Pattern Parcel #7-Betty Bowler by Swoon Sewing Patterns

Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by! Today I am very excited to be part of the Pattern Parcel #7; the bag edition.

Parcel # 7 is the final parcel of the year and the first ALL BAG parcel, so it's kind of a big deal.  The list of patterns for this parcel are:

Barcelona Bag and Wallet by Pat Bravo

Butterfly Sling Purse by Emmaline Patterns

Evelyn Hangbag by ChrisW Designs

Midtown Messenger Bag by Betz White

Betty Bowler by Swoon Sewing Patterns

BONUS PATTERN: Daphne Bag by Clover & Violet

Bonus Pattern:

Choose a price of $32 or greater for Parcel #7 and you will automatically also be sent the Bonus Pattern! That's just over $5 a pattern. The Bonus Pattern for this Parcel is the brand new Daphne Bag pattern from Clover & Violet. The Daphne is a slouchy satchel that can be worn cross body or as a shoulder bag. The zip top keeps your gear secure and the internal pockets keep your accessories where you need them. This is a brand new, never been seen before pattern and is an exclusive opportunity for Parcel #7 customers!

How Pattern Parcel Works:

Here at Perfect Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers. It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too. So, we allow customers to show their support in naming their own price for each Parcel.  We also encourage customers to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. Its our goal to raise over $20,000 for Donors Choose this year.

Ok, so with all of the formalities out of the way, let's talk about my bag :)

I chose the Betty Bowler Bag by Swoon Sewing Patterns because I wanted a really roomy bag. We are taking a Disney Cruise after the first of the year and I thought the Betty would make a great carry along for my trip. And I think I was totally right...

I used a filagree Mickey Mouse fabric that I found at JoAnn Fabric and I think it is a perfectly elegant and Disney Cruise worthy carry along bag.  

The Betty has some great features and I added a few personalized touches to make it exactly what I wanted (because why else do we make things if not to get them exactly how we want them?)

The instructions to make fabric straps are included in the pattern, but I used a pre-made set I also picked up at JoAnns.  I am not great at making handles (or bags for that matter) so I decided to go the easy route.  WRONG! I ended up having to hand sew them onto the bag because I couldn't get them under my presser foot.  There is a possibility I will be striding along the gangway onto the ship and the handles will fall right off the bag due to my inadequate hand sewing, but I think they look adorable and I am so happy I went with them.

I also skipped the center stripe the pattern includes for the front of the bag so I could add a monogram.  Nothing says "special" like a monogram and I am from the South (where we monogram our underwear) so of course I needed one of those.  Since I wanted it big enough for the scale of the bag, it wouldn't fit on the narrower center stripe.  I included the center stripe on the back of the bag in an adorable coordinating Mickey outline print.

I also included 2 extra pocket on the inside, feet on the bottom and a little lobster clasp to hook my keys onto in the inside.  It is something a few of my bags have and I really love it.  

The pattern has instructions and pattern pieces for large pockets on one side of the interior; I added smaller pockets on the opposite side because I like a lot of pockets and I need a smaller pocket for my cell phone. The pattern also has a zippered pocket on one exterior panel. I have those on a few other bags and love them for keeping my headphones and room keys handy and easy to reach without digging in my purse.

The Betty took me several evenings to make. I am not normally a bag maker and I am not fast nor very good at it. The instructions are great and I also followed a sew-along that the fabulous Ali Cat & Co did with Swoon Patterns. Still my bag has a lot of blood, sweat and tears in it (only the tears is not true, lol) and it is far from perfect. Yet, I still love it. It is kind of like me...it tried really hard and isn't quite right, but still very loved.

One thing I struggle with a lot when looking at patterns for bag is the scale. It is really hard for me to translate the finished measurements to how big it will be when it is actually finished. So I took a couple of scale pictures for y'all :)

And this is what you end up with when you rely on the hubs for pictures. Head chopped off, blurry pictures and one almost useable one in the middle. BUT it does the trick to show you what it looks like when you are carrying it (which is about the only way it makes sense to me to think about the size of the bag).

If you are inspired to make your own bag, you can grab the Pattern Parcel here. There are many other great patterns in there, so you will be happily bag making for a while with this set!

