Showing posts with label pattern review. Show all posts

Sisters New Knit Outfits - Thread Faction SS2016



Hi! Today I am showcasing new coordinating knit outfits I made for my girls as part of the Thread Faction SS2016 tour.

Do you know Thread Faction patterns? (formerly Hatchlings patterns) 
It's a pattern company owned by the amazingly talented Liz Elliott, who lives in Australia. Believe me, you want to know these patterns! I am so (so!) impressed by their overall quality! 

Thread Faction just launched a new pattern collection. The Spring/Summer 2016 collection presents several knit girls patterns. (But you can hack a few of them into boys patterns! Just check what my friend Diana did here. Super cute, right?)

There's a mix of 7 patterns that make up for the perfect beach/Summer styles: shorts, romper, circle skirt dress, racer back tank & dress, boxy top, etc. They are all super trendy and easy to make! And the best part: Liz makes use of all the proper techniques for sewing with knits. These patterns will take you to the next level on your sewing skills! 

A Roaring 20's Inspired Dress




Hi! Today I am sharing two things of the many I have made in these last couple of weeks. My sewing  machine is amazing because I am giving her (yes, it's a she) no rest and she is up to the challenge! It is a pretty simple sewing machine, non computerized, only about 20 different stitches (including stretch ones), it is actually a bit ugly (it looks like a cold machine, not a pretty and friendly toy). It is the love of my life. (Did I just say that?!) After my true Love (aka sweet husband) and my three spunky kids, of course. (Ahem.)

(End of love letter to my sewing machine. :) )

Have you hear about the Mystery Challenge? It is sewing/crafting challenge where a group of people swap themes and have to create something with the theme they get from their partner. Doesn't it sound like so much fun? 

I have already joined last round when I was given the theme "Under the big top" and you can see what I have made here. This time around I was given the theme "The Roaring 20's". Actually it was "John Dillinger and the Roaring 20's" and although I first thought about making a full shirt + pants + vest + bow tie + hat for my son, when I saw a tester call for the Dress Pattern No. 19 (pattern of E+M Patterns) I immediately felt that it was it. It has a slight 20's feel to it with that elasticized waistband and squared skirt, and those bodice tucks and ties. Luckily I was chosen to test it! (Thank you Allison!)

The Blake dress






Hi! Last week I was lucky to be picked as a pattern tester for the new dress pattern by Farrah of Mingo & Grace patterns. You know how much I love pattern testing but the truth is I haven't been applying for so many tester calls lately because I have a few (rather important) new projects coming up and I need to focus on them. Well, I just had to make an exception to this one... I had already tested her first pattern - the Charlie dress, which you can see here - so I just had to test this one too. :)

Pattern: 
The Blake dress, pattern by Mingo & Grace.

Fabric:
A light-weight scuba/neoprene knit in fuschia. This is an amazing fabric to work with! I had already used a striped scuba knit here. I love it!

Details:
This dress features a beautiful pleated skirt with hidden pockets on the side seams and closes at the back with an invisible zipper. It is available in sizes 18m to 6 years. 

You can make it fully lined or use bias facings on the neckline and armholes. I have opted to leave mine showing (instead of turning it all over the inside) to had some contrast to the solid color knit. I have also add a cute bow - how do you like it best? At the neckline or at the waistline?

This dress is best made in a medium to heavy weight fabric (woven or knit) because of its structured design but you can make it in any fabric. You can dress it up or down, depending on which fabric you choose - broadcloth, cottons, corduroy, denim, jacquards, linen, poplin, sateen, satin, taffeta, twill, velvet, wools... lots of options!

I have a good news for you - this pattern only has 15 pages to print! And it comes with the layer option so you can print only the size you need!

This pattern is under a 20% discount right now so go and get it here or on Etsy! Make sure to join the Mingo & Grace Patterns group at Facebook for a chance to get a even greater discount. (Just sayin'... :) )








Happy sewing!




This project was linked to:

The All Spice Dress









Hi! Today I am part of the All Spice Blog Tour. I had the chance to test the All Spice dress sometime ago and when Karly invited me for the tour I immediately said yes! On one hand because I admire Karly - she is an amazing stay-at-home mom of five kids! -, and on the other hand because I looove this dress. I have a crush for pintucks... 

