50% OFF and Stocking Stalkers

Are you a stalker of My Taylor Made sewing patterns?  Do you want new Stalkings for Christmas this year?  Are you a sucker for contests?  And do you want to win free sewing patterns from a bunch of designers?

IF so, here's the plan: Choose a designer or a pattern you love, one that speaks to you, one that moves you, one that inspires you. Then, take our FREE STOCKING PATTERN and put the two together. How? You figure it out. Turn your stocking into a love song for Ellie Inspired. Sew up a message in a bottle for Tie Dye Diva. Compose a handmade,  heartfelt sonnet for Foo Foo Threads.  The only tools you need are your imagination, your sewing machine, and the stocking pattern.   You can read more about the contest here - 

 

More great news for you.  All patterns in my shop will be 50% off all day on Black Friday.  The only other time to be able to take advantage of this is when a new pattern comes out.  So this is a great to take care of those patterns that have never been 50% off.  Use coupon code BLACKFRIDAY  for every pattern purchase in my shop!

 

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  I hope you all have a wonderful time with your families!

Designers Challenge and Coupon Code

 

When I joined a Facebook group for designers, I was so excited to be able to work with other designers.  It is kinda intimidating to see how much talent is in this group.  Seriously!  Amazing ladies!!  One day Andrea Panell suggested that we put together a challenge.  A challenge to get all of us to break out of the box.  Design something new, that may be a challenge to us.  So here is the list of designers and their release dates for the Challenge.

I of course thought what a great idea to be one of the first and get it done.  Well I kinda ran into a snag this weekend, and found out the pattern that I had hoped to use in this release was perfect.  But with a snag, I have decided that I better fix it first.  I hate to rush and not have it right.  But I do have a pattern in my shop that I feel is perfect for this challenge.  I would have to say it was the most challenging pattern that I have ever made.  It took me the longest to get this pattern right.  I'm not gonna lie, it actually took me almost a year to get it right.  But I am so excited to have it out in my shop this last April!

With this Designers Challenge I was taken out of my comfort zone the most with the Tyler Overall!  I will be offering the Tyler Overall for 1/2 off for All of Monday and Tuesday.  Make sure to grab it now. 

Use Coupon Code PANT12 to get it 1/2off!!

 Overalls are perfect for everything,right! Every boy needs a pair, they just look so cute in them. Great for baby pictures, just to wear out and about, and of course to just be a boy and play in the mud. I would love to see this made in a pink denim too, for that sweet little princess.
Pattern comes in sizes 3 month to 24 month.
More Great news!  If you would like to get this pattern for free, make sure to stop by Pattern Revolution and enter the drawing.  Robin will have a drawing for each designer when they release their patterns, make sure to stop in each day for a new pattern.

Costume Contest

Yeah!  I am so excited!  I get to be a judge in a costume contest!!  A good friend of mine, who I meet here on the internet has recently started designing sewing patterns.  I am so excited for her.  I have to tell you a little about Frances.  She is a busy homeschooling mom to her son and her daughter.  After supporting her husband with his busy job, she makes sure to make the time for sewing and pattern making.  Frances is definitely a go getter!

Now to tell you about the contest.  Frances just finished her 2nd pattern and has her test group holding a contest to determine the uniform that most closely resembles the actual uniforms worn by the players. The prize is a $25.00 gift card to JoAnn Fabrics. The winner will also choose any item up to $35.00 from
https://www.etsy.com/shop/sonjayugoslovenka

To check out the new pattern and details of the contest go to her blog here, http://www.muffinheadpatterns.com/blog.html 

Here is a picture of the newest pattern.  I have downloaded mine and as soon as I get some orders out, I plan on getting started on a dress for my daughter.  I can't wait!

Doesn't it look like the uniforms in "A League of Their Own!!!"   So Cute!