You should also check out these fabulous stops on the Pattern Parcel tour for some more serious  bag-speration (I was going to say purse-peration, but...)  On that note, Thanks so much for stopping by!  Like A Mother

Parcel #4 Inspiration Tour Schedule:

Friday, November 7 Stitched || Sew Exhausted

Saturday, November 8 Made by Sara ||Oliver's Fancy || Strawberry Patch Ramblings

Sunday, November 9 from a box || Mia's Creations || MOMENTS

Monday, November 10 owen's olivia || While she was sleeping

Tuesday, November 11 Nutta || Radiant Home Studio || La Pantigana

Wednesday, November 12 Sew Fishsticks || Stacy Sews || Stitching Insane || GnomeAngel

Thursday, November 13 Needle and Ted || Patchouli Moon Studio || Sprouting JubeJube || The Crazy Tailor

Friday, November 14 Casa Crafty || A Jennuine Life || 'So, Zo... What do you know?'

Saturday, November 15 Stitches by Laura || Rebekah Sews || Serger Pepper

Sunday, November 16 Blogs Like A Mother || Vicky Myers creations || Blossom Heart Quilts

Monday, November 17 Shanni Loves || So Sew Easy || GYCT Designs || Tiger In A Tornado

Tuesday, November 18 The Nosy Pepper || Keep Calm and Carrion || There & Back || Sewing Sober

Wednesday, November 19 Sew Like My Mom || Knot Sew Normal || Stacy Sews || sewVery

Thursday, November 20 Mimi's Mom || Our Family Four || shades of BOLD || Modern Handcraft

Friday, November 21 Shawnta Sews || Lulu & Celeste || Amanda Rose || Robin's Fabric Nest || House of Pinheiro

Greenstyle Creations Focus on Fall Blog Tour Wrap Up Post

Wow! What a fabulous 2 weeks of blog posts!  I cannot get over all of the wonderful items all of the bloggers made and posted.  It has been a great time and I have enjoyed seeing everyones creations.  I hope you have too!

A HUGE thank you to Riley Blake Designs for providing the fabric for this tour; their fabrics are a dream to sew up and I have been very spoiled over my last few projects by getting to work with it.

While everyone else was taking their turn on the blog tour, I took the opportunity to sew up two more outfits for my girls.  In my last post, I showed my little ones frozen inspired Greenstyle Creations Bella shirt paired with a Savannah skirt.  I intended on making the same shirt for my older daughter but my machine ate my shirt front half way through embroidering (boo!) Then my daughter saw another design she liked better anyway, serendipity I guess!

I made the Bella/Savannah super combo again.  I love these two patterns and they are super quick to make.  I just did the outer bubble again this time, so it is more of a ruffle bottom than bubble.  

I used the Riley Blake Aqua Houndstooth knit for the main part of the skirt, and the half inch Aqua Stripe for the waistband, ruffle sleeves and neckband.  For the shirt, I used the Solid White Knit.  

It turned out so cute!  I told her I had made her the shirt and that I had something to match. She asked me if it was pants and when I told her it was not, that it was a skirt, she lit up.  Even though she is growing up way too fast, deep down she's still a little girl who loves skirts!

For my younger daughter, I used one of Greenstyle Creations newest girls patterns, the Laurelette.  For the Laureltte, I did the binding in lieu of the cowl (which I love, but she decided she didn't want) and did a three quarter length sleeve (since she is still on her long sleeve strike).  It is the perfect play dress; in fact, she wore it to her tumbling class after we took pictures in it.  

I used the Riley Blake Small Girl Chevron for the skirt portion and the Hot Pink Small Dots for the bodice.  

I added a little heart out of the Hot Pink Dot to the skirt.  I just cut the shape out using the same fold-in-half-and-cut method that I used to cut out hearts in elementary school and then did a quick zig-zag around the edge.  Easy-Peasy and adds a cute little touch to it.  

I love this dress on her and it is so simple to put together.  This one took less than an hour including cutting time.  Can't ask for quicker than that!

She hearts it! 

And that is a perfect note to end this great tour on.  Thank you to our wonderful sponsors, Riley Blake Designs and Whimsical Fabrics (where you can buy some of these great fabrics).  And, of course, Greenstyle Creations for continuing to design fashionable and wearable patterns! 

Another HUGE thanks to all of the wonderful ladies who took part in the blog tour.  If you missed any of their posts, you can find them here: 

October 13- Kick off Post by Blogs Like A Mother

October 14- Friends Stitched Together

October 15- Handmade Boy

October 16- Becca Duval Photography

October 17- The Lady and The Gents

October 18- Snickerdoodle Stew

October 19- The Sewing Sparrow

October 20- Once Upon A Sewing Machine

October 21- Babyfish Designs

October 22- FABulous Home-Sewn

October 23- Gracious Threads

October 24- Wrap Up Post by Blogs Like A Mother

There is one more day to enter the giveaway here: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by!