Pattern
The All Spice dress, pattern by Paisley Roots. (You can get it here!)

Fabric
Cotton solid in black and emerald green (although it doesn't look like in the photos...).

Details
This pattern is available in sizes 6-12 months to 12 years. It features an adorable square-neck design with (optional) pintucks at the front. The bodice is lined and the seams are enclosed.
It comes with two different closures at the front - zipper or buttons - and it has four different sleeve options - sleeveless, flutter, cap and longsleeve - which makes it suitable for all seasons! 
There is a printing guide so you can choose to print only the pieces you need, and the instructions are very detailled! Karly does a grear job taking you through each step.

I have opted for a sleeveless dress and the button closure for which I have used these vintage glass buttons from my belated granny's stash. 
As always I had a hard time choosing which fabrics to use (from my stash, or my tiny fabric store as I call it... :) )... The version I made while testing this pattern was a floral birds-eye cotton piqué, so this time I decided to make a it... a color blocking dress! Coming from me that is a bit shocking right? :)

I have hand sewn the bodice to the skirt (on the inside) because personally I prefer less top stitching. For the hem I decided to go for a band hem to had some contrast to the black skirt. I really like how it turned out.



This dress is amazing! I really love the details... I mean, how lovely are those pintucks? 
Have a look at all the different versions made for the tour! 


Nov. 26 The Life of a Compulsive Crafter | Made by Sara

Black Friday sale code and a Giveaway!

Karly is offering a Black Friday sale of 25% off with the code BLACKFRIDAY2014 (valid until Sunday)!

There is also a giveaway for fabric and notions! Enter the Rafllecopter below for a chance to win. 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy sewing!

The Moku Shorts (or Culottes)







Have you heard about One Thimble magazine? It is an digital sewing magazine, based on Australia, full of PDF patterns, sewing projects, tips and  more! 

One Thimble is celebrating its 1st anniversary! On issue 5 you can find 15 PDF sewing patterns and several useful articles such as tips for sewing with knit and plastic coated fabrics, advice on how to maintain your overlocker/serger and tutorials on adding a zip pocket to a bag & trouble-shooting necklines on knit garments as articles on interfacing, shirring and sewing buttons on by machine, and a few handmade business articles that look at how to make your sewing better than store bought, and photography. 

You can read more about it here. And have a look at this sneak peek.
Get issue #5 of One Thimble here! And you can also have a look at all 15 PDF patterns included in this issue and purchase whichever you want (as individual patterns), at the One Thimble shop.

I had the chance to sew one of the 15 PDF sewing patterns included on this issue - the Moku Shorts or culottes. (Thanks Mie!)


Pattern
The Moku Shorts, PDF pattern by Tadah! Patterns (formerly Fresh Patterns). 
Tadah! Patterns is run by Lauren, an Australian, who has been awarded with the 2014 Ausmumpreneur Award in the Handmade category (how awesome is that?).

Fabric
I really don't know the name of this fabric in english... (Sorry folks!) It is something that looks like a medium weight flannel on the outside and a medium weight woven on the inside. Maybe it is a brushed tweed?...
I am trying to find a book with real swatches so I can learn... If you know any can you please let me know in the comments below? Thank you! 

Details
This pattern includes sizes 2 to 12. It offers two options: high waist or hip sit. And it features a flat front + elastic back waistband. 
The instructions are very good! Full of clear digital illustrations and easy to follow. 
Although it is almost Summer in Australia it is almost Winter (well, it already feels like it...) around here, half way around the globe! So, I had to make a version suitable for the cold weather. 



These shorts have the right amount of the twirling factor to make a little girl happy!
I had a few when I was a kid and I loved them! I remember loving the fact that I could jump, run, climb and bend easily but looking like a girl wearing a skirt. :)



At this point the camera lens was making a strange noise and the photos started to look all overexposed and blurry... It made a "clang" sound and it stopped working... 
Thankfully it is still under the warranty. But still, it means I am now left with a kit lens of 55-200mm until this one is fixed... (If you are into photography you know what that means... :) )

It was the first time I have sewn something from Tadah! Patterns but I can tell it won't be the last! You all know how I love to find new pattern designers and the truth is: this one didn't disappoint! I am eager to sew up the Library blouse and the Tulip skirt... I keep seeing all these amazing versions poping up around the web... I am in love.

