Once again, summer got the best of me this week and I missed Linky Thursday. Have no fear, I’m back on track today with fantastic sewing links to take you into the weekend!:

This mixed stripe flare dress is a fun way to use stripe material in your next project (of course it would be equally as cute in a solid too).

Learn how to alter your dress pattern to make it into a great summer maxi.

I don’t know what it’s like where you live, but it’s HOT here. I live in shorts this time of year and this pattern, with only 3 pieces, looks like it’s easy to make and has a great fit too.

Looking for a new, slim wallet to slip into your bag this summer? Be sure to check out the Lucky Penny – perfect to use with vinyls, cork, and kraft-tex.

Keep toddler’s tidy while they craft when you whip up this cute art smock. Need something more for adults? This apron could easily be made in laminated cottons and is reversible too!

I’ve never thought of using toweling for storage, then I saw this salad bag tutorial. I’m intrigued.

Full disclosure, I had to look up what a Chocobo was (for those that don’t want to Google it, it’s a Final Fantasy fictional bird)…. but no matter what they are, they sure are cute. Get the tutorial to make the plush here.

Keep yourself organized while sitting and sewing with this handy tool caddy thread catcher project.

Headed out of the country this summer? Learn how to make your own passport wallet! Then you can make yourself a matching luggage tag!

Want to win a $30 gift certificate AND a dress pattern? Be sure to follow the rules in this Instagram post to be entered (with optional bonus entries).

This fish bag is designed for laundry, but I think it would make for a great kid’s pool\beach tote too!

If we had larger trees in our backyard, I would definitely consider making us a hammock chair to lounge in.

These little strawberry coasters not only channel summer, but look so simple to make too!

Clearly I am behind on sewing books because I had no idea one of my favorite plush designers had a book out. Enter to win a copy of Sew Cute to Cuddle by DIY Fluffies.

I love custom print fabrics because they are (generally) one of a kind, fun prints – but sometimes, I think that they are so fabulous that you go crazy with a pre-order and order too much. Thankfully you have several months to recover from the sticker shock of ordering all that fabric and when it finally arrives, you’re overwhelmed with it’s awesomeness.

This bunch is from KNITorious‘ Super Hero round. I wound up ordering the Wonder Woman panel (of course) with a coordinating knit print,  a knit super hero knit (for Easton), a knit comic exclamations (for leggings, as if I didn’t have enough), a woven floral superhero print (with the intention I may make a bag), and a French terry kid’s comic exclamations (because Easton wanted a jacket from this print). WHEW!

Some of these projects may wait until fall since it’s way to warm to think about jackets and pants right now, but I am open to bag inspirations!

Rounding out my Jalie pattern testing is the Diane swimsuit. This is a one piece design with a scoop neck and keyhole back – there is also an optional mesh tie that can be worn around the waist as well. For my version, I attempted to channel BlackMilk\Beloved style by using a funky Star Wars Sugar Skull swim print that I’ve been hoarding for just the right project (I used the same print, but in a cotton knit for the Gerald).

The suit has optional cups that are inserted – this is probably the most difficult part of the whole project as you are stitching them directly onto the lining (it’s sewing a “dome” that is difficult, determining placement, etc. is the easy part). There have been a few questions as to how to do this and Emilie from Jalie described how this works the best: “Pin like a dome and stitch. When you cut the “dome floor” it will create extra room and the fabric will be nice and flat around it.” The rest of the suit comes together very quickly and the fit was spot on for me…. now that it’s gotten (very) hot here, I’m going to test it out at the pool’s slides!

Let me start off by saying that I’m sorry for the lack of a Linky Thursday post this week. Apparently, I’m having trouble adjusting to our new summer schedule so blogging doesn’t seem to happen as often in the mornings. However, today, I drank a large coffee, snagged some quiet time, and wrote. Today, I present the Clara!

Jalie’s original legging (retired in paper, but still available in PDF)  has always been my go to pattern. While the other running styles have been fun to make, there are times you just need a good, basic legging. I didn’t think that they could improve upon my favorite, but they did with the Clara – I love it. The Clara has a seamless front (this reduces “irritation”, especially for those who run) with a gusset and an option for a yoga style waistband or a “traditional” elastic waist. There are also 3 lengths included: legging, capri, and short. I opted to go with the legging since when I tested this version, it was freezing out and I needed warmth!

The fit was fantastic and I love the yoga waist – I totally plan on making more. In fact, I have several cut out ready to sew this weekend… I even intend on trying the shorts version, too!

Dolman tops are adorable, but a lot of times when they are short sleeved, it’s hard to keep your bra from peeking out from under the arms. The solution, the Bobbie V-neck top! This new release from Jalie was dubbed the “magic tee” because it has a built in facing that conceals undergarments no matter if you’re leaning over or raising your arms high in the air!