Greenstyle Creations Focus on Fall Blog Tour Kick Off

I am so excited to day to be kicking off the Greenstyle Creations Focus on Fall Blog Tour.  This tour is one that Angie (the designer over at Greenstyle Creations) and I have been working on for a while now, and I am so excited to see what all of the talented bloggers we have lined up are going to come up with.

So what is this all about?  Over the next two weeks, there will be a series of bloggers featuring the entire Greenstyle lineup of children's patterns.  We also partnered up with Riley Blake Designs, who generously supplied the fabric for all of the bloggers on the tour and with Whimsical Fabrics who generously supplied some terrific prizes (HINT: the giveaway is at the bottom!).

With fall in the air, it is time to start thinking long sleeves and leggings.  Since my girls are both going into a new size, this was the perfect opportunity for me to get started on their fall wardrobes.

For my older daughter, I made the Anna Lap Dress from Greenstyle and paired it with the Lucy Leggings . I used the Riley Blake Navy and Purple Stripe paired with a custom knit for a bit of contrast.

The Anna Lap Dress is such a cute and cozy option for the fall.  It includes short and long sleeves and directions for both a tunic and a dress.  I made the long sleeved tunic to pair with the leggings. 

The lap detail and contrast band gives the Anna Lap Dress a little extra touch and makes it so easy to personalize.  I did not do the optional ruffles on the bodice, but I am sure I will eventually.  We love ruffles around here!

She played in it all day and it's dress-code friendly, so the versatility and comfort are great benefits. She will get a lot of use out of this outfit this fall and winter.  

For my little one, I made the Savannah Skirt and the Bella Bubble Top.  

The Savannah Skirt was made with the Riley Blake Hot Pink Stripe  and Hot Pink Small Dot for the waistband (you'll just have to take my word on that since we didn't get a picture of the contrast waistband!) 

For the Bella Top, I used the Riley Blake Solid White knit and the Hot Pink Small Dot for contrast.  I did a simple ruffle instead of the bubble sleeve for my top. 

Since we are very much still in Frozen Mania at our house, I embroidered a frozen phrase on the top. She can't read yet, but once she found out what it said, she was smitten! She thanked me several times for her pretty skirt and top, so I call this one a win.  

The Savannah skirt is super easy to make and I already have another cut out to make with a matching Bella for my older daughter.  The little one liked it so much that I will probably make her a few more for this fall.  She is on a pants strike, so we will need lots of skirts to get us through the winter.  Thankfully we live in a warm climate!

 These four patterns, like the entire Greenstyle line up, are super comfortable and versatile.   I have adult versions of both the Bella and the Lucy in my own closet and frequently wear them.   So I know first hand how great and wearable they are.

Proof they really do love each other...

My versions of these patterns are just the beginning of the tour, so make sure you check out all of these amazing ladies and their projects over the next 2 weeks!

October 13- Kick off Post by Blogs Like A Mother
October 14- Friends Stitched Together
October 15- Handmade Boy
October 16- Becca Duval Photography
October 17- The Lady and The Gents
October 18- Snickerdoodle Stew
October 19- The Sewing Sparrow
October 20- Once Upon A Sewing Machine
October 21- Babyfish Designs
October 22- FABulous Home-Sewn
October 23- Gracious Threads
October 24- Wrap Up Post by Blogs Like A Mother

If you want to grab a few of these patterns for yourself, Greenstyle Creations is offering a 25% discount with the code "25discount" during the tour. 

C'mon! Where's the giveaway?

A huge thank you to Riley Blake Designs for providing the fabric for the tour.  And another huge thank you to Whimsical Fabrics and Greenstyle Creations for providing the prize packages.  You can enter by using the widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks you so much for stopping by today!  Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour to enter for more chances at one of the 4 prize packages!  

Perfect Pattern Parcel #5-Greenstyle Yoga Pants

Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by! I am back again today (two days in a row? Someone mark this day down!) to feature a second pattern from the perfect pattern parcel #5; the Greenstyle Creations Yoga Pants.  

If you are not familiar with the Perfect Pattern Parcel, here are a few details for you...

How Pattern Parcel Works:

Here at Perfect Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers. It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too. So, we allow customers to show their support in naming their own price for each Parcel.  We also encourage customers to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. Together we've raised over $11,000 for classrooms in need!

