Last Call 2017!

Hello,
2017 was another amazing year and I'm looking forward to 2018.  There are a few sewing projects mainly from testing that I really love but did not share with you on this blog.  On this last day of 2017, I wanted to present you a few of them.  

Un beau bonjour,

Nous avons eu une merveilleuse année 2017.  Il y plusieurs projets de couture que j'ai complétés, surtout lors des périodes de test qui n'ont pas été présenté sur ce blog.  En cette dernière journée de 2017, je voulais vous présenter ceux avec lesquels je suis vraiment satisfaite du résultat.

Pattern/Patron : Gracious Threads* - Dax Trousers and Boulder Tee

Pattern/Patron : GreenStyle Creations* - Chelsea pants

Pattern/Patron :  Handmade Boy's Creations - Fighter Tee

Pattern/Patron :  Jennifer Lauren Handmade - Laneway dress

Pattern/Patron :  Love Notions* - Acorn Vest 

Pattern/Patron : Titchy Threads - Safari raglan

Pattern/Patron : Rebecca Page* - The Pippa Pants 

Pattern/Patron : Rebecca Page* - Spook-tastic

Pattern/Patron : Rebecca Page* - Dreamy Drape Top

Wishing you all the best for the New Year.

Je vous souhaite une merveilleuse année 2018.

Nadine 

*Affiliate links/liens affiliés

Handmade Holiday Tour

Hello,  

I love this time of the year.  Holiday music, baking, hot chocolate and marshmallows, and best of all watching “Home Alone” with the kids. The kids always laugh at the robbers when they try to get into the house (burning handle, iced front steps, tool box coming down the stairs…).  I love holiday traditions and I thought for this Love Notions Holiday Handmade blog tour I would share with you one of my family holiday handmade traditions.

This tradition started when my princess was a baby.  I was shopping at my local fabric store and saw a cute Angel print and decided to make her a new holiday pajama to wear on Christmas morning. Not only was it fun but made for great photos in the morning.  This was the beginning of a 10 year holiday tradition of kids matching pajamas for Christmas morning.

Usually, I select a new style for my Christmas morning pjs.  This year, I selected two Love Notions patterns:  Prisma Dress & Moto Maxx .  The Moto Maxx pj version is not new in our house, I have made a few of them using that pattern but they are now all too small for my middle child.

First up is the Prisma dress* , I made no modifications to the pattern.  I selected the scoop version, ¾ sleeve length and went up one size.  I was looking for a more loose style to ensure sleeping comfort.  If you have a closer look at the picture you can see another family holiday tradition.  My husband and I are having quite some fun with that guy.  As you can see, he gets in trouble almost every night!

Secondly, I made the Moto Maxx for the boys pjs.  No modification to the pattern. I skipped the pockets making it a quick sew!  I usually make the short sleeve version but I received a special request from this guy.

My princess’ AG doll also get her own version of this year Christmas pjs.  I used the latest pattern Doll LDT that was released during this Handmade Holiday Tour.

In conclusion, I wanted to share with you a new Holiday Tradition.  In November, I tested an advent calendar for Rebecca Page. I had so much fun with the kids creating each ornaments.  You can get your free pattern here* (for a limited time).  Go grab it and create your own Holiday tradition. 

Use the comments box below and let me know what is your favorite Holiday tradition. Be sure to check out all the other fabulous Handmade Holiday inspirations.

Merriest Christmas to everyone and wishes for a happy, healthy, peaceful New Year for everyone.


Nadine  

Monday: Handmade Boy

The Wholesome Mama

Four seasons and a Roadtrip

Sew Shelly Sew

Tuesday: Third Shift Creations

Handcrafted by RED

All Things Katy!

Wednesday: My Heart Will Sew On
Ma Moose
Seamly Behaviour

Thursday: Sprouting JubeJube
Very Blissful
Sew Like a Sloth
SewSophieLynn

Friday: Back40life
Sewing Curves
Princesse et trésors
Ruby Rue Creations

Love Notions - Sloane

Welcome everyone that is following the Love Notions Sloane blog tour!

Have you been following along? I really love seeing everyone's version of the same pattern. It is such a great inspiration.

The Sloane girls is the latest pattern in the Love Notions collection. During testing, I made two versions of the Girls Sloane Sweater* View B which is a boxy fit with hem band that hits at high hip and regular neckline. 

If you have been following me for a while you know that I love sewing for my princess, she has a full closet of handmade clothes. My princess is an hockey player who spends on average 5 hours/week at the rink.  She wears a lot of athletic clothing.  For the blog tour, I wanted to make her an athletic version of the Sloane.  

For this version, I used the View A, which is more fitted with curved hem.   I love the hood option!

A little bit about the fabric choice. She, yep ''SHE'', selected a Double Brushed Poly from our local fabric store (Fabricland).  It is super soft and so cozy.

Sewing is a hobby for me, I have not invested in a coverstitch yet. This did not stop me to investigate them, maybe one day when I cannot pass on a great sale!    

In the meantime, I found a decorative stitch on my sewing machine that somewhat looks like the coverstitch chain.  I used that stitch for the hem and the hood to reach an athletic style.  The stitch name is ''Joining stitch''. Time to take your manual out and see what you have available.

During the Love Notions Bash, a few hacks were published on the Love Notions blog*.  One of them was thumbhole cuffs for the Sloane.  I included that option on my version. You can find the instructions and pattern for the girls and ladies here*.  

