Inspired by Chevrons guest : Bella Bums and Bellies

I am so happy to have a very special guest, one of our very own Divas, Melissa from Bella Bums and Bellies! Melissa is a mom to two super cute little girls and pattern designer at Bella Bum Boutique.

I need to take a moment to rave about Melissa's patterns. When my daughter was potty training Melissa's Big Girl Trainers pattern was one of my most loved patterns. It is designed to be customizable to the stage of potty training your child is in. As all parents know, a child's needs change quite a bit throughout potty training. The pattern is nice and trim so it fits well under RTW clothing too. Not that I don't just love a fluffy bum! ;) And when potty training is complete they can be sewn as big girl underwear. The cloth trainers were so awesome for my daughter because she could feel when she was wet. Melissa also has a boy style trainer pattern too! How sweet is that?

Melissa made a matching Everyday Diaper Tote and Contrast Tying Wetbag set as part of the Inspired by Chevrons series. She even made a tutorial for how to make each bag!

These bags are so awesome, and functional! They can be used for so much more than just diapers...I am thinking day trips, an awesome mommy bag, the wetbag for storing wet swimwear...and the list goes on! So hop on over to see the tutorial!

It gets even better though...Melissa is giving away a pattern, winners choice. Enter in the rafflecopter widget below for a chance to win one pattern of your choice from Bella Bum Boutique! Giveaway will be open for 1 week starting now and ending Wednesday July 3rd at midnight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

On Sunday we will have the wonderful Sewing Mama RaeAnna visiting! You won't want to miss it!

And there's still time to enter your pictures in the Inspired by Chevrons Flickr pool for a chance to be featured! I am featuring your chevron projects each Friday in the month of June :)

Inspired by Chevrons: Part 5 - Provincial and Prefontaines Giveaway!

As I was looking through my posts I have made lots of stuff for my daughter but nothing with chevrons. How can that be? This will not do! I just happened to have some lovely knit chevrons from Girl Charlee and some great newly released patterns. So I quickly set to work. What came out was a pretty perfect pink pattern combo; Provincial and Prefontaines. Say that ten times fast!

 (I am feeling little bit like I should have a sign up that says, "Please excuse the yard work!") 

 
This outfit makes the third time I have sewn each of these patterns. Each piece above has some minor alterations to the pattern, but I will get to that. First let's look at the first two items I've made with each pattern. :)

                                 My first Prefontaines...                     My second pair of Prefontaines...
                        no modeling pics, but aren't they cute?                 Ooga Cuteness!

My first two Provincial Tops...Don't you love them?

Now on with the show!

For this Provincial Top I modified the sleeves a bit. I took 3/4" of the bottom of the sleeve and left the shirring off. A super quick modification and I really like how it turned out. It just shows you how versatile this pattern is!

I love the color blocking with the chevrons. And speaking of chevrons...a member of one of my Facebook groups shared a great tutorial on how to match up your chevrons. I found it very helpful. My chevrons on this shirt were at such and angle that I couldn't get them looking ad perfect as hers but close enough that the lines stayed consistent.

To coordinate my Prefontaine Shorts I added a lettuce edge ruffle instead of binding. It gives it quite a girly feel! :)

And now for the BEST part...a discount and a giveaway!
Pick up your copy of the Prefontaine Shorts for $1.00 off using discount code INSPIREDBYCHEVRONS.

Also, enter in the rafflecopter widget below for your chance to win a copy of both the patterns featured today! Giveaway is open for 1 week and will close Tuesday July 2nd at midnight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Inspired by Chevrons Friday Flickr Feature #3

Today's Flickr feature is a sweet little outfit with chevrons on the bottom. I think chevron pants are little harder to pull of than a chevron shirt but it works perfectly in this combo. Perhaps because the top is more busy than the chevrons? And the color palette is right up my alley! Again, I love neutrals when paired with bright colors. <3

Thanks for sharing Karen!

  Please come and share your chevron projects with us in the Inspired by Chevrons Flickr group. You could be the next to be featured! Any kind of chevron project is welcome...the only requirement is that it is made by you!

Inspired by Chevrons guest: Rebel & Malice

Today we have guest Rebel & Malice as part of the Inspired by Chevrons series. Melissa is a very talented sewist, and blogger, and mom of five super cute kids. Her creative projects include great stuff like this vintage 1920's inspired dress and tutorial.