Sweater Vest Pattern Testers

It is always exciting to add a new pattern for the little boys!  This pattern is for a simple vest.  No button holes, no buttons or snaps.  Just quick simple steps.  Can be sewn using a sweater knit, basic knit fabric, jersey knit, if the fabric has stretch it can be used.  My son even thinks that this could be a tank top pattern too.  Great for all occasions!  Sizes available will be 12month to 12 years.  I think this sweater would be great for the Holidays in a sweater knit with a tie underneath.  I love the cute little boys all dressed up!

I am in need of pattern testers!!  I am looking for 4 people to test this pattern for me.  If you would like to test this please follow the giveaway instructions below.  Here's the deal for you. You get the pattern for free. I only ask that you are able to sew the dress within a week of me emailing it to you, and give me any comments or suggestions you may have.  I will attach a comment form for you.  To select the entrants I will do a drawing through Rafflecopter.  Then I will check to make sure all entrants are able to test different sizes.  If you have any reason that you think you may not be able to get it sewn in time, please do not enter the raffle, I do need this done in time.  As soon as you have tested the sewing pattern as a thank you to you for your help, I will send you another free sewing pattern of your choice from my shop.  Here is a link to my shop to check it out - https://www.etsy.com/shop/mytaylormade

Usually I have the contest last for 1 full week, I have decided to shorten that because I have noticed that it isn't needed to have it so long.  So this time the contest will last until Sunday night at Midnight. So starting Wednesday September 25th at midnight then ending at midnight, on Sunday, September 29th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow Me Help!?

Ok, so I am a dork!  I can not for the life of me figure out how to fix my Follow Me buttons on the right side of my blog!!  What is my deal?  I have gone to Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.  I thought I was following the instructions correctly, but the only one I can get to work is the Twitter Follow Me button.  WHAT AM I DOING WRONG!  I need help, how did all of you great bloggers get yours to work and look so awesome!?  HELP, PLEASE!!!

Quick, Easy, and Cheap Halloween Costume

If you have been following my blog for a while, you have seen these pictures before.  I thought I would share with you a quick, easy, and cheap way to make a fun Halloween costume for the kiddos this year.  When I made these costumes I was really concerned to have costumes that were warm and could have a coat worn underneath.  Sometimes the saddest part of Halloween is when they have to wear a coat over top a costume.

 Larry the Cucumber from Veggie Tales

Bob the Tomato from Veggie Tales

 Pig

 Cow

 

I had fun making these costume.  I loved how quick and easy they were for me to make.  Any animal can be made with these.

 It is a really simple costume to make and can be done in a day of it doesn't have a ton of detail.  I wish I had thought to put it in a tutorial for you with pictures, so sorry.  If I get the chance to make another one, I will share my secrets with you!

All it is is a yard of felt fabric with elastic around the top for the neck, arm holes on each side, and some of them have elastic at the bottom to make it more round.  When I added the eyes I drew them out on paper first to make sure I liked them.  When I sewed the eyes, and noses on I added stuffing inside to give it a fun bubble look.

 I was supper happy with these, and how they turned out.  Anything to make a child happy on such a fun day!

Halloween Is Around The Corner

Sometimes I think Halloween always sneaks up on me.  My kids and I always start talking about their costumes in June, but I never get them started until the end of September or just a week before Halloween.  We have had some fun Halloween costumes at our house though.  I am pretty excited with how costumes turned out last year so I thought I would share them with you.

I don't know what I was thinking because my son wanted to be Optimus Prime.  I had no idea what I was going to do to make his costume, so I set off on the internet!  I love the internet.  I found a few different tutorials for the costume that adults had made for themselves.  I was really impressed with how well they were made.  So I had the bright idea to do a similar costume for a child and take bits and pieces from each costume that I liked.  It took FOREVER to get it done!  I think I spent about 20 hours on the costume.  I would get the kids to bed, turn on a movie, and start taping and gluing boxes together.  I used diaper, wipes, cereal, cracker, and yogurt boxes.  I added some PVC pipe for the Pipes on each shoulder and painted them.  The decals on the costume are printouts from the computer.  The vent thing on his belly was made by folding card stock.  The hat was a dress up fireman hat that I added some box pieces, toilet paper rolls, flat pencils, and more card stock.  We had him wear white longjons underneath, and some sunglasses.  I think I might be the most proud of this costume.  He was excited, and still talks about it.  So we will save it and share with his brothers for future Halloweens.

