Cali Blouse - Jilly Atlanta

You know when a project is handed to you, and its the kick in the butt that you need for the first sewing project of the year...yup Jill, of Jilly Atlanta (link to facebook group)  did that to me, and I would imagine for a lot of others too. Jill proposed to her group members to try any one of her patterns in her Etsy shop, sew it up within the time frame given and she would refund everyone who followed through on the challenge. So yes I did get the pattern for free, but only because I did follow through and sewed it up. All opinions about this PDF pattern are my own.

So I picked the Cali blouse to sew up. JubeJube picked the fabric, she wanted blue and when I showed her 3 or 4 fabrics she jumped on the feathers and I couldn't have made her change her mind even if I wanted to. This fabric is Petit Plume from Camelot fabrics. You do see Amelia here in the photos (the joy of having two girls the same size) only because JubeJube is in school, but JubeJube does love her new blouse. Now to get it off Amelia, I guess I'll be needing to make another.

So many little details to the blouse, like the elastic casing at the uppper part of the long sleeve, the button loops, the curve of the yoke at the front and back and the detailed instructions for French seams.

This is what you get with the purchase of the Cali PDF pattern:

• sizes 2t-6 years
• 1/2" seam allowances included
• Step-by-step photos included with the tutorial
• Detailed charts in metric and imperial measurements for yardage requirements and body measurements.
• 80 plus pages of instructions and pattern pieces (in 3 different PDF files)
• Designed for a woven fabric, but I'm sure it can be made in a knit.
• Great cutomer service, I got an email a day later from Jill asking me if everything was ok and not to be shy if I had any questions in regards to construction of the pattern.
• So many different sleeve options and dress or blouse length.

I think the only down side is the fact that it only goes to a size 6. 

So we don't need to mess around with this one, I say its a keeper! I'll for sure be making it again!

And this face, well she's a keeper too, don't you agree!

Until next time, xx.

2015 in Review

I'm starting off by wishing everyone a wonderful 2016! Thanks for coming back time and time again to see what I've created. I thought it would be fun to start off the new year by looking back at some of my favorite projects from last year. I have so many I enjoyed making and also photographing that it was a bit hard to select only a few.

The biggest project that I had to sew up for Julia last year was her back to school wardrobe. The Back to School Capsule has a total of 14 pieces and was fun to try and make everything work together as a collection for mixing and matching. A little sad that a lot of the pieces don't fit anymore, but its to be expected. 

One of my favorite shoots was the one with the featuring the Block Party pattern by Mandy K Design. This day was magical with its sudden rain storm en route to destination and clearing up as we got to the park. 

Moving on to celebrations...Last year Sofilantjes celebrated their fist year of pattern designing and I use her very first pattern , Summer Surprise, to create a fun look for both Amelia and JubeJube. 

We also celebrated Canadian Designers and I discovered Victory Patterns and sewed up soemthing pretty for me! 

We also had our sweet little Julia AKA JubeJube turn 6 while we were on a little vacation. 

I had made JubeJube the Peggy Swimcap by Filles a Maman and the Waikiki Swimsuit by Peek-a-Boo patterns. It will be safe to say that I,ll have to make a new one for this summer.

My favorite pattern hack from last year was adding pockets to E+M Patterns No.19 Dress. This little dress ended up being JubeJube's favorite summer dress.

The last few months I have done a lot with PDF patterns by The Handmaiden's Cottage*, they have become some of my favorite. Just love the vintage style of these patterns. 

Elizabether & Eden...so sweet!

...and Lucy. Both these patterns stole my heart! 

This was my year...Feel free to comment with some of your favorite projects of 2015. 

Until next time, xx. 

*This blog contains affiliate links meaning I make a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase through it at no extra cost to you.

Lucy by The Handmaiden's Cottage

The newest pattern from The Handmaiden's Cottage* is now available and its such a classic! Meet Lucy.

Just really quickly before I start telling you about the details of this pattern, get it while you can for a limited time at 30% off using the code "ILOVELUCY" at checkout in the pattern shop*.

