There's something awesome about being cozy on your days off. All of my sleepwear was purchased about 9 years ago. Yes, nine. So I thought it was time to discard the old and make something cute to lounge in. Let me introduce the pattern that needs absolutely no introduction because it's already wildly popular ... The Portlander Pants by New Horizons Designs!

This is actually my second pair but these ones fit PERFECTLY. I shorted the length by 1" and now they skim the ground ever so slightly when I walk but cover my heels completely when I sit with my knees tucked to my chest. (A typical seated "looking at my phone" position haha!)

I got this lovely, drapy, snuggly double brushed poly from Simply By Ti Fabrics. It's completely pajama approved, comfy approved, husband approved, stylish and cozy approved! The colors are so vibrant and these are probably my favorite pants ever. 

Ti has a special birthday sale going on all month and this week is 25% off of double brushed poly and cotton lycra! She has a ton of awesome prints that you can grab at a great discount. To get the code, make sure to join her Facebook Group here.

Makers note: Don't skip the pockets on these pants! They come together so quickly even with the pockets and it's SO nice to have pockets on pajamas. They fit my bulky phone and everything.

Side note: I use the term "night pants" which my husband thinks is crazy. He says "night pants" aren't a thing but that's what I've called pajamas ever since I can remember. Night shirt, night pants, etc. Am I crazy?! I had to keep remembering to type pajamas. He thinks night pants is like some term for pants you use to sneak around in the night. Hahaha

Details:

Pattern: New Horizons Designs Portlander Pants

Fabric: DBP from Simply By Ti Fabrics

Size: XS and removed 1" from the length

There are no affiliate links in this post, but I did receive my fabric at a discounted price for my ambassadorship with Simply By Ti Fabrics. All opinions are my own, and you should certainly check out the killer sale she has going on all month. A new fabric type will be discounted each week. The best way to follow along is to join the Simply By Ti Facebook Group!

I'm both extremely happy and frightened. I have created something amazing and I have also created a monster. Let's discuss. This past January I made my husband a tee for his birthday out of special, custom space-man fabric and obviously, before I made it, I made a "muslin" out of grey knit. So at this point, he had two shirts and kept exclaiming how comfortable and amazing the shirts were. So, being the awesome wife that I am, I picked up some Nike wickaway fabric from Simply by Ti fabrics and made him a new running shirt. Now his shirt count is up to three and he is "strongly encouraging" me to make ALL of his undershirts. He keeps hinting at how comfortable they are and how they don't shrink and how they don't come out of his pants when he bends over. *Siiiigh* I guess this is a good thing. :) I can mindlessly sew solid colors. Can I wait for his next birthday?

P.S. Getting him to take pictures is like pulling teeth. That has to be the deal. Let me take pictures and in exchange you'll get comfortable undershirts.

I got the Nike Wickaway fabric from Simply By Ti fabrics. This is the second color I've used. I sewed stride tights and used the same fabric in Cobolt here. I love it because it's very stretchy and breathable. It certainly feels premium!

I wanted to see how a true runner liked this fabric. My husband goes on casual Saturday runs. Turns out causal to me is about 300ft and casual to him has turned into 14 miles. These crazy Washingtonians. Running and being healthy. Tennessee asks, "What is that? Broccoli and running? Nope, I don't like that. Nope, I don't like that at all."

The pattern is Tadah Patterns Men's Slim Fit tee and I sewed a straight large crew neck option. This pattern comes in sizes XS to XXL and a V-Neck options, too. If you don't have experience with Tadah patterns, the drafting is very professional and there are all the expected pattern markings, etc. The instructions have drawings and are very clear. It's a "hold your hand" pattern which doesn't bother me in the slightest. If you know how to make it without the instructions, great! If you don't, there is plenty of info in the pattern to help you. The large fits great with no mods! Winning.

I LOVE this fabric and have used it for my own workout clothes. If you haven't sen it yet, it's thin, super stretchy, and very breathable. I think it's perfect for long runs! I looked at some of my husband's RTW workout shirts and I noticed that most of them had the seams cover-stitched down and so I tried my hand at it! I really love the look and the smooth feel to help prevent chafing but Devin said that he didn't really notice a difference. Switching from serging to cover-stitching may not be worth it if he can't tell the difference, but it was a fun look for this one.

Details

Pattern: Tadah Patterns Men's Slim Fit Tee

Size: Large

Fabric: Nike Wickaway in Navy from Simply by Ti

Model: My lovely husband <3

It's been a little while since I've tested a pattern. I've been really loving finding my style and creating garments without a deadline and sewing up some older patterns I've owned for awhile. However, whenever Angelynn releases a new workout pattern, I love, love testing those! I end up using her patterns again and again for athletic attire. They always fit me so well and the instructions are always great.❤ 

I present the Xpress Tank from Greenstyle Creations! 

