Girls BundleUp Tour

I am one of the latest bloggers joining the BundleUp tour, so, I guess by now, you've already seen all the patterns in the bundle and have probably get yours too. If not, or if you don't even know what I'm talking about, let me tell you. This is a bundle sell of 11 patterns at a fraction of the cost, in this case especially designed for girls. The more patterns you buy, the more you save. 

Today I get to tell you about three patterns included in this bundle. I was a (happy) tester for two of them, and I did get the third one for free for this tour, but all opinions are my own.

Phresh Blazer by Winter Wear Designs
Let me start with the first one I tested, and let me tell you, one of my favourite patterns ever!!! It was so hard to keep it secret after I did my first (test). I have discovered, as I was putting clothes up in her closet, that I love to sew outerwear for my girl. So it's no surprise that I love this pattern so much. This is the cutest little girls blazer, sizes 1-14, and there are many options to make it your style. It is fitted, long or 3/4 sleeves, gathered or straight sleeve, with or without ruffles on the back (the most adorable feature I know, I skipped them for this one but have done them in the first blazer - which I will be blogging about soon). With or without welt flap pockets. Pattern recommends fabric with some stretch, but you can really use any fabric, just size it up one number. The first blazer I made was a 2T, but it turned out too tight on my little miss because she - apparently - grew in a few weeks since I had measured her. For this one, because I was using a not so stretchy faux leather, I went with size 4 and it's great. I did the straight, 3/4 sleeves option here, and I added the pockets too. The colour blocking on this one is my own, I refashioned leftovers from a coat and it wasn't enough so I had to grab another coat to finish, which was already cut, but it was a different colour though. I didn't have enough of any of these two to make the sleeves one colour only, so I had to get creative and added a band to each sleeve, and prayed that it would work. For the facings I used the same fabric I used for the pants, and I used a black homemade satin bias tape. Because the faux leather doesn't fray, I didn't bother to finish my edges. Little miss loved it too. When I was laying down the clothes for her to put them on, she realised there were two new mommy mades so she asked me "Are we taking pictures, mom?". I couldn't help but smile. 

Freestyle Harem Pants by EYMM
After testing the blazer, the chance to test the pants came along. As soon as I read "harem" pants, I jumped at the oportunity and was so glad I was picked. It was a pattern that I was really missing in my stash. I love the harem pants look, either on my kids or myself, and the only pattern of the same style I had didn't go many sizes up. This one goes from NB to 18T and includes a 18" doll size too. How great is that to get your daughter and doll matching?! And if you are petite as I am, you can even make a pair for yourself too. Actually, I got the bug of making either this or the blazer (or even both) for myself. Who knows?! Anyway, there are 3 lenght options for this: pant, capri or short. You can also do a regular hem, add elastic or use a cuff. There are pleats on the front. The waist band has two options too, one straight or curved on front. Two rows of elastic on the back (in my size, other sizes might have more). I opted for the pant lenght, elastic hem and curved waistband, which is something I love. I didn't use interfacing in this one but I might next time. This is a size 3T and the fit is spot on. I used a vintage satin from my stash. It was there for years and it was given to me by my MIL. I wasn't sure about this fabric print ever since, but because of the drape I tried it on. I wasn't sure at first, but I guess I've learnt to like it. Honest opinions, please?!
Ps - if you'd like to get a version with pockets, click here for a tutorial. 

For the photoshoot we used her new boots which she loved, and we styled the outfit with a rtw shirt, a handmade beret my mom made her (I have a matching one =D), and a scarf I made her, out of leftovers from a previous refashion. It was actually made a long time ago, but I have never blogged about it.

"Adeline" Knit Ruffled Cardigan, Top and Dress by Foo Foo Threads 
I've said this many times before, I know, but I am saying it again. I am not a very ruffly person. I like them here and there, but most of the times I avoid ruffles. When I first saw the "Adeline" pattern though, I was sure I wanted to sew this up, because I saw the potential beyond the ruffles. Hence, my non-ruffled-at-all version of this pattern. The "Adeline" comes with multiple options, and you can make a cardigan (hello!), a drop waist dress or a top with it, with an adorable peter pan collar. As for the sleeves, you can make them gathered, long (with or without ruffles) or short, and even sleeveless. It ranges from size 0-3M to 10Y. It is meant for knit fabrics and the bodice is lined.

For my own, I choose to make a cardigan and I skipped the lining in this one because it was already a sort of heavy knit. It is a refashioned piece too, of course. I used a woman's sized shirt to make it. For the collar, I also used a little piece I had left from another recent refashion for the boy. When asked what she liked best, contrasting collar, or the same fabric, my daughter picked the contrasting, so grey up it is. I used bias tape made out of the same fabric to finish the front pieces and also the collar inside. I opted to add only one button on top to close it instead of a full row of them. I like it this way.

Little miss wasn't so much in the mood for a photoshoot this time. Dad and I both tried to take some nicer shoots but even ourselves, we weren't feeling very inspired. Perhaps because the weather is changing again and a very cold wind was coming. This time we used a rtw shirt and handmade shorts, a refashion from 2013 (and yes, they still fit all along).

It was a pleasure for me to follow up and be part of this tour. Here's a list of everyone who has been blogging about the patterns in the bundleUp. Believe me there have been great things shown, you don't want to miss all the great work from this talented ladies.