Thursday, June 12, 2014

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 11THURSDAY, JUNE 12
Pattern RevolutionRebekah Sews
Mama Says SewLulu & Celeste
The Berry Bunch
Begin With B
FRIDAY, JUNE 13MONDAY, JUNE 16
Once Upon a Sewing MachineGolden Rippy
Feather’s FlightsPlayground Pixie Designs
Pattern NutFriends 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!


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!  









Wednesday, June 11, 2014

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













Monday, June 9, 2014

I am sew Seamingly Smitten! And two how-tos . . . . and a giveaway!


The giveaway is now closed.  Winners are announced at the end of this post!


Smitten:  very much in love   

Magazine Street Maxi


That's how I feel about Seamingly Smitten and its owner/designer, Jenny Hall.

Jenny has created sewing patterns for Women, Boys, Girls and more.  The patterns are beginner oriented and include tutorial style directions with lots of helpful hints.  And, I might be a little bit biased, since she is in my hometown and an LSU fan like me . . . 

In my family, all of the women are of varying body styles and sizes, from petite to tall, and Jenny's patterns for women are sized XS - XXXL (sizes 0-26). If you find one that isn't, just email Jenny.  She'll guide you through to making the size you need.

I save the original printed & taped pattern pieces in its original state so that I can trace different sizes as needed.   

As you can see in the first picture, Seamingly Smitten patterns can be used for maternity wear as well!  (Just don't forget to account for the baby belly raising the length of the garment.  I did.  I'm not showing you her toes because I should've gotten that right and I'm embarrassed!)


This is one of my favorite PDF patterns to print and tape because you just lay the pattern piece pages next to each other -- no overlapping or matching symbols, and no cutting necessary until you're cutting out the size you need!

I've made several of her items . . . time to show off my creations!



The Adelaide -- my first Seamingly Smitten pattern:




                       

Aren't they gorgeous girls!


later, I made these for two other little girls . . . .



My most recent, the Laurie Claire Tunic . . . and of course I added a shelf bra!
(Details below)





 The ladies reversible vest for my daughter



and then the Magazine Street Maxi Dress for women . . . 

If you love elastic belts, this dress is perfect for them!


I made my own sleeves for this one . . . and used Doodles knit fabric in the Kids section of Joann's
(shh . . don't tell anyone I'm wearing  fabric meant for my grandkids . . . )


and The Magazine Street Maxi for Girls . . . 

Two cutie-patooties!  




 Which is also great for Mommy & Me outfits!





My daughter is just stunning in this!  Love it!!


There are many more patterns I have yet to sew, but they're on my list of Summer must haves!  Start shopping now here, or here (today is the last day to use code SAVE50 to save 50% off your entire purchase of sewing patterns -- sale ends 6/10/2014

Jenny has graciously offered to give away Three Seamingly Smitten PDF Patterns (your choice!) to Two Lucky Winners!

****Just leave a comment on my blog about today's post for a chance to win.*****  

On the evening of Thursday, June 12th, 2014, we will randomly select 2 winners!


Now, onto today's How-tos:



For the Laurie Claire Tunic, I added a shelf bra:


 






I've also made the Magnolia Wrap Dress. I love the comfort of this dress! And, if you're like me, you have good body days and bad body days, so you want a dress that will expand and shrink, just as your body does!



This is my 22 year old daughter in the wrap dress above.


And then me, um, . . . .more than double her age, in the same dress below.






The pattern instruction has a simple straightforward way to complete the sleeves. I prefer to have a finished look on my sleeves, so this is how I did it:





I attached the sleeve binding to the dress.

Flipped the dress open to the wrong side,  turned in the sleeve binding (folding it in half) to the seam line and serged.




Voila!  Beautiful finished seams at the armscye!





Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance at Three PDF Patterns of Your Choice from Seamingly Smitten!


Giveaway has concluded!
The Winners are . . . . . (insert drum roll) . . . 

#1 Stephanie Woodson


#7  Jessica Pierce


Congratulations!  Please provide us with your Email address or send it privately through the contact button on this page!  

Thank you everyone!



Happy Sewing,

gloriajune


PS: 


I'm working on something special for Emma Rose.  
Come back later this week to check it out!  




Want a sneaky peek?  


A new pattern collection from Stitchwerx.  



Win it before you can buy it here: