Tuxedo Dress a Design by Love Notions

This week I tested the new pattern from Love Notions, the Tuxedo Dress. This dress is cute, comfy and a quick sew, what's not to like about it. Its now also available in their Etsy shop, use the coupon code TUXEDO at checkout for a 15% discount, but only for a limited time.

This is a sweet a-line dress with a slight flare desinged for knit fabrics. The hem is to the knee and there are several sleeve options, and even some sideseam pockets. This pattern can be used to make sizes 6 months to size 14 girls.

And yup! We have a smile! Want to see more smiles from happy girls in their new dress, just  take a look at Fantima's blog, a fellow tester. You get more smiles and inspiration to sew up your own Tuxedo dress.

The last one is just because I can. Such a serious dreamy face!

Until next time, xx.

Knit Version of E+M Patterns' Boy's Shirt No.7 & Giveaway

I know some of you have been wondering if this pattern can be made with the knits...Well, yes it can! So here you have it, the knit version of Boy's Shirt Pattern No.7 by E+M Patterns. You'll want to read to the end because I have another giveaway with Rafflecopter. I also have the links to other amazing bloggers who have tested out Boy's Shirt No.7 by E+M Patterns.

I did change up a couple of things, but nothing in the construction of the garment. This is what I did...I used a bit of light interfacing at the top of the pocket where it folds down. It just gives the pocket a little more hold.

I also used a bit of twill tape at the hip vent openings, it just gives the fabric a little more body and make everything look nice a clean.

I decided to use snaps at the shoulders, but if you should use buttons make sure you use interfacing that is a little heavier and will give those button holes some stability. The last thing you need is for those button holes to stretch out and the buttons and making them just too big.

Here are the links to other blog posts for more inspiration. Enjoy! 

• Wednesday, June 4, 2014:  Finn's Door (review)
• Thursday, June 5, 2014: Baby Steps to Couture (review)
• Friday, June 6, 2014: Emsky Rooney (review)
• Tuesday, June 10, 2014: Friends Stitched Together (pattern hack) and Made by Amanda Rose (review and tutorials)
• Wednesday, June 11, 2014: Mae & K (review) and Sprouting Jube Jube (tutorial on a knit version)
• Friday, June 13, 2014: Rebel and Malice (pattern hack), Sew Many Adventures, Sew Little Time (review) and Pity Kitty (review)

Time for a giveaway for a copy of  Boy's Shirt No.7 by E+M Patterns.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until next time, xx.

Sweet Jane a Design by My Little Plumcake & Giveaway

Sweet Jane by My Little Plumcake has been released today and is now available in their Etsy shop with a special discount for this week of 20% (Used coupon code SWEETJANE at checkout)! I got to test this pattern and it was a perfect fit for Amelia. I used a cotton voile for this darling vintage style dress. Sadly I didn't have enough fabric so I omited the ruffle around the square yoke because I really wanted to have a maxi length dress. 

You'll want to read to the end because I have an extra copy to giveaway to one lucky reader!  Thanks Michelle and My Little Plumcake!

This pattern features sizes 6 months to 10 years, with different length options either to the knee or maxi. 

The reason why I love this pattern so much, some may roll your eyes or think I'm crazy, all those button down the back of the dress! Yes I admit I love making button holes! They are so worth it because look at the fit! 

All those buttons make for a nice snug fit, no gaping neckline or armscys.

Now giveaway time! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until next time, xx.

Odette by Sunday Girl Designs & Giveaway

I've been aching to show this little number off! Odette by Sunday Girl Designs is one of those timeless little outfits that little girls love to have in their closet.  This pattern offers so many options and is from size 3 to 8, I'm sure you'll use it more than once. Odette is now available in their Etsy shop along with many other patterns. Read to the end because you'll have a chance to win a copy of this pattern by entering through Rafflecopter.

So by now you know how particular JubeJube is, and when she has decided something she will not change her mind, unless there's a necklace or candy involved. JubeJube wanted to be able to wear a necklace so no collar, but I did get to make the top with tulip sleeves. I also stitched buttons to the font to add some detail. There's an inverted pleat at the front of the top to give it some volume, the perfect little touch.

I also stitched buttons to the shorts instead of the ties suggested in the pattern just so everything would tie in nicely.

I decided to go with shorts to match the top, but capri pants are also available in the pattern. 

I just love the detail of the tulip sleeve with bias tape for trim. 