How adorable is that dress? She has a tutorial for how to make the headband too. Now, with that being said you have to go see the awesome dress she made for the Inspired by Chevrons series. Here's a little sneak peak at what she made. 

It is from a pattern she made herself! Great job Melissa! Also, she has promised a tutorial to come...so you just might want to start following her blog too. I know I am!

Please keep sharing the chevron love and  add your chevron projects in the Inspired by Chevrons Flickr group. I will continue to feature projects from the Flickr group here on my blog. Don't be shy; anything sewn that has chevrons is fair game!

Inspired by Chevrons guest: Sutures and Sandpaper

I want to introduce you to a really awesome set of bogging sisters - Sutures and Sandpaper. 

Don't you just love the name! If you are as intrigued as I was, check out how they came up with their name.

 Honestly, this contribution to my Inspired by Chevrons series blew me away! These girls made not one, not two, but FIVE chevron garments...and a chevron bunting! Sweet! That is more than I could ever ask for. I am in love with every one of them too. I may have mentioned it in the past, but I love neutral colors, especially gray,  paired with bright colors. And that is just what was made! These girls are after my own heart <3

How cute are those kids!? Super adorable!

Head on over to Sutures and Sandpaper to see the more of the awesome chevron projects made! That jacket is definitely going on my list of things to make. Thank you so much for sharing Kerry and Linda. You girls rocked it!

Please share your chevron projects in the Inspired by Chevrons Flickr group...you may be featured!  I welcome anything chevron, old or new, shirt, bag, or pillow...anything! Share the chevron love :)

Inspired by Chevrons guest: Mi Rincón de Mariposas

Today we have our very first guest here on Rock the Stitch!

Here is Dawn:

Hi, I'm Dawn, from Mi Rincón de Mariposas. I'm a mom of two who loves to sew and craft with my kids. I specially love recycling, easy to sew things, making my own patterns and sharing it all in my blog.
I'm so happy to post here today, getting Inspired by Chevrons. Thanks so much Rock the Stitch.

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Mi Rincón de Mariposas is full of inspiration and fun tutorials; like this great fox shirt (I HAVE to make one of these <3), and this super cute crochet cap! The website is in Spanish, but don't fret if you don't read Spanish; There is a Google translate button in the top left corner. If you have translation questions Dawn is happy to help you too.
Check out these cute chevron shorts Dawn made! Today she shares her tutorial on how to make them and she even translated it in to English for us. Thank you Dawn!

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Short Leggings: pattern and tutorial

Materials:
• elastic knit fabric
• scissors or circular cutter and cutting mat
• pins
• overlock (or sewing machine with an elastic stitch, such as zigzag) and thread that coordinates with fabric

Pattern:
You can download the pattern (for personal, non-commercial use) size 5-6 years here.
Print a copy of the pattern and check that the square measures 2x2cm.    (that's 0.79 inches)
Join the 2 sheets of paper and cut around the pattern.
If you want to make another size you can use leggings (no need to be shorts) of the size you want and follow this tutorial from Red Ababol. You can make them shorter or longer, as you prefer.

Cut fabric:
Cut 2 pieces of fabric, using the pattern. Notice that the fabric stretches across the width. Remember to add the seam allowance. Flip the pattern piece over before cutting the 2nd part, so we don't have 2 right legs.

Sewing pants:
Place both fabric pieces on each other, right sides together, and secure with pins.
Stitch the two seams marked with arrow (Notice that the bottom piece in this photo is not sewn yet. This is the next seam).

Lay the shorts out as in the following photo, secure the part marked with arrows (inner leg area) with pins, matching seams in the center of the previous step, and stitch.

Cuffs:
• Cut 2 strips of 31cm x 7cm (12.2 x 2.75 inches) (notice that the fabric must stretch in the direction that measures 31cm - 12.2 inches). - If you use your pattern in another size, the idea is that it has to be 1 or 2cm (0.5 inches) narrower than the bottom of the pant-
• Bend each strip in half, right sides together, and stitch (in the photo, on the bottom left).
• Bend down the middle, wrong sides together (in the photo, on the right), the open part down. Secure the cuff to the corresponding leg with pins, sewing pants aligned with the (inside of the leg) and stitch.
• Repeat with the other leg cuff.

Waist:
It only remains to add the waist, as in this tutorial

Have you sewn one? I'd love you to post a picture here.

