It feels strange to be back here with a tester call. I worked so long and hard on my last pattern, Capitol Hill, back in October that I knew I needed a little break from patterns to enjoy the holiday season. We did just that and then managed to be sick for the next two months! We are finally all healthy in the house and I feel like myself again which means I could finally sit down and draft this pattern that has been on my mind for many months.
The Ballard Top is ready for testing!
This pattern is a knit relaxed fit tunic with 3/4 sleeves, gathering at the front neckline and and open back detail. I have decided to also add pockets! Pattern comes in sizes 0-18.
The testing will run from Thursday the 9th until Wednesday the 15th. Testing will be done through a facebook group, unless you aren’t on facebook it can be done by email.
If you are interested in participating please fill out the google form to be considered. Those chosen will be notified by tomorrow.
Growing up with 2 sisters all I ever knew was girls. When I got pregnant with Sophie I knew without a doubt that I was having a girl. I just always pictured myself with girls, at least 2 but maybe even 4. Clearly that was the no kids person talking, because reality is 2 kids is enough 🙂
When I got pregnant with Benny I knew without a doubt that it was a boy. Before we found out the sex I tried to convince myself that it was a girl but knew deep down that wasn’t the case. Don’t get me wrong I was so excited but still surprised I was actually having a boy.
When Mandalynn of Striped Swallow Designs hinted during the testing for the girls coachella shorts that she would be releasing a women’s version I was sold. The girls shorts were an easy sew and since I used knit for Sophie’s shorts I already had fabric ideas swirling. Lucky for me Mandalynn picked me to test the women’s version.
My original plan was to make a version out of the same pony fabric I made Sophie’s out of but then while walking the aisles of Joann’s looking for something else I came across this double sided black and white knit and knew it had to be a pair of Coachella’s for me.
Caila of Caila Made just released a new pattern, the Desert Rose Dress and Tunic, and I was one of the lucky ones that got to test it. Listen to me when I say this pattern is amazing and so easy to sew up. You have to head over to her shop right now and get this pattern.
Don’t worry, I will wait…
Okay now that you have the pattern let’s talk about what I like to call the Tale of Two Tunics and a Dress.
Lets just file this blog post under photos taken 3 months ago and never blogged about, and it was a pattern test to boot. Those are my favourite things to blog about so I am kicking myself that I never did this one.
Lately it is a very rare opportunity that I actually sew or blog about something I made for Benny, something I hope to change in the coming months. But in the meantime here is a fun pair of pants that I made for Benny that not only I adore but both Benny and Sophie love. Ben asks for his man pants to go with his man shirt all the time.
If there is one thing I have learned since I started sewing clothes for my kiddos it’s that you should never force a photoshoot. Not only will you end up with force smiles but you will probably have tears at some point. And really, is a pattern testing deadline or blog post really worth forcing your child to stand still and smile just for some photos.
Absolutely not.
When Mandalynn of Striped Swallow Designs posted a picture of her first pattern, Coachella Shorts, I jumped at the chance to test them. They are seriously cute and I was excited about supporting a fellow Pattern Workshop student.
Since I do my best sewing while the kids are napping I decided to see if I could get the pattern completed from start to finish while the kids were down. You know what it was easy peasy to get done and I even had time to spare.
As any stay at home parent can attest, when you are sick you rarely get time off. A few weeks ago we were going to go on a last minute trip up to Vancouver to see my brother and sister in law. The night before we left, which was about 5 hours after we decided to go I came down with a nasty cold. The kind of cold where all you want to do is lay on the couch and watch tv.
The more I get to know Lauren Dahl the more I am blown away by her. As I talked about in my big reveal post about my newest hobby Lauren is busy running a blog, a course for creating pdf patterns AND she is also designing patterns for her label Selvage Designs (affiliate link), she is a busy lady who clearly loves what she is doing. Her newest pattern, the Foxglove Tank was released yesterday as a pre-order through Indie Sew and I had the pleasure of being one of her testers.