Bet you can't guess why it's called the 'Xpress Tank' ... ok, maybe you can. This literally takes 20 minutes from start to finish and I'll have it be known that I sew like a sloth. The Xpress is ONE pattern piece and only TWO seams and a quick hem a around the entire thing. 

For being one piece without darts, it fits surprisingly well! The tie back allows you to make the waist snug with room for your chest and waist. You also have a pointed back option and a round back option.  My favorite thing about this tank is that it has the cute crisscrossing on the back. Brings something special to an otherwise simple style. I've also noticed it's a RTW style. Lots of brands I follow are selling these similar tanks for $40. I made mine for under $10! It also pairs well with the Moxi shorts I sewed last summer. (Check out the review here) 

I was absolutely delighted that I had picked some Underarmour Wickaway fabric from my last order with Simply By Ti fabrics. I only picked up one yard , but that's all you need for any size of the Xpress Tank. This fabric doesn't have a ton of stretch, but it's perfect to use on the tie back. You have a little more flexibility with the tie back having those extra long tails. It's also wicking and a great color. Ti actually carries this fabric in purple, jade (pictured), and navy! 

This pattern comes in sizes 3XS to 3XL and every size uses only one yard! The pattern is no trim pages and has illustrated, detailed instructions to help you create a beautiful garment.

I sewed the XS based on my bust measurement and it fits great! I made a design choice to use the 'wrong side' of my coverstitch. I've seen this done in casual RTW clothes and thought it looked cute.  This is also the perfrct canvas to sport some HTV. I have a silhouette but have yet to set it up since we moved. A lot of testers used designs for their Xpress tanks and it looks great. Hoping to use some soon to create my own custom tank.

Also, don't forget that Greenstyle is holding a fitcapsule challenge to sew up three Greenstyle active-ware pieces to be entered to win some great prizes. There is still plenty of time as the challenge doesn't end until February 28th! You can join the fun on Facebook and see inspriation here. (P.S. There is a great coupon code for Simply by Ti Fabrics in the group as well!)  

Details

Pattern: Xpress Tank by Greenstyle Creations

Size: XS

Fabric: Jade Underarmour Wickaway fabric from Simply by Ti Fabrics

This post does contain affiliate links for the pattern, thank you for supporting me in my sewing!

Hey friends! It's that a time again where I show off some more awesome Striped Swallow Designs! For my promo this month I chose the Harbor Knot Tank. The Harbor Knot Dress is already a favorite of mine. (And my husbands!) So I knew the Harbor Knot Tank would be a staple this coming Spring and Summer. Also, I've been dying to find a great racer back pattern since I found my favorite little black tank is developing a hole in it. I've owned it since I was 15 though... so I guess 10 years is a good life. Haha

I picked a really fun and floral double brushed poly from Simply By Ti Fabrics for this project. (If you like this floral, it also comes in navy! I'm sewing up a pair of jammies with it soon!) I only bought 1 yard but it was plenty for this quick tank. I sewed the low knot, slim fit, racer back tank in size XS according to my bust measurement and the sizing chart.

The Harbor Knot Tank is an add-on pattern for the Harbor Knot Tee. The best part about the tank is you can do a high knot/loose fit,

a low knot/slim fit,

a full tank back,

a racer tank back,

or a "simple tank" without the knot.

I was so excited to see that there was a racer back option because I've been searching left and right for a great pattern to recreate my favorite racer back but I didn't want to spend  $10 on a simple tank pattern yet still didn't feel comfortable enough creating it myself. I love the Harbor Knot Tank add-on because it has multiple options so you're not just paying for a simple racer back, you can make 5 different styles!

Spoiler alert. I'm only going to make one style though. Because that's how I roll. Racer back slim fit Harbor Knot is my entire life.

I made this tank like ten days ago and have worn it about 4 times already. Two of those times was to work! Nothing makes me feel better going to work than sporting a little me-made garment. In the middle of the sale I can always think to myself, 'If I can make this, I can do anything!' Helps boost the confidence. :) That's the other thing I love about this tank, it's pretty simple and quick! Add a cardigan and it becomes completely work appropriate. The knot is what makes it special, though, don't you think? It takes this otherwise casual tank to something special that can really be dressed up.

Although the weather is freezing here, I can't help but to plan some summer clothing, too. Thankful that layering is a thing! I can already tell I'll have 3 or 4 of these for 2018 and cycle out some of my less used RTW clothing.

I think for my next top I will create a binding rather than a 't-shirt' style neck and armholes. I like the binding look a little better. Feels like it dresses it up even more to me. Also, my favorite black racer back has bound armholes and neckline so I'll try to keep it as close to that as possible. :)

(Can you tell I'm freezing? It's like 35 degrees. It actually hailed right after this picture!)

