Valentine Essentials Blog Tour meets Date Night February

I want to go someplace outside of the norm for this Valentine’s Day. We all know how important self-care is. I want this February 14th, heck this whole month to become about giving back to yourself. As women, most of us have something inside of us that naturally wants to nurture and care for those around us. Many times this is at the expenses of our own needs.

This year, focus on doing something for you that no one else will probably even know about. And what a better way to do that than with some under-garments that are made by you and for you. Only you know what you really like and need. Not everyone wants thongs and underwire push-up bras. Sometimes a girl wants something pretty and comfortable and that is where creating for yourself comes in. You can customise the fit, fabric and style to be perfect for you.

When I sew for myself, sometimes I will add a bit of an indulgence into a garment that nobody else will really know about or even see. It may be an extra silky and pretty garment lining. Or a unique vintage button or other closure. Or even the fabric itself. To the untrained eye, it may look like just another jersey knit but you treated yourself to some extra cozy and soft bamboo knit or some organic cotton.

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With that, I want to welcome you to the Valentine Essentials Blog Tour from Everything Your Mama Made: featuring the Everyday Essentials PDF pattern! This pattern is aptly named because it IS an essential one and I can say I have fallen head over heals!

The Everyday Essentials pattern is one of those perfect patterns for creating something extra special just for you. This pattern includes options for a bra, camisole, half-slip and a full-slip. This pattern is all about the practical and the beautiful. If your fabric is a knit, with some stretch, you are good to go!

I am all about layers in my wardrobe and these pieces give you multiple ways to create garments for layering. I chose to do the camisole because it is perfect for adding support and an extra layer of warmth. Since our weather decided to dip back into the -20 Celsius range again this week, that warmth is actually a necessity.

The pattern includes instructions on how to add a second bodice layer to provide more support and coverage. I wanted to see if I could use the idea of a second layer and make the pattern reversible. I wanted a plain cami that would look great under-garments that may be a bit see through but I also wanted to add a flash of some of the pretty patterned fabrics I have. And sometimes I may actually want that fabric to be seen.

I did some top stitching with my twin needle on the shoulders and the side seams of the bra to get a nice finish on the inside and outside. This is the back of the twin needle stitch.

Next, I wanted the second layer of the front bodice pieces to be able to hold moulded bra cups and so it would serve as a stand alone under-garment. The second layer, with a bit of extra finishing on both sides, allows the top to be reversible. I like the pop of colour that I can get if I wear it with the print showing.

This is what the one side of the flat-lock serger stitch looks like. The other side looks more like a flattened serger stitch. Sorry but I forgot to get a picture.

I had thought that it may also serve as a stand-alone tank top but the cut on the front of the bra is too deep for me to feel comfortable wearing this on its own out in public. That is also the reason you won’t get pictures of me modelling these beauties. But I really enjoyed doing these flat-lay pictures and I can see doing more of them in the future. It was a lot of fun staging the photos 🙂

I am in love with this pattern and can’t stop coming up with new ones I want to make!!! My next one will be a full length version that I want to use as a nightgown. I can also see making the slips in a cotton/lycra as a layer of warmth for those of us that are shivering in the Northern Hemisphere. Or picture a slip made out of a beautiful print layered under a sheer skirt! Don’t you think that would look smashing!?!

Make sure to grab your own copy of the Everyday Essentials pattern before February and use the coupon code ‘VDAYTOUR’ to get 50% off the regular price of $9.95! For the price of a speciality coffee, you can own a pattern that will serve you well for years to come!!

Okay, grab the coffee, too! Make it a date night with your sewing machine. Don’t tell me that I am the only one who looks for opportunities to have some quality one-on-one time with my machine! And you can probably have this sewn up in the time it takes to drink your coffee!

Your turn…what would YOU make if you had an evening alone to sew for yourself? Please share your comments below 🙂

Make sure to visit all the stops on the Valentine Essentials Blog Tour! (Keep in mind that the links below won’t work until their scheduled date.)

Feb. 3 -†Sewing by Ti

Feb. 4 – Joelle at EYMM

Feb. 5 – Embrace Everyday

Feb. 6 – Sprouting JubeJube and Capture, Craft, and Cook

Feb. 7 – Call Ajaire and Blessed x Five

Feb. 8 – Rebel & Malice and Sew Haute Blog

Feb. 9 – Kelly’s Sewing Creations and Sew Far North

Feb. 10 – Roundup at EYMM

During the tour, the Everyday Essentials pattern is on sale for half off!†Use code VDAYTOUR†on the EYMM site to save 50% on the Women’s Everyday Essentials pattern until February 12 at 11:59pm PST.

This post is also part of the Date Night February Blog Tour. You’re going to love all of the inspiration my fellow bloggers have for you. Be sure to check back all February long to see what patterns work for us!

Wednesday, February 1st: Sewing By Ti

February 2nd: Crafty Like a Rox

February 3rd: Sewing By Ti

Sunday, February 5th: Embrace Everyday

February 6th: Tenille’s Thread

February 7th: Robynne and the Bobbin

February 9th: Sewingly, Michelle

February 10th: Sewing By Ti

Sunday, February 12th: Embrace Every Day

February 13th: A Phoenix Risen

February 14th: Creative Counselor

February 15th: Creamer and Chaos