Now, I want to make a version for me. The Sloane ladies version has been available for a while but just got updated with the hood option.  I love patterns that offer a lot of options, which is the case of the Sloane sweater.  

Make sure to check out all the other posts during the tour, most of them include hacking options for your Sloane.

Take care,

Nadine 

Monday: Sew Shelly Sew, The Wholesome Mama, Ruby Rue Creations

Tuesday: Third Shift Creations, Sew Like a Sloth, Four Seasons and a Roadtrip

Wednesday: Seamly Behaviour, My Heart Will Sew On, Ma Moose

Thursday: SewSophieLynn, Very Blissful Blog, Kainara stitches, Sprouting JubeJube

Friday: Sew and Tell Project, Sewing curves, Princesse et trésors, All Things Katy!

Un beau bonjour,

Est -ce que vous avez suivi la tournée des blogs?  J'adore voir toutes les versions du même patron, c'est tellement inspirant. 

Le Sloane pour filles est le dernier patron de la collection de Love Notions. Pendant la période de test, j'ai fais deux version B du patron Girls Sloane Sweater* .  Cette version est plus boxy avec une bande au niveau des hanches. 

Si c'est pas votre première visite sur le blog, vous savez déjà que ma princesse à un garde-robe plein de vêtements fait spécialement pour elle. 

Cette princesse joue au hockey, elle passe plus de 5 heures par semaine à la patinoire.  Pour la tournée des blogs, je voulais lui faire une version plus athlétique.

Pour ce chandail, j'ai utilisé la version A qui est plus ajusté et un ourlet en courbe.  J'ai aussi utilisé l'option du capuchon. 

Je couds pour le plaisir, donc j'ai pas encore investi dans une coversitch. J'ai décourvert un point de couture qui ressemble un peu au point en chaine de la coverstitch. Si jamais vous décidez de sortir votre manuel pour faire assemblant comme moi, le point s'appelle ''Joining stitch''.  

En terminant, une autre option que j'ai ajouté est le trou pour le pouce au poignet. Cette option n'est pas inclus avec le patron mais les instructions et le patron est disponible sur le Love Notions blog ici*.  

Je vous invite à visité les autres bloggeuses qui participent à la tournée.

Passez une belle journée

Nadine 

Monday: Sew Shelly Sew, The Wholesome Mama, Ruby Rue Creations

Tuesday: Third Shift Creations, Sew Like a Sloth, Four Seasons and a Roadtrip

Wednesday: Seamly Behaviour, My Heart Will Sew On, Ma Moose

Thursday: SewSophieLynn, Very Blissful Blog, Kainara stitches, Sprouting JubeJube

Friday: Sew and Tell Project, Sewing curves, Princesse et trésors, All Things Katy!

*affiliate link - lien affilié

Pattern Review - The Auden Cardigan

Good day,  I had the chance, as part of the monthly pattern review, to try another pattern from Jennifer Lauren Handmade collection.

This month I tried the casual men's cardigan Auden.  This pattern is designed for menswear. Unfortunately, my husband is not the cardigan type of guy.

The Auden Cardigan is inspired from the 50s.  It features a modern slim fit body and unique saddle shoulder design line.

I love cardigan a lot, I wear one every day at the office.  So I decided to try the pattern and make a version for myself. Selfish sewing!

I started this project with a little bit of research online to get some ideas.  Here is what I got inspired by (From shop.nordstrom.com & bananarepublic.gapcanada.ca)

I really like the sparkly sequined placket one, such a fun detail. I created my version of the Auden Cardigan with that fun detail in mind.

The suggested fabrics for this cardigan are medium weight, low-stretch sweatshirt knit fabrics. I used french terry with about 25% stretch. I believe this was the right choice of fabric for this cardigan.

Pattern pieces.  You need to start with reading the instructions before printing the pattern.  This pattern includes 2 views and each view has it own pattern pieces.

There is only one file for the A4 and letter format. Each pattern piece are labeled and each size has it own style. Regular makings are included (grain line, notch and lengthen/shorten line).

I print all my patterns at home and in black and white.  I like the layers function (printing only one size).  This feature was not included in this pattern. Please note, that the current pattern in testing includes this feature. Youpi!!!

Instructions, I had no issue with the instructions included with this pattern. Each step was well explained and included digital drawings.  A very detailed sewing glossary is also included.

Another nice feature is the finished garment measurements table.  I like to refer to those tables to ensure the fit I want to reach.  A size chart (metric and imperial) is also included to help you select your size. 

I did modify the order of the steps, when completing this project.  I always start with interfacing my pieces as my first steps. This step was included with the assembling of the neck band facing.  No issue here just a preference!

Modifications I made by personal choice:

I made a few modifications to this version, I reduced the length of the sleeve by one inch, I could had probably take a little bit more.

I also reduced the length by one inch, and modify the length of the hem.  The hem included in the instructions is 3/4 inch (2cm). I used a 2 inch hem and a blind hand stitch.  The edge of my fabric was rolling a lot, I was worried that a 2cm will not be enough to keep the hem from rolling. 

I also skipped the button holes and buttons. Reducing the level of difficulty of this pattern!  The main reason was my inspiration above. 

One thing that I found too big on me was the sleeve cuffs.  This is definitely a men details! There is also a women version of this cardigan available on Jennifer Lauren Handmade - The Juniper Cardigan.

In conclusion,  this pattern was well constructed and I wish she would made a similar version for the boys.  My man is not a cardigan type but it would be perfect for my boys.  

You can read my previous experience with Jennifer Lauren Handmade here.

Take care,

Nadine