Retro Romper - Summer Vibe

The second pattern I tested from Blank Slate Patterns' Summer Vibe Collection is the Retro Romper (affiliate links).  I was immediately sold.  Didn't every little girl in the 80's wear one of these?  And unlike other 80's trends, this is one I'm happy to bring back.

The pattern has an option for a skort bottom which I think would be really cute, but I decided to start with the shorts version since it's a classic.  As with most of Blank Slate Patterns, this one came together so easily.  The longest part was making my own bias tape, but you could certainly purchase some and make the process extra fast. 

The main fabric is this striped lightweight fabric that has a tiny bit of stretch.  I have no idea what it is made of, but I've been dying to pair it with a light peachy color and I'm so happy I did.  The peach fabric is a lightweight (practically see-through) ribbed knit from JoAnn.  I used a turquoise version in my first Doli Tank.  I have other plans for this peachy-striped fabric combo so Bean will have a bit of it in her summer wardrobe.

Speaking of summer, it typically gets oppressively hot and humid here within the next month so these airy fabrics should be just enough coverage for Bean to be comfortable. 

The pattern calls for woven or knit fabric so the options for cuteness abound.  I kind of want to make one with contrasting fabric.  Although I will probably make a terry one first since I love that retro feel.

I hope you'll get the Retro Romper (affiliate link) for a little girl in your life.  Lets fill this summer with terry cloth and bias tape! (hehe)

from Instagram

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Summer Vibe Collection

It's the unofficial start to summer 2013 and the Summer Vibe Collection from Blank Slate Patterns releases today!

Melissa's newest collection includes the Retro Romper, Baja Hoody, and Big Island Board Shorts (affiliate links), but of course these pieces will work well paired with previous Blank Slate patterns.

I tested two of these three new patterns and they are sure to be summer favorites.  I had big plans for pictures of Bean in her new Baja Hoody and Retro Romper this past weekend while camping. 

sorry it looks so wrinkled!

Of course the temperature dropped on Friday and it was in the 50s the whole weekend!  So the pictures I took before the weekend will have to do.  No fun romper camping pics. 

The Baja Hoody is a great beachy cover up.  I made this one out of a lavender french terry that is nice and soft to the touch.  The bias tape is some I made using a piece of this toadstool fabric I had left over from a quilting project.  I love fun bias tape and this pattern is a great way to feature some. 

Though both the pattern picture and the test Baja Hoody I made used terry cloth, you could easily use any woven fabric to get a different look.  The neck opening is big enough that the fabric doesn't need any stretch to it. 

The next one I make will be with a sweatshirt fabric.  Maybe I'll  make the sleeves slightly shorter with elastic at the edge as well.  That's my favorite part about these patterns.  They lend easily to so many fun ideas and modifications.

I'll post some pics of the fun romper I made later this week.  The fabric combo I used is one that I am also using for another project I have in the works so I'm not ready to show it just yet, hehe.

In the meantime go get yourself the Baja Hoody pattern.

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Beachy Boatneck Dress

Earlier this year, I tested the Beachy Boatneck Shirt pattern for Blank Slate Patterns (affiliate links).  The pattern was released as part of the amazing Sun and Surf Collection, but is now sold on its own.  And it definitely stands up as a solo pattern.

This shirt I made during the testing was meant for a boy we know, but I fell in love with how comfortable it looked on Bean so we kept it, hehe.  The shirt is meant to be short sleeved or 3/4 sleeved and the original I made is the 3/4 length.  The fit is equally great for a boy or a girl.  This was a perfect transition from winter to spring.  Bean wore it around the house all the time.

I knew I wanted to make a dress version so I decided to cut up two t-shirts I had and make a panel around the chest to increase the length.  I also added a band along the bottom edge for extra color, but the original pattern has the same slight curve to the hem. 

Because I was sewing this during KCW, I decided to challenge myself a bit more so I shirred the contrast panel to give it some interest.  It looks more complicated than it is which is always fun.

Yet another easy to wear staple.  It's fun seeing my old shirts I don't wear anymore refashioned into something cute for Bean.  And the spirit behind Blank Slate Patterns (affiliate link) comes through with the tiny tweaks I made from the original.  Normally I find the "blank slate" is so great that I haven't played with changing their patterns too much.  In this case I knew the fit was perfect so I decided to take the chance. 

And I love how it turned out.

As usual, linking up to: