Get your Twirl on with Candy Castle Patterns Peppermint Swirl Add-on for Ladies

Isn't this a fabulous dress! 

I made this Peppermint Swirl Add-on for Ladies during the testing process. My daughter saw the testing call and her jaw dropped, 

"Mom, we gotta do that one!  Ask Rebecca if we can!"  

and so I did.

And Kelly was very thankful!

So was I.  This incredible twirling wonder had me dizzy with excitement!

I secretly put on my daughter's dress and twirled a little . . . ok, I twirled a lot, but I didn't want to give you three minutes of me twirling!!

The Add-on, as tested and highlighted in this post, began with the Cherry Cosmopolitan Dress for Ladies (which we also tested).  Here's a couple of photos of the Cosmo before we transformed the pattern with a twirl.  

A sampling of me (48) my 22 year old daughter in the same dress. 

Its really compliments a wide range of ages, you should try it!

Don't be put off by the amount of fabric it requires.  

My broadcloth purchase was a steal at my local Walmart:

The pattern is well-written and photos help you along the way.  I took almost an hour to sew up the swirls using my serger, which went very smoothly, and I didn't notice the hour pass at all!  

I made a template by adhering the pattern pieces onto cardboard so that I could measure out on the fabric itself where/how I would cut my swirls and easily through all the layers required for the size I chose.  I traced the templates first, then moved them over and traced again to determine the best way to cut and utilize the fabric.  There are recommendations drawn out for you in the pattern instructions that help with this part!! Sweet!

After that, it was smooth sailing.  

You will be amazed at how it all comes together!  Its truly magical!  

We had a bit of fun with photo editing here . . . .the dress seems so perfect for cosplay / fantasy wear! 

What are you waiting for!

You can add any bodice to this skirt if you know what you're doing; however, if you're not quite comfortable sewing a mash up on your own, the Cherry Cosmopolitan pattern is available in the shop for your sewing pleasure!

It was my pleasure testing this dress for Rebecca at Candy Castle Patterns.  I look forward to many more items for Ladies.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

See you again soon!

gloria june

It is Southern Institute Sew Fab Bundle Time Again! Get your Sew On!

I've made a few of the patterns in the bundle.  Pictures at the bottom of this post.
Check it out!  


This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase the Sew Fab Bundle through those links I earn a percentage of the sale. Thank you so much for supporting the Sew Fab Sale! We all appreciate your business!

It's the Spring 2014 Sew Fab Pattern Sale!

  It's that time of year again… time for the original pattern bundle sale, The Sew Fab Pattern Sale! I'm so excited to announce this season's pattern bundle to you today. The excitement has been building over the last few weeks, and today it's finally available. Nineteen incredibly talented pattern designers, some who are very well known in their field and some who are quickly making a name for themselves, have come together to bring you a great bundle of patterns that will take you through the spring and summer. For one week only, you can have nineteen patterns (plus a fun bonus pattern), chosen specifically for this sale, for only $29.95! That's over 80% off the retail value of the bundle! Plus you can enter to win one of two amazing sewing themed giveaways!

For less than $30 you get a library of sewing resources that you can use over and over again.

If you’ve never sewn with a PDF pattern before, let me tell you how great it is! After downloading your pattern, you will print out the pattern itself, creating pattern tiles, if you will. Simply tape the tiles together to create the full pattern! At that point you can cut out the size that you need and pin the paper pattern directly to your fabric, or you can trace the pattern size that you need onto sewing paper or tracing paper and cut it out, saving the paper pattern for later when you need to sew another size. PDF patterns are so convenient because you can print them out as many times as you need!

Now for the part you've been waiting for… the patterns!

