Universal Orlando Vacation Makes!

We’re just back from a whirlwind family reunion vacation at Universal Orlando!  Perfect family trip plus lots of new makes!  Off season- so hardly any waiting in lines, relatively cool weather *for Florida in September* and a roomy Air bnb home to relax in with all the family. The kids were at the prefect age too for our first visit to Universal.  Both tall enough for most rides and excited to try a bit more of the bigger rides fearlessly.

So of course I had to make a few new looks to wear to the park.  Mostly because I don’t have a lot of very casual makes-but also just because it’s fun!.  Perfect opportunity to do some refashions and muslin some new patterns. The kids also had all me made swimwear for Volcano Bay but since my phone was in a locker that day no pics yet.

I had refashioned a pair of shorts I had made a while back as a muslin.  They were cream twill with pleats that I just hated.  I first dyed them with leftover dye to a pale green and then removed the pleats by sewing them together all the way down the leg to remove all that fullness. The original pattern was Vogue 9008, but obviously heavily modified now.

The stripe tee was a refashion of a goodwill dress using Jalie 2805 top, that I angled out at the side seams and scooped out the neck.  Simple make, but super comfy.  I really like the fit of this and will probably make another in a solid.  That tee pattern by the way is fab- lots of neckline options, the fit is spot on and it includes sizes from child to adult.  I bought it originally for my daughter.

Next up is the skort.  I bought this pattern as soon as we moved since we now live on a golf course.  I wanted to try out the fit so this one’s a refashion of a beach poncho (cute but not my look) from goodwill and some old dress shirts for the undershorts.  I’m thrilled with the fit-it’s spot on-and the shape of the inset pockets is really nice. It’s Kwik Sew 3232. 

This will be a new go to pattern for me. I matched up my stripes quite well and left the original fringe on the ends.  This pattern will be fab for a swim bottom/coverup in a boardshort fabric (already planning that one).  I wore it with my self drafted blue tank but have a white tee that makes it a bit more polished.

Last but not least I brought my navy and white bikini McCall’s 5400.  I made this one last year but never have gotten pictures of me wearing it other than a brief glimpse.  It’s one of my most comfortable suits. The band on the bottoms can be worn up or folded over at the waist. Taking swim pics is just too much effort lately so flat pics will have to do for this one.

We headed up to Orlando Saturday with the kids with a quick midpoint stop at the UDT Naval Museum in Ft. Pierce before check in at 4pm.  Then we joined my parents, siblings and their families at the pool house in Kissimmee.  We went to the parks Sunday and Monday which made for a much less hectic trip since we had separate days for driving.  Off season is awesome!  The 3 park 2 day ticket which was great-especially since the kids really wanted to do the Hogwarts express train in between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. Can’t wait to go back!

We  binge watched Harry Potter in the weeks before we left so the kids were super excited to see Diagon Alley, Gringott’s, Hogswarts Express, and the village of Hogsmeade. Ami bought Hermione’s wand and had a blast making magic in Diagon Alley! Can you guess who she’s being for Halloween?!?

Highlights:

• getting sick after the first Harry Potter ride of the day (Roller coasters are no problem for me but 3D (plus drinking the night before) is another story!
  
• Universal Studios- I could have walked around the city sections alone all day and gone home happy.  As a former NYC girl I loved that area!
• Jurassic Park Ride-the kids-and our faces- in the pics are priceless
• Dr Seuss Ride overlooking the park at night- perfect end to our 1st day
• Kong Ride + Gringotts- such fun!
• Old school family fun-ET Adventure
• Getting soaked on Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges
• Family meals out at Mythos and Vivo
• Volcano Bay’s Fast River as the kiddos tried to escape us!
• Everything Harry Potter!

Back soon with some Japanese patterns! I just did a talk for my ASG group with a trunk show so I have quite a few new makes to share. Happy Sewing!