Elisabeth's New Dress.....

This was a quick and fun dress to sew for Sweet Elisabeth. I was thrilled to be able to test another pattern for Samantha of The Handmade Dress. This is her second pattern which is named Miss Madeline after her second daughter. It is an adorable peasant dress with a coordinating waistband. You can also attach an apron to the waistband...but I did not this time.



Elisabeth picked out her own fabrics....and I think she did a fantastic job. It is truly her!!! We bought the fabric Monday, washed and cut it out Monday evening, and then I was able to sew it off and on throughout the day Tuesday. Today she has a new dress to wear. It's nice to have a quick project that comes out so cute.

Another Giveaway - Baby Polly Pattern......

I have had crochet edging on the mind. Next week I am scheduled to teach our smocking guild all the ins and outs of crochet edging....and I'm trying to be prepared. So in keeping with my norm of always trying to be ready....I decided the other day to make another sample garment. The pattern I used was Baby Polly, designed by Paige of Pintucks and Pettiecoats. This is similar to her Polly pattern but contains smaller sizes (6 mos.-24 mos.) and cute little bloomers! And who doesn't want their little girl wearing precious little bloomers I ask??

Anyway, I sorted through my leftover fabric scraps and found enough to make this sweet pattern in the 6 mos. size. Now...I must add that I can never make a pattern the way it is written. I always seem to make a few changes and this one was no different...even though Paige is my friend. And really...I only made these changes to save myself some time.

Ok...on to the changes. 1. I did not make the tucks...I LOVE tucks...but I wanted this to be finished before my smocking guild meeting. 2. I lined the top because, well, just see #1. 3. I did not add the adorable bias loopy trim because I wanted to add this fantastic crocheted trim. My girls call it crocheted lace. Who can argue with them?

I did not even make the four bias loops for the button loops....but rather I just incorporated button loops into the crocheted trim. And then I dug through my box of mother of pearl buttons for the four smallest shank buttons I could find. Perfect!

So...all of that to say...I have another sample garment to take to the meeting next week. And...best of all....I love it!!!! And this is another example of how wonderful Paige's patterns are. I was able to change a few things about it.....and it still provides an excellent canvas for creative expression...not to mention a sweet crocheted edging! (And for anyone interested, I used 10 wt. crochet thread and a size 5 crochet hook for all the crocheted trim. I should mention the Baby Polly pattern does not contain the information for the crochet edgings.)

So I thought I would also include a couple of sample garments Paige made with the Baby Polly pattern. On the top and bloomers above she made the precious tucks and the bias loopy trim....she is so much more patient than I am!!! And she has such a great ability to coordinate colors! Don't you think?

And on this precious dress she has added the tiny little tucks at the neckline as well as at the hemline. She does such beautiful work. You could also substitute the scalloped piping for the loopy trim. Just another thought....see I told you I can always manage to change things around.

So...let's have a giveaway shall we? Paige has generously given me a Baby Polly pattern to share with one of you wonderful and loyal readers! All you have to do is leave me a comment in the comment section. Any comment will do...as long as it is friendly. If you do not have a Blogger account...then you can send me an email. My email address is located on the right side of my blog page. I will draw a name out on Wednesday evening around 9 pm. Have a great day everyone!!

Elisabeth's Heidi Dress......

I wanted to make Elisabeth a dress and include her monogram. And about that time I came across a pattern by Carla C Dolly Designs. The pattern is called "Simply Sweet Tops and Dresses" and is actually sold through youcanmakethis.com. Once the pattern is purchased you download it in an ebook format (pdf) directly to your computer. This pattern is amazing. It is so well thought out and has so many different variations. I know I'll be making many more...I already have two more planned for sure.

Anyway, I had a blue floral print that I wanted to use for the skirt and so I dug out this blue pique solid that was leftover from another outfit. You can't see it....but I lined the bodice in a light blue and white gingham. I like for the inside to look as good as the outside. I purchased the monogram font through embroideryfontshop.com. That was another fantastic experience...everything went so smoothly!!! I used green thread for the monogram to pick up some of the green from the floral skirt. Then of course, I added my trademark green gingham piping between the bodice and skirt. I really liked the dress/jumper as it was...but I thought it would benefit from adding something else....so I decided to make a peasant shirt to go underneath. This pattern is from an Australian Smocking and Embroidery magazine.

When I decided to make the peasant top I knew if I was making it white I would have to dress it up a little....so I added a sweet row of crochet edging around the sleeve edges. I love it.....so feminine!!! When Elisabeth tried it on.....she reminded me of Heidi. Fortunately she and Emily LOVE the Shirley Temple movie version of Heidi! So she really likes the dress too. She wore it all day yesterday! And considering it was over 90 degrees here.....that's saying something!!!

My Version of Miss Molly....The Pattern.......

Last week I had the pleasure of testing a pattern for Samantha of The Handmade Dress. The pattern, Miss Molly, is named after her oldest daughter. It's a long sundress that has a sweet shaped yoke. It also ties on the shoulders eliminating all other types of fasteners.

Once I received the pdf file (yes the pattern is available as a download or a paper copy through the mail) I headed to the heirloom store to pick up this precious fabric. I had seen this fabric on a previous visit to the fabric shop so I headed right towards it once I stepped foot in the shop. Samantha recommends ric-rac to embellish the yoke...and we all know that I like ric-rac. However, I love piping even more. So, I made some green gingham piping to put in the yoke seam. The sundress front and back are identical so it really goes together pretty quickly. I think if I had put the ric-rac on instead of the piping...it would have been less than 2 hours from cutting out the pattern to snapping the photos. I had told Samantha I would make a size 5 for Elisabeth......which I did. For my little girl though, I do think it is a little too long...next time I will shorten it a little. However, I must say Elisabeth loves it just as it is.