This is the style of clothing I love to sew, classic and with simple details that set it apart from something we would see in a store window. This is also the style that JubeJube gravitates to, girly, classic and no fuss. It also helps that she gets to choose the lace detail and the buttons. 

I  chose to make Lucy with pintucks down the front and peter pan collar with the long sleeves. 

There are buttons down the back, JubeJube carefully selected some vintage mother of pearl buttons. The fabric is from the Jardin de Provence collection from Windham Fabrics.

The size range of Lucy is from 2 - 10 years and the pattern has two skirt options, pleated and gathered, two different sleeve options and also two collar options. The front can be made with or without pintucks.  

This is one pattern you can be sure I use over and over again...I have a couple already in the works for the spring and summer. I can't wait to show you where I got the inspiration for them.

Until next time, xx. 

*This blog contains affiliate links meaning I make a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase through it at no extra cost to you.

Day 5 Moto Jacket Sew-a-Long - A PDF by Jennuine Design

The last day already?! Where did the week go! I can tell you one thing, Amelia is so glad to finally get her new Moto Jacket!

Just incase you missed a post and any helpful hints here are the links from start to finish of the Moto Jacket Sew-a-Long featuring a pttern from Jennuine Design*:

• Day 1 - preparing your pattern
• Day 2 - cutting your fabric 
• Day 3 - zipper, welted pockets and more
• Day 4 - sleeves, lining, and collar

There's still time to get your pattern at a discount in the Jennuine Design* pattern shop, use the coupon code "MOTOSEWALONG" at checkout to get the pattern for only $6.00 (regular $10.00). The discount will be available until December 13th, 2015.

Here are some details about the pattern:

• Layered printing so you can print only the sizes you need and want. 
• Easy to follow step-by-step intructions with drawings in the tutorial.
• 3/8" seam allowances included.
• Sizes range from 2t - 12 years.
• Charts for fabric requirements and measurements of finished garment included.
• Extra information about blending sizes, shortening zippers and creating the garment for a boy or girl...all this is in the pattern tutorial.

If you need extra help or you just want to share your Jennuine Design creation just join their facebook group.

Until next time, xx.

*This blog contains affiliate links meaning I make a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase through it at no extra cost to you.

**I was given this pattern for the prupose of the sew long but all opinions are my own!

Day 4 Moto Jacket Sew-a-Long - A PDF by Jennuine Design

Day 4, and we're in the home stretch! Be sure to share you finished project in the Jennuine Design Pattern Group on facebook!

If you didn't have a chance to sew along with us you can still pick up the pattern in the Jennuine Design Pattern Shop*, you can still get it at $6.00 (reg. $10.00) until December 13, 2015, use the code "MOTOSEWALONG" at checkout. While you're there take a look at all the other fun patterns available...JubeJube's favorite leggings are the Dressage Leggings, I must admit I really like the fit on her too.

Yesterday we really saw our jacket take shape, I love it when all the little pieces come together to shape make a garment. We talked about the pocket and top stitching, the zipper was put in and then it was the shoulder seams, back center seam and the side seams. 

Today, let's talk lining, collar and sleeves. 

I assembled my lining the as instructed in the tutorial, basted my collar to the main jacket. I wanted to make sure that the corners would meet up. I like the look of this cowl on this jacket. Due to the fact that I used the bottom band of a  sweater the collar is not as high, but that's the fun of creating with what you have, you always find a way to make it work. 

Once my collar was in place with the basting stitch I was easily able sew the lining to the main jacket making sure my soulder seams at the neckline matched up and the side seams were all matched up. 

I have to admit that I cheated a bit on the sleeves. I put in my sleeve and finished off with my serger to keep all the layers together and later today I'll be using the bias to finsh off the seam the way it should be as shown in the tutorial. It doesn't look that bad with serger stitch but it doesn't look finished and after all the planning and beautiful top stitching it would be ashamed not to finish of the inside of the jacket to give it a high-end look.

