#opulentmonsters – Make it Sew with The Bear and Pea Atelier

Here we are kicking off Week 1 of the 52 week challenge, sew something warm. I was lucky enough to test a new pattern for Jennifer Jones over at Annelaine patterns (Annelaine Patterns Facebook Group) with a cowl neck option. This pattern released January 1st, so hurriedly sewed up this strike off version since this fabric was just perfect to cheer a little one during such cool weather (our highs have been hovering somewhere around 0° for the last 2 weeks) and meet the weekly item goal of sewing something warm. So getting started I had to figure out what would make the best coordinate for my I wanna be a Unicorn fabric. I went with TKB mint stars (TKB stars are one of my favorite coordinates ever, I seriously love every one I buy).

Look at that cute little llamacorn, its probably my favorite out of all the horned animals on the fabric. You can get in on the preorder at Little Lady Bug Custom Fabric Facebook Group

Collage 2017-12-30 09_31_10 — {Image: Collage with two photos side by side. The left photo is of two fabrics; a gray one with mint colored stars with a very pale blue fabric with unicorns, llamacorns, kittycorns, birds with unicorn horns, narwals and a little girl dressed as a unicorn. It say I want to be a unicorn with small stars, hearts and rainbows. All are in a toss all over the fabric. The right photo has a close up of a llamacorn being pointed out by a hand with pink nails, the rest of the images are blurred]

[Image:Bands for the cowl, cuffs and waistband. Gray fabric with mint colored stars]

[Image: sleeve and body of shirt right sides together using clips sent to me from Central TX Fabric; link posted below to the group]

[Image: sleeve of top with stars fabric cuff clipped with clips from Central TX Fabrics]

On a funny side note, I dread making cuffs. I would rather hem something any day over sewing cuffs then putting them on in the round. Because of this I have a tendency to do them first and get them out of the way so I am less likely to put it on the back burner and end up with an UFO (unfinished object). Does anyone else have issues with bands like me?

Back to the Celebration Cowl Top, it includes:

2 sleeve lengths
Turtleneck and cowl
Crossover or regular cowl
With or without bands
Shirt, tunic or dress length
With or without skirt
Sizing up to 14

On to the construction, Jennifer as always gives clear instructions but I did have to pay special attention to the crossover cowl instructions as I found the photos hard to see because of the use of the solid red fabric (and of course had I not had a pre- teen kiddo in and out of my sewing room talking to me it may have been easier to figure out the cross over portion (maybe). As a tester, I follow instructions and sew whatever is assigned to me. For this test, I got to pick and I opted for the cross over cowl, regular shirt length with bands. I am so happy I did because this top came out adorable!

[Image: photo of a top sitting on a cutting mat, the angle is take from looking across from the bottom hemline. The sleeves are folded across the chest of the shirt]

[Image: Close up of the cross over cowl neckline, you can see the sleeve is folded over the chest part of the top]

[Image: A strawberry blond headed toddler holds the top up with the cowl hanging over her hands, she has a small half smile on her face.]

It is safe to say that the little one loves it, now to capture photos of a wiggly 3.5 year old wearing her brand new top (photos were done in Ikea because it was way to cold to be outside without a coat).

[Image: Sweet pea playing, in profile, in her new top with wall toys in the cafe at Ikea]

[Image: Sweet pea pushing a cart at Ikea]

[Image: sitting at a table]

[Image: looking up]

[Image: writing on an ikea checklist]

[Image: holding her new straws]

[Image: stuffing her mouth with ikea meatballs]

[Image: showing her meatballs to momma]

Here we are kicking off Week 1 of the 52 week challenge, sew something warm. Which comes just in time with the very cold weather here in Vermont! So I got started on both a top and pants for the littlest human in the house, since she appears to be the one in need of the most amount of warm clothing. I decided I was going to use some wonderful, cuddly blue French terry from Central TX Fabrics & Crafts Facebook Group (who has the best admin team and awesome deals on a variety of fabric types – and she tries to source from US companies) and some funky animal print French terry from Opulent Monsters Fabric and Pattern Facebook Group (there are custom prints, adult prints and LA fashion fabric- which is where this fabric came from). Even though I have been hording these fabrics when the Sweet Pea picked these it caused a bit of panic because even though I have had these fabrics for a while, I have never worked with French terry before.

