Sew and Tell with the Sunny Scallop Dress

We are extremely excited about our newest review of the Sunny Scallop Dress!  With Easter just around the corner, this little beauty will make one stunning Easter dress!  With the right fabrics, the scalloped edges can mimic the designs of a painted Easter egg.  I know... adorable!!  Let's discuss the pattern a bit and take a look at the review sent in to us by one of our customers. 

Here's everything you need to know about the Sunny Scallop Dress from Jona G. Patterns.

*  The pattern can be made in sizes 2T- Girls 10.

*  It is suitable for cottons, voile, silk, and lightweight linen.

*  Three versions of this dress are included:  a scalloped edge, ruffled edge, and a straight edge.

*  The total PDF is 41 pages long with 12 pages being directions and 29 pages being pattern pieces. 

*  All pattern sizes are nested together and decorative lines (straight lines, dotted lines, hashed lines, and a mixture of them all) are used to distinguish sizes from one another. 

*  A one inch test square is provided to ensure the pattern pieces are printing at the correct scale.   

*  Each individual pattern page is given a label such as "dress back page 2" or "upper lining page 1".

*  The pattern pages are easily aligned by matching the arrows, and diagrams are provided to show you the exact layout of the pages before you tape them together.
*  There is a 1/2 inch seam allowance included.

*  The beginning of the tutorial contains a wealth of important information you need to know before you get started.  This includes a size chart that gives chest, waist, and height measurements so you choose the appropriate size, as well as a Finished Length chart, Fabric Requirements, Cutting Layout, and a view of all the pieces you should have cut out.

*  Each numbered step will walk you through the process of how to construct the dress.

*  Drawings, rather than photographs, are used to clearly depict each step.

*  Two additional tutorials are included at the end of the directions.  One shows you how to make the underarm area snugger if you feel it's too loose by adding an elastic casing.  The other tutorial shows you how to add length to the dress without messing up the shape.  Both are very helpful in creating a custom fit and can be applied to other patterns, as well! 

*  Lastly... Drum Roll, please.... there are no zippers or buttons to worry with!  This pattern slips on over the head, so no excuses, anyone can sew this dress up! 

You could definitely have a lot of fun playing around with this pattern.  I've seen very few scalloped edged dresses on the market, and it's a really gorgeous detail.  This dress would make for some stunning sister sets!  Each sister could have a different hem option so that they closely coordinated without being exactly the same.  There is also plenty of room for embellishment with the scalloped edge.  You could do a blue fabric on the bottom to look like waves and add some applique boats above them, for example.  How unique would that be?!?  Let your creativity run wild and HAVE FUN!

This dress is also available in a doll version, which earns it some major cool points with the kiddos.  My daughter isn't too in to dolls yet, but I know some little girls who refuse to wear anything unless their doll has a matching outfit.  For your sake, I hope your little one isn't quite that extreme, haha, but little girls do think it's pretty special when they can dress like their dolls!  The doll dress isn't sold as an individual pattern, rather it is part of a collection of doll clothing patterns we have available on the site that fit 18 inch and Bitty doll sizes. 

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Let's take a look at the review and photos sent in to us from Christine!

 

Hi! My name is Christine, and I feel honored to be able to write a review for the Sunny Scallop Dress by Jona G. I fell in love with this dress when I saw it, and both of my girls were excited that I picked this pattern!

Front

I have been sewing for many years, and my first project was a dress for a doll that I had hand sewn and used fabric paint on to decorate. Oh my, that was about 30 years ago, wow! Then when I was in Junior High I took Home Economics where I was able to use the sewing machine, and I just loved it. Since then, I have tried many patterns and new skills. About 5 years ago I started quilting, and I learned so much more.

Back

When I started this pattern, I would have to say from start to finish, it took me about 4 hours (and about an hour was getting the pattern ready to use). With this pattern, there are pieces that you need to tape together first, then cut them out before you cut the fabric. I found it to be a bit of a challenge taping the pattern pieces together, as I found that some of the pieces for me did not line up very well. I resolved this by some pieces overlapping a bit. Once I was happy with the pattern all taped together, I used a highlighter and traced the lines for the size that I wanted to use so I would not make a mistake and cut out the wrong size.

Overall, for this pattern, I would rate it an advanced beginner. The designer of the pattern has written the pattern well. I found the most challenging part was the scallops. Directions were well explained for the scallops, and I followed the tips, but I still ended up with some points not being as crisp as I would have preferred. As for the rest of the dress, if the pattern is followed I feel the dress will turn out great! I used the size 6 in this pattern, and it fits my daughter perfectly! And when I measured the finished size it was just slight bit shorter than the measurements, but I believe that is because I hemmed the dress instead of using a bias tape to finish it.