Another box creation!  It worked out well for us last year with all these box ideas the kids had because we had just moved.  So we had plenty of boxes to use!  This costume was so much easier to make.  We cut and folded moving boxes to make the basic shape of this truck.  Added toilet paper rolls for the lights in the front and the back.  Added fabric straps for over the shoulders, and paper plates for the tires.  Vroom he went!

After having a new baby, I didn't want to dress this little guy in something that was uncomfortable.  I knew I would be carrying him in a front carrier on me when we went trick or treating.  So I thought he needed something that we could stick on the outside of the carrier so he could still have a costume.  This was as super quick costume  to make.  With some scrap fabrics, I cut the large brown with a green that is on the underside to the shape of a turtle shell.  Then I cut all the little pieces in the green and a burnt orange and layered them on top of each other.  I wanted that little bit of orange to stick out.  Sewed all the edges and cut them like I would have if I were making a rag quilt.  Then added eyes to a beanie.  Kept him warm and cuddly, just how I like my babies!

Can't have a Halloween without a flapper!  This was so fun to sew.  I just made up my pattern as I went.  The fabric came with the sparkles all over it, and then I added the fringe to the bottom.  Bought some black ribbon for the headband, then added feathers.  Threw on some make up with the bright lipstick, and a necklace and of course she wore heels that you can't see in this picture.  I don't have a pattern for this dress, but a good friend of mine just came out with a pattern that is very similar, and so adorable.  Check it out by clicking on the image below if you would like to make this -I got to be one of the testers for this pattern, and it was so fun and easy to sew, and Frances is wonderful to work with.  I am in love with how the black and white one turned out in the picture below.

Well this year I have been asked to make a zombie costume, witch costume, and Bigfoot.  So I am thinking about having the baby be a monster hunter since the other kids are all some sort of monster.  I am not positive how to make it all work, so any suggestions would be fabulous!  I bought the fabric I needed for some of the costumes, and so hopefully I can get started sooner this year.

Meet the Testers for the Addy Pant with Free Legging Pattern

I love getting to know new people through my patterns.  It is so much fun!  I think I have been very lucky with all my patterns to find wonderful pattern testers.  The girls who have tested my Addy Pant pattern were wonderful!  I ended up adding the legging pattern to the Addy pant, which turned out perfectly!  Here are some pictures of what these awesome ladies have done with the pattern.

 It was so fun to have Jerica test these leggings for me.  This was one of her first time sewing with knits, and I think they turned out awesome!  How cute are leggings on these tiny little legs.  Jerica has opened a shop on facebook that you need to stop by and follow.  https://www.facebook.com/BugberryBoutique  She is just getting her page started and is working on adding everything to it, so please share to help get Bugberry Boutique known.

Amy is so on top of it!  She made this pair out of a jersey sheet using the top of the sheet for the hem of each pant leg.  I love the large folded hem.  It looks adorable!  Amy has the idea of adding some fun embellishments and pockets to a pair of pants too.  I can't wait to see how those turn out.

 Cheri was so wonderful that she made 3 pairs from the pattern using fleece cotton and knit.  Cheri is the perfect grandma!  I think that is what I love so much about this basic pattern is that is is so versatile for any fabric.  And how great do they look on Cheri's granddaughter.  Cheri also has a shop, check her out on etsy here - https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFiberChick and like her on facebook here -
https://www.facebook.com/TheFiberChick

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I am hoping to get another review soon, and to have any changes made to the pattern by today.  So please keep your eye out in my shop.  I will offer the Addy Pant Pattern with the free legging for 1/2 off for 1 week after it is listed.

Addy Pant

Newest Pattern!!  The Addy Pant comes in sizes 2 - 12.  Perfect pattern just in time for school.

