Project Run & Play Watercolor Beach Collection

I’ve been blown away by the amazing makes and photos for the release of the Project Watercolor Beach Collection from Project Run and Play. Someone even sewed every single piece! How incredible is that?! Now, it’s my turn to share what I made. 

My first and only boy turned 6 months old and has yet to receive anything mama made besides a pair of socks. Cute socks, by the way! But, I decided that it was high time I put some effort into his handmade wardrobe. The first order of business was a pair of the Cobalt Boardshorts from Sew Jennuine Designs. I love that Jen’s patterns start in baby sizes and go up to size 12. It evwn has the option of adding swimmers inside which i will totally do next time. I originally ordered some boardshort fabric from Knitfabric.com, ( affiliate link) but since we’re over an hour from the nearest beach and times are uncertain I decided to go beach casual in case he outgrows them before we make it there. 

I used some linen that I got from Joann’s fabric to create a pair of shorts that he can wear any time. The pattern features Jamaican  and Bermuda length. There’s also options to do a faux, half or no fly, add front pockets and a draw string waist or buttonhole elastic. These are made in the Jamaican length, but i sized up the pattern as a whole to get some longevity out of it. My version also has a faux fly and pockets. I lined the pockets with a fun colorful stripe material also from Joann’s. 

Now that the bottoms are squared away I turned my attention to the top. I was so excited about trying the Lemon Tee from Suco by Susana that I failed to notice the pattern starts at 12m. Not one to be thwarted, I shrunk the pattern down to about 91% and shortened the length. My attempt was fairly successful, but next time i’ll measure my neck opening before adding the neckband. I loved these watercolor jellyfish from knitfabric.com (affiliate link) and paired them with this solid blue. The pattern goes from sizes 12 months to 14 and has options for diagonal, body and sleeve color-blocking. You can also add sleeve bands for shorts sleeves and do solid or color-blocked long sleeves. 

Ok, so originally I was going to use the diagonal front option for my tee and add the Salt Life cut file available from this collection, but my jellies weren’t gellin’ with that idea and I realized that my son is actively teething so I went a different route. This cute little bandana bib pattern is free from Sweet Red Poppy. I used the same solid blue and back it with some white terry (aka a towel) for absorption. 

All and all i’m super pleased with how it turned out. Even though it was next to impossible to find a “beachy” spot in town. Every single sandpit was closed so we had to make our own in the yard and the toddler insisted that she needed to thoroughly check it out. 

If you haven’t already check out the rest of the stylish and fun makes from the Project Watercolor Beach Collection on Project Run and Play blog.

RCF Suit Up for Summer | Blog Tour |

PART I

Hey there! I’m so pleased to be a part of the Raspberry Creek Fabric Suit Up for Summer Blog Tour. There’s a lot going on in the world and our kids are physically out of school for the rest of the year. Luckily, myself and some other talented ladies are sewing up some fun suits for summer, or now if you live in FL like I do.

I let my oldest daughter choose her main print, this super cute red and green raspberry toss and her suit pattern. When she saw the back of Striped Swallow Designs’ Into the Blue Suit she got really excited. I picked out the red polka dots to coordinate. I’m a total sucker for polka dots. This suit is fully lined. The pattern features a solid scooped back or a cut out scooped back. There are 3 options for the front: a pointy tie, a rectangle tie and the band. Not gonna lie I went for the option with the least steps. I have a hungry 3 month old and mama’s sewing time is limited. Nevertheless, I LOVE how this came out!

Since I’ve made swim suits before, when sewing  the Into the Blue I pretty much avoided adding elastic like the plague. I substituted each elastic application with bands. I did a quick search in the Striped Swallow Designs sewing group on Facebook for help and took 90% of the opening for my waist band and 95% for my leg bands. I added the leg flutters from Violette Field Threads’ Catalina swimsuit. I love how it ended up adding a vintage vibe to the whole suit. My daughter was thrilled with it!

