Ocean Friends - Axolotl, Mermaid, Sea Witch

Ocean Friends Bundle 3

Our final Ocean Friends bundle includes Luke Axolotl, Loni Mermaid, and Lainey Sea Witch. These patterns are slightly more advanced than the previous bundles, so we kept them to one size option. 

Axolotls are definitely having a pop culture moment so this pattern is very popular! Emily's daughters loved them so much that she had to make one for each of them! The pattern has quilted lines in the tail which yield different looks depending on the thickness of the fabric used. The gills (thingies sticking out from the head which I had to google!) can be made from fraying or non-fraying fabrics. The face can be stitched on with thread and buttons, drawn on with a fabric marker, or created with heat transfer vinyl and the digital files faces provided. 

Loni Mermaid is perfect for creating "doll an me" looks! Just use the Ariel tail from the Lagoon pattern and turn the scraps into a matching mermaid doll. Femke did a great job with hers and the purple lame tail really turned out cute!

Finally, we have the Lainey Sea Witch. Lindsay used corduroy scraps for the skin and hand embroidered the face. The hair is made from interfaced double gauze fabric. Oh, and this one can actually sit on the floor because of the tentacles. 

Ocean Friends Bundle 3

Thank you for coming along on our Project Under the Sea Deep Dive these past few weeks! Next week we are excited to be moving on to something new! We can't wait to share the details with all of you!

In the meantime, make sure that you are subscribed to our newsletter to get special discounts!

Get in on the exclusive sales!

* indicates required

Email Address  *

First Name 

Ocean Friends - Turtle, Crab, Sting Ray

Ocean Friends Bundle 2

This Ocean Friends Softies bundle contains Bryce Stingray, Bruce Crab, and Bryan Turtle. Each of these comes in three different sizes, in addition to the play mat size. The construction method is similar but again the  difficulty increases slightly with each pattern. 

The Bryce Sting Ray is the simplest pattern. The pectoral fins have stitched quilting line to give them a more realistic shape. Carol made these small and medium sting rays with bamboo toweling underneath tweed fabric.

The Bruce Crab is very cute with stubby legs and oversized claws. Liesel made this crab in cotton fabric.

Lindsay sewed this crab with french terry fabric, using the looped side out for the claws and legs.

The Bryan Sea Turtle pattern comes with digital files if you want to use iron on vinyl for the shell. The quilted shell gives a really great texture, though! Audrey sewed her turtle with a cotton batik sea turtle print fabric and even recorded a video of the process!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ProjectRunandPlay (@projectrunandplay)

Ocean Friends Bundle 2

Don't forget to check your newsletter for a special discount on the Ocean Friends Softies!

Get in on the exclusive sales!

* indicates required

Email Address  *

First Name 

Ocean Friends - Starfish, Seashell, Sand Dollar

The Ocean Friends Softie patterns are a perfect way to teach kids to sew over the summer! They are designed with increasing difficulty and teach new skills with each pattern.

Ocean Friends Bundle 1

The first bundle includes a starfish, seashell, and sand dollar, available in three different softie sizes or a play mat size!

Patricia Starfish is the easiest Ocean Friends Softie pattern. This can be made from any fabric and is perfect for a beginner sewing project. You can embellish it with buttons or one of the digital designs that comes in the bundle. Femke kept this one simple in striped fabric.

Shelly Seashell has two different options: quilted or pintucked front. This would make a great pillow for a beach themed room! Carmen's seashell looks so soft and cozy!

Fiona sewed this quilted seashell version to coordinate with a crushed velvet starfish.

Sandy Sand Dollar teaches reverse applique! Lindsay sewed this one in the smallest size. It also has digital designs for iron on vinyl if you want to keep it simple. 

Each of these patterns also has a quilted play mat size option. One of our testers, Carol, actually came up with this idea!

A little fun background- this pattern evolved from starfish rice bags that were favors at a Little Mermaid themed bridal shower. The small size of each of these would be great filled with rice or flax seeds to make a hot/cold pack!

Ocean Friends Bundle 1

Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter to get an exclusive discount on the Ocean Friends Softies this week!

Get in on the exclusive sales!

