Blank Slate Peppermint Pajama shorts

I mentioned in a recent blog post that I’ve been on the lookout for a better women’s pajama pants pattern.  Well, I think I’ve found one!

The Blank Slate Peppermint Pajamas are fantastic.  I had the opportunity to test the pajama shorts pattern** right before my ankle surgery, and I absolutely love how they turned out.

**The pattern includes a pants-length version (with a cuff!) and a great, comfy knit shirt with two raglan sleeve lengths!  I just didn’t have the opportunity to sew it all before being of commission for several weeks.

The shorts are comfortable and super straightforward to sew.  And I only needed a yard of fabric to whip them up!

They have an elastic waist and pockets.  What more could you want from a pair of PJ shorts?

You can be sure that I will be making more of these as soon as I’m back in the game.  I am certainly enjoying the ones I already have!  I think this is going to become one of my tried-and-true favorite patterns.

 

Be sure to check out the pattern— not only are there shorts and pants options, but there’s a coordinating raglan-sleeve shirt pattern included for knit fabric!

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Blank Slate Rose top

Melissa has re-released another fantastic top pattern at Blank Slate Patterns– the Rose top (and dress!).  This knit shirt is so flattering and comfortable, and with the contrast woven neckline, the fabric combinations are seemingly endless!

For my final version in the testing process, I decided to go with a blue and white double brushed poly for the main body of the top, and I added plain white cotton at the neckline.  I chose to end my sleeve just above my elbow, but there are short- and long-sleeve options, too!

I liked my first test version so much that I finished it, as well– this is a lighter weight “mystery” knit paired with a bright patterned cotton at the neckline.  (do you recognize that grey-purple fabric? ::wink::)

 

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Blank Slate Abrazo Tee

I have a new favorite tee shirt pattern!  I absolutely love this new Blank Slate Abrazo Tee pattern (affiliate link).  It has a great fit, and it is a super quick sew.  For the test of this pattern, I sewed up a round neck, short-sleeved top…

This is a very soft, very stretchy, and very thin polyester blend knit that I got very inexpensively. It was a wonky cut and only 52″ wide (I realized later), so I am proud of myself for matching the stripes! It was quite the puzzle.

The pattern is so versatile with V-neck and long sleeved variations, as well!  I am really looking forward to making many more Abrazo tees!

In fact…I literally have another one out on my cutting table right now… I can’t wait to show it to you!

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Blank Slate Marigold dress: color block

Melissa is re-releasing the Marigold dress with an extended size range over at Blank Slate Patterns!

I participated in the testing for the re-release, and I decided to go for a color block effect, making the bodice from a tone-on-tone cream stripe and the skirt from a solid blue.

The Marigold pattern has a number of sleeve options (split-sleeve, cap sleeve, and long sleeve) and can also be made as a peplum top instead of a full dress.  I also made the sash that is included with the pattern to go with my dress.

 

 

I also styled my dress with a wide black belt I had in my closet for a different look:

 

 

I think the color block look gives the dress a retro/vintage looking vibe, which I really like!

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Catalina maxi dress

Blank Slate Patterns has re-released the Catalina Dress pattern!  I got to work on testing some of the updates to the pattern.   This pattern works with woven and knit fabrics(!), has a tank or cap sleeve bodice and button placket bodice option with three lengths.

For my version, I made the tank bodice with a maxi skirt, and I think it can look pretty dressy this way:

I love maxi-dresses in summer.  They can be dressed up or down.

And there are pockets!

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Skye joggers

In February, I had another opportunity to test a pattern for Blank Slate Patterns— this time it was for joggers!

Of all the garments I’ve sewn, I have done the least with pants.  I learned so much from fitting these!  The pattern includes a really helpful guide to getting the fit just right for your body–words and pictures that help diagnose and correct common fitting issues.   Even though my end result was this cute calf-length pair, I started with a muslin that was just shorts-length to make all of my adjustments before making my final pair.

 

 

The Skye joggers are super comfortable!  Mine are made from some medium knit, and I think they would be great in French terry and ponte, as well.

 

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Blank Slate Patterns: Snuggle PJs

I had the honor of testing another Blank Slate Pattern recently– this time, a kids’ pattern!

The Snuggle PJs pattern was just released on Tuesday, and I made a set for V!

The pajama top is a pattern for knit fabrics, and has this cool envelope neckline for easy dressing, and there are short-sleeve and long-sleeve options!

The pants pattern is for woven fabrics.  These pajammies (yes. it’s a word. :)) that I’m showing off here are more of a spring set– short sleeves and a lightweight quilt cotton for the pants.  But can you imagine snuggly flannel pants with a cozy long-sleeve top?!

Between the binding on the shirt neckline and the potential for contrast cuffs and waistband on the pants, there are endless opportunities for color combinations!  I actually made some “faux piping” (just a simple narrow fold of fabric) and inserted it between the pant leg and cuff to pull the pants and shirt together for this set.  I also decreased the rise quite a bit to fit V where she wanted the pants to lay on her waist.

This was an incredibly quick sew, and it’s such a cute and satisfying result!!  I already have more in the works– both for V and for B.  The pattern comes in sizes 3 months to 12 years!  Make sure you check the size chart, because V is wearing a size 6 even though her RTW size is more often a 7.  B will also be sporting (in the future) a set that is a couple sizes smaller than his RTW size.

Of course, Duck had to be involved in the photoshoot– Duck is V’s closest companion!

Check out the pattern at Blank Slate, and keep an eye out here for future snuggly PJ incarnations!

P.S. Quilt HERE.  Pennant banner HERE.  Bird mobile HERE.

