Shop. Play. Learn.

It is always an honor and privilege to be asked to test a NEW pattern by a pattern designer. I have tested for a few and it never gets old. I LOVE IT!  Exciting to be one of the few seamstresses who sees the pdf file first…and you sew it  up per the instructions. The job is to follow directions and make suggestions if anything is confusing, pieces that may not line up , instructions that may be grammatically incorrect, provide finished measurements, describe fit, and/  or ways it could be easier to follow. These ladies are SO TALENTED who ask us lil ole seamstresses to do this. I always think is quite amazing. I have tested 4 patterns now for the extremely creative Liz King over at

Little Lizard King.

This pattern is soooo adorable and I am in love with shorts rompers and only have sewn one other  and it is also another by Liz…the asymmetrical romper! However, this  one was very unique to me as I had never sewn with open sides and ribbon ties. She also gives great directions for gathering fabric so one never breaks the threads when pulling to make the waist! I tried this technique this time and it was a breeze!

I recently purchased an embroidery machine. Must admit I am still learning as it is not as easy as it appears. When I saw this flat front bodice I knew it was an excellent pattern for adding a design, monogram, or initial. And that is exactly what I did. My girls both have names that start with the letter “S” and wear the same size…so how perfect is this! I appliqued the letter S in the fabric of the shorts/straps….it is precious…and I can handle it on my machine.

When adding the ribbon around the front and back I had to try something new. YES I can admit I had never sewn ribbon on a garment. MUCH easier than I expected and I love how they are so cute and functional all at the same time. Easy to adjust the waist for your lil cutie.

The shorts are nice and loose and comfy and the button straps are super cute. Choosing buttons and ribbon and all embellishments is always a fun way to make an outfit POP. I played it cool here and very coordinating…but next time I will mix it up!  The high back is also a plus as it provides more coverage from the SUN and allows for more modesty for the older girls.

My littlest one could not get enough of her NEW outfit and has worn it 3 times since last Sunday!

I really enjoyed this pattern. It was very easy to follow and measurements were great. It is something so different than most of my patterns and it looks unique each time it is made in the many fabric combos. There is even an option to add a ruffle all around the bodice. I will try that next time. I believe she is calling this the “seaside romper” and will be released in her etsy shop and website in a few days..

If you sew I highly recommend this adorable pattern. I can’t wait to sew another for big sis!

For those of you that want one for you lil gal I hope to add to my shop very soon also!

It is that time of year again when we release all of our Summer Boutique Clothing Line of Chasing Mermaids. I hope you like what you see and remember we take custom orders to if you like a style but want a different fabric you can do that too.

OUT to SEA is a line of fabric by the talented Sarah Jane for Michael Miller Fabrics…when I first saw these I literally fell over. Yes as you all KNOW I am obsessed with MERMAIDS and everything about the SEA. I fell so in love that I ordered 7 bolts of fabric….with 15 yards each…that is a lot of gorgeousness. It took me a long time to cut into it…My goal someday is to make quilts for my kids and I am saving some of this for that special handmade piece of LOVE…..

These are some of our designs in the OUT to SEA collection.

1.Sheila Top $26 over Summer Sailors $30

2.Nelle dress/tunic $34 over Sarah Capris $24

3.Jill Frock $34 over  Petal Shorts in knit $22

Our  next line  is NAUTICAL Navy ~ it has some fabrics that I think are so classy and should be a staple in every lil’ gal’s wardrobe. These just scream take me on a cruise…..

the LAKE dress in navy herringbone $40  a vintage classic with pockets, lace , buttons and a sweet neckline….

the BLONDIE is a true dream and one of our BIGGEST hits~$44… the gorgeous yoke collar with ric rac accents and a gorgeous BIG accent button is just to.die.for.

(ps. if you have a tall child this runs a little short)

The TAYLOR skirt ~ $25.  a high gathered full skirt can be dressed up or down it is so very versatile. It has an elastic waist for easy wear and room to grow. the sash is such a classy accent!

