Madelyn by Handmaiden's Cottage

I had to sew one more pattern up from the Handmaiden's Cottage  (affiliate link) before the start of school. I chose Madelyn because I think its the perfect summer dress.

I made it without the ruffle seeing that the fabric has some larger and smaller flowers on it and I managed to get the larger flowers at the bottom where the ruffle should be. The fabric is part of the collection called Pirouette by Verna Mosquera for Free Spirit Subtle Bloom in opal.

Love that neckline, and it not too low so we don't have to worry about it staying on and up at the right place.

The straps tie at the back of the neck but I can't see why they couldn't be attached to the back of the bodice for those who prefer not to have ties around their neck. There are also two elastic casings for a more snug fit.

Until next time, xx.

Its Not Just a Sunsuit!

Ajaire of Call Ajaire has launched her first pattern! Its a fun pattern with so many options I don't know where to start...And that's not all, I have so much fun stuff to include here, like a giveaway and info about Designs By Call Ajaire facebook group, and discounts...ok, breathe, let's start at the beginning. I'm going to start by talking about this fun pattern and how I changed it up just a little.

When you purchase this pattern these are all the options you get, now try and tell me this pattern doesn't include options.

For Amelia I went with two pieces rather than a jumper or jumpsuit. I just thought it would be a lot more fun to be able to wear the pants with another top or to match the top with a pair of shorts.

For the pants I used a chambray, its Roberts Kaufman's Chambray Dots Indigo and it was supplied to me by Theads and Stitches, a cute little shop on Etsy. For the top I used a white embroidered cotton from my stash.

The only detail I changed for the pants is adding elastic to the bottom at the ankle. For the top, the lining remained as is but I added some volume to the outer bodice by placing the front and back lower bodice pieces about 2 inches away from the fold. I also cut both the front and back in an a-line shape rather than staight down like the original pattern pieces. This gave me more than enough fabric to create some gathers at the front and back.

Having created gathers at the back I couldn't just make a casing for the elastic as indicated in the instructions so I simply did some shirring at the back with only the main fabric, I didn't include the lining in the shirring so that the elastic wouldn't touch Amelia's skin I also wanted to avoid the obvious bunching it would have creating if I shirred both the lining and outer fabric together.

Sizes on the Paneled Sunsuit pattern range from newborn to 12 years, with all the options and 80+ pages of patterns and drawing with written instructions. This pattern was really well put together and its a really great deal at $10.00 and if you join the Designs by Call Ajaire facebook group you can get a special discount code for 20% of the regular $10.00 USD price. All you have to do is ask to join!

You really must see the other stops on the tour, so many ideas and inspiration! Keep on reading all the way to the bottom, there's still the giveaway to enter! 

Monday August 24th:  Max California | Filles à Maman | Hey June | House of Estrela
Tuesday August 25th: Skirt Fixation | Gracious Threads | Kimmie Sew Crazy | Shaffer Sisters
Wednesday August 26th: Kid Approved | Pinkel | Falafel and the Bee | Once Upon a Sewing Machine
Thursday August 27th: Buzzmills | Pattern Revolution | Sprouting JubeJube | Handmade Martini
Friday August 28th: That's Sew Kari | Lulu & Celeste | Paisley Roots | Modern Handmade

Monday August 31st: Sew Cool for the Tween Scene | Kadiddlehopper | Imagine Gnats | Nap Time Creations
Tuesday September 1st: My Sweet Sunshine | Straight Stitch Designs | Handmade Boy | That's What She Crafted
Wednesday September 2nd: Climbing the Willow | Rebel & Malice | GYCT Designs | Two-Many
Thursday September 3rd: The Crazy Tailor | sewVery | Just Add Fabric | Delia Creates
Friday September 4th: A Jennuine Life | Conversas de Hermanas | Made by Sara | Not Sew Fast

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Until next time, xx.

*The pattern was provided at no charge to me for the purpose of the tour, however all opinions are my own!

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Tea Anyone!

Today we start a new sew along featuring a pattern from the Handmaiden's Cottage (affiliate link). Join us in the Handmaiden's Cottage Pattern Group on facebook as we sew up the Tea Party Dress.

I made the dolly version of this pretty little dress, and this is is the sight Julia woke up to on Sunday morning, her doll dressed up and her hair all done along with one of her bears drinking tea from my grandmother Queen Anne China tea cup. She was so thrilled to see her doll Emma get a fancy dress! By the way, making doll sized clothes becomes very additive, I can't wait to make another!

There is as much detail and ruffles in the doll sized version and in the child  sized pattern (which by the way is on sale for a limited time of only $5.00 in THC pattern shop)

This is a break down of the sew-a-long and you'll see there's about an hour of work to do everyday. For those who take part and post their finished dress in the appropriate album in the group there will be a giveaway...but you didn't hear it from me.

