Meet My Twin

I was happy to receive a hand-me-down dress form awhile back.  She is adjustable at the neck, bust, waist, hips & height and has a hemming tool...pretty cool!  Unfortunately,  I am broader, thicker and wider than her in every direction. 

My hubby made a sturdy new stand for my twin and I enlisted the help of my oldest daughter to turn her into a plus-size like me!  We added 4" to the shoulders, 2" to the bust, 5" to the waist and hips and made her my height.  I was able to use batting and fabric in my donation pile after cleaning my sewing room over the weekend.  I'm excited to have a twin dress form just my size! 

While I'm bearing all...Here is my Easter dress.  The girls both had dresses, so I was the only one to sew for this Easter.  I used Simplicity 2444, a vintage-feel knee-length dress with collar and sleeve variations.  I made the boat neck with short sleeves in seersucker and pique as my wearable muslin.  I was a size 18 by the pattern but ended up taking in 2" at the waist and lower back.  Next time I'll know where to adjust and go down a size on the top.  Darts at the waist make for easy adjustments.

I constructed the bodice and skirt separately and also lined the bodice.  I think it was easier to fit this way, rather than make a front & back like the pattern directed.  I highly recommend this pattern if you're looking for a retro-style dress with fun options.

CLOSED -My Memories Suite GIVEAWAY

Ready for another giveaway?  My Memories Suite v.3 plus a $10 store credit is up for grabs!  I started using My Memories Suite about 6 months ago to make digital scrapbooks and greeting cards.  It comes with loads of free content and even more freebies are available on their website.  MMS also allows you to use any picture file in its program, so you can find even more scrapping freebies online.  

I like how easy to use MMS is.  They have helpful video tutorials on their blog that are a great way to get started.  Choose quick pages or pre-set layouts for easy scrapping, or design the page entirely on your own.  Either way, you'll end up with some great digital scrapbook pages!

Ready to try MMS?  Use code: STMMMS87580 for $10 off and $10 credit in the My Memories Suite store. 

To enter to win a copy of My Memories Suite v3 plus a $10 store credit, visit the MMS site and tell me the name of your favorite kit or designer.  For an extra entry, 'Like' Mama Lusco Handmade on FB and leave a comment saying so.  Winner will be chosen randomly on Thursday, April 26th.  Good luck!

Quick & Easy Granola Bars

I cook mostly from scratch to avoid preservatives and know what is in the food we're eating.  Thankfully, I enjoy time in the kitchen!  I was just sharing this recipe with a friend and thought you might like it, too.  These are a fast, easy alternative to store-bought granola bars.  They can be crunchy or chewy depending on how long you bake them.  Change the flavor by trying different dried fruits or chocoalte chips.  Also amazing with 1 c. peanut butter added!  These keep well in a sealed container.

Here’s my recipe for Easy Granola Bars. I started with the Playgroup Granola Bars recipe, with a few changes to suit our family. Here’s the original Playgroup Granola Bars: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Playgroup-Granola-Bars/. 

Double Batch Easy Granola Bars

5 c. oats

1 c. brown sugar
1 c. ground flax seed (or wheat germ)
2 tsp cinnamon
2 c. flour (white or wheat)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 c. raisins (or other dried fruit or chocolate chips)
1 c. oil
1 c. honey
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
(1 cup peanut butter is great to add if using chocolate chips!)

1. Preheat oven to 350’. Generously grease a 10 x 15 jelly roll pan.

2. In large bowl, mix together dry ingredients and raisins. Stir in oil, honey, eggs & vanilla. Mix well. Pat evenly into prepared pan.

3. Bake until bars turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow bars to cool completely before cutting, or they will be too hard to cut.

Chewy bars: bake 20-25 minutes (convection 350 x 20 min is our family favorite)

Crunchy bars: bake 30-35 minutes

Enjoy!

Learning to Sew

I was so proud of my 9 year-old, Abby...she made Little Lizard King's Garden Party Dress for her little sister!  Liz was updating the pattern, so Abby & I reviewed & sewed the revised dress.  It turned out great! 

This was Abby's second sewing project.  She did great at following the picture tutorial and sewing straight seams.  We used a large rubber band to mark her seam allowance and only had to tear out two seams that went wonky.  Tutorials like these from Little Lizard King are how I learned to sew apparel and are a great way to learn!

Winner!

Congratulations, Kristy!  Please comment with your email or message me at mamalusco at ortelco dot net to claim your prizes!

Pattern Review & GIVEAWAY ~ from Fun4Me2

Dee from Fun4Me2 has two new skirt patterns in her shop and is offering one winner 2 patterns from her shop to celebrate! 

