Pattern Review

 Sapphire by Little Kiwi's Closet 

I can’t wait to tell you about the Sapphire Tee from Little Kiwi’s Closet!

Having a great deal of love for the Little Kiwi’s Closet Royal-Tee (check out my reviewhere) I knew I’d love the Sapphire! It has the same great princess seam design in the bodice but with a raglan twist.

So you own the Royal-Tee, do you really need this too? Simple answer, Yes! … but read this first!

The Sapphire Tee boasts two silhouette options (with a looser fit curve hem and a swing a-line shape) there are multiple length options and, as is expected in a tee style, sleeve length options too. It also has a cute panel option for the back (see my last photo). 

I very easily chose to sew the t-shirt (hip length) swing style as I have some new jeans I love, and I’ve been looking for the perfect tee which is fitted on the bust and loose on the belly – the Sapphire does not disappoint!

I opted for the PDF a4 print out option which required some sticking together (my preference is a glue stick – more on that later in the blog). Little Kiwi patterns are quick to put together because of the seamless design – just make sure you’re printing at 100%!

I’ll admit, there was a part of the PDF I found confusing but that’s my fault for not fully reading the instructions. My advice if you’re a beginner PDF user is read the instructions fully first before printing, cutting or taping together! On page 6 it says to tape the front neck piece to the top back piece. Make sure you follow that instructions.

The other thing that was a bit annoying was working out what pages to print. This might not be an issue for many of you if you’re planning on printing the pattern in its entirety; but I know that I will be very, very unlikely to ever use the Maxi dress length. Because of this, in my attempt to save paper I tried working out what pages I didn’t need to print. This was too confusing because the pattern pieces are numbered 1 – 56 (logically) however they start at page 14 on the PDF printable (which means pattern page 1 is actually page 14). The print chart is easy to follow if you’re planning on printing the whole length for the swing option (instead of just hip length like me).

I do want to highlight that the intro information is concise and usefully describes the kind of fabric to use, stitch options and the finished fit. The instructions helpfully include photographed steps.

In terms of the steps, here are some tips:

Tips for step #1 (sewing the panels): line up the pieces at the bottom and sew from the hem line up – this way you have the right amount of overhang at the top (that little ¼” triangle Lydia talks about at the top).

Tips for step #2 (insert sleeves): I cut a triangle notch in my “back” part of the sleeve when cutting out the pattern- this helped me remember what is front and back of the sleeves. Do the same for the main bodice pieces if your fabric is the same and you’re likely to get confused.

Step #3 – I don’t have tips – it’s straight forward to follow

Tips for step #4 (attaching the neck binding): The instructions show how to do a binding option; this creates a beautiful and tidy finish! Like Lydia says in her instructions the ‘cuff method’ is a quick and easy neck binding. This method isn’t explained here but is set out in many of Little Kiwi’s Closet’s other patterns I’ve also tried to explain it below.

Step #5 (Hems and sleeve cuffs): I don’t need to give tips here the hem was easy enough to do because I chose the swing style which gives a pretty straight hemline. I admit I do struggle from time to time with those fiddly curved hemlines so would totally recommend you invest in some iron on hemming tape and agree with Lydia’s points that you should PIN WELL.  

Sew time was really short, bear in mind I’d say I’m an “intermediate sewer” (but very comfortable with knit fabric) so I tend to sew without pinning. I also predominately use an overlocker (serger for the American readers) and this creates a tidy but strong finish on the seams.

 The only downside is that the pattern doesn't come with a plain back option. But don't worry, I've got a hack coming up in my next post for a solid coloured back piece.

So here we have it - a stunning and vibrant Sapphire.

Oh yeah, the sleeves are super short as there wasn't quite enough fabric and I didn't properly hem this one as it was my "tester" (new photos of a flash sapphire posted on Monday!). 

And yeah, I did make Sleep Shorts with the tiny off-cuts, hence they're so short. But isn't it a cute set! 

You can check out the pattern and the ‘tester sewists’ photos right here!  You can also purchase this tee for the Mini's in your life; or get the bundle if you wanted to make mama kid matching.  *this is an affiliate link which means I will make a small commission at no cost to the buyer.

This is just a cheapie 100% cotton knit from spotlight. 

Do you think you’d like to give it a try? What fabric do you think I should sew this with next!? Drop a comment down below.