I love the versatility of this dress; the various styles are interchangeable which allows for more options. My daughter and I decided on the scalloped dress because of the fabric we were using. I think that this dress would look adorable with bows at the top of each scallop.

In the pattern there is the option to use some elastic under the arms to snug up the fit; I did not do this as my daughter likes things to be a bit looser. I also opted to finish the bottom of the dress by hemming in rather than using the bias tape to finish it. I am very happy with the way the hem looks on the dress.

 The fabric I used was Beatrix Potter by Quilting Treasures. My daughter was over the moon excited with this fabric as she LOVES all of the Beatrix Potter stories, so when she saw Peter Rabbit, it made her day. The bottom lining print is also a Beatrix Potter by Quilting Treasures.

I think this little dress would make any little girl happy! It is definitely worth adding to your collection! I am sure I will be making another one for my other daughter!!

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What a perfect dress for Easter time, as well as all year-round!  I love the use of 2 coordinating Peter Rabbit prints.  Such a darling dress!  It's great for those girls who like to look girly without all the frills and ruffles.  Any sort of a border print fabric would work out great for the bottom layer.  Good grief!  This dress is even more fun to design than it is to sew, lol!

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Pair it Up!

Scallops are such a fun and unique design element, that we're going to share a few more with you! 

Whimsy Couture has a gorgeous Bunting Banner pattern that is perfect for photo backdrops, birthday parties, holidays, baby nurseries, and any other occasion your heart desires!  Four different shapes are included in this one pattern:  triangles, half circles, scalloped triangles, and scalloped half circles.  A great way to use up scraps and add some charming décor at the same!

The Twirl Scallopini Skirt would be a sugary sweet treat for any little girl!  The Scientific Seamstress never disappoints, and this pattern will have you creating fluffy, twirly skirts in no time!  It can be made in sizes 1-8, and even comes with a bonus doll pattern!

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Thanks for reading along!    Share your creations with us!  We love to see them!



Go sew something magical!!!

Sew and Tell with the Tea Party Dress

 

Hello again!  How many of you have a head start on your holiday sewing?  I, for one, haven't started my Halloween sewing yet (I know, for shame!), but I know some of you are already looking into Christmas and holiday patterns.  The one we are reviewing today is perfect for holiday parties, family photos, birthdays, weddings, princess costumes, church... any special occasion where you want the "wow" factor. 

The Tea Party Dress by the Handmaiden's Cottage is absolutely stunning, isn't it?  It's been a best-seller on our site for weeks now, and I'm sure you can see why.  Everything about this dress is jaw-dropping, mind-blowing, absolutely exquisite!!  Can you tell I kinda like it?  And it even comes in a doll size (sold separately here) so your little angel and her doll can match.  How cute!!

This pattern is perfect for all the little princesses out there in sizes 6m- Girls 8.  If you are unsure of the size your little one would wear, there is a size chart included that will give you finished measurements for both the bodice and dress length.  The back bodice contains elastic, so there is some "give" to the fit.  You'll also find that there is a yardage chart included, so be sure to double check that you have enough fabric before beginning!  As you can imagine, all the ruffles take up a good bit of fabric- but the end result is definitely worth it!  The smallest size calls for a total of 3 yards and the largest size calls for a total of 5 1/4 yards for the whole dress. 

I think you'll be surprised at how easy to follow this pattern is.  It looks intimidating, but designer Lynn Jeffries does a beautiful job of walking you through step-by-step.  The tutorial itself is only 30 pages long (15 pages for the directions and 15 pages for the pattern pieces), but there is a lot of  good "stuff" in there.  With all the detailed photos along the way, you'll be just fine!  I've heard feedback from several people saying the dress was much easier to construct than they anticipated. 

The pattern pieces have all the sizes nested together with the lines for each size being a different color.  The ruffles and underskirt don't have pattern pieces, but rather a chart is provided so you can cut out the rectangles using the dimensions given.  Each page of the entire tutorial is labeled with the name of the pattern and numbered (we all know how important that is in the event of children or pets getting into our sewing rooms, right?)  She even includes a diagram showing you how to line up the pattern piece pages so there's no confusion about how they fit together. 

All-in-all, this is a very thorough design that you won't be disappointed with!  And the end result?  Stunning!  If you'd like to give this dress a try, you can purchase it on the website for 25% off right now!  This offer won't last long (probably only until October 14th), so be sure to get your order in now! 

