HI DARLINGS! My apologies for not posting yesterday. I wanted to post my usual Wednesday YouTube tutorial but I didn’t get to it in time and before I knew it my day was half gone. I think it was better anyway because now it’s closer to the weekend and you can get started making something cute to wear, lol! This DIY Tutorial below is SUPER easy! and since you guys have responded so well to the easy and fast t-shirt refashions I thought I would give you one more before moving on to something else next week. #sewing #colorblockeddress #tutorial #tanktop #DIY

HI DARLINGS! I tried to get a tip done in time for today but I had something unexpected come up this week that messed my schedule completely up! I hate when that happens…don’t you? So I thought I would do the next best thing and share some instructional videos from a friend that I think are FANTASTIC! This is Joy Macdonell… She has a great way of explaining everything she is doing and telling you why she is doing it. As part of the Simplicity team I can vouch for her myself. This video is a wonderful for learning to sew with knits. If you attending this years conference (sold out) you will have the pleasure of meeting Joy! This video is also really great! It has 5 really useful tips for sewing with denim which you will need to know for some upcoming projects I will be doing soon 😉 You can find Joy on CreativeBug and Craftsy

HI DARLINGS! Happy Monday… Today’s DIY is from a super easy SIMPLICITY PATTERN #8094 and this fantastic terry knit I picked up at THE FABRIC STORE (video haul HERE) This is also the fabric shown in last weeks “TIPSY TUESDAY” on HOW TO MATCH STRIPES I wore my DIY tunic with THESE ZARA JEANS and my Tom Ford sunnies. The shoes are a find at Marshalls a few years back. The pattern review os below… xoxo Pattern Sizing: I cut the 6 Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, this is a no fuss pattern. It sewed up really quickly What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I a great tunic and the length was really great. Fabric Used: I used this great striped fabric from THE FABRIC STORE (link above) Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: No I didn’t make any. Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? YES! #DIY #sewing #Simplicity #stripes

HI DARLINGS! I am keeping it short and sweet today. In 2014 I made this DIY dress by using two different patterns. I used the bodice of V8815 (minus the peplum) and I used M6842 View A for the skirt. I lengthened the the bodice by 1″ and then sewed the bodice together and sleeves, then the skirt and joined them at the waist. It was super simple and worked like a charm. The few adjustments I needed to make were just at the waist. The thing I love most is my self covered belt! They are so easy to make if you have some belting and a covered buckle kit. Sometimes having a fabric covered belt just makes the sewn garment look even more fab! I made the dress out of a Kelly Green Athletic Spandex BABY LOCK / SIMPLICITY / EVITE / SULKY REGISTER HERE

HI DARLINGS! Today we are going to gain control of our money…especially since so many of you are budgeting to attend my annual event in July 😉 This post is going to make not just budgeting for July amazingly easy but budgeting for your life. When I left home as a teen I had no idea how to manage money. I didn’t know what credit was, how important it was, or how to budget myself. I unfortunately learned the hard way in my late 20’s when I found myself as a single mom trying to feed three kids and make ends meet. After feeling overwhelmed I decided I needed to learn how to make my money work for me and I haven’t looked back since. I have learned how to be financially responsible and how to manage not just our family budget but my small business budget too! I made it a priority to teach my kids about MONEY! I wish I had YNAB when I was learning but I am so glad that I have it now to teach my 18 year-old (who just moved out on her own…omg!) how to stay in control. I immediately downloaded the app on her phone and got busy teaching her what to do and how to do it. Every time I had spent hours working up a budget the minute something unexpected happened I had to start all over! YNAB is flexible so when life changes your YNAB budget changes too. Rule #1 Give every dollar a job Rule #2 Embrace your true expenses Rule #3 Roll with the punches Rule #4 Age your money YNAB now, it will help you live differently. Let me know what you think and what you struggle with the most when it comes to your finances!

