Honestly, the last few months have been tough and this week has been especially stressful which made it difficult to sit down and write a post this week. Sometimes, refashioning and sewing is just the stress relief that I need but when faced with the technical aspect of sharing, sometimes I get a little stumped and procrastinate. I didn't know what I was going to say about this dress all week so, I've prayed about it and am hoping that the words flow and resonates with your heart, too.

Holiday Style: DIY Navy & White Lace Dress from a Tablecloth + Refashion Tutorial

Last week I was thinking about what I was going to wear for the 4th of July and try as I might, my mind just kept drawing a blank. I will confess that I am awful and will usually buy something new for the holidays (because - dresses!) but this year has been crazy and that option wasn't really on the table. However, what was on the table (literally) was a tablecloth that I meant to sew last month and just didn't have the time to get to. I purchased this tablecloth at Value Village a few months ago for $4.99 and really liked the design in the center as well as the floral design around the border. Immediately, I thought of making a spring dress, lined with mint, and a scalloped laced hem. Needless to say, spring flew by and the tablecloth remained just that.

The Peasant Top: How to Refashion this Season's Hottest Trend

It's been awhile! Life has been crazy lately - then again, I always say this. If you've been following my social media then you know that Hugo and I were off having a blast exploring Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. Coming back from vacation and transitioning back into everyday life hasn't been easy, especially with all of the rain we've been having still - yuck! Adulting can wait, right?

Since it's been taking me awhile to get back into a routine, what better way to get back to it than a diy of this season's hottest trend? Every where you look, the 70's inspired peasant top seems to be  all the rage and the options are limitless! I'm finding a new love for 70s with their high-waisted flares, jumpsuits, free-flowing tops and dresses, and I've been wanting a peasant top ever since they found their way to stores earlier this year. Luckily these are really easy to sew yourself!

I found this maxi skirt a couple of months ago when I made a trip to my local Value Village. I was rather surprised to find it on the rack, especially since it was only a $1.99! The embroidery is so pretty and I fell in love with it immediately. Plus, the waist was smocked so it made it all the easier to transition into a cute top. Here's a good look at the before! 

Hello Dear Kids: A Romper Pattern Review

This week I want to talk about Hello Dear Kids' romper pattern (R18)! I've been following Hello Dear Kids on Instagram for the longest time and am constantly impressed with Mijeong Jeong's designs but I hesitated in purchasing an online pattern because I didn't know what to expect - especially with mixed reviews on Etsy.

After checking Joanns for a toddler boy romper pattern, and not finding what I had in mind, I decided to purchase the Hello Dear Kids' pattern (R18) a few days before Easter. A couple of months ago, I purchased a yellow and white seersucker fabric for $2.99 from the thrift store and it was perfect for this romper design! I was really excited to give it a try and I am really glad that I did!

So let's talk about pattern details, pros/cons, and those mixed Etsy reviews.

Pattern:

• The pattern is available for immediate download & is non-refundable. 
• If purchasing a bundle of patterns, you can use a shop code to receive a discount for bulk purchases. 
• Sizes 6 months - 7 years are included - yayyyerr! 
• Sizes true to commercial sizing.
• The files are divided into 2 parts: tutorial & pattern 
• The pattern pieces include a seam allowance and instructions clearly illustrate how to assemble the pieces. A measurement check is also included. Pieces do not include notches or button hole placements. 
• The tutorial offers step by step instructions with pictures prompting you as you go.  

Pros & Cons:

Pro:

• The design is adorable. I love how traditional yet trendy it is. Plus, this is a GREAT way to create a summer capsule wardrobe for your little one. 
• There are so many sizes included! The sizing was also perfect - Hugo wears a commercial size 2T and the 2-3T option was just the right size.
• I also love that the design is unisex. I just see myself getting so much use out of this pattern!
• The instant download is really convenient and pictures of the process eliminates guess work. 
• The rompers sew really quickly and can be sewn in an evening.

Con:

• The only thing that I really didn't like is the lack of button hole placement. It would have saved time if they were included and improved accuracy. 

Etsy Reviews:

• No seam allowance included: I think that Hello Dear Kids went back and modified the pattern to add a seam allowance because the seam allowance is clearly marked. 
• Complaints about spelling/English: I didn't think this was a fair comment, you can clearly understand the meaning that is being conveyed. 
• A lot of guess work/not for a beginner: If you're relatively new to patterns and sewing, this pattern may not be for you. Honestly, I didn't experience any difficulties but since notches and button hole placements aren't included, I could see how this could be a challenge for a beginner.
• Don't cut the waistband on the fold: I also saw a lot of comments in the reviews discussing whether or not to cut the waist band on the fold despite the pattern saying that it should. I followed the assembly instructions, cut on the fold, and it worked well for me.

Overall, I love this pattern and I plan to use it again soon. Hello Dear Kids has a lot of really cute patterns out there that I want to try and I can't wait to add them to my pattern collection. Now, I just have to chose which one should be next! Let me know if you have any suggestions! 

Look Expensive on a Budget: A DIY Lace Curtain Refashion + Simplicity 1099

So far, April has been my favorite month this year. It's the right kind of busy where there is always something to look forward to or do. The Tulip Festival is currently running, the farm reopened, Easter is right around the corner, and the Spring Fair is at the end of the month. There are so many things to show the little bear and our weekends are quickly filling with activities - just the way that I like it!

While we aren't out, enjoying our breaks of sunshine, I've been working on spring and summer inspired projects! There's something about transitional seasons that really inspires me to sew. I love getting a break from a dark color palette and seeing the stores filled with pastels, florals, skirts, dresses and heels. Unfortunately, my account has also felt the crunch this time of year because of my love for all of those things [Insert the saddest face] However, I have learned that you can indulge a little and still maintain your budget without sacrificing taste or quality which brings me to these lace curtain panels that I found at Value Village for $2.50