Three Bonfire Hoodies // Sofiona Designs

 Happy October! It is my favorite time of the year for many reasons, including the cooler weather and changing fall colors! It also means I can wear all my favorite cozy cardigans and hoodies. I have a new favorite hoodie to share - the Bonfire Hoodie by Sofiona Designs. I might be wearing this all of the fall season because it is so comfortable!

Sofiona Designs actually has two separate patterns, the original girls Bonfire Hoodie and the women's Miss Bonfire Hoodie. It only made sense to sew both versions so my sisters could have a new hoodie too! I think they look so cute in their Bonfires!

One of my favorite things about this pattern is all the details! Yes, it does make it a fairly involved project and it is not a quick sew (especially if you decide to make three at once like me!) but the end result is so worth it. My 17 year old sister and I chose to have thumbhole cuffs on our hoodies, but my littlest sister wanted normal cuffs. I love how you can totally customize the details to make the hoodie of your dreams. 

Other options this pattern includes are an accent strip on the front and back bodice, a hidden front pocket, and drawstrings. The hood and bodice are lined as well. 

This pattern was released about a year ago and I knew it was a pattern I had to have right away. I even bought fabric from Raspberry Creek Fabrics right away too. The fabric and patterns sat untouched in my sewing room until these last few weeks when I decided the hoodies must be made immediately! 

I think all the little details really add to the quality of the Bonfire Hoodie. The eyelets/drawstrings took more time, but I am so happy with what they add to the overall finished look. I just used strips of leftover fabric to make the drawstrings because that way they matched the hoodies and I didn't have to buy anything else. 

Funny story, I was upset when I was cutting these out because it took all afternoon and I almost didn't have enough fabric. I had to play some serious pattern cutting jenga and even then it was close! I didn't quite have fabric long enough for the drawstrings and hood facings but I had enough smaller pieces. My husband is a welder and he suggested I "weld" smaller pieces together to make a piece big enough. I was being stubborn and didn't want to do that, but in the end that is what I did and it worked out just fine! 

We love the huge hidden pockets! 

The fabric is all from my favorite fabric shop, Raspberry Creek Fabrics. I thought I had ordered all French Terry but I ordered the floral in cotton lyrca by mistake. The pattern calls for heavier weight fabrics, which is why I wanted to use French Terry, but the cotton lyrca works just fine too. I love the pop of floral with the darker solid colors. 

I made the girls Bonfire for my littlest sister and the Miss Bonfire for my other sister and I. The Miss Bonfire Hoodie comes with cup sizes for the bodice and there is the option to print the pattern in layers, which makes blending sizes super easy. The size chart said I should have made a size 8, A cup bodice but I ended up using the size 8, B cup bodice because I felt the finished measurements were closer to what would work for me. I also blended out at the waist and hips for both my sister and I. For my littlest sister I used one size for the width and another size for the length because she is so tall. I love being able to sew my own clothes so I can make them fit how I want. 

Here's a detail shot of the thumbhole cuffs. I love how the thumbholes are hidden when not putting your thumb through. The construction is really unique compared to other patterns I've made but I think I prefer it this way! 

And now for some outtakes! My sisters are so silly and we had so much fun taking these pictures at our local apple orchard!

~Elizabeth

Raven Dress // Sofiona Designs

I am so excited to be back blogging today and introduce you to the new company, Sofiona Designs! The company was just opened and it is run by two Canadian friends, Sherri Herrera and Trisha Yanke. They have four patterns so far, and I love all of them, but as soon as I saw the Raven Dress, I knew I had to try it first!

One reason I am super excited for this new company is because Sherri and I were on Project Run and Play together last year. The competition was the starting point of her starting this company and I am so happy for her. I can't wait to see where they go with this new adventure.

The Raven can be made as a dress or a shirt. It has a dropped shoulder and scoop back with a few different options for he back. I chose the raised scoop back for this version. The ruffle can be long or short or omitted. The dress has an elastic waist and comes with three different sleeve lengths. It was designed for woven fabrics, but knits can be used for the dress. 

I just love the back view and the ruffle! I wasn't sure about these two fabrics together, but I love the final result. If I had to do it again, I would find a different fabric for the ruffle because the one I used is a bit too heavy weight for gathering. I made it work though!

The apple fabric is a corduroy and both fabrics are from my stash. This is technically my muslin version. I typically don't make muslins, but I'm glad I did! I made a size five, since that is where my six year old sister's measurements put her in the size chart. I did lengthen the dress by four inches because she is tall. I did not think to lengthen the sleeves and as you can see they are much too short! I told her she has gorilla arms, and she just laughed! It's still cute and she will wear it, but next time I would lengthen the sleeve by a few inches. 

I just love this dress pattern and can't wait to make more for my sister! I'm planning on using a knit and making her Christmas dress with the Raven. 

I'm also excited about the other patterns in the shop and I can't wait to make the Artic Fox Housecoat.

If you are interested, you can join the Facebook group and follow Sofiona Designs on Instagram. They are running giveaways on both Facebook and Instagram. This post is not sponsored in any way and I bought the pattern myself. I'm just super excited about the company and wanted to share! All patterns are marked down 30% off through November 25th as well. 

Now for some outtakes! It is more difficult than one would imagine to take pictures of a six year old! Hope you enjoy these silly pictures! 

In this one, she was shaking her hands, saying "my hands are cold!"

I think this one is my favorite!

"Are we done yet?"

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

 ~Elizabeth 

The Sydney Pinafore // Project Run and Play Shop Grand Opening

Hello! I am so excited to be part of the grand opening tour for the new Project Run and Play shop! If you haven't already heard, Project Run and Play just opened a shop where you will be able to purchase the designs from past PR&P looks. The grand opening event takes place all month long with a different theme each week! This week's theme is dresses!