HI DARLINGS! I have been doing my very best to bring you a project every week and this week I couldn’t wait to post because this dress is so easy and fun to make! You just need 2 T-shirts and some elastic. Measure elastic loosely around your waist and again under your arm to your shoulder. You will need at least 1/2″ wide elastic for this project. I got my t-shirts at Target for $5.00 each but you can use any t-shirts you may have on hand at home. BABY LOCK / SIMPLICITY / EVITE / SULKY REGISTER HERE #DIY #sewing #tshirt #tutorial

HI DARLINGS! Ok I decided I am going to call this day Tipsy Tuesday…it just sounds fun! Since this day is about tips, tricks, techniques etc. I have been looking through your comments and requests to pick out things to cover. I have received several requests on matching stripes so I thought this would be the perfect time since I am working on a new top and using stripes… This is my method for getting perfectly matched stripes. First thing to know is the best way get perfect stripes on both sides of the front and back is to cut your pattern piece in a single layer not on the fold as indicated on the pattern (which is perfectly fine to do if not working with stripes) REGISTER HERE #DIY #howto #sewing #stripes

HI DARLINGS! I could not wait to wear this dress! I have been so involved with this print since I picked it up at Michael Levine a few weeks back and I knew I did not want any seam lines ruining the amazing watercolor floral print so when I saw V1496 I knew it was going to be perfect. Unfortunately, I could not find this rayon/blend fabric online but if you call the store they might be able to locate it for you. I did a pattern review below for you as usual. Pattern Sizing: I cut size D Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, the instructions were easy enough but I would change the construction method a bit if I decide to make it again. I don’t really like how the back yoke is finished and or attached but it’s an easy fix. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love a great loose fitting pullover dress and this fabric although a rayon blend feels and moves like silk so it lends itself perfectly to the lines of this dress. Fabric Used: Rayon/blend woven Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None. although next time I will probably change a few things. Would you sew it again? Yes with modifications. Would you recommend it to others? YES! REGISTER HERE #sewing #patterns #florals #vogue #DIY #Dresses #watercolors

HI DARLINGS! A few quick things today….LAST DAY FOR EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION and there are only a few seats left thanks to some awesome sponsors who opened up my ability to add a few more seats. If you need info on the amazing speakers, workshops and all the amazing things we do during our fabric shopping trip CLICK HERE. On top of that amazing opportunity for the winner and of course the other cash prizes we are so excited to have EVITE as a sponsor this year! There will be an amazing opportunity for those of you attending the “Start A Fashion or Sewing Business Workshop” to get help designing your very own announcements, invites, fashion line announcements and more! I will be taking sign ups for this so make sure you check your emails (for those already registered)

Hi Darlings, Tomorrow is the last day to get the EARLY BIRD RATE for this years conference and with two new amazing sponsors on board (Babylock and Evite) we are going to have an amazing time and great giveaways/prizes! REGISTER HERE if you haven’t already, I only have a few seats left. Okay this DIY two piece is at least 3 years old. I made it using my FREE 30 MIN PENCIL SKIRT TUTORIAL and MCCALL 6754 View C. I used a STRIPED KNIT fabric and created the chevron pattern by placing certain pieces on the bias. The top is super easy and so is my freebie tutorial so you can have this two piece in no time! I wore it with my Forever 21 Denim Jacket and my “Favorite” shoes in nude (super old from Jessica Simpson) and the belt added a great contrast to the denim jacket for a put together casual look. Pattern Sizing: I cut the 6 Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, this is a pretty simple pattern especially if you are a beginner. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love a peplum as you can tell from my latest Simplicity Summer patterns. It is flattering and I love that its drafted to create the chevron print. Fabric Used: I used this great striped fabric found HERE Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None. Would you recommend it to others? Yes MCCALL 6754 4.6WINNER Ease of Sewing Pattern Instructions Ease of Fit Reader Rating 19 Votes #review #sewing #style #patternreview #DIY #conference #stripes

HI DARLINGS! as promised here is my other NEW SUMMER PATTERN for SIMPLICITY! These babies start hitting stores mid April so keep your eyes peeled. I LOVE this summer pattern so much and although I made it in an eyelet this can be made from so many different fabrics including knits and even a lightweight denim. They will be available at your local Joann, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Hancock and everywhere else patterns are sold, including online. There will be sew-along videos too as usual to help you complete this awesome look. I hope you will love these as much as I do! xoxo #summer2016 #Simplicity #orange #peplum #yellow #eyelet

HI DARLINGS! I have been obsessed with patches and pins and appliqués after watching so many of the runway shows for spring/summer…especially MARC JACOBS SPRING COLLECTION. I decided I would go find a bunch of buttons and appliqués etc and create something awesome using my OLD NAVY twill bomber. This is a fun and easy project and would be great on a denim jacket…which is up next for me 😉 Enjoy the video below and tag me @mimigstyle on IG if you make it so I can see how creative you got! I listed a few places to order cool appliqués from online… HERE, HERE, HERE make sure to share with your friends! xoxo