Knit-acular, Spectacular!

Knit-acular, Spectacular!  Not only is it an homage to one of my favorite movies (Moulin Rouge for those of you who didn't catch that!), but it's also what we are calling our first guest post with Mel from Purpleseamstress Fabric!  Have you been sewing with knits for years?  Or maybe you're like me, and you've heard other people say means things about knits, and are now scared?  Be scared no more!  Mel is going to hold our hand through the process of deciding which knit is right for your specific project and how to sew it successfully!  (Pretty nice of her, huh?)  Knowledge is power, and we are confident that YOU will be confident sewing with knits after reading what Mel has to share with us today  :)  (I've already started my first knit project!  More on that later!)  Keep reading because we *may* have some discounts for you to take advantage of (hurray!!)  Rev up your sewing machines, ladies, we are about to tackle knits!

 

Here is a little introduction by Mel...
 

 

"Hi, my name is Melinda Dozal, owner of Purpleseamstress Fabric on Facebook.   Many years ago I started out selling fabric on eBaby, just as a hobby.  My full-time, very stressful job was as a court reporter.  Well, eventually I found my way onto Facebook, and my business had just taken off. So I was able to retire from court reporting and do what I love to do, play with fabric!!!   I have to pinch myself everyday to see if this is real."

 

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Purpleseamstress Fabric, Mel posts photos of knits she has for sale almost daily on her Facebook page.  She sells out almost as soon as she lists her fabrics- yep, that's how great they are!  If you see something you like, you better let her know before someone else snatches it up!  You can find a few albums on her page that list fabrics she currently has available. 

There are albums for:
ruffle fabrics
solid rib knits
solid, medium-weight, 4-way stretch cotton/lycra blends
striped, medium-weight, 4-way stretch cotton/lycra blends
and an album of various knits that are still available for purchase! 

The color selection is amazing, the price is fantastic, and the quality is excellent!  Over and over again, I hear people sing her praises.  Out of the many times I've heard people discuss fabric stores and the quality of knit fabrics, I've never heard a single negative or even luke-warm comment made about Purpleseamstress Fabric.  When I ordered from Mel on a Friday, she sent me a message the same day telling me my fabric was shipping that day, and I got it on Monday.  How is that for great customer service?!? 

I would like to point out that some of the listings mention whether the fabric is yarn-dyed or printed.  Yarn-dyed fabrics are exactly what they sound like- the actual fibers are dyed, and you can see the same coloring on both sides of the fabric.  A printed knit will only have the design on the front with the back being white.  Most yarn-dyed fabrics are going to either be solids or stripes.  These would be the best choice for snug fitting garments where the fabric will be stretched, such as pants, so that the white doesn't show through.  There are, however, some nicer printed knits where the white won't show through as bad when stretched. 

 

There are many types of knits available out there in fabric land.  There are light- to medium-weight cotton knits with a 1- or 2-way stretch, medium-weight cotton/lycra knits with a 4-way stretch, rib knits, French terry knits... just to name a few.  So how do you know which type to choose for your sewing project?  Well, let's find out!!

 

For leggings, shorts and ruffle pants:

Choose a cotton/lycra 4-way stretch knit.   Pants and leggings must have lycra in them and be a heavier (medium) weight fabric, too, so they don't lose their shape and result in a saggy bottom or baggy knees.  Most cotton/lycras are medium weight. 



For a dress with a fitted bodice:

Choose a cotton knit or a cotton/lycra knit or a french terry knit.  A medium weight knit is probably best for the bodice.  For the sleeves, you can use a medium or a light-weight knit.  For flutter sleeves, a light-weight knit would be best.  Of course, you can use the same knit for all the bodice if you want the fabric to be uniform, but some people like to mix and match! 

 

For a flowy dress: 

Choose a light- to medium-weight cotton knit so it hangs/bounces/wears well.

 

For upcycles:

Choose a cotton knit for sleeves, bodice and ruffles and rib or cotton/lycra for the neckline.  Most people who do upcycles prefer med weight knits for the bodice, skirt, and back.  You would probably want to use a light weight fabric for ruffles, though, so they aren't heavy and weighted down.  All weights have their perfect use for knit dresses!

