Persimmon Sundress Pattern Review

*This is a late post, I made this 7 or 8 months ago.*

I have been dying to make this dress, but the amount of pieces made it seem overwhelming.  As a result, the pattern sat collecting dust for a year.  We go to the local Air Force base a lot and my children love the airplane, so I wanted to make a fun outfit to incorporate the ABU print and the Air Force fabric.  After flipping through my pattern library I re-discovered the Persimmon Pattern (by Mouse House Creations) and I thought it would be perfect for mixing my prints (in a not so obvious way).

The pattern instructions are very clear and easy to follow.  My biggest problem was that I didn't pay attention to the instructions and I only pintucked the front.  Also, I feel this pattern might run small, I had to size up to a 4T for my 20 month old daughter (who typically wears 3T in other patterns). 

This pattern does have a lot of pieces (not to mention the lining) but it all comes together quickly and you get a very professional looking garment.  In fact, I'm in love with the dress...it looks great from the inside and the outside!

#aimhigh


    

Tulle Little Red Riding Hood Costume (Mini Tutorial)

For the last few years I tried to get my act together in time to make Halloween costumes, but it never happened.  I told myself this year was going to be the year...no more excuses!

I looked in the stores for inspiration and I didn't see anything that caught my eye.  My son ended up spotting an Optimus Prime costume that he wanted so I bought his costume instead of making him one.  I felt bad about not making him something so I bought Transformer fabric and made him a Trick-or-Treat bag using Harts Fabric tutorial.  Sadly I had to omit the reflective tape because I had directional print and the width would require more than the yard I had in my stash.

I still had no idea what to make for my daughter...all I knew was that I didn't want to make something that required a lot of pattern pieces or sewing.  After perusing Pinterest I found a few cute tulle costumes that looked quick and easy to make.  It was a difficult deciding which tulle costume, but after consulting with the critics (my daughter and my husband) it was decided that I would make a Little Red Riding Hood costume.    

If you want to make your own Little Red Riding Hood Costume, here's my quick mini tutorial:

Supplies:

• Craft Scissors
• Measuring tape
• White and Red Thread
• White Crochet Headband (sold at Joann's)
• Red Crochet Headband (sold by the yard at Joann's)
• 15" inches of Black Ruffle trim (sold by the yard at Joann's)
• 6" inch wide red tulle on a roll (I purchased 100 yards online)
• 6" inch wide white tulle on a roll ( I purchased 100 yards online, however you probably need less than 25)

I used McCall's M6187 pattern for the cape, but I only purchased the main fabric and used bias tape instead of adding a lining.  If you don't want to buy a pattern, you can check out these great tutorial on how to make your own cape: 

• Half Circle Cape
• No Sew Cape
• 3/4 Circle Cape
• Unlined Half Circle Cape

Instructions:

To get started on your own tulle costume, measure your child's chest.  My 2 year old measured 20" inches so I subtracted 2" inches from that to make the tube 18" inches.  I thought 4" inches of white in the middle would be proportional for the center, however in retrospect I should have only made it 3"-3.5" inches.  The white section was cut from a single crochet bandeau (meant to be a tube top) so I used it's height (6" inches) to dictate the height of the entire bodice.  To create the red portion of the bodice I sewed 4 rows of the red headband to make the height 6" inches.  Once the red headbands were sewn together, I attached the two ends to the white center to complete the bodice.  I added the black trim after I finish the skirt but I wouldn't recommend doing that because it was difficult to sew with the poofy tulle in the way.  

Next, measure for the length.  Since my bodice was 6"inches, I subtracted that from the total length to get the length of the tulle bottom.  I wanted my dress longer (ankle length) in case it was chilly on Halloween.  In order to achieve the length I wanted I needed my tulle to be 18" long, which means I had to cut my tulle to be 36" inches long.  

I started looping the red tulle on the bottom row of the bodice and went all the way around.  For the second row I filled in the gaps and built the volume of the skirt.  

For the apron I wanted it to be 13" inches in length, meaning I would have to cut my tulle 26" inches in length.  I made a single row of the white tulle in the white portion of the bodice, and I made sure that there wasn't any gaps or holes.

To make the cape I sorta used McCall's M6187.  I cut the hood using the pattern and I laid the cape pattern on the fabric and cut it as if I was making a circle skirt.  The pattern calls for lining and pleats in the hood but I omitted them.  

Instead of using a pleat, I slightly gathered the cape to match the size of the hood then attached the two and covered the seam with bias tape.  As for the back seam I also used bias tape to cover the edge of the fabric.  I topstitched the bias tape down, sewing on the outside of the cape.

For the tie I used white ribbon from my ribbon scraps. 