Ok now time for the giveaway! I'm so happy to say that Georgianna from Sunday Girl Designs is offering one lucky reader a copy of her new pattern! I'll make it really easy for you with Rafflecopter...So don't forget to enter! Oh, if you want to see behind the scenes in Sunday Girl Designs just go take a look at their blog! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For those looking for SundayGirl on Pinterest

Until next time, xx.

Boy's Shirt Pattern No.7 a Design by E+M Patterns

My friend Allison at E+M Patterns has just released a new pattern...for boys! (at a special introdcutory price of only 5.00$, YAY! On Etsy and Craftsy , no coupon code needed!) When it comes to E+M Patterns I can't leave well enough alone. The classic clean lines are so inspiring! I came up with an easy tutorial to add a button tab for the sleeves.

I'm being a little of a tease, because I've also made the boy's shirt a little girly, but I'm not showing that part of it today. You'll be able to catch that one in a couple of weeks.

To get started you'll need:

1. a copy of Boy's Shirt Pattern No.7 by E+M Patterns 
2. tailor's chalk
3. scraps of light interfacing
4. a couple of extra buttons

I started out by printing a taping my pattern pieces together. 

Determine where the tab and button should be stitched. For a size 4, I measured 5.25 inches from the top. For the size 10, I would go with about 6.5 to 7 inches from the cap of the sleeve depending on where you want the sleeve to hit the arm once rolled up.  Don't froget to mark that point on your sleeves on the wrong side of the fabric with tailor's chalk.

Now you should have your fabric all cut out and ready to go, but wait! If you want to add tabs you also need to cut out two pieces 3 inches wide by about 6 to 7 inches long. I used 6 inches for a size 4. 

Add a light interfacing to both pieces. I like having interfacing when making button holes because they just come out so much better. Without interfacing or at least 3 layers of fabric to statblize everything, button holes tend to look sloppy.

Fold tabs in two lengthwise and stitch one short side and then the whole length of the tab. Clip corners and trim seam allowances. Turn your tab right side out and top stitch all the way around as shown in the last image. Just a tip for getting those corners all square, I use knitting needles, others use chopsticks. just make sure to be gentil so that you don't poke through your fabric and rip it. Mark off your button holes and stitch them onto the tabs.

Now these tabs need to go on the shirt before assembly, it just makes life easier.

On wrong side of fabric right where you marked your sleeves (aprox 4-7 inches from the cap) stitich your tab in place. This is actually the inside of the shirt sleeve.

Now you can assemble your shirt as indicated in the pattern tutorial. 

Can't wait to show the whole girly version of this shirt! 

Until next time, xx.

             

Ella Party Dress by Peek-a-Boo Patterns

I am so in love with the Ella Party Dress from Peek-a-Boo Patterns! (affiliate link) I was shopping for fabric and was wanted to go with a light weight fabric like a chiffon or voile, and I knew I wanted something fancy. I came face to face with a beautiful red cotton jacquard with white polka-dots, I was in love!

This is the vision I had in my head when I saw the fabric. 

What prompted this little project? Simply a call for photographers so that Amy could update photos in the pattern listings. So glad I landed Ella, a sweet dress perfect for just about any occasion. Along with some listing photos being redone the whole store front got a makeover so if you haven't been in a while go ahead and take a look at Peek-a-Boo's new look.

This dress pattern features a drop waist, cap sleeves, and a hidden back zipper, and its fully lined. 

I almost want to see the Eiffel Tower in the back ground, but going to Paris was just out of the question so I settled on this location about a 10 minute car ride from the house. This wonderful outdoor shopping complex with an urban feel was the setting, and we even got a little window shopping done.

Until next time, xx.

Last Day of Preschool

In September 2013 Julia started preschool. Last week she graduated from preschool and will be off to kindergarten in September 2014. Its all good becuase she is so ready to learn, and she's the type of child that loves to entertain and needs to be entertained all the time!

I hadn't realized just ho much my little JubeJube had grown and changed over the past few months.

I'm so ready to spend a wonderful summer with my kids, after all the teens are just getting older and soon will have their own things going on (yes I'm in denial, because its already happening) and the little ones are getting older. I'll be making a summer bucket list with some activities for the family and other activities for each individual. Its not always fun for the teens follow us, I came to the conclusion that big kids have passed the petting zoo stage. I will get my bucket list ideas up in the next week or so, stay tuned for that.

Until next time, xx.