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Blank Slate Patterns: Valetta top

This new pattern from Blank Slate Patterns is really awesome.  The version with sleeves is perfect for fall, and it’s actually making me look forward to cooler weather!  I had the opportunity to sew this Valetta top before its release (it released today!!), and I was so delighted for the chance.

The Valletta top is a blouse that has the feel of a tunic.  I like the high-low effect of the hem and the pretty gathers below the yoke.  There are really cute details like ties on the sleeves and self-made cord with tassels!

This paisley polyester crepe fabric is special to me.  It had a previous life as a caftan that my grandmother had made for herself…

She had basically folded over a length of fabric, cut a head-hole, and stitched up the sides to create the arm holes, so it was easy work to take it apart…and there was plenty of fabric for me to cut out my Valetta.  Whenever I wear this top, I will think of her.

The only changes I made to modify the pattern for myself were to lengthen the front and back by 1,” and I used pearl cotton rather than regular embroidery floss to make my cord and tassels.  I added a bit of extra top stitching around the neckline and across the yokes, too, to mimic the top stitching on the sleeve seams.  I’m discovering that I am a fan of topstitching!

I’m really pleased with the way this top turned out.  I’d love to try the sleeveless version of Valetta, too!  Thank you, Blank Slate, for another opportunity to sew for you!

 

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Blank Slate Patterns: Juniper Jersey

Looky!  I got to test another pattern for Blank Slate Patterns!

This time I worked with the Juniper Jersey pattern, which is a sporty, casual knit top:

For this version, I used some medium-weight pink interlock knit with some floral jersey knit that a friend gave to me (recognize it??).

 

I think this is a really great pattern lots of potential for pattern mixing and creative color combinations.  In fact, you could even use this pattern to refashion an oversized T-shirt.

I really like the V-neck on this top and the topstitching details.  It is a really fun and fast sew.  Check out the pattern HERE on the Blank Slate site!

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Blank Slate Patterns: Barton shorts

I was so excited to be selected as a pattern-tester for the Blank Slate Patterns’ new Barton shorts!  I’ve always wanted to be a pattern tester: I find the process of developing a pattern to be fascinating.

So in about a week, I made four different versions, and I had so much fun. Something about working under a deadline is exhilarating for me (as long as it’s not that way every day!) I find that I am more efficient with my time, and it is so satisfying. Even more satisfying was that this time around, I literally had everything on hand that I needed to make all four pairs!  Fabric, trim, elastic, thread.  No trips to the fabric store to break my momentum! Yippee!

In this post, I’m going to share my two final versions!  They were both actually made from extra fabric from other projects I’ve made.

These shorts are ridiculously comfortable, and in my opinion, they are super cute!  I love the lace-trim version (I was assigned the 3″ inseam, lace-trimmed variation for my testing– the pattern includes two inseam lengths–3″ and 5″, and both a hemmed and trimmed version!!).  I don’t usually wear elastic-waist shorts for everyday going-out, but these are not at all sloppy looking.  They look casual and trim, and I really love them!  And the best part of all– they are a very quick sew!!  The fabric selection took the longest (of course), and once I had that figured out, I estimate that I could make these in 2-3 hours per pair.

First up: my comic book shorts!  These are made with the Barton pattern pretty much as-is, but I did make a rise adjustment in the front so that they fit my body better.

Barton shorts test pattern v2; short inseam, lace version, size L. I made an additional rise adjustment to the front as per some discussion after the first version fitting photos. Trimmed with vintage bias tape with lace edging.

Barton shorts test pattern v2; short inseam, lace version, size L. I made an additional rise adjustment to the front as per some discussion after the first version fitting photos. Trimmed with vintage bias tape with lace edging.

Barton shorts test pattern v2; short inseam, lace version, size L. I made an additional rise adjustment to the front as per some discussion after the first version fitting photos. Trimmed with vintage bias tape with lace edging.

Do you recognize the fabric?  It’s extra from when I made my comic book dress!  I also used some vintage bias tape with a lace edge to trim the shorts.  The bias tape came from a large stash of trims that were my Grandma’s.

Oh yeah, did I mention that there are pockets?!!

For my next version, which is probably my favorite (so far), I used some excess lightweight denim from a strapless sheath I made a couple of summers ago.  As soon as I saw this in my scrap stash, I knew I had to turn it into these shorts… and I was just able to eke them out!  I made the waistband and the pockets from a blue batik (also from my stash), and I trimmed the shorts with some heart-shaped lace– also from my Grandma’s collection.

Barton shorts test pattern v1 (NO thigh ease adjustment); short inseam, lace version, size L. I made an additional rise adjustment to the front as per some discussion after the first version fitting photos. Fabric is a very lightweight denim with batik cotton waistband and pockets (pocket shape from v2).

Barton shorts test pattern v1 (NO thigh ease adjustment); short inseam, lace version, size L. I made an additional rise adjustment to the front as per some discussion after the first version fitting photos. Fabric is a very lightweight denim with batik cotton waistband and pockets (pocket shape from v2).

Barton shorts test pattern v1 (NO thigh ease adjustment); short inseam, lace version, size L. I made an additional rise adjustment to the front as per some discussion after the first version fitting photos. Fabric is a very lightweight denim with batik cotton waistband and pockets (pocket shape from v2).

For this version, I also adjusted the front rise (the same as for the comic book shorts), and I also made these with a slightly decreased thigh circumference for a slimmer look.

And pockets!!  The interior of the pockets is the same batik cotton as the waistband.

 

These are seriously the perfect casual shorts.  SO easy to make– and I imagine that there will be more! 😉

Find the pattern at the Blank Slate Patterns website HERE!

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