Cuff method Neck Band:

Basically you want to fold your neckband in half right sides together, sew down the short raw edge. Fold in half wrong sides together so the neckband looks like it will on the finished garment. Then with your top inside out slide the neckband inside placing fabric right sides together, raw seams aligned.

To make sure this is even; I divide my neckband and the top neckline into four parts (when I was a beginner I did more). I use clips to mark this and clip neckband to garment neckline. 

So I find the centre back of the top (by folding shoulder to shoulder) and clip the neckband seam to the centre back. 

Using the centre seam I pull back to find the “front centre” and clip. 

I again fold my garment in half to find the ‘centre front’. Then matchup the two clips and pull the sides out flat, this will give you an equally spaced section for clips three and four.

When putting the neckband into your inside out garment match up the clips and stretch between each section while you sew.

A 2021 Nail Art Recreation:
Recreating my first Nail Art design 

So as I enter 2021 I thought it was time to look back through some of my older posts. 

Here's one I found from 2012. My first ever attempt at nail art.

Then on to 2014 saw me deep in my nail art obsession. I went through a phase of recreation (don't ask me why).

Here is the recreation I painted in 2014; a vast improvement on the original design! 

I sit here with even more knowledge of how to keep my hand stable, how to clean up the cuticles, and even a great deal of improvement of how to take nail polish photos! (despite my current phone being less than the best ::cough it's not an iphone cough::)

Now on to present day. A 2021 attempt to recreate - almost NINE years since my first nail art design was published!! 

If I'm honest, I don't love these. The design was fun but it's possible the colour combo that's throwing me off.  

Annnnnnnd thanks again Revlon Red for that wicked smudge on my pinky nail! (Gah!) 

So whadda ya think? 

To those of you starting out, I say: Don't give up. Don't be intimidated by other nail artists who have been at the game a long time. It takes practice and patience to develop your skills. Keep doing what you love! Keep your hand resting on the table to stay steady, invest in a good brush, get a good top coat and find a way you like to clean your cuticles. 

so dear reader, you love nail polish and still do, or maybe you've gradually parted ways with what was once a huge passion in your life? Whatever the case; Maybe it's time you recreated your first nail art design? Tag me on your socials or pop a comment down below if you do! I'd love to see how you get on :D

💖Hannah 

**while I've got you I'd super dooper love it if you were to like or follow me on instagram and facebook. Even better if you show some love by liking and commenting - this helps me share my content with even more like minded people!

Upcycling Pyjamas 

So you love the fabric but the fits all wrong? You’re over the item but the colour suits you so well?

It’s time to upcycle!

It’s time to upcycle! This is a Hanna Andersson nighty which I turned into some cute shortie PJs using the Halla Sleep Shorts pattern (read to the bottom to get it free!) . Let me start by saying I LOVE the print of this nighty and the fabric from Hanna Andersson as always is luscious and soft.

My mama kindly gave me this nighty with a matching set for my Tiny Knights. The downside – It’s long sleeve and long length. I hate getting too hot when sleeping so despite how much I love the print it was just too hot (and too big) for night time use.

To do this up-cycle I started with my favourite PJ shorts pattern; the sleep shorts by Halla Patterns (it’s a freebie and yes, you need it!)

I thought I was soooo clever and used the hemline of the nighty as the hemline of the shorts (oh yeah! No hemming!!!) 

I laid the pattern against my inside out nighty to check I could fit both a t-shirt and shorts out of the nighty. I actually ended up adding length to the shorts (because yes, the nighty was THAT long). I also took one of my favourite tee patterns (Hey Babie by Halla - which features in these posts) and laid it against the shoulder to get the right length.

Being the hacker I am, I decided to do “cheat cuffs” to the hem line and sleeves so I didn’t have to do any hemming (talk about avoidant!). *if you want to learn more about “Cheat Cuffs” let me know below and I’ll make a dedicated blog post.

So my up-cycled t-shirt included a couple extra inches (like 3”) so I could double fold the bottom.

I used my overlocker (serger for the Americans) to sew the shorts as per the pattern (skipping the hemming) and sew around the hem band and sleeve hem cuff bands.

And voila, I love the finished set! I can see myself up-cycling much more in my future! Plus, I’ve got more Hanna Andersson nighties that are a bit to big for me. 

So what do you think? Love it or leave it?

Are you going to give up-cycling a shot?

If Upcycliing is your thing then you may love this facebook group: Upcycling Sewing

You can get the Sleep Shorts Pattern Here; and as promised get a free copy by joining the amazing Halla facebook community here (yes! it's genuinely great).