 I have actually had this pattern for a while, and I have been hording it!  I have been making these for my daughter and a few other people who have seen them and wanted some.  So I decided I better share!  It is such a wonderful pattern for the beginner sewer.  Basic pant with an elastic waist and flared leg.  It is such a versitile pattern as far as fabrics that can be used.  I have made these with a soft cotton, a suiting fabric, and even knit.

I am tempted, and would love your suggestions, but I am thinking of adding a basic legging pattern as a bonus to this pattern.  Let me know what you think!?  Wouldn't that be great!!

I am in need of pattern testers!!  I am looking for 2 people to test this pattern for me.  If you like the idea of adding the legging pattern as a bonus, I will draw for 2 additional testers.  So please specify which you would prefer to sew.  If you would like to test this please follow the giveaway instructions below.  Here's the deal for you. You get the pattern for free. I only ask that you are able to sew the dress within a week of me emailing it to you, and give me any comments or suggestions you may have.  I will attach a comment form for you.  If you have any reason that you think you may not be able to get it sewn in time, please do not enter the raffle.  As soon as you have tested the sewing pattern as a thank you to you for your help, I will send you another free sewing pattern of your choice from my shop.  Here is a link to my shop to check it out - https://www.etsy.com/shop/mytaylormade

Contest will last 1 week starting tonight at midnight and ending at midnight, on Tuesday, August 13th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Breast Cancer Port Pillows, Tutorial

It is so hard to see anyone go through any type of pain.  It is even harder to see someone you love suffer trough pain.  My cousin,who I have always been close to, recently found out that she had breast cancer.  They planned a day for surgery, but found out the cancer was growing way to fast to have the surgery.  So she had to start chemo.  She is pretty excited to be halfway through the harshest part of the Chemo.  A few days ago, she sent me a pin on Pinterest where she found the most amazing blog.

MyFabricFriend.com has come up with an amazing idea for people who are battling breast cancer.  I have to give her all the credit for this, I wouldn't have even thought about it!  I would love if you could stop by her blog and read her story about her port pillows and how she has helped so many with these small pillows.

The idea of the pillows is to be able to strap the pillow to the seat belt with velcro and then lay over top of an incision or the pain.  My cousin has an incision right where the seat belt lays over her.  So she has been driving with the seat belt under her arm.  Her husband hasn't been to pleased with her not being safe, so she found this awesome blog.

Well, I thought I would give you some pictures and show you how I learned to make these from MyFabricFriend.com.

 I started with a 5 1/2" square and 4" of velcro.

 Made sure the velcro could be sewn into both sides and it overlapped in the center of the square.  Pin down if you need to.

 Sew around the square at 1/4" leaving a small opening about 1 1/2".  The velcro is sandwiched in between both fabrics.

 Cut the corners off making sure not to cut through the stitch line.

 Turn right side out through the opening.

Stuff the pillow with fiberfill stuffing, and sew the opening closed.

This is how mine turned out!  I loved it!  A quick project that I finished in no time, and used scraps of fabric.  But it will give my cousin so much comfort.  This is the perfect gift idea for that someone you know going through this battle in their life.

Mountains of Idaho, and coupon code

I hope you all are having a fun summer!  I have been loving the time with my family.  We love to be in the outdoors and exploring or taking advantage of this beautiful earth!  We live in Idaho, and are so luck to have all of the mountains so close to us.  It makes it easy to take a quick trip or to stay and enjoy the day.  My husband has been fishing all his life, and he is so amazing at it.  Before we had kids, we went all the time.  Once we started having kids, we didn't want to take the little ones in the boat.  So Mike went without me.  A couple weeks ago we asked our mom's to watch the kids, and just the two of us floated down the river.  It was gorgeous!  I missed it so much, and just took it all in.  These pictures are not as great as some of you could have taken, but I just used my phone to take them.  But I think they are still gorgeous!