To make the hem I used my rolled hem foot...it gave the hem a nice finish and saved me a lot of time!  If you don't own a rolled hem foot, I highly recommend buying one.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!!!

Pumpkin Pie Squares Recipe (Updated Post)

*Updated Post*

This is one of my favorite recipes ever!!  A former coworker brought in this delicious dessert every year for the holidays and she was kind enough to share the recipe (so if you love it you can thank Sharon from Petaluma).

Please note that I did change this recipe a little but not too much.  I simply reduced the amount of pumpkin required.

This recipe has three parts: the crust, the filling and the topping so I will list all the ingredients below and tell you how much to use in each part of the recipe.  

Ingredients:

• 1 package of Pillsbury Yellow Cake Mix
• 3/4 cup of butter (1/2 cup for the crust and 1/4 cup for the topping)
• 3 eggs
• 2/3 cup of milk
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• Baking spray or grease
• 15 oz can of pumpkin 

Alright, now that you have everything you need, let's get started.

Getting Ready:

1. Spray or grease the bottom of your 13x9 inch pan.  If you are using glass, I'm pretty sure you can skip this step.
2. Set aside 1 cup of yellow cake mix to use later for the topping.
3. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.

The Crust:

1. Combine the remaining cake mix, 1/2 cup of melted butter and egg in a mixing bowl.
2. Once everything is mixed, press the mixture into the bottom of your pan.  I find that using a spatula helps spread it somewhat evenly. 

The Filling:

1. Combine the 2/3 cup of milk, 2 eggs and the 15 oz can of pumpkin (the original recipe calls for 3 cups of pumpkin pie mix or a 1 lb 14 oz can, but I only use a 15 oz can), blend mixture until smooth.
2. Evenly distribute the filling over the crust.

The Topping:

1. Combine the 1 cup of cake mix, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4 cup of butter.
2. Sprinkle the crumbs over the filling.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until thoroughly baked.  To check if it is thoroughly baked you can use a knife or a toothpick and put it in the center of the pan, if it comes out clean then it is cooked.  After it is baked, let it cool and add a little whip cream on top.

Right click the image below and save to print the recipe card

Where do I start?

Wow, it's been a while since I've blogged and there are so many things that I have made while I've been away.  I hadn't intended to stay away this long...the holidays and life just kept me away from the computer.

Let me catch you up to speed on what I've been sewing...around the holidays I sewed a bazillion Recess Raglan shirts for my son and he now has enough long sleeve tops for this winter and next!  I also acquired quite a few new patterns and I've been zipping through them and crossing them off my sewing list.  And before I forget, I have been mixing patterns and making alteration on the stuff I sew for me.

I hate to write a post and leave you without any pictures, so here are half the Recess Raglan shirts I created in my blogging absences.  You can read my original pattern review here.

My little photobomber!

Thanks for reading!!!  See ya all next time!!!

Love Notions Hip Hop Tank Pattern Review

I bought this pattern as part of a pattern bundle.  I had originally intended to make a summer tank but I didn't get around to making it.  I pushed this pattern to the side and didn't think about it until I went fabric shopping and found workout fabric at JoAnn's.  I was really excited about my find and I thought I would try making my own workout clothes (using this pattern) since I had started doing more exercise.

I cut out the pattern according to the measurements and went to work.  I opted to use the same fabric and not make a contrasting panel in the back.  The top came together quickly and I cut complimenting black rib knit fabric for the neck band.  If I remember correctly, I cut a 24" inch length and stretched it to fit the neck.

To finish the top I used my coverstitch machine on the hem and I topstitched along the neck.

This shirt is a great addition to my workout gear.  I like the loose fit for gym days or running errands.  You can see the straps of my sports bra but it doesn't bother me...the straps of my normal bra don't show.

Overall I really like the pattern and I plan to make some more variations.    #winning

Black and Blue - My Coppélia Sweater

It was a cold and very windy day when we took these pictures...as you can tell by my hair.

I bought this pattern with the intent of making sweater to wear while working out.  However, when I saw this black and blue sweater knit fabric, I knew I wanted to use this pattern.  

This pattern was a quick sew and I love the contrasting bands.  

I don't think I'll wear this to the gym because the fabric is a little dressy and not very good for absorbing sweat.  I suppose I'll have to make another version with more appropriate fabric for the gym.

Kelly Moore "Cyber Monday" Sale Starts Now!

*This post contains affiliate links, all opinions are my own*

My favorite camera bag is on sale again!!!  

This time you an take $30 off any bag from 11/28/14-12/1/14 when you use the code: Black Friday

Kelly Moore has increased their collection and added 8 new bag styles.  I love the new designs but my favorite is still the Riva bag.  You can read more about my Riva review here.