My First Giveaway......

Before I tell you the details of the giveaway, let me give you some information about this adorable dress. Last week I decided to make this sweet dress for Elisabeth. The pattern is by my friend Paige of Pintucks and Pettiecoats. The name of the pattern is Polly, after her precious Mom.

Paige designed this sweet little sundress after seeing a similar antique dress. I love how elegant and timeless the tucks are. And did you notice my favorite combination??? Sweet floral fabric and gingham.....classic if you ask me. However, you could use most any lightweight fabric. I think it would be amazing in a white batiste with hand embroidery in the center of the tucks (where I put the buttons). I keep thinking I'll love to make my girls a dress like that and have their pictures taken on the beach. Of course, I'd have to live near a beach or at least visit a beach for that to happen though. Ok, back to this dress.......

This is a good view of the scalloped piping that I made and put around the edges. The directions are included in the pattern. You can also make a loopy bias tube trim from directions that are included in the pattern. I'll show you what that looks like on another dress in a minute.

This is a view of the tucks around the bottom, as well as the scalloped gingham piping again.

The button loops are made from the bias tubing. Like I mentioned earlier, the pattern includes directions to make this trim and you can apply it around the dress like I did the piping. Just personal preference. I like the loopy trim that results from the bias tubing....but the piping is a bit quicker...and have I ever mentioned how impatient I am? By the time I start a project I already have thought it through so much that I get very anxious for it to be finished! But if you make the pattern....you are welcome to create it however you desire!!!

The next three dresses are samples that Paige made for our local heirloom shop to display. You can see the loopy trim in these first two pictures. She has much more patience than I do!!!

Doesn't the yellow dress just scream summer!!!! Oh, and lemonade!!!

And if tucks aren't your thing....you can make the dress minus the tucks. This option is lined and therefore reversible and features the scalloped piping. And the front offers a fantastic canvas for machine or hand embroidery.

And finally here is the pattern. The dress fits sizes 3 to 7. And another interesting tidbit to note is that all the illustrations in Paige's patterns as well as all the covers are drawn by her daughter Brooke, who is 15 years old. She has quite a talent, don't you think?

So, are you ready for the details of the giveaway????? Paige has generously donated one of her Polly patterns for me to giveaway here on this humble little blog. And she left it up to me to decide who will receive it. So after much thought...I've decided to make it very easy!!!

Just leave me a comment telling me what your favorite part of this blog is. Is it 1. The ridiculous stories I tell? 2. The finished projects I show? 3. The tutorials I've recently started? 4. The tips I've been posting on Tuesdays? 5. Random chit chatting? 6. Something else that I have not mentioned?

I'll leave the contest open until this Friday, May 23rd at 5 pm. Just leave me a comment. If for some reason you aren't registered with Blogger to leave a comment and you want to be included, then send me an email to sewblessed (at) mchsi (dot) com. I will put all the names into a basket and have one of my little ones randomly choose one name. I'll post the winner on Friday evening.

Let the comments begin!!!!

Pintucks and Pettiecoats Pattern Review and Samples............

I've mentioned my friend Paige here before....but I didn't elaborate on her awesome new patterns. So I met with her today, with my camera in hand.....and we took a few pictures of her sample garments made with her patterns. This one is my absolute favorite....and I don't usually care for santa stuff. Just adorable. Both sides of this Avery jumper are featherwale corduroy with the most amazing plaid for piping.

Pocket details............

The jumper is reversible....and this is the other side. Another thing to note is that this jumper is longer than your standard jumper. It is designed to fall around the middle of the calf. Perfect for my little ones that love to wear jumpers in the cold winter months....keep those leggies warm.

Here are two more Avery jumpers............side one............

Side two.......................love those bunny ears! Both of these jumpers are cotton fabrics.

Here are two of the Jesse coats and bonnets....once again reversible but I forgot to take the "other" picture....oops! One is made with chambray/denim and cotton and the other with featherwale corduroy.

And finally, here are several photos of the Brooke pattern. Once again, they are all reversible. The fabrics used here are cottons and pinwale pique.

On this particular top she embroidered bullion rosebuds....cute!

I love the pink skirt with this top....I must get that from my Elisabeth....she loves pink!

Here is Brooke made up in fall colors. She also has a matching coat.....but I forgot to get a picture of it.....bad photographer!!!

Currently there are several stores on-line carrying her patterns. A quick Google search generated the following:

http://www.bessiemary.com/

http://www.delicatestitches.com/

http://www.farmhousefabrics.com/

http://www.carolharrisco.com/

I personally have made the Brooke pattern for both of my girls. I showed them here and here. Since the items are reversible there is only a tiny bit of finishing work.....I love that!!! Now that fall is slowly easing it's way into our area, I will be starting on the Avery jumper for my girls. I am waiting for them to choose the fabrics and design details....I believe Paige put 12 design choices in that pattern (santa, heart, firecracker, butterfly, snowflake, bunny, package, pumpkin, watermelon slice, lady bug, Christmas tree, gingerbread man). Did I ever mention that fabric shopping is my most favorite part of the process? If not, I just did. What? We are going fabric shopping tomorrow? Fine by me!!!!!