Parcel #5: Girls and Tweens includes: 

Lily Knit Blazer by Peek-a-Boo Patterns

Everyday Yoga Pant for Girls by Greenstyle

Asymmetrical Drape Top by EYMM

Playhouse Dress by Fishstick Designs

Mimi Dress and Shirt by Filles a Maman

BONUS PATTERN: Sunki Dress by Figgy’s

Bonus Pattern:

Choose a price of $28 or greater for Parcel #5 and you will automatically also be sent the Bonus Pattern! The Bonus Pattern for this Parcel is the Sunki Dress by Figgy's. Fun pockets, a stylish silhouette, plus make it in knit or woven. Double bonus! The pattern includes both size runs, so you get 18 months through a 16 tween sizing. This is awesome sauce!

Using this link is like saying "BlogsLikeAMother sent me, ask her to do your tour again!"

What can I say about yoga pants except that I have a pretty deep rooted love and appreciation for them.  Not so sure my husband feels the same way after seeing me in them just about everyday, but they are one of my favorite items of clothing.  I am pretty sure they go with everything (no need to correct me, I won't believe you anyway...) and they are comfortable without being slouchy.  So I guess it should not come as a surprise that when my daughter saw this outfit she was smitten.  

So here is a lesser known fact about the children of bloggers and pattern testers: they don't always feel like taking pictures according to your deadlines and projects.  In fact, I have told my girls several times that I am just not going to sew for them anymore because they complain about the pictures so much.  They love having momma made items and like almost everything I make, but they don't always love posing for pictures.  Why am I telling you this? Well, because of this rare sighting that occurred in my backyard...

A real...life...actual smile from my older daughter.  

Okay, so I exaggerate a bit, but she does normally need a little bribery encouragement to get out there and take some pictures.  Not the case this time.  She saw the outfit and perked right up, grinning ear to ear and quickly changing into it.  

As soon as she put it on she remarked how cozy it was and that it would be great for fall.  I have to agree; this is an outfit I would wear too! She then proceeded to do a little dance and chant about how great she looked in her outfit.  It was love at first sight! 

Ok, so now a little more about the pattern.  The pattern is really quick to make; I made it in less time than a round trip visit to my local chain store would have taken me had I gone to buy a pair.  They feature a yoga style waist band and include cut lines for shorts, capris and full length pants.  There are only 3 pattern pieces to put together, so the pattern assembly and cutting is super quick.  Including taping together the pattern and cutting them out, this pair took me about 40 minutes.  

I paired the yoga pants with the Greenstyle Creations (affiliate link) Lacy n Lane Hooded T-shirt made from the same purple knit fabric (found at joanns) and an up-cycled "Ponies Forever" T-shirt that I found in the mens section at my local target (I apologize in advance to the Bronies that were not able to buy the t-shirt that I bought to cut up...but look how cute it turned out!!!) It is a perfectly paired fall outfit and she LOVES it! Score one for mom!

You can grab the yoga pants and the other great patterns in the perfect pattern parcel through October 3.  So if you haven't already grabbed it, now is the time!  It is chock full of great patterns, supports a great cause and is a terrific price.  You won't be sorry!

Using this link is like saying "BlogsLikeAMother sent me, ask her to do your tour again!"

Need more inspiration? Check out these other bloggers who have also shared their projects from the parcel...
Parcel #5 Inspiration Tour Schedule:

Friday, September 19 Pienkel || Cookin' and Craftin'

Saturday, September 20 Sew Busy Lizzy || The Life Of A Compulsive Crafter

Sunday, September 21 Keep Calm and Carrion || Felt With Love Designs

Monday, September 22 Radiant Home Studio || Sewing Sober

Tuesday, September 23 Sew Fishsticks || La Pantigana || Amanda Rose

Wednesday,September 24 Shawnta Sews || Sprouting JubeJube || Knot Sew Normal

Thursday, September 25 Make It Perfect || Mimi's Mom || Climbing the Willow

Friday, September 26 Needle and Ted || Our Family Four

Saturday, September 27 Froo & Boo

Sunday, September 28 Stitches by Laura || Vicky Myers creations

Monday, September 29 Cookin' and Craftin' || The Crazy Tailor

Tuesday, September 30 mama says sew || FABulous Home Sewn || The Inspired Wren

Wednesday, October 1 lady and the gents || That's-Sew-Kari || Sewing Sober

Thursday,October 2 Gracious Threads || Blogs Like A Mother || SewsNBows

Friday, October 3 sew chibi || Lulu & Celeste || Made by Sara
Thanks so much to the organizers and designers of the Perfect Pattern Parcel #5 for letting me in on the fun.   See you next time!

