Swimsuit Sew Along Day 2

Swimsuit Sew Along

Day 2

The pink swimsuit is the girls version and the polka dot is the ladies version.  If you are making the ladies version, skip ahead to the polka dots.

You should have a stack similar to this.  Tank front and back, ruffles, neck binding, arm binding and elastic.

Let's start with the ruffles.  Mark the elastic and ruffle strips into thirds.  Line up pins and attach the elastic to the wrong sides of the ruffles.  Using a zig zag stitch, stretching elastic from both sides so elastic lays flat against the ruffle.  Attach elastic to the ruffle.

Draw a straight line across the front bodice.  Attach the ruffle piece along the line with a zig zag stitch.

Repeat with the second ruffle strip.  Attach elastic and then attach ruffle above the first ruffle.

Attach the binding to the front bodice piece.  Line up binding piece right sides together to the bodice.

Fold binding piece up and iron flat.  Fold the top edge in toward the center of the binding.

Fold binding piece in once again to enclose the entire top edge of the tank.

Repeat with the second binding strip.

Let's work on the arm hole binding strips.  The process for the arm holes is the same as the bodice front binding.  Line up one edge of the binding with the raw edge of one armhole.  Keep the binding straight and attach the opposite end of the binding to the raw edge of the bodice back, right sides together.  Attach with a zig zag stitch.

Repeat the same steps as above for finishing the binding.

Here is what the binding looks like at this point.  The bodice front and back are attached with the binding strip.  The binding will be the shoulder straps.

Repeat the binding process on the opposite armholes.

Ladies version.  You will have a pile similar to this with all pattern pieces.  Bodice front/back, shelf bra pieces, briefs front/back, elastic.

Begin with the shelf bra.  If you would like to add molded cups, click here for instructions.  Attach front and back pieces.

Sew elastic together in a circle.

Mark elastic evenly with 4 pins.  Do the same with the shelf bra.

Line up pins to attach elastic.  Gently pull on both sides of the elastic to stretch it to fit the bra.

Turn the elastic toward the wrong side of the bra.  Stretch the elastic and zig zag stitch in place.

Pin shelf bra to the tank at the neck, wrong sides together.

Using FOE (fold over elastic), bind bodice front and repeat with bodice back.  If you are using regular bias, follow directions for binding above.

Using a 4 in. strip of elastic, gather the center front to create a little shape in the swimsuit top.  Gather by attaching the elastic at the top of the bodice and 6in. down.  Stretch the elastic to create a gather.

Repeat binding on armholes.  If you need more explanation, scroll up to the top.

Tomorrow we will finish the side seams and work on the brief bottoms.

Swimsuit Sew Along

Jocole Shoreline Tank and Basic Brief

Swimsuit Sew Along

Materials Needed:

• Lycra Spandex
• Elastic - FOE, clear elastic, or knit elastic
• Thread
• Shoreline Tank and Basic Brief patterns

Schedule:

• Monday - Print and tape all pattern pieces.   Cut fabric.
• Tuesday - Shoreline Tank - ruffles, straps
• Wednesday -  Shoreline Tank - side seams and hem 
• Thursday - Brief Bottoms

Here is a sneak peek of the swimsuit top that we are making.  

Print the pattern pieces.  You will have a tank bodice, Brief Bottoms (2 pieces) and crotch seam piece.  If you are making the Ladies version of the Brief Bottoms, it is recommended to make a full lining instead of only the crotch piece.

Print, cut out and tape all pattern pieces.

You should have a pile similar to the pieces below.  Tank front and back, briefs front and back, crotch piece, ruffles(optional) and elastic.

I highly suggest FOE.  There will be instructions for using clear elastic but FOE is much easier to work with and is my new favorite.

Come back tomorrow to start the Shoreline Tank!

Don't forget to use the coupon code to get 25% off your purchase until May 13.

Happy Mother's Day from Jocole

Happy Mother's Day from Jocole Patterns

Mother's Day sneaks up on me every year, perhaps because I'm the mother.  I'm a terrible daughter because I'm always late in giving my very dear mother a gift.  I beat myself up every year.  I guess I'll try to be a better daughter next year.

Anyway,

I have always wanted to be the mother that looks like this,

However I'm afraid I'm the mother that looks like this,

I hope your Mother's Day is filled with pampering, giggles, lots of hugs and beautiful fashion.  Enjoy the coupon code below as your Mother's Day gift from Jocole!

Use code "momrocks" for 25% off your cart starting May 10, 2014 to May 13 at 11:59pm.  Go shopping!

Happy Herringbone Modification

Happy Herringbone Modification

One Piece Skirt Panel

I would like to show you how to make what I call The Lazy Happy Herringbone.  I LOVE, love, love the stripwork on the Happy Herringbone, it is really beautiful.  I needed a very quick sew and I realized a solid panel skirt on the Happy Herringbone would do the trick.  I would love to show you how to make the Happy Herringbone with a solid panel skirt.  

