MCM Studio Designs Spring 2015 Blog Tour - Estherlyn Jumper

Happy Spring!  Yes, its Spring here in Louisiana . . . and to celebrate, we've joined the MCM Studio Designs Blog Tour to show you the Estherlyn's Jumper.

At the end of the tour, MCM Studio Designs will give away a pattern of their choice to 5 different winners.  Just comment both on the Merry Church Mouse blog and on one of the blogs that you visit on the tour, including mine!

Use Code SPRINGSALE25 at the ETSY SHOP HERE or visit the CRAFTSY SHOP HERE where patterns are already reduced by 25%.  

Special Thanks to Gabrielle Champion (who will become my daughter-in-love in 53 days!) 

for the wonderful photography of her friend's two little beauties, Ella & Sarah.

I haven't met Ella & Sarah.  I have only their measurements.  The fit was exactly as I planned:  

Ella is sporting a vintage-look length which gives her the freedom to run, jump and play.  

I love the "just above the knee" look of yesteryear.  

Ella is a size 4 in width, and size 5 in length, but I decided to make it all size 4, 

hoping for exactly the result we see here!  

Sarah just turned 1, but her measurements in width fit the size 2.  

I considered that she may be on the ground more often than her sister, with her curiosities getting the better of her, so I went for a look that would cover her knees if she gets down in the dirt/grass to get closer to the all the little things someone her age tries to put in their mouth,

I'm very happy with the results!

What's included in the PDF Pattern:

• Sizes 3m - 10 years
• Line Drawings
• How to take Measurements
• Size Charts
• Finished Garment Measurements
• Materials List
• Fabric Yardage Requirements
• Printing and Assembly Instructions for the pattern pieces
• Tiled Pattern Pieces (you can select to print the lines for one size, many, or all)
• "Before You Sew" Tips as well as more Tips as you go along!
• Numbered, Step - by - Step Instructions
• Links to tutorials and other goodies related to this pattern

You can purchase the pattern HERE or at the Etsy or Craftsy Shops listed above at 25% off throughout the tour.

and, at the end of the week, you have a chance to win your choice of Merry Church Mouse (MCM Studios Designs) Patterns by entering a comment on the blogs in the tour.

I love using my embroidery machine to embellish -- 

and there's just enough room on the bodice to personalize.

Fabrics used in these jumpers were purchased from Ebeth Designs on Etsy.

Moda Domestic Bliss

SMART TIP:  

Use Iron-on Adhesive or Fusible Tape to stabilize ric rac or ribbons (instead of pins) before you sew!  (see previous post HERE).

Another SMART TIP:  

Purchase buttons in bulk when they're on sale.  

I have many colors and sizes in simple buttons 

(I don't just hoard fabric).   

Sometimes, a simple button is just right. 

Be sure to follow along on the tour and tune in to the Merry Church Mouse blog daily for links to the bloggers included.  Remember to enter a comment with your contact information for a chance to win a pattern of your choice!  Good Luck!

Happy Sewing,

gloria june

Lily Giggle New Zinnia for girls - Its all about the petals!

This post is cross-posted at Pattern Revolution.  Stop by here to see another reviewer's look at the New Zinnia!

I'm Gloria, and I'm a sewaholic . . . yep, I took on this review and its deadline before I got sick, and started sewing while I had the flu. But as we say here in Louisiana, on any occasion, rain or shine: "Laissez les bon temps rouler!" (Let the good times roll!)

With Mardi Gras just around the corner, I had my inspiration to try out the New Zinnia by LilyGiggle. Lucky for me, I had just straightened my fabric hoard and found Robert Kaufman's Celebrate Seuss! Tossed Characters fabric smiling at me. It is time to celebrate Seuss-style. I searched the internet for an embroidery design and found the perfect one!

And baby sister gets a coordinating tunic too, with a Mardi-Gras jester hat on the cat-in-the-hat . . . and a little fur for her curious senses.

