I went to look for my post about this outfit I made for J late last fall, but I realized that while I blogged about it for the (now inoperable) Sew the Show blog, I never wrote about it here!
Well, time to change that 🙂
I hope everyone is having a great summer! Â We’ve been spending a lot of time at the pool, and the summer is passing much more quickly than I would like. Â I always feel like I spend the entire year waiting for the warm, balmy days of summer, and then I blink and it’s over. Â That’s not helped by the fact that I still have to work full-time all summer long. Â Maybe someday that will change, but not anytime soon 
But on to the topic at hand!  I have found myself in dire need of workout shorts, which led me to sign up to test the recently-released V(ery) Hot Pants (affiliate link) from KBSD.
Well, I’m popping in for a post today because it happens to be my stop on the Pool Side Beach Party tour hosted by Lulu & Celeste  and Sprouting Jube Jube.  And be sure to read all the way to the end for oodles of coupon codes and prizes!
When they announced this tour, I was intrigued because I’ve been meaning to make some swimsuits for ages, and even have a nice little stash of swim fabric stocked up. Â It seemed like a good chance to jump on that boat!
But of course you need to actually get to a summer pool or beach party, and I at least like to wear something over my suit while in transit. Â Enter my new summer love — the Grainline Penny Raglan:
Two posts in one day! Â How did y’all get so lucky?
So this is fairly unusual for me, but I tested a pattern last week that is releasing today, so of course I had to put my two cents in along with the release. Â Yeah, yeah, I know I said I was done with pattern testing for a while, and yet here I am testing another pattern. Â (And don’t tell anyone I told you, but I am testing yet another pattern as we speak!).
This is The Only Tee (affiliate link), the new release from KBSD.  It’s the “only tee” you’ll ever need — get it?
A few months ago, I learned about a relatively new and new-to-me pattern company called Koerbs Brothers Stitch Designs, or KBSD.  Well since that time, I’ve had the opportunity to work with Stephanie, the designer, both by testing some of her new patterns, as well as blog features.  And today I’m very happy to help Stephanie celebrate KBSD’s first birthday! (FYI — be sure to make it to the end for the giveaway and coupon code!)
For the birthday celebration, I’m featuring a couple of my past makes from the KBSD Bayside Bateau sweater pattern (affiliate link).
Would you ever have thought you’d get two activewear posts in a row on this blog? Â I sure didn’t. Â But that’s the way it’s worked out this month!
Anywhoo, I was a tester for the new KBSD top (affiliate link) that is releasing today — the Cut Out Active Top (affiliate link):
Hey there peeps, it’s been a while hasn’t it! I sure hope that all you Americans had a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday, and that all Black Friday shopping is successfully underway.
Speaking of Black Friday … I did a little spur-of-the-moment pattern testing this week for a new pattern releasing today!
This is the Bayside Bateau Sweater, just released by KBSD Patterns. It’s a quick, simple sew, but a fabulous wardrobe builder, particularly for an office wardrobe. And there’s a little party going on in the back:
I love me a good hip-length sweater, so I jumped on the chance to test this pattern. This is actually the first KBSD pattern I’ve completed (even though I have a couple others printed and waiting for me to stitch them up). It was an overall pleasant experience! Stephanie is so responsive and considerate of her testers. This pattern went through several versions and revisions before the final product, though most of the revisions didn’t affect the size M that I made. No complaints here either — the fit was pretty much spot on for me!
This sweater is actually reversible. it’s drafted with the scoop in the back, but you can easily switch that around to have the scoop neckline in front. Stephanie even redrafted the sleeve and armscyce to make it fully reversible. It’s always nice to have options!
Speaking of options, the pattern includes another length (cropped) as well as another sleeve length (3/4).
My fabric is a lovely soft cotton/rayon blend that I picked up from Girl Charlee ages ago. It’s been hanging out in my stash waiting to be made into a t-shirt, and I finally pulled it out for this project. It’s nice and soft and super comfy to wear.
It’s only going to get colder here before it gets warmer (boo!) so I’d like to add a couple more of these to my work wardrobe, preferably in a cozy sweater knit!
Pattern: Bayside Bateau Sweater by KBSD Patterns.
Cost: $6.00 USD
Size: M.
Fabric: Cotton rayon blend from Girl Charlee
Difficulty: Knits beginner.
Techniques required: Sewing with knits, attaching neckband and cuffs, setting in a sleeve.
Similar patterns: Seamwork Astoria, Bluegingerdoll Bonny Sweater.
Modifications: None. I always make a pattern as drafted when testing. Lucky for me, I didn’t need any modifications!
Fit: Wonderful. I’m very pleased with how well this pattern fits straight out of the envelope. Absolutely no fit alterations needed!
Pattern Format: PDF. The PDF is pretty manageable. I think it’s about 21 pages total, which is pretty darn good for an adult pattern.
Pros:
Cons:
Overall Grade: A. This is a great pattern from this relatively new pattern designer. I’ve been discovering all kinds of new designers lately, and it’s nice to have so many expanded options!
the creative counselor 