I sewed this up in a quick 2 hours before work one morning. Once you get the knot part down it's a  really simple sew. Thankful to Mandalynn who created a video tutorial in the instructions so you don't have to guess!

Details

Pattern is Striped Swallow Designs Harbor Knot Tank

Fabric is DPB from Simply By Ti Fabrics

Size sewed XS

Make sure you check out the Striped Swallow Designs sewing group on Facebook where you can always receive 10% off your purchase and also check out Simply By Ti Fabrics for great deals and lightening fast shipping. :)

No affiliate links were used but I did receive the pattern and fabric for free both from separate ambassador programs with Striped Swallow Designs and Simply By Ti Fabrics.

 

Hello 2018! I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday and New Year thus far. Have you made any sewing resolutions? I have made my biggest one to date. This year I'm going to make 98% of my clothes. Why 98%? Well, I really need jeans and work pants and I'm not attempting bras yet. So I've allowed myself to buy two pairs of jeans, 2 work pants and any bras if needed but everything else is off the table! I'm really excited for this adventure and to finally fill out my work wardrobe. So I've jumped in head first and sewed several pieces this year already. 

Since it's health and wellness month, I'll share my first makes of the year, workout attire! I sewed this at the perfect time, too. Greenstyle Creations is having their second fit capsule with prizes, patterns and fabric discounts, and lots of excited people sewing workout clothing to keep their fitness resolutions. You can join in the fun here. 

For my first 2 pieces of the fitcapsule, I sew up my forever favorite Stride Tights and the Centerfield Raglan.  The raglan is great because it can be a casual shirt or a workout top with the change of fabrics. 

This awesome fabric is from one of my favorite shops,  Simply By Ti Fabrics. She carries really nice brandname athletic fabrics like Nike and Underarmour. I could gush about this black Underarmour wickaway fabric forever... It's plush and soft and way warm, it's my favorite fabric for leggings, hands down. It hugs like second skin.

There's not a lot to say about the stride tights that I haven't already said, but damn. These are my absolute favorite. If you've only sewn these with swim like me previously, please do your legs a favor and try some nice quality material like the wickaway fabric mentioned above. As for the raglan, I'll probably size up next time... same comments that I made before but I chose the same size again. I need to do myself a favor and reprint the pattern. :) Its certainly cozy and I'm happy to have a long sleeve. My wardrobe is severely lacking in any warm clothing. Guess I'm a summertime kinda gal.

So here are my first pieces of my capsule! I'm so excited for 2018, more sewing,  more blogging,  more mental and physical health. Has anyone else taken the pledge to sew their wardrobe this year? 

Details

Pattern - Greenstyle Stride Tights and Centerfield Raglan

Fabric from Simply by Ti Fabrics! 

Please join the fitcapsule to receive a discount code for Simply by Ti Fabrics and on all Greenstyle Athletic Patterns!

Fabric was provided by simply by ti fabrics for this post, though all my opinions are honest.

Ladies, winter in Washington is no joke. Except today. Today, we were lucky. My husband and I caught the last rays of sunshine before darkness fell in front of a local mural. He always has the best photo spots. 

I'm super excited about today's post because it is extra special. Not only did I sew a tried and true, but it's my first sew from Simply By Ti Fabrics! I have worked with Ti on several occasions and was so excited when she started a fabric shop. She focuses on quality fabrics and is big on education. Just message her and she's happy to recommend fabrics based on your project. Perfect for the beginner sewest or someone trying out a new fabric. 

I sewed up the Papercut Patterns Coppelia Cardigan (for the millionth time) and used a drapey rayon spandex from Simply by Ti fabric shop and it's lovely. It's still very drape-able and flow-y but it's not see-through!

This is definitely a new favorite of mine. So far, I've worn it on two dates, on a mini vacation, and to work several, several times. It's cozy and I just adore this pattern so much! I do believe next time I make it I'll blend the waist to the next size up, I think my hips are expanding and the bottom of the shirt rolls a bit. It does the same on my sweater knit version, too. Guess that means my hips are... widening. Haha 

Did you see that stripe matching?! I was pretty excited, too. lol I don't know exactly what size I sewed, I printed this a long while ago and can't be bothered to go find it now. I SHOULD sew XXS for the bust and XS for the waist and hip which is what I will do next time. :)

Be sure to check out the Simply By Ti Facebook Page and Facebook Group. Tibeca goes "live" every Thursday to teach us about sewing related things. Some awesome tips I've picked up is which direction to use a criscross thread cone vs. a straight thread cone, what the best types of seam rippers are, and a lot of info on different types of fabrics! She also posts in her group and page when she's having a sale. :) 

 Details

Fabric: Simply By Ti Rayon Spandex

Pattern: Coppelia Cardigan by Papercut Patterns

There are no affiliate links in this post, however, I did receive my fabric at a discount from Simply By Ti.