* indicates required

Email Address  *

First Name 

Using woven fabric for a knit pattern

 As part of our Lagoon week activities, roday we have a great tutorial for you!  This week we're shining the spotlight on the Lagoon Top, Dress & Skirt pattern. 

Be sure to grab the Lagoon pattern at 40% off with the code only found in our Newsletter! (Sign Up Below)

Today we are answering one of the most commonly requested questions, "Can I use woven fabric for a knit pattern?"  Or to put it another way, "Can I use non-stretch fabric for a pattern drafted for stretch fabric?"

Our answer: Sometimes!  And with some very specific modifications.   

1.  Look at the finished measurements

First of all, you need to start with an appropriate pattern.  We've made a list of more suitable patterns for this below.  When you're looking at the finished measurements chart, if you see that a garment has negative ease (this means it's smaller than your child's measurements - usually found in swimwear, leggings, fitted tees and so on) this is really not a suitable pattern for using woven fabric.  

2.  Make part of the pattern from woven fabric

If you make only the front of the bodice from woven fabric, but the back and sleeves from knit or stretch fabric, you're good to go! The knit/stretch fabrics will stretch, and you can still use the pretty woven fabric.  You can see how Jenny did this with the Lagoon pattern in the dress above.  She used (non-stretch) fabric for the bodice front, and stretch fabric for the bodice back, waistband and skirt.

3. Gathers = You're good!

If the knit pattern is gathered in any part, you can use woven fabric for that part.  In the photo above, you can see where Audrey used woven fabric for the bubble overlay on the Lagoon Dress and knit fabric for every where else.

4. Reduce the number of layers

The more layers there are, the tighter it will be.  For example, if the garment is designed to be fully lined, you may be able to eliminate the lining and use non stretch fabrics.

4. Usually size up or size up in tight areas

When you were looking at the finished measurements chart, you may have noticed your child's measurements were larger than the finished measurements.  Or some of them were.  In those areas, be sure to go up to the next size.  In the photo above, Audrey used flannel fabric on the Base Blazer, and the only area she wished she'd sized up is the arms as the roll up cuff was very hard to roll up.

5.  Add extra width/height as needed

Some knit patterns are designed for knit fabric with 2 way stretch.  This means the fabric stretches only either vertically or horizontally. These are better candidates for using woven fabrics on some sections, as the pattern is already designed for fabrics with less stretch. Other patterns call for fabric with 4 way stretch, which means the fabric stretches BOTH horizontally and vertically. These will require more sizing up adjustments, usually around the body, which is where most knit patterns are designed to stretch. Another area to consider is the underarm point, which will probably need to be dropped for woven fabric, as knit garments are usually designed to hug the underarm area.  

6.  Make a muslin!!!!

This should probably be point number one!  But after making all the adjustments to the pattern that you think might be needed, you DEFINITELY need to make a muslin or practice garment before you sew the real thing with that special woven fabric you just HAVE to use!

7. Finish your seams

Knit pattern instructions don't always include options for finishing the raw edges of your seams.  But since woven and non-stretch fabrics will fray, you should use a zig zag stitch or serger to neaten up the insides of your garment. Delicate fabrics like Organza, chiffon or double gauze may even need French seams, since those fabrics are especially delicate and prone to fraying.

8.  Use gathering stitches for places that would be stretched to fit.

If the garment is supposed to be stretched or eased to fit while sewing (for example an armscye or waist) you will need to add gathering stitches to the larger piece to make it fit to the smaller piece.  

Knit patterns more suitable for using woven fabrics on some pieces:

Don't take this list as our blanket approval that any of these patterns can be used for using woven fabrics!  These are just some suggestions of patterns that are easier to modify for wovens from out pattern shop. Use our tips above for a successful outcome!

Lagoon Dress, Top & Skirt

Morgana Zip-Up

Seafoam Skirt

Blank Canvas Cardigan

Cinnamon Cardigan Pattern

Baie Blazer Pattern

Becky Skirt Pattern

Coral Wrap Dress, Top & Skirt

Abby’s Watercolor Dress

Abby’s Spidermonkey Pants

L & J Hoodie

Cicero Jacket

Foliis Jacket & Dress

Caraway Cardigan

Aster Cardigan

Patterns already designed for knit AND/OR woven fabric:

All Wrapped Up Robe

Sweet Dreams Pajama Pants & Shorts

Still Sleeping Eye Mask Set

Cancun Cover Up pattern

Evergreen Skirt Pattern

Ultramarine Coverup

Odeline Blouse & Dress

Get in on the exclusive sales!

