Seamingly Smitten - Drop Shoulder Top for Misses Releases Today & Coupon Code!

Seamingly Smitten, a PDF pattern source for the beginner sewist, releases a new knit top for Misses

Jenny Hall, owner and pattern designer at Seamingly Smitten, thoughtfully and purposefully designs PDF sewing patterns for beginners.  She also offers a blog with tips, tricks and tutorials for everyone!

Join the Seamingly Smitten Sewing Pattern FaceBook page for more inspiration, chat with other beginners, and learn more about Seamingly Smitten patterns available.  

I tested the Drop Shoulder Top for Misses which is available now here on Etsy.  This is a comfortable knit shirt that is easy to cut, construct & sew together.  Learn how to sew with knits and add binding to a neckline with this easy to follow pattern.

• $8.00, available today for 50% off with code SAVE50;
• Knit fabric;
• Petite, regular and tall cutting lines;
• Hi-Lo option;
• 3/4 or long sleeves;
• Instructions are numbered, so you can mark your steps as you sew;
• Sizes are nested in 3 pattern pieces; 
• 18 pages to print & line up (no trimming pages or matching lines to assemble pattern);
• Beginner Friendly

I used fabric from "Spot The Bolt" tables at Hancock Fabrics.  Saw this lovely floral and had to have it for this top.  I paid $2 a yard!  Spot the Bolt is my first place to look in the stores . . . those clearance items can have hidden gems!

Here's my comfy new top!  

Start shopping now and have a look at the variety of patterns for beginners available!  Don't forget to use code SAVE50 for 50% off your purchase today.    

Happy Sewing,

gloria june

A princess dress everyday with Made for Mermaids, plus a #giveaway

Made for Mermaids Everyday Princess Collection

When I started testing PDF patterns pre-release for pattern designers, I was thrilled to join Megan Gorman and her testing team to volunteer to test her clothing patterns for girls!  

I asked Megan if she would like to offer a chance to win a pattern (ANY pattern!) to my readers and she said "I'd love to! :)"   So, keep reading for your chance to win one pattern of your choice from Made for Mermaids!

If you're not already aware, PDF pattern designers depend on testing their actual design before its released to the public for purchase to verify that their brainchild actually panned out on paper.  That's right, you print your own pattern that you purchase digitally, store on your computer, your cloud, your jump drive - and print at will or preserve your original printing to trace off sizes for use over and over again.  Opportunities for testing for various designers can be found on their individual FaceBook group pages, the PDF Pattern Sales & Promotion FaceBook  page, and various other places on the internet, including blogs and business pages.  

Everytime I pretest a pattern for Megan, it is perfect from the first draft.  The product she produces is quality and thoughtful.  

The Everyday Princess Dress line is designed for use with cottons, broadcloth, satins, velours -- whatever your heart dreams of fabric-wise, the versatility of these patterns will please you!  You will also be getting more bang for your buck here because you can make the dresses without "princess" inspiration -- they can be made using any print or fabric type, pleasing your sewing experience with everyday dresses, special occasion dresses, costumes or play dresses.  It may be time for you to build an "imagination station" to hang all your daughter's (or grandaughter's) princess inspired dresses in the play room . . . .

Here are a few dresses I've created with patterns from Made for Mermaids over the last year or so (click on the title of each dress to purchase the pattern in her Craftsy shop):  

My vision of the The Belle Dress

Baby Katniss! (my favorite!)

Frozen Inspired Dress

 

Cleaning Cinderella

Merida Brave Inspired Dress

 Tiana Inspired Dress

 

You can also purchase her patterns on Etsy.  

(I personally prefer Craftsy as you can share photos of your creations on the site, view other customer creations, and if there are any updates to any patterns from any shop you've purchased through Craftsy, you will be notified and download them without delay.)  

Newest Release:

We just finished testing Megan's latest pattern, the Briar Rose Dress.  And my friend Whitney took photos of her daughters as soon as she got home from work!  Here are Fiona & Abby, ages 8 and 7, in the versions I created with the pattern:

Yep . . . you're right, my vision for Fiona is inspired by 

Ariel's day dress or "town dress". 