These girls are ready and waiting for the CRUISE ship.

Are you ready for some FUN..the SUMMER FUN collection….a twist on the everyday fun filled days of summer with dresses and prints that scream WATER, SUN and FUN!

1.Ruffle SHORTS are a must have…madras is perfect for summer and 4th of July~$20 and dolly gets a Madras dress too~$15

2.the SEASIDE ruffle dress $30 is a darling dress with a band on bottom and ruffle on top a great way to mix and match your favorite fabrics.  She has a dress using the dolly pattern above but in matching fabrics $15

3. the KATIE  dress in whales/anchors $28 is a simple gathered halter that ties in the front and grows with the gal. It even has a matching doll dress that can be coordinated to any style just by matching fabrics~ $15

Doesn’t your little gal and her friends need some cute Summer FUN Sets too??

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CALLING all BIRTHDAY girls !!

this is the dress for you! In another fabric line Children at Play by the super talented Sarah Jane Studios.

The HARLOW-MONROE ~ $34 is an all time classic~a spin on the simple pillowcase with such sophistication. The collar sash is absolutely stunning. I made this for my soon to be BIRTHDAY girl..but it would be darling in any fabric combos you can imagine~

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 Here we are for all of you that love everyday fun wear we have the FLORAL Collection~

All of these 4 patterns are my all time fav! 

1. Tilly Top $32 over Summer Sailors $30 these in seersucker are the lightest prettiest things you have seen! The details on the shorts are so precious. Check out the back of that Tilly so fun, free, and flowing! A new HIT in our shop.

2. the Nelle~ $34  over Sleepy Jeans $24 (without details of the sleepy  jeans). NOW this combo is a MUST HAVE. the dress can be worn alone or as a tunic…great for spring, summer, fall and winter…throw a shirt under and call it a day! This is our go to outfit always!

3. the JILL FROCK $34 over Summer Sailors $30 I LOVE the Jill Frock…she is flowing with crisscross (applesauce) straps and a big wide open back with a tie up enclosure that allows it to grow with the child.   AND the stretch denim sailor shorts GO with EVERYTHING…a necessity!

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AND last but NOT least our Fancy & Free Collection….these pieces are gorgeous on and still fun to be worn.

I am in love with the newest pattern from Brownie-Goose…wait for it she can even be a top….hint she’s in blue

The classic NELLE dress in gorgeous seahorses with vintage lace and sweet flutter sleeves~$34

 Below is The HEATHER dress $34~a knot style that incorporates so many fun fabrics…and is so adjustable to your gal!

The NEWEST release by BROWNIE GOOSE patterns is this gorgeous BLUE BEAUTY the LAZY SUSAN~$40

Flutter sleeve, a buttoned up bodice in back and  a full flowy skirt…i mean what more does a gal need?

All of these designs displayed above can be custom ordered in fabric combos of your choosing. Please check us out on Facebook and message me to order…We love to work with you as you design you one of a kind custom piece. AND a BIG HUGE thank you to MARY of www.wheresthezoom.com without her photography and graphic design skills I would be a mess:)

And to sweet AVERY for being a kind, sweet lil model on such a cold day in MAY. and her momma, my friend, Michele for sharing her beauty with us.

and a special thanks to all the designers of these awesome patterns…

if you sew go check them out:

brownie-goose,  the mean princess, little lizard king,  lilygiggle

seamingly smitten, hailey bugs closet, and whimsy couture.

during Kids Clothing Week i challenged myself to try 5 new patterns….YES 5 new ONES! eeeks….. and guess what i did it! now my folder of pdf patterns that have not been used is quickly dwindling. Hmmmm time to buy some more!

