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.

Adding Pockets to Dress Pattern No.13 by E+M Patterns

I hope by now you've all seen the new Dress Pattern No.13 by E+M Patterns, I posted about the dress here. If you haven't purchased the  pattern by now you'll have a new reason to want it. This has become one of JubeJube's favorite dress patterns because its so comfortable, but now with pockets added to it...look out!

This is what you'll need for this project:

• E+M Patterns, dress pattern No.13
• E+M Patterns, pants pattern No.2
• 1 package of piping (optional)
• 8" of contrasting fabric
• All materials listed in the dress pattern No.13
• Fabric marker
• Measuring tape
• Zipper foot if you wish to apply piping

To get started trace out the required size of the inside lining of the hip pocket to the pants pattern. Cut 4 of them out of the contrasting fabric, 2 for each side. 

Using your zipper foot on your sewing machine stitch the piping to the pocket as shown in the image. You'll want to clip the piping just a bit to make it easier for the piping the follow the sharp curves. If you want extra information on how to apply piping you can click here to an earlier tutorial that I used piping in. Just skip this step if you don't want to apply piping.

Lay pocket pieces with right sides together (RST) and stitch the edges leaving the side seam open. Clip corners and use pinking sheers to trim seam allowances in the curves. 

Turn right side out and press. Lay pockets on the front of the dress. To make sure the pockets are even measure from the unfinished hem to the bottom of the pocket. For a size 4 there is 4.5 inches from the unfinished hem to the bottom pocket. Once pleased with the pocket placement top stitch the pocket into place leaving an opening for hands and your child's small treasures.

Now you're ready to assemble your dress following the Dress Pattern No.13 tutorial. 

For even more fun, you can use the back pockets from Pants Pattern No.2 and give your project a new look! So fun when you can mix up patterns like that and get more bang for your buck! 

Until next time, xx.

Hip Pockets with Piping Detail

Adding a Hip Pocket and Piping to Girls Skirt Pattern No.5 by E+M Patterns.

You will need:
Pattern /tutorial that you can purchase here.
Fabric requirements, plus a little extra for the pockets (a about 10 inches), and any other material on the list in the tutorial.
1 package premade piping.
1 hip pocket pattern piece or you can draft your own.
zipper foot for your sewing machine.

First cut out the skirt and the waistband using the dimensions given in the tutorial  by E+M

Now we're going to cut out the pockets. I used the same pockets that you can find in the Children's Pants pattern by E+M Patterns. It just makes it a lot easier and faster when you don't have to draft it, but this piece would be easy enough to create. Do remember that the top of the waist must remain straight and that the side seams are also straight.

***Also remember to check the height of the tucks that will be formed on the skirt ( if you're making the skirt with tucks). You may have to adjust the height of the pocket to make sure it doesn't get in the way of making the tucks.

Cut out the opening just on the front of the skirt using your pattern piece.

The pocket lining is on the left and the pocket yoke is on the right. Cut 2 of each mirror image.

Then cut out 2 pocket linings and 2 pocket yokes.

Start by basting the piping to the front on the skirt. This is where the zipper foot comes in handy, it allows you to really get close to the piping.

Now lay the pocket lining over the skirt front and piping with wrong sides together matching the curve of the pocket opening, and again using the zipper foot to stitch as close as can be to the piping.

Clip seam allowance without cutting through the stitching. This will allow for an nice curved finish to the pocket opening.

Flip over the pocket, press and you can even topstitch along the curved pocket opening.

Match the pocket yoke to the lining and stitch along where you see I have a blue dotted line. You can then finish your seam off with a serger or zigzag stitch on a regular machine.

Baste a few stitches at the top waistline and at the side seam to keep the pocket in place. The skirt front can now be sewn to the skirt back.

For the waist band, I didn't want to have the piping go all the way around. It would just get too bulky with the elastic casing. Sew the piping to the front waistband and then sew the front to the back waistband at the side seams.

Baste skirt at waistline to be able to gather skirt to have it fit in the waistband matching up the side seams. Stitch skirt into place.

Continue sewing as indicated in the tutorial, Girls Skirt Pattern No.5 by E+M Patterns. 

Until next time, xx. 

Willow and Co. Sneak Peek: Ash Jumpsuit

Saddly this is the last stop for me, but there are other patterns that will be available from Willow and Co. along with the ones you've already seen here and here. The release date for all the patterns in the Wanderlust collection for spring and summer 2014 is set for April 22nd, just 8 days away! Now last but not least is the Ash Jumpsuit designed by Celina at Petit à Petit & Family. (BTW, you'll want to visit Celina's blog to see how creative she is with her entries of Project Run & Play)

For this one I chose a light weight cotton, I wanted to make sure that it would get some wear this summer, so light and airy was the way to go with our hot and humid summers.  

This all seems like a very straight forward patten, but there are options to be able to change it up, like making the pants and top as seperates, and adding inseam pockets. 

This little number is so on trend too, I've seen them all over store fronts (I seriously even want one for me!) 

So that's it for me, but don't forget to vist Willow and Co. to see where the inspiration for this collection came from and to look at what else will be released on the 22nd of April.

Until next time, xx.

Willow and Co. Sneak Peek: Fawn Lily

I started here with a sneak peek of Clover and Persimmon, and now may I present Fawn Lily dress and tunic another pattern from the Willow and Co. Collective. The collection, Wanderlust, is due out April 22nd but you're getting a first look here because this is another one I had the privilege of testing. This brilliant design was created by Rebecca of Rock the Stitch. 

I used fabric covered buttons for a perfect match. 

Close up you can see the ronded yoke and inverted pleats. This is only one version, but there is so much more Fawn Lily has to offer.

Different length options and yoke options as well as different skirts...pleated, gathered or a-line. There also some inseam pockets or secret pockets a JubeJube calls them.

Do stick around because I will have one more sneak peek for you tomorrow, but there is much more to Willow and Co. including some designs with boys in mind! Peaked your curiousity, go check out Willow and Co. Patterns' blog!

Until next time, xx.