Fall 2017 Collection: Meet Kira!

Toady, I am sharing the second design of the new fall collection: The Kira Kimono Dress.

When I designed the adjustable waistband for the first time seven years ago, I had no idea that it would take off the way it has! I have since incorporated it into many designs. Reflecting on this particular design element, I think the reason it has been so popular is that for one thing, it eliminates the need for any buttons or zippers as a closure which makes it ideal for beginners as well as seasoned sewers who want a fast stitch. Secondly, I think it works well because the fit is so forgiving. On any given day, that waistband has the ability to adjust to your body...and that's a good thing!

Upon looking through popular designs that I had done in the past, the Torii tunic came to mind. With its Dolman sleeves, it is an easy stitch and easy fit. By adding the adjustable waistband to the design and tweaking here and there, a new pattern is born! This one is EASY to SEW and EASY to wear! Everyone loves an easy fitting longer sleeve, so this is a welcome addition to the pattern collection with the adjustable waistbands. Kaylee is my only other design with longer sleeves and the adjustable waistline option.

Knee length with contrasting neckline trim, waistband, and hems
Fabric: Anna Maria Horner for Free Spirit Fabrics

Design options include four different hemlines so you can wear this dress as a cute tunic with leggings or jeans and boots or as long as a flowy maxi dress. You have the option to add a contrasting neckline trim to the front bodice, make the waistband stand out in contrast fabric, and hem the sleeves and skirt with contrasting fabric as well. One other cool thing about this design is that you can run pattern of fabric to run across the bodice instead of vertically. This is particularly effective with border prints as you can use the edge design to finish the sleeve edges, then run the skirt with the length of fabric and use the fabric edge for finishing the skirt.

Maxi length featured in a border print rayon.
Note the direction of fabric for bodice versus the skirt to best utilize the design in the fabric.

This design works wonderfully in quilting cotton, rayon, or cotton lawn/voile. Each fabric lends a different feel to the end result. The drapiest version is most definitely the rayon. It is so comfortable to wear, you'll almost feel guilty for looking so good and feeling so good!

Mid-calf length featuring cotton lawn border print
Fabric: Alison Glass cotton lawn for Andover Fabrics

My word of advice when working with rayon or cotton lawn/voile is to use a walking foot or the built in dual feed of your machine (if you have that option). I bought the new Bernina 770 last year that has the dual feed option and it has been a godsend for fussy fabrics. I don't change any settings as far as presser foot pressure or tension....I just activate the dual feed and rest is magic!

Tunic length featured in cotton lawn with dupioni silk contrast along neckline and hems.
Fabric: cotton lawn from Art Gallery Fabrics

We are currently working on the web pages for the new designs and expecting the pattern stock to arrive next week and we'll begin shipping then. In the meantime, I will be working on the pdf versions of each pattern and hope to have those out shortly.

Happy Sewing!

Spring 2015 Collection: Smell the Roses!

 

Stitched on white linen with pearl 5 cotton from Weeks Dye Works and DMC

Cottage Roses is the last design in the new spring collection. It is part of my new stitchery series for applique and hand embroidery along with Birds in Flight. I thought it would be great to offer a lower priced set of stitchery patterns to you that you can use on anything you want......these designs lend themselves so well to clothing, bags, quilts, pillows, or a lovely stand alone piece of artwork. There is such a quiet peace in sitting and stitching! I do love that time. In this world of nonstop everything, doing handwork is very grounding and there is something so nice about something you can take with you anywhere and work on it a bit at a time at your whim, using stitches, thread and colors of your own choosing and creating something truly unique.

The pattern includes some tips on technique and how to complete the applique as well as hand embroidery, everything from tracing to stitches that I used. I also add a few embroidery details so that you can use some of my ideas if you want. I fully encourage you to go your own way and make these designs your own, though!

I chose a variety materials for these designs to show their versatility. The main photo is stitched on white linen with pearl 5 threads from Weeks Dye Works and DMC. This particular piece is now stretched and inside an oval frame...perfect for hanging on the wall. There is so much lovely thread on the market! Choose your favorite and enjoy your stitching.

I also used wool from Weeks Dye Works to complete the applique shown in the photos. I particularly love the texture of the pearl 5 on top of the fabric. The details really pop, especially when using a thread that has a lovely variegation.

I offer these designs in a variety of sizes and filled the pattern with as many roses as I could fit, then I give you the option to enlarge or reduce these on a copier to satisfy your own creative desires. I love how versatile these flowers can be, depending on how you want to interpret them with fabric and thread.

I fully plan on adding some of these lovelies to a skirt for the summer. I will love completing the stitching and then getting to wear it during the hot summer days.

Below is our Aspen Tunic with the roses added. You can really see the stitching detail on the close ups of the front and back yokes.

 

 

 

Our Aspen Tunic pattern with Cottage Roses added to the front and back yokes

 

Next up is our Lola Gypsy bag pattern with the roses added. This is the non-ruffled variation of the bag and I think it is the perfect canvas for showing off these pretty blooms!

Our Lola Gypsy bag pattern with Cottage Roses added to the side

 

 



This pattern is available for purchase on our website. Thanks for taking a look and let me know what you think!

Happy Sewing!