If you are wondering about the wollen cape - it was made by me last Winter and you can read all about it here!




Make sure to have a look at all the other participants on this tour! There are some great patterns in this issue if One Thimble!

Saturday 11/15: Handmade Boy
Sunday 11/16: Mimi's MomRebekah Sews
Wednesday 11/19: Made by SaraBee Quilted Beauties

Here is a giveaway! Enter this Rafflecopter for a chance to win your own copy of One Thimble issue #5!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The Sugar Plum Sweater











Hi! I had the chance to join the Ellie Inspired Holiday Tour, so here I am! You already know how much I love to find new patterns and pattern designers and although Ellie Inspired is in the pattern market since 2010 and has over 100 (!) patterns to choose from I haven't had the chance to sew up one of their patterns before. If you like classic and timeless pattern designs you have to check Ellie Inspired's patterns.

Pattern
The Sugar Plum Sweater dress pattern, pattern by Ellie Inspired.

Fabric
Two different double-knits.
I usually don't make things for my kids in these greyish-black darker colors but honestly it was the only knit I had with a holiday feel. :) (And it is very very hard to find good knit prints around... They are mostly color blocked...)

Details
This pattern comes in sizes 1-16! It is a super simple sweater or dress pattern with a few options: short or long sleeve and a crew neck or a turtle neck.
I have to say I almost never sew t-shirts or sweaters for my kids without adding some pizzazz. Either it is a ruffle collar, a kanguru pocket, elbow patches, or simply by using two different knit prints or playing with some color blocking... In this case I have add a kanguru pocket and bow straps as a closure at the back - they are both not in the pattern options. I love the result! I want a sweater just like this to myself...
This is a beginner friendly pattern so if you want to try a simple project with knits this is it.

Ellie Inspired Clothes is offering a discount of 25% off all your cart with the code PARTY valid through Friday (Nov 14th). I already have a few patterns in mind I want to try... (Like the Sweet Pea Coat - how lovely is that?)

See what the other participants of this tour are sewing up with Ellie Inspired patterns
Crazy, Crafty Haute Mama
Know Sew Normal
That's Sew Kary








And she is back to normal... That sassy girl... :) Thank you all for your kind words. All the bugs are gone now and this family of five is back to regular routine. Finally. :)

The Ansley dress









My heart is full this week... This little one is the sweetest girl in the world! (oh, I know I always say this when I blog something I made for her... :) ) She is missing pre-school for over a week now because of the chickenpox (if you read my last post you already know that). And I feel terrible because I feel sorry for her but at the same time I feel so happy to be able to have a shadow all day long again. :) Sending her to pre-school was a tough choice (emotionally speaking) but we knew she would love it! (She was sad and missing her brother and sister...)
Lucky for her, she is getting a lot of mama sewing time this last week. And I am getting a lot of cuddling with this girl. :)

Today I am sharing a wollen dress I made for her. I was going to use a poplin or a cotton lawn for this dress but I just couldn't. It is already snowing in the mountains so down here it is getting very cold these days... And this way she can layer it for some added warmth.

Pattern
The Ansley top and dress, pattern by Blaverry. 

Fabric and notions
Wool blend.
Black bias tape and two vintage buttons.

Details
This pattern offers countless options! You can make a top/tunic or a dress, with a regular skirt or in a hi-low style. You can choose from four different sleeve styles - short sleeves, gatherered sleeves, flutter sleeves, 1/4 sleeves with or without cuffs -, and three collar options - no collar, round collar or pointy collar. It also offers three hem options (regular, bias binding and ruffled). See what I mean?
I made a size 4T according to measurements and it is a bit roomy but I don't mind since it will last all Fall/Winter season this way.
I opted for skirt option B (high-low style) with flutter sleeves (option D) and no collar (option A). I had to take a bit of length off the back skirt (that is, reduce the hi-low look) because it was a bit long for her height. I have also add a bias tape bow to the neckline to add some interest there. I think next time I will take some of the width from the flutter sleeves - I think they are a bit too wide for her shoulder width. She loves her new dress and that is what matters the most.

