Sew and Tell with the Emory Dress

Welcome back for another Sew and Tell Review!  This week, we are bringing you a look at the Emory Dress from Sew Sweet Patterns.  Ladies, if you are looking for a classic, sleeved dress to use for your Christmas sewing, you should definitely look into this one!  The pattern is available in a 12 month - 6.  I love the contrasting yoke, though you could totally use the same fabric if you wanted.  You could add some fun buttons to the back bodice to really make it POP!  There even is a great place for a sweet little monogram on the yoke.  I love a monogram on little kid's clothes  :)  The last time I used this pattern, I added a band along the bottom of the skirt using the same fabric as the yoke.  Loved it!  Sew Sweet Patterns really live up to the name!

Shannon Castle is doing the review for us today!  You can find her on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/GracieandEmmBoutique

My name is Shannon, and I have been sewing for about a year and enjoy it immensely!!!  I have my own shop called Gracie and Emma's Boutique, and I create clothing for children and adults . 

 

The pattern was very easy to follow.  The total time to do the dress was about 2 hours - that includes cutting it out and sewing it together. The pattern runs true to size.   I made a size 4 for my daughter so she can grow into it, but love it!!

 
I thought the pattern was very simple to follow!  The only thing that I did differently was to top stitch around the bodice on the front and the back.  It just gave it a nice finished look!  The only problem I ran into was I couldn't find an explanation for the placket.  I figured it out myself, but there were no measurements given for the size needed.  When printing out the pattern I had to switch to a horizontal view so that I could get all of the pattern to fit on the pages.  Other than that it was absolutely perfect, and I have already cut out another one to sew!  My daughter loves it and calls it her Princess Sofia dress :)

 

 

 

 

I love what Shannon did with this pattern!  It is such a precious little dress, perfect for church or photographs.  And you can get your own pattern here... for a discount!  Go ahead and check it out on the website, the discount won't last long!  :) 


While you are there, you might want to take a look at these gorgeous (and super fun!) zipper flowers from Indygo Junction.  I can't stop thinking about how cute one of these My Garden Zips would look right where the 2 fabrics meet on the bottom corner.  A great way to add a bit of interest to your dress for special occasions! 

If you're sewing for a younger girl, you may want to round out your outfit with a pair of these beauties!  The Magnolia Baby Ballerina Shoes from Lena's Patterns are available in sizes 0-24 months and are as cute as can be!  The best part is you can make them to perfectly match your little one's outfit.  Who can resist cute baby shoes???  Not me!!!  Take a look at all of all the shoes available from Lena's Patterns. 

 

 

Alright, ladies, it's time to sew!

Sew and Tell with the Tana Tutu Dress

It's time for another Sew and Tell pattern review!  This week, we'll be taking a little looksee at the Tana Tutu Dress by Nanoo Designs.  It comes in sizes 1-4.  I think every little girl at some point in her life decides she is going to be a ballerina, and then proceeds to leap and pirouette all over the house.  And it's quite possible she'll want to wear a leotard and tutu all day.  Everyday.  Aren't little girls just the cutest?  So why not make her a dress that still lets her feel like a ballerina while donning something a little more appropriate for say, church or school?  Even if your little girl isn't filling her days with dreams of being a prima ballerina, isn't this dress just stinkin' cute? 

Alicia Strayer from Muddie Puddles brings us today's Sew and Tell Review. 

  I took a quilting class three years ago and caught the sewing bug.  I then ventured into sewing clothes for my daughter, and I am addicted.  This pattern is perfect for beginners.  It is one of the first dresses I sewed when I started sewing and was able to achieve great results without too much frustration, or I wouldn't have made 5+ more of them.  The pattern runs true to size.  My daughter is 3 1/2.  The Christmas dress is a size 3, and the Tutu Dress is a  size 2. 

I think this is a great little dress if you need something in a hurry.  The pattern took about 4 1/2 hours to complete. Probably a little less if you don't have a little one bugging you.   Taping the pattern together took some adjusting as I am an OCD sewist, and I like everything to match up perfectly. LOL! 

 I made several dresses from the pattern and only used the ribbon method for the straps.  The pattern gives another option for the straps that involves fabric loops and ribbon.  I used a 1 1/2 ribbon on the bottom to add more emphasis.  This was one of the first dresses I made when I started sewing and attaching the ribbon along the bottom was just a little tricky.  I followed the directions on the first dress when sewing on the ribbon and sewed the top of the ribbon to the dress first, as stated.   I then cut the ribbon and sewed the bottom of the ribbon to the dress.  Since the dress curves as you go around you actually need a little more ribbon on the bottom than on the top.  So I would suggest sewing the bottom of the ribbon down, cut the ribbon (but leave at least inch overlap), and then sew the top of the ribbon to the dress.  I used a ruffler foot to gather the tulle which saves time.  You will use more tulle, so don't cut it until you have enough.  I also made the bow along the bottom detachable so that it doesn't get ruined when washing.  Adding an embroidered design really changes it up.  

Thanks so much to Alicia for being a part of our Sew and Tell feature!  Y'all, how cute is her little girl?  And those dresses are just precious!  You can get a special limited-time discount on Nanoo's Tana Tutu Dress on the website!  While you are there, check out all of Nanoo Design's patterns.  There is some serious cuteness going on!  If you have some photos of your Tana Tutu dress you would like to share, we'd love to see them!

Keeping in the spirit of tutus...

Why not whip up a No-Sew Princess Tutu for your tiny dancer?  Blissful Patterns has a great tutorial for you to make your own!  Available in sizes NB-10.

And to perfectly compliment your Tana Tutu Dress, why not try out the Tara Tutu Tights?  I bet you can't say that 5 times fast!  These are fun and unique, and oh so girly!  Create Kids Couture always has something new, so take a look at their pattern collection.  The Tara Tutu Tights are available in sizes 18m- 6. 



It's time to get sewing!

Sew, Mama, Sew! Giveaway Day!

For those of you new to our blog, WELCOME!  For all of our regular readers, welcome back! Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops is an online store featuring a huge collection of sewing patterns from some of the greatest independent designers out there!  We'd love for you to take a look at our website www.fairyalefrocksandlollipops.com, and we're sure you'll find something you like!  We are also currently liquidating our paper pattern inventory with a $5 sale, so be sure to check out those great savings! 

We've also started a new feature on our blog called "Sew and Tell" where every week we showcase a different pattern and have a customer write up a review on it.  We'd love for you read along!

Now for the fun stuff!  Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops is giving away a copy of ...

More Sewing with Whimsy by Kari Mecca!!

This is such a wonderful reference and source of inspiration if you love sewing for little girls!  And, there are several stunning patterns included!  Go ahead and enter...and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the rest of the giveaways on the Sew, Mama, Sew blog!! 

 It's like a giveaway wonderland over there!