Let's go ahead and get to the review sent in to us by Stephanie.  You can take a look at some of her other work here. 

 

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My name is Stephanie Hull, and I am the mother of four amazing kids!  I have been sewing on and off since I was 16 when my grandma taught me, but after my twins were born last year, I jumped in and started expanding my skills and improving my home business (S.H. Designs Boutique) by making clothes and baby items.  I would describe myself as an advanced beginner with an "I can do that!" attitude.  I'm more than willing to make a pattern that requires skills that I don't currently have.  I learn best by jumping in!

 

 

I looked at the Tea Party Dress by The Handmaiden's Cottage and fell in love.  I knew that I currently had some pink velvet and black satin in my fabric stash, and I planned to use only fabrics I had on hand instead of purchasing fabrics.

 

I read the pattern very carefully a few times before even starting to cut.  It took me about half an hour to cut all the pieces.  The overskirt and bodice were all printed pieces, and the rest are just measured rectangles for the ruffles and underskirt. It probably would have taken me a lot less time had I opted to use cottons instead of slippery fabrics.

 

Once I had everything cut, I had a small panic attack because I felt like I had gotten in a bit over my head and/or that I was never going to finish this project.  I was very quickly proved wrong!  If you know how to use your machine to make a basting stitch (or you have another preferred method of making ruffles), you can sew this pattern very easily!  Working with the velvet and satin was a bit fussy and took me several hours to hem, ruffle, and sew.  However, when I made the pattern again out of cotton, it took me two and a half hours from cutting to completion!

 

The pattern is well written, and does a great job with pictures and explanations.  There is also a page on customizing your dress.  For mine, I wasn't too thrilled with the way the skirt looked when connected to the bodice, because the velvet was a bit heavier than I anticipated, so I opted to add a sash.  I think what thrilled me most of all is that this dress looks so complicated when it's completed, but the construction is very simple and straightforward!  I made the size 18mos/2T for my daughter and the fit and length were perfect.

 

 

The most important piece of advice I can give for anyone who wants to make this pattern is to read through it carefully a couple of times before cutting and starting your project, especially the cutting section.  I was very eager to get sewing and rushed through it the first time and thought I knew what to cut, but ended up a couple of pieces short. It was obviously an easy fix, but even for a small size, this dress uses quite a bit of fabric, and cutting wrong can mean wasting fabric and I hate wasting beautiful fabrics!

 

 

All in all, I adore this pattern!  Since sewing together my first pink velvet and black satin creation last week, I have sewed one more Tea Party Dress and have two more planned.  I think that there is so much gratification from this relatively simple pattern and my daughters love that they look like princesses!  I would highly recommend this pattern for everyone, from beginner to advanced!

Photos were taken by RoniD.Photography.  You can find them on FB at  https://www.facebook.com/RoniD.Photography

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Just gorgeous!!  I've been curious as to what this dress would look like with a different color ruffle on the underskirt, and I love it!  I mean, even that little boy couldn't help but run up and give her a flower she looked so beautiful  ;) 

 

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Pair it Up!

 

For more extraordinary holiday outfit ideas, take a look at just a few that we have available.


 

The Lulu pettiskirt/ruffled skirt from Tulips & Edelweiss will definitely turn some heads!  Can you believe all the volume that skirt has??  That is some serious frilly goodness!  You can wear the Lulu alone as a skirt or wear it under another dress with a full skirt to give it a dramatic effect.  This can be made in sizes 12m- Girls 14, and there's even a bonus 18" doll size included! 

 

The Precious Dress from The Scientific Seamstress is perfect for holiday get-togethers!  I adore the puff sleeves, and I'm a sucker for a Peter Pan collar!  There are a lot of ways you can play around with this pattern to get just the look you're after.  Add an apron, make it sleeveless, leave off the collar, add a sash... it's so versatile and fun to make!  This pattern comes in sizes 3m- Girls 10, and there's a bonus 15"-18" doll pattern included with this one, too!  There will be lots of cute kids with their cute dolls this holiday season!  Oh, and this pattern is 25% off right now on our website until October 13th  :) 

 

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Make sure you go to the website and purchase your copy of The Tea Party Dress for 25% off while it's still on sale  :)  Also, we'd love for you to join us as we kick off our 1st Annual Handmade Halloween Costume Contest!  Simply design a Halloween costume around one or more of the over 800 patterns we carry on our website.  We're giving away over $300 in awesome prizes from some awesome vendors!  Find the details by clicking on the banner below :)

 

 

 Go sew something magical!

 



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