Canada Cups - Coming Unwired Blog Tour

Bra's Bra's Bra's!!!!  The bane of our existence . . . or are they???  I used to hate to have to go bra shopping.   I would fling it on the railing as soon as I got home.  If someone called to go out, I'd be like "Sorry, I already took my bra off".   Scroll all the way to the bottom for a list of prizes, good luck. 

From a young age I was used to wearing a very strong industrial strength bra.  Gravity is not kind to 'blessed' girls.  I have to admit that I no longer have that love/hate relationship with bras.  Now that I've started making my own, and had the wire fitted to my breast shape, they're really comfy.  Sometimes I'll read in bed and then I'm like ohh ya "take off my bra".  I really do need an underwire to have them sitting where I want them, so I was a bit nervous when I was asked to be part of the "Canada Cups - Coming Unwired" blog tour.  I don't really wear wireless bras, and most of them do not come in a cup size I can wear, so it hasn't been available.  Well, Beverley saw a need and filled it with the Sweet Sixteen.  It was released last summer, and I hadn't tried it do to the fact that it has no wires.

I picked this pattern to review because it would be nice to have a soft bra for sleeping in while traveling, or camping, and for around the house or doing Yoga.  It actually comes in my size, and has so many different options for fabric and style.  It also includes a huge size range so you don't need multiple patterns.   

PB-8416 – Sweet Sixteen Bralette Pattern Collection

$20.00

Sweet Sixteen Bralette Pattern Collection

The Sweet Sixteen Bralette Pattern Collection ranges in band sizes from 28″-38″ (71 cm-96 cm), with 12 cup sizes. 72 unique sizes in all! Make this from stretch lace, fabric, or a combination of lace and fabric.

 Stay tuned for my review.  Will it hold up???  Does it really provide support in larger cup sizes????   Is it going to be a hit or a miss?!?!? or a bit of both????

 Sweet Sixteen Pattern Review

Disclaimers

Fabrics used for my bra were from Bra Makers Supply and Club Tissues.  As one of the Canadian sponsors of our blog tour Club Tissues graciously gave us a gift certificate to try their new products.  Their website is extensive, and I enjoyed the variety.  It's very user friendly and has a great sale section.  I placed my order at 8 pm on a Wed night, it shipped the next morning and was in my mailbox Friday morning!!!! Now that's service.   The fabric is lovely, and quality is great. 


The Same can be said for Bra Makers supply, I was provided the bralette pattern free of charge in order to offer up my review.  The ladies in the store are extremely helpful, especially if you're lucky enough to live close by and can pop in for a visit and fitting.  If not they get orders in the mail right away, and after that well it's up to the Postman!!!   All fabrics and supplies are top notch, Beverly doesn't skimp on products.   Even though I didn't pay for the pattern, I will be giving an honest review!!  All thoughts are my own. 

2nd Annual Canada Cups Blog Hop

 Schedule and Prizes

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Tour Schedule

Hang with us as we reveal our inner secrets. ;)

// Please note that none of these post links are available before the scheduled date. If you click on one too early, you will get an Error 404: Page not found. You know about those, right? // ♥ Sunday, October 15

• Tour Take-off on Seam of my Pants
• That's Sew Venice

♥ Monday, October 16

• Glitter in my Coffee
• Seam of my Pants
• That's Sew Venice

♥ Tuesday, October 17

• Sprouting JubeJube
• Little Heart Threads

♥ Wednesday, October 18

• Michelle's Creations
• Special Guest: Club Tissus (en français) ; Club Tissus (in English)

♥ Thursday, October 19

• Sprouting JubeJube
• Mrs. Weaver's Finest
• Filles à Maman

♥ Friday, October 20

• Gracious Threads
• Élégantine! (en français) ; Élégantine! (in English)

♥ Saturday, October 21

• Tour Wrap Party and Giveaway on Michelle's Creations

♥♥ Monday, October 23

• Giveaway winners announced on all the blogs:

Little Heart Threads, Glitter in my Coffee, Michelle's Creations, Mrs. Weaver's Finest Unmentionables, Gracious Threads, Élégantine!, That's Sew Venice, Sprouting Jubejube, Flying by the Seam of my Pants, Filles à Maman ♥

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Prizes and Discounts

*A discount code from Funky Monkey -code: CC10 for 10% off store wide for the length of the tour.
 *A $25 Store voucher & Discount code from Fabric Please (CANADACUPS for 20% off storewide during your tour)

 There will be a Rafflecopter at the end of the tour for the following prizes.  Make sure to check back and fill out your form.  There are some really great items, that'll make your next, or perhaps first bra extra special.  

