the pic above looks like they're either hugging or about to get into a wrestling match :)  I assure you they were hugging and laughing (for once) because they were so excited we all have matching shorts.  I guess I should match them more often!

Starlite Dress

A while back my mother gave me some of my old books for the girls to read, and some of the ones they have become attached to are about Rainbow Brite.  So of course I told them I'd make a Rainbow Brite dress!  I bought this Riley Blake unicorn fabric instead of making a costume.  I thought this would appease them since the unicorn looked liked Rainbow Brite's horse, Startlite.  

The dress was made using a newly released pattern that I love!  The Sunny Dress & Top by SewVery.   I was fortunate to test the 3T version.  The pattern is a fitted A-line dress that ties in the back (so adorable!).  There's an option of putting a ruffle across the top or leaving it plain - both cute options.  The pattern fits the girls really well, which isn't always the case with every pattern. 

You can also use the pattern to make a top, which I'll post more about later next week (sneak peak above).  Right now the pattern is 20% off this weekend.  If you're looking for an adorable summer dress or top to sew for your girl, check it out!