The cutting measurements for the solid skirt panel are in the chart below. 

Cut two skirt panels from the chart above.  Cut the rest of the pattern pieces according to the pattern measurement charts in the pdf.

You will have a pile similar to this:  bodice pieces, skirt panels, elastic and shoulder straps.

Sew the two skirt panels together to make a solid loop.  Serge the seams.  Follow the rest of the directions from the pattern instructions.

When you finish, you will have a beautiful Lazy Happy Herringbone!  The Happy Herringbone is so happy even without the stripwork.

Bundle Up SALE - April 26th through May 2nd ONLY

You've been patient, but the wait is now over.  It's LIVE and you can start shopping!

You can pick and choose from 11 patterns to make your OWN bundle (must purchase 6 or more)

There are 7 dresses/tops + 3 pants/shorts + 1 swimsuit

and SEVEN of them are new patterns that have never been released before!!!

The more you buy the more you SAVE.  You'll never get these patterns at such a discounted rate again.  Grab them while you can.  After May 2nd they will all be released individually by the different designers and return to full retail price.

You can find reviews and more photos of patterns included in the bundle HERE. 
You can check out the FAQ page HERE.

Happy Shopping and Happy Sewing!

Endless Dress Sew Along Contest

Endless Dress Sew Along Contest

A couple of weeks ago we had a sew along for the Endless Dress, you can find the instructions here.  We spent four days sewing together, asking questions and sharing our progress.  I had a great time and can't wait until the next one in May.  I wanted you to see a few of the dresses that some of the ladies made during our little contest.  Aren't they adorable????

I also wanted to remind you about the add on packs for the Endless Dress.  Volume 1 of the Add On pack comes as a bundle with the Endless Dress.  Volume 2 was just released and gives even more options for this adorable dress!   There are over 1,000 different variations you can make with this dress and the add on packs!  Of course you have to use your creativity.  Don't wait to purchase the Endless Dress pattern and Volume 2 add on pack.

Joey Hendricks - Joey made several versions of the dress during our sew along.  Adorable!

Ingrid Echard - Look at the pin tucks and buttons on the bib.  Love!

Heather Toews Ratcliff - What creativity!!!  She used the Endless Dress for these!  Awesome!

Allison Parrish - It's hard not to be happy looking at this dress.  Precious!

Nikki Souster - She made so many variations that were all fab.  Too cute!

Audra Dean - The picture says it all!

If you aren't part of the Jocole Sewing Group on Facebook, join here.  We have so much fun in the group and everyone is so helpful.  Our next sew along is turning the Basic Brief and Shoreline Halter into a swimsuit.  That should be tons of fun.  See you in the sewing group!

Knit for a Princess!

Guest post by Joey Hendricks
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My daughter and I LIVE in knits. They're easy to wear and care for and they can hold up to our crazy daily life. As you can imagine, I was beyond excited when Jocole released the Endless Dress that can be made in either wovens or knits. Seriously, could that dress BE any more awesome?

Yes, it can! It can be made in fairy printed pink baby rib knit with an foe neck binding and pretty princess sleeves!! It was so simple to make and it looks so great.

Cutting
The first thing I did to adapt the Endless Dress pattern was when I was cutting my pattern pieces, I cut 2  of the high neck front bodice pieces. Since I was making my dress in knit, I didn't need the button closures in the back (cut one on the fold along the grey dashed center back line instead) and I didn't want to add a collar.

Then I traced the sleeves from the Everyday Princess Top. I like added fullness for the skirt so I (typically) ignored Jodi's good advice listed in the pattern and I cut my skirt pieces the full yard width wide. (That's pretty darn WIDE in a knit fabric. Somewhere near 5 feet...let's just say I scaled that back and LISTENED to Jodi lol).

I'm pretty devoted to Jocole patterns and have a FEW (oooooor all of them...don't judge lol) that include a neck binding, So I busted out my trusty old copy of the Ruffle Tee and I scoped out the measurements for the neck binding :) and I cut my piece of foe just about an inch longer.

Laid it all out and cut my fabric..

Construction

As with any Jocole knit top, I started my construction at the shoulder seams and did the neck binding right away. I used fold over elastic at about 75% of the circumference of my neck. Fold over elastic isn't nearly as stretchy as ribbing so bear that in mind and cut yours a little bit longer. I just folded it over the raw edge and zigzagged it on with matching thread. I stretched it a bit as I was sewing just like I would've with ribbing.

The next step was the sleeves. My daughter requested "puffy princess sleeves, mama." I'd never gathered with knits before, not really. I went with the clear elastic gathering method and it worked like a charm. I will never gather any kind of knit fabric any other way! It's so simple, too. All you do is measure your gathering elastic against whatever you're joining it to and add an inch or so to hold it while you sew! You have to try this! Make sure you stretch the clear elastic quite a bit when you're sewing it on. The more you stretch, the more gathers you create.

