Spring 2016 Collection: Meet Heidi!

Our second design for the spring is the Heidi Dress. Patterned after our most popular pattern to date, the Diane Kimono dress, this new design has the same great fit and construction. With bias bound armholes and neckline, there is no need to worry with any facings! This is a pullover design so there is no zipper to worry with, either.

I have provided an option to split the bodice into a contrasting center front and back, so you can feature several prints from a collection. The skirt can be cut on the fold as a slim line or gathered, to give you more room through the hips. The dolman sleeve is one that provides a bit of sleeve for those of you who like to have a little bit extending onto your arms.

The waistband is featured with a drawstring, but can be easily altered to insert elastic instead if this is your preference. There are several hemlines featured, from tunic length all the way to maxi length.

This dress works well in a variety of fabrics. Quilting cotton is always a great choice, but if you would like to try something different, here are some suggestions: double gauze, rayon, lightweight linen, cotton lawn or voile, and silk. This design works well with border prints as well.

Here are the details about the samples:

Mid-calf length in border print.

Blooming Border by Michael Miller Fabrics

 

 

Maxi length dress with contrasting center front and back bodice,

 and contrasting wide border at lower edge of skirt.

Wander by Joel Dewberry for Free Spirit Fabrics

 

Maxi length dress in border print with contrasting fabric

Lavish by Katarina Rocella for Art Gallery Fabrics

 

Knee length with contrasting layered and ruffle hem.

Olive's Flower Market by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics

 

Mid-calf length in rayon

Amy Butler for Free Spirit Fabrics

 

Knee length in layered double gauze (skirt) with lower ruffle hem

Shannon Fabrics

 

Maxi length with 2 contrasting fabrics

Grand Canal by Kate Spain for Moda Fabrics

 

Knee length in one fabric with direction of fabric changed for side front and back bodice

Studio Stash by Jennifer Sampou for Robert Kaufman Fabrics

 

Heidi is available NOW on our website, so go pick up your pattern today.

 

Happy Sewing!

 

 

 

Spring 2016 Collection: Meet Mia!

Hey Everyone! Now that the stock has arrived, it is time to introduce the new designs for spring! I have two new dresses, both of which are a snap to make and a dream to wear. First up is the Mia Shift Dress. Truly, there are only TWO pattern pieces for this dress, simple darts at the bust line and back waist, with bias bound armholes and neckline. Choose your favorite fabrics and start sewing!

This design is great in so many different fabrics. It works perfectly in quilting cottons as do all of my patterns but if you want to use other substrates, here are some suggestions: double gauze, voile or lawn, lightweight linen, knit, rayon, or silk. Some of my personal favorites are border prints and these work well with this design, so keep your eye out for those as well.

Here are the details about each of the samples:

 

Maxi length dress with two contrasting fabrics

 Handmade by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics

 

Knee length dress with contrasting fabric

Celestial by Amy Butler and True Colors by Anna Maria Horner; Free Spirit Fabrics

 

Knee length layered cotton lawn with ruffle trim on both layers at hemline

Print by Sarah Watson for Cloud 9 Fabrics

 

Mid-calf length with 2 contrasting fabrics, layered hem with ruffle

Strawberry Moon by Sandi Henderson for Michael Miller Fabrics

 

 

Knee length with contrasting fabric and hand embroidery embellishment at the neckline. The motif of the fabric was followed to create the embroidery. I used pearl cotton size 8 for the needlework.

 

 

Close-up of the embroidery work

 

Maxi length using a collection of batik prints. The fabric is pieced before the pattern pieces are cut. Instructions in the pattern detail how to do this if you want to recreate the look.

Latitude batiks by Kate Spain for Moda Fabrics

 

 

Mid-calf length with contrasting fabric

Sketchbook and True Colors by Anna Maria Horner for Free Spirit Fabrics

 

Mid-calf length with ruffle at hemline, layered double gauze

Shannon Fabrics

 

Above Knee length with 2 contrasting fabrics and pieced ruffle hemline.

Border print from Michael Miller Fabrics

 

Tunic length in rayon fabric

Cotton + Steel Fabrics

 

Hop on over to our website and pick up your very own Mia Shift Dress pattern today!

 

And as always, Happy Sewing!

 

Fall 2015 Collection: Meet Kaylee!

Priory Square cotton voile by Art Gallery Fabrics

tunic length, high-low hem, drawstring waist

And last but certainly not least, our final reveal of the Fall Collection: The Kaylee Tunic! I wanted to design a tunic that could also be a shirt or dress that would be flowy and fun to wear. The Kaylee has an adjustable waistline that you can either finish out with elastic or a drawstring tie that has been so popular in the Claire Cami, Diane Kimono, and Tara Tank dress patterns. This is a great pattern for sewers who are just getting into garment making. Since there is no zipper, the construction is a snap!