Come back tomorrow to see the whole finished jacket on my little model. 

Until next time, xx.

*This blog contains affiliate links meaning I make a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase through it at no extra cost to you.

Day 3 Moto Jacket Sew-a-Long - A PDF by Jennuine Design

So here we are at Day 3, more than half way done! I can't believe how mine is coming together, I can't wait to see what everyone else has done with this pattern! Be sure to share you creations in the Jennuine Design Pattern Group on facebook!

I'm just going to share with you a couple of tricks I learned from my aunt who used to sew haute couture. The first trick, when the fabric permits, use interfacing on the wrong side of the main fabric for the welt opening. This prevents those corners from fraying and keeps them really crisp. I'm using denim for my jacket but for those using vinyl, or fake leather I wouldn't recommend putting those fabrics under the iron.

Be sure to mark your welt openings on the wrong side of your fabric so that you don't stain the right side of your fabric if ever your fabric pen doesn't wash away.

The next tip is about top stitching. Today after putting in the pockets we'll be starting some assembly. If you are making your jacket with a back center seam its nice to have a top stitch to show off that work. If you noticed the right side is a little bolder than the left side top stitch. I didn't pass over my stitching twice, I simply threaded my machine with two treads at the top and used bobbin thread as a single thread as I normally do. You can get thicker denim thread at the store but not a wide variety of colors are available but this method allows you to have a bigger range in color that will match perfectly to what you're stitching.

Today was not a long day of sewing...but I do recommend you take your time making sure your welted pockets are perfectly positioned, even in height and of equal distance from the side seam. You should have also put in the zipper and done all the assembly up until the sleeves.
For tomorrow, we'll be assembling the sleeves, putting the collar and assembling the lining.

Until next time, xx.

Day 2 Moto Jacket Sew-a-Long - A PDF by Jennuine Design

Day 2 is here and I'm ready to get cutting! 

Just a few things you want to remember before you start cutting into your much loved fabrics:

• Are you making your jacket for a boy or girl, left over right for a boy, and right over left for a girl, The right and left front pattern pieces are not the same!
• Are all your pattern pieces the required size for your model. Yes its happened to me, I've cut a size 4 front and a size 5 back, lucky for me I was able to fix that.
• Make sure you lay your pattern pieces the right way for directional fabrics and they are all following the grain line.
• Do all your required pattern pieces fit on your fabric, it would be ashame if you forgot just one piece and didn't have enough fabric to finish off your project.

Ok, I think we're ready to cut! I still get nervous when I start cutting into fabric...and I've been doing this for so long! Silly question here, and I'd love to get your comments on this, do you still get nervous when cutting into fabric or are you over that?

These are the fabrics that I'll be using. A heavier denim for the outside, soft cotton flannel for the lining and I'm going to upcyle a knit sweater and use the ribbing for the cuffs, neckband welted pockets. This is going to be one sweet looking jacket!

What to do if your zipper is just too long, that's an easy fix, but if your zipper is just a bit too short you will want to go and get something a little longer, at the same time pick up a couple of zipper stoppers, you'll be able to ask a sales associate for those at your local fabric store. (You'll see the little stoppers in the image below). Page 5 of the pattern tutorial has all the information you need about shortening a zipper. Jennifer has also set up the video tutorial on shortening zipper on her website. You'll want to make sure you have the tools you need just make your life easier and get it done.

Zipper teeth can be easily removed with a small pair of pliers and the new stoppers can be placed at the right height for the length of zipper you need. Some may wonder, but do I really need stoppers, the answer is YES! There's no way around it. 

Join us tomorrow, we start sewing! Yay, I can't wait!

By the way, still time to join in on the fun, join the Jennuine Design Pattern Group and grab your pattern in the Jennuine Design* pattern shop for only $6.00 using the code "MOTOSEWALONG" at checkout.

Until next time, xx.

*This blog contains affiliate links meaning I make a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase through it at no extra cost to you.