Twinkle Toes and Company

{Please note that some of these links are affiliate links.  If you purchase something I have recommended, sewn etc. through those links I will receive a small percentage of compensation.  It helps me support my sewing "therapy" and the ability to review and test more patterns.} I sew and test patterns A LOT, and so when I have a chance to sew something that's "for fun" I have a few go to designers and patterns. This last week as I was thinking about what I wanted to sew Pickle Toes Petra Taylor Ladies Tee kept peeking my interest.  I love Pickle Toes for my boys and youngest daughter, but I haven't sewn a lot of their adult clothing.  I had intentions of sewing all of the "adult" sized people in my house something new.  But of course life and illness got in the way. So, Miss. Opinionated Teen got to pick the fabrics I’ve been collecting (It’s not a bad thing if you call it a collection.   Hoarding is bad, collecting is acceptable.   Lo...

{Please note that some of these links are affiliate links.  If you purchase something I have recommended, sewn etc. through those links I will receive a small percentage of compensation.  It helps me support my sewing "therapy" and the ability to review and test more patterns.} I’ve been eyeing The Eli Monster’s Patterns for awhile.  Really, drooling over them would probably be more accurate.  The Eli Monster's style is quite different than most patterns I've seen for sale lately, and for some reason I've just never jumped on The Eli Monster band wagon.   I’m happy to say that I’m firmly planted now. The Admiraal is a double breasted dress with a pleated  skirt.   I fell in love with the double breasted fitted bodice and the shaw collar.  It is beautiful and classy with a style you don’t see very often. I think it's important to note right about here just how vital making a muslin (or two...or three) i...

Swim season is right around the corner.   In our case, we're headed faster than most because we hit warm weather pretty early. So the excitement about the Bahama Mama is real in my house! A swimsuit and rashguard all in one?!?!  Count us in! The Bahama Mama comes in three sleeve lengths, cap, short and long sleeve.  All of which are perfect for playing at the river or beach...or just outside in the sun! The Raglan style sleeve makes assembly quick and easy.   There are two zipper lengths that can be used.  I used a 9" zipper here.  However, a 12" zipper can also be used for ease of access or for nursing moms. At first Miss. Opinionated Teen was a tad worried about the rear end coverage.  (The "opinionated" was a bit understated in this conversation.)  When I was fitting the muslin, I didn't put in the elastic so the fit wasn't quite the same.  However, the coverage is perfect, just make sure to measu...

Comfortable clothes that look fantastic are what we live for in my house! When I apply to test patterns I typically run it by the person I'm applying to  test for.  I didn't even have to ask for this one.   All I had to ask was which fabric to use. So, she went "shopping" in my fabric stash and came up with this Harry Potter panel, some cozy French Terry and some cotton lycra. The Aspen by Peek A Boo is easy to assemble, and the tutorial was great to follow.  The pictures are detailed and the steps are well written.    Piping is optional and can be replaced by a strip of cotton lycra, which is the option I chose because then everything matched.  I'm a tad picky about everything coordinating...so is she! While I know some people have issues with a raglan sleeve being cut on the fold, I personally don't find it an issue with this pattern.  It doesn't really feel very "raglany" (is that a word??) to me. ...

2017 Holiday Freebies are still coming! I have been waiting for a new camera strap for years.   I’m sure I could have found a pattern, but they always seemed so daunting.  Nylon straps, sliders...if you don’t sew with those supplies on a regular basis it can feel a little overwhelming. Have NO FEAR!  It’s so much easier than you think! The tutorial calls for a 1/2” or 3/8” nylon straps.  My local Joann’s and Hobby Lobby didn’t have any.  So, I sent my husband to the dollar store.  That’s right, the dollar store.  It looks fantastic!   My daughter is 5’5” and it’s the perfect length for her if we shorten the straps a bit, and it fits me as well even though I’m 5’11”.   I have to say as a side note though, that I barely got the 1/2” nylon strap through my camera.  I really should have gotten a 3/8”. I found some nylon strap on Amazon in that size (sorry, no link).  And, I’m fairly certain you cou...

I have adored raglan shirts for as long as I can remember.  Back in the “day” (Read that to mean just a few years ago when I was in elementary school), girls didn’t typically wear them and I always wished I could.  They were cute!   Truthfully, one of the reason’s I decided to try Patterns for Pirates in the first place was because of their women’s raglan’s.  So, imagine my utter delight when the first pattern I have the opportunity to test for them is a raglan mixed with a dolman!   Be still my Fan Girl heart! To satisfy my somewhat geeky/studious side I did a tad bit of research on how the raglan came to be.  If your geeky side needs that kind of satisfaction, feel free to click HERE and read the post about the raglan and dolman! Now back to the main attraction.   I present to you the  Ragdoll It’s a fabulous combination of a raglan sleeve and the dolman batwing!  The ultimate in comfort.   Clothes t...

Sewing pants has always scared me just a little.   Not because I don’t think I have the skills, but rather because I’ve always heard that fitting them can be a nightmare.  (Note, I have sewn bottoms before.  However, never anything “woven with stretch.”) Let me tell you, that’s a MYTH! The Lazy Day Pants  are anything but difficult!   Miss. Opinionated Teen is not only short, but petite pants never fit her right.  They always drag on the ground no matter what size I buy her. So, after a lengthy discussion about fabric choices and whether or not the pants I would make would look “homemade” and geeky (she was assured they wouldn’t look either), I entered the world of sewing pants. I used the information from Closet Case Patterns  to help get them to fit her just right. I wasn’t too sure at first how she would feel about the pockets on the front of the pants.  As it turns out she has VERY strong feelings about wome...

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s off to sew I go! This test was..... Oh....So....COZY! That’s right folks, with fall setting in; it’s time to embrace the warmth of Hoodies, long sleeves, pants and everything else that comes with the season! So, without further adieu I introduce the  MEGA MEENA HOODIE . This hoodie is AMAZING!  Very rarely do I find a top that I don’t have to alter by adding length in.  And guess what....I didn’t have to add anything to this baby!  I know I’ve said it before, but I’m tall.  The Mega Meena with nothing added is long enough that I feel comfortable wearing it around with just leggings (and I’m not really a legging without a knee length dress kind of a gal).  Seriously, this thing is fabulous!   I know I have a tendency to like the patterns I test, and that could be because I test for the designers I like.  However, this pattern is so comfortable!  Just ask my dog Finn, he and I got a...

I’m always on the look out for the perfect shirt, and the designer who takes their time making sure everything is perfect. A friend of mine has tested for Max & Meena before and has talked about how she takes her time making sure everything fits correctly in every size.  And, I had the opportunity to be added to the testing for the Neapolitan Tee testing towards the end of the process.  And it’s true.   Jamie at Max & Meena made sure everything was perfect!   As someone who sews A LOT, I’m very grateful for her thorough process .  I know I can buy her patterns and get a pattern that has had the flaws worked out.  I can buy with confidence. Now the shirt! I have seen so many of these color blocked shirts around!   I actually made two of them, but didn’t manage to get pictures of my other shirt.   This is such a great sew!  I added 1” to the top of the bodice (right where the feet fabric meets the map fabr...