Perfect Pattern Parcel #5-The Playhouse Dress by Fishstick Designs

Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by! Today I am so excited to be part of the Perfect Pattern Parcel #5 tour with my Playhouse Dress from Fishstick Designs.  If you are not familiar with the Perfect Pattern Parcel, here are a few details for you...

How Pattern Parcel Works:

Here at Perfect Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers. It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too. So, we allow customers to show their support in naming their own price for each Parcel.  We also encourage customers to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. Together we've raised over $11,000 for classrooms in need!

Parcel #5: Girls and Tweens includes: 

Lily Knit Blazer by Peek-a-Boo Patterns

Everyday Yoga Pant for Girls by Greenstyle

Asymmetrical Drape Top by EYMM

Playhouse Dress by Fishstick Designs

Mimi Dress and Shirt by Filles a Maman

BONUS PATTERN: Sunki Dress by Figgy’s

Bonus Pattern:

Choose a price of $28 or greater for Parcel #5 and you will automatically also be sent the Bonus Pattern! The Bonus Pattern for this Parcel is the Sunki Dress by Figgy's. Fun pockets, a stylish silhouette, plus make it in knit or woven. Double bonus! The pattern includes both size runs, so you get 18 months through a 16 tween sizing. This is awesome sauce!

Using this link is like saying "BlogsLikeAMother sent me, ask her to do your tour again!"

One thing I immediately noticed about the parcel was that I liked EVERYTHING in it.  They are all cute and functional patterns that will fit nicely into my girls' wardrobes.  Plus, with fall upon us (is it really already October? YIKES!) there are great cooler weather options in the parcel. 

The first pattern I tackled was the Playhouse Dress.  

My younger daughter is going through a very picky stage with what she will wear.  It must be a dress, it can't have long sleeves, and any character is a bonus.  She has been begging for a mermaid dress since this fabric arrived and I decided this was the perfect time to cut into it. 

The playhouse dress features a cute contoured bodice piece and comes with the option of short and long sleeves.  Since long sleeves don't make the cut these days, I obviously chose the short ones.  The   bottom of the dress can be done in a knit or a woven; I did knit for my entire dress.  

The sleeves are really cute and have a couple details that just make the dress.  The top of the sleeve is gathered in the center and the bottom of the sleeve is gathered into the arm band.  It makes an adorable puffed sleeve that is really sweet on any little girl. 

The back bodice has the same contoured look as the front.

That's pure, unadulterated joy right there people!

The best part of the dress? She LOVES it.  My nine year old has also already placed her order for one and I am planning to do a shorter, tunic length version for her to wear with leggings this fall (since she doesn't have a moratorium against pants...) Since the size range of this dress is huge (12M-12 Tween) I can use this for both summer and winter for several years to come.  And I do love a versatile pattern!

The perfect pattern parcel #5 will only be around for another day or so!  If you haven't already grabbed it, now is the time.  It is chock full of great patterns, supports a great cause and is a terrific price.  You won't be sorry!

Using this link is like saying "BlogsLikeAMother sent me, ask her to do your tour again!"

Need more inspiration? Check out these other bloggers who have also shared their projects from the parcel...
Parcel #5 Inspiration Tour Schedule:

Friday, September 19 Pienkel || Cookin' and Craftin'

Saturday, September 20 Sew Busy Lizzy || The Life Of A Compulsive Crafter

Sunday, September 21 Keep Calm and Carrion || Felt With Love Designs

Monday, September 22 Radiant Home Studio || Sewing Sober

Tuesday, September 23 Sew Fishsticks || La Pantigana || Amanda Rose

Wednesday,September 24 Shawnta Sews || Sprouting JubeJube || Knot Sew Normal

Thursday, September 25 Make It Perfect || Mimi's Mom || Climbing the Willow

Friday, September 26 Needle and Ted || Our Family Four

Saturday, September 27 Froo & Boo

Sunday, September 28 Stitches by Laura || Vicky Myers creations

Monday, September 29 Cookin' and Craftin' || The Crazy Tailor

Tuesday, September 30 mama says sew || FABulous Home Sewn || The Inspired Wren

Wednesday, October 1 lady and the gents || That's-Sew-Kari || Sewing Sober

Thursday,October 2 Gracious Threads || Blogs Like A Mother || SewsNBows

Friday, October 3 sew chibi || Lulu & Celeste || Made by Sara
Thanks so much to the organizers and designers of the Perfect Pattern Parcel #5 for letting me in on the fun.  
See you next time!

