Dress Pattern No.13 by E+M Patterns

Sometimes the smallest details can make all the difference. Ever wonder about lining up plaids or other prints to make a seam look seamless? While I was testing Dress Pattern No.13 for E+M Patterns I thought of only that, making that center back seam disappear. I'm going to show you a quick way to make sure your prints can line up so that your handmade garments have that seamless look. By the way, Dress Pattern No.13 is now available for purchase, YAY! and its only 4.00$ instead of 8.00$ for the next few days, so act now if you want to get a great pattern at an awesome price!

Start by tracing your pattern pieces on a light non-fusible interfacing because you can easily see your fabric print right through it. Next, line up you fabric so that the print matches up perfectly. The fold on the fabric is where you want your seam to be and the blue arrow represents the seam allowance or where you want to place the edge of the back pattern piece (for the center back).

You can see right through my traced pattern piece to see the print of the fabric and how I placed the pattern piece to line up my print and added the 1/2" seam allowance. Once I'm sure of the placement of the pattern piece I can then cut out the fabric.

When ready to sew the center back seam following the pattern tutorial directions make sure to pin your pieces in place matching up your print. I would suggest hand or machine basting to make sure everything lines up. If the print doesn't match up, no worries, simply pull your basting thread out and start over until you're completely satisfied with the way the fabric lines up.

when you're happy with what you see, stitch into place and press your seam open, finish off the seams as indicated in the pattern tutorial. Its does take a little more time to make sure plaids and prints do line up, but its so worth the time and effort. Do remember it may also take a little extra fabric to make your prints line up.

This is just one little detail that could make a sweet little dress like this one a little more of a challenge, and sometimes a challenge is what we need to improve sewing skills.

Here are some of the pattern details:

• Size range is from size 2-10
• Lined bodice
• Sleeveless, perfect for layering
• Elastic at the waisline with faux ties
• Easy to follow step by step tutorial
• For woven fabrics

This fun little dress can also be paired with the free leggings pattern available in the E+M Pattern shop! 

Incase you're wondering, this fabric is from the stash, it was pruchased a year ago and I'm so glad I saved it to use it on this pattern.

Until next time, xx

Elegance & Elephants and the Ponderosa Dress

This is the soon to be released pattern, Ponderosa Dress, by Elegance & Elephants...I've been a fan since I first saw the Bubble Shorts so when I was scrolling down my facebook feed and saw that Heidi wanted to do one last round of testing I pounced to be able to sew up this pretty! 

I used a knit fabric that I found at my local fabric store. The quality, amazing! It was imported from Holland but so worth the price! Amelia loves the little criters printed on the fabric and there was a coordinating stripe fabric available to for the under part of the bodice.

This dress in perfect for the colder weather with its long sleeves and two layeres of fabric at the bodice. The knee length perfect for layering with leggings or tights.

Yup, that's a cookie you see in her hand, I had to bribe Amelia to get this early morning shoot done, but then she didn't want to take the dress off, I guess she got to have her cake cookie and eat it too.

Until next tme, xx.

Sewing From My Stash: Update

Some may be wondering how sewing from my stash is working out for me. Its actually been a little of a challenge for some projects, but its also been very rewarding to see the pile of unused fabrics get smaller.

I have to admit I had to cheat once but it was for a good cause, it was for the Off the Shoulder top I made for the EYMM Think Fall Tour.

I may just have to keep sewing from my stash all through September too, I have a yards of flannel just yelling out at me to become PJ's and as it turns out JubeJube and Amelia are in some serious need of PJ's too. So I'm off to sew a few PJ sets for the girls and I might just let you in on what patterns are my favorite.

Until next time, xx


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Free Leggings Pattern by E+M Patterns

Last week E+M Patterns released a FREE 3/4 length leggings pattern up on their website, YAY for free patterns! Sizes range from 2-10 and the fit is really nice.
I'll be showing you how to add a cute little ruching detail to the leggings.

To get started you'll need:

• E+M Patterns Free leggings pattern, you can get it here!
• 3 inches of 1/4" elastic for ruching
• Measuring tape
• Fabric marker
• Tracing paper or light weight non-fusible interfacing 
• All materials listed in the pattern supply list in the pattern tutorial

The first thing I like to do is trace my pattern pieces. In this case only one piece :) 

Since there is no side seam to these leggings, measure out where you want to have you ruching detail. I like mine to be a little more to the front rather than on the side so I made sure to go 0.5 inches more towards the front of the pattern piece to mark off my elastic placement.

