Sewing Summer Tees: GYCT Bowmont Tee {kids clothes}

*This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission only if you make a purchase and at no extra cost to you. All views expressed are my own.*

The thermostat on my car yesterday said 96° outside. It's hot here in the southwestern desert, and looking through my kids' wardrobes I can see they are missing some hot weather clothes!

GYCT Design's Bowmont Tee was the perfect solution to start building their summer weather wardrobe.

The pattern:
The options are perfect to last year round. Long sleeves for winter, short sleeves and sleeveless for summer. It has a cowl, hood, and a kangaroo pocket.

I chose to go with the sleeveless for both my girls. My boy opted out of a shirt this go around. I had some ideas and none of them were working for him. So just the girls are getting something this time.

This first one is a pink slub knit from a local discount fabric shop. It's super thin and light, perfect for summertime. I've seriously had this stuff in my stash for at least 2 years!

I cut her shirt out at a 3 width and a 4  length. the neck is a 3 and the widest part of the head is a 4. 

I used the same fabric for the arm binding, waistband, and hood. I tried to talk her into the cowl, but she demanded hers have a hood. A hood and no pockets. Seriously, who swapped my kid out for another one? I've never known her to deny pockets!

The second one, in blue, is also a slubbed knit. This time it is the thin stuff from Walmart. I know. Walmart. But I had it on hand as well. Might as well use it! And it is so soft!

Unlike her sister, this one demanded pockets.
The patterns are gumball machines. I got it from a friend decluttering her supplies.

I was originally going to turn the hood so the gumballs were on the outside but totally didn't process that one right. and I am glad I did it wrong from how I intended. It looks good. Plus there is no way I am risking holes and seam ripping to turn the hood the other way!

I like the way the gumballs play peek-a-boo as she walks around.

I love hood options even with things that are sleeveless. My girls' scalp burns in the sun, and if they aren't wearing hats then I would much rather them keep something on their little heads! Plus, it's a lot harder to lose something when it is attached to your shirt!

I think I might need to come to some agreement with the boy so he can have a GYCT Design's Bowmont Tee or two for the summer as well.

What things are you planning on sewing for your kids with this warmer weather?

Super Heroes and Princesses: Spring Dresses {GYCT Designs Tour}

*This post contains affiliate links. I only earn a commission if you make a purchase. I was given a pattern in participation of this tour, all opinions given and expressed are my own.*

Welcome to my stop on the GYCT Dress Tour! Have you seen the other awesome dresses? Check out the list of previous stops (and don't forget to check out tomorrows stops as well) at the bottom of the post along with a giveaway!!

It is no secret I am a fan of GYCT Designs sewing patterns. You can check out all my GYCT posts and clothes using GYCT Designs patterns here. It has been a while since I have sewn much of anything lately and I am super excited to be driving that machine again! The bonus is that I am *finally* sewing up some dresses I have been asked for on numerous occasions!

I used 2 different patterns to create the girls 2 different dresses. 

*Supergirl Dress = Tinley Tee

*Princess Dress = Happily Ever After Dress

SuperGirl Dresses 

I made these first. 

Confession: I started the first one about a year and a half ago and never actually finished it. It's the one on the toddler. It was supposed to be her sister's so the fit isn't quite right, but she'll grow into it. It got super stretched out before I was able to attach the neckband, skirt or armbands.
The girls have worn these dresses multiple times and they have been washed multiple times before I was able to get pictures. Yay for being on top of things! Boo That the paint was starting to come off! I guess it gave my older girl something to fidget with? Ha!

Now, the Tinley Tee is not actually a dress, just a shirt. I cut it at the band line and instead of adding a band, I added a little strip and a skirt. I also added a band to the arm instead of hemming. I will do almost anything to avoid hemming. It's my dreaded sewing task! Please tell me I am not alone?

The "S" was freezer paper stenciled onto the dress. I have not jumped on the HTV bandwagon yet with a Cricut or silhouette (they are a bit pricey). This is the first time I've really had paint do this to me. But, the girls love it so no worries. They'll outplay the dress before it has a chance to come off completely I'm sure!  

For the longest time, this was the only kind of dress my oldest girl would wear. Knit, drop waist, a simple gathered skirt, no frills, no tulle. the Tinley Tee in a dress. I made so many of them. After making her this one I wondered why I stopped making her clothes. She wants to wear this dress all the time. I did end up shortening the bodice part a bit further than the band cutting line. It is a straight size 4 and for her, it was a little long. She's more in between the two sizes, but this gives her room to grow. 

The toddler's dress, since it started out intended for her older sister, was a little longer as well. But it is so funny to watch her run in it. Ok, it's just cute to watch a toddler run! And I am pretty convinced she grew some since I finished the dress! I swear it was longer on her when I finished it!