Hope to see you all there!
Until next time, xx.

Clémence by Filles a Maman

At the end of June I reviewed Clémence shorts by Filles a Maman (affiliate link) for The Pattern Exam. I loved the final result of this pattern so much that I just had to feature them here!

I love all the fun detail at the front of these shorts. I made mine very simple with the added top stitching because I found my fabric selection to be quite busy and I just couldn't imagine adding scallops on top of that.

The waist is high, and the back is an elastic, no messing around with zippers and buttons on this one.

Some of the pattern details:

• Sizes range from 12 months to 14 years
• Free extension pack is available with the purchase of Clémence, this extension pack allows for even more options for these shorts!
• 3/8" seam allowances are included
• Layered printing, only print the sizes you need or want.
• Designed for woven fabrics
• Easy to follow instrucitons with step-by-step drawings
• Size charts and yardage requirements included
• Can be pruchased in French and English

Two fun patterns that can easily be matched with Clémence is Elisa halter top and Amour top. 

I couldn't help but include a couple of shots of JubeJube and Amelia where they're actually getting along!

Until next time, xx.

Yup, Its a Peasent Top!

At one point in time most of us have made a peasent top. Its a quick and easy project...until you decide you want to add things to change it up. The other day, for fun, (and to get a start on back to school sewing) I made the peasent  top from the Handmaiden's Cottage (affiliate link).

This peasent top features an empire waist and short sleeves. On my version I left out the ruffle at the bottom hem and added lace at the arms and bottom hem. I also made my own bias to make the elastic casings at the arms and neckline. I could have easily just used a premade single fold bias, it would have saved me some time, but the look is just so much nicer when you take a look at the inside of the garment.

I used a light weight cotton which will be great for the next few weeks and into the first days of school when the weather is still quite warm.

If you like this pattern from the Handmaiden's Cottage join their pattern group on facebook...for the week of August 17th to the 21st we'll be sewing up the Tea Party Dress. It'll be a great occaision to ask questions and get inspired by all the other porject! You'll also be able to pick up the Tea Party Dress pattern for only $5.00.

Until next time, xx.

Block Party

I've driven past this location so many times while up in the Laurentians at my aunt's. This would be the time I stopped and took photos of JubeJube. I got JubeJube dressed up in her Block Party peplum by Mandy K Designs and a pair of cropped jeans, and off we went to explore the park.

Take time to shop Mandy K Designs' pattern shop, get 25% off your order with  the code "BLOCKPARTY25" at checkout. 

This little house in the park with its yellow doors was the perfect setting.

This pattern features a fun detail at the neckline with color blocking a the front.

Button closures at the back.

This place was magic with so many places to explore, and obviously JubeJube loves her new peplum top with all the twirling and posing she was doing as she walked down all the different paths.

 

As with any PDF pattern from Mandy K Designs everything went together nicely no surprises and always clear insturctions.

Until next time, xx.

Sweet Dreams Vintage Style

I've been away a lot for the month of July and already we're the first week into August! Time just flies, and I want it to slow down...just a bit. Just because I was away doesn't mean I didn't get any sewing done, my sewing machine has gone on its first road trip! I made the girls each a vintage style sleep set using patterns from Rabbit Rabbit Creations. 

You'll want to read to the end because Jasmin has offered to give away to one lucky reader a bundle of 3 Rabbit Rabbit Creations patterns, winner choice! 

These sleep sets are perfect for those hot summer night. I used cotton that I've had for a while in my stash, but you could also use cotton voile, swiss dot, and I would even be game to try it in a cotton jersey however it wouldn't give the same vintage look to it but I bet it would be really comfy.

Although I used the same patterns and for both sets I want to make them a little different. JubeJube and Amelia really have thier own style and yes they both wear the same size in clothing, but seeing that JubeJube is 6 years old and Amelia only 4 years old I wanted to give JubeJube's PJ a little more of a big sister look to it by adding eyelet trim to it.

While making Amelia's set I ran out of single fold bias to make the elastic casing...its 2am, all stores are closed but I did have some cute elastic in my stash. Instead of putting the elastic in the inside I used a zigzag stitch and laid it on top as an embelishment. I added a little satin ribbon to make a bow. I also added some of that fun elastic to the cami so that both the cami and bloomers would have the same style.

For JubeJube I added some eyelet to the cami at the front and also to the hem of the bloomers. I used the seam allowances at the hem of the bloomers to create my elastic casing.

The pieces came together quite quickly and the pattern has great photos with the step-by-step instructions in the tutorial.

Just in case you're wondering, these are the woods right in back of my aunt's house, about 25 km from Mount-Tremblant, Quebec. This is where I spent most of the month of July.

Until next time, xx.


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