I also made the actual Catalina for my littlest in this narwhal and these stripes. I’ll share pictures from that one tomorrow in Part II. She’ll be wearing it for her birthday celebration with just us and some FaceTime with family.

I want to thank Raspberry Creek Fabrics for generously providing all the swi m fabric and lining and Striped Swallow Designs for the swim pattern.

Raspberry Creek Fabrics

Hosted by: Sew Sophie Lynn and Paisley Roots

 Sincerely, Shantelle  Merritts Makes Sew Mary Mac

Phat Quarters Sewing Sew Haute Blog  My Sew Bliss Kainara Stitches

Made By Kates Sewing and Things Desert Blooms Sweet Mama 

Margarita on the Ross Auschick Sews  Hazelnut Handmade Call Ajaire

It's Liesel House of Curves Stitching and Making Replicate then Deviate

A HUGE thank you to all our pattern sponsors!!!

Simple Life Pattern Company  Love Notions  Hey June Handmade  New Horizons Designs 
Sew A Little Seam Jilly Atlanta  Ensemble Patterns  Petit A Petit & Family 
Striped Swallow Designs  Jennuine Designs  Jalie  Ellie & Mac  Sew Like My Mom  Lowland Kids  Phat Quarters  
Greenstyle Creations  Chalk & Notch  Made For Mermaids  Lil Luxe Collection  Violette Field Threads  Patterns For Pirates  
Rebecca Page  Shwin Designs  Sinclair Patterns  Call Ajaire  Boo Designs  Tadah Patterns

And again! Remember for this week you can use the code: SUNSHINE for 15% off swim fabrics only over at Raspberry Creek Fabrics.

Another PR&P Tour - Abby’s Trailblazing Socks

Hey y’all. Thanks for joining me today for the newest Project Run & Play pattern tour. This time there 20 brand new patterns to try out!  For my stop i’m showing you the adorable Abby’s Trailblazing Socks from The Wolf and the Tree. Just like anything else you sew these can be customized to fit your child. Abby’s Trailblazing Socks are sized from Newborn 0/1 - Big Kid 6/7 and there are several style options: Mini Crew, Bobby, Crew, Knee High and Over the Knee. You can also add trim, cuffs, elastic or trim to the cuffs to finish up this super quick sew; or drag it out a little and add color-blocked toes, a top toe seam or even a heel. 

 If you didn’t know I’m now the proud mama of a soon-to-be three month old baby boy so, I made the mini crew socks. I liked using this pattern because his little feet are so narrow that he tends to lose his store bought socks no matter how small they are. My least favorite part was probably sewing those tiny cuffs in the round. This smile makes it all worth it and I think he approves.

 It may just be me, but I hate when babies are too little for shoes and you put them on a cute outfit in X color and then the only socks you can find are Y color, not even white. With these i’m able to match his socks to his hat, bummies or whatever else.

In true mom fashion, I lost the first pair of socks I made him with the little monsters on them and the rest of his outfit is a hand me down. I also sewed up some knee highs for my almost 2 year old who, in true toddler fashion, refused to be still so I could put them on. And yes, you math geniuses out there, that’s two kids under the age of two in my house AT THE SAME TIME 😳. Needless to say, mama is exhausted. Not so exhausted that i can’t make my kids haute couture socks to match their outfits ;-) but definitely exhausted. 

The Pattern Release:

Because of the large space of time since we added patterns to the shop, we have 20 (TWENTY!) new patterns for you!  These twenty fantastic patterns are so fun and unique and you're going to love them.  There's everything from basics to accessories to really special pieces.  

See all 20 new patterns in the Project Run & Play shop.

All new patterns on sale for 20% off from 2/17 - 2/29, which makes for some fantastic deals, believe me.

The Giveaways:

Now 20 patterns is a lot to digest all at once, so each day of the tour a couple of these new patterns will be featured.  And of course some of your favorite Project Run & Play designers are going to be providing inspiration!  Each of these designers will be giving away one new pattern of your choice, and there will be a daily giveaway on social media too.  Be sure to follow Project Run & Play on Instagram and each designer as they share their makes too.