Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Sew what do I wear for Valentine's Day?

Made for Mermaids and Patterns for Pirates are hosting another fun blog series!



Just like last time the question is "Sew what should I wear?" but this time the theme is Valentine's Day.

That's right, Valentine's Day is just two weeks away and it's time to dress the part!

The past few years, for Valentine's Day, my husband and I have actually gone on a double date with another couple who are close friends of ours. 

This year, not only are we keeping up with the double dating tradition, but we even invited two more couples to join us, so it's a quadruple date.

Our plan is to go to an escape room. Have you heard of them? We went to one last year and they are so much fun! 

Last year, we did the escape room with our normal "Valentine's Day couple" and a few strangers were in the room with us too. However, the people in the room with us were young and in love and just walked around the room the whole time holding hands acting twitterpated (bonus points if you know where that word is from!)

Needless to say, we did not escape. The love bird couples were no good at finding clues. Which is why this year, we invited other people to join us so that our room would be full and they couldn't add randoms to our group this time. 

There will be no hand holding, only lots of clue finding this time. 

Doesn't that sound so romantic? No hand holding! Find clues! Chop Chop!

It's going to be a blast.

So the plans are made, but the question remains... Sew what to wear?

I need something warm, since we are going to be downtown and potentially walking a lot. Comfort obviously is important too. I never really wear anything too "themy" so it doesn't need to be pink or red or have hearts on it. But something sweet or romantic would be nice since we don't have the chance to go on dates very often. And it is Valentine's Day after all. 


I ended up deciding on a LBD (little black dress) and a leopard print cardigan. Really you can't go wrong with a LBD, and the leopard print gives it a fun "going out" vibe. 

I have never worn leopard print before and was a little nervous to try it out. I was worried it would be a little bold for me, but I love it!


I'm really excited about the cardigan! I will be able to wear it casually with a tee and jeans or leggings or dress it up like I have done in this outfit. 

The pattern is Pattern for Pirate's Cocoon Cardigan and I can tell I'm going to need to make a few more cardis from this pattern. It is a dolman style, super cozy cocoon style with multiple lengths, sleeve lengths, and a couple different pocket options. I think I need to make one with tall bands next, it makes a long tunic style cardigan and looks great with leggings, which is a plus in my book. Check out the pattern, with lots more pictures here.*

This is me awkwardly showing off the dolman sleeve:


To go with the cardigan, I made a simple black dress, which I will be able to wear multiple ways in my wardrobe. 

I used the Made for Mermaids Mama Mya pattern, which also has a lot of options. Not only does it make a fantastic basic flowy tee shirt style dress, but it also has a shirt and tunic length. 

I did alter the pattern by making it into a high low style by lengthening the dress, taking some away from the front on a curve and adding length to the back also on a curve.  I accidentally made it a little too short in the front for my taste, so I hemmed it with a rolled hem on my serger instead of a regular hem. It's alright, not my favorite way to hem, but I didn't want to lose any more length in the front. 

That's what I get for altering patterns, ha! I still love the outcome and will definitely make this pattern again. I love basic tee dresses in the summer and this one has the perfect casual and easy shape. 

I made it short sleeved so I can wear it layered in the winter or on it's own in the summer. 



I love each piece on it's own, but really just love this whole outfit.




The fabric in both the cardigan and the dress are brushed polyester from Love Adore Knits. (Check out their Facebook page.) 

If you haven't petted felt brushed poly before, you are missing out. It's so soft! It also makes great leggings, and I'm trying to decide if I need leopard print leggings in my life.

My 7 year old has already claimed the remaining piece of leopard print fabric and begged me to make her something with it. 

When I asked her if she liked my cardigan, she answered "No fair!" 

So I guess I will be making her something leopard print soon. 

She actually wants me to call it cheetah print, because she says she likes cheetahs more, but I'm pretty sure this is leopard. Right? Any big cat experts want to weigh in?

The patterns I used can be purchased here:

For more Valentine's Day sewing inspiration, be sure to check out the rest of the blogs in the tour. There are some very talented sewing ladies lined up and I love seeing all of their creations:


Feb 3 - On Wednesdays We Sew/ The Crunchy Mommy/ Margarita on the Ross/ Four Seasons and a Road Trip



*There are affiliate links in my post. I receive a small compensation for any purchase you make using an affiliate link. I have a sewing addiction, so I greatly appreciate it. All opinions are my own and I do not promote a pattern I do not love.

13 comments:

  1. So cute and great for any occasion! I even like the leopard print and usually I'm not into that.

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    1. Thank you! I am glad I stepped out of my comfort zone with the leopard print! It's not normally my thing either but it's grown on me a lot lately.

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  2. That is a fantastic cardigan! I want one ☺

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  3. My girlfriends and I are planning to go to an escape room soon. It sounds like so much fun! I love the pieces that you chose...and am totally going to steal the high/low Mama Mya idea from you.

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  4. I also feel like I can't pull off any animal prints, but I LOVE the way you made a cardio out of it. Pretty! I also love the hi-low dress.

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  5. That sounds so fun! Thank you for keeping twitterpated alive ❤ and the leopard looks great on you. I think you will get a ton of use out of them

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    1. Thank you Melissa! Twitterpated is such an awesome word. :)

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    2. Thank you Melissa! Twitterpated is such an awesome word. :)

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