after the Tilly on day one I decided to give another Brownie Goose pattern a try. the Lake dress was one when it was released i could not wait to get. it really is unique in all ways. i was holding onto this pattern trying to find the PERFECT fabric….and once i saw this herringbone I knew. the vintage lace I just received from the little red cottage on etsy was the ideal accent.  I have to admit I have made a couple mistakes–i was not paying attention to the details…i tend to read ahead now that i have made sooooo many of Amy (BG)’s patterns…but this time i shoulda cooled off and paid attention. when adding the lace i may or may not have cut it off before letting it run under the seam…oooooops. and when adding the little collar part—i didn’t finish it properly and had to improvise (my dad’s favorite word)! Anyyyyhow…here it is finished (i know you are looking for my mistakes…) good thing i have 2 lil girls to wear this gorgeous dress! oh and a bit of a warning if you don’t like your dresses short like Brady Bunch style…add an inch or so…..these tend to run a little short. BUT my model is wearing a size a little big, so not so short on her!

the next pattern i had in my arsenal waiting to bust out was a simple halter dress the CATIE  by Liz over at Little Lizard King. This is super cute and simple all measurements no pieces. i had these sweet whales waiting to be cut and we needed some more Beachy dresses… surprise there is also a doll pattern included…. i had never ever sewn doll clothes…but there is always a first time. my good friend, Heather, just moved into the hood…so my girls have been hanging with her older girls and BEHOLD they  have discovered AMERICAN GIRL dolls…not what my wallet was hoping for. i made a catie dress for  a beautiful model that worked with me on my newest photo shoot and one for her AG doll! She is a beauty!

last november i had the privilege of sewing 2 patterns from Seamingly Smitten and having them photographed by my super talented friend Mary over at wheresthezoom. when Jenny sent me the two patterns she also sent me a super cute halter dress pattern before I changed my mind to another….so it has been silently waiting to make its appearance on my cutting table to be made and photographed. i had another darling boat print that i fell in love with and was waiting for the perfect dress to create. i made the halter dress using these 3 fabrics for a bright and fun filled summer day!  this was a super easy quick sew and it was all cuts no pattern pieces which saves time!!! i made another doll dress using the same catie doll pattern described above only in matching fabrics! my girls don’t want ANYMORE clothes for themselves only their DOLLS!  YES. i CAVED. BUT i didn’t give into AG just yet…a couple generation dolls on sale at target and go figure my Sadie got her very own SADIE doll! meant to be???

the last dress of the week was one i saw in a new FB group i follow daily (Ok maybe more) but this designer Hailey Bugs Closet put it on sale and i saw the samples on her page and fell in LOVE. a twist on the simple pillowcase style made super SOPHISTICATED! The Harlow Monroe –from the  second I saw this pattern I had to make my baby a dress for her 3rd birthday in September. I used one of my all time favorite fabrics from Sarah Jane Studios-Children at Play. It is a good thing her dress is made it will be here before i know it. NOW this pattern was unique to me as all the seams inside were hidden.I had never sewn in the way she taught and it was easy to follow and a learning experience and  I LOVED it. SO professional and absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I find this to be one of those patterns that will stand the test of time and is so unique and sophisticated in any fabric combo.

after one full week of sewing NEW FUN patterns it is back to work for me….Stay TUNED as I add more to my collection. I learned  new techniques and even that sewing DOLL clothes is NOT so BAD after all….

Do you want one in matching fabrics to go with your order? If so message me over on FB chasingmermaids.

Elsie Marley  BLOG has a sewing challenge –KWC better known as Kids Clothing Week Challenge but to us in the sewing world we refer to it as KWC and everyone seems to know all about it. It is a week dedicated to sewing kids clothes. One hour a day is what is required to participate. Most people pick a pattern and by the end of the week have a finished product. I know I am a bit behind to share what I worked on but here I go! Go visit the BLOG set up just for this awesome time….HERE.

Well since I already sew more than an hour a day and I mainly sew kids clothes I thought I would challenge myself to a new pattern a day! I was supposed to be on vacation but my plans fell through so I had a little extra time that week from sewing all my orders for my awesome customers! I did it a NEW PATTERN a day. I have a computer file full of patterns I have purchased that I have been dying to try so I picked a few and got busy.