This pattern is all about the Petals. Yep, gorgeous petals at the end of your ¾ or long sleeves. Choose A-line or Empire waist in tunic, above knee or below knee lengths in sizes 2 – 12. (I added buttons to my petals as decorations, mimicking the circles in the skirt fabric.)

First things first:

• $9.50 USD, via PayPal, purchased here:  New Zinnia; 
• Fabric(s):  Knit for the A-line; All Knit or Knit & Woven for the gathered Empire waist;
• Layered Printability – choose to print only the size(s) you need; 4 – 5 pattern pieces (short sash is optional);
• Imperial Size Measurements, Finished Garment Measurements, and Fabric Requirements are all provided in charts;
• Woven skirt portion and Sash is cut following a Length x Width Chart (no pattern piece);
• 3/8" Seam Allowance included in pattern;
• Quick Sew Instructions (for those who usually skim the tutorial/instruction part);
• No cutting chart for neckband. Instead, the designer's preferred method of determining band length & width are provided;
• Approximately an hour and a half sew;
• Intermediate+ sewist (neckband*)

I'm rating this pattern more suited to an Intermediate+ sewist because of the neckband: No measurements are provided. Instead, the designer provides you with photographs and a step-by-step tutorial on her preferred method of determining the size and fit. This can be a bit intimidating for a beginner.  I would prefer a cutting chart so that I can take advantage of the "quick sew" list by quickly cutting my fabric pieces and go straight to sewing.

I was glad to see the section on how to trace your pattern pieces onto freezer paper and then iron onto your fabric. I forget about this fantastic method and I'm glad it is included for those of you who haven't tried it yet.

The petals are my favorite part! In my state, I struggled to make sure the petals were trimmed perfectly, continuing to cut round and round . . . until I trimmed them too much. Sometimes folks, we need to just let it go . . . . J.

Happy Sewing!
gloria june


Now, for the photo bombs!

Extraordinary Girl by Filles a' Maman, Its not another ordinary t-shirt!

This review is cross-posted at PatternRevolution.com  Be sure to stop by there to see another reviewer's look at this pattern as well!

 
I found Extraordinary Girl to be very charming and a creative inspiration. I was able to do some #scrapbusting and try out the popular "fabric panel" craze with this pattern.

The boat-neck design, combined with lapped neck binding, brings a welcome change to the everyday T-shirt, together with a forgiving neckline allowing for a more comfortable on and off experience.

 
A week before I began this review, I received my order of princess fabric panels from Eurogirls! While they washed & dried, I looked through my favorite collection of Doodles knits from JoAnn (so very soft and cuddly!) and my knit remnant bucket (fabulous finds in the remnant bins of any fabric store at deeply discounted prices).

I had Extraordinary fun with color . . .

• Price: $9.79, payable via PayPal, available in English or French language versions
   
• Sizing: 12/18 months – 14 years (19.5" – 31" chest measurement)
   
• Boat-neck, hi-low hem, long or ¾ sleeve
   
• Mommy & Me is available! (purchase a separate pattern in women's sizes or the Extraordinary Girl Combo which includes both women & girls sizing)
   
• Designed for knit fabrics
   
• Printing option includes the ability to print "layers" (choose a specific size(s) to print); 12 pages to print, 7 pattern pieces to cut, including a functional front pocket.
   
• Cutting layout graphics are provided for a single color or color blocked top.
   
• Imperial and Metric fabric requirements are provided as separate charts. A Size Chart and Finished Length Chart is included to guide you in determining appropriate size
   
• Lengthen/shorten graphic instructions provided
   
• Confident Beginner Friendly!
  
   

Once you print and cut the pattern pieces, you'll be able to put this shirt together in just under an hour. With each one you make, the process will go even faster. The instructions are written thoughtfully; and, together with impressive hand-drawn graphics, you'll appreciate the smooth construction technique.
I love the length—and, that the hi-lo hem is not a dramatic drop. I made no adjustments to either top and found that the sizes I selected based on measurements made a perfect fit.

I definitely recommend this pattern for your little ones! I'm going to make the women's version and am confident that I will love that one too.

New Year, new style . . . be Extraordinary!

 
Happy Sewing,
gloriajune