The Roho Blouse

I am excited to share all the beautiful Roho blouses from the testers. The pattern can be purchased here. The Roho blouse is a loose-fitting raglan top made for lightweight to mid-weight woven fabrics with drape. The blouse is a wardrobe staple and can be styled many different ways, depending on your mood for the day. It’s a perfect to lounge around on weekends. Pair it with a skirt or trousers and it’s suitable for the office.

Image belongs to Jen of desert_blooms

The London Backpacks by LBG Studio

The girls and I were shopping at Target when they came across cute backpacks they wanted to buy for our trip to Ukraine. I heard myself saying, "I can make backpacks for you." Don't ask, I have no idea what possessed me to utter such strange words. lol I quickly realized that it would be way more expensive, never mind time consuming, to actually make backpacks. I was hoping they would forget. They didn't. Luckily for me, my good friend Vanessa of LBG Studio is an excellent bags pattern designer, and she has a perfect backpack pattern, the London Backpack. Yeah! To keep the costs down I had my girls choose all the fabric from my stash.

Summer Dresses

My youngest requested a new dress, and then my oldest declared that she would like one too. It was a bit of a surprised since she doesn't like wearing dresses. I decided I better oblige before she changes her mind. They both love their new dresses. If you have a child who is not into wearing dresses, do try my Eleena pattern. It's so pretty yet super comfy to wear. If you make in in super soft double gauze like I did, it becomes secret pjs.

The Nina Blouse Pattern as a Dress

I always thought I would have a girl who is into wearing dresses, because I always loved dresses. Of course, I got Ania who would be just fine if she never had to wear a dress in her life. By the time I was pregnant with Evelyn, I thought with two brothers and a tomboy sister, there is no way she will be into girly things. I was wrong. The child loves dresses and wears one every single day. So I knew if I wanted her to wear my new pattern, The Nina Blouse, I'd better turn it into a dress.

Ottobre Shirt 4/2016 Issue

I bought the monster fabric years ago, It's by Paapi design and I am not sure if it's available any longer. I couldn't resist the monsters. Aren't they the cutest ever. At the time it was sold out pretty quickly and was only available in purple, so it was meant for little Ania.

The Nina Pattern Tour, Day 8

Today is the last day of the Nina pattern tour. I enjoy immensely seeing different versions of my patterns. I love how something that was born in my head transforms into so many unique and beautiful creations. It can be challenging to have your own business, but this is what makes me want to do more and work harder. I love the creative aspect. Ok, now more practical matters, take 20% off your total purchase with Ninapatterntour discount code. It expires today at midnight, Central time. Shop here. 

Toya of Made by Toya is an incredibly talented and creative person. Everything she makes oozes coolness. I love the two Nina shirts she made for the twins. The fabric is perfect for summer. See more here.

The Lotte Martens Blog Tour

I am so excite to participate in the Lotte Martens blog tour. Lotte Martens is a Belgian textile designer. All the fabrics are designed and handprinted by Lotte Martens herself. Every fabric is one of a kind. I am humbled that I was asked to sew with such beautiful creations. The fabric came from their latest line, Party Animals.  I used Vuurdoorn 08. 

The Nina Pattern Tour, Day 7

Such amazing Nina bouses today! I am really loving this tour, and very grateful Claudia organized it! The Ninapatterntour 20% discount code is about to expire. It's good on anything you buy! Shop here.

I am in love with the whole look from Linnea of Lilla Gumma. Not only Linnea makes the most beautiful clothes, she also takes gorgeous pictures. Definitely visit her blog! Isn't her blouse just stunning. See more here.

Zoe is a super cool blogger from Belgium who currently lives in Malaysia. Her blog, Zowiezohandmade is full of stylish and trendy creations. I love how effortlessly cool her makes are. Love the whole look! See more here. 

Dagjort from By Dagbjort is originally from Iceland but lives in Norway now. She made quite a few of Coffee+Thread patterns and the results are always fantastic! Today is no exception. Love the bright and happy Nina. See more here.

I always love what Brooke of Idle Sunshine makes.  She comes from Australia and to me her makes are full of sunshine and happiness. See more on her blog.

Claudia, the organizer of the tour, doesn't have a blog, but she does have an awesome Instagram account, frl.love. She is from Germany and sews for her daughters. I love everything she makes, it's always practical yet cool and trendy. Absolutely in love with the two cool Nina pattern remixes. Awesome! 

The Nina Blouse Pattern Tour, Day 6

I love how different and fun the Nina blouses are today! If you've never used any of Coffee&Thread patterns, this is a good time to try! Take 20% off your total purchase with the 'Ninapatterntour' discount code.

First up is Barbara of Lilliepawillie who is originally from Belgium, but they moved to the US about a year and a half ago. And recently they have moved again, this time to Trinidad & Tobago! I am in love with her Nina, it has such cool Caribbean vibe! I can't wait to see more. Go here!

The Nina Blouse Pattern Tour, Day 5

More wonderful Nina blouses for you today! Use 'Ninapatterntour' code to get 20% off your total purchase. Shop here.

First up is Qwinta of Larth. I love everything she makes. Qwinta has such great taste and her daughter is such a fun model! See more pictures here.

The Nina Blouse Tour, Day 4

More beautiful Ninas today! I love all the Nina blouses and can't' wait to see more pictures!  Way to go ladies! Don't forget to get 20% off your total purchase with the NINAPATTERNTOUR code.

I am pretty sure Courtney of Sweeter than Cupcake has been blogging as long as I have been. I first discovered her blog years ago when we both tested the same pattern. Our oldest daughters are similar in age. I love Courtney's style, very classic and sweet, but not too sugary. How gorgeous is her Nina, go here for more pictures.

The Nina Blouse Pattern Tour, Day 3

Today is the third day of the Nina pattern tour, and all the Ninas are amazing. Can't wait to see more! Get 20% off your total purchase at Coffee &Thread store with the NINAPATTERNTOUR discount code. And thank you Claudia of frl.love for organizing such an amazing tour!

First up is lovely Rita from The Bag of Unexpected. Last year (or was it two years ago) Rita's family traveled around the world for the whole year. How awesome is that! She seems like such a fun and friendly person. I hope to meet her in person one day! Love the Nina blouse she made! See more here. 

The Nia Blouse Pattern Tour, Day 2

I am so excited to show all the Ninas today! Don't forget to use the NINAPATTERNTOUR code to get 20% off your entire order. Shop HERE.

I love everything Sofie of Zijkant makes, she has such great taste! I gasped when I saw this version.  I am so in love with this remix! I am so copying it! So gorgeous and unexpected! See more here, she also promised a tutorial explaining how she did it! 

The Nina Blouse Tour, Day 1

I am excited to introduce the Nina blouse pattern tour! When the pattern was in testing, Claudia of @fr.love asked me if I was planning to do the pattern tour. I wasn't going to since it takes quite a bit of time to plan and I was swamped with work and other obligations. She kindly offered to organize it for me. How nice is that! She also asked the most talented ladies to participate. Yeah! and of course no tour is without the sale! Get 20% off the total purchase with NINAPATTERNTOUR.

The Catherine Cardigan Turned Dress by Sewpony

It's my turn on the Catherine cardigan tour. You can purchase the pattern here, use the CATHERINE15 code to get a 15% discount. I really like the design of the cardigan and was happy to be invited to the tour. However both of my girls have plenty of cardigans for now. My youngest is obsessed with dresses. What a sewing mother to do, turn the cardigan into a dress, of course.

The Nina Blouse Release

The Nina blouse is in the shop and on sale for only $6.50 through Thursday, February 15th. I made the first prototype (see it here) of the pattern last fall. I wasn't sure if I wanted to grade it to multiple sizes and offer it for sale, but as Ania kept choosing to wear it, I fell more and more in love with the sweet details of the blouse. It is all done now and I am excited to share all the tester versions with you today.  All the ladies blew me away with their beautiful work!

The Sirocco Top and Dress Tester Photos

I am so excited to share with all of you tops and dresses made by the wonderful Sirocco Top/Dress testers.  I am always lucky to have great ladies who make the most beautiful things testing for me. This round was no exception.

Ines Inspired

I am giddy with excitement as I type this. This blog post is a surprise for a dear friend! When Sara of Made by Sara included me in her invitation to participate in a special surprise event for Ines of La Folie, I immediately agreed. Today we are trying to imitate Ines's style because she is awesome! The graphic was created by the super talented Toya!

Fit and Bloom Fabric Tour

I am excited to kick off a Fit and Bloom fabric tour. The line was designed by Patty Young for Riley Blake fabrics. I got the privilege to work with two  selections and I am very pleased with the results.

The Geneva Cardigans for the Oldest

I don't sew much for my boys, though I should, they are the most grateful recipients. My oldest needed a few hoodies/sweatshirts since he lost every single one during last school year. I made him two Geneva cardigans and he'd better not lose them. Just saying. lol The pattern is mine and can be purchased here.