Women's Bundle Up Blog Tour: Jillian and Clemence

Have you seen enough BundleUp awesomeness yet?? No, of course not!

Seriously though, this bundle has been one of my all time favorites... so here I am to show you a little more of the bundle up on me.

Here I am wearing my Jillian Top from Greenstyle Creations and my Clemence shorts from Filles a Maman.

Let's start with the details.  First the Jillian.
Sizes: XXS to 3XL (bust 32" - 47")
wrap style racer back outer tank can be made in knit or woven
Inner tank, can be done as a tank, sports bra, or bandeau and is made from knit
REALLY fast to sew, and not a big fabric hog at all

And the Clemence:
Sizes: 00 to 24 (hips 33.25" - 52")
Short or Bermuda length
3 different style accents: 2 scallops and 1 flap
Made for wovens, and look really nice in a stretch woven. 

 

How am I doing at not looking awkward?  Justin is out of town so I hired Inara to take pictures for me.  She's not a half bad photographer for being 6.  She tells me that I'm "super weird" in front of the camera, though lol.  

I'd say that the sewing time on the Jillian was probably about 90 minutes for both pieces.  I did the bandeau for my inner tank, using a plain black cotton/spandex performance knit.  For the outer... This is exciting for me... I dyed my own fabric!!  The print is a custom knit from The Fabric Igloo, but because I never remember to order pre-orders when I want them, I actually got it from the host's Hyena Cart (Knits & Giggles).  I ordered one of the dyeing kits she stocks and got my fabric, gloves, mask, dyes, and soda ash all in a nice little package.  

Kind of neat, right?  So I took this pretty innocent looking white and black fabric and gave it a very *me* twist.  I'm kind of addicted to dying things now, and I really love the personal touch it gave this shirt, without it being over the top.

Jillian What I loved: I will definitely be wearing this shirt a lot this summer (I like how my tattoo shows, hmmmm.. I feel like that's an awesome trend with this bundle too!), and I love how it fits, an I definitely love all of the options that are included in it.

Jillian What I'd change:  There is only one thing that I would probably constantly change when making this.  The waistband is cut on the fold, so there is only one seam when its sewn.  I put this seam lined up with one of the side seams, but the obsessive part of my brain wants the seams to be symmetrical, but I feel like that is just me being a bit weird.  

And my awesome shorts.   I actually pre-tested this pattern.  I made the Bermudas for the pre-test because I am a bit self-conscious about my thighs, and I will tell you that SO much care went into making the fit just right on this pattern.  There are instructions on how to adjust the waist, so if you're like me and your hips are significantly bigger than your waist, your shorts won't fall down!  (Don't laugh, the struggle is real :p)

So for this post, I originally was going to make another pair of Bermudas, but it's been warm, and I really want to own a couple pairs of actual shorts... so I went for it!  And I really like them.  I used a stretch denim with a sort of tie-dye looking print on it that I found at Joann's. 

In case you hadn't noticed, I'm pretty, bottom heavy, so I HATE making bottoms for myself out of anything other than knit for PJs.  I can only fit a couple brands of store bought jeans that will fit over my hips and not be all weird and huge at the waist.  These shorts fit amazingly well.  I followed the instructions for adjusting the waist that are included in the pattern, and I am 100% sure that they aren't going to show my underwear when I sit, and my hips fit!

Clemence What I Love: I love how easy it is to adjust the shorts to make them fit nicely at both the hip and waist.  And I love how easy the pattern was to follow.  And that there are multiple lengths included.

Clemence What I'd Change: I think my next pair, I may cut them just a little longer than the short pattern calls for.  But, the pattern does have a length chart, I just didn't measure myself first!

And just to crack you up... Photographer Inara choce the pose.... She said I wasn't being cool enough with my awesome outfit... so here you go... BundleUppers UNITE!  (She calls is the Superhero pose)

 

So the bundle is almost over, but there have been lots of blogs of all the different patterns... so check them out!!