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I had to make a pair myself, of course! I made these shorts out of swimsuit material for my daughter. They were super easy to make. I was able to do it in only about 30 minutes from start to finish. My daughter wears a size 5 and these are a great fit for her! For the waistband I cut my fabric to 20"x6" and followed the directions in the tutorial. 

These shorts are perfect for her gymnastics class AND swimming!

 Thank so much for sharing with us today Dawn!

Inspired by Chevrons Flickr Feature Friday #2

This weeks feature is some cute chevron patchwork quilts made by Kristen! 

I especially love the yellow one because of the third, smaller, chevron fabric incorporated into the design. Simply adorable! The colors are great too.

 

Here are the other two she made! 

Don't you just love them! Thank you for sharing Kristen.

Please come and share your chevron projects with us in the Inspired by Chevrons Flickr group. You could be the next to be featured! Any kind of chevron project is welcome...the only requirement is that it is made by you!

Come back tomorrow for a great tutorial from our first IBC guest!

 

 

Inspired by Chevrons - Part 4: The Faux Polo

The Faux Polo. It all started with this great pattern from Jalie; pattern 3137 Men's Polo Shirts. Though it says "Men's" on the cover it is really men's and boys'. This pattern runs from a size 2 boys through adult men's size 22! That is twenty-seven sizes in all. Whoa! Seriously, it is almost the only shirt pattern you will ever need if you have boys you sew for. My boys are only 7 and 9 but they are quickly outgrowing children's sized patterns. So I was more than excited to find a pattern that will continue to grow with them...and maybe let me sew for the hubs too ;) 

Jalie also has some pattern available in PDF format online here. But, alas, this was not one of them.

The pictures on the front of that pattern weren't that appealing to me, but it was the possibilities I saw in this pattern that sold me. I LOVE military style clothing...collars, buttons, tabs, double breasted...whether it is for boys or girls. This pattern has these great shoulder tabs that drew me in.

Chevrons also happen to be very military-esque! And so I found myself inspired...and my shirt chevronized.

The faux part of this polo shirt comes from the modification I made at the neckline. Instead of using a traditional collar, like in the pattern, I used the collar stand pattern piece to make this mock collar. Next time I may widen it just a smidgen, but I still like it all the same. I also shortened the button placket. I made the placket just long enough for my son to get his head through. I think the shirt has a less formal feel this way.

There are optional chest pockets in this pattern. I chose to make a pocket in the smallest size and move it on over to the sleeve. A perfect little pocket for a car, or Pokemon cards, or rocks. A very boyish kind of thing for sure.

After I looked at the pictures I had taken I thought this shirt almost had a race car driver kind of vibe. I think the baseball cap was what did it. Well, even if that wasn't what I was going for my son sure that it was a cool look to have. Win!

Keep checking back through the month of June for more chevron ideas. We will have guests joining us this month! Lot of fun stuff coming. You won't want to miss it!

Get inspired by visiting the Inspired by Chevrons Flickr group. Add a picture of your chevron project for a chance to be featured! Everyone is invited. That means you! Yeah, you. I will pick a new feature each Friday.

We're having guests over!

That's right. We are having guests! Time to party ;) 

I am continuing the Inspired by Chevrons series through the month of June. All through the month guest bloggers will join along to keep us inspired! Are you as excited as I am?

Watch for awesome projects from:

Mi Rincon de Mariposas

Sutures and Sandpaper

Rebel and Malice

Bella Bums and Bellies

Sewing Mama RaeAnna

And you're invited to join along too! Share you photos in the Inspired by Chevrons Flickr group. Each Friday I will feature one, or two, projects from the Flickr group right here on the blog.

I love to see what you are making!

Inspired by Chevrons Flickr Feature Friday #1

I was pleasantly surprised by the lovely chevron sewing shared on the Flickr group. For having just started there was a wide range of projects shown. I guess that just speaks to the versatility of chevrons. Such a simple shape with so many applications.

So, on with this weeks feature. My favorite is this red chevron dress by Lily Shine Boutique. It is just bright, beautiful chevrons, unencumbered.

Thanks for sharing LilyShine. You can check out the Etsy shop here http://www.etsy.com/shop/LilyShine 

Please continue to keep adding your chevron projects to the Flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/inspiredbychevrons/

Each week I will pick a favorite, or two, to feature here on the blog. 

Rock the chevrons! ;)