Shannon Fabrics Embrace double gauze with lace yoke, lower sleeve, & skirt

shirt length with elastic waist

 



Shannon Fabrics double gauze with lace yoke and overlays on lower sleeve and skirt

tunic length with elastic waist

 



The Kaylee features a lined yoke (unless you are making the lace or knit version), slightly raised waistband, and a skirt with the option of a regular or high-low hem. The sleeve is three quarter length and features a slightly gathered sleeve cap and lower sleeve.

Cotton lawn print

dress length with tiny ruffle detail on hem, elastic waist

Design options include a lace yoke and lower sleeves/skirt, using 2 or more fabrics, using a silk ribbon for the tie, adding applique & embroidery to the yoke, or adding a tiny ruffle to the hemline.

Shannon Fabrics Embrace double gauze featuring applique from our Birds in Flight stitchery pattern and hand embroidery.

dress length with high-low hemline and silk ribbon tie waist

I think the best fabric options are lightweight and flowy, so that the tunic has nice drape. Recommended fabrics are: double gauze, cotton lawn, cotton voile, rayon, silk, or lightweight linen.

Amy Butler rayon border print for Westminster Fabrics

dress length with regular hem and drawstring waist

The pattern instructions include details for how to make the lace yokes as well as the faux insertion lace sections on the lower skirt and sleeves. Tissue sheets are included for 7 sizes.

Idle Wild knit for Riley Blake Fabrics

tunic length with contrasting yokes and hembands, elastic waist

 



Cotton lawn prints

shirt length, contrasting yoke, waistband, and hembands, drawstring waist

 



We expect the pattern stock to arrive late this week. We'll be adding this design to the website and everything should be ready to ship by Friday!

Happy Sewing!

Spring 2015 Collection: Meet Aspen!

 

Long sleeve dress version with border batik print from Alison Glass for Andover fabrics

Hey Everyone! It's that time again! Sorry it has taken me so long to post about the new collection, but preparing for market in Minneapolis next week sort of took all my time like a large hungry beast! The boxes have finally shipped...as of yesterday afternoon and I am finally sighing a tiny bit of relief. So what better time than to share the new stuff with you?

Meet Aspen! I was inspired to create this design because of the Sundance catalog. Have any of you ever heard of it? That catalog is packed with inspiration for design. I simply love the style of what they sell, just not the price! I love turning the pages and dreaming about new designs. Even their jewelry has inspired me! A friend of mine and I coin their look as "Aspen Cowgirl"....a little bit country, with a whole lot of sass.

Aspen is an easy to sew design that can be worn as a tunic or dress. This style is very versatile and stitches up great in a variety of fabrics. I have chosen some interesting ones and will detail my choices with each photo.

This is a pull-over design, so you don't have to worry about a zipper. The waist is elastic, making it easy to customize to however loose or fitted you would like. The yoke is offered with a button or snap closure, or you can opt to cut it on the fold and skip that part entirely. You don't need to unfasten the yoke to pull it over your head! I have offered two sleeve lengths, short and three-quarter, for those of you who like to have a little more length on your sleeve. Of course, the length of the tunic itself is completely customizable to your personal tastes. You will see in the photos that I have played around a bit with a narrow hem as well as a wide or narrow ruffle.

As for design details, you will see some embroidery and applique on a few of the samples....hold tight! Those are offered as a separate pattern that I worked up for you to use on any sort of project. Those will be shown in the coming days, so consider this your sneak peek into those!

Here is the gallery for Aspen:

 

Short sleeve dress version with a layered skirt and narrow ruffle trim, made from Sentimental Studio's Regent Street cotton lawn for Moda Fabrics

 

 

Long sleeve tunic version made from Amy Butler's Hapi cotton voile for Westminster Fabrics

 

 

Long sleeve dress version with wide ruffle hem and hand embroidered yoke (from a new pattern!!), made with Union Chambray from Robert Kaufman Fabrics

 

 

Short sleeve tunic length with yoke cut on the fold, made from Urban Chik's Nomad for Moda Fabrics

 

 

Long sleeve dress length version made from the Whisper collection by Michael Miller Fabrics. Note the hand embroidered details added to the fabric design....I can really find ways to make a project take a long time!!

 

 

Short sleeve tunic version with a narrow ruffle hem, made from clipdot fabric by Michael Miller Fabrics. Note the wool applique roses with hand embroidered details....new pattern coming for that!

 

I hope you have enjoyed looking at Aspen! This pattern is available for purchase on our website.

 

Happy Sewing!

 

 

 

Spring 2014 Collection: Meet Willow!

Tunic Length & Three Quarter Length Sleeves

Moda Bella Solid (color: feather) and Moda coordinate

 

 

Close-up of the embroidery work on the bodice....designs courtesy of Alison Glass...see the link to her website below!

