Dracula's Mac's Monster T-shirt

Halloween is my son's favorite holiday--he even prefers it over Christmas! So, I was totally stoked when I was picked to test Mac's Monster T-shirt by Cole's Corner and Creations. 

 I showed my son all the different applique choices and he choose Dracula (seriously, there are lots of choices). His favorite color is orange so I knew the large front block had to be orange.

I love the curve of the front--it's so unique and one of a kind.

The pattern is available in sizes 1/2 (6 mo) to 16 yrs. (I'm really enjoying patterns that fit my youngest at 2yrs and oldest at 7yrs/size 12.) 

I think the pattern is for Advanced Beginner simply because you need to be comfortable sewing that curve on a serger and appliqueing on knit fabric.

Sometimes he's such a ham for the camera!!! LOL

Due to returning to work full time, I've had a lot less time to sew, but I cannot wait to make some of these for his sisters. Can't sew? Contact me to make one for you!

A Super Cool Sparkly Baby Hoodie

A Sparkly Baby is one of favorite pattern makers. I was so excited to test her newest pattern, the Super Cool Hoodie. 

Gah, he's such a goof! LOL

The hood is fully lined as is the optional kangaroo pocket. I reverse appliqued a scrap piece of my custom fabric onto the top layer of the pocket.

 The pattern is available in size preemie-12 yrs, regular or slim fit and is a beginner level sew. It also includes tutorials for adding a zipper or embellishing your hood with dino spikes or a pony mane. As always, great, easy-to-follow instructions.

He requested the two-tone hood and loves it. <3

You may see a peek of black in the underarm. I had to piece both arms because I didn't have enough of the graffiti fabric. He thinks it's cool. ;)

The pattern is on sale for 25% off until October 3 using code JOANNA.

He's so excited for me to make more! Can't sew? Contact me to make one for you!

EYMM His and Her's Hoodie

I've wanted a new jacket for a long time so I was very excited when I was chosen to test EYMM's His and Her's Hoodie. 

I absolutely love the asymmetrical style of the zipper! It's so unique and eye-catching. (PS, my 7 year old took these shots! I think he did pretty good. ;) )

 I love that it's fully lined (extra warmth for cooler days).

This pattern is available in sizes XS-5XL. It is definitely an intermediate sew because it is fully lined, asymmetrical, and includes a zipper. (I love sewing with separating zippers!)

Are my fabric choices a little strange? Yes. The blue is a sweatshirt fleece from my mom's vintage fabrics and I had to re-cut the lining because I mis-cut one of the sides. However, since I made a 3XL, it took 2-2.5 yards for the lining so I had to use the other material that I had a quantity of. Most of the time I only buy a yard at a time since that's all I usually need to make clothes for my girls. However, since I've started sewing for myself, I have started buying larger cuts. Yay for me!!! ;)

This pattern is awesome to sew for yourself. Can't sew? Contact me to make one for you!

Henday Zip Up Hoodie

The Henday Zip Up Hoodie by Gracious Threads is awesome! As soon as I saw this pattern, I knew the print I wanted to use. I was so thankful to be picked as a tester for it!

He LOVES it!!!!

 Henday has two versions. Version 1 features welt zipper pockets and hip length while Version 2 is a cropped length with a ribbed band. The pattern calls for an unlined hood, but I did line mine because my orange knit was thinner than the camo and I wanted the hood to block the cool autumn wind we get. 

 This is a great length on him. It's available in sizes 2T-12.

I've sewn many zippers but never a welt zipper, until now. It was completely painless and I LOVE the look! I lined the pockets with orange to match the hood and he's thrilled with that little touch. Another option I didn't add was a sleeve cuff.

 Some days he's a pain to photograph so I have to tease him. Then I get this attitude. LOL.

Even though the pattern has up to 3 zippers (depending on which version you choose), I would classify it as Intermediate. I love that I can use fleece for this pattern and am planning jackets for my daughters in fleece.

I would strongly encourage you to buy this pattern because it is a great hoodie/jacket pattern with lots of options. Can't sew? Contact me to make one for you! :)

Raindrop Tee by Gracious Threads

This is the first of two patterns I tested in August for Jessica at Gracious Threads. I had to stop at one Raindrop Tee for each girl due to time contraints, but I plan to make many more to fill their wardrobes this winter. 

Could this pattern be any more awesome? Hi-low, short or cropped/long sleeves, slim fit (perfect for my skinny girls), sizes 2T-8.

 My poor bushes, they're always plucking the flowers off. 

 How adorable is this? I really enjoy that the sleeves aren't too long or too short.

Jessica has this labeled at Confident Beginner which I agree with only because sewing a pocket on knit can be tricky and the hem is a little tricky due to the curve.

 Side view showing the hi-low even better. 

It does have an optional pocket which I included but apparently didn't get any good pictures of. LOL

I encourage you to get this pattern because it will become a staple in your little ones wardrobe. Can't sew? Contact me to make one for you!

Giddyup--Zander's Hoodie & Hooded Vest by EYMM featured in the Boys BundleUp

Yee-Haw! What boy doesn't imagine he's a cowboy? Mine is certainly no exception to that rule so I knew as soon as I was picked to test Zander's by Kymy from EYMM what I was going add.

Get along lil' doggies! There's a new bronc rider in town. Psst, yes this is the Wyoming state icon reversed but it was the one we could agree on.

This hoodie is fully lined and features a separating zipper set at an angle making it stand out from the crowd.

I used the same fabric to line it as I did to create the reverse applique. Due to the lining and zipper, this is an Intermediate sew.

The hood size has been adjusted to be a closer fit on the finished pattern, but my son loved it as is.

The details. Sizes from 0-3mo to 18 tween, long sleeved hoodie or hoodie vest and pockets. Designed for these fabrics: sweatshirt fleece (my blue), french terry, anti-pill fleece, or sweater knit with knit lining. 

If you're not strolling to get yours, you're missing out. 

It's available right now in the Boys BundleUP and will be available separately September 10.

Cinnabar Sky Dress by Golden Rippy Review

Have you ever had a shirt you can't wait to wear? You know, that shirt you can't wait to wear it as soon as it's clean. That's this shirt.

I was so excited when I was chosen to be a tester for Rachel from Golden Rippy. I loved testing her new pattern, the Cinnabar Sky Dress. 

 I LOVE the cross-over!!!

 The tester pattern was a little wide on my shoulders, so I added elastic in the back neckline to help take it in. Rachel has taken in the shoulders on the final pattern so there will be no need to add it.

 Another reason I love this pattern: the cross-over helps hides my post-baby belly. I like that the pattern can be a top or a dress as well as wonderfully nursing friendly (the cross-overs don't get stitched over and you simply separate them when you wish to nurse).

Another alteration, I lengthened the top by about 1.5" (following the curve line of the dress). I love the length. I just plain love this shirt. 

Details: Sizes XXS to XXXL, 2 sleeve lengths, top or dress, optional nursing openings. I would say this pattern is Intermediate but an adventurous advanced beginner could tackle it.

PS: it's on sale for a few more days!!! ;)