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{Happy Birthday} Simple Life Pattern Co.


Eeek!  Simple Life Pattern Co. is turning ONE!  I am so honored to be included on their celebration blog tour.  Katie, Laura, and Ashley (of SLPco) teamed up with Laura (of Punkin Head Threads) and provided me with all the patterns and fabrics.

When I received the invitation, I spent some time browsing Laura's shop, Punkin Head Threads and I seriously wanted it all.  I decided to take a night and sleep on it before I made my selections.  In the middle of the night, I awoke with an idea -- a pretty fantastic idea that inspired my entire look.


Yep, I had a dream about cording.  And I thought it would look awesome as the straps of Bella's Dress and then I thought of Michael Miller's Regatta Borderprint I had swooned over while shopping Punkin Head Threads.  I quickly messaged Laura with my selection, along with a solid red from Art Gallery Fabrics for Braxton's Blazer {coming tomorrow}. Shipping was lightning quick!

The fabrics are amazing quality and of course, wash up (and iron) nicely.  I had zero bleeding and used no color catchers.  I had that much faith in the quality of MMF and AGF!



While my girls were having fun with their "snow days", I was dreaming of summer and crafting away, dreaming I was sailing away on one of these boats.  I adore nautical prints and decor (check out the props in the top photo -- those are my normal decorations in my house :) )

Bella's Dress is so easy to sew up -- you only need to print the bodice!  You can customize the skirt portion {gathered skirt, gathered skirt with ruffle, gathered maxi, gathered maxi with ruffle}.  The Regatta border was the perfect height for knee length for my littlest.  I added a faux sash at the waist for a little extra pop of red.


Braxton's Blazer is releasing tomorrow in the new collection.  It features an open back or a narrow tulip back (as pictured).  It also has 3/4 sleeves (pictured), long sleeves and cuffed long sleeves.  Did I mention it's fully lined so it's reversible?! As I was halfway through sewing it, I ran across some picot-edged bias tape in my sewing room.... and then I got another idea.  I sandwiched the bias tape in between the back layers so just the picot edge showed on the back petals.  It was so worth the seam-ripping!  Luckily the pattern sews up rather quickly so not much time was lost.


Now if you are looking at the above picture and thinking that your eyes must be playing tricks on you, they aren't.  As I was finishing the blazer, I started thinking about the nearly two yards of stripes I had remaining from the top of the Regatta Borderprint.  A single layer of Daphne's Skirt was the perfect pattern to create a trendy skirt that would pair great with the blazer I just finished.  (Note: I added a little height to my waistband in order to feature my stripes how I wanted.)


Of course, if you make a new skirt, you'll need a top to go with it (I'm starting to think I'm in my very own "If You Give A Mouse a Cookie" book...lol) This is Cami's Tank {coming tomorrow} and will be free for members of SLPco Fan Group on Facebook (please do not share the code outside the group).  How sweet is that?!

Of course, I couldn't let my littlest have all the fun!  My girls are so close in size that they can often share clothes (convenient for me!).  Big Sis joined in on the snow day photo shoot :)



Then we ventured out in the Great Snow of 2016 (that resulted in no school for 3 days) to get a prize and lo and behold, it was nearly 55 degrees (F) outside!  So I ran back in for my camera and managed to snag a couple more of my oldest who didn't want to take off her new outfit.


If you look closely, you'll notice I ruched the sleeve hemline a tad with clear elastic.  (Note: This was possible because I did not line the sleeves as my blazer is lined with the same red and not reversible). Also, note, I made a tiny error on the ruffle -- I misread the directions and stopped it at the shoulder seam instead of continuing around the back of the neck.  I realized as I was sewing my two jacket halves together.  I was not seam-ripping at that point. HAHA  Luckily it ended up being a cute mistake.


Simple Life Pattern Co. is releasing several new patterns tomorrow so don't miss out!!

{Online Shops}

{Patterns featured}

Bella’s Dress | Braxton’s Blazer | Cami’s Tank | Daphne’s Skirt
(releases tomorrow) (releases tomorrow)

{facebook groups}

{Tour Stops}


Kailua Town Dress, Available MEOW!


Meeee-oooowwww.

Oh hello!  Little Lizard King is back a second time this week with another new release!  Kailua Town Dress is a knit/woven combo dress, featuring a curved front bodice, natural hi-low hem and no neck binding (YAY).

Pattern Details:
  • Sizes 12m - Girls' 14
  • Bodice: Knit (lined, eliminating neck banding)
  • Sleeves: Long or Elbow, banded sleeve
  • Skirt: Hi-Low Double Ruffle Bubble or Simple Gathered
  • Pattern Pieces: Layered (Choose the size(s) you need)


If knit has scared you before, this is a great beginner pattern.  The pattern is very easy to follow and has great tips for stabilizing your knit before adding your woven bottom fabric.


I chose to make the elbow length sleeves (my daughter is anti-long sleeve) and the simple gathered skirt.  I love how the curve of  the bodice tugs the skirt slightly upward for a natural hi-low hem.  I added two decorative buttons to draw a bit of the white upward.


I have a few more planned -- it's a great way to use up some knit scraps.

 Cassie (the lovely designer) is sharing a tutorial {Monday} on how to turn it into a top!  It's sooo adorable!  

Oh Deer! Janie Lou is Ready for You!


Cassie, of Little Lizard King has been hard at work -- Janie Lou is the first of two new designs this week.  You are going to love them!

Janie Lou features:
  • Sizes 12m - Girls 12, plus 18" doll
  • Length options: A-line Tunic or Gathered Dress
  • Bodice options: Chevron Inset, Plain Inset, or No Inset
  • 3/4 Length French-Cuffed Sleeves
  • Sash options: Regular, Jumbo, or None
  • Back Bodice: Tabbed Button closure
  • Designed for Woven Fabrics
  • Layered Pattern Pieces -- Print only the sizes you need!


This pattern has so many pretty options, it was hard to decide what to make first.  Before Christmas, I came across the sweetest little deer sketch (redwork) embroidery.  It instantly reminded me of my coveted deer fabric {by Stenzo} remnant.  Because I had a limited amount of deer, I made the tunic length.  For the bodice, I chose the plain inset, allowing me to showcase the embroidery.  I decided to frame the inset with both pink ric rac and red bias tape to help the white inset pop against my white/blue polka-dotted bodice.  In lieu of sashes, I made button tabs to feature my matching red rose shank buttons.  {This option is not in the pattern -- tutorial to come on Not Sew Plain Jane.}


The back features 4 tabbed buttons -- so those of you afraid of buttonholes, this pattern is for you!


At the bottom of the sleeve, you'll find a French cuff.  You may choose to sew a button on just the front side, or sew a button on each side of the cuff to mimic cuff links.  I chose to sew buttons on both sides.


I had a doll-sized planned, but life had other plans for me this week.  When I finish, I will show it off!

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What options will you choose first?  Tell me below!

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Important links: 

*Don't forget about the Buy 4, Get the 5th Pattern FREE (equal or lesser value) deal!

Join us: LLK Cafe
Join the rest of the LLK Fans and show off your creations, ask questions, and hear about new releases!

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P.S.  The next release up is Kailua Town -- a knit/woven dress combo  
... And rumor has it several more patterns are headed to testing soon!!

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