Abby's dress is inspired by "Briar Rose" 

a/k/a Aurora a/k/a Sleeping Beauty

You may have noticed the embroidery on most of the dresses I've been inspired to create. Having an embroidery machine has made so many things so much easier . . .I was doing applique by hand and sewing machine after our granddaughter was born . . . then I took the plunge and bought a Brother PE770.  That was a good decision!  

As with all of the dresses in the Everyday Princess Collection, you can make the dress as a costume, following the colors and embellishments of the princess it is inspired by; or use your imagination and design your own dress  . . . . these dresses can be anything you or your little girl dreams of . . . . 

Now, onto the GIVEAWAY!

One winner will receive one pattern of choice from Made for Mermaids PDF Pattern Collection.

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Sewing!

gloria june

Oh Mickey Cheerleading Uniform by Cole's Creations

Its Game Day Season, do you have your Cheer on?!?

Cole's Corner and Creations' newest pattern, Oh Mickey Cheerleading Uniform in sizes 1/2 - 12 years, is ready for your sewing magic!  You can purchase the pattern here:  Crafty Shop or  Etsy Shop 

or enter to win this pattern FREE!

Keep reading for your chance to enter . . . .

This is a PDF pattern, available to you in digital format, instantly downloaded from Cole's Corner and Creations Craftsy or Etsy shop (links above).  

• Sizes included are 1/2 - 12 years with a sizing chart to help you choose which measurements suit the size you will sew;

• A list of materials is provided, detailing which type of fabric to purchase and stores that carry same (listed under "helpful hints" in the instructions) and guides to choose trims;

• The option of using either Cheerleading Braid Trim (also listed under "helpful hints"). You can find some here: Yarrington Mills or Malouf's Fabrics; or use ribbons in various sizes (as I did) to create the look you want;

• Printable appliques are included if you don't have an embroidery machine, with detailed instructions to prepare and then place them on your garment;

• Sewing terms used in the instructions are defined for you;

• Lots of fantastic photos are included for each step; 

• 21 pages to print in color; and

• Bonus "Cheer Bow" instruction included.

• You can also purchase the 15" and 18" Oh Mickey Doll Uniform pattern in her shops.  

I had a fabulous time making these cheerleading uniforms during the testing phase.  The parents of the two little girls I had in mind to model are life-long LSU TIGER FANS!!  (Louisiana State University).  And, of course, I am as well . . .so it was easy to decide which team to honor as I shopped for ponte fabric, the suggested and customary fabric used for this type of garment.  

I ended up going to both JoAnn and Hancock Fabrics.  One had the purple on the shelves and the white in the return/leftover discount bins, the other had gold in store.  I suggest purchasing online if you know what you want in advance to avoid disappointment when running out to the local shops to pick up the popular team colors for your area.  

And both sizes I made were a perfect fit at kick-off!  Fiona & Abby are modeling sizes 8 and 6x (yes! 6x is included!!!).  

I made the Cheer Bows (it was included in the testing phase) and decided to attach them to headbands.  Cute!!

Yep, this photo of Abby above is my favorite of the photo shoot.  Special thanks to their mom Whitney, who drove through the pouring rain for the LSU game in Texas, girls and test garments in tow, and took pictures as soon as they arrived.  THANK YOU so much!

I didn't order cheer braid; instead, I used whatever ribbons I could find in my stash.  I laid out the ribbons on the front bodice and moved them around until I found the look I was going for.  I used Heat and Bond tape to adhere the ribbons on before sewing them down.  It worked wonderfully.

I used Tacky Spray to temporarily stabilize the embroidered overlay to the front bodice. Heat and Bond tape and Wonder Under Tape (smallest strips) to stabilize my ribbon design.

I also made a dress with a lightweight corduroy from my stash.  I wanted to see if you could get more use out of this pattern than just the uniform.   

And, you CAN!  I like this as a jumper to wear over a turtleneck or not . . . it all depends on what the weather is like in your neck of the woods.  And leggings would be oh so cute too!

Join Cole's Corner and Creations fans in her FaceBook sewing pattern group here:  Cole's Corner and Creations (FaceBook).  There, you can ask questions, show off your cheer uniforms and other creations from her patterns.  

and . . . . Cole's Corner has graciously offered to give away one Oh Mickey Cheerleading Uniform PDF pattern to my readers . . . . 

Enter here!  Giveaway ends Monday, September 15, 2014.
Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Sewing,

gloria june

Stitchwerx releases a Sweet Suite of Baby Patterns that has inspired me to FLIP my blog!

