The Sullivan Dress! {Pattern Testing}

Abby from Sew Much Ado has designed another fun pattern! The first time I tested for Abby was during this past winter - the Magrath Dress! Evelyn and I loved both of those creations, so I was very excited when I had the chance to test for Abby again - the Sullivan Dress!

There are 8 different views contained in this one pattern, created from combining 2 skirt lengths, 2 bodice hems and the short sleeve or sleeves views. Here is the link to the pattern listing on Abby's site.

**Both of my dresses were considered View D, which is the straight hem, knee length and sleeveless view. Ev has had a growth spurt, since she is now using size 4 length, but still a size 2 width. 

The blue and white dress is the 2nd one that I made, which has smaller armholes than the first version. There were a few other small changes, as well, but essentially this is the final version that you will receive in the pattern. 

(The main differences between this dress and the final version is the lack of interfacing around the keyhole back and needing a cleaner finish to the lining side seams.)

The white fabric is a eyelet fabric from Walmart, and the only fabric I had to purchase for this test. The rest came from my stash - I love when that happens!  

The blue is a tiny gingham, and the flower crown was my own DIY creation last spring. On a side note, she will often come out of her room after her "quiet time" wearing it and talking about either being a princess or a queen... or that she is going to a wedding with it :) 

I didn't have enough polka-dot for both the bodice and the lining, so I had to use two different size polka-dots that were on slightly different colors of pink. This isn't a big deal since you can barely see the lining... it is visible though if you lift up the bodice, since the skirt is only attached to the lining. This type of finish requires careful reading of the instructions during the bodice construction - it's not hard, but do read it slowly and thoroughly!

The black and white stripe was from Hobby Lobby... I think I purchased it last fall. I don't often do such a dramatic pairing as this, but I do so love how it turned out! E has worn it several times already :) 

While this is a simple version of the Sullivan dress - sleeveless and straight hem - I love that Abby included it. It may not be as flashy as the cute scallop hem or with the fun detail on the sleeves, but I look forward to adding some fun trims to the straight hem! But who knows, I may try a scallop hem yet... I have a cousin getting married this fall, and I already have fabric picked out! 

 Here is another link to the pattern! Go check it out :)

Oh, and here is a link to Abby's blog post about this sweet dress!

PS: Ev is certainly opening up during these photo shoots. Just look at her strut and pose! Goodness, she just makes me giggle :) 

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Peekaboo Patterns Felicity Testing ~ Simple Summer

Happy 4th of July!

This was the third and final Felicity dress that I made during testing for Peekaboo Pattern Shop.

Fabrics: Red Gingham from my stash and a lightweight chambray from Raspberry Creek Fabrics on Etsy (Denim Swiss Dot Chambray by Robert Kaufman)

I added the red piping that was also in my stash - the pattern does not come with instructions for the piping, but it is such an easy addition! This was the updated bodice (and final version for this size), and I think I could have sized down to her true size. You don't want to size-up too much with this dress because then the bodice is too wide as you see in the pictures. 

I've wanted to sew something with gingham and chambray for so long, and this dress was the perfect reason to finally do it! Plus, it's so lightweight - perfect for summer (see, I'm just a broken record over here, ha!) and the 4th of July! She wore it to a hometown parade a few weeks ago... it was so hot out, but this dress kept her cool (well, as cool as you can be while running after candy and just loving life at a parade!)

We took pictures at a local park and hiking trail - I took pictures of the batik dress first, so by the time we were ready for this dress, so was a little less excited for the photo shoot. 

But, I still hope the pictures convey a fun and comfy addition to any summer wardrobe. Seriously - I plan on making her one of these every year from now on ;)

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Peekaboo Patterns Felicity Testing ~ Blue Border Batik

This was the second version of the Felicity Dress that I made during testing for Peekaboo Pattern Shop.

Fabric: Alison Glass Handcrafted Batik for Andover from a random online fabric store that had a sale last winter... I purchased it after making this dress out of fabric from the same line :)

I went up a size from my first version plus added length, but I cut out the pattern pieces before Amy had updated the bodice. I did do the collar according to the updated instructions.

I love how this one fits! Again, it is such a great summer dress - I will keep sounding like a broken record, but really, I love this pattern :)

I'm pleased with how the stripes matched up - they aren't perfect, but they are close enough! And the white collar pops and the snaps blend it with the polka-dots. Sigh... Love this fabric! (And this is surprising coming from a girl who had vowed not to sew with batiks anymore! But, this batik is a little higher quality that JoAnns, plus a microtex needle really does go a long way to sewing batiks nicely!)

She is now ready for church, 4th of July, a wedding (I'm sad we don't have one this summer... this dress would be perfect to wear to one!)... really, she could wear this any day, and I'd be happy ;)

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Peekaboo Patterns Felicity Testing ~ Proud Purple

This purple version was the first Felicity dress I made during testing for Peekaboo Pattern Shop. 

Fabric: JoAnns - they were red tag fabrics last winter and it was during a 50% off red tag fabric sale

It's a lightweight poly-cotton from the Tutti-Fruitti collection.

My daughter was right at the maximum chest measurement for the size I made, so this dress sadly came out a little too tight. It fit enough for good pictures, but the fact that is was a little tight plus the fact that I ended up making 2 more dresses during the testing process led me to giving this dress to a local friend. Her daughter is only a few weeks younger that Ev, but she's smaller, so this dress fit her perfectly!

Ev had a hard time giving this dress away, and I kind of did, too! It was such a great summer dress! She keeps asking me to make her one just like it again, and I would have enough fabric if I switched the two fabrics, but again... does she really need 3 dresses in the same pattern? I'll just hold on to it for next summer ;)

After this version, there were changes made to the bodice and the collar, plus I added length to the future dresses I made. 

All-in-all... I love this dress :) but I'm happy that I could give it to a friend who can happily use it for a longer period that we could have!

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Peekaboo Patterns Felicity Dress Release

I recently helped test another pattern! This time it is the Felicity Dress by Peekaboo Patterns and it released today (and is discounted for one day only... go check it out here!)

I sewed 3 different dresses throughout the testing process and I have blog posts coming that looks at each one more closely. Until then, here are the specifics of the pattern:

• Felicity is a collared dress with several options.
• It comes with Maxi or Knee length skirt.
• The back can be shirred or full coverage (I only tested the full coverage option).
• The placket in the front can either be half or full (you need to do a full length placket if you do a full back in order for ease of dressing).

I love how this dress conjures up memories of sweet childhood summers. It's the perfect summer dress for Fourth of July picnics, blowing bubbles at family weddings, or just picking flowers with the neighbor kids. 

This was my first collar in a long time - a first that isn't a 4-H project with my mom helping me step-by-step. Amy from PAB does a great job with using clear pictures and great instructions. The collar connects the front and back bodices and is finished with bias tape. The skirt is attached to the bodice with an exposed seam on the inside of the dress, but with the 1/2" seam allowance, a french seam would be a simple modification. 

According to the size chart, my daughter chest measurement is a 2T but her waist is a 3T. These two dresses are straight 3T, and they will fit for the rest of the summer and into the fall. 

**Blue Border Batik: Alison Glass Handcrafted Batik for Andover from a random online fabric store that had a sale last fall :)

**White on White Polka Dots: Stash! (Mini Confetti Dots by Dear Stella from a fat quarter bundle that I won in a giveaway from the Inside Quilters Newsletter Blog)

**Lightweight chambray: Denim Swiss Dot Chambray by Robert Kaufman from Raspberry Creek Fabrics

**Red Gingham: Stash!

(I added the red piping to the blue and red dress - these instructions are not included in the pattern but it is an easy addition!!)

Matching Sallys for Cousins {April Goal Complete}

Whew! Getting this post up on the last day of April... I finished the dresses earlier this week and now the gift is wrapped and ready for giving tomorrow. Woohoo! I was busy making other projects off and on, which is why these didn't get finished until the very last minute :)

This was my first time sewing the Sally Dress pattern from Very Shannon. The one above is for my newly adopted niece. She's being baptized tomorrow so it seemed like a good time to finally present her with a token of love for being adopted into my sister-in-law's family. We love her so much and we are so thankful that God has brought her into our lives!!

I made a size 4T for Kae and a 3T for E... They are 6 months apart in age and very similar sized, although K is a bit taller. I'm just crossing my fingers that Kae's dress will fit her at some point :)

I used a very thin pin-dot chambray from Raspberry Creek Fabrics on Etsy, and the floral came from the local fabric store. It's a Free Spirit voile (I'll post the actual name of the fabric in the post with pictures of E wearing it - I can't find it online right now). Both fabrics, especially the floral, have a bit of sheer-ness to them, so I did make some knit shorties to wear underneath them as well. I also figured that 3 year olds will be running and jumping in them, so the extra coverage underneath will be nice ;)

Magrath Dress at Grandma's House {Testing}

We spent two nights at my parents' house during the Magrath testing week, so I thought we would try to take our initial pictures there. 

Well, finding the correct lighting with a "pretty" background is tough to figure out at their house, so here are a few fun pictures to make you chuckle and smile...

I used lace tablecloths taped to the wall and draped on the floor (to cover up some plain oak bi-fold closet doors and neutral carpet).

I raided Mom's vintage hat collection and set up a few hat boxes.

Grandma's shoes, vintage gloves, and a few 5-year-old wedding flowers (Mom doesn't throw away anything... kind of like me, ha!) round out the photoshoot.

All-in-all, it was entirely too busy of a set-up, especially with the lace background, but we all had a good time during it!

Magrath Dress and Tunic by Sew Much Ado!

Magrath Dress {Testing}

Here is the first dress I made while testing Sew Much Ado's Magrath Dress and Tunic.

This floral was a purchase late last summer from an online fabric store that was getting out of the business. I knew it would become something for E, but I didn't have a timeline of when I'd use it nor did I have a specific pattern in mind.

Then, I was chosen as a tester for Sew Much Ado's newest pattern (woohoo! Thanks again, Abby!), and I started rummaging through my stash. And there I found it... the Jennifer Paganelli Emma Vintage Blue from the Lucky Girl line for Free Spirit Fabrics... it paired beautifully with the solid yellow remnant I also had in the stash. All I had to do was purchase the zipper!

I love how the fabric showcases the sweet, classic lines of this pattern. This is View C in dress length with short sleeves. Prior to testing, I was planning out E's Easter dress with other fabric and other patterns. Now, they are not needed! E's Easter dress has been made, and I couldn't be happier with it! Abby's pattern is perfect for sweet spring and summer dresses! (Of course, it is also perfect for fall, winter and Christmas dresses, as you can see from some of Abby's samples plus other tester's creations!)

I had Dan pick up flowers on his way home from church (we were stuck at home as the baby boy had a fever... ugh!). I told him they would be considered my early Valentine's flowers :)

Toddler photoshoots are always a nerve-wracking event... especially when you need to take them inside and the lighting from the window just isn't playing nice. Again, these aren't my favorite pictures, but thankfully you can still see how wonderful a pattern Abby put together. I was also thankful that E was enjoying this shoot, and she loved that Daddy bought her flowers ;) 

Again, here's what is all included in the pattern, along with the normal fabric requirements, cutting layouts, and great instructions:

3 View Options, 2 skirt lengths and 3 Sleeve lengths

Plus, sizes are easy to mash! E ended up needing a 18-24 month width with 1-1/2" added to the bodice and a skirt length cut with a size 3 length.

The pattern is on sale for $7 in celebration of it's release until February 20th. 

Go check it out!

Plus, a link to the tunic I made during testing week.

My Own January Goal

Even though there isn't an official "A Lovely Year of Finishes," this year, I still hope to make and keep a monthly goal. Mostly, it helps me focus on what needs to be done, and it is a great way to keep track of my WIP and UFO lists!

 So, along with several other projects, I hope to sew up 3 "Hope" dresses to donate to Violette Field Threads' Give Hope Campaign for a Guatemalan orphanage. You can find more information here :)

I already have the dress pieces cut out, but I need to cut out the ruffles and then sew, sew, sew!

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WIP (works in progress) List

• Pattern Testing a Skirt for E :)
• 3 Hope Dresses for donation
• Several dresses/tops/etc for E and me (patterns and fabric chosen... need to cut and sew) - namely a Valentine's Dress
• Baby Quilt for a friend... fabrics chosen, need to iron and then sew
• Baste a baby quilt for another friend... then quilt and bind
• Onesies! I have fabric chosen and the pattern pieces ready to cut out... I'm so excited about this one!

