Thursday, January 29, 2015

Sofilantjes Patterns - Otium Sweater Blog Tour and Giveaway!

Welcome to another stop on the Sofilantjes Otium Sweater Blog Tour & Giveaway!  Details for the giveaway and a look at Mommy & Me versions are here!

I knew the perfect family to gift the girls and women's versions:  My good friend Nicole and her little girls, Ava & Allison.  And there's a surprise for her friends later on . . . . 




During the tour,  the Otium individual girls' or individual women's patterns are 20% off and the Otium Bundle (includes both girls' and women's sizes) is 30% off, no coupon code needed!

There is also a way to win some patterns:  A total of 12 patterns will be given away to one reader -- enter the giveaway for your chance to win!   Here are the sponsors:  




First, let's look at the Pattern:


Its a lot to print, tape and cut, but well worth the end result.  In fact, for me, having the range of sizes that are available in both girls and women's sizes is a godsend since there's already demand in my family for shirts!  

So I've cut out all pattern pieces to the largest size, and I'll trace what I need when I need it.  


(I usually hang the full printout on a pants hanger in the closet, but this is easier for me as some pieces don't need to be traced, they can be folded at the size to cut)


To be honest, I didn't want to give this shirt away after I made it.  Its an awesome design.  I made the low back, bow option for all three, but there are several more options available in the pattern.






And ladies, if you're expecting, going one size up gave Nicole enough room for her growing baby bump.  


Surprise!!!  I have another (adopted) grandchild on the way!!!


I love the fabric I found at JoAnn's.  
There was a sale on all knits in their Doodles Collection, and I had a coupon for 20% off my total purchase.  Couldn't pass that up!

For the girls, a coordinating fabric with woodland creatures, from the Doodles Sofia collection. 




Sewing it up:


I've been sewing for quite some time (30+ years), so sewing up Nicole's shirt took about 30 minutes.  
I believe, if you're comfortable with knits, you can do it in an hour or so.  Maybe 2  nap times, after you've had your lunch, and time to clean up the kiddos mess from the morning.  The girls' versions can be done in the same amount of time.  In fact, if you do not chose the low back, bow option, you will cut 15 minutes from your sew time.  

Always remember that the time it takes me to sew can be very different from how long it takes you --  I don't have any kiddos running around anymore (yep, I'm a long-distance grandma).  Your busy schedule may interrupt your precious sewing time, limited space, limited time . . . but really, this pattern is very well written, the pieces all fit together very well, and the design is made with great construction techniques.  However long it takes you -- you'll be very pleased with the pattern overall!

Then there's the front pocket option.  That can add another 15-30 minutes to your sew time, but worth it.  

Looking at the girls' fabric, I decided they needed some woodland creatures to put in their pockets. Thankfully, Stitched By Crystal had a free Fox Pattern, which I made in a couple different ways, even shrunk the pieces to 50% to make a little fox for the baby!  (just a representation for the girls, as you shouldn't give babies buttons to pull off!)








You can find Crystal's FREE Fox Softie Pattern here:



I used the same pattern to make a raccoon (following the look in the girls' fabric), a Fox, and also reduced the pieces by 50% to make the little fox.

Thanks Crystal!







My Recommendation:  


With so many options -- Short Hemmed Sleeve, 3/4 cuffed Sleeve, Long Cuffed Sleeve, Low Back, High Back, Bow -- you'll get a lot for your money!  The pattern covers all seasons.  Its a good investment!  I love it, and you will too!  Anytime you're in need of help or inspiration, just look at the pattern piece for help:  







Pattern Support!

Right there on your pattern piece is an email address and link to the Sofjilantjes Facebook Group Page.  There you'll find all the inspiration and help you need!









Don't forget to visit all of the inspirational Bloggers from the tour:  


Monday, January 26th
Huisje Boompje Boefjes - Pienkel - Straight Grain

Tuesday, January 27th

Monday, January 19, 2015

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

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

Friday, January 2, 2015

Ballard Top by Straight Stitch Designs


Happy New Year! 