 

For shirts and tops:

Choose a medium-weight cotton knit or a 4-way stretch cotton/lycra knit, and a rib knit or cotton/lycra knit for the neckline.

 

For skirts:

Choose a cotton or cotton/lycra for the skirt part and cotton/lycra or rib on the waist.  You'll want that extra stretch with good recovery so your skirt will stay up if elastic is not used.   

 

For Undies:

Choose any knit for the main fabric.  The leg trim, crotch (if you make them that way), and waist need to be a 4-way cotton/lycra knit. 

 

Whew!  Did we give you enough information?  I hope that clarifies any questions you may have been having about which kind of knit you would need to sew a certain type of clothing.  Now that we know which knits we need, what do we do with them??  Most of your patterns made for use with knit fabrics will give you a lot of great advice and will, of course, walk you step-by-step through the whole process of making the garment.  But Mel is here to hold our hand today, so we are going to soak in all the knowledge she has to offer on sewing with knits!

 

To start off, what do you do with knit to prep it for sewing?  That varies from person to person.  Some people don't wash before they sew; some wash with color catchers on a cold, gentle cycle and tumble dry or lay flat; some wash on hot and dry on regular....so it's totally up to the individual.  If you intend to wash your project after you make it, be sure to wash your fabric beforehand to avoid any bleeding of the dyes and to pre-shrink the fabric instead of the fabric shrinking after you've put all your time and energy into creating your perfect outfit!  It's always best to try and avoid those "surprises" later on. 

 

One of the biggest complaints I hear from people are that the ends of the knit fabric curl when the are trying to sew.  It seems like it's the lighter weight fabrics and some of the cotton/lycras that curl.   You can iron on low heat & use starch or use use a tear-away stabilizer to keep this from happening. When you know you have a curling fabric it seems like it's best to cut and sew right away because it seems that the longer it sits, the more it rolls. So cut, then go right to the machine before it even has a chance to roll.   It's best not to use pins so you don't take a chance of putting holes in it.  You should also only use a ball point needle for this same reason.  A lot of people will sew their fabrics together first with a regular sewing machine, then use a serger.  Some people don't even finish the edges, like for ruffles or for the ruffle pants because the edges won't fray or unravel like with a woven cotton. 

 

To avoid your fabric stretching while you sew, make sure you don't put any pressure or pull the fabric through the serger.   Just guide the fabric and let the feed dogs pull it through.  It also helps to run the  the differential feed at 1 on your serger.   When you change knit thickness, you have to adjust the tensions just a bit.  Check your machine's User Manual for exact settings when sewing with knits.  Also, some people use different color threads, too, in case you need help determining which thread is causing an issue.  As far as gaining confidence...buy a few scraps or a cheaper yard & just play with the serger to get the feel for it.  Just like learning to sew with wovens, practice makes perfect! 

 

And I know you are all ready to start practicing, aren't you?!?!  I thought so  :)  And to help you start your love affair with knits off right, Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops and Purpleseamstress Fabric want to offer you a discount!! Yay!!  From now until the end of the day on Tuesday, May 7th, you can take 15% off your purchase of any patterns designed for knit fabrics at Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops!!  We've added a new page to our website called Designed for Knits that will show you ALL the knit patterns we have available.  The price is already marked down, no coupon code needed!  We also have a Pinterest board devoted to knit patterns for your shopping convenience :)  And since you can't sew up a knit pattern without knit fabric, Mel has graciously offered to give all of our blog readers a 15% discount for the next 48 hours (ends May 3rd at 10 AM CST)!  Didn't I tell ya she was a peach? 

 

To take advantage of the discount on her Facebook page, simply add one of the following three phrases to your comment/message when ordering:

Mel, you're the best!

This fabric is fabulous!

I can't wait to stitch this up! 