Her skirt is a bubble skirt. And I love the look of the bubble skirt! She pulls down on the yellow stripe which does not help the length of the bodice a bit. I am thinking I should shorten the top a bit so it fits her better...

I do love how these dresses turned out! 

Princess Dresses

Another long requested dress from the girl. But, being the specific thing she is it had to be a purple gown, not too long and it had to have buttons. But not any buttons. Buttons fit for a princess. And, it couldn't be too poofy. I just had to laugh at my 4-year-old.

The Happily Ever After Dress has a long skirt. As much as I wanted to see it long, I had to take it up to appease the 4-year-old and goodness if I didn't make the toddlers the same as big sister's dress it would be the end of the world! The pattern uses a zipper instead of buttons as well. Trust me. Stick with the zipper! I am not scared of zippers. I love them. In fact, I love them more than buttons! And I am not scared of buttonholes (hoorah for an automatic buttonhole foot for my machine!).

I guess the buttons don't look that bad. Buttons fit for a princess!

The front with the ribbon was fun. I winged it for placement and basted them on before sewing the sides to the front. If I were to do this again I might add loops to lace instead of straight sewing in the ribbon. 

I had fun sewing in the princess seams. It reminded me of curved piecing (like the drunkard's path blocks) for quilting. So fun.

Once I sewed up one of the princess dresses (seriously the first one took me 3 days. I kept sewing the back wrong so I kept ending up with 2 right sides. I had to walk away for a day for my tired momma brain to rest), the second took me only a matter of hours. I made sure to lay the pieces out so I didn't keep making the same mistakes over and over again. Seriously. It's a great looking dress but simple to put together!

Next time I will win the zipper vs. button battle as well. Ha! I say that now...

Don't Forget! Check out the awesome dresses on the rest of the tour! And the giveaway from the awesome sponsor Sunshine Rae Fabrics!

Our Play Palace  *  Elli and Nels  *  Max California

Tales From A Southern Mom  *  Phat Quarters  *  Darrel Rob Crafts  *  GYCT Designs

Threadistry  *  Sprouting Jube Jube  *  Manning the Machine

My Sewing Roots  *  House of Estrela  *  The Berry Bunch

Kathy's Kwilts and More  *  Paisley Roots  *  Aurora Designs  *  Natalie Bug Creations

Sponsored By

Sunshine Rae Fabric

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GYCT Designs is having a Holiday Sale!!

*This post contains affiliate links. I receive a small compensation only when you make a purchase at not cost to you. All views expressed are my own*

Our affiliate, GYCT Designs, is having a sale from November 26th - December 1st! All of her patterns are 40% off and there is no coupon code necessary! Yay! No Code Needed! 

Need some GYCT Inspiration? Here are some of the patterns I have sewn up...

Jean and Jamie Jammies

Rival Raglan

Tinley Tee

Firecracker Dress and Tunic, Holly and Ivy Party Dress, Tally Skirt

You can also check out these posts that have a GYCT Designs item sewn up!

Check out her super cute and adorable patterns here!

Happy Sewing!

Polka Dot Peplum: Pattern Release and Sale {GYCT Designs}

This post contains affiliate links, all views expressed are my own.

A while back I tested this super cute Polka Dot Peplum top for GYCT Designs. It was originally released for DIY Crush and I waiting until it was over at the GYCT Designs website to share with you. Stay tuned, there is some more info (discount!!!) to share about the shop! :D

Why did I wait? It is a gift for a little girl who was born 2 days ago and I didn't want to give it away before it was gifted. It'll probably be a while until the current owner can wear it as she is super tiny (and super duper adorable!!!) Paired with some cute leggings? How will I stand the cuteness!!!

The size is 6 months (on my super tiny 2 year old) and it is super cute! She is growing like a weed right now, so I am waiting a bit before I sew her up some more! It was a little short, but don't worry. my child is just long and skinny and it needs to be perfect for my friends daughter! (pictured with the Love Me Knot Shorts) Too bad this little thing has to be so long and skinny! It makes things difficult... I am guessing no more pattern testing for me. :( Not until she evens out a little bit. The boy is the same way though!

I love the button down in the back and the sleeves. My little girly girl loves it too. I had to hide the shirt before getting it into the gift bag for my friend!

I love the binding and the little puff on the sleeves!

I cannot wait for this little thing to finish her growth spurt (though I wont mind if it keeps up at least a little longer)! I can make her another one!

An extra bonus? The patterns over at GYCT Designs is having a sale for back to school! Use code "BACK2SCHOOL" at checkout to receive 25% discount from now until August 15th! How awesome! Head over there and check it out!

Happy Sewing!

