Flip this Pattern - September Showcase: Jack & Jill Color Block Shirt + a super GIVEAWAY

I have always loved the Flip this Pattern series. Some of my earliest blog posts were sew-alongs for this series. So, naturally, I am quite excited to have been invited to be part of the September Showcase.

 This month is all about featuring patterns from new designers who have 5 or less patterns released. Yep, that's me! But this post isn't about me. Instead, I had the chance to join in and sew up a pattern from another designer. I chose the Jack & Jill Color Block Shirt from Peaches and Peanuts - created by the blogger Shannon from Little Kids Grow. I have always admired Shannon's sewing creations. And the Jack & Jill pattern comes with lots of different options. I never sew enough for my boys either. All these factors made the Jack & Jill pattern an easy choice for me.

The Jack & Jill Color Block Shirt was created to be worn over another shirt. So my first thought was that it could easily be modified into a jacket. But, though the mornings are getting chilly, the afternoons are still quite warm. With that in mind, I decided to make a vest instead. But not just any vest; this one is REVERSIBLE!

One side is made with a navy colored cotton twill fabric. It has the front patch pocket with flap that comes with the pattern, but the length of the pocket was adjusted. I also added in-seam pockets.

Both sides were made with a back yoke that extends just over the shoulder. The twill side I kept simple - all pieces were made with the same fabric.  I color blocked the yoke on the opposite side with a modern plaid-like print.

The other side of the vest is made with cotton shirting fabric that I quilted to a layer of bamboo/cotton batting. The vest is still pretty thin, but oh, so warm :)  The upper pockets on this side are welt pockets (so I wouldn't cover up all that beautiful stitching I did) with flaps. And, of course, in-seam pockets on this side too. A boy could hide all kinds of goodies in this vest. Hahaha!

Alright tough guy; I was just joking. Hehe!

With all the different options this pattern offers, I think it makes a good starting to point lots of different kinds of shirts and/or jackets. In fact, I already have a girl version all modified... I just have to sew it up. You may see it make an appearance soon.

 This vest idea just came up last minute before I started working on this pattern. And I am so happy it did. I really love the layered look. And even better, you get two different layered looks. The twill side is simple, clean, modern looking while the quilted side is outdoorsy. (Yes, that is totally a word. You know what I mean.)

Snaps make the perfect closure for this vest because they can easily be used from either side. Plus, I just love the brushed metal finish of the snaps.

I had SO MUCH fun "flipping" this pattern. Thank you so much Ashley and Emily for inviting me!

Later this month, you will see the Fawn Lily make its appearance. Some of my favorite peeps are sewing it up! I can't wait to see what they make. And, in celebration, the Fawn Lily is on sale for 20% off through Sept. 20th - use coupon code SHOWCASE20

But that isn't all the goodness...

Readers, head over to Frances Suzanne to link up ANY pattern from a designer with 5 or less patterns released. That's right, testers, blog tour participants, loyal sewists, you can link up any of your Fawn Lily or other creations from a new designer.

Don't forget to take advantage of all the discounts being offered:

Sewpony Vintage: 20% off all patterns {SHOWCASE20}

Jennuine Design: 20% off all patterns {SHOWCASE}

Sew Like My Mom: 25% off all patterns {SHOWCASE}

Peaches and Peanuts: 25% off all patterns {SHOWCASE}

Shaffer Sisters: 25% off all patterns {SHOWCASE}

LouBeeClothing: 20% off all patterns {SHOWCASE20}

Rock the Stitch: 20% off Fawn Lily Dress {SHOWCASE20}

imagine gnats: 20% off all retail patterns {SHOWCASE}

Sewlosophy: 15% off all patterns {SHOWCASE}

Mouse House Creations: 20% off all patterns {SHOWCASE20}

SewVery: 20% off all patterns {SHOWCASE}

And ENTER THE GIVEAWAY! I am pitching in a copy of the Fawn Lily, but, just in case the winner already owns it, they can receive a copy of my next pattern instead. Woot!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Sunki becomes a modern Go Go Girl Dress

So...I may have been a bit inspired by the Era Challenge on Project Sewn.

For my Sunki Dress pattern flip I incorporated 60's inspired details.