So French terry has a bit less stretch to work with, in this case one is 2 way stretch and the other has little to no stretch. However both get more cuddly as they are washed, which makes French terry a great choice for the cold New England winters.

20180104_101756 — [Image: Two stacks of fabric on a cutting mat. On the left is a stack with folded blue colored fabric sitting on top of green multi colored folded fabric. On the right is a pile of cut fabric with lime green, bright blue, pink and gray leopard and zebra animal print on top of blue fabric].

After looking through all my patterns I went with one pattern I have never made in my child’s size and one that is my husband’s absolute favorite for our daughter. I opted for the Paradise Pullover from Opulent Monsters pattern line and the Sansa Pant from Bella Sunshine Designs (my husband tells me any time Baby O wears these pants that she needs more!)

{Image: Blue fabric sewn into cuffs sits on top of the wild blue, green, pink, and gray animal print collar.}

{Image: a womans hand points to a blue pocket binding attached with red and white clips to the colorful fabric]

[Image;Upclose view of the pocket band and background during the construction of the Paradise Pullover.]

[Image;Colorful top taken at the angle of the waistband looking up on a flat lay. You can see the blue bands of the cuff and waistband and a cowl in the distance. The bands are blue and the rest of the top is a brightly colored animal print with lime green, blue, pink and grasy]

I love the construction of the Paradise Pullover and the way the pockets look with just a peek of color which you could use with fun contrasting colors. I opted for the collar with the front pockets in a size 3/4 (sizing runs 3/6m- 13/14) and doubled the waistband width to allow for a bigger band at the bottom.

The Sansa pants run 6m-12 for the girls and 0-30 for ladies. I am totally going to have to get me some more of the blue French terry so Baby O and I can be twinsies. They are the cutest flare shape and fit my tiny girl perfectly, even with using the French terry with less give. I did 2t waist (she measures the 18mo) blended to the 3t height and rise length (since she’s still in diapers.)

[image: Flat lay of the Paradise pull over, the left arm rests at chest level and the right is in the right pocket]

[image: Paradise pullover on top of the pants for a full outfit flat lay]

[Image: Blue flared pants folded in half so you can see the profile view on top of the Paradise Pullover]

I truly loved making this outfit for baby girl because of the funky print but also because of the fit. The Opulent Monsters pattern is a nice gender neutral top that is slim cut, which is very nice for a more petite child , like Sweet Pea. Bella Sunshine Designs does a fabulous job drafting patterns and making sure that the pattern instructions are clear and well thought out. I love the slim through the thigh fit and look of these pants. What is even more impressive is that from taping to finished product this outfit took 2hrs and 3 minutes (it only took me 18 minutes to sew the Sansa pants, and I assume would probably take way less time if I wasn’t one to press my items all the time).

[Image; Baby O with her hair in messy pigtails rests her hands on her knees in a squat position making a silly face at the camera]

[Image: Baby O in profile facing to the left with her hands in the pocket of the Paradise Pullover. She is looking down]

[Image: Baby O with her hands in her pocket from the right side]

[Images; Olivia looks up and to the right in the close up so you can see the cowl style cross over collar of her top]

[Image:Baby O holds a bucket toy while she plays in her new outfit]

[Image: Baby O pulls balls out of her Mr. Bucket toy while sitting on the floor. One leg is tucked close to her body the other is straight out next to the Mr. Bucket]

I am pretty sure that this outfit is a success since she saw it, said for me and immediately stripped down to put it on. I love the fit of the entire outfit and was pleasantly surprised at how much more stable in hand the French terry feels when sewing than a regular cotton lycra does- if you decide to make either item, let me know how it goes and what you think!

****this post may contain affiliate links

Want to stay up to date on the rest of the blogs covered this month in Sewing by Ti? Check them out below!

Monday, January 1st: Introduction- Sewing by Ti

2nd With Love In Every Stitch

3rd FABulous Home Sewn

4th Kathys Kwilts and More

5th The Fairy Dust Bin

6th The Bear and Pea Atelier

*** You are here. 😀

Sunday, January 7th: Minn’s Things

8th Lilla Gumma

9th Threadistry