Sprouting JubeJube: June 2015

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Canadian Designers Blog Tour, Elegance & Elephants

I'm back for a second time on the Canadian Pattern Designer tour. You can see my post on Toronto based Victory Patterns here. Today its all about Elegance & Elephants and the Bohemian Babydoll dress. Don't miss the interview with Hiedi, designer at Elegance & Elephants, on Lulu & Celeste. Read all the way to the end and don't forget to enter the rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win a pattern by E&E.

This sweet and simple dress features so many little details like the square neckline and the curve of the empire waistline.

Elegance & Elephants designs have been a long time favorite of mine since I discovered PDF patterns. The tutorials on her blog are simple and clever...I need to make that pleated play suit, and I think you'll agree once you take a look at it.

Some of the pattern details include:

Size ranges from 6 months to 9 years

3/8" seam allowances included

Fully lined bodice

Slips over the head, no button or zipper closure required

Layered printing so you print out only the sizes you need or want

Prints on both standard 8.5X11" and A4 paper

The pattern calls for the flutter sleeves to be lined but I changed that up and left them unlined and I used a simple rolled hem on those sleeves then assembled the dress as indicated in the tutorial.

I also added a piping at the waistline to accentuate the curve in this design.

This is my favorite design feature of Bohemian Babydoll, the hem facing. I took advantage of this to add a contrasting fabric. Amelia voted for polka-dots and I agreed it would be a perfect match to the orange floral print.

From June 25 to 27 get 10% off your order in the Elegance & Elephants pattern shop. Use the code CANADATOUR at checkout.

Catch up on what you've missed by heading to the first day of the tour at Lulu & Celeste, you'll be able to find all the designers and bloggers involved in this event and sew along link ups and more giveaways!

June 1 – 3

June 1st: Gracious Threads – Interview

Creative Bug – The Wholesome Mama – stitched by crystal

June 4 – 6

June 4th: Jalie – Interview

Shaffer Sisters – Call Ajaire – hibbadoray

June 8 – 10

June 8th: Thread Theory – Interview

Handmade Boy – Rebel & Malice – Sew Out of Control

June 11 – 13

June 11th: Audrey & Tiffany – Interview

All Things Katy! – Not Sew Fast – Conversas de Hermana

June 15 – 17

June 15th: E+M Patterns – Interview

From-a-Box – Made by Sara – Climbing the Willow

June 17 – 19

June 17th: Victory Patterns – Interview

Swoodson Says – Thread Riding Hood – Sprouting JubeJube

June 18 – 20

June 18th: FABulous Home Sewn – Interview

Create3.5 – Calm and Carrion – Stitches by Laura

June 22 – 24

June 22nd: Filles a Maman – Interview

Pattern Revolution – PhatQuarters – sewstarly – House of Estrela

June 24 – 26

June 24th: Closet Case Files – Interview

gloria june – Rebel & Malice – Sew Far North

June 25 – 27

June 25th: Elegance & Elephants – Interview

Sprouting JubeJube – AmandaRose – Mae & K

June 29 – 30

Lulu & Celeste: new makes and a round up post

July 1st

Last day to enter Giveaways and Final Round up Post!

Until next time, xx

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, June 19, 2015

Canadian Designers Blog Tour, Victory Patterns

How excited am I to post about Victory Patterns today as part of the Canadian Designers blog tour hosted by Ula of Lulu & Celeste! Victory Patterns, incase you didn't know, is based in Toronto, Ontario and has several women's patterns available in their shop. I just can't believe how much talent is right here in Canada!

You're going to want to read all the way to the end because there is a giveaway to enter with rafflecopter and a discount code for all those who want to get a jumpstart on sewing their very own Victory pattern.

I sewed up a very simple version of the Roxanne blouse with a printed chiffon fabric.

This pattern features a number of options including a 3/4 length sleeve and a collar, you'll also notice a dramatic hi-low hem and ties at the front neckline on my version.

At the back you notice pleats below the yoke. Those pleats give this top a wonderful flow.

Here are some of the pattern details:

Seam allowances 5/8" included
Metric and imperial charts for finished garment measurements
Charts for fabric requirements
Designed for light woven fabrics, such as ciffon, cotton voile, crepe, georgette
Can be purchased in paper or PDF form
Detailed tech drawing included in the instructions
I would say this is a confident beginner pattern

From June 17th to the 23rd get 15% off your order in the Victory Pattern shop. Use the code CANADATOUR at checkout.

Catch up on what you've missed by heading to the first day of the tour at Lulu & Celeste, you'll be able to find all the designers and bloggers involved in this event and sew along link ups and more giveaways!

June 1 – 3

June 1st: Gracious Threads – Interview

Creative Bug – The Wholesome Mama – stitched by crystal

June 4 – 6

June 4th: Jalie – Interview

Shaffer Sisters – Call Ajaire – hibbadoray

June 8 – 10

June 8th: Thread Theory – Interview

Handmade Boy – Rebel & Malice – Sew Out of Control

June 11 – 13

June 11th: Audrey & Tiffany – Interview

All Things Katy! – Not Sew Fast – Conversas de Hermana

June 15 – 17

June 15th: E+M Patterns – Interview

From-a-Box – Made by Sara – Climbing the Willow

June 17 – 19

June 17th: Victory Patterns – Interview

Swoodson Says – Thread Riding Hood – Sprouting JubeJube

June 18 – 20

June 18th: FABulous Home Sewn – Interview

Create3.5 – Calm and Carrion – Stitches by Laura

June 22 – 24

June 22nd: Filles a Maman – Interview

Pattern Revolution – PhatQuarters – sewstarly – House of Estrela

June 24 – 26

June 24th: Closet Case Files – Interview

gloria june – Rebel & Malice – Sew Far North

June 25 – 27

June 25th: Elegance & Elephants – Interview

Sprouting JubeJube – AmandaRose – Mae & K

June 29 – 30

Lulu & Celeste: new makes and a round up post

July 1st

Last day to enter Giveaways and Final Round up Post!