The first was actually a pattern I had tried before BUT it was a LONG time ago so I think it COUNTS, right? It is by my favorite PDF pattern designer of children’s clothes Amy of Brownie-Goose. The TILLY Top. It is an adorable top with a square neck and open back…BUT the precious BIG button just catches the eye!!! My girls love this top as they fight over who it is really for! You can buy the pattern here.

Since I had already made the adorable summer sailors by BG also I HAD to have a top to match!

I originally had planned the seersucker material for the top part so I could throw on a monogram BUT I am still not that consistent with my new machine so I thought hmmmmmmm it is better if  I don’t. NOW both of my girls can wear it! I guess I coulda put an “S” on their since u know both have “S” names????? rethinking *:*

The Tilly has been a hit already in my shop in the weeks since I made it….sure to be a staple in every lil girls closet. Here is another I have made since… Come by and order yours @chasingmermaids on FB!

As the warm weather draws near I am ever so eager to add new pattern designs to my collection. Of course, I have many in mind, but only a select few will make the cut. I have two favorite pattern designers and I know you have heard me ramble on and on about both of these super talented ladies….Amy from Brownie-Goose and Meagan from The Mean Princess. Both are sooooo creative and unique and I only dream that someday I too will be able to DESIGN my own patterns. Even though it is in my genes; my mom sewed my clothes as did my paternal grandma and my maternal grandma knit everything…..I am still discovering this hidden talent/hobby that I found so late in life.

I have already been playing with the BLONDIE dress and the two I have made has the messages flowing for many more . I think I may finally have mastered its details and am ready to take custom orders for this sweet dream. This one created using Sarah Jane’s out to sea: fabrics is for sale in my SHOP.

Another in my heart is this gorgeous dress; a little more formal, but quite the beauty. I am hoping, and praying to make for my girls’ Easter dresses next week: The TAYLOR . Even better is that it is two patterns in one as it can even be a skirt by itself if one wants to dress it down a little.

Who doesn’t need an adorable pair of nautical shorts for her summer wardrobe.  I have had this pattern:  Summer Sailors since last fall just burning a whole in my binder ready to get on the cutting table. I am hoping to get these cut this week for a sweet loyal customer who made a special request for them. I mean how can I possible say no:)

Another friend and customer has fallen in love with the LAKE dress and as simple as it seems it is sweet and sophisticated. I didn’t have time this past month to honor the request due to our family circumstances…but I promised to make it as soon as life as I knew it resumed which hopefully is TODAY!

These are just a few BUT the ones that are on my A list…… with all the creativity and uniqueness from these amazingly creative woman. I want to say a special thanks to Meagan from The Mean Princess for all of her help and patience this past year and always inspiring me to be the best I can be as she is so very generous and gifted.

Most of the time when i get new fabrics i think….ooooh look at these lovelies and i make them for my girls. BUT there comes a time when a little girl HAS too MANY clothes:) Wish that was my problem!

Sometimes I sew items for friend’s kids and not knowing their true sizes (in hopes of surprising them)  they don’t work out…too big…too small etc. SO in this case i am left with inventory.

Sometime I MAKE MISTAKES there i said it! YES it was supposed to be a 7 and in my brain i thought 5 OOPS.

At the HOLIDAYS/Occasions  i sew a HUGE inventory for an EVENT: holiday bazaars, trunk show, super sales etc and no matter what i am left with INVENTORY!

SO it is in this WAY that i am ABLE to offer these YUMMIES up for SALE to my WONDERFUL customers! Enjoy:)

http://chasingmermaidsboutique.bigcartel.com

Oh and did I mention FREE SHIPPING??

Thank you for supporting my mommy business ALWAYS!

This is it. What I have been trying to find the time to do for the past 4 months. A READY to SHIP sale.

In honor of Valentine’s Day arriving soon I have sewn a bunch of skirts in various sizes that are Valentine or Princess themed.

All skirts are a super duper deal at $14 SHIPPED ~

That MAGIC love number; my favorite number 14!