 



It is time for the second reveal of the spring collection! Today I would like to introduce the Willow Tunic. This design is a semi-fitted sheath with princess seaming on the front and back. There's a zipper incorporated into the left side seam so that the back has a nice uninterrupted flow to it.

There are no facings, as the yokes are self lined, and you have a choice of either a cap or three quarter length sleeve. You can also choose to make a tunic or dress length. I wanted to design this so that there was enough ease through the hips to wear skinny jeans or leggings underneath without fitting too closely so that you are fussing with your clothes all day. I hate that feeling! It is nicely fitted without being too loose or tight....resulting in a rather nice silhouette!

As you will see throughout the photos, I have offered several variations for the design. I even got ambitious and embroidered one on the bodice and sleeves. For the embroidery, I used 2-3 strands of DMC floss in a variety of colors and stitches...whatever suited my fancy at the time! I chose to feature the fabulous designs in Alison Glass's embroidery patterns for the stitching. Her patterns are great! If you don't know about Alison, she is a wonderful fabric designer for Andover. She designs quilts and embroidery designs that are based off her graphic art. You can see more of her work and order her patterns over at www.alisonglass.com. I used motifs from Clover Sunshine Animals and Flowers.

So without further ado....here are the variations for Willow, with fabric and design details listed with each.

 

 

Dress Length & Three Quarter Length Sleeves

Anna Maria Horner's Pretty Potent from Free Spirit Fabrics

 

 

Tunic Length & Cap Sleeves

Michael Miller Fabrics: faux patchwork and coordinate

Renaissance decorative ribbon featured on the yoke and hemband

 

 

Dress Length & Cap Sleeves

Modern Eclectic by Blend Fabrics

Side Fronts, Backs and Yokes were cut on the bias

 

 

Tunic Length & Three Quarter Length Sleeves

Maisie by Blend Fabrics

 

 

Dress Length & Cap Sleeves

Damask, Dot, and Houndstooth by Riley Blake Fabrics

 



The new designs are now available for sale! Go to our website and order yours today!!

 

Happy Sewing!

Spring 2014 Collection: Meet Tara!

 

Fabric: Lula Magnolia by The Quilted Fish for Riley Blake Fabrics

Hello Everyone!

Well, it's that time of year again....I have been super busy working through the new designs, which entails a lot of drafting, then sewing, photography, and writing! I am excited to share the first of the new designs with you today, The Tara Tank Dress!

This is a wonderful dress design for any time of year. Perfect by itself during the spring, summer, and early fall, pair it with a cute jacket or cardigan, maybe some skinny jeans or leggings, and you can keep wearing it through the rest of the fall and into winter. I have provided a variety of skirt lengths so you can make anything from a tunic length to a maxi.

 

Fabric: Beauty Queen by Jennifer Paganelli for Free Spirit Fabrics

 

 



Fabric: Botanique by Joel Dewberry for Free Spirit Fabrics

 



This is a super quick design to sew as there is no closure to worry about! Simply pull it over your head and pull up the drawstring and that's it! I opted to do a bias binding on the neckline and armholes, so there aren't any facings to mess with, either. This is a perfect beginner dress or something super fast and fun for the experienced sewer.

Of course I have added in all sorts of variations for you, as you will see in the photographs. For the gray eyelet version, there is some hand embroidery around some of the openings of the fabric. I include the different stitches I chose to use for that part.

Fabric: Grey Eyelet and coordinating Cotton Couture Solid by Michael Miller Fabrics

 

 

Fabric: Weeds by Me & My Sister for Moda Fabrics

 



The bodice of the design has 6 pleats centered on the front. These are so easy to do! Simply fold, press, and stitch 1/4" away from the fold, and then press again...it's a snap! This dress can be made from regular cottons, eyelet, cotton lawn, or voile. If you are using a really sheer fabric or the eyelet, be sure to line the bodice and skirt. This is easy to do, as I have included a front bodice piece without the pleating to make a lining. Simply add the lining to the bodice before binding and that's it!

The skirt has the option of being slightly gathered (if you would like a bit more room through the hips) or plain (still plenty roomy!). You can also choose to center the drawstring or place it over to the left front.

 

Fabric: Color Me Happy by V & Co. for Moda Fabrics

 

 



 

Fabric: Roses by Martha Negley for Westminster Fabrics, paired with the NEW Jade Jacket!

 

 



Note that I am also including the different fabrics used for each variation. I was lucky enough to use some brand new fabric that isn't out quite yet, but keep your eyes peeled, as it will be out soon!

The new patterns are now available for sale on our website!
Go place your order today!

 

Fabric: Sweet as Honey by Bonnie Christine for Art Gallery Fabrics

 

 



 

Fabric: Confetti Border Print with coordinating Cotton Couture solid by Michael Miller Fabrics

 

 



Thanks so much, and as always....HAPPY SEWING!