Extra Inspiration & Round Up with MandyK Desings

All last week we saw beautiful costumes and a couple of knock offs all made with Mandy K Designs PDF patterns. Just in case you missed any of it here's a round up with all the direct links to each project. I also thought it would be nice to give you some extra ideas and inspiration in your search for the perfect Halloween costume so read all the way down to the end of the post.

Day 1 started off with Wining Wife who created an adorable little Alice in Wonderland dress with the English Rose pattern.

We also had Sibling Revelry use Dandelion Wiches to create this sweet knock off.

Day 2 started out so festive a beautiful Christmas tree by Call Ajaire...

an elagant Cleopatra over at Rebel & Malice using Cyan Lily...

And I made a knock off (right here)  using the Happy Days Pattern.

Day 3 were a princess and fairy kinda day. Over at Phat Quarters we saw a stunning Belle costume...

and Lulu & Celeste created a sweet tooth fairy. Both were made using the Princess Party Dress pattern.

On day 4, the last day we saw Manning The Machine create a scene right our of a vampire movie...

The fairest of Snow Whites over at Paisley Roots...

And a mash up with her take on the malt shop girl over at Sew out of Control.

So much fun to see all those different ideas come together! There was sewing from the stash, mash ups, 4 different ways to use the Princess Party dress, knocks offs, not to mention a whole bunch of inspiration. Here are a few more ideas:
Use the Happy Days dress to create a one piece cheerleader's costume, or maybe Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany's with the Cyan Lily. I can also see the Cherry Blossom dress hacked into a tunic and add pants to make your little one a Kung Fu master. And well there's also the obivious variations on the Princess Party Dress...Anna and Elsa and just about any Disney princess. The main thing is to enjoy making these costumes and no matter what I think your little model will love them! Don't forget you can also dress up your little one's 18" doll seeing that most Mandy K Designs also include the pattern to make the dolly dress too!

By the way, enjoy 30% off all the patterns in the shop using the code "MKDblogtour2015" at checkout!



Until next time, xx.

Day 4 Knock offs & Costume Hacks With Mandy K Designs

Today is the last day of the tour, we have seen some pretty amazing costumes and a couple of sweet hacks, but it isn't over! Until October 11th use the code "MKDblogtour2015" at checkout to get 30% off your whole order on Etsy or MandyK Desgins website.

Take a look at Manning The Machine's little vampire, Paisley Roots' Snow White and Sew Out of Control's malt shop girl for more costume inspiration.

Manning the Machine

Paisley Roots

Sew out of Control

Come back Monday for a full round up! 

Until next time, xx.

Sibling Revelry * Wining Wife 

Rebel & Malice * Call Ajaire * Sprouting JubeJube

Lulu & Celeste * Phat Quarters

Sew Out of Control * Paisley Roots * Manning The Machine

Happy Days Knock Offs & Costume Hacks

This project took on a life of its own through window shopping and online shoppping. I fell in love with the look of this dress and what would I happen to have in my stash...yes I bought it for me, and it didn't stay in my stash for very long, but I think this is the fabric came close enough to the original and Amelia loves it! Here is my segment of the tour featuring patterns by MandyK Designs.

Here is the original dress on the Forever 21 website. Nothing fancy and its not high end like other designers, infact it may have cost me more to make this one than to buy it from the store. With a knock off I do get custom fit and I get to line up my prints just right. Later this week I have a few more knock offs to suggest to you. 

I used the Happy Days Dress for this one. I added length to the sleeves and a little cuff. I also used the instructions for a gathered skirt instead of the pleated skirt. I left off the collar and instead of fully lining the bodice I made a facing for the buttons, button holes and the neckline for a nice finish. 

I thought since most of the stops on this tour are showing Halloween costume hacks that I should at least treat Amelia to some candy. We stopped at this wonderful little candy shop and they were open to the idea of some shots in the store. Thanks to the wonderful staff at Kandju for making us feel welcome! 

Un gros merci au staff de Kandju au Dix/30 pour l’accueil! 

For the duration of the tour don't forget to shop MandyK Designs and get a 30% off your whole order, use the code "MKDblogtour2015" at checkout! 

Sibling Revelry * Wining Wife 

Rebel & Malice * Call Ajaire * Sprouting JubeJube

Lulu & Celeste * Phat Quarters

Sew Out of Control * Paisley Roots * Manning The Machine

Until next time, xx.