The tutorial, written by a professional and not meeeeeeee can be found on the blog at http://jocole.blogspot.com/2013/01/clear-elastic-gathers-and-ruffles-easy.html

 For the princess sleeves, you need to gather both the top and the bottom to create that awesome puffy look. Then you just sew the sleeve band on. There's no stretching or anything...just pin it on and sew. The armhole works exactly the same way!

One thing I did want to say about gathering with clear elastic is to watch your stitch width. If your stitch is too wide, like a standard sized zigzag, your elastic won't ruffle. It's too well held down lol. Ask me how I know? I ended up just using my normal stretch stitch on the elastic and I'm super happy with the way the sleeves turned out!

Tada!!!

 The rest of the construction was pretty normal. I used the clear elastic to gather the skirt. The elastic helps a lot with keeping everything together while you're attaching things.This is how it turned out :D My daughter loves it so that's a WIN!

Bundle UP Sale ... coming soon

Are you ready for some exciting news?

The first installment of Bundle Up is coming SOON.  Bundle Up is a collective of your favorite established pdf sewing pattern designers coming together to offer you a sweet deal on both hot NEW patterns and favorite past releases.

So what makes Bundle UP different from other bundle sales?

• We only feature established designers whose patterns and reputation you already know and trust.
• We create themed bundles -- our first is girls (next is ladies).  You get more of what you need and none of what you don't.
• We offer primarily new releases patterns and throw in a couple oldies but goodies to round out the bundle.
• We allow you to "Build a Better Bundle". You gets to pick and choose which patterns and how many to include in your bundle.  Already have one of the patterns? No problem, just pick from the others.
• The more you buy, the more you save!

Are you ready to see who is in the first Bundle Up sale?

How does it work?

These patterns are already a great bargain, marked about 50% from their retail prices, but we have an even better deal for you.  The more you buy, the better deal you score!!  You must buy at least 6 patterns to get the bundle pricing, but the more you add to your cart, the cheaper they get.  Here are the details:

• $4.50 each for 6 ($27 total)
• $4.25 each for 8 ($34 total)
• $4.00 each for 10 or more ($40-$44 total)

here's a sneak of the NEW  Jocole pattern

Easter Coloring Pages

Easter Coloring Pages

And Some Family Memories

Are you looking for a fun activity to do with your kiddos for Easter?  Look no further!  Jodi has designed some coloring pages just for our kiddos to have a ball with.

My girls had a fun evening color the cute clothes and eggs.  (If you look closely you can see that my son was not interested in coloring.  He's on the computer on the couch.)

 

And they worked hard on those cute eggs and adorable girls!  That phone is never far away!!!

 

There are 3 girl dolls, 1 boy doll and a coloring page of eggs in the pdf.  Included are the Circle Flounce Dress Doll, The Crossover Dress and the Endless Dress.  Your daughter can color the Endless Dress you made for her last week!

It would be even more fun to allow your daughter to design her own dress and then you make her design come to life.  Wouldn't that be exciting for a little one?  She gets to tell all of her friends that her mommy made a dress just like she colored!

Showing off her creation.

 

And she's reading, Happy Easter.  You can find the coloring pages here.

I'm not sure what your Easter celebrations entail, but for me it is all about family being together.  Easter is one of the holidays that makes me miss my family in Texas the most.  Of course Christmas is hard and birthdays remind me how far apart we are, but Easter is one of my fondest memories of childhood.  The day was about family, all day long.  We started out Easter Sunday going to church together:  all of my aunts, uncles, cousins, parents and grandparents.   We all sang at the top of our lungs and I'm sure sounded like a pack of wild dogs!  We were all happy to be together and celebrate the real reason behind Easter.

After church, we all went to a family member's house.  We had a huge meal together, talked, laughed and did whatever kids do.  I was always so excited because I knew my mom would bring her famous potato salad and it was the highlight of the meal for me.  I could have eaten only that potato salad and I would have been a happy camper.

My best and most favorite memory of those family gatherings was the egg hunt.  My Aunt Judy always made such a special effort to have a fun egg hunt.  She had a ball hiding the eggs and watching all of us find them.  While all the other adults were busy doing adult things, my Aunt Judy was there with the kids making us feel like we were the most important part of the day.  That is a great feeling for a kid--to be important.  My Aunt Judy made my life special in so many ways, but that is one of my favorite things she did for me.  

I can't live up to my Aunt Judy(or my mom's potato salad!).  She is an amazing person.  I can only hope my own children feel as loved and important as she made me feel.  I hope your Easter is filled with bad singing, great family, potato salad, a fabulous Aunt Judy and an AMAZING egg hunt!

Happy Easter!