The three phrases above are your discount code :) 

We all know that Facebook can be a little wonky sometimes, so to make the ordering process go as smoothly as possible, please follow these steps :)
1.  Comment on the photo of the listing you would like to purchase with the amount of yards you would like to order, your email address that you would like for the invoice to be sent to, and one of the three discount phrases above.
2.  Since Mel doesn't always get notified whenever someone leaves a comment (silly Facebook), please also send her a message through Facebook with a short description of the fabric you would like to purchase and all the info you have previously left on the post.  I realize this sounds redundant, but it is to ensure that if you are the first person to "claim" a fabric in which there are limited quantities, there is documentation of who got first dibs on it. 
3.  From time to time people are unable to send messages through Facebook.  If you are unable to send Mel a message, you should email her at  purpleseamstress@charter.net
4.  If you are placing multiple orders, please let Mel know so she can combine them all to one invoice and ship them together to save on shipping costs :) 
5.  If for any reason you do not receive an invoice by 11 AM CST on Friday, May 3rd, you should send her an email with your order info in case it has somehow been overlooked.  We don't want anyone to get passed over by accident! 

*Important*
Like I've said about 500 times already, Mel is a really great woman to do business with and often let's her customers start "piles."  This allows her customers to continue to shop over a period of time until they fill an envelope or box to save on shipping charges.  Once your envelope or box is full, you get invoiced.  For all of you who may already have a "pile" on hold with Mel, please note that the discount only applies to orders that are paid for during the specified time frame (May 1st at 10 AM CST- May 3rd 10 AM CST).  You may go ahead and ask to be invoiced and have your fabric shipped and, therefore, receive the discount.  If you ask Mel to set aside fabric during the sale, and yet don't pay/have it shipped until a later date, the discount will no longer be valid.  This is to prevent confusion over the next few weeks.  Thank you so much for understanding! 
 

You are welcome to spread the word about the discounts with your friends, but please don't just share the discount phrases, instead direct them to the blog so they can read about it themselves ;) 

 

I can't wait to see pictures of what everyone decides to sew up with the newfound patterns, fabric, and knowledge!!  Be sure to share photos on both the FF&L and Purpleseamstress Fabric Facebook pages!  If you have any advice you would like to share from your own experience sewing with knits, leave us a comment so everyone else can benefit from it, too! 

 

Hope you've enjoyed this post as much as I've enjoyed writing it!  Make sure you go like Purpleseamstress Fabric on Facebook and have fun shopping! 

Now go sew something magical!!
 

Sew and Tell with the Sophie Vintage Style Sun Suit

Hi everyone!  Hope you had a great weekend!  I spent mine attending/hosting 2 different baby showers.  I love a good baby shower!  It's always so much fun to "oohh and ahhh" over all the sweet little baby things :)  And I'm not gonna lie, the punch pretty much rocks my socks off, too.  (Take a look at this punch recipe that I found to use this weekend.  It's as delicious as it is adorable.)  But back to the sweet little baby things... I always love showing up with handmade gifts, but ran out of time this go around and had to buy something from the store.  Ugh.  For those of you who can plan ahead better than me, I would like to suggest today's featured pattern for your next baby gift.  You'll definitely receive lots of "oohh's and ahhh's" with this one!

This little beauty is The Sophie Vintage Style Sun Suit from Haute Diggity.  I remember the first time I saw it I thought it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen.  Everything about it is just perfect!  And I about fell out of my chair when I saw the pics our pattern reviewer sent in (we'll get to those in just a minute!)  I know I'm not the only one who is in love with this sun suit because it made our Top 12 of '12 list!  It's very retro-glam.  It makes me think of Hollywood.  Can't you just see her with a big pair of shades, some baby wedges, and a big fancy hat walking around Hollywood Blvd. with her movie star mom?  Yes ladies, it's that fabulous! 

The Sophie Vintage Style Sun Suit can be made in sizes 6m- 8 years.  There are directions given for adding snaps to the crotch for those quick and easy diaper changes.  I'm always a huge fan of having that option!  The straps tie behind the neck, leaving the back side open.  As tempted as you may be use this pattern as a swim suit, I probably wouldn't recommend it for that.  It would be pretty stinkin' cute, though, to wear poolside if you had no intentions of swimming.  The top probably wouldn't stay in place very well from the weight of the water, and all the extra fabric in the bottom portion would be a hot mess on your little one if it were wet and bunchy.  Haute Diggity does has an irresistibly cute seersucker swimsuit pattern you could use if a swimsuit is what you are after.   

