Sewing tour – summer dresses #1

I have a bit of summer sewing to blog about but (unfortunately) I only manage to find the time to do it once a week.

So, I’ve decided to make a bit of a Sewing tour for the summer dresses done so far. Would you care to join me?

I’ll have to start with one of my most-used dress patterns for this season (the Colombine dress from P&M), I’ve made 4 of these (here, here and here. I have also done a winter version which was also a favorite) with a few mods and they are getting quite a lot of wear (I’ve been told these are great for twirling …).

As usual, and because the original Colombine pattern has long-sleeves, there are a few mods to make it more “summer-friendly”: sleeveless, added lace trim to the front and more fullness to the shirt panels (don’t forget, the very important twirl factor).

My fabric choice was one of the Liberty Lifestyle prints (this one is Garnett) that I bought a few months ago on an online sale (here). The quality is quilting cotton, but it’s surprisingly soft (sateen like) and the colors are just stunning.

These pictures were taken in one of those cloudy summer days, we’ve been having this year (and with the help of my new “toy”. Still in love….)

I’ve said it before (and probably because I’ve done quite a few so far) but this pattern really “sews” quickly and they look wonderful, classic and are perfect for layering (can’t you just picture this dress with a long-sleeve tee and a cardigan for warmer days?).

Of course, some action pictures were taken just to prove how versatile this dress really is: perfect for twirling, running and jumping …

Don’t you just love the colors?

Wishing you all a lovely (sewing) week!

xx, Ana Sofia

Picnic class for summer and a (unexpected) gift

Although it’s summertime, the sun has been a bit shy so far.

For the last couple of weeks, the days seem to alternate between glorious sunshine (and hot weather to match) and cloudy skies (with the matching  showers).

Needless to say, I needed to make a detour from my original summer sewing plans. So, this weekend, I went back to basics to prepare a “in-between” outfit that could be also worn (layered) when the sun is not shinning.

My options: Picnic Class blouse (with added wideness at the front and back bodice and a favorite print form the Posy collection by Aneela Hoey) and Hopscotch skirt (dots print from my stash. Sorry, but I couldn’t find the source).

You can’t really beat Oliver+S pattern for basic pieces, that go together like a breeze (lol) and really look great together (I am a huge fan of mix and match with Oliver + S patterns).

I added a bit of lace at the front yoke for added interest (and because it’s easier to tell the front from the back, lol).

The colors look really nice right now and I’m sure these will become great transitional pieces for fall as well.

(this pint really appeals to my book lover-self. There’s something magical about reading your favorite books in a peaceful countryside. And the little chicks are my girl’s current favorite).

Did you also happen to notice my new “toy”?

I found this dress form in an auction site a few weeks ago and, promptly, shared my discovery with my husband (the dress form is not new, but it looks pretty nice to me). As he already bears quite a lot with my sewing projects (too much, I must add) I assume it was “nice” to share this as well (he did made a funny face, now that I think about it).

What I didn’t expect was for him to come home a few of days later holding the dress form as a gift to me He even did some negotiation with the seller and went to pick it up personally!

Love! (and it’s even more impressive, considering the fact that I don’t have a separate sewing room and the dress form is too big to fit my (sewing) cupboard. Yet, it does looks rather nice in our bedroom, lol).

Happy sewing everyone (the sun is suppose to be back in a couple of days, so I need to return to summer sewing),

Ana Sofia

Giveaway winner: The Tinny dress by Straight Grain

This giveaway is now closed.

Thank you all so much for your comments!

I really want to thank each and every one of you for participating in the giveaway. This is indeed a lovely pattern

The winner, selected by random.org, is #4, Gina F. who wrote:

“Your pretty girl is growing up! Like her, I prefer the sash. I would make the asymmetrical collar and full skirt. I have been wanting to tulip sleeves but since it is 100 degrees here I think I would have to make it sleeveless or add a flutter sleeve. In the fall I would make the tulip sleeve. Thank you!”

Congratulations, Gina!

An will be sending you a copy of her  Tinny pattern soon.

You will soon see another of Tinny as I’ll be flipping this pattern for the Flip This Pattern Series, in August. Can’t wait to show you my version …

xx, Ana Sofia

Pattern Giveaway: The Tinny dress by Straight Grain

This giveaway is now closed. I’ll be posting the (randomly selected) winner tomorrow. Thank you and good luck to you all

The lovely An from the Straight Grain just launched a new pattern: The Tinny dress, a retro/contemporary dress pattern inspired by 1960s vintage children’s fashion (love the description).

I was lucky enough to test An’s first pattern (the Bubble dress) and now… the new Tinny dress (insert happy dance, here!).

Honest, I had been eyeing the Tinny dress for quite a while (I will be flipping this pattern in the Flip this Pattern series soon) and couldn’t wait to try it.

This is an adorable dress with lots of (sewing) options.