I have created a sort of modern Go Go Girl dress. *Love*

And, of course, who can have a 60's inspired dress without a wide headband scarf? For more details on the headband, and a free pattern and tutorial, see my post here.  ;)

This dress was SO fun to create! 

I started with this retro inspired floral print. Then I busted out some of my vintage notions. The zipper has a copyright date of 1963. I couldn't find a date on the piping but did you see the price printed on the label? 19 cents! Man, how things have changed!

The zipper was perfect...except for the metal teeth. So an exposed zipper it became! I attached it much like you would an invisible zipper, but in reverse. This way the metal teeth don't touch the skin. It also gave my retro dress a modern touch.

The piping was used along the side panel/ pocket, along the neckline, and on the headband.

For the pattern modifications I did away with the lapped shoulders and gave the dress a nice boatneck.

I made 3/4 sleeves with a slight bell. The pleated shoulders were a must keep though!

I also gave the pockets a little gathering and added a little flair to the skirt.

And, because who can resist dancing in a dress like this?...

 Just for fun :)

BBC Vest pattern double flip

When I started planning family portrait outfits in my head I knew right away I wanted to use the BBC Vest pattern by Shwin Designs. It was part of the most recent collection, the Alphabet Collection, by Pattern Anthology. The great thing about all these patterns is that they unisex.

So, being that the BBC Vest can be made for boys or girls, I did a double flip. No, I am not a gymnast. I flipped this pattern as part of the series by Frances Suzanne; twice!

Excited? Oh, yeah!

(And because no post would be complete without a trip to the "gun show"...LOL)

The boy and girl looks are both very unique yet from the same pattern. *Love!*

I had fun playing with all the little details.

Now I'd like to show you the vests off the kids so we can look more closely at those details.

The changes I made to this vest for Jonas are mostly subtle.

First, I had to enlarge the pattern. The sizing goes up to an 8 but my big guy wears a 10/12 already. I also omitted the back belt and went with a slightly more fitted look.

Next, I made it reversible. There is houndstooth on one side for a more modern rockin' look, and a blue suiting on the opposite side for a more traditional look.

Then I made the collar thinner and brought the bottom center of the vest up a little.

And lastly, I added the guitar. That design took me a good ten layers to achieve! I used my Cricut to cut out the guitar on freezer paper. The freezer paper can be ironed to the fabric to create a stencil. The background of the guitar was made using dye and spraying it on, then splattering fabric paint over the top to give it more depth.

For Keilana's vest I, again, made it reversible.

Then I widened the collar and used lace to make a contrasting look. I just love how the lace complements both the houndstooth and the medalions!

Also, I shortened the bodice and tapered the sides giving it a more fitted look.

Then I added a longer circle peplum instead of the short pleated peplum.

And lastly, I made a princess seam on the bodice. This detail is subtle from afar, but I just love it dresses up the look! Do you see the pretty pearly button? It looks lovely with the lace.  :)

I was swooning over this pattern from the moment I saw it, but I think I love it even more after making it! There is definitely going to be more of these in the future.

Okay Jonas, on that note, I am off!

Thanks for visiting today! 

Don't forget to head over Frances Suzanne to check out all the other flipped looks from the Alphabet Collection.

Rainbow Chevron Roller Skate Dress

I am posting just in the nick of time to get this entered into July's Flip this Pattern contest from Frances Suzanne. Whew, that was close!...and a lot of work! But I am so very pleased with the result :)

Here is my rainbow chevron Roller Skate Dress!

I love this pattern in it's original form but, as I was planning how to flip it, it was screaming "twirl factor!" to me. What girl isn't a fan of the twirl factor? So I added some ;)

The sleeves were also flared out a bit to keep it consistent.

And, of course, there is the rainbow chevron. Oh, the rainbow chevron! I have been wanting to do this for so long and I felt like this pattern was a great canvas for it. The chevron is pieced...with quarter square triangles. I am a big fan of quilt work but have honestly done only minimal pieces myself. So these chevrons were a bit of work for me. But I'd say they were definitely worth the payoff.

 I added a faux collar with piping. I love how this ties in with the chevron strip.

Then there is this pretty embroidered fabric I used for the main dress.

Check out the attitude!
 

I may pull together a tutorial for how I made this. So if you like it, stay and hang out for a while :)

Keilana thinks it's number one! ;)

What do you think?