Acorn Valley Blog Tour // Day 5

I love it when two creative minds think alike, but with different results! On Wednesday, we had two bloggers feature the same pattern, and today, we have two bloggers featuring the same fabric pairing. Each puts their own spin on a beautiful creation.

Using the Modkid Laguna and Perfect Leggings patterns, Cassy of Pear Berry Lane made some stand out separates. But, this isn't all she created. Visit her blog for 2 additional looks!!

Shelly from Coral & Co. created a comfy and stylish dress with one of the Modkid paper patterns, the Penny. 

It's Friday! That means we are halfway through the Acorn Valley Blog tour. The good news is we will have plenty more inspiration next week! We'll also be featuring more than just clothing items from some of our bloggers. Stay tuned!!

Monday 7/11: Riley Blake & Modkid

Tuesday 7/12: Sweeter Than Cupcakes & That's Sew Kari

Wednesday 7/13: Beri Bee Design & Falafel and the Bee

Thursday 7/14: Sew and Tell Project & Handmade Martini

Friday 7/15: Coral & Co. & Pear Berry Lane

Monday 7/18: Sweet KM & 2 Little Hooligans

Tuesday 7/19: Highered Hands & Sue O'Very Designs

Wednesday 7/20: Smashed Peas and Carrots & Gingham Girls

Thursday 7/21: Flamingo Toes & Quilting Gallery

Friday 7/22: Ameroonie Designs

Laguna Sew Along // Results and Winners

The only thing better than watching sew-along participants complete a top with us is when one of those members sews with knits for her very first time!! She helps prove knits don't have to be scary, and Modkid patterns are a fantastic place to start! Grab the Laguna pattern and sew yours today!

Congratulations to Mariana Moraca for winning the participation prize of 3 PDF patterns!!

I have collected all of the sew-along posts in our Laguna Sew-Along Page, so you can access them at any time in the side bar of the blog. As always, our Modkid Fan Group loves to see what you make!

Laguna Sew-Along // Day 3

Woohoo! Time to finish up those Laguna Tops! Note: It is also the last day to use coupon code LAGUNASAL2016 for 25% off your entire Etsy purchase. The coupon code expired tonight at midnight EST.

I'll be applying the neck binding in the round, consult the pattern instructions for method A if you prefer attaching the binding flat. Place the short ends of the neck binding right sides together and stitch with a 1/2" seam allowance.

Press the seam open.

Mark the neck binding by placing a pin at the seam and directly opposite the seam. Now, quarter mark the neck binding by bringing those to pins together and pinning at the folds.

Pin the neck binding over the neck opening, right sides together, aligning the binding seam over one of the back sleeve seams. Align the 3 remaining pins on the binding with the other 3 sleeve seams. Stretch the binding between theses seams and add more pins. Stitch exactly 3/8" from the edge of the binding, all the way around the neck, overlapping and back-stitching at the end.

Press the binding up and over the raw edge folding the binding raw edge to the center. In this manner, all raw edges should be concealed. Lots of pins really helps here!!

Stitch the binding in place close to the seam. I used a twin needle, but a zigzag or stretch stitch would work well also.

With the shirt wrong side out, align both side edges of the bodice right sides together. Pin from the armscye to the bottom and stitch both sides with 1/2" seam allowance. Finish with a serger or zigzag stitch. Here you can see the fusible hem tape I like to use for hemming.

Turn the shirt right sides out. Fold and press the armscye 1/2" to the wrong side from sleeve hem to sleeve hem. The clear elastic or seam tape will be folded inside. Starting at the top of the sleeve next to the neck binding, topstitch 3/8" from the seam, hemming the armscye in the process. End the stitch line at the back side below the binding.

Hem the bottom edge of the shirt by pressing the edge to the wrong side 1" and stitching from the right side to secure. I've used a twin needle to hem. Page 16 of the pattern gives additional hemming options. Also, be sure to remove any visible basting stitches and the neck and sleeves.

Your Laguna Summer Top is complete!! Keep sewing for all 4 versions if desired!

Be sure to add photos of your completed Laguna Top to our Facebook Group before Friday, June 10th to be entered to win a prize. You can share photos on Facebook and Instagram with hashtag #lagunasewalong. We will post the winner next week!