You get to choose between 4 different collars (peter pan collar, butterfly collar, asymmetrical collar and open collar), 2 sleeve (tulip cuffs and notched cuffs) and 3 skirts styles (full circle skirt, pleated skirt, gathered skirt).  That’s a total of 168 different looks with just one pattern. Impressive, right?

Nevertheless,  I was short of time (An’s deadline and my work agenda were not truly compatible) so I needed to make some basic (read, fast) options for my “test version”.

For my version, I choose the butterfly collar, notched cuffs and gathered skirt.

Sweet, right?

I tried to stay faithful to the original dress design (that’s the main reason for using pattern testers, right? You need to find out if other people can follow your instructions and produce a similar piece), but “someone” thought that a pink stash was needed …

Still lovely (yet, a bit far from An’s Belgian style).

Now, the best part:

In order to celebrate her second pattern, An will be offering a Tinny dress pattern to one lucky winner!

To win a copy of the Tinny dress (pdf pattern, sizes 1 to 6 years), just leave me a comment bellow saying which would be your first options for this dress (please one entry per person. If you’re a subscriber/follower, you can get 2 entries and if you also comment on An’s Tinny post, you can get 3 entries).

The giveaway will be open until Saturday, June 8th 2013 (midnight, GMT). I’ll random pick the lucky winner on Sunday, June 9th 2013.

I do look forward for your entries (ps. don’t forget to add a valid email address so that I can send you the pattern, if you are the lucky winner).

Thank you An and good luck to you all!

Ana Sofia

Pattern testing

For the last couple of weeks, I had the pleasure to test two new patterns from The Cottage Mama.

I felt in love with all the new patterns (4 in total) and while the Georgia Vintage dress is already available for sale (I didn’t test that one, but already got mine), the ones that I tested will be released this week (first one tomorrow and the second on Wednesday).

I may now share a bit of what I sew …

Aren’t these lovely?

Ottobre Kokeshi

My first Ottobre pattern was the  Babushka pinafore dress pattern (issue 01/2009).

This pattern is for a sweet baby pinafore (with a Babushka doll applique at the front) and was included in the first Ottobre issue I bought (seems like it was only yesterday, lol).

The instructions were quite clear (although, as usual, I didn’t follow them closely) and it was probably one of my first projects for my baby girl (I don’t even think I have a picture of it to prove it …).

For that (tiny) pinafore dress, I use a print from the Katie Jump Rope collection (this one) and the dress got lots of compliments (I was just starting to sew, so it felt really good).

Nevertheless, I didn’t managed to sew many of these dresses for my girl (the Apolline pattern from Citronille has been a good replacement) and she was soon out of the size range.

Yet, when Ottobre released a larger pinnie version - The Kokeshi pinafore dress – I decided to give it another try (again, I skipped the Babushka applique, just because I’m quite okay with just the plain version and my print was already a bit “busy”).

The back is also quite simple (and yet so cute):

I selected a bold print (not my usual style, as you may already know) and couldn’t be more pleased with the final result.

Can’t really get enough of these great hues. Beautiful, right?

Of course, the dress it’s still a bit large on my girl (but on the bonus side, there’s room to grow, which I always love) but it’s already a favorite:

Overall, the Kokeshi Pinafore Dress is quite a basic pattern but looks really sweet paired with a blouse underneath (and even a little cardi, if it gets cooler):

Don’t you just love a good basic (dress) pattern?

xx, Ana Sofia

Pink polka dots

I was sorting all the still-to-be posted pictures, and I reckoned this would be the perfect excuse for posting an unexpected sewing project that has been in the (blog) pipeline for too long (you know, the pictures- taken, post-completed and worn-for-over-two-months sort of project).

Please excuse the bad lightning in the pictures. These were taken a couple of months ago when rain and bad lighting were still here.

The Odette blouse is one of the newest Citronille patterns. Soon after it was released I started seeing some lovely versions of this blouse, mostly in French blogs and most in Liberty.

While I was tempted to sew a Liberty version, I decided to tested it first with a cute cotton poplin just in case further modifications were needed (Citronille sizing can be tricky sometimes). However, I did add a bit of Liberty to the blouse (neck binding) – just for fun!

(yes, I also sew a pair of cute Oliver+S bow hair ties to match. Easiest project)

Although the blouse got immediate approval from my girl, somehow it didn’t suit its initial purpose (i.e. daily wear). The fabric and cute print made her much more suited to … nightwear.

The solution: Oliver+S’s pajama pants (with slight modifications) and soon, Miss M got a new set of pajamas. Cute, right?

This is a gorgeous blouse that truly appears to my inner French seamstress (I know I have one, lol):  featuring an adorable Peter Pan collar, front and back gathers and practical elasticized sleeves.

I’m sure, there will be a Liberty version, soon…

Technical info:

Blouse: Odette from Citronille (6T)

Pants: Bedtime story pajamas from Oliver+S, slightly modified to include an elasticized hem (5T)

Fabrics: Cotton pique white pink polka dots print (local shop) and Elise Liberty print for the neck binding.