Peach Patterns

"Simply Sweet Blouse" in floral and paisley blockprint fabrics

Blouses, I guess, are the perfect mid-season item and I really enjoyed sewing this one.  I haven't made the "Simply Sweet Tunic Top", for a while so it was fun getting back to it.  

One of my Top 10 sewing tutorials is this one from the Haby Goddess blog: I always refer back to it when sewing bias onto a project.  Catching the bias evenly on both sides can be hard and there are some excellent pointers in the tutorial on how to nail it.  It helps get the perfect finish on the neckline on this pattern.

The fabric is from an Aussie shop called Monsoon Weave.  The owner, Anna, was super-helpful and has amazing fabric in the kind of Indian prints I love.  I have to tell you that these are some of the softest and loveliest cottons I've sewn with.  

Because the fabrics are quite lightweight, I lined (or rather, double-layered) the yoke and the lower blouse but not the sleeves.  I wouldn't have done that for summer clothes as the weight is perfect for hot weather but I just wanted to add a bit extra for the cooler months.

While Cee Cee was shopping at Typo I picked up these great heart shaped pins. I probably need to rethink my fabric pinning method as I've bent or broken so many of my existing pins (not to mention the machine needle carnage!).

As usual I'll post some more photos after final fit and hemming!

T-shirt dress :: 4th time lucky?

Based on measuring various Size 5 to 6 t-shirts and other stretchy dresses in Miss Wink's wardrobe I figured it would be fairly easy to whip up a pattern for a basic a-line t-shirt dress in no time.  

It took three attempts and I'm still thinking the neckline is a bit more "boat-neck" than I wanted so it'll be four before I'm completely happy.  Still, it's a good investment of time as I'm hoping I can now grade it up for the big girl.  Nothing like a knit dress for a great cool weather basic over leggings.

This fabric is an exellent quality with a nice weight and 2-way stretch.  I bought it online from Crafty Mamas last winter.  It did, however, have that rolling thing going on at the edges which drove me a bit crazy at times.  

I've Googled this problem and learned that people use spray starch or scotch tape amongst other things to stabilize the edges.  Any other ideas on this?

After much pondering on how to finish the neckline, I decided to use a long bib-style facing which makes the dress look from the outside as if it's lined.  It's also a bit dressier looking (and easier!) than adding a neckline band. I then used my twin needle to finish the neckline, wrists and hem.

I also had fun using my old "Wink Designs" sew in labels: it's been a while since I've used them but really should do more....

Lace Sleeve Peasant Dress :: More photos

I finally managed to get some proper modelled photos for the Lace Sleeve Peasant Top Tutorial.

I had originally planned a top but was asked to make a dress.  A ruffle and some trim later and there you have it! (I've added these photos to the original post to complete it.)  Enjoy and don't forget to share if you make one of these!

 Styled with our favourite fluffy pom-pom hair tie:

It seems the warm weather is back for a little while at least, so there's still time to give the dress a proper whirl....

"Butterfly Breeze" Dress & workshop details

Have made lots of Butterfly Breeze tops, dresses and variations on the original pattern over the past few months.

I haven't blogged this one (which is actually a dress with ruffle) but am pinching a photo (below) taken by Melissa of the top half of the dress hanging on the studio wall during the last workshop I taught at Sew Make Create.  (Details of next week's workshop are here.)

The fabrics are beautiful soft cotton voiles ordered online from ie boutique in France.  Another dress made with ie boutique fabrics was blogged here.  The fabrics are perfection for childrens' clothes with delicate prints that are gorgeous and never gaudy.

As usual I've struggled to get a photo of the dress being modelled!  Weather, childrens' moods and a general lack of time all factor into the equation....You know how it is?

Happy Easter....

Just popping in to wish you an early Happy Easter and to share some photos on this very beautiful Good Friday, spent biking around the back lanes of the neighbourhood.

Although her scooter is no match for her sister's new bike, Miss Wink decided to road test her new dress, which was made to the tutorial outlined in my recent post (more photos to come soon).

A Rainbow Lorikeet joined us to perch on a nearby fence.

Hope you are enjoying your Easter holidays!

Lace Sleeve Peasant Top Tutorial

As promised last week I'm posting a tutorial for this cute peasant top for toddlers and girls which uses lace trim to create a sweet flutter sleeve variation on regular sleeves.