Cut out fabric and transfer markings for elastic placement to the wrong side of you fabric with fabric marker. Cut your 3 inch elastic in 2 so that you have 1.5 inches for each side. Just a suggestion, place your elastic 0.5 inches above the hemline so you don't have the extra bulk of the elastic to turn over when you hem your leggings.

Set your machine to a width 3 zigzag stich and length can stay at 3. On the wrong side of your fabric, backstitch starting closest to the hem working your way up stretching out the elastic as best as you can. Finish off your seam with backstitching to secure your elastic in place.

This is what the right side of the legging will look like.

Now you're ready to finish off the leggings as directed in the free pattern by E+M Patterns!

Enjoy the free pattern!
Until next time, xx.

Breeze Top for Women a Design by Peaches and Peanuts

Only a few weeks left of warm weather in my neck of the woods, but I'm fully taking advantage of the new pattern release, the women's Breeze Top over at  LKG...and its at a super low price for a limited time so hurry!

You may have seen the tween sizes for the Breeze Top here when I made one for my niece. When I saw the testing call for the women's version I had to make one for myself!

I made mine using a rayon blend fabric, so its super comfy, and fun to dress up for an evening out or as easy as flip flops and jeans in the park with JubeJube and Amelia. 

I never thought I'd be comfortable in a racerback top, but I really am. Another fun thing about this top is the neckline isn't so low that I feel I have to be watching how I move while running after JubeJube and Amelia. 

Her are some of the pattern details:

• Designed for knit fabrics (if you want to use woven you can, just size up and make a muslin to make sure you feel comfortable in the bodice)
• Clear and easy to follow instructions
• Size range for the women's pattern XS - 2XL
• Fast sew (it took me about an hour to sew up, including printing and cutting)
• I used just over a yard of fabric to make the top

I think I need a few more of these tops, maybe one with a lace overlay for the yoke! 

Until next time, xx.

PS. This top was sewn with fabric from my stash...I haven't had it for that long, but I do think it was perfect for this project!

The Cherry Blossom Dress by Mandy K. Designs

I recently got the chance to test the Cherry Blossom Dress by Mandy K Designs and I must say what a fantastic sew! Actually its been a couple of weeks and I've been aching to post about this dress. This pattern is part of the Aspiring Designers Challenge hosted by Pattern Revolution and the pattern is available as of today in their Craftsy shop and Etsy shop, and while you're at it check out all the other patterns Mandy K Designs has to offer becausee for now and for a limited time, they're all on sale, use the code "cherry20" for 20% off in the Etsy shop.

Let me start by saying what I love about this dress! The length is prefect for playing, not too long or too short. The sash is not sewn in so the dress can be worn without the sash. The original design, how many patterns have you seen use frogs. 

The details of the front insert are fun but do require some time. The frogs are decorative and there are buttons at the back for dressing.

Some of the pattern details:

• Size range from 12 months to 14 years
• Easy to follow instructions with tons of photos
• Designed for woven fabrics
• For beginners that are ready for a little of a challenge

I used cotton fabrics but it can easily be made with satins...how pretty it would be with a satin brocard!  

Until next time, xx.

Think Fall Blog Tour With EYMM

I can't tell you how happy I am to show you my Off the Shoulder Top by EYMM (affiliate link). I have to tell you that I almost didn't make it, just say that I made a big booboo while making this top so yes, I do make mistakes but that's a story for another time.

So me and my morning coffee at 6am ready for pictures. I'm so glad I used a heavy knit to make this top because fall is coming and its cool out! "falliscoming" is also the coupon code you can use at checkout for 25% off your purchse of the Off the Shoulder Top & Tunic in either girl's (newborn-18tween) or women's (xs -5x) or you can purchase the bundle to get all sizes! Coupon expires August 20th at 11:59 PST.

 

I had to change the construction just a bit due to the fact my knit was so heavy. I inserted an elastic at the neckline for structure and I only used one layer of fabric instead of two layers cut on the fold for the cowl or it would have been just too heavy and I would constantly have to pull it back up. 

I also changed the direction of my fabric of the cowl, I had to make sure my knit had the same stretch in both direction so I wouldn't feel confined at the shoulders. 

Under normal conditions, this top would have been done in about 45 minutes, but even the best plans can sometimes fall apart at the seams. This top is not at all hard to get to put together, I woud say its for a confident beginner. You'll also want to know tha Kymy's patterns are so easy a quick to tape together because there are no borders to trim, just print and tape. 

I'm thinking I need to do 6am shoots more often, I acutally look well rested, ha!

Just a look at the other stops along this tour you'll want to check out!

Rebel & Malice - Sprouting JubeJube - Mimi's Mom

Bigg Stitches, Little Stitches - Stitching Insane- Sewn to the Core

Until next time, xx.