This one is also a great instant gratification project as it is easy to make this top in an afternoon. One word of caution, though. This top does not work with double brushed poly. My first try at this was in a DBP and it just did not look right – while the fabric has a great drape, the top clings to the facing too much and creates really unflattering folds and just doesn’t “look right on”. As you can see on the left, my second version (made in a cotton spandex blend) drapes nicely and doesn’t cling to the facing (which is also made in the same material (but would also look fabulous in a coordinating solid). This is one of my favorite patterns, so be on the lookout for more throughout the summer!

Sewing with knits not your favorite? Looking for a great button down shirt this summer with several different options? Then Jalie’s latest pattern, Rose is the pattern for you! This design is for a relaxed-fit sleeveless, button down top with an optional shoulder ruffle and tie. All versions also have a rounded hem, back yoke, forward shoulder seam and box pleat at the back – adult versions also have bust darts.

When I tested this pattern, I went with the “standard” version (no pocket) and stitched it up in a Gertie cotton print (because what screams summer more that a pretty cherry design? This was also one of the easiest button down shirts that I’ve made and came together in a day! As for the fit, keep in mind that it is designed to be relaxed – if you want something slightly more fitted I suggest you go down at least one size.

Put those scraps to good use and whip up a new leash for your pet. While you’re visiting the site, be sure to enter to win a Zoologie fat quarter bundle.

These placemats are perfect for your next picnic or outdoor BBQ – the handy pocket keeps all your utensils in one place.

I’ve been seeing a lot of off the shoulder button up shirts in stores recently. Here’s a great tutorial on upcycling a man’s shirt to make this trendy top.

This crisscross card wallet is perfect for holding all those loyalty cards.

Learn how to make a t-shirt from an existing tee.

It seems like there is a boom in plush tutorials and patterns – this week’s adorable sock critter is a raccoon.

Have a Cricut Maker? Get this cute Girl’s Backpack pattern to upload into Design Space. (And now I NEED a Cricut Maker)

Remember those bikini bottoms I wrote about last week? Here’s the top to go with it!

Have a baby shower, but not quite sure what to sew? This post has tons of ideas including my hooded towel tutorialOff for summer

These fabric bookmarks are a great kid’s project and a nice incentive to get your child into summer reading.

Not only does this hooded unicorn blanket look snuggly and fun, but it has a pretty awesome rainbow fringe.

This video teaches you how to transform a pair of jeans into shortalls.

I had a dentist appointment this morning (ugh), so I never really had the opportunity to sit down and do a Linky Thursday post (have no fear, I’ll post tomorrow). So, instead, I thought I would show you another Jalie pattern that I had the opportunity to test… the Mimosa scoopneck t-shirt(s)! This is a relaxed tee that has a curved hem with a side slit, scooped neck, and several sleeve options: a short rolled sleeve, a short sleeve with ties, and a long sleeve with optional shoulder flounce.

I actually tried two of these; the long sleeved version (without the flounce) in a double brushed poly and the short sleeve tie version made in a rayon poly type blend. Both of these are exactly what you would come to expect in a Jalie tee pattern – both of these versions whipped up quickly and look great on right out of the package. With that said, the tie sleeve version is definitely my favorite. Not only is it fun, it’s different than anything I currently have in my closet right now. I do have plans to eventually make the rolled short sleeve version, but haven’t found the “right” material I want to use with it – so stay tuned for progress on the front!

If you’re a health care professional, you know that scrubs can be expensive. Taylor has been working as a CNA & CMA while she’s earning her nursing degree and up until now she’s bought them… that is until I tested Jalie’s latest pattern, Eliane!

The Eliane is a scrub top with a mock wrap style design that has side vents and an elastic gathering in the back (so your top has some shaping, but it’s still comfortable too) and plenty of (large) pockets! This top is made for wovens – which gave me plenty of design options (I went with a colorful “bubble” print and a coordinating solid), not to mention the fact that it was just a fun sew. Pair these up with a Vanessa pant and you’ve got yourself a custom scrub set!

Since yesterday’s post was about Jalie’s new women’s underwear pattern, why not keep the theme and show the men’s version? The Gerald can be made as a brief, mid-thigh shorts or long johns / leggings with a contoured pouch that can either be made seamless or with a horizontal fly.

I wound up making father\son seamless boxer briefs out of a cotton lycra print from Knitorious. They were super simple to make and fit without any need for modifications. According to the guys these were nicely supportive and fit more snug than store-bought; they tend to wear them quite a bit so that says a lot on their comfort level! This pattern also comes in a legging length – both Easton and Bret and requesting these for the upcoming winter since they tend to wear them when they play sports to keep warm.