See the rest of the Laguna Sew-Along here:

Announcement

Supplies

Schedule and Prizes

Day 1

Day 2

Laguna Sew-Along // Day 2

Today will be a relatively light sewing day, but you will be able to really see your Laguna Top take shape. Let's get started!

With the front bodice right side up on a flat surface, pin the sleeve over the bodice right sides together. Align the raw edges and the top of the sleeve at the top of the bodice armscye. Stitch with a 1/2" seam allowance backstitching at the sleeve hem.

Baste a strip of clear elastic or seam tape along the wrong side of the remaining armscye from the sleeve hem to the side seam. The added stability will make it easier to hem later.

Finish your seam with a serger or zigzag stitch from the neckline down to the bottom of the armscye. You do not want your serger blade to cut any of the seam allowance off at this seam.

Repeat with the remaining sleeve on the other side of the front bodice. Then, with right sides together, stitch the back bodice to the remaining side edge of one or both of the sleeves. Attach the elastic and finish the seam as indicated above. I will be attaching the binding in the round, so I have sewn all 4 sleeve seams. If you prefer to attach the binding flat, leave one back sleeve seam unsewn.

See the rest of the Laguna Sew-Along here:

Announcement

Supplies

Schedule and Prizes

Day 1

We’d love to see your progress!! Show us your photos in our Facebook group. You can also share photos on Facebook and Instagram tagged #lagunasewalong.

Laguna Sew-Along // Day 1

Welcome to Day 1 of the Laguna Sew-Along. We hope you have gathered your supplies. Today we are preparing our pattern and cutting out the pattern pieces. Let's get started! 

First, head to your computer and print out your pattern. Here are a few tips I like to use for printing:

• Print the instruction pages on two sides (front and back). For the Laguna pattern, these are pages 2-16. For View A you only need pages 2-7. I like to save ink by not printing the pretty cover and inspiration pages, but that’s up to you. You may even choose to not print the instructions at all and have your digital copy handy while you sew.
• Print the pattern pages 20-28 on a single side only. Check the pattern for page numbers if you are sewing a different view.  Make sure your scaling is set to “none”. 

• Above all, utilize the test squares to make sure your pattern has printed at the full scale.

Cut the pattern pieces to your desired size. Be sure to include the gray/shaded areas in your cuts. 

Overlap the shaded areas, as indicated on the pattern pieces, and tape each piece together to form the full pattern pieces. 

Use the pattern layout guide based on the view you are sewing to cut out your fabric pattern pieces. For View A, you will need the front bodice, back bodice, upper sleeve, lower sleeve, and neck binding. Note: there is no pattern piece for the neck binding. Use the measurements on page 4. Be sure to transfer the markings to the right side of your fabric. 

Sew a long basting stitch 3/8" from the edge of the fabric between the marks indicated on the pattern piece for the front bodice.

Gently pull the bobbin thread to gather this section to half of its original width. Repeat for the back bodice.

Hem the upper and lower sleeves either with a folded hem or rolled hem. For a folded hem, serge the lower edge of the sleeve with a slight gather by adjusting the differential feed. For me, the setting was 2.0. If using a sewing machine, tighten up the tension slightly so the fabric gathers along the curve. Press the hem 1/2" to the wrong side. The gathers should help the fabric press flat, but not be seen on the right side of the hem.

Stitch the hem in place with a twin needle, coverstitch, or zigzag stitch. Repeat for both upper sleeves and both lower sleeves.

Sew a long basting stitch along the upper edge of the upper sleeve only with a 3/8" seam allowance. Gather the upper sleeve to equal the width of the upper edge on the lower sleeve. Repeat for both upper sleeves.

With all right sides facing up, place the upper sleeve over the lower sleeve and baste along the upper edge and down each side edge with a 3/8" seam allowance. Repeat for the other sleeve.

We'll be back tomorrow to attach those sleeves!

See the rest of the Laguna Sew-Along here:

Announcement

Supplies

Schedule and Prizes

We’d love to see your progress!! Show us your photos in our Facebook group. You can also share photos on Facebook and Instagram tagged #lagunasewalong.