The shop is one of a kind as you will be able to find patterns created by previous Project Run and Play designers during their season! No other patterns will be sold here. It is an awesome opportunity for those designers!

The shop is opening with 17 different patterns from previous Project Run and Play designs. There are many more patterns that will continue to be added to the shop as well!

Today, I have the honor of showing you the Sydney Pinafore by Haley of Mouse House Creations. This design was first seen in Mini Season 1 of Project Run & Play. You can find it here in the Project Run and Play shop.

The Sydney Pinafore is a classic pinafore style dress with a bib front, straps that criss cross in the back, and a flat front skirt. The pattern also comes with an option for shorts or bubble shorts. It is a perfect style for a little girl to run around in and it can take you through all the seasons as it's perfect for layering!

The fabric recommendations for the Sydney Pinafore are chambray, fine wale corduroy, cotton wovens, linen, and any stable woven fabric. I have some corduroy in my stash that would make the perfect fall pinafore for my sister. However, since we are now in the summer season, I wanted to use something a little lighter.

I thrifted this shirt dress a couple years ago, and I've only worn it once even though I love the fabric and the design. It was too short for me, but I was inspired to turn it into something new!

I cut the bib front and straps from the dress bodice and I cut the skirt off at the waistband to use as the pinafore skirt. There were already pockets in the shirt dress, so I was able to use those instead of sewing new ones! I love the addition of the button front on the Sydney Pinafore too without having to make buttonholes! (I may be a lazy sewist, sometimes!)

The Sydney Pinafore was a quick and easy sew! If you are a beginner, it would be a perfect project as well and Haley's instructions are clear and easy to follow with lots of pictures. 

I love the criss cross straps and elastic back! You may remember the pinafore dress I made a few months ago for the PR&P sewalong. My sister informed me that "I don't like wearing that one because it's too hard to get on." Haha! At least she is honest. The Sydney Pinafore was much easier for her to get on and with a little help with the buttons, she could dress herself. 

Pockets are a must for every girl! 

Miss V is super excited about her new pinafore dress! I hope she gets lots of wear out of it this summer. It is a great style for little girls like her who are always on the go with never ending energy! 

I also could not resist making the bubble romper version of the Sydney Pinafore. I think that style looks so cute on babies! I was in luck, because my cousin is expecting a baby girl in August. I made the 0-3 month size in a cotton fabric from my stash. You can make the bubble romper with or without a placket. I made it with the placket to make diaper changes easier. I'm so excited to see her wearing it soon. I don't know if there's anything cuter than babies in handmade clothes!

Be sure to go check out the new Project Run and Play shop! You can find the Sydney Pinafore here. Since this week, July 9-15 is "Dresses" week, all dress patterns will be marked down by 20% with no code needed! Be sure to take advantage of this discount as there are so many great dress patterns in the shop! Another one of my favorites (and tried-n-true pattern) is the Janie dress also from Haley!

Be sure to stay tuned to the Project Run and Play blog for more great bloggers on the tour all month long!

Again, you can find the new shop here!

Finally, there is a giveaway with five winners! Be sure to enter below! You will have the chance to win either a $50 gift certificate to DH Fabrics and Co and patterns from the new shop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~Elizabeth

If You Give your Sister a Cookie...

It's a new season over at Project Run and Play and there are some very talented designers! I wasn't planning on sewing along, but I couldn't help myself and had to join in the fun! I had a great time as a designer last season, but it is fun just to sew for fun and not have to stress about a design each week!

The theme for week two is 'Crafting a Story,' and you are supposed to "weave elements of your favorite children's storybook" into your design. If you know me, I love reading and there are lots of books I enjoyed reading as a child. I asked my siblings what their favorite book was, but they were not helpful as they told me "I don't know!" They like reading too, so I guess there are too many books for them to just choose one favorite!

I finally decided on "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," by Laura Numeroff. There are other stories in this series, but I think the cookie one is my favorite. It is a cute story and tells what happens when you give a mouse a cookie. The mouse in the story wears a simple outfit of overalls, so I used that as my inspiration for my outfit this week.

I was not looking at making a costume, but something that could be worn everyday. I also wanted to make it for my sister. While girls can wear overalls, I wanted to make a more feminine/girly outfit too. I decided on a pinafore dress similar to the one I made myself a few years ago. I made a few changes to the original design by adding a square "bib" to the front to mimic the design of overalls. I added a pocket to the bib and made a little cookie out of corduroy and ric rack. It's not a chocolate chip cookie, but the book never specifies! I sewed two layers the the cookie to make it pop out a little and appear more 3D. I was making it up as I went, so I am really happy with how this turned out!

The straps cross in the back and stay in place with the buttons in the front. The skirt has an invisible side seam zipper to make for easy on and off. The skirt is very full but it looks cute on little girls! It was cut four times my sister's hip measurement and then gathered.

My favorite part is the fabric. It appears to be denim, which is the look I was going for, but it is actually cotton! I've had it in my stash forever and never had quite the right project for it. I'm glad I saved it until now! It will be perfect for spring as well since it is not heavy like real denim.

The hardest part of sewing this dress was that I made it at my apartment away from my sister. I had her most recent measurements, but it is hard when you can't try things on as you go, especially when there is no pattern involved! I'm so glad it is a perfect fit!

Of course, this photoshoot wouldn't be complete without milk and cookies!

I had a fun time making this dress and taking these pictures!

Happy first day of spring too! As you can see, it doesn't look much like spring around here. I'm hoping it will be here soon!

~Elizabeth