* indicates required

Email Address  *

First Name 

Hidden Neck Binding Tutorial with a Ruffle

Today we have a great tutorial for you!  This week we're shining the spotlight on the Lagoon Top, Dress & Skirt pattern.  Be sure to check back all week long for tons of Lagoon fun.

Be sure to grab the Lagoon pattern at 40% off with the code found only in our newsletter! (Sign up Below)

The Lagoon Top, Dress & Skirt pattern has a hidden neck binding and (optional) ruffle on the neckline. This may be an unfamiliar finish to some, but it is so clean and pretty, that we encourage you to give it a try!

Here are a couple more tips for the hidden neck binding:

• Use a good quality knit fabric with good stretch and recovery! The lighter weight the fabric used, the more likely the neck binding and ruffle will gape out away from the neckline. This is not desired! Save time and frustration by using the right kind of fabric.
• Pressing is your best friend! Use a lot of steam and press the neckline often while you are sewing it.
• Pull the neck binding slightly below the neckline while topstitching it in the final step so it does not show on the outside of the Lagoon. This is especially important if you are eliminating the ruffle on the neckline.

Lagoon Top, Dress & Skirt pattern This pattern is from Project Under the Sea pattern collection. Project Under the Sea fabric can be found here.

Get in on the exclusive sales!

* indicates required

Email Address  *

First Name 

Lagoon Hacks and Modifications

 Here at Project Run and Play we are very supportive of pattern hacking! Lagoon Top, Dress & Skirt pattern is no exception. Here are some things that our Project Under the Sea Blog Tour sewists tried out!  

Liesel sewed a long sleeved Lagoon top for her daughter and eliminated the neck binding by lining it completely.  It also enabled her to use a stretch eyelet fabric. This is such a simple and beautiful modification!

Instead of using tulle on the tulle overlay skirt, Carol used this fun star cut-out fabric! It makes a beautiful patriotic outfit with this long sleeve, red Lagoon top!

Lindsay did a minor change on the tulle overlay skirt by adding a shorter layer of lace on top to add a subtle, tiered effect.

The Atilla fishtail skirt is not only twirly, it has a lovely drape in fabrics like brushed poly. Something to consider with fabrics like this is that they tend to pull the waist downwards on the larger sizes. For this one, Lindsay had to raise the waistline a bit to accommodate the weight of the skirt. 

Lindsay also sewed an Andrina bubble skirt using a mesh laundry bag for the outer skirt! Inside she added fabric seaweed and sequins with some digital design iron-on vinyl added to the underskirt.

For these Lagoon tops, she sewed the neck binding on the outside instead of the inside to add a contrasting neckline finish.

Jenny takes everything to the next level when she sews! This Lagoon top with Arista short sleeves uses a panel for the front. But wait- there's more! Jenny added some pretty beadwork to give it some extra bling!

Jenny did some major pattern hacking on this dress! She lowered the front neckline a little bit more and turned it around backwards for a scoop back! Then she added Indigo sleeves and a Calliandra skirt.

For this Lagoon dress Jenny used organza fabric for the front overlay and sleeves. More details are coming later this week!

There are so many ways to make the Ariel tail a little fancier! Audrey used pleated organza for the ruffle at the top of her mermaid tail. You can find it HERE from our Amazon Project Under the Sea page!

Lindsay tried some Tulip Color Shot fabric glitter spray paint to add some sparkle to the bottom of this Ariel tail.

These fabulous Ariel tails by Jenny have mesh sequin overlays sewn on the front and the waistbands were sewn in the same manner as the neck binding so that all of the scratchy edges are enclosed!

There are just so many great ways to use the Lagoon pattern! If you try any special pattern hacks be sure to tag us on social media and use #prplagoon!

Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter to get a special discount on Lagoon this week!

Get in on the exclusive sales!

* indicates required

Email Address  *

First Name