GYCT Designs: Rival Raglan as Swimwear! {Monthly Monday Madness Sale}

*This post contains affiliate links. I recieve a small commission only if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. All views expressed are my own.*

I love sewing up raglan style shirts. They are so easy and so fun! No set in sleeves and curves to have to fight and ease in. Though that isn't so bad, sometimes it's nice to have the instant gratification of a super quick sew. And a Raglan, especially the Rival Raglan by GYCT Designs (affiliate link), is perfect for that. I tested the pattern when it was first released and little man loved it so much! I also used it in a gift for a friend's baby using a stencil and some free hand work on it. And, lots of other shirts that I just haven't photographed to share! But these are special!

I used swim fabric to create some long sleeved swim shirts for the kids! They love their new swim shirts!

We are going to Maryland in June and the kids have the opportunity to go swimming at the beach! I have never been swimming at an East Coast beach other than in Florida. And I was so little I haven't the clue or remember, was it the Golf or the Atlantic? What I do remember is the beaches in California. Brrr... Especially the last time we were at a beach 4 years before we will be in MD, it was northern Cali... double Brrr....

So I sewed up the kids some long sleeved ones in case they were cold and I forgot to didn't downsize (for the 4-way stretch)... You know, in case they get bigger before June. But I would recommend going down a size if you were to sew one up in swim fabric. ;)

Little man's modifications: none....

except that he won't let me take it back to hem the sleeves and bottom. It will have to get it snuck away when he isn't hoarding it, in order to do so.

Embellishments for both:

topstitch the sleeve seam allowance down.

Baby girl's modifications:

Cuffed the end of the sleeves. Cut the neck binding at 2.5" instead of 2"... The slippery bugger of a fabric shifted under the ruler, but I love the look it gave!

Added a waistband.

It was great to play with the water and splash outside the pool... We got some crazy cooler weather (don't get me wrong, it's nice) and going into the pool is just not going to happen!

The Pattern:

Today (4/27) is the discounted sale of the Rival Raglan by GYCT Designs (affiliate link), so it's the perfect time to pick it up!

The pattern itself has a size range from 12 months to 12, and comes in lengths for shirt, tunic, and a dress option for the little ladies! There are 3 sleeve lengths: short, 3/4, and long, with included directions on layering the sleeves! I seriously love the layered sleeve look!

The kids enjoyed even lounging. Whats not to love about lounging in swimwear?

One of my favorite things about GYCT Designs (affiliate link) is the versatility of their patterns; they look great as is, modified or embellished, made from yardage or upcycled clothing... This one is a serious staple in my kids' wardrobe (along with their Tinley Tee (affiliate))...

I just can't get over my kids in their cuteness as they run around the house in their Rival Raglan by GYCT Designs (affiliate link) swim shirts.... Could it be possible that I love the pattern even more?!?

Happy Sewing!

GYCT Design's Monthly Monday Madness: Jean and Jamey Jammies {Sale}

Little man has been needing some new jamanas (as we call jammies, pajamas or pjs) for a while. He has steadily outgrown his 3t ones that he has had for about a year now and I can see 4ts not lasting too much longer! Of course the hubby said, "why not make him some new pairs?!?" Like really, Jessi! You do all this sewing, you can do this too... Of course! GYCT Designs Jean and Jamey Jammies (affiliate) are perfect!

I meant to sew his up for Christmas, but that didn't happen. Footie jamanas were supposed to be new years but those were closer to February.... This GYCT Designs (affiliate link) Monthly Monday Madness sale has given me the perfect opportunity (and the swift kick I needed) to sew up at least one pair for the little guy!

The GYCT Designs Jean and Jamey Jammies (affiliate link) are the perfect jamanas pattern. Both the kids love their jamanas and so far, have refused to take them off the next morning. Though it's a bit difficult getting them ready to go out the door, there is no better feeling than the happiness that instills in my heart. My babies love mommy made jammies!

I cut out little man's initials and appliqued them on the sleeves, and broke down the color blocking a little bit further to include the red line. The letters are flannel (so I sized up) and extended the flannel length so I could hide the raw edge in the hem. He kept pulling on the neck binding (arg!) and so it needs a good spin in the dryer...

And there is a free add on for those that have bought the pattern for the little ladies! A cute nightgown option! Just join the GYCT Deisngs Facebook group for the add on! It's super cute too! I love the gathers, subtly girly it up!

Little girl loves it! Something about girls in nightgowns is so precious!

For Baby Girl's I added the cuffs on the sleeves to salvage them! I was hemming and my machine decided to eat a hole in the fabric! It made me so sad! So, I cut the ends and just placed on a cuff to make the sleeves back to the original length...

These two kiddos were not cooperating much for the pictures, but I can't get over their cuteness in the pajamas!

Check out the pattern! Today, 3/16, it is on sale for 4.00 (normally 7.95)! GYCT Designs Jean and Jamey Jammies (affiliate link)

And for a few more pictures...