Welcome to my first sewing vlog! I am now recording weekly tutorial videos and doing more live video teaching. Watch my videos live on YouTube every Thursday at 2pm eastern standard time. In my first video, I recap my April sewing projects! Topics discussed in …
Do you have a sewist in your life? Maybe you’re a sewist who needs ideas for your last-minute Christmas list? I decided to put together the Ultimate Gift Guide for Sewists to help you out as you finish up your holiday shopping for the year! …
Back in August, I decided that it would be fun to sew a collection of leopard print projects. Leopard print is all the trend lately. Many people are even considering it a “neutral color”. I affectionately named this venture Project: Leopard.
Project: Leopard Print
Although my original intent was to leave the leopard print in August, I just couldn’t get enough! As the seasons changed, I realized I needed some leopard print pieces in my winter wardrobe. One thing led to another and here we are in November, finally putting an end to Project: Leopard. (Although, I’m sure there will be more leopard projects in my future. It’s just such a fun pattern!)
Here is a brief recap of the pieces included in Project: Leopard. For more information on the specifics of each piece, head to the original post.
Leopard Print Pajamas
For my Leopard Print Pajamas, I decided to use a pattern I’d been wanting to try for a while. Overall, I had a good experience using this pattern. However, there are definitely a few things I’d change if I decided to use it again! These pajamas are cozy, cute, and would make an excellent gift this holiday season. You can find all the details on this leopard project here: Leopard Pajamas: McCalls 6659 Pattern Review.
Julianne Fleece Jacket
The Julianne Fleece Jacket is probably my favorite piece of this collection. This original pattern is trendy yet incredibly practical! The leopard print fabric I used for this coat makes it a fun addition to any closet, especially during the holiday season. Make one for yourself using my easy-to-follow sewing pattern! You can find all the details on this jacket here: Easy Julianne Fleece Jacket.
Upcycled Statement Sleeve Top
An easy upcycle project is what started my venture into leopard print! After seeing a leopard print trumpet skirt at the thrift store, I knew I needed the fabric in my closet. Unfortunately, I knew I wouldn’t wear the skirt as the fit was unflattering. I solved my problem with a quick upcycle project that resulted in a stunning statement sleeve top! After this project, I was hooked. Project: Leopard was born. Find all the details on this easy project here: Old Skirt Upcycle: Statement Sleeve Top.
Zippered Fleece Robe
Everyone needs a cozy fleece robe, especially this time of the year! My zipper front fleece robe is perfect for someone who wants to experiment with leopard print but isn’t ready to fully commit quite yet. The leopard print details add a fun touch to this cozy robe. One of the best things about this leopard project is that it can be completed in just a few hours using my tips! Learn more about this pattern here: Zipper Front Fleece Robe.
Embroidered Leopard Nightshirt
The embroidered leopard nightshirt will always have a special place in my heart. This leopard project became my first sew-along video course! Although it was quite the undertaking, I believe it has great value. By working through this project step-by-step, every level of sewist will have success! I decided to add a fun embroidered leopard on the back of my nightshirt and I just love how it turned out. You can learn more about my leopard nightshirt here: Embroidered Leopard Nightshirt.
I also put together a video review talking about my leopard projects (plus a few others). In this YouTube video, I share a bit about what worked, and what didn’t work, in my sewing the last few months:
This leopard print collection was a new venture for me. I enjoyed every minute of it! In many ways, focusing on one theme allowed me to open my horizons in the way I shared my projects with you. Project: Leopard led to my first sew-along video course as well as a few original sewing patterns which I added to my shop!
More Inspiration
Are you still looking for more sewing inspiration? Here are a few other projects you will also love:
Fleece is one of my favorite fabrics to sew, cozy to wear and so much fun! Here’s how you can make your own Julianne fleece jacket even if you are a beginner sewist. This post contains affiliate links. By making a purchase I will receive …
Sewing pajamas is fun and so rewarding! These leopard pajamas will keep you cozy on those cool fall evenings! This post contains affiliate links. By making a purchase I will receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. Thank you for your support! …
Sleepwear is fun to sew and even more fun to wear. This tailored embroidered nightshirt gets a fresh look with contrast trim and stunning leopard machine embroidery.
This post contains affiliate links. By making a purchase I will receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. Thank you for your support!
Embroidered Nightshirt
I have been dreaming of this DIY nightshirt design for a long time. I love classic sleepwear and this tailored style is perfect for sleeping. Not a heavy pajama, but still comfortable for those cool evenings. You can throw on a pair of your favorite leggings while lounging around the house, or cuddle with a coordinating robe (coming soon!) in front of the fire (or at your sewing machine). My favorite sleepwear fabric is brushed back satin, or Flannel Backed Satin as it is sometimes called. This fabric from Joann Fabrics is super soft with a fuzzy backing that is perfect for lingerie and sleepwear. Once you try it, you will want more of it in your wardrobe!
For this style, I used Simplicity Pattern #1504. The pattern has lots of options for the entire family so you can make one for the hubby and the kids too! The fabric I chose is flannel-backed satin, perfect for lingerie and sleeping. It has a soft satin face and brushed back. The embroidered pocket adds a bit of fun to this traditional-style nightshirt.
The Majestic Jaguar embroidery design was one I came across on the Urban Threads embroidery website. I have used their machine embroidery designs before and I just love them. They always stitch out beautifully and are very affordable. The Jaguar on the back of the shirt is about 12″ tall and has over 80,000 stitches. It took some patience to embroider the entire design because of all of the color changes and took more than 4 hours to complete. But in the end, I am so glad I did it. I love how it turned out and I know I will get a lot of use from this sleep shirt.
In fact, I loved this nightshirt so much that I decided to create my first ever sew along video course! In this new course, I will systematically walk you through the entire project offering special tips & tricks as well as detailed instruction. With my video course, I am confident that anyone could complete this project. Click here for more information on the Embroidered Nightshirt Sew Along Video Course! I hope this new format is both educational and exciting for you!
This machine embroidered nightshirt is featured in my first ever video sewing course! The video below will give you an introduction to what you can expect from this fun project.