So, now, without further ado, let's take a look at the review submitted by Dawn F. of Addy & Tabby.

I am a self-taught sewer and began sewing regularly a few years ago after my daughter was born. What started as making “just one pillowcase dress” years ago turned into a handmade children's clothing boutique that I run from my home sewing studio today.

Rompers are a popular request for me, so I was very excited to get to try this pattern out! I had this beautiful purple / turquoise floral fabric (from Hobby Lobby) washed and waiting to try it out.

 I usually print my patterns and trace them to freezer paper, but what I loved about this one is that I was able to choose which size I wanted to make and print just those pieces... eliminating the need for tracing, woo-hoo! Printing, assembling, cutting the fabric pieces, embroidering the bodice, and sewing it all together took me around 3 hrs. The pattern was very easy to assemble. I love that there aren't a lot a pieces, and it went together well. I am sure that the next time I make this item it could be done in an hour to an hour and a half.

This pattern is a great choice for any sewing level. I didn't find anything tricky or difficult, and this pattern can be produced without a serger. The only exposed seams you will have are the front and back seams of the bubble bottom, and you could easily use pinking shears or a zig-zag stitch to finish those areas.

I had trouble getting my snaps to stay in because of the thickness of my fabric, so I made a modification. Rather than making a narrow fold and then a 1/2” fold for the snap area, I trimmed down the crotch area by 3/4”. I measured the front and back crotch pieces (width) and cut a new piece of fabric that was 2” tall x the width of the crotch fabric + 1”. I took the piece to the ironing board and pressed each long end down 1/4” and then folded in half and pressed. I put it right sides together and took it to the machine and sewed a 1/2” seam on each side. Then I clipped the ends and flipped them inside out. This made a “cap” for the end of the crotch piece. I did this for the front and the back. I wiggled the fabric up into the “cap”, pinned it to the romper bottom and then sewed very closely to the edge, about 1/8”. This took the bulk down between the snap pieces so it was a great remedy for me.

 **Embroidery tip** be sure to test fit your front waistband piece on the front bodice before you embroider to make sure you have enough room. My monogram ended up a little lower than I'd like but still worked out just fine for me. I would suggest at least a 1/2” up from where the top of your waistband piece will be sewn on.

 I put together an 18mo size, and it fit my 14mo model great! I feel this pattern is true to size and will have a lasting fit due to the roomy bottom, elastic back, and legs.

 That plum fabric is delicious and, and I could just eat up that sweet baby girl!  Isn't this romper divine?!?  There is nothing cuter than a baby in a romper!  I'm ready to stitch it up RIGHT NOW!!  Good grief, I have to push those 7 UFO's (UnFinished Outfits) aside so I can get started on this!  You can get started on yours, too, tonight even!  We've got instant download, and this little cutie is 25% off right now!  Head over to the website and get this while it's sale!  You've only got a few days until we post a new review  :) 

I've always been drawn to vintage styles, with The Sophie Vintage Style Sun Suit being no exception. I decided to pair up today's featured pattern with a few of my other favorite vintage-inspired patterns from our website.

Above is Grace's Pinafore from Olabelhe.  With it's pretty little bows tied up on the sides and the buttons trailing down the back bodice, this pinafore is the epitome of classic charm!  I love the innocent, wholesome, girly look that this pattern brings to the table.  It can be layered over a variety of dresses to change up the look.  This pattern can be made in sizes 3-8. 

 Here's a great pattern for the younger boys!  This is the Christopher Boys Romper from Ruffle Bunnies.  It has a great nautical feel to it!  You can layer it over a turtleneck in colder weather.  This is fairly unique to other boys PDF patterns I've seen around, and I really wish my son were a little younger so I could make him one!  This would be perfect for beach photos or beach weddings.  Available in sizes 3m- 4T. 

