Now Available Cloudsplitter Bags NEW Pandora Hipster

I am excited to announce that I was part of the testing for Cloudsplitter Bags NEW Pandora Hipster. Really the pattern was practically perfect at the beginning of testing.  I have been looking for a great pattern for a similar bag for a while now.  I don't have to look any farther and either do you.

While this cross body bag is designed for an intermediate seamstress it goes together well.The directions are great and has just enough pictures to show the steps without having to print way too many.  I would say some of the seams are thick so be prepared to go slow, but that is about the only suggestion I would make.

This bag has a great front zipper pocket, just the right size for keeping keys and other items handy and accessible. There are plenty more pockets on the inside including, pleated, zippered and slip pockets. The Pandora Hipster has great potential for gorgeous fabric combinations.

The bag is approximately 12" tall x 10.5"wide x 3.5" deep.

I originally intended to keep this bag for myself but my almost teen daughter stole it until I can make her another bag.  And anything that pleases a teen must be great, right? Here are some more photos so you can be inspired to make your own.  

Introducing the Greenstyle Creations Katie Dress and Peplum Pattern

Here we go!  This pattern will be live 3/2/15!  A must have for your wardrobe for sure.  I had the pleasure of working with Angelyn for the 2nd time now on one of her patterns. She is such a wonderful pattern designer, and did her very best to accommodate lots of sizes and shapes and requests in this pattern.  This time the pattern was a dress called Katie.  At the beginning of testing Katie and I had a love hate relationship, I wanted to love her but couldn't get the fit quite right.  With the fantastic support of the testing group and some pattern modifications I was able to LOVE this dress. Those modifications were then added to the pattern so others can go straight to the love relationship.  While working on the pattern the idea was brought up for a shirt modification....a Peplum top with a high/low option.  This pattern is a form fitting pattern with fantastic detailing that can be modified in many ways to suite your occasion and needs.  There are different bodice length lines and lengths to make a dress with a fitted or a-line skirt or a peplum top. 2 great sleeve lengths and the most fantastic directions.  The sizing is xxl-3xl, and is designed to be very form fitting. This pattern also has a great feature of no trim page assembly, which I love and can now be printed on A4 paper as well. I have never seen so many fantastic garments as our testing group produced, it might be said that this pattern is addicting.  And there are tons of ways to change it up! Here is my favorite that I made, a peplum top.  Enjoying some photography outside before the next arctic snap hits :) My almost teen daughter was kind enough to take these photos of me.  She preferred me making funny faces and being silly but we managed to get some good ones too!
Here is where you can find Greenstyle Creations, the pattern is on sale for $7 today only (3/2/15)!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenstylecreations/147951782033354
http://greenstylecreations.com/products/katie-dress-and-peplum-pdf-sewing-pattern
https://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenStyleCreations

P&B Textile Design Competition Entry

After much stress, designing and decisions I finally decided which color and design to submit for the P&B Textiles and Pattern Observer Textile Design Competition.  I was determined I wanted diagonal stripes for the coordinate, how hard could they be right???? Well it was a steep learning curve due in part to my older version of Photoshop.  I did however find a fantastic video tutorial for help in getting this finished. Illustratoring has lots of other great classes and tutorials as well. http://www.illustratoring.com/illustrator-diagonal-stripe-pattern-tutorial/ . The main floral pattern is from flower photos taken in my moms garden. I prefer to use my own images and photos in all my designs. I tried to use colors that were picked popular for spring 2015 and that would be bright and pretty.  I had several colorways and designs I really loved but finally narrowed it down to this one. So here it is :)  Now to wait to hear who the top 10 are by the 13th of March!

My Image Magazine now has PDF Patterns

If you aren't familiar with My Image and Young Image pattern magazines you should go check them out. The magazine has pattern sheets in which you trace the size and pattern you need for 16 different patterns.  These are a lot like Ottobre pattern magazines if you are familiar with them.  My Image has now come out with new PDF patterns. You can get them here http://www.sewhour.com/en/  I had the opportunity to go over these patterns and I think we are looking at some new hits.  The patterns include the option to print the pieces you need and just directly cut them out, or you can print a pattern sheet that you trace like in the magazines. These patterns have a little different style for their instructions, they are not page after page of detailed instructions and pictures but the instructions will get the pattern accomplished and save on ink and paper in the process. You can also email them if you have any trouble with the patterns the customer service is great. Please note that their emails can sometimes go to your junkmail accounts so please check there if needed. The new PDF patterns will get you a head start on summer.  They include the Jet Dress, Chayenne Jumpsuit and Kim Trousers. And the best part of this!  A COUPON CODE for 1 FREE PDF pattern. Use code "coveredbydesign7834".

http://www.sewhour.com/en/home/2-s1002-dress-jet.html

http://www.sewhour.com/en/home/3-s1003-trousers-kim.html

http://www.sewhour.com/en/home/1-s1001-jumpsuit-chayenne.html

GreenStyle Creations Plus Size Laurel Dress

I had the great pleasure of testing the new plus sized Laurel Dress/Tunic pattern by GreenStyle Creations.  Angelyn was a pleasure to work with in perfecting the pattern for us plus sized ladies and together a great fit was created.  This pattern has some great features including 4 sleeve lengths, 4 skirt lengths and 3 bodice lengths.  You can completely customize a shirt or dress to fit you, the pattern includes size 0X to 3X. Fabric with at least 25% stretch is needed to ensure a proper fit.

The first test shirt I did in a bigger size, I am always afraid of having things turn out too small, I am sure most plus sized women understand that. I really liked how it turned out and it was the perfect length to wear over legging with boots.  One of the initial fit issues was the bodice length and that was solved in our testing.  This version is the regular bodice which was a bit long on me, but the final pattern adjusted the bodice levels.  The length is tunic length and elbow length sleeves. Don't mind the little glowing eyed photo bombing doggie Ziva ;)

The next Laurel I made I decided to try a size down.  Which always makes me feel great!  Since its winter and I don't wear dresses much I chose the shirt length with regular bodice length and short sleeves.  Oh My Goodness!  I am in love with this pattern.  My husband liked and complemented me on the fit and style.  And the craziest complement yet??? My tween daughter loved the fit on me. Mothers of tweens and teens can totally relate to this!  Score!

So hop on over to GreenStyle Creations and for a limited time using the code 20discount you can get 20% off the pattern. Check out their other great patterns while you are there! More neckline add ons to the pattern are in the works as well!

Serger Pepper's Everyday Tank Top Review

My full review of the Everyday Tank Top and Dress Pattern by Serger Pepper will be on the DIY Crush Website soon.  But I couldn't wait to share some photos with everyone. This pattern is a keeper, especially for tween patterns! For full review and more photos please join DIY-Crush's email list and check back frequently.
UPDATE: Here is the full review, head on over to check it out and give DIY Crush a look! 

Back to Sewing and a Side of Cuteness

I finally took some time to get some sewing in this month.  Life as a mom of  3 and wife to a full time mechanical engineer college student and helper on my parents ranch keeps life crazy.  But then who doesn't have a crazy life.  My wonderful husband designed some fantastic shelves for my sewing area to help me get organized, and after stocking the shelves he made I realized I need many more. Or maybe I should get through some of my fabric stash, but what fun is that ;)

My mom asked me to sew a knit jacket for her trip down south, I was happy to do it.  The pattern is a Burda Style 7167.  I was happy with how the pattern went together and the fabric is so gorgeous and soft.  The pictures don't do it justice, its more vibrant in person.

And just for a cuteness factor, here is my doggie Ziva and kitty Velcro snuggling on my chair next to the heater while I sewed.