Viva Magenta Pantone Party 2023

 

Project Run and Play is once again rounding up creations using the Pantone Color of the Year. For 2023, Pantone declared Viva Magenta to be the 'it' color. "Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative. It is an animated red that revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint, an electrifying, and a boundless shade that is manifesting as a stand-out statement." Boy, do they know how to describe a color!?!

I was tasked with selecting the best fabric representing Viva Magenta from Elliott Berman Textiles. With Tandy's supervision, we landed on an Italian abstract print viscose challis. When the fabric arrived, I was a tad jealous it wasn't for me. While I haven't necessarily made anything for myself in such a bold print, the feel of this fabric is pretty dreamy. And, no, I'm not obligated to say so.

Tandy has a much loved square neck dress from Target that was getting too short, so I did my best to recreate it with the Squared Away Dress pattern from Project Run and Play. The result looks drastically different from the original pattern, but you can see from the altered pattern pieces below, the changes weren’t that dramatic. I created a long puff sleeve by straightening the sides, spreading sections of the pattern piece, and adding ¾” to the sleeve head. I lengthened the front and back bodice and added width at the center fold to create gathers at the neckline. Through my initial trial version, I discovered I could safely omit the back closure. The bottom skirt is a gathered rectangle. 

Avery and I were thrilled that there was just enough fabric left to make an Evergreen Skirt for her. This pattern has so many length options, but we were pretty limited with yardage at this point. The bottom tier is cut between the ruffle and short tier height to accommodate what I had left.

Teens and pre-teens are hard to please, but these were a success. Tandy wore her dress to a Daddy/Daughter Dance, so it must have passed the test. 

by Catie Sas Photography

Very Peri Pantone Party

In the whirlwind that has characterized the start to 2022, did you catch the latest color announced by Pantone as the color of the year? It's Very Peri, "encompassing the qualities of the blues, yet at the same time possessing a violet-red undertone." As a huge fan of lavender, I can appreciate Very Peri as a close cousin.  

With the announcement of the color of the year, Project Run + Play hosts an event that combines patterns from their shop with fabrics featuring the Pantone color theme. Last year, I participated in the Pantone Party featuring Illuminating and Ultimate Gray. This year, I was paired up with Goldie Olding Fabrics for my stop on the Very Peri Pantone Party Tour.

My kids reach for their soft knit wardrobe pieces 9 times out of 10, so that's where I focused my fabric and pattern search. After landing on the Violet Squiggle Bamboo French Terry, I knew it would be the perfect base for these pieces. The squiggles lean a little closer to the violet/red undertones, but it's close enough. As coordinates, I opted for Tangerine Bamboo French Terry and Black MicroModal and Supima Cotton Jersey. The tangerine comes across more coral in my opinion than what I would traditionally associate with tangerine. Once the fabrics arrived, I was a tad jealous that they wouldn't be for me. 

Avery basically lives in sweatshirts and joggers or leggings these days. With track practice starting, she also needs them for layering to and from the track. Keeping that in mind, I created a set using the Jingle Joggers and the Chromium Cropped Hoodie. 

Color blocking is my favorite way to customize any pattern, because it is simple to execute and makes a big impact. The Jingle Jogger pattern already includes the side stripe detail in the pattern, so I kept those as is. I love that the pattern includes a pocket option even when you make use of the stripe detail. Avery still fits in the size 12, but I needed to add 2 1/4" in length. As a result, I had to piece together a strip long enough to create the side stripe. Thankfully that squiggle fabric really disguises the seam!

The custom color blocking came into play with the Chromium Hoodie pattern. I split the front and back bodice into two pieces and the sleeves into three. a little contrast goes a long way, and I love the impact the tangerine has even though it's only a small section of the sleeve. I added 2 1/2" to the bodice for a slightly longer cropped length, then added cuffs to the sleeves that are not part of the original pattern. 

While the color blocking for the Chromium Hoodie was simple with straight lines, I knew I wanted a little something extra when it came to this Story Dress. Adding a rainbow arc employs the same techniques as a straight color block, but it's important to keep those seams lined up to avoid any waviness. 

Once again the contrast pieces are minimal but create a pop of color that adds a little extra to the overall look. Tandy is prone to eczema especially in the winter months, so she prefers nothing restrictive on her arms. The puffed lantern style sleeve meets her needs and provides an adorable silhouette. 

As you can see we had quite a bit of fun for our Pantone Party, and you can join too!

Here's how the Pantone Party sew along will work:

1. Sew something for kids with any shade of purple fabric.

2. Join the party by linking it up at Project Run + Play or using the hashtag #prppantoneparty2022 on Instagram or Facebook.

