Project Run and Play: Back to School with Southern Magnolia Design

Today we're in for a treat!!! Rachel of Southern Magnolia Design is here with her SUPER INSPIRING Back to School sewing! We're just going to get out of your way and let Rachel take it from here...

Summer has gone by too fast and the school year is already beginning again. But as much as I dislike all the back to school shopping, I do enjoy sewing up new clothes and outfits for my kids. So I was very happy to have been invited to be part of Project Run + Play's "Back to School Tour". They have added some fabulous new patterns to their shop, including the Lavender Dress and Lilac Bloomers that I created when I was a participant in season 26 of their sewing competition.

Vintage fashion is my favorite style. So I sketched up some designs drawing influence from classic collegiate clothing from the 1950s. The Project Run + Play store had all the patterns I needed to make this complete wardrobe.

My daughter's outfit was made using the pintuck version of the Lavender dress with colors inspired by Audrey Hepburn's costume in Roman Holiday. And the Lilac Bloomers underneath will make sure that she can comfortably play on the playground without worrying about modesty.

I don't usually sew with knit fabrics, because I am more comfortable with wovens. However, the rib knit fabric from Boho Fabrics was super easy to work with. My daughter's Caraway Cardigan was made from the Mustard rib knit, and my son's Cinnamon Cardigan used their Sapphire Navy Cotton rib knit. I added monograms by tracing large printed letters onto black knit fabric and white felt. Then I ironed on an adhesive stabilizer to the back of each letter and sewed them onto the sweaters with an applique stitch.

My son's outfit was made by repurposing a pair of my husband's old khaki pants with the newly updated Star Child Skinny Jeans pattern. The instructions for this pattern were super easy to follow, and the end result was a perfect fit. I loved all the attention to detail made with the topstitching to give it a professional finish. I meant to make his shirt using the Parfait Polo pattern but ended up finding a store bought shirt in his closet that looked incredibly similar.

The accessories to the outfits were probably the most fun for me to make because they involved techniques and materials that I hadn't worked with before. Waves & Wild's Fell & Dale cap was definitely my favorite part of my son's outfit. He loves wearing hats. But he especially loves dressing up nice for church and school. So adding that little bit of extra class to his ensemble had him feeling very handsome and grown up. My daughter wanted a hat as well, and the Monet Beret in a dark navy color really brought the 50s look together.

The last thing on my list of things to make was the Jack Backpack. I have never made a bag with so many options and details as this, and I was so thrilled at being able to personalize it. I made the large size for my 6 year old daughter out of a canvas fabric and some faux leather accents. And while it is big enough to carry all of her folders and school supplies, it isn't overwhelming for her small size.

There are SO many other beautiful patterns made by amazingly talented designers on the Project Run + Play website. So check them out now during the sitewide sale: 20% off with the code BTS2023 ending 8/11 at midnight EST. The sale does not include collections, as they are already discounted. And if you want to see more photos of my sewing designs, check out my blog or follow me on Instagram!