Made by Laura!

I always get so excited about new fabric releases from Amelia Lane Designs. Frequently, they give me the opportunity to sew something I might not otherwise and try something new. I have learned a lot sewing for them, like how to sew swim and athletic wear. But I've also learned that I actually LIKE wearing fun prints and designs that I haven't always worn.  ** Disclosure: I have included affiliate links to patterns used in this post. If you choose to purchase a pattern using my link, I will receive a small commission of the sale at no additional cost to you.** For this release, I tried something that is really not me - this fun animal print! There have been a few releases recently with fun animal-print fabrics, and I have not sewn any of them, because I thought I wouldn't like wearing them. But after seeing some of the other sewists in the ALD Facebook Group sharing their makes, I knew I HAD to try it! I am really glad I did. This dress makes me so happy! This fabric is a d...

 Every month, Amelia Lane Designs is featuring a new fabric of the month. The featured fabric type is discounted throughout the entire month! It's so nice if your favorite fabric type is featured or one that you've just been wanting to try.  This month, the featured fabric is Athletics! I LOVE the athletics from ALD! And, the best part is, every time I make something new from athletics, I get motivated to move and exercise!   **Disclosure: I have included affiliate links in this post. If you choose to purchase a pattern using my link, I will receive a small commission of the sale at no additional cost to you.** This Set:  For the top, I used a fabric called " Sportivo ." This is a nylon/ spandex blend. It can be used for athletic tops, sports bras, and even swimwear. I LOVE this fabric !  For this top, I used the Marin from Sew A Little Seam . This is a swim pattern. I planned to sew a crop top version with this for an exercise tank, but when I finished, I deci...

I get so excited about new patterns. 😊 One of my favorite designers is releasing TWO new patterns together this month, and I'm thrilled to share about them! **Disclosure: I have included my affiliate links to the patterns used for this post. If you choose to purchase a pattern using my link, I'll receive a small commission of the sale at no additional cost to you.** The first new release- the BESTIES TEE This tee is so fun, with quite a few options! You can choose whether you like the flared tee or the banded tee. The flared tee features a slightly flared silhouette with three length options (cropped, regular, or long).  The banded option also has a slightly flared silhouette gathered into a waistband. It also has a couple of lengths - for the hemband to sit on the waist or the hips.  Both versions can be made with several necklines- three different rounded necklines, a v neckline, or a squared neckline. They both have several options for sleeve lengths or two choices for sle...

 I have had this pattern for a bit waiting for me to sew it. I loved the style of it, and the options. I kind of couldn't get over the sleeves, but I don't love gathering, so I put it off.  I put it off for a while... until I had the perfect fabric for it!  **Disclosure: I have included my affiliate link to the pattern used in this post. If you choose to purchase a pattern using my link, I'll receive a small commission of the sale at no additional cost to you.** This is the Pattern Emporium Hello Gorgeous : Isn't it gorgeous? I sewed it up in a couple of hours last weekend. It did take a tad bit longer than a basic tee, but I think it was worth it! The sleeves are so cool! I seriously love them! This pattern has several options for sewing it up including neckline options (a really cool almost-square neck in both a higher and lower cut option, and both a high and low round neckline). It has really awesome puff sleeves in four lengths, and two separate cut lines for a sho...

 I've really had a lot of fun sewing and learning to use athletic fabrics. I'm not overly athletic, but I like them for when I do exercise, when I take walks, when I do a workout video, or just for wearing around to be comfortable.  I've sewn several pairs of leggings in the last year or so... they're really easy, and I kind of can't believe I put off trying leggings for as long as I did! I LOVE the stock of athletic fabrics at Amelia Lane Designs . They have so many, and are constantly getting new things for me to try! The Fabric I Used: I was so excited to try out Olympus . It is a new-to-me athletic base! This fabric is so nice! It is smooth and easy to sew. It is 75% polyester and 25% spandex. It is 250 gsm, making it a great bottom weight fabric. It is a bit compressive due to the high spandex content. It is a great fabric to use for athletic sewing, swim sewing, or just lounge sewing. Amelia Lane Designs is running a preorder for three new custom Olympus print...

Sometimes you find a pattern that you'll pull out again and again. That is the case with this pattern. I love wearing dresses. I feel so pretty and feminine. Putting on a dress can put me in a better mood sometimes. So I was more than excited to test the expansion of the Asta Dress. **Disclosure: I have included my affiliate link to the pattern I used for this post. If you choose to purchase a pattern from Wardrobe by Me using my link, I'll receive a small commission of the sale at no additional cost to you.** I've sewn this pattern a couple of times before. Once I made the sleeveless version and another time, I made a sleeved version. I've worn both of them several times.  So I already knew I liked the pattern, and was thrilled to try some of the new options!  Here is my new Wardrobe by Me Asta Dress . The pattern: The pattern is drafted for knit fabrics. It makes a beautiful dress with a few options you can choose from. You can make your dress sleeveless, or chose rom...

I tested a pair of joggers a while ago for a different company... I struggled to get a good fit during the test, and I know pants can be hard to fit. So, although I have been intrigued by some different patterns since then, I haven't tried making other joggers for myself.  Well, I've been eying this pattern for quite a while because it looked so good. I also have always gotten a good fit using Sinclair patterns, but had not tried any of their pants until now. I kind of expected them to be good though, because everything by Sinclair is! So here are my JJ Joggers . About the Pattern :   This is an easy jogger pattern. There are two length options - Long and below the knee length. They have a waistband with cased elastic and a drawstring, and pockets.  They can be made using knit fabrics with 30-50% stretch. The waistband and leg cuffs should be made using a fabric with great recovery though.  For my pants, I chose to use a thick 2" elastic I had on hand rather than the...

I have had a busy couple of months. I saw the tester call for this pattern, and I liked the style, but I just COULDN'T. I can't do everything, as much as I might like to. 😜 **Disclosure: I have included my affiliate link to the pattern used in this post. If you choose to make a purchase using my link, I'll receive a small commission of the sale at no additional cost to you.** This is the Pattern Emporium Unwind ... and I'm so excited to have one!  This will be the perfect pattern for the fall as the weather begins to change. It is the perfect piece for looking put together while also being super comfortable.  All About the Pattern : The Unwind Sweater/ Jumper is a dolman style pullover top. There are no separate sleeve pieces as they are all one piece with the bodice. It is very easy and VERY quick to make!  It can be made in many different fabrics, and looks great in all of them! You can see a video that Kate made about the Unwind, showing her many versions, here  ...