I also wanted to make sure you knew that I finally have the Daisy Purse in my shop for sale!  I wanted to make sure everyone knew that through Friday July 26th the pattern will be 1/2 off.  Make sure to use coupon code - PURSE12

Pants Redo FREE Tutorial

I really wish I was more on top of it, but I literally had a last minute thought before the 4th of July to make my daughter something fun and patriotic to wear.  So as usual I saved it for last minute and have had to rush to get it done.  I called my sister-in-law up and asked her if she wanted to come over and sew some fun skirts for all of our girls for the 4th of July!  So we ventured out, and got going on it.
I am sure I am not the only one that has kids who ruin all their jeans!  I am all about re-use and re-purpose!!  So I wanted to make a jean skirt.  I get bored of all the skirts that people cut straight across and just add the ruffle.  So I decided that mine needed some extra flare.  I cut the jeans at a fun angle, and I LOVE it!  So fun!!  I also had the cute vintage fabric left over from my mom's house.  I stole it, and I'm proud!
Here are the instruction on how I put my skirt together.  I may be missing a step here or there due to lack of planning.  I was trying to hurry and get all three skirts done, and so I may be missing a picture.  I actually only have one skirt finished I have 2 more to get working on today.  These girls have to have their ruffles!!!  If I have missed any steps, please send me an email, and I can help you get through your skirt.

 

Here are our basic jeans.  I have made my daughter another skirt like this, and I think I even used her brothers old jeans for those.  So the jeans don't really matter where they come from, just an old pair with holes or that may be to small.

 

 

Cut the legs off like this.  I hope you can notice that one leg is cut longer and a slight curve is cut right at the crotch of the pants.

This is where I am missing some steps for you.  I don't have specific amounts for you to cut.  But I will tell you what I did for all three of your skirts and it worked wonderful.  I cut 24 strips total of each for all three girls (Used 3 on 1 skirt, 4 on another, and 5 on the last).  Cut your strips at 3" x width of the fabric for the ruffles.  Cut 2" x 20" for the under ruffle.

Sew edges together to make 12 large circles of ruffles and of under ruffle.

 This is where I am missing another couple pictures for a step.  Make sure to do a rolled hem at the bottom of the ruffles or surge them like I have.  The rolled hem looks way nicer, but I was in a hurry and surged all of the edges of mine.

To the top of each ruffle you will need to gather it.  Whether you choose to use a basting stitch, or gather it on your machine that doesn't matter.

Now to match the picture above!  I have pined the gathered edge of the ruffle to one edge of the under ruffle.  Then Sew.

 The top stitch isn't crucial to the skirt, but I always add a top stitch when I can.  I think it makes things look more crisp and professional.

 Adding the next layer.  To the top edge of the under ruffle, place the next ruffle on top with the next under ruffle on top of that and sew.  The right side of the bottom under ruffle is facing the wrong side of the second ruffle, and the right side of the second ruffle is facing the right side of the second under ruffle.

 Top stitch.  And then continue to add all the layers you will need for the length of your skirt.

 

I thought I had to add something more to the jeans so I cut out some starts, and then appliqued them to the jeans.  When sewing an applique, it is best to use some kind of a stabilizer.  There are so many stabilizers out there, but on the package it will tell you which one is for which fabric.

 

I didn't show it very good at all in this picture, but I added a gather stitch to the top under ruffle.  The top under ruffle is tucked underneath the jeans here and pinned down.

 Sew together.  I used a stitch that looks like this on my sewing machine.  I can't remember the name of the stitch.  But it is awesome!  It makes that thick stitch look that you see on all the jeans.  It doesn't sew 3 separate lines like you would think.  It sews 3 times directly on top of each stitch to make regular thread look nice and thick.  Way cute!!  I love this stitch.

AND YOU ARE DONE!!

Thanks for putting up with my poor instructions.  I hope your skirts turn out wonderfully!!  I would love to see pictures after you are done.  If you will share, send them to my email or to my flicker account -  http://www.flickr.com/groups/1449172@N23/

Here is a picture of the 1st skirt I made.  I used a sparkled ruffle trim and an eyelet trim for it.  She wore this skirt until it was to tight and short!

 

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!  I am thankful for the freedom that I have from my country.