Bella Sunshine Designs Birthday Blog Tour

I'm so happy to be a stop on the First Birthday Blog Tour for Bella Sunshine Designs! Its so fun to take a pattern and give it new life. Its actually a favorite past time of mine. Why keep printing new patterns, not knowing if it is going to fit? Just grab something you know works and then transform it into something new and beautiful.

When I first signed up for the Bella Sunshine Designs Blog Tour I initially thought I'd grab one of the pretty dresses, pop on a zipper in the front, pleat the skirt, add an applique and bam, new look, versatile pattern, blah blah blah. Then I had my coming to Jesus moment. My youngest needs a new dress like she needs candy for breakfast. So back to the drawing board.

Now Bella Sunshine Designs doesn't have a lot of patterns, yet. But I had reviewed the Gabriella's Winter Coat, and had a really good idea of what I could expect. So the skirts look simple, which makes for an easy hack because you can basically do anything to it. But I wanted a challenge. Something that would push me to a place I'd never been before, because over the top isn't usually my thing.

And then I realized, leggings. No one ever picks the leggings. What can you even do with leggings? And then I was thinking, is 1 version of leggings enough? And of course 1 pair isn't enough. Because leggings are fun, leggings are versatile and leggings are COMFY! I am SO glad I picked the leggings. This pattern is a bit like the ultimate legging pattern, the One Legging To Rule Them All. (Shameless LOTR/Hobbit Reference).

Let me start by saying BSD is a designer after my own heart. The BSD Bow Tie Leggings pattern includes 2 different leggings choices in regular and slim fit pants for sizes 12 months through size 10. The pattern includes 4 lengths, mini, knee, capri and pant, AND finished inseam measurements! No more trying to guess which length to use with which width (my kids don't fit straight into 1 size). Since we are still well in the depths of winter here, I'm sticking with the legging length. Please note that this leggings pattern includes a fabulous way of doing the elastic waistband so that there is no elastic touching the skin. My daughter was super excited to put these on and realize that there was nothing my smooth fabric on her skin. And no making a casing either. Fast, easy and as comfy as a yoga waistband.

Now I will confess, I myself have a leggings "problem". I own 15 different pairs. <hangs head in shame> I could change my leggings twice a day and still have more leggings. Plain leggings, fleece lined leggings, leggings with chevrons, leggings with tiger stripes, ALL THE LEGGINGS. And my middle girl loves leggings too. So I indulge her. And she couldn't be happier to get another pair of leggings. So how can we add "fancy" to leggings?
1- Ruffle Hem
2- Cuffed Hem
3- Ruffle Waist
4- Skirt

Yup, you can do all these things with just a tiny bit of adjusting. And don't forget that super cute bow. So if we did each of the options above 4, with and without bows 2, with 4 separate lengths, and 2 different styles, this pattern makes for 64 different variations. Feeling excited about leggings now? I know I am!

So, how'd I do this ruffled hem? Its SO easy. Cut out the leggings pattern using the capri length cut line. Measure the full width of the pattern piece at the capri cut line. For the size 5, the measurement was around 9.75. Multiply this width by 1.5 or 2 (I used 1.5 for this pair). For length, I used the length of the pattern from capri cutline to hem. Please note, that I knew the leggings were slightly too long for my girl because of the inseam measurements on the pattern.You will now cut a rectangle the width X length. Gather and attach to leggings.

Boom, instant fancy leggings. Add in a super cute dress or tunic and you're done. (My dress here is the Patterns for Pirates Ruffled Dubloon).

So it wouldn't be one of my pattern reviews if I didn't say anything negative, and I try to never disappoint my readers. Ready? I hate the 5/8 seam allowance that is used on this pattern. Leggings don't need 5/8" seam allowances. My serger doesn't have a mark for 5/8 seam allowances. AND, my sewing machine does stretch stitch from the far left of my foot, so it isn't easy to figure out the 5/8" seam allowance mark on my faceplate. AND AND, 5/8" seam allowance wastes fabric. :(

But, that isn't going to stop me from using this pattern. Why? Because for the first time in her life, my 7 year old is willing to wear these leggings! She loves the slim fit pant and can wear them under dresses. She can wear them with tunics. She can wear them to all the things. I only wish I had found these sooner.

Enough about me and my pattern review, this is a blog tour. I know, its hard to believe I'm not the only blogger out there. ;) A HUGE blog tour with prize giveaways and lots of blog posts. Included below you have the list of all the bloggers that are participating in the blog tour. There's the amazing list of giveaways. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to register to win, but these prizes are too good to pass up! And then way down at the bottom, there is of course a fabulous coupon code for Bella Sunshine Designs. But if that isn't enough, there's also coupon codes for fabric. I don't know about you, but I've never had enough fabric! I can't wait to see what everyone is going to sew up for the tour. And be sure to check back regularly at the Bella Sunshine Designs Blog, for updates and sneek peaks for the 2 new releases!

Bella Sunshine Designs Birthday Blog Tour

Featured Bloggers:

Sponsors:

Prize Number 1:

Prize Number 2 (Just for the USA):

Prize Number 3:

Enter the giveaway:

Hurry, the giveaway ends on Sunday, February 28th at midnight! a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Celebration Sales:

Mabel Madison - 10% off their website with coupon code BELLABIRTHDAY until February 29th. Sew It Seams - 15% off their website with coupon code BELLASUN until February 29th. And of course, you can get 40% off all Bella Sunshine Designs patterns on our website until February 29th. No coupon code needed! Ready for one more surprise? Check the Bella Sunshine Designs's website on Friday for a new release or two!