Just hanging around with Emily

So, I hate to go clothes shopping...and I hate to do laundry.  I might hate to do laundry just a little more than I hate clothes shopping.  So, when Marisa posted that she was doing a tester call for her new Emily Tee, I was all over that like bees on honey!  I was a little worried about it being something for me because I have a love hate relationship with sewing tops for myself (I usually have to frankenpattern to make things fit all my bits right), but this...this top was perfection!  I seriously want to make 30 of these so I have a whole month's worth that I can live in.

Okay so some basics about the pattern first:

- Pattern ranges from XS to XXL so it covers a large size range.

- There are 3 sleeve options: long, elbow, and short.

- The neckline has 4 options: hoodie, cowl, scoop neck, and jewel neck.
- You can opt for a triangle inset on the side seam or just leave it as a whole piece.
- There are elbow patches for the long sleeve option!  I loved these and was trying to find a way to incorporate them into the long sleeve tee that I did...so sad that I couldn't so I guess I just have to make another one.
- Maternity add-on pack available!
- The instructions are very concise and straightforward.  There are also tons of pictures for those of us who do better with the visuals.  

As far as the pattern, I had no problems with following along.  I did read it a couple of times to make sure I knew what to do.  I actually read the thumb hole part a few more times because I had never made actual thumb holes before, and after I got started, it was REALLY easy.  I seriously want to put them on all of my long sleeve shirts now.  Those thumbholes and the cowl neck are my favorite parts of this shirt!!  I made my first top in a burnout sweater fabric that I have been hoarding forever now, and it was perfect for this top.

I also did a second shirt in the short sleeve version so that I had a top to wear to the KidFest here in Oklahoma City.  It took about 45 minutes from start to finish, and I had a top that fit me so perfectly that I didn't even worry once about it all day.  This pattern fit me everywhere, even my arms which usually need some readjusting.  

Again, as far as the fit, I found it to be pretty true to RTW.  I didn't have any issues with the bottom riding up or the sleeves being too tight.  It's kind of a close fit cut on me, but not so close that I was self conscious at all.   The pieces sewed together like a breeze.  Everything lined up perfectly, and it was a very quick sew.

AND, the best news of all, Marisa is offering the pattern at a special release price!  You can grab your copy of the pattern for $6 (maternity add on on sale for $2) from now until February 26th!

Shop Laela Jeyne Patterns here at her webstore!  Remember, the Emily T-shirt is on sale for a limited time to celebrate the release of this have to have pattern!  

If you want to skip on over to the Facebook group, you can find it here.  Marisa posts all of her happenings here so you won't miss out on new releases or special events!  

Now, if you've read this far, then I really do appreciate you for sticking with me!  Now head on over and pick up your copy of the Emily!

Happy Sewing,

Kim

In the Hampton's with Jack and Jackie

All smiles!!  These are the standard sleeves
on Bug and flutter sleeves on Boo.

Okay, okay, so maybe it's not Hampton's.  And maybe aren't hanging with anyone from the Kennedy family...BUT, this shirt is still a whole lot of happiness all on its own. It's such a rare occasion that my kids want to wear something that I've made that I have to (not so secretly) celebrate when they BOTH agree to wear something "mama made"...Wellll, let me tell ya, the Jack and Jackie top that I recently had the good fortune to test for Snuggle My Baby Patterns is one such pattern.  This pattern was absolutely perfect for my littles since my daughter is quickly growing away from ruffles and bows (TRAGEDY for me because in my world everything is better with a bow!!!) and little bug could have a shirt to match sissy.

See what I did there?  We're not above bribery
to get a photoshoot going on!

So, first things first, pattern details:
- Pattern ranges from 2T-12 so there's a lot of room to grow with this one!
- There are three sleeve options: long, short, and flutter
- There are two sizing options: regular or slim
- There are no buttons or zippers to work with so super duper easy there!
- The instructions are very concise and easy to follow along with, and if you're a visual learner like me, there are a lot of photos along the way to show us what we need to do!
- The pattern itself is really easy to sew together and is a really quick sew.  I was able to get 4 shirts done in a day!

At this point I was informed that
I should have done long sleeves

Like I said, the pattern is so easy to follow.  I read it once through before cutting anything to make sure I understood the instructions, and we were off and running!  Construction came together like a breeze, and I had no issues at all with the pieces lining up.   The top slips over the head so there aren't any fasteners for little hands to work through.  My kids picked out some British Invasion from Riley Blake and had to match so they could be twinsies so I made them both the same top with different sleeves.  I also made a Spiderman one for my son's best friend and a long sleeved version for a special little girl we know!

Bribery again!  She would only stand still because
I promised her cheese sticks.

As for the fit, it was true to ready to wear sizing.  There's plenty of room in the top that the kiddos can climb and jump around, but the shirt itself doesn't appear to be swallowing them up when they are wearing it!  Spiderman informed me that he would much rather have had the long sleeves as that would hide his web blasters much better, but he would make it work!  I thought that was pretty benevolent of him. :)!

All in all, all four of the kiddos loved this shirt, and I've been asked if there is any way that all of their friends can have shirts so they can all match.  At this rate, it might be summer by the time I get them done so I'm thankful this is a quick and easy pattern!  It's on sale right now until February 19!  You can grab it at a special release price of $5!  After that, it goes up to the usual price of $7.95 so don't miss out!

The pattern is available at the Snuggle My Baby Patterns Etsy store!  Jennifer also has a group on Facebook that you can join to keep up with her happenings, apply for test calls, and ask for help on patterns!

Still bribing him!  This time we had to add some
Umi Zoomi to sweeten the deal!

If you've made it this far, I appreciate you hanging in there with me!  Go grab your copy of Jack and Jackie's and sew your little love some of these tops!!

Happy Sewing,
Kim