Laguna Sew-Along // Schedule and Prizes

SCHEDULE: (*subject to small changes)

Here is a breakdown of what we have in store for each day of the sew-along:

• Day 1:  Prepare the pattern. Cut and prepare the pattern pieces.
• Day 2:  Prepare and attach the sleeves.
• Day 3:  Attach the binding, finish construction, and hem the shirt.

PRIZES:

One sew-along participant will be selected at random to win three Modkid PDF patterns of their choice!!

PARTICIPATION:

Here is exactly how to participate:

• Sew along with us or at your own pace.

• Ask questions here or in our Modkid Facebook Group.

• Post progress photos in our Facebook Group or Instagram with hashtag #lagunasewalong

• Photograph your finished dress and add it to the Facebook Group. Post photos of your dress to Facebook and Instagram using the tag #lagunasewalong, so we can all find you. 

To be eligible for the grand prize, be sure to add your photos by Friday, June 10th. Please only add photos you don’t mind us sharing on the blog!

Grab your materials, wash and dry your fabrics, and get ready to sew!!

Laguna Sew-Along // Supplies

We hope you've marked your calendar to join in with our Laguna sew-along!! Today, we’re talking supplies, so you can gather what you need before we get started on June 6th.

PATTERN

Foremost, you will need the Laguna Summer Shirts Collection Pattern. Remember, coupon code LAGUNASAL2016 gets you 25% off your entire order in the Modkid Etsy store. The coupon code expires on Wednesday, June 8th at midnight EST.

Keep in mind we will be featuring View A of the pattern, however; you are welcome to sew along with any of the four options.

Suggested fabrics include: Lightweight knit fabrics with at least 25% stretch and good recover. The fabric chart is based on 58"- 60" wide fabrics. 

For View A only, you will also need 1/2 yard or less of seam tape or clear elastic to stabilize the under arm seams.

Laguna Sew Along

We knew we wanted to host a Laguna Sew-Along soon after the pattern released, but we could not decide which version to make! We put it to a vote in our Modkid Facebook Fan Group, and you guys determined View A as the one to sew. Now, here are the details for the sew-along!

DATES

The sew-along will be June 6th-8th. Put it on your calendar now! Between now and then we’ll be posting what you’ll need, the schedule, and prizes. During the sew-along we’ll tackle a few steps each day to take you through the pattern. The Laguna pattern comes with four different views to fit all of your summertime needs. We will only feature the steps for View A, but feel free to use the opportunity to sew up the view of your choice. Any view entered will have the opportunity to win! 

PRIZES

Stay tuned for the PDF prize pack details! 

HOW TO ENTER

You’ll want to post your finished top by Friday, June 10th at noon to be entered to win one of the prizes. Post your photos to the Modkid Fan Group page. Also, post photos to Facebook and Instagram using the tag #lagunasewalong and #modkid so we can all find you. 

WHERE TO BUY and COUPON

Want more good news!?! Coupon code LAGUNASAL2016 gets you 25% off your entire order in the Modkid Etsy store. That’s ANYTHING you buy in the shop not just the Laguna pattern!! The coupon code expires on Wednesday, June 8th at midnight EST. 

Introducing the Laguna Shirts Collection and Perfect Leggings

Modkid recently released some of the most versatile knit patterns that you will really need in your collection!! Let's start with the Laguna Summer Shirts Collection. 

The pattern includes 4 basic views for tons of variety. Each view begins with the same front and back piece adding to the simplicity.

These are just a few of the great tester photos. This is one of those patterns that can be used over and over all summer long!!

The pattern cover as well as the photos below feature Patty's new knit line for Riley Blake called Acorn Valley. 

The tops above are paired with the Perfect Leggings Pattern. With three cutting lengths including shorts, capri, and full length, the options can look different every time you sew. 

Don't forget about embellishments!! Patty provides instructions for rings of ruffles as well as a ruched version with a placket.

Play with different hemming options like lettuce-edge rolled hems, or use stretch trims or decorative buttons to add extra flair. Our leggings are designed with a higher rise in the back and a slimmer fit through the legs.

Grab your knits and let's get sewing!!