Stitchwerx Ainsley & Aiden Collection Baby Suite 1

This collection of sewing patterns for baby's first year has me flipped!  So much so, that we are flipping the blog today -- the HOW TO is up first!


I'm part of a blog tour promoting the release of this pattern.  If you follow the tour, you'll see lots of beautiful photos of babies wearing garments made and inspired by the entire collection.  A few of us used baby dolls that were carefully selected to fit the sizing of a preemie or newborn -- so you might even see photos of those as well.

Most important to me in promoting this pattern is to let you know that I participated in the testing of this pattern; and straightaway I knew it was a winner.  I used scrap fabrics, as I usually do during testing of a new pattern, and wouldn't you know it . . . I should have used my best fabrics because 

All of the items were perfect the first time!!!  

That is why . . . . .

I finally have a GO-TO pattern 

for baby showers and newborns! 

(happy dance!!)

Here's HOW-TO  create your own, easy to access, never cut it out again, best-baby-gift ever-pattern-pieces, conveniently stored for use over and over again from Stitchwerx !

Grab everything you need to start tracing your new favorite pattern:

• Tracing paper
• Printed Pattern (link to purchase the pattern)
• Tape
• Ruler
• Pattern Weights
• Markers/pens
• Cutting tool

 

Lay your fully taped pattern on a flat surface.  

Place your tracing paper on top, lining the edges on the fold side or straightest edge of the piece you are tracing.  Place pattern weights on top.  

Trace the pattern with a sharpie.

Use a ruler to keep the straight lines straight.  This really helps!

Mark your grain line direction and all placement markings. 

Hang your fully taped pattern piece in the closet for future use of all the other sizes.

Grab an envelope or file folder.

Pretty it up so you'll be able to find it later -- I'm keeping this pattern on TOP of all the others!

You're done! 

The next time you get an invitation to a baby shower, or news of a new baby on the way, 

you are ready to go!!!

I've decided NOT to share the photos of my first gift set.  They're for my niece and nephew.  The shower is in July.  Emma Rose is due early September.  You don't want me to ruin the surprise for them do you?

For inspiration and to view an array of beautiful garments you can make with this collection, 

please visit these blogs on the pattern release tour:

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11	THURSDAY, JUNE 12
Pattern Revolution	Rebekah Sews
Mama Says Sew	Lulu & Celeste
The Berry Bunch
Begin With B
FRIDAY, JUNE 13	MONDAY, JUNE 16
Once Upon a Sewing Machine	Golden Rippy
Feather’s Flights	Playground Pixie Designs
Pattern Nut	Friends Stitched Together
	The Life of Jennifer Dawn
TUESDAY, JUNE 17
Stitch and Bake
Shaffer Sisters
The Life of a Compulsive Crafter

You can also enter to win a fabulous Prize Package as Stitchwerx celebrates the release! http://stitchwerx.net/ainsley-aiden-baby-suite-i-pattern-release-giveaway Prize Package & Giveaway Rules Prize Package:           *4 patterns of your choice from Stitchwerx Designs           * Set of 4 Custom 8 x 10" Art Prints from Artful Life Designs           * $25 Gift Card from the Fabric Store of Your Choice           * Set of 100 Custom Mommy/Playdate Cards from Artful Life Designs The Contest Rules: You must be 18 to enter. You can gain entries by entering the Rafflecopter Prompts. Giveaway end: 6/20/14 at midnight EDT. One winner will be chosen and announced on 6/21/14. Good Luck everyone!  And, you can come back and thank me later! Happy Sewing! gloria june PS:  follow me on Pinterest!

My Little Plumcake's Sweet Jane Ruffle -- Enjoy the photos today and a get a discount code!

Oh my my!  I made the sweetest treats for two little girls that often model for me.

Today, I'm just going to let you take a look the beautiful pictures they took for me to show the finished product after testing.  We tested the Maxi version.

I'm just in awe of the Sweet Jane Ruffle created by Michelle Robertson of My Little Plumcake.  And, I'm in awe of the beautiful photos of Abby and Fiona by my friend and their mother, Whitney, while they were on vacation in Tennessee recently.  

Grab your copy of the pattern today and use code SWEETJANE for 20% off of your purchase for a full week in her shop!


Happy Sewing!

gloria june