(The top which I started out making has actually had a large ruffle added to it and become a dress upon orders from Miss Wink.  You can, of course, make this to any length you wish.)

You will need:

• A basic pattern for a peasant or pillowcase top.  I used my "Butterfly Breeze" pattern but any pattern using this style will do or you can easily draft your own using an online tutorial. (Google "peasant top tutorial" to see the many tutorials available or check out Pinterest for examples.)

• Trim for the sleeves.  The "lace" trim I've used here is not lace as such but rather an embroidered cotton eyelet trim - or you may have another name for it.  It's found fairly easily in the haberdashery section of fabric stores and there are also lots of online sellers who carry it. (Scroll to the end of the post for links.) Trim that's at least 3 inches wide will work best - narrower trims won't have enough margin to create a decent casing to thread the neckline elastic through.

• Fabric for the Top Front and Back. Yardage specified in your pattern or tutorial.

• Elastic for the neckline casing. Length specified in your pattern or tutorial.

• Coordinating thread (and any ribbons, buttons or other embellishments you want to use).

Let's get started:

 

NOTE: The Size 5 pattern I used had a sleeve which was about 6 inches wide across the shoulder. If you have a pillowcase dress pattern which does not have a sleeve piece and you need to cut your trim, I'd suggest you use that length as a rough guide.  Increase by small amounts for larger sizes and decrease for smaller sizes.

 

You can now go ahead and create your elastic casing around the neckline using your pattern instructions as a guide.  Thread your elastic through, sew ends together and sew your casing closed.  

Your final step will be to hem your top.

Let me know what you think - do you have someone who'd love one of these?

Embroidered cotton trim links:

 Image: SonSu

 Image: littlepinkstudio

Image: therainbowgirl

Making stuff on a rainy day....

School and Easter holidays are off to a wet start in Sydney.  

We were looking for things to make and after a false start with some DIY glow-in-the-dark water (don't ask!) which was spilt all over a bed the girls settled into a mother-approved activity and got busy with some scrapbook paper and a stack of blank cards:

Happy holidays to all!

Flip This Pattern :: April Inspiration

Firstly, thank you to all the readers, customers and friends who voted for my "Little Ellie Dress" pattern for the June Flip This Pattern challenge on Frances Suzanne.  

It wasn't to be this time unfortunately but it was such a buzz to receive your votes and messages of support and I want to especially thank Janice for cheering me along.

The very stylish "Charlie" shirt by Zonen 09 came out on top - the sewers for boys need their turn as well!

So.....it was great to be a part of Flip This Pattern and I think I've now caught the bug.  I have the April pattern by Heidi & Finn and am dreaming up ways to "flip" it:

Images: Heidi & Finn and Emma Levine via Pinterest 

What do you think?  I love this "Sophie May Dress" by the gorgeous Emma Levine (and all of her childrens' clothes, to be truthful).  

Not sure that I'd be able to source a crochet collar like that one (I definitely don't know how to make one) but maybe a fabric collar will do.  I also love the deep pockets but would maybe keep the cap shoulders from the original.

Hmmm, stay tuned!

Sneak peek :: Lace Sleeve Peasant Top tutorial

A sneak peek of a tutorial I'm putting together.  Stay tuned for the how-to in next week's blog posts.

This one could make the perfect girly Easter outfit!

Vote for "Little Ellie Dress" - on Flip This Pattern!

Much excitement here.  The "Little Ellie Dress" pattern has made the final four (from a field of 40) for the June "Flip this Pattern" sewing event on Frances Suzanne blog.  

The pattern with the most votes will be "flipped" i.e. reinterpreted by a group of fabulous guest bloggers and featured in a general blogger sew-along.  As you'll see there's some hot competition - the clever ladies at Frances Suzanne have featured pattern designers from all corners of the globe in the line up.

I'd love it if you'd hop over and vote!  Pick the Flip for June.

Just so you know: "Flip This Pattern" has been running each month for the past year and you can see some of the great designs in the Frances Suzanne archives.  The June "flip" will be the first event of Year 2 and is the first one where readers have picked the field.

There's prizes and discounts and all sorts of fun to be had, so join in and stay posted as it all unfolds!

Thanks to Emily and Ashley at Frances Suzanne for the amazing job they do to host this!  

Oh, and check out the fabulous Pinterest Board for past inspiration and flips on some well known patterns.