*A bra kit from Atelier Fiber Arts and Abrakdabra
*A bralette kit or scuba print from Bra-Makers Supply
*A 10% discount from Central Sewing Machines
*A pattern from Chelsea C Designs
*A Sophie swimsuit pattern from Closet Case Patterns
*1 yard of in-stock fabric from Crookshanks Custom Textiles (winner splits shipping costs)
*A $25 Store voucher & Discount code from Fabric Please (CANADACUPS for 20% off storewide during your tour)
*A pattern from Favorite Things
*A discount code from Libelle Sewing
*A bralette kit from Braphoria
*A pattern from Ohhh Lulu Sews
*A pattern from Lingerie Secrets Patterns by Jan Bones
*A discount code from Funky Monkey -code: CC10 for 10% off store wide for the length of the tour. active until the 22nd 😊 Not valid on already discounted full bolts.

"Fall"ing for Christmas--Reversible Mug rug

This is a reversible mugrug/placemat pattern.  One side is a pumpkin, the other side is an ornament.  There are several variations you can make with this pattern.  

You can leave the fabric all the same, or use up some scraps and make it colorful.

Both sides are identical, so be careful when cutting them out, the more precise you are, the better it will look, and your quilting will look much better.  The seam allowance is a scant ¼, but just make sure to make them all the same.

To start press and possibly starch each piece of fabric. Carefully cut out each piece and lay it out on your fabric.    I like to lay my fabric right sides together, and cut out 2 at a time, this goes faster and keeps my pieces lined up better.  This might not work if your fabric is directional, or you want to fussy cut. 

 


 


 A trick I like to use is to line up the second piece along the cut of the first.  This way I don't have to cut again, and you know the curve will be a perfect match. 






Now that you have them all cut out you're ready to sew them together.  








Most of these seams we’ll be sewing are curves, and can be a bit scary at first.  I find it’s WAY easier not to pin, but to do the hand over hand method.  By this I mean you line up the top of your seam and make a few stitches, then you hold the bottom fabric in your right hand, and the top fabric in your left.  Just cross over your hands and line the fabric up along your presser foot and sew slowly.  It works beautifully, I learned this method from sewing bra’s but it’s carried over into all aspects of my sewing.  I’ll show some pictures, and hopefully a video of this method. 


To line up curves you don't want to line up at the edges or points, but at the seam line!!!  As you can see here you'll have a wee triangle sticking out on the end.

 Then you want to go slowly.  Line the pieces up along the presser foot as you go. 










 If you're a bit confused, just lay them out as they would go, and then flip the top part over. 









If it makes it easier for the first few you can mark your seam lines with pins.










Then flip it over and match them up.  Put another pin across them to hold it all in place.

 Place your needle right where they meet.  Pull your threads to the back and hold them for your first few stitches, this way it won't get caught in your plate.  Now you just go slow and using both hands holding top and bottom separately you line them up at your mark and sew, adjusting your hands as you go and manipulating the fabric to lay on the line.   Starting with the middle piece and work out to the side.   

Then sew the middle ones together, and press everything.  It's easier to get your curves to press if you snip along the way a bit or use pinking sheers to trim your seam allowance.  Next add your 'stem' piece at the top.  You can fold it in half to get a crease and then line that up with the center seam.

Then you'll attach batting to the back of one side of your mugrug.  You can use your choice of batting here, doesn’t really matter as long as it’s attached.  You can use iron on, or just use a glue stick to hold it in place. 

Then sew your mugrug right sides together, leaving a 2” opening along one side.  I recommend pinning your seams top and bottom as well as in the middle, try and get them lined up nicely, this way your quilting will line up on both sides.

 
Almost done!!! Just press and turn in your opening close that off with a nice top stitch around the edges.  Now quilt it however you see fit.     