A collection of 19 PDF Patterns from 19 well-known and up and coming designers are instantly accessible to you by PDF download upon purchase of the Sew Fab Pattern Bundle. Imagine all of the combinations that you can put together with this bundle of patterns, with many transitioning to fall and winter as well! Here are the patterns that you will receive (click on the links below the collage for more information about each pattern.): The Laurel Dress or Tunic by Greenstyle Creations, The Satchel Bag by Handmade Therapy, The Lexi Knit Dress and Top by MODKID, The Piko Top by EYMM, The Bowling Shirt from Scientific Seamstress (unisex), The Seraphic Pant by Figgy's (unisex), The Tulip Pinafore by Too Sweets Patterns, The Big Tote Bag by Things for Boys, The Doll and Carrier by Patchwork Posse, Poppy and Pip Penguins by Betz White, Leather Accent Foldover Pouch by LBG Studio, The Norah Dress and Tunic by Mouse House Creations, Crayon Art Folio by Gingercake, The Tennis Skort (12M-12Y) by Heidi & Finn, The Ruffled Bustle Top by Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Long Beach Board Shorts (unisex) by Terra's Treasures, The Cupcake Top (unisex) by Sewing Mama RaeAnna, The Saffron Twirl Dress from Paisley Roots Designs, The Sweet Tea Shorties by Molly Blossom Designs. New this year is the Sew Fab Pattern Tour! Some of our favorite sewing bloggers will be sharing their versions of the Sew Fab patterns on their blogs this week, so be sure to check in with them throughout the week of the sale to see how versatile these patterns are! Here are the stops on the pattern tour… This Sew Fab Pattern Bundle is only available for one week and will never be available again! You can purchase the bundle from May 5th at 8 a.m. EST through May 13th at 11:59 p.m. EST and there will be no late sales offered. Due to the nature of the sale there are no refunds. The pattern bundle expires six months from the end of the sale, so please download and save your patterns upon receiving them.

You don’t want to miss this unique opportunity to purchase a ready made collection of 20 PDF sewing patterns from 19 of the best designers out there!

 

And now for the always exciting Sew Fab Giveaway!

This spring there are two prize packages up for grabs, and both will inspire you in your sewing! I’m so excited about these giveaways! Can’t buy the pattern bundle? It’s okay… purchase is not required to enter. There are lots of chances to win and each entry applies to both of the giveaway packages. Just use the Rafflecopter widget below the prize descriptions to enter as many times as you want, no purchase necessary.

Prize Package #1 includes...

The Lane Raglan Pattern from Hey June, an organic fat quarter bundle of the yet unreleased Everyday Party Collection by Emily Isabella, from Fabricworm, The Washi Dress Pattern from Made by Rae, a $50 gift certificate to The Delhi Store, a free class from Craftsy.com, a fun gift package from Sew You Studio, a custom made Geranium Dress from Nest Creations, a Sew Happy print from Pen+Paint, and a $15 gift certificate to GYCT Designs!

Prize package #2 includes...

The #ISEW necklace from Hello Cheeseburger, created especially for the Sew Fab giveaway, a collection of vintage buttons and 20% off your purchase at Anna Mia Clothing, the Playdate Bag pattern from Fishsticks Designs, The Kensington Dress and Tee Pattern from Hey June Handmade, a $30 gift certificate to Casa Crafty, a $40 gift certificate to Girl Charlee, 3 yards of laminate fabric from Anne Kelle, The Essential Sewing Reference Tool by Carla Crim, a "Happiness is Handmade" print from Pen+Paint! a Rafflecopter giveaway Sign up for the Sew Fab Newsletter to get the latest Sew Fab News!  Winners will be announced in the newsletter as well as upcoming sales and other news pertaining to the Sew Fab Sale and the world of PDF patterns.

The Sew Fab Spring Pattern Sale!

Sew much inspiration, right at your fingertips...

only $29.95!

Get your bundle now!

**For answers concerning sale terms and customer service questions, please see the FAQ page.

Here are three of the patterns I've sewn!

