Just For Me January Blog Tour Day 8

Just for Me January: Sis Boom Tortola
By Not Sew Selfish

tortola_1

I’m very excited to be part of the Sis Boom Just for Me January Tour. The Sis Boom Dana pattern was the first (wearable) thing I ever made for myself. I knew how to work a sewing machine, but the instructions in most patterns went straight over my head, and the resulting garment straight into the bin. I stumbled across a sew along for the Dana top on Facebook about 4 years ago, and discovered Sis Boom patterns, full of instructions and diagrams so clear and detailed that it was like having a friend watching over my shoulder helping me the whole way. I proceeded to make pretty much every Sis Boom pattern in the range before venturing out to other designers, and I’ve never looked back. But I will always have a special place in my heart for the designer that got me started on this journey!

januarya

I’m not much of a pattern hacker … yet … that’s something I’d like to do more of this year. So for this tour, rather than changing or restyling a pattern, I wanted to share a story of how sometimes (let’s face it, often, actually!), the first time you make a new pattern for yourself, it doesn’t necessarily work out perfectly. I got the Sis Boom Tortola pattern when it was released a couple of years ago – I’d seen lots of blog posts and photos, and everyone looked great in it. There aren’t many easy top patterns around like this for wovens (i.e. no zips, no buttons, easy rather than really tailored fit), so I was excited to give it a go.

Spoiler alerts …
(1) it was worth the excitement in the end
(2) make sure you read to the end of this post for your chance to win a copy for yourself

tortola_original

This is what I made, and it’s OK, but it’s a bit… meh. There are a few issues here, and all of them down to choices and adjustments I’d made that meant it just didn’t really sing for me. So, let me take you behind the scenes on some little things that made a big difference.

Finishing reading the blog post on Not Sew Selfish

Just For Me January Blog Tour Day 6

Me, Myself & I — Oh and a friend or two!
by Troops to Tots

tot1

Here I am again on another Sis Boom blog tour! The theme for this blog tour is all about sewing for ourselves, which for me is difficult since I have two small children. Kids are so much easier, cheaper and quicker to sew for – plus they freaking grow like weeds and are constantly needing new clothes.

For this blog tour I enlisted the help of two of my friends who are novice sewers. I don’t think either of them have sewn a garment for themselves before. If you are new to sewing for yourself, you really can’t go wrong with a Sis Boom pattern, the instructions are great and very thorough. Add to that the patterns come with many basic alterations already put into the pattern! And if you know anything about Sis Boom’s blog tour, you know there are some awesome giveaway prizes, be sure to read to the bottom!!

We went to my favorite boutique shop, Mimosa Goods, to take pictures. What I love about Sarah’s shop is that she stocks items that fall in one of three categories; ethically made/fair trade, organic/earth friendly, or locally made. If you are local to central New Jersey her shop is just amazing, and it sits in the middle of downtown Bordentown – which offers lots of little shops and restaurants. If you aren’t local no worries, her little shop is online too! (And no I was not reimbursed in anyway to say all that – I just love her shop and supporting her business.)

Let me introduce you to our first model, Elaine. She sewed up the Devon using a polyknit from JoAnns. This isn’t Elaine’s first rodeo with being a part of a Sis Boom blog tour, her daughter was a model for the “Back To School” tour that was hosted in August. Her husband was also the photographer for our photo shoot – how awesome is that!

elaine4

Elaine chose to go with the gathered sleeves and ribbon tie neck options.

elaine1

In terms of being a beginner sewer, this top was fairly easy. The most difficult thing about this shirt was the fabric – oh that fabric. We actually gave up trying to sew it on her machine and used my serger and sewing machine. After that, in terms of construction, the gathers and attaching them was something Elaine and I did together. Elaine figured out the neckline with the notch on her own!! This pattern is also stellar in terms that is has a loose fit and the option to have an adjustable neckline – this really allows you to sew up a garment that you will wear.

Finish reading this blog post over on Troops to Tots….

Think SPRING

Hard to believe it’s February already! The good news is Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow today, so legend has it spring will be early this year. We sure hope so.

If you’re thinking ahead to spring and Easter, the PERFECT sewing project is our darling Shannon Dress. While you’re at it, make yourself one in one of our more popular women’s patterns, the uber flattering Carolina Mae. Both dresses would look especially spring-like in fabric from the Nostalgia collection.

Shannon Dress_fabricideas

If bright jewel tone colors are more your style, you’re going to love the Color Brigade collection. It’s coming May 2016 and we can’t wait. You’ll definitely want to celebrate summer in an easy breezy Tortola top made with fabric from the Color Brigade collection. For the young girls in your life, the Tabago Top is another must have summer staple. Thank goodness May is a just a few months away…

Tortola top _color brigade

No matter the season, we love to see what you’re doing on Facebook and Instagram. Don’t forget to share with us what you are making!