My first blog post of 2015 is over here at Pattern Revolution's Blog. I'm an official Team Member of the Pattern Revolution Pattern Reviewers and from time to time, I'll have pattern reviews posted there.  

Here's a sneaky-peek at one of the Ballard tunics I created:  





Click here to be directed to the 
Pattern Revolution Review of the Ballard Top 
by Straight Stitch Designs.  


Have a magical New Year of self-care-sewing!

gloriajune

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

A New Year Resolution for my Fabric Hoard

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Here it is. My dreadful closet. Well, only ¼ of it. I would have to take a panoramic shot to get the whole closet in. Its wicked large.


Its black & white 
because I feel so dreary when I go in there for fabric . . . .

There is definitely no sewing magic in there that I can find when I need to.

If you're like me, you find yourself in the clearance section of Hobby Lobby after you've picked up too much fabric, ribbon and trims. Over the holidays, I made several trips to my local store (ok, both local stores, one south and one east). I came across packages of "Value Pack Matboard". Since I had put off (again) ordering the comic book backing boards from Amazon, I decided its time to actually buy something to get started on organizing my fabric hoard. I picked up two packs, on sale at $4.79 each, 35 pieces measuring 8"x10". 

Naturally, these two packs sat under my box of Christmas Fabric that I pull out every year. And now that I'm putting that box away, and happen to be prewashing a load of cotton fabric I found on sale at a local quilt/fabric shop, I felt forced (yes, forced) to make some magic happen. 


I RESOLVE TO GO FROM THIS:

TO THIS:


 
It would definitely be magical, like a dream, if I actually executed a fully organized effort to store my fabrics.
If you're in the same boat, go ahead and pick up whatever you can find in the store or online to start putting your fabric away, neatly, or at least in a fashion that would allow you to find it during the season its meant for. Like, say, these fabrics I bought the same day I bought the mat board at Hobby Lobby so I could make a quilt or something by Christmas . . . .

I'm blogging about this in hopes that I'll actually complete this goal. Feel free to encourage me with comments about your Fabric Hoard Organization.
I think we need to create an online support group, . . . . say "fabric hoarders anonymous" and create
12 steps to a dreamlike hoard . . . . I'll let that be your goal. I'm still wrapping fabric around these mat boards . . . .

 
The steps are simple, and its been blogged about time and time again. 
Here's what I did:








Haven't decided which way I want to position the fabric, but I've made progress toward my New Year Resolution. 


What would you do? How do you organize your fabrics?


I do believe that if I could just fold my arms and blink, 
I'd be one happy girl . . . .

Have a safe & happy New Year everyone, and, as always,

Happy Sewing!

gloriajune

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

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!)



 






 

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!


Happy Sewing!
gloria june




Sunday, September 14, 2014

A quick look at the Jocole Quick Dress/Top

The Jocole Quick Dress & Top

Hmmm . . . .
what to wear . . . 
I may go into town to shop today . . . 


I need something quick and easy . . . . 

Let's see what my sewing magic can do with the Quick Dress.

I have some Fashion Knit from Hancock Fabrics, a yard or so of Travel Knit from Hobby Lobby and the Quick Dress & Top pattern from Jocole. (The hyperlinks will take you to the pages for the fabrics at Hancock & Hobby Lobby -- but, there are lots more choices in the actual stores than online.)

Instead of making a facing for the top yoke portion, I simply cut 4 of the contrast yoke, attached each yoke at the shoulders, placed them on top of the other, right sides facing, and then stitched the neck opening only.  



Turned this right side out.


I cut a few strips of my Fashion Knit fabric, folded in half and pressed with the iron.  Placed the strips along the arm hole, right sides facing each other, then serged.  I did this on both sides.  


Looking good . . . .



A couple more strips sewn the same way on the 
arm opening of the remaining portion 
of the front and back of the dress . . . 


Attach the bottom of the dress to the yoke, sew up the sides, and voila, I have a new dress!





What sewing magic can you make with the Quick Dress & Top?

You can buy the pattern here:  Jocole Quick Dress & Top

Happy Sewing,

gloria june