Chrysanthemum-Sew Many Books!

There is no doubt that one of my favorite things on earth (in a close tie with fabric and chocolate, of course) is books.  I have always loved books and can remember reading non-stop as a child.  While I was growing up as an army brat in Germany, I travelled all over Europe in the back of my parents van.  I missed a great deal of it while engrossed in my own adventure, book in hand and nose pointed downward missing all of the scenery.

I am doing my best to raise little bibliophiles as well, as evident by the two full bookcases in their play room.  One of our favorite activities is to go to the bookstore and browse the offerings; me drinking a chai from the coffee shop inside, my girls often scamming me into more than one book per visit (my daughter tells me "mom, it's a book, and you can't say no to books!") In fact, my little one knows the surest way to get my attention is to bring me a book and ask me to read it to her.  Not that I am not always attentive to her every needs, of course I am (wink, wink) but we all know that sometimes life gets in the way of dressing that doll or untangling that ribbon.  But when she brings me a book and asks to read, I make every attempt possible to sit down and snuggle her while we read.

Needless to say, a blog tour called "sew many books" was right up my alley.  But how to decide on just one? I scoured the bookshelves in the playroom for that perfect book but couldn't make up my mind.  I also consulted the amightygirl website (if you haven't ever checked them out, you should!) because I love their mission and they have an awesome listing of books that are both empowering and inspirational for girls.  I wanted a book that honors that spirit, one that I seek to bring out in my girls, and I thought I might find something intriguing there.  As I browsed their list, I happened upon one of my girls favorite books and knew it was THE ONE.

If you are not familiar with the book "Chrysanthemum" by Kevin Henkes, it is about a little mouse named Chrysanthemum who is going to school for the first time.  She is a loved and confident and finds joy in her perfect name.  Unfortunately, she finds that not everyone thinks her name is so perfect when she gets to school and the other little mice make fun of her name.

One thing I found particularly relatable about this story is that she draws strength from her little dresses, wearing the ones that make her feel confident and strong.  I can relate to that in a lot of ways and I see that in my girls as well.  When they are wearing something I have made for them, they are so proud and joyful about it.  They often tell anyone who will listen that their mommy made their dress, even when the dress is not the topic of conversation.  I am pretty sure some people think I coach them (I don't, but if they didn't cough if up willingly, I might...)

Chrysanthemum has a bit of eclectic style in her outfits, as my girls do as well.  I tried to draw on that in choosing my pieces inspired by the book.  I made my "sunniest dress" inspired outfit using Quatrefoil in Yellow fabric (all fabric used in this post was generously provided by Riley Blake designs).   It is the perfect shade of sunny yellow and I added a few touches of red to bring out the red from her dress.  I paired it with leggings made from Riley Blake Purple and Navy Striped knit fabric.  My daughter absolutely loved it.  

For my other outfit, I was inspired by Chrysanthemums "Outfit with seven pockets".  

My daughter is more into ruffles than pockets, so I substituted those and used the Riley Blake Home Plaid Floral in Blue with the coordinating plaid in pink for the ruffles.  I paired that tunic with a pair of leggings using the hot pink and white stripe knit.  

The outfits turned out so cute and they loved the resemblance to one of their favorite books. I used the Amelie Clothing Boho Dress and Lilly Ruffle Blouse patterns paired with the Greenstyle Creations (affiliate link) Lucy Legging to create my looks.

And in case you are wondering about little Chrysanthemum and her outcome...

Spoiler alert!

Well, it turns out that the "indescribable wonder" of a music teacher, Mrs. Twinkle, has an unusual name too.  And she loves the name Chrysanthemum, enough so that she names her little baby girl that because she thinks it's absolutely perfect too.  That turns the whole thing around for little Chrysanthemum and all of the sudden, the other little mice are making up their own flowery names.  Funny how one inspirational teacher can change the entire mindset of a group of little mice (which is another thing I love about this book).  

If you have a book that you love and would like to sew up an outfit inspired by it, you should join the sew many books sew-along here.

A special thanks to Riley Blake Designs for providing the fabric for this project; there are few things more exciting than getting a package full of gorgeous Riley Blake fabric! Thanks as well to Nap-Time Creations for allowing me to participate in the tour; what an honor! 

There is also a terrific giveaway that you can enter through rafflecopter.  Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

a Rafflecopter giveaway