Have fun sewing up some of the cutest styles inspired by days gone by!  We'd love to see what you create!  You can share photos of your finished projects on our Facebook wall!  Don't forget to purchase your own copy of The Sophie Vintage Style Sun Suit while it's 25% off! 

Go sew something magical!!

Sew and Tell with the Tiered Twirl Dress

Hi everyone!!  Are you still recovering from Easter?  Holidays stress me to the MAX because my husband and I live a little over an hour away from both of our families.  That means we are close enough they all expect us to come over, yet far enough to make it seem like most of our day is in the car.  Throw in some rain and whiny kids who didn't get their naps in the mix, and it's chaos!  I didn't even get pictures of my kids in their Easter outfits :(   I love our families, and I love Jesus, but sooo glad to be at home and just REST today!  How many of you can relate? 

 

Now that Easter has come and gone, you can focus on some fun, casual dresses, like this one!  No-stress sewing, no deadlines, just how I like it!  This is the Tiered Twirl Dress from La Tee Da Kids.  You know anything with the word "twirl" in it is going to be a big hit with your kids!  I love patterns where you can mix and match fabrics and create amazing color combinations.  Be as funky, retro, conservative, bold, or monochromatic as you like  :)  With dresses like this, any fabric combo will work!  The last time I made a dress with different tiers, I let a 5 year old choose her own fabrics.  I questioned her choices, but it turned out gorgeous!  And she never hesitates to let people know she helped design the dress ;) 

 

Here's what you need to know about this pattern.  It is available in sizes 2-7, there is an option for either 4 tie straps or 2 knot straps, and most importantly we have it for 25% off right now on the website! 

 

Let's take a look at the review sent in from our friend Karen G.

The pattern I decided to make was the La Tee Da Tiered Twirl Dress.  I was making a dress for my 2 ½ year old granddaughter, who wears a solid 3T, as her mama will tell you.  She is very tall and lean—and busy J  I really liked the ruffles made of different fabric, as well as the knotted straps.  This was my very first attempt at a PDF pattern, so a bit nervous how it actually worked!  I have sewn for as long as I can remember—definitely since grade school, with times of more serious sewing in there also—college, I took some design and construction classes, so I have the ability to do some complex things—should I choose to--which is very rare J.

 

I loved how easily this downloaded, and the way the instructions are always right there on my computer—no pages to lose somewhere in my sewing room!  There was an immediate issue once I got it downloaded and started to read the directions.  There were no directions on how to do the knot straps!  Fortunately, Kayla and Krista from Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops were right there to answer my email questions.  Turns out that there was a newer instruction page they had not received for this pattern, so they spoke with the creator of the patterns and got the new instructions emailed to me with both options on it—the knotted strap version, as well as the tie strap version.  Being the impatient person I am though, I already did the tied strap version, because it was the one I had, and I was going to make the dress NOW!! J 

 

Anyways, my granddaughter is in a different state so I didn’t have her with me to measure, and took her mama’s word on which size to use for her.  The pattern did not have any measurements for the dress—chest etc., other than a finished length—which I found a bit odd, but went with it anyway!  I chose the 3T (because that was the size she told me to make).  It took about 3-3 ½  hours from start to finish, and that is probably longer than reality.  It took me a while to decide on which fabrics—the bodice is Riley Blake Tone on Tone dots—I think petal color, the center is Riley Blake Apple of my Eye, in blush or pink, and the yellow gingham is Riley Blake Fly a Kite.  I really like how well they turned out together!

 

She had some really great tips in her directions—such as using glide dental floss inside a zigzag stitch to gather—haven’t seen anyone use that trick for a while!  She used pictures of several different projects (with different fabrics)  which I found a bit confusing, and might be more of an issue with someone with very beginner skills—although she was upfront in telling you they were from other projects.  When I make it again, I will probably use my gathering foot—because I have it, and it really does make dealing with ruffles easier—to me anyway.  Being from the south, where we put our name or initials on everything, I had to adorn her dress with a monogram of course J  It is a machine design, done with monogram KK—one of my personal favorites. 