Tonight at 9pm ET all skirts will be displayed in our BIG CARTEL shop and the SHOP will open at that time also….So that everyone has a fair shot at this SWEET deal. Remember your cart is only good for a short time so check out promptly!  Once you choose the skirt you want add it to your cart then check out using PAYPAL. Shipping has been set to 0 so no additional charges!

CHASING MERMAIDS SHOP here

The skirts available tonight are in sizes 12m-6. If you were hoping for larger next time I promise. There are 25 skirts available. The size chart below gives the measurements I follow when sewing them.

SIZING CHART HERE

Some of the skirts are DISNEY princess themed as so many have asked for items for their upcoming Spring Trips

OR they make cute little gifts for your VALENTINE girls! I know my baby SLEEPS in hers!

ALL items purchased will be shipped TOMORROW morning so you will HAVE plenty of TIME to wear before the Special DAY!

Again I thank EVERYONE for your support of my LITTLE mommy business!  I will put a link to BIG CARTEL shop in facebook also tonight before the sale starts. It is down until 9pm so I will SEE you then!

I am STILL in AWE at how fast my lil “mommy business” has grown over the past year.  This January has been by far my busiest month–i thought people didn’t shop after the Holiday Season? I guess I was wrong.Everyone must have been getting the spring BUG  like me and feeling the need for warmer temps and cooler clothes! So it is that time of year when I start sewing all the spring/summer patterns. And of course, I keep buying new ones when I still haven’t tried others saved on my MAC

(oh to have a week alone to sew whatever i chose would be Heaven indeed!)

Needless to say,I have sewn over 75 items this month! EEEEEKs…..did i mention i have 3 kids so i don’t sleep much:)

The great thing about this busy month is that a lot of my customers are branching out by choosing designs and putting fabrics together that I never would have considered! What a great way for me to reach people with new creative combos out of my comfort zone!   Take for example this crazy, fun “mustache”  fabric~ i created this dress from the idea of a customer who wanted the perfect gift for a friend expecting a lil girl who has an obsession for mustaches! (i get it i can’t get enough of mermaids)  It was such a hit that  I had 10 more orders for other items in this fabric combo! That was so fun.

It truly is making items that are a little unique~one of the reasons i like pattern designs from Brownie-Goose, The Mean Princess, and LilyGiggle. The second trick is picking fabrics that EVERYONE loves and NOT everyone SELLS! This was true for me when i used another Alexander Henry fabric and came up with this cute item…Such a HIT that i am on my 4th order of fabric….Shoulda got this one wholesale:) BUT one never knows what will be a HIT!

With all this business, that I am ever so grateful for, it has allowed me to hire an assistant part-time to help with all the tasks I am NOT so good at!  She has been such an asset in the following areas: PHOTOSHOP designs; photography; ALL things GRAPHIC; spreadsheets/organization: and managing my Chasing Mermaids closet!  I am so excited to feel like my boutique is looking more professional and I am able to add different elements to my business that I could not MANAGE alone!

Look at this iPhone case cover that Mary, my friend and assistant created especially for me….I know corny, right but it’s on its way from ETSY! At least I will know which one is mine. AND maybe even gain some advertising along the way!

NEXT up we are designing and opening up a BIG CARTEL shop! It will mainly be used for resale; and ready to ship sales!  I have learned a little more about the time it takes to make items and the costs of each one. I have realized that making custom orders is just that CUSTOMIZED and I am grateful that shoppers understand too that handmade custom clothing is special and worth the price!  As prices increase, I hope to sew items along the way that I can offer in ready to ship sales at a discounts since I get to chose the SIZE and FABRICS that i already own!  I really look forward to sewing one of a kind items that do not require stocking numerous yards of fabric! Be on the Look out for these SALES!

THANK you to all of you that have followed me since the beginning and those of your who just decided to chase mermaids with me!  I would not be successful without such wonderful customers who truly appreciate the product and share it with their friends! YOU all are the best! I am blessed to have this~ MY OWN thing~ and still get to be a MOM!