UFO (unfinished objects) List

• Twin size quilt top needing a border then quilting and binding
• A quilt top from my grandma needing quilting and binding
• 6 baby quilt tops needing quilting and binding - will need 2 done by February (see above)
• A pile of Christmas half-square triangles that need to be trimmed and then organized into a table runner/table topper/pillow/etc

A Minnie Costume.

There was no question as to what E would be for Halloween this year. She is enthralled by Mickey Mouse and is duly devoted to both Mickey and Minnie. 

Therefore, I decided to make her a Minnie outfit.

Dress Pattern: Made for Mermaids Minnie Top and Tunic

Bloomers Pattern: Made for Mermaids Olivia Bloomers and Pantaloons

Ears Pattern: Ribbon Retreat Tulle Puff Mouse Ears

Dress Fabric and Ears Tulle: JoAnns

Bloomers Fabric: Eyelet from my stash

Both clothing patterns are perfect for quick and simple sewing. They may not have the most professional finishes, but I don't mind when it comes to play clothes and costumes! For example, both the sleeve cuffs and the bloomers leg elastic and hems are done flat, prior to sewing the sleeves and legs. This leads to slightly messier and visible inside seams, but E doesn't know any better and I'm not sewing for 4-H judges anymore! The bloomers were bought, cut and sewn up all in one day. Nothing better than that! 

Her personality is certainly getting bigger and bigger. I can no longer ask her to do the "itsy-bitsy" in order to get her to smile. Instead of smiling, she now starts singing! She loves getting her pictures taken though, so I can't complain :)

The hair bows were fun, too. Walmart wants $8 for Minnie Mouse ears... so I made these instead. 

She makes me smile.

I cannot wait for trick-or-treating! Yay for "Halloween-time!"

Daddy's Girl Dress for E

My little girl is growing up! She's not even 2.5 years old yet, but when I put this outfit on her, even Dan said that it looked like she was dressed for the first day of school! 

Pattern: Little Lizard King Daddy's Girl Dress

Bodice/Strap Fabric: Stash. No idea.

Skirt: Dan's old flannel shirt.

Overal, I love how it turned out. I have the straps tied too tight, which is why it looks bunched at the armpits in this picture. Thankfully, that just requires an easy fix of loosening the knot on the straps. I need to remember next time I sew this pattern to use a finishing stitch on the bottom of the bodice and on the top of skirt separately before gathering and sewing them together (the skirt seam is not enclosed in the bodice). 

I was afraid that E wouldn't like it, but she was all ready for the photo-shoot because 1) she got to wear her new (to her) boots and 2) Mommy was going to take pictures of her!

Because the skirt is from Dan's old shirt, this was a really quick sew! The pattern gives complete instructions for using an old shirt for the entire dress or you can make it with yardage. As I said earlier, I chose to mix and match - using an old shirt and yardage. 

 Last but not least, the pattern gives instructions on how to tie the straps so it looks like the knot of Daddy's tie. I struggled, so I just did an easy knot. Works for me! Now, let's hope I can get her to wear it again :)

Two Dresses are DONE! {ALYOF}

My February ALYOF Goal has been reached!

My goal was to finish two dresses that I had started for my daughter.

The goal post is here and I was number 83 in the goal linky party.

Here is the dress I created for E's upcoming birthday. 

The bodice, sash and skirt lining fabrics are all from my stash, as were the buttons and the ribbon. The skirt patchwork came from a fat quarter bundle I recently won (from The Intrepid Thread through Freshly Pieced's WIP Wednesday... post here). It was one of those prizes that I just had to cut into right away :) 

The pattern is the free Party Dress from The Cottage Mama. (I made two of these last year - link!).

The second dress I made is being reserved for Easter (most likely she'll be wearing a long sleeve shirt and tights under it!). Both fabrics and the ric-rac are from my stash. The pattern is another free pattern from The Cottage Mama - this one is called the Summer Picnic Dress. 

I started the photo shoot by using an old school desk to hang the dress on. Well, this desk is usually E's snack desk... She jumped right into the middle of my shoot and gave me this look when she realized that she wasn't going to get any snacks right that second. She makes us smile :)