 

As you can see from the pictures, it seems to be a bit large in the chest—I probably could have benefited from chest measurements, but we solved the issue by crossing the straps in back—makes for a gap, but it stays on her shoulders! 

 

I can honestly say I truly enjoyed the experience of using a PDF pattern—once I figured out how to download and find it again on my computer—but that is a totally different issue all together J.  And the toughest part of the entire project—as you can see from my pictures, was getting a still shot of my sweet Katie Lee—remember I told you she is busy? 

 

 

 

 

Those fabrics look so summery and sweet together!  The monogram on the bodice is a nice touch.  I'm from the south, too, so I understand the need to monogram everything!  If you had a fairly plain fabric on the bodice, you could add a snazzy applique and put the monogram on the bottom corner of the 3rd tier.  I've been a big fan of monograms on the bottom ruffle lately.  Have no fear if you don't own an embroidery machine!  This dress looks deliciously sweet without any added embellishment!  And Karen wasn't kidding about the little cutie not being able to stand still... she sent a few more pictures where you could tell she was trying to twirl in the dress.  Little girls just can't resist :) 

 

 Now it's time to pair up this summery sundress with a couple of our favorites from the shop. 

 

 

I can't get enough of this baby!  An absolutely gorgeous child!  She's wearing the Ruffle Rosette from Angel Lea Designs.  This tutorial is suitable for beginners and can be made in several sizes.  It only takes one strip of fabric, lace, or ribbon.  You can attach the rosette to a headband or alligator clip to coordinate with your Tiered Twirl Dress or add the rosettes to whatever you feel needs a pop of colorful cuteness!  Once you see how easy these are to make, you'll be adding them to everything; sashes, bags, shirts, or maybe hats...just like the one below!

 

 This is the 4 in 1 Sun Hat from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop.  I love sun hats on little kids, especially at a picnic or at the beach.  This hat would be great for either!  And it's unisex!  Make them for all your little ones!  It is a completely reversible hat that can be worn with the brim flipped up to change the look.  You can wear the tie under the chin to keep the hat in place for babies, or if you like, you can tie them in a bow around the base of the hat to keep them out of your way and stay stylish at the same time  :)  Add a Ruffle Rosette, and you take your sun hat's cuteness factor up a few notches.  Grab a life preserver, because when you pair up your Tiered Twirl Dress with the 4 in 1 Sun Hat with a Ruffled Rosette attached, you'll be drowning in compliments!     

Head over to the website and take a look at all of the great items we have for spring and summer!  Sundresses, hats, bathing suits, beach bags, rompers, shorts, tanks, skirts... we've got it all!  Take a look at our Current Top Ten patterns!  Updated daily to reflect what our customers are currently buying.  A great way to see what's hot right now  :)  And don't forget we've got our Tiered Twirl Dress for 25% off for the next few days!!  Happy shopping!!

Go sew something magical!!

  

Sew and Tell with the Apron Twirl Peasant Dress

Hi everyone!  Hope you're having a great day!  We've been battling sickness at our house for, oh, the past month now, and I think (knock on wood!) everyone is starting to feel better again!  And the sun has come out!  That puts a big 'ole smile on this girl's face!  Hopefully you've got plenty to be thankful for, too! 

If you're having the kind of day where you could use a smile, the photos from today's review might do the trick!  The dress is gorgeous and the little girl is as cute as she can be!  We are featuring Whimsy Couture's Apron Twirl Peasant Dress.  This is one of those "go-to" patterns because it is so easy to construct, there is such a wide range of sizes, and you can choose from several options to change up the look of the dress.  I always appreciate designers that create patterns where you feel you really get your money's worth.  This dress starts at a zero month and goes to size 12 years.  I know a lot of women talk about wanting patterns that go to larger sizes, so this one's for you, ladies!!  This dress is also suitable year round as you can make it short-sleeved, with 3/4 sleeves, or with long sleeves.  Just pair it with some leggings or ruffled pants in the fall or winter, and you are all set!  Such a sweet dress... you'll be sure to fall in love with this one!  Go ahead and purchase this one for 25% off for the next few days!!   
 

