Fall 2017 Collection: Meet Nora!

Our last reveal for the fall collection is The Nora Faux Wrap Dress. Nora resembles our Ramona Wrap Dress, but I went in and changed a few things so that Nora only "looks" like a wrap dress and features an easy fitting elastic waist. I added options on the skirt to feature an overlapped version and one where the skirt front is one solid piece.

Knee length dress with ruffle hem and 3/4 length sleeves with elastic hem
Fabric: Cotton + Steel rayon

Design options include a short sleeve or a 3/4 length sleeve that can have an elastic hem or tapered to feature a lace edge or a contrasting hem. The bodice is finished with a bias binding. If you choose the overlapped front skirt, the bias binding finishes its edges as well. The plain skirt version can be hemmed plain or a ruffle can be added for a fun finish. You can also choose to cut one side of the front overlapping skirt to be in a contrasting fabric for a completely different look.

Knee length with overlapping front skirt and contrast; short sleeves and contrasting bias trim
Fabric: Kaffe Fasset marble for Westminster Fabrics

This is another design that I had fun with my fabric choices! I simply love the red sample made in rayon. It is easy to wear and drapes so well. I really can't recommend that you try rayon enough! It makes delicious clothing! I also ventured into a lovely border lace eyelet for the black sample. I did line that particular dress so I didn't have "peep holes" where the lace inserts were. The pattern instructions include how to add a lining to your pieces if you would like to do this. I had tremendous fun with a metallic Essex linen from Kaufman. It made such a shimmery fun dress!

Below knee length overlapped front skirt with 3/4 length sleeves with elastic hem
Fabric: Metallic Essex linen from Robert Kaufman

I would also love to make this dress from a border print. It would be just lovely to have that print running along the bottom edge of the skirt. Keep an open mind when choosing your fabrics and have fun with it!

Below knee length skirt with tapered 3/4 length sleeves
Fabric: Black double border eyelet, lined with black clipdot from Michael Miller 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!

Fall 2017 Collection: Meet Bernadette!

Our next reveal in the new fall collection is The Bernadette Dress! For those of you who have been fans of the Bebe Dress, this one should look familiar! Our beloved Bebe went out of print earlier this year. Instead of running a reprint, I decided to revisit Bebe, add some new design elements, and publish her brand new as Bernadette.



Gathered skirt with contrasting ruffle at lower edge and between bodice and skirt.
Cap sleeves with contrasting trim featured also.
Fabric: Boho Fusion by Art Gallery Fabrics

New additions include a 3/4 length sleeve with the option of adding a ruffle to the lower edge of the sleeve. I also worked on the bodice a bit and made it a bit roomier. The end result is a really sweet baby doll style dress that works very well for any season!

The bodice is very high waisted, so those of you who like a little more length in the bodice may want to add an inch or two to the lower edge. This is easily accomplished by just adding the length, extending the side seams, and continuing the lower dart. This design features a center back zipper and neckline facings. The scoop neckline is generous without being too revealing, so you don't have to worry about showing too much if you happen to bend over while wearing this dress!

Dress featured in rayon with narrow ruffle hem, elbow length sleeves, and gathered skirt
Fabric: Art Gallery rayon

I love having sleeve options and this one certainly boasts several looks. Choose from a short cap sleeve, elbow length, or the full 3/4 length with the ruffle. You can also choose a large center front/back skirt pleat or gather the skirt for a completely different look. Hem options abound as well. Choose from a wide contrasting hemband at the skirt edge, a simple ruffle, or a wider ruffle with contrast. The skirt can also be cut shorter with the option to add a contrasting fabric before hemming.

Gathered skirt with 3/4 length sleeves featured in an embroidered border chambray fabric

Again, this dress can be made from a variety of fabrics. Choose quilting cotton, cotton lawn/voile, chambray, linen, or lovely rayon. The result with each fabric will be completely different! In fact, I am about to make one from a plaid flannel that will be perfect for fall. I plan on using the 3/4 length sleeve with a ruffle on the sleeves and lower edge of skirt. I think I'll cut those ruffles on the bias for a little extra interest. I can't wait to get started on that one!