On the left side I top stitched down each side of the seam, on the right hand side I just did a random squiggly quilt line.  Feel free to try your own pattern.  

Click here to download pattern.

Pajama pattern review--Skyler & Jordan (Pollywoggles Patterns)

Just in time for fall, comes a brand new Pajama Pattern from one of my favorite pattern designers Pollywoggles Patterns.  This is the Skyler & Jordan Pajama Set.  It's great for boys and girls, summer, winter, spring and fall!!!!





This latest pattern uses cotton woven, and knit ribbing.  This was great because I always have a ton of quilting cotton laying around, and it's nice to find a pattern that uses them.  My daughter and pug love them.  Go join her Facebook group for a discount code.  Pollywoggles Patterns Facebook Group,  She's also doing a sew along starting on Tuesday, so don't miss that!!!









The pattern is very easy to follow, she does a great job explaining each step.  The construction is simple and makes sense.  There are step by step instructions with photos, and a sew along on her FB page. 











 She even shows you how to grade between sizes if you need to do that.  My daughter is a size 8 in height, and a 6 in width.  It's great how she shows you how to grade for that on the curves.  I'm very pleased with the fit, and my daughter loves them!!!!








I love the cuffs on the sleeves and legs, this way you can make them a bit longer to last more then just once season.   My daughter prefers short sleeves, so I went with that option.  This pattern also comes as shorts for summertime. 

They're very comfy and you can use some pretty fun fabrics.  I can't wait to make some flannel ones for Christmas!!!!!!  










To see some more pictures check these blogs.  There are a lot of options, you can make them warm and cozy with flannel, or light and summering for those hot summer nights.  The choice is up to you. 


Sykler and Jordan Simply Comfortable--Pollywoggles Blog

PJ Test - Momma Bear Sews blog

Instant Pot: Pork tenderloin with apples and sweet potatoes

 As you can probably tell from my blog, I usually post about sewing, and craft projects.  I do however like to cook, and have fallen in love with my Instant Pot (Pressure cooker).  This is the first time I've really written up a recipe, so please be kind.  I'm sure there are other ways to do this, and I might drop the cooking time to 8 mins next time.  But the meat was not overcooked, and still very juicy.  I had looked up a few different recipes for the pork, and found a couple that sounded good so I kind of merged the recipes.  One was for a slow cooker, the other was oven roasted so I adapted the cooking method to the Instant Pot.  I was really impressed with the flavor so I decided to write down what I did while it was still fresh in my memory.  Then I decided I should share it with others.  So here it is, I hope you like it.  I'm sure you could lots of other root veggies, or a splash of brandy to de-glaze. 

Instant Pot: Pork tenderloin with apples and sweet potatoes

1 pork tenderloin

1 med onion

1-4 cloves of garlic depending on taste

2-4 apples depending on size

1-2 sweet potatoes sliced ½” thick

½ cup apple juice (or stock)

Handful of dried cranberries, (frozen would be great too)

seasoning

Cut pork into large pieces to fit into pot *.  Put Instant Pot on saute and heat up some olive oil.  Then season the pork with all purpose seasoning (or your fav mix), and sear in the bottom of the pan.  Meanwhile chop onions, garlic, apples, and sweet potato.

Take the meat out of the pan and add the onions, stir and cook for a few minutes, toss in the garlic till fragrant.  Add a splash of the apple juice to deglaze the pan and scrape up any brown bits.  

Now add everything back into the pot, season to your taste, and add the rest of the apple juice.  Put the lid on and set to ‘Chicken 10 mins’.  Then NPR

After about 10 mins I took the lid off and checked my meat, it was perfect, I ladled it all into a serving dish, leaving the liquid.  Put the pot back on saute, and and mix 1 Tbs cornstarch with a bit of water, and add to pot.  Stir till you get the desired consistency for your pan sauce.  Serve on the side, or pour over the meat.  

*I had a very large tenderloin I cut into 4 4” sections, any smaller and you’ll have to reduce cooking time.  If you have a small tenderloin you can sear whole, then just leave it.

If you don’t have an Instant Pot, or other electronic pressure cooker, then you can easily do this in the slowcooker (leave pieces whole), or bake in the oven.  I’d check your meat at the 20 mark, to keep an eye on it, you don’t want to overcook your pork.  