Until next time, xx.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Making Memories

I always get so nervous with type of project, but I think its because I really care about the final results. I was entrusted with all these beautiful linens to make an heirloom for a beautiful family.

I started off by placing the linens in groups of like colors. Trying to decide what would be the best way to arrange these precious and irreplaceable fabrics.

And the first cuts and seams were made.

Assembling piece by piece. Then having to take a step back...and getting I would say the equivalent of writers block. Then picking it up again to piece more fabrics together.

While working on this project I often thought of my grandmother, and all the quilts she made for my sister and me over the years. I also pulled one of her quilts out, looking for maybe guidance or inspiration. The last quilt my grandmother made was for my oldest daughter Sabrina and I'm so grateful that I still have it in a keepsake box.

May this quilt bring comfort and warmth to this family the way my grandmother's quilts did for me.

Until next time, xx.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Sitting Around

Taking a break from clothing today. I wanted to show you a tutorial that my friend Elena brought to my attention. The other day we were shopping at IKEA for, you know, stuff...when I go there I don't actually need anything but I always walk out with something. We get to the section with all the little rugs and she mentioned she had seen what looked like a fun tutorial so she picked up 4 rugs at 2.99 each.

Armed with 4 small rugs and this tutorial from Retropolitan I put my own spin on this very fun project.

Here are a few things you will need for this project:

Size 16 sewing machine needle (or denim needle)
20 inch or more zipper (it can always be cut down to size)
Measuring tape
3 IKEA rugs @ 2.99
Beanbag filling

I did change up the size just a bit because of the dimensions of the rugs, they were just slightly smaller by a couple of inches. And one very important thing I did change in the steps of completing the poof is I sewed up the zipper first. I just felt it would be easier to negotiate that zipper before assembling the poof.

These are the steps I followed:

Cut out the pieces required for the poof.
Sew in zipper (this is an easy to follow tutorial for conventional zippers).
Sew the rest of the sides of the poof together...Leave zipper open so that you're able to turn your poof right side out.
Fill your poof (I would suggest putting the bean bag filling in a pocket made from woven cotton so you don't end up with the filling all over the place if a child should open that zipper).

With the 4th little rug I was able to make a matching throw pillow. Mine was 12" X 12", but it could have been made any size.

Last step...sit and enjoy!

Until next time, xx.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Rag Quilt Pattern by A Vision to Remember

A Vision To Remember has wonderful rag quilt patters available in the DIY Crush pattern shop. The one I'm reviewing today is the Butterfly Applique Rag quilt.

For this project I used my much hoarded left over pieces of Michael Miller's Bella Butterfly. This quilt should have a butterfly applique, but me being me, used a huge print where the butterfly was to be placed and felt it would be silly to hide the fabric (and yes it does say in the pattern instructions to use a more plain print for those big 11" X 11" pieces).

It was nice to make something different other than clothing, and also not spend too much time putting everything together. The longest part I would honestly say was waiting to see the end result while the quilt was in the washer and dryer. I'm sometimes a little impatient that way, but the quilt needs to be put through this process to get that frayed look.

The finished measurements of this quilt is about 30 inches by 40 inches, but nothing is stopping you from making it bigger if you want to. This size makes it perfect for a car seat cover, details on how to do that are included in the insturctions.

For the backing I used a soft pain flanel to give this little blanket some weight. There are also other tips included on how to use three layers of fabric or batting depending to the thickness you want to have.

I think this would make the perfect girft for a new baby.

Be sure to check out the other vendors on DIY Crush for your knitting, sewing and embroidery patterns.

Excuse me while I break up a fight between JubeJube and Amelia...they both want that quilt!
Until next time, xx.

Monday, June 1, 2015

E+M Patterns & Adding Pockets to No.19

This sweet little dress by E+M Patterns was just released and Allison thought it would be fun to give all of you something a little extra...so here it is, a fun little pocket pattern that can be added to Dress Pattern No.19 or just about any other E+M pattern. Fun right!

These pockets were desinged to match the neckline with the ties and keyhole.

This is what you need for this project:

Dress pattern No.19 by E+M Patterns
Pocket pattern (download it free here)
1.25 meters of double fold bias
Measuring tape
Pins

Print out the pattern piece, and cut out or trace the size needed for your dress.
Cut 2 pockets pieces of the fabric and mark the bottom of the pockets for the gathers

Use a long stitch between the 2 markings.

Pull the bobbin thread to gather the fabric.

Pin bias to the outside edges of the pocket. Stitch into place.

Pin bias to the cut out edge of the pocket. Stitch into place.

Pin bias to the top edge of pocket. Stitch into place. You'll want to have at least a 7 inch overhang for the ties.

Tie the ends into a bow. Now you're ready to place the pockets on the the dress.

Its better to put the pockets on before assembling the dress. For the size 4, the pockets were placed 2 inches from the side and 3 inches from the top of the raw edge of the skirt. Pin into place and edge stitch the pocket into place.

Now you can assemble the dress as indicated in the pattern tutorial.

Until next time, xx.

Round up Summer Surprise Anniversary Tour

The tour has come to an end the winners of the daily prize bundles have been announced, but for those who missed it here's the round up of the Summer Surprise Tour for Sofilantjes. Here you'll be able to access all the direct links to each blog post.