The new Be There or Be Square Handkerchief skirt pattern comes in a huge size range from 6mo-12.  This skirt was very fast & easy to sew.  She gives good instructions and pictures to help you make the perfect mitered corners, too.  I really like the option to make this skirt with 2 layers for extra whimsy. 

The other new skirt is the Whirly Twirly Circle Skirt, also in sizes 6mo-12.  This one comes with two length options and instructions how to add a tulle accent trim.  So cute!

Now, for the good stuff!  Dee is hosting a giveaway on her Fun4Me2 Facebook page.  Share a picture of a clothing item you have  made using a Fun4Me2 pattern for a chance to win a custom dress or skirt from Dee's shop.  Deadline to enter is April 15th.

Mama Lusco Handmade readers are also in on the fun...one winner will choose two patterns from the Fun4Me2 shop.  Leave a comment (with email, please) for each of the options below.  Winner will be chosen randomly on Monday, April 9th. 

1.  Leave a comment saying which is your favorite pattern or item in her shop.     

2.  Like Fun4Me2's Facebook page. 

3.  Like Mama Lusco's Facebook page.

4.  Follow my blog.





Tutorial ~ Easy Dolman Sleeve Shirt for Any Size

Looking for a quick, easy, comfortable knit shirt?  Try a Dolman-style top.  Feel free to make the sleeves larger and lower for a more dramatic look.  Also lengthen or shorten the top to suit your style.  You can also change the look by using different finishing techniques on the edges.  My friend at Jocole Patterns made this great tutorial showing 7 different ways to finish knits and offers excellent PDF patterns to which teach you to sew with knits.  If you have 1-2 yards of knit fabric, 1 hour of time and a sewing machine, you can make this top!  Let's get started....

Please excuse Miss A's bedhead.  She was home sick the day I made this top for her. 

If you use this tutorial, I'd love to see pictures of your finished creations.  Enjoy! ~ Angie

Pattern Review & Discount Code ~ Gigi Skirt from Lily Bird Studio

Looking for a cute, quick skirt to sew your little girl?  Lily Bird Studio has a new one, the Gigi Skirt, for sizes 12mo - 8yrs.  It's a two layer skirt with cute bias trim & accent bow.  I was able to cut & sew this skirt in under 2 hours.

My tester version turned out a little small, but the pattern has been adjusted for a true-to-size fit.  LBS uses "years" in sizing, but I've found that her "year" corresponds with typical US commercial sizing.  My chubby Nugget is a big 4 year old, but wears a US sz 6 or 6 years in LBS patterns.  Cecilia's patterns offer finished garment measurements, so you can choose the correct sizing before sewing.  I also think she offers good details and instructions so even a beginner can sew these patterns.  Her patterns are digitally drawn and this pattern printed on only a few pages. 

Find the Gigi Skirt and dozens more PDF patterns for girls and boys at Lily Bird Studio.  Cecilia is offering Mama Lusco readers 15% pattern purchases through Sunday, March 18th, using code: 

MAMALUSCOLBS

That code makes me smile, since I'm trying to lose a few lbs (pounds) in a 6 month weight loss competition with my employer.  Down 6 lbs so far! 

Pattern Review ~ Santa Monica Sweetheart Tankini from Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop

My first swimsuit was a hit!  I was able to test the new Santa Monica Sweetheart Tankini pattern from Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop.  This little number has a sweetheart neck, halter or v-back, optional bodice ruffle, and 2 bottoms:  a boyshort or brief.  It comes in sizes 3mo - 8. 

This was my first time sewing with lycra, but it was no problem since I'm already comfortable sewing knits.  This pattern is geared towards beginners and is very simple; no fancy finishing techniques here. I was able to make the top and both bottoms in 2 hours using only a sewing machine.  The pattern calls for elastic for the leg casings, but my chubby Nugget had great fit without using elastic. The boyshort rise was  a little high, but I'd rather have extra fabric and be modest than not enough and have her tummy hanging out.  The fit on the top & briefs were excellent!

I'd found this vintage-looking swim fabric at the thrift shop for 50 cents/yd....score!  This suit took about 1/3 yd for all 3 pieces.  Go ahead and splurge on some cute swim fabric since it takes so little!

I give this pattern 2 thumbs up.  Don't be afraid to give it a try.  The pieces are simple and easy to sew and I bet she'll love the swimming suit!  She has another cute tankini set, too, the Coney Island Tankini.  Find it at the Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop here.

You Did It! Cat in the Hat Dr. Suess Hats

I was so happy to receive a few emails and pictures from readers who used my Dr Suess Hat tutorial this year.  Here are is Nicole's version...love it!

I was also happy to get a sweet email and photo from Tiffany.  She is new to sewing but was able to make a Cat Hat for her son.  Good work! 

I love to see photos of projects you've done using project ideas from this blog.  Thanks for sharing!