Twinkle Toes and Company

The Holiday Season is upon us!  I have to admit that it's my favorite "season". I really enjoy giving gifts, thinking of others and just enjoying time with my family. Not to mention some of my all time favorite Christmas movies and Ugly Christmas Sweaters/Shirts. When I was growing up, they were just something everyone wore. I remember my mom having so many of them, sweaters, vests; you name it and I'm pretty sure she had an Ugly Christmas version for the Holiday Season.  Back then they weren't called 'Ugly Christmas Sweaters' like they are now. There weren't parties held in their honor, or prizes handed out for the ugliest version like there is today. It's probably a good thing because my mom would have won hands down. She really did have an extensive collection. This year one of the Freebies from Patterns for Pirates  is Ugly Christmas Sweater patterns!  I have to admit I was a tiny bit excited...okay, A LOT excited!  A Sno...

This month has gone by CrAzY fast.  I've had these first items made for almost two weeks, but haven't had the chance to blog about them or share them because our family is going through a fairly significant mental health crisis, so I apologize for not sharing more color this month.  I had fully intended to share so much more than I have, but my family has moved center stage. I have made the Sunshine Dress by Patterns for Pirates before, somehow though I've never made it for myself.  I love maxi dresses as much as I love color, so when my fabric cutting fairy (a.k.a. my husband) cut the skirt the wrong direction I took the chance to add a pop of pink at the bottom.  The color of the dress isn't as bright as I would normally go for.  I was aiming for a spring/Easter look and wasn't disappointed by Raspberry Creek Fabric's Double Brushed Poly.                               ...

{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 costs you nothing, but helps support my sewing "therapy" and the ability to review and test more patterns.} When you're plus sized there's A LOT of rules that are supposed to be followed so you can look thinner. Last month I joined other House of Curves bloggers to telling our stories of why we test patterns and how we got started.  As we discussed what we wanted to see from House of Curves and the plus size pattern testing community, we really wanted to see us blow the "fashion rules" out of the water.   Plus sized women don't have to be put in a box just to try to look thinner.   It's taken a long time for me to be proud of my body.   According to Medical News Today , the average American Woman is 5'4".  That shocked me a ...

I don't wear sundresses for many people, but the P4P team is apparently on the list of those that I'll put one on for. I'm fairly certain the last time I had a sundress on I was a freshman in high school and I was in Hawaii.  This time though, I'm most definitely not in Hawaii and I'm a *few* years past being a freshman.   At first I didn't sign up to make the So Classic Sundress.  I struggle with a few parts of my body, and my arms are a couple of my least favorite.   I have learned through pattern testing and modeling my clothing that if clothing fits correctly, parts of my body I originally thought were "odd" aren't so odd any more. The So Classic Sundress has helped me feel that way! I honestly feel beautiful.  After making a muslin (I HIGHLY suggest making a muslin no matter what you are making), I was able to make a few adjustments to make the bodice fit me perfectly.  Originally I was adding length to the bodice because...

We live in Washington State. When most people think of Washington State, they think rainy and chilly. That's not the reality we live in though, we're on the other side of the state.   You know, where sunny, dry weather is the standard. While my kids have winter coats because we do get good gusts of wind through here that makes it cold, we just don't get the terribly cold weather.  In fact, I don't own a winter coat.  So, I (and most of my household) prefers to wear sweatshirts and hoodies during the winter rather than their coats.   They provide just enough warmth to keep me/us from being cold when I'm outside. So, I almost feel like an expert on judging hoodies/jackets.   Don't get me wrong though.   I'm only semi-pro, and that's because I've sewn 8 of them in the past three to four weeks! The Go To Jacket s by Patterns for Pirates fits the bill of being comfortable, warm enough to keep us from getting a chill...

Oh Baby! Sewing for babies isn't normally something I do a lot of.  My "babies" are sadly quite a bit bigger than  typical babies.  But Patterns for Pirates gave me the chance to wade back into the baby sewing waters! And, oh how cute they are....the clothes AND the babies! I actually made a few more sets than I have pictures for, but sadly...sometimes disasters strike and ink + fabric not only makes a very sad looking top, but it makes a very sad (and possibly irritated mom).   I'm in the process of re-making that shirt for the sweet little boy. Anyway, back on topic. Patterns for Pirates has FOUR new patterns!  And, because they now have 75,000+ members...WOW!  That's A LOT of Pirates! And, to make it even better...They're FREE! That's right, FREE!                                               ...