Scientific Seamstress Bowling Shirt

Heidi & Finn's Tennis Skort

Happy Sewing!

gloria june

A Walk In The Park - Greenstyle's Caroline Maxi Dress

This week Greenstyle Creations is having another contest.  If you "go out and about" in one of your Greenstyle Creations, you can post a photo on their Facebook page or Instagram, label it #showoffgreenstyle, and you've earned an entry.

Naturally,  I have to give it a go because Greenstyle is a favorite PDF pattern maker.  (I'm not telling you who all my favorites are.  There are lots.  But if you see more blogs about one than the other, you might guess which ones are. I haven't been blogging long enough for you to begin to guess!)

The Caroline Maxi Dress was a pattern I saw a couple years ago and thought about trying.  I was mostly making children's clothing and didn't want to quite delve into PDF patterns for myself.  Well, here I am, making myself a Caroline Maxi!  You can purchase the PDF at Greenstyle's new website.

I used an interlock knit purchased from Girl Charlee a few weeks earlier.  You can find it here.  I also had little light brown linen left that matched the stripes so well, it became the front yoke and a perfect place to monogram.

The pattern was quick and easy for me.  I love halter dresses.  I love maxi's.  I omitted the front collar ruffle and the ruffles at the bottom.  I'm just not a ruffle kinda girl.

I did add (or subtract, depending on how you see it) to the front skirt.  I printed pages 11 and 12 from their Lacy Slope PDF Pattern.  I wanted to create a slight slope in the front of the dress so I would have a subtle "hi/lo" effect and not trip on my dress as I am prone to do.

Yes, I know I really need to clean my olfa mat.  I'd rather buy a new one. 

Anywho, the photo on the right shows the subtle slope created in the pattern piece after mashing the two patterns.

I love it!

So, as the contest rules state, I went "out and about" to our local park.

Here's the photo shoot.  Ok, honestly, here's the photos from the shoot I will share with you.  Enjoy!

It was really windy.  And my back is starting to hurt. 

My back really hurt.  

When ya gotta go, you gotta go.

My husband absolutely loves this dress!  He wanted to go with me to the park to take pictures.

I said, "Honey, this isn't Maui.  We aren't taking those kind of photos today."

I really enjoyed this pattern.  Wish I had bought it years ago when I first saw it.  Thank you Greenstyle for making my selfish sewing absolutely gratifying!

I'm on my way to the doctor.  No more tilling the garden for me this week. 

gloriajune

Its a Super Woman Hard Core Sew Today with Greenstyle's Centerfield Raglan

A few months ago, I participated in a test of one of Greenstyle Creations patterns.  We were traveling in our RV and I commented that that's where I was sewing . . . . and I was then told that I was "hardcore".

Today I think I'll show you how hardcore I can be.  In that, I like to cheat sometimes.  I'm lazy.

I keep patterns fully printed and taped hanging in my ginormous sewing closet.  My daughter wanted her Centerfield Raglan in a bad way.  (Even though she's 22, she can stomp her feet like a 2 year old.)  So, I pulled the pattern off the rack, hanger still in tow.

I placed my jersey pillow case on top of the pattern and started cutting.  Warning:  Do not try this at home and blame me if you screw up!

Next, the coveted supergirl boom pow fabric I scored from Etsy:

I must say, this is not how I was taught to cut my fabric.  But hey, my mom wasn't watching.  No one was watching.  I send everyone out of the house because I "have a deadline" today . . . . that's what I usually say anyway.  And it does work!

I attach all the pieces with the serger.  Even the neckband.  I just iron a fold to mark centers and get crazy.

Not bad at all!  Super!

Then I just fold under the sleeve ends, press with a warm iron (not too hot -- heat is the devil to knits!).
Line up the sleeves at the armpit to make sure they are kinda the same ( ha!) then grab a double needle and stitch.

And then when your daughter drives up and you say, go try your shirt on, you feel so very much like 

SUPER MOM!  

You can buy a copy of the PDF pattern from Greenstyle here.

See you chicks later!

gloriajune