 

Mimi's Mom - Baby Fish Designs - The Wholesome Mama - Gloria June - Sew Happily Ever After - Manning the Machine - Sew Like My Mom - Sproutign Jube Jube - Keep Calm and Carrion - Friends Stitched Together - Thread Riding Hood - Gingerbear Hibbadorary - Pensebrox - Sew Starly - If Only They Would Nap - Handmade Boy - All Things Katy - Bunch-o-Berries - Bee Quilted BeautiesSew Thrifty - Made by Sara - Feathers Flights - Mabey She Made It - Mae and K - Sugar Plum Cuties - Rebel and Malice - House of Estrela - Phat Quarter Blog - Sofilanjes


And then... make sure you BundleUp! 

Naughty and Nice Double Pattern Release Tour: Greenstyle and EYMM

Yay for some sewing time for me!  As a last minute holiday treat, Greenstyle Creations  and Everything Your Mama Made & More are releasing two patterns that you're just going to LOVE.  I know you probably saw both of them during the Sew Fab bundle sale, and if you weren't ready to commit to all of the patterns in the bundle, I hope you're ready to grab these two when they release tomorrow (December 23rd)!

First up, the Norah Nightgown and Underwear (I apologize ahead of time for the cleavage shots, but man does this pattern totally make the girls look fantastic).  

The details:

Sizes XXS to 3XL

Two nightgown lengths

Crossover bodice option

Instructions for adding optional under-bust support band 

Gathered or bust darts

Boy short and two types of thong patterns

Approximate sew time: 90 minutes for the nightgown and 20-30 for the underwear

Let's discuss the bust for just a minute...  I am a 38DD and I did the crossover bodice with darts and the optional elastic casing under the bust. 

I am totally comfortable sleeping bra-less in this and it has enough support and the right shape that everything stays in place!

I used a ruffled elastic to bind my bodice and straps, but you can use FOE, lingerie elastic or even clear elastic.  

And I picked a length that was sort of in-between the sweet and the sassy because, well, I have a big tush, and I wanted to make sure it stayed covered lol 

The gown itself is made from a rayon/spandex print from Joann's.  

And while I won't scar you with pics of the modeled underwear, I made both the boy shorts and the thong.  I would say the boy shorts are kind of length between hipster and boyshort, but they are REALLY comfortable, and the thong is as well.  

It is a bit strange posting my "unmentionables" on the internet!  

Th thong is laying face down at the top and is edged with FOE.  The middle is made with a stretch mesh and edged with lingerie elastic and the bottom is FOE edged as well.  

And to the right here are the ones I made this weekend.. They are just stretch lace with no edging, and they stay up perfectly ;) 

AND now for the second pattern that you NEED to get yourself for a Christmas gift... The Off the Shoulder  Dress and Peplum from EYMM.

Don't mind my hair that is in desperate need of being dyed...  My winter coat is coming in (heehee).  

The details:

Sizes: XS - 5X

Long or 3/4 sleeves

Peplum or dress length

Gathered or circle skirt.

Approximate sew time: 90min-2hrs 

This top is fantastically comfortable.  I went with long sleeves and a circle peplum.  The bodice and  cowl fabric are from Joann's and the skirt fabric is a custom print from The Fabric Igloo.  

No idea what I'm doing in this picture... Probably enjoying how snuggly this shirt is.  It was like 45 out, and I wore the shirt to the store and it was just perfect without a coat.  The big oversized cowl is great, and the instructions on making have those great gathers are really clear and easy to follow.  I've decided to make myself a dress version after Christmas as well.  I'm a total sucker for a circle skirt!.  

Just showing you that the peplum covers the bum nicely!  

I have to say how excited I am that these designers are releasing these patterns for you all to snatch up as they really are fantastic in both fit and instructions.  In fact, I am wearing my Off the Shoulder top to run all my last minute Christmas errands tomorrow AND, check me out while I'm writing this post...

Totally rockin' my Norah with a cardigan and a glass of wine!  Cheers!

And make sure you check out the other bloggers as part of the mini-tour:

December 22nd

Alyssa at Keep Calm and Carrion

Audrey at Pretty and Precious Clothing

December 23rd

Heather at Boutique Birdie

Denita at HattieLu Handmade

Jessica at Gracious Threads

**Note: I was a tester for the Norah pattern and received the Off the Shoulder pattern as part of the blog tour, but all opinions are completely my own and I wouldn't blog on them if I didn't like them!**