Pleated front/back skirt featured in batik fabric with contrasting floral panel and ruffle on 3/4 length sleeves

Other design options include adding a ruffle or bias trim between the bodice and skirt as well as contrasting other portions of the dress. The choice of fabric will also change the look of the dress. Note one of the photos features an embroidered edge chambray. This one is one of my favorites. I simply can't resist those borders!

Pleated skirt with cap sleeves featuring contrasting bias band between bodice and skirt & hemband for sleeves and skirt

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!

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!

Fab New Pillow for a Fab New Mag!

Hey All! Just thought I would check in for a little while this Friday afternoon and give you a sneak peek of a fabulous new pillow design. I was contacted by the editor of a new sewing magazine by Interweave called Stitch to propose a project design for one of their upcoming issues. Have you seen this magazine yet? It has a really neat fresh vibe and it is loaded with lots of cool ideas and inspiration. Be sure to check it out! Here are a couple of photos of the design I came up with. It is a large floor pillow, perfect for flopping around and doing something divinely leisurely. It showcases Paula Prass's new fabric line from Michael Miller called Flights of Fancy. I used the summer colorway, since the mag wanted vibrant colors. I really love the way the stripe sets off the whole design.



The pillow project will be in an upcoming issue, so I will be sure to let you know which one, once I find out more info.

Guess that is about it for now....got to get busy on those book designs!

Where have I been?....and New Fabric!

Wow! Where has the summer gone? I have been so lame in getting a new post to the blog!! I apologize for this lameness....maybe I can blame part of it on the blazing Texas heat (which was brutal in July I might add). I am actually working on some pretty exciting stuff, but some of it needs to stay under wraps for a little longer.....I will reveal it as time progresses...promise!

What I CAN talk about is a new bag design that will be coming out this fall. It is, shall we say, eco-friendly, super easy to make, fun to use, and even more fun to sew for all of your friends! Photos will be coming soon. I have some testers out there who will be giving feedback on their prototypes...you know who you are!

I also have another bag design floating around in my head that I hope to get into my sewing room and work on this week before I lose the mental image. I literally dreamed about it. Those usually seem to be the best ones! Anyway, once it is actually in existence and it passes my scrutiny, it may appear here also.


In the meantime, here is what I received on my porch late last week. It is three prints from the new line, 1974, by Urban Chiks for Moda fabrics. I think it is way cool! The scale is HUGE with lots of interesting stuff in it....like birds here and there and doodles that resemble peacock feathers, paisleys, etc. I just love the large medallions and can't wait to get this stuff made into bags and whatever else strikes my fancy. Be sure to check this fabric out at your local quilt shop.

I have also stocked my fabric stash with some new stuff from Tina Givens's Chloe's Imagination line, Tanya Whelan's Ava Rose line, and of course, the new Heather Bailey stuff. I am eager to use all of this great new fabric in designs for my fall line.....many exciting new things to come! Be sure to check out all of their fabrics in my blog and fabric designer links I have listed here at my blog.

I am also testing out a stabilizer called Peltex. It is similar (I am told) to Timtex. I never actually used Timtex and hear that it is being discontinued. I did use a fusible version of Peltex (one side was fusible....they make a double sided version, but is way stiff!) on a Bridget Bag for one of my friends as a birthday gift last week and really like the way it turned out. I plan on testing it with some of the new bags I will be working on and will be sure to share my thoughts as I venture into sewing with this new find. I know it will not hold a crease as well as good old buckram will, but for bags that don't require that, it may be a good substitute. It is also machine washable (buckram is dry clean only), so that is a plus. Anyway, I will be sure to post to the blog as soon as I have my opinion formed on this stuff and if you should try it or not.

I guess that is about it for now....hope all of you are busy sewing....I know that school is just around the corner for most kids now....that means hopefully more sewing time for some of you!

Happy Sewing!!