I also did brown rice in my instant pot to serve with this.  1 cup broth to 1 cup rinsed rice, and a dab of butter and salt.  Set to manual for 22 mins.  (this was my first time trying it, and it turned out perfect).

Aurora Belle Dress & Peplum -- Pattern Testing.

You have to check out this brand new release from PollyWoggles Patterns !!!! This is a must have pattern.  It's super fast, and so adorable, it's on sale through Friday so go get it now!!!!

 

The first dress one I tested was the 6/8 mashup with the maxi skirt.  She LOVES IT!!!   I used the size 6 width with the 8 length (don't worry she shows you how to blend the sizes).  The instructions are very thorough and easy to follow.  She also has great customer service and is happy to answer any questions, as are the rest of her fans in her FB group. PollyWoggles Sewing Circle. 

I'm not super thrilled with the fabric for the skirt, but it's all I had on hand, and since it's the first test I didn't want to use my good stuff on it.  In retrospect I wish I had, it turned out great!!!  I think I'll jazz it up a bit with something.  Perhaps some appliques.  The length is perfect. 

This pattern comes with a ton of different options.  The back  can be done with shirring or elastic casings.

Never done any shirring before? No worries she includes a link to some very detailed instructions.  The first time I ever did shirring was on another one of her patterns, I followed her directions and figured it out.  It really adds a nice touch.

The casings work well too if you're not up to it.  

Some of the other testers went this route, and they're adorable as well.

   .

 

 I loved this pattern so much I had to make a second one, and used my amazing 'If I Were a Mermaid' by Alexandar Henry.    This one I made the Peplum top.  Like I said it has a lot of choices.  There is the Peplum top, then you can add another knee length skirt underneath it.  There is also a 3 tier option, or the Maxi...so many choices!!! http://www.pollywoggles.ca/blog.


Just keep an eye on fabric requirements.  For a size 8 maxi I needed 3 yards.  So since I only had 1 of the Mermaids, I did the peplum version.

 Since this was my second time the pattern went super fast.  It took me 1 hour 15 mins hour to cut, sew and add the bias tape hem.  I'm sure the next ones will be even faster.  When I do the multilayered one I think I'll do a rolled hem on my serger.

So hop on over to her website and grab your copy today, while it's on sale.  PollyWoggles Patterns--Aurora Bell   

Still not convinced???  Here's a few more of the lovely tester dresses!!!!  

See more photo's The Umbrella Bin

Well I'm ready for Spring with my new 'Ethel Tote Bag' by Swoon Patterns

 

I can't believe it has taken me this long to make a Swoon Pattern.  I've admired her bags for so long now, but always seem to end up with another pattern I just had to make.  As soon as I saw this fabric I wanted to make an Ethel Tote bag with it.  I felt the fabric and the pattern were both a bit retro, and I love how it turned out.  This is going to be a fun bag for spring. 

 

No bag is complete without a little bling.  This lovely tag is from Emmaline Bags, add on a few coordinating beads and you're ready to go. 

 I made a few changes to this pattern, I added a flap on the top to keep all my stuff from spilling out.   I decided to leave the front pocket full size, so left off the center seam, and added a magnetic snap.  I did however add the seam to the inside slip pocket.   I also added a zipper pocket as well.  I like to have a safe spot for a few items.  I also used the pocket to turn my bag, it was my first time using this technique, and I loved it.  It was a bit tricky working it through, but so nice to not have to finish off the lining.   

To save some money I went ahead and used some shelf liner from the dollar store.
  I got a roll of some nice sturdy vinyl.

It was very easy to cut, and I applied it with a glue stick.  I used it as a I would sew-in foam. 

I used a quick press from the right side of the fabric and it all held in place beautifully. 

It worked really well, gives the bag enough structure and stability.


 It did make the seams a big thick.  This wasn't too much of a problem until it came to top stitching.  Next time I would trim back at least half of it inside of the seam allowance, and just leave a few pieces here and there to catch to make sure it stays in place.  I would eliminate the foam from the seams where it overlaps other seams or where the straps were placed.  Hopefully it holds up well, I'll let you know if I have any issues with it.  But I can't beat that price, sorry flex foam!