WOW!!!!! This is a big day for Sofiona Designs. I remember when these two lovely ladies mentioned their new endeavor and asked for some pattern testers. I jumped at the chance, they seemed like they'd be fun, and I'd gotten to know them a bit in other FB groups prior. I HAD NO IDEA what was in store. It's been an incredible year for them, and I've been lucky enough to have tested several of these amazing patterns. Just check out how many they released in their first year alone!!! There's even more coming soon!
I chose the Starry Night Pj's for my anniversary post. I had ordered this amazing Smore's fabric from Libelle Sewing, and I really wanted to make my daughter some cute pjs. I had made the nightgown version several months ago, and she loves it.
If your kid is like mine they run HOT!!! Like all year, even in winter, so she was thrilled it was a tank top. I might end up making a matching Tundra with some coordinating fabric for a cooler day if she wants.
I love the finishings on all Sofiona patterns and this was no different. You may notice that I did not serge my seams, and I never do on nightwear for my daughter. For some reason, she finds the serged seams annoying, even when I use wooly nylon, so I just don't bother anymore, which turns out fine with knits.
This pattern is pretty simple if you follow the steps and excellent tutorial. The only 'tricky' aspects of this pattern are the gathering and binding on the armscye but I'll show you a couple of tips to make them a breeze. So let's get started.
First, the fun part, choosing your fabric. This pattern is for knits and there a ton of fabric choices out there. Make sure you find something comfy and give it a good wash and dry then start cutting. I basted my ruffle to the top of the skirt section, this makes the gathering easier for me. I use my own
method of gathering with elastic thread. (you sew over it, you don't use it in your bobbin).
You mark on the elastic the width of each piece. Zig zag over it on the piece you're gathering. Then pull it till your dots line up with the edges of your fabric. Give it a quick stretch to even your gathers, and boom you're done. Here's the video I did last year that explains it in greater detail, I swear this method was lifechanging for me.
pinned in place
Once you have your gathers ready, you need to make sure you secure them. Now get ready to do the binding. For this, I prefer to sew it with the binding on the bottom, and my armscye on the top. I find I have better control over curves if I can see them. I know my binding is straight so that's not going to throw me off if it's underneath and I can better watch the curve on top. I do this on all of my bindings.
Sewn with binding on the bottom
I learned this when I was sewing bras, you put the piece with the most movement on top to keep an eye on it. Also, make sure your binding comes all the way to the ends, or else it'll show when you attach it to the bodice. (don't ask ahahha)
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So then just flip it all over, and you'll fold the binding down halfway to line up with the top of the seam. I like to put a few clips to hold it, then flip it all the way down to enclose the seam, and make sure it goes past the stitching line so you'll catch it when you topstitch!
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Now give it a nice topstitching, I like to use a triple stitch because it looks like a straight stitch, but still have some stretch to it. Nothing is worse than popping seams after all of your hard work.
Now you're ready to attach it to the tops, and do your neckline binding, a quick hem and you're done!!!!
Pop on over to my blog buddy Dagbjort's Blog, to see her amazing hack of the Starry Night PJs.
Now be sure to comment below if you get this pattern to try, I want to see what you come up with. Don't forget to join Sofiona Designs Fan Group for other fabulous designs, discount, and Giveaways!!!!
Here's a quick review of my Sofiona Sews from the past year.
Enjoy!!!! We love them.
BLOG TOUR and GIVEAWAYS
Each day this week, two bloggers will pair up to showcase one Sofiona pattern. Follow along to see your favorite Sofiona patterns sewn "as is" by one blogger and a clever "hack" by the other.
Some of our favorite Instagrammers will also be sharing their Sofiona makes this week and they'll be doing the same pairing up to showcase one pattern. Follow them for more inspiration:
Join us in the Sofiona Designs Fan Group on Facebook for more fun and to share your favorite Sofiona makes!
Finally, a huge thank you to ALL the sponsors for joining in our Anniversary Celebration! Please participate in the Rafflecopter below for an opportunity to one of the two prize packages listed below valued at over $150 each and join us in the fan group for daily giveaways next week.
Prize Pack #1
Minerva Crafts £100 mystery pack (you choose the colour)
I'm so excited to announce my first ever fabric strike. This has been so much fun, and what an awesome team she has. Stephanie has been the greatest to work with as well, this has been just a great experience. Now on to the fabric. I picked the "Retro Cassette tapes" in Athletic, and my daughter fell in love with these Narwhals, which we ordered in swim.
It's always hard to decide what patterns to use, but what do you do when you have a limited supply, and want to showcase it as well as you can, colour blocking to the rescue!
NARWHALS!!!!
This has been such a cute suit, she wears it all the time, at least 3 times this week, she has it on now in hopes of running through the sprinkler as well ahahah. The pattern is my new favourite swim pattern from Pollywoggles, called the Nahanni Swimsuit. Use code "libellesewing" for 10% at her shop.
I wanted to make a rash gaurd as well and used a raglan pattern I had on
hand, this is the Aurora Raglan from Sofiona Designs. The only
modification I used was to add a band on the bottom to keep it from
riding up in the water.
Retro cassette tapes.
For my outfit, the top is a Stardust and Agnes Mashup, with the centre blocking option (both patterns are free from Halla Patterns). I paired it with my P4P Peglegs add ons (free pattern).
This is my modified Calista sports bra from SUAT! and it's so comfortable, going to be making a swim top with this pattern soon.
I
only had a wee bit of fabric left so decided these gals needed some new
outfits!!!! How fun are these, I forgot how much I enjoy making 18"
doll clothes. (I HATE making Barbie clothes!!!!)
This is her American Girl and Maplelea dolls sporting a swimsuit and yoga outfit respectively.
The doll's yoga pants are the Bonnie leggings from M4M.(free pattern) The top is a hacked version of the swim top I used. I just extended the length of the top and flared it out a bit, and added some FOE on the hemline.
Make sure to join her FB group, Libelle Sewing, to see what other people are making. The round is open until Jul 21st, she also has CL, FT and Bamboo solids also on pre-order. https://www.libellesewing.com/r5print
Well spring is supposedly on its way, so what a perfect time for a sleeveless top. This pattern is amazing and so versatile. It comes in 3 lengths; Top, Dress, and Maxi.
It has an option for an oversized hood and pockets, literally something for everyone!!! My daughter's jaw dropped when she saw the line drawing, and I even sacrificed some fabric I'd been hoarding for myself.
I made an 8/10 mashup, and it fits perfectly, even the pocket placement was spot on. I could hardly get it off of her for bed. This is an intermediate pattern. It's not hard, but there are some areas you need to be be very precise when sewing. So just make sure to read through each step, and follow the directions. I made 2 and they both turned out beautifully.
To add the beads to the end of the straps, I just waited until I was done, and used my loop turner to pull them through. That said my beads had a very large opening. If you're using narrower barrel beads I would leave the ends open, or just cut them off, slide the bead on, and then knot it. It was such a quick and easy add-on, but I think it really makes the straps pop.
This dress is perfect for summer, you can wear it over leggings or as a cover-up which is the intended purpose, since it pairs beautifully with the Narwhal swimsuit, also being released.
The detailing on the front panel is so unique, and pretty. I really love this pattern.
I chose the Starry Night Pj's for my anniversary post. I had ordered this amazing Smore's fabric from Libelle Sewing, and I really wanted to make my daughter some cute pjs. I had made the nightgown version several months ago, and she loves it.