I have found Blaverry's patterns a few months ago on Etsy while I was looking for something else. I immediately fell in love with the design and aesthetic of these patterns... I am used to see the pattern covers with mommy photos and outfits made out of colorful prints of quilting cotton (nothing wrong with that) but these pattern covers look like a higher end fashion brand catalogue. At the time I bought a few patterns but I have to say I never had the chance to use them since then... So, I was really excited to be a part of this tour since I would have a deadline to actually make something out of a Blaverry pattern. :)

Some of the construction methods are not what I am used to (like the button placket construction) but Christie has a college degree for fashion design so she knows what she is doing. She aims to teach home sewists techniques that follow the same construction as commercial style clothing so people can create clothing that doesn’t have that “homemade” feel to it. Personally I would do some things differently - I would add a lining to the yoke to hide the seams and I would add interfacing on the button placket. I would say this pattern is good for an advanced beginner since some of the steps have minimal instructions - more like what we see in printed patterns. The overall is positive and I enjoyed making this pattern.

The size range of this pattern is amazing - 9 months to 14 years! (Suitable for tweens!)
It offers the layers printing option so you can choose to print only the size you need. And there is a comprehensive printing guide that allows you to print only the pages you need for the options you choose to make. (I really appreciate this!!)
You can get your copy of this pattern and any other from Blaverry with a reduced price during the tour. Use coupon code "ILOVEBLAVERY10" at checkout for a 10% off on all cart.

Make sure to have a look on the other versions made for this tour - you will se how versatile this pattern is!



November 6th

November 7th
Frenchie - SewOutOfControl - Made by Sara - Daisy Chain Creations





Little girls dressed like... little girls.

You may have noticed the bread on her hands and... on her mouth. :) This poor kid has been inside walls for a week on a mommy imposed quarantine due to the chickenpox (you may have read about it in this post). So now that she is finally (almost) done with that I took her to the city park so she could run freely and feed the ducks. Of course she had to keep some bread to herself. :)

Afterwards I took her to the grocery store and while I was paying for my grocery this lady behind me (in her late sixties or early seventies) approached me and said "I have to congratulate you for dressing your daughter like a little girl! Most girls nowadays are dressed with tees and jeans or leggings or dressed like grown ups... I love that dress!" I didn't know what to say really... Most of the times I dress my girls in the most practical outfits - tunics and leggings... :) And sometimes I overdress them - maybe because we live in a very fashion-forward-trend-follower european country and I love to buy at Zara... :) I whispered to her "I made it!" and watch her and the cashier's suprised faces at a glance while I turned my back and ran away... She yelled a "Oh, that is marvellous!" And that was it.

The truth is this lady got me thinking... 

I have read on the webs before people saying things like this - that little girls should dress like little girls, what usually means wearing dresses and lots of ruffles. Well, lots of ruffles are not my cup. I like it but only in a good measure (and that means just a little ruffle here and there). And both of my girls certainly don't wear dresses everyday... But the fact is... and this is surprising even for myself... now that I think about it I do like to see little girls dressed like... little girls. They look adorable! And now that I really think about it, I make dresses and tops with a small ruffle now and then... (like this dress, this top or this blouse). So that must mean that deep down inside I really like this girly style. :)

And that made me think if I wasn't being incoherent... I came to the conclusion that what I like to see on little girls is somehow different from what I make them wear everyday to school which is also different from what I love to sew. Let me explain it. 
I like to see my girls dressed like little girls - dresses and ruffles (in a good measure). And most Sundays that's how they dress.
But their everyday style is more practical then that - flowy blouses, tunics and leggings - because I want them to run and play freely and comfortably. This leads me to the question: Can a little girl play comfortably on a dress? I don't know about you, but I do think so... to a certain degree. In my opinion it is not the same as running and jumping with a top and leggings. (Unless it's a knit dress maybe, like those that Mie does and that I love.)
But in fact the outfits I sew fot them usually have a trendy look (mostly because of the fabrics I use, which are not printed quilting cotton), like this dress.

So... What about you? How do you like to see little girls dressed? Do you actually dress your kids accordingly? Or are you like me and prioritize comfort? And does that match your sewing style? I would love to know... (Really!)