Pantone Party 2021

 

Project Run and Play is hosting a party with a theme this month, and you know how I love a good party theme! Welcome to my stop on the Project Run and Play Pantone Party 2021 tour featuring fabrics from Fabricworm. In exchange for Project Run and Play patterns and Fabricworm fabric, I had the opportunity to create a look my daughter would love. The only constraint was that the color scheme had to revolve around the Pantone colors of 2021, Ultimate Gray and Illuminating.

Illuminating is such a bright, sunny shade, so it easily set the tone of my look. First, I dusted off my dormant applique skills and had some fun with the FREE Book Bag pattern. The sunny arches are Squeeze Cones in yellow by Dana Willard appliqued on Essex Canvas in steel. I finished off the tote with a vinyl decal phrase that perfectly suits the sunny fabric as well as my daughter's disposition. The Book Bag Tote has so much scrap busting potential since it only require 1/2 yard of fabric. I can see making a bunch of these to use as gift bags with my neglected stash of quilting cottons.

Once we had the perfect beach/pool tote, I set out to make a swim cover up to complete the ensemble using the Ultramarine Coverup pattern. I love that this pattern works for woven as well as knit fabrics. 

I opted for the hooded coverup version with an elastic casing to cinch at the middle creating a bit of shaping. For my daughter's chest size, I had to add 3" in length for the perfect mid thigh look of a cover up, but a bit short for a dress. 

I love the Squeeze line by Dana Willard so much that I used another print here for the coverup. The Floral in Eggshell combined nicely with Birch Organic mod basic grey. I used the center panel of the hood, shoulder pieces, and elastic casing as contrast. By the way, I am dying to get my hands on some of the Squeeze lemon fabric!!

It's only the beginning of spring, and this daughter is ready for summer! Pool time here we come!

Project Run and Play wants you to join the party too!! Grab some yellow and/or gray fabric and sew along! Find the giveaway details over at Project Run and Play.

Upbeet Tee Dress by Petit A Petit

You know I am a huge fan of Project Run and Play. I have participated for years from sewing along to competing to judging. The concept of Project Run and Play has grown so much under the direction of Audrey from Skirt Fixation. Project Run and Play recently released a pattern collection, Project Farmer's Market, combining patterns from multiple designers with a central theme. Each of the 10 patterns in the collection is beautifully designed. I quickly grabbed the Petit A Petit Upbeet Tee, the Sew Chibi Ichigo Bomber Jacket, and the Petit A Petit Turnip Up Trousers. This Upbeet Tee Dress might be my favorite!

The Texas wildflowers are really showing off this year. The first spotting of a Bluebonnet always makes me giddy. Even though I had a sudden onset of Spring allergies this year, I cannot help but delight in God's amazing display of creativity. 

At first the raglan style sleeve pattern piece had me scratching my head about how it would all come together. Not only are the instructions very clear, but it also sews up quickly and easily. The front gathers are the perfect feminine touch. The Upbeet Tee pattern also features a tshirt length that omits the gathers making it unisex!

The relaxed style makes wearing the dress like wearing secret pajamas.

The cocoon shaping  of the Upbeet Tee Dress adds the perfect amount of style. I sewed up the size 7 and added 3.5" in length for Tandy. You wouldn't want to add too much length or the narrow shaping at the knees might restrict movement. Also a good reason to make sure your stitch in nice and stretchy at that hem!

Look at the high/low hem detail!! 

It is hard to see at the top back in this photo, but the sleeve piece comes together with a center back seam. Be sure to check out the rest of the Project Run and Play Farmer's Market Collection. I wasn't asked to sew or promote this pattern. I'm just a huge fan!

Modkid Aubrey

The dress that first appeared in my Signature Style post for Project Run and Play has inspired the latest pattern from Modkid.

Today, we are introducing the Modkid Aubrey!!

 

The Aubrey is a simple knit dress with special details including the curved seams and a hidden kangaroo pocket. 

Pattern features include two neck binding styles and three dropped shoulder sleeve lengths; short, elbow length, and long.

Here is the extra special pocket design. Kids love the surprise when they didn't even know it was there! Both fabrics shown here are by Art Gallery Fabrics.

These fabrics happened to be scraps from my good friend Jenny! Thanks Jenny! It just goes to show that this fun design only requires minimal yardage!

You can get the Aubrey an any other pattern your heart desires for an amazing price! Coupon code AUBREY2016 gets you 40% off your entire order on our Etsy store.... this makes this and any other full-price pattern only $5.99!!! But, hurry, the coupon code expires exactly 24 hrs from now. Go ahead and stock up for the Fall! Pattern link in the comments.

Just in case you thought their modeling went unrewarded, I'll leave you with this!!