Knock Offs & Costume Hacks Featuring MandyK Designs

Today is the start of a fun little tour featuring all Mandy K Designs PDF Patterns. You'll be able to get great Halloween costume ideas and see a few pattern hacks to create deigner knock offs. For the duration of the tour you'll be able to take advantage of a 30% off you order with the code "MKDblogtour2015" at checkout. 

Let's start off with a hack from Sibling Revelry, and a costume hack from Wining Wife, I can't wait to see what they've done! 

We'll have more fun posts all week long so be sure to join us!

Sibling Revelry * Wining Wife 

Rebel & Malice * Call Ajaire * Sprouting JubeJube

Lulu & Celeste * Phat Quarters

Sew Out of Control * Paisley Roots * Manning The

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.

Amelia's Easter Dress

I can't believe how March just flew by. So glad to finally post about a sewing project, it feels like ages. So happy to say that I have a giveaway to go with this post! So I don't know if you noticed but I posted here about the sew along with Mandy K Design, sewing up an English Rose Dress...well I'm late to the party BUT I'm posting about my dress now so you'll get to see it.

I've been saving  hoarding this fabric, Lily and Willy by Bunny Hill for Moda Fabrics,  for about three years now and I think I used it for the most perfect Easter dress. The only regret that I would have is that I didn't have enough fabric to make that beautiful bow that's featured in this pattern so I had to make the simple sash instead.

With a larger print, like this one, fabric placement is so important. Yes I used up a little more fabric, but this is what makes the difference. It would have been a bit silly of me to not center the bunny, it could have made the bodice and the whole dress look off balance. I also did the same for the collar, taking my time to make sure the collar looked balanced.

I also lined up my print for the side seams. when you have a gathered skirt like this one it doesn't matter if you have a couple of extra inches on the width of the skirt, you just have more to gather for an extra poof, but the fact that my print matches up makes my garment look high end. For extra details on how to line up prints you can take a look at my tutorial here.

Again taking the time to balance out the back and make sure everyting was in line.

I just love the end result!

So enough about fabric placement, let's talk about the pattern. I used the English Rose dress pattern by Mandy K Design. I've never been disappointed with any of her patterns, even when it was for pattern testing. (You can take a peek at Tiers Of Joy and Cherry Blossom, these are patterns I've tested for Amanda)

The fit is always spot on to what is stated in the tutorial and photos are included with the step-by-step instructions.

Here are more details about this pattern:

• Sizes range from 12 months to 14 years
• Doll pattern for 18" doll included
• Chart for yardage included
• Chart for body measurements to find the correct size for you model included
• Chart to print out only the options and sizes needed included (so you don't have to print out the whole pattern)
• Some of the pattern pieces are not included for the straight cuts, you have to measure out your fabric and cut. I love this because again no messing around with printing and taping pages together to form your pattern piece.
• 3/8" seam allowances included
• Step-by-step photos are included with the tutorial
• Different options for the skirt, sleeve, collar, and bow (the other sash is just so beautiful and that bow is over the top!)

Don't forget to enter the giveaway! Oh and if you want to stay up to date on new releases by MandyK Designs or get special discount offers join their Facebook group. Its a fun place to share and talk about everything sewing with the rest of the members.

Until next time, xx.

**I did get this pattern for free for the purpose of writing this review but all opinions are my own!

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English Rose: Sew Along

I have a whole bunch of information for a sew along over at MandyK Designs. First, let's start with the discounts for the English Rose dress pattern and fabrics over at Allegro Fabrics. A sew along is a fun way to get involved and to ask questions regarding each step so if you need some help there will be someone to answer questions or clear up issues if you're not too sure about what to do. At the end of it all there will be prizes for actives participants! Prizes are always fun, right?!

Get started by purchasing your English Rose dress pattern for only 6.00$ (regular price 8.95$) until the end of the day (March 23rd 2015). To get the coupon code for fabrics at Allego Fabrics join the MandyK Pattern group. Its a special discount for the purchase of fabrics for the sew along. You can also join the sew along event page to be able to ask questions and see everyone's progress. Not to mention the prizes every day for active participants.

I'll be following up during the week with my progress on my English Rose Dress and on Friday I'll be showing off my finished dress. Its sure to be stunning with such a beautiful pattern.

Until next time, xx.