Take a look at what Laura D. from Bliss Boutiques made with the Apron Twirl Peasant Dress pattern. 

 

 

I just started sewing.  I saw a pair of designer ruffled jeans that cost a fortune online that I wanted so bad for my daughter, but just could not spend $60+ on jeans for a 2 year old.  So I decided (on a whim) to learn how to sew and make them myself!  My mother-in-law gave me her old sewing machine, some help with the jeans when I got stuck, and I taught myself from there.  Now I'm hooked and a fabric junkie, lol!  I had only sewn a few things before this, so my review is from a 'still learning' perspective.  And this pattern is truly perfect for a newbie like myself or for the more advanced sewer.  The directions are so clear and easy to follow!  To be honest this is why I prefer PDF Patterns to the pre-printed ones.  I love the step-by-step photo instructions.  It makes it a breeze!  When you are still learning it helps to see what you should be doing and what it should look like!  The printing out and assembling the pattern parts can be time consuming, but I think totally worth it!  In the case of this pattern though, there is only 1 'pattern piece' to print out, the armholes.  The rest are just square pieces, so she gives measurements according to size.  It's nice to skip that step, heehee! 

 

The most time consuming part for me was probably choosing my fabrics!  That part always takes me hours!  I think fabric choices make the outfit when all is said and done.  So I always want to take my time and think it through.  It took me about 35-40 minutes to cut my fabrics (after the deliberation).  And with a few minor interruptions from the littles (all 3 needed something at some point before bed, which is to be expected) it took me about 3 1/2 maybe 4 hours to make the dress.  I made the dress twice actually.  Yes!  I love it that much!  And I wanted to try the dress using the different variations she includes in the download.  It's really a great pattern!  There are several ways you can do it, such as a top or a dress, short or long sleeves, ruffle or border bottom, apron or no apron.  Not to mention she even includes instructions for a detachable apron pattern that ties in the back!

 

The 1st one I made I didn't do the apron, and I did a border on the bottom instead of the ruffles.  It took me about as long to do. I think I got faster with the 2nd one, but the added ruffle and apron evened the time out.  I really like how it came out!  I'm a ruffle girl at heart though, so I had to do it again with the ruffle bottom and apron.  The fabric I used on the apron was an extra curtain panel I had from my kitchen sliding glass doors, I thought the eyelet would be perfect for the apron.  And I love the delicateness it added. 

 

The pattern runs true to size.  My pigeon is kind of little, so next time I might make the dress a smidgen smaller.  The length was great, but on my daughter it seemed a wee bit baggy.  I also had to do the elastic in the sleeves differently.  She uses elastic thread, but I'm not sure if I just bought an elastic thread that doesn't pair well with my machine, or if my sewing machine just doesn't like elastic thread.  I tried all combinations and read some tutorials and YouTube videos online, but still a no go.  Instead I just used 1/4 inch elastic, back stitched, pulled the elastic as tight as I could while I sewed, got to the end of my fabric, back stitched again, and then cut the excess elastic.  I winged it, (as I have since learned another way to do that) but it worked perfectly.

 

This pattern reminded me of a pricey designer that does a lot of dress like this, which I find myself drooling over all the time, so I was so excited to find this, and I will for sure be making these in a lot of different fabric combos!  It's a go-to pattern that will grow with her and be cute at all ages!  I couldn't be more happy with it!

 

 

 Here's a few more because she's so darn cute!

 

 

The fabrics used on that dress are stunning!  And Laura is right, the eyelet apron does give the dress a very delicate, feminine look.  Great job!  This is perfect for spring! 

 

If I had to guess, I would say that Laura used a computerized Brother sewing machine.  They are NOTORIOUS for being bad at shirring.  Notorious I tell you!  BUT, don't think it can't be done!  I've turned into a shirring machine (as has my sewing machine) since I read a blog post about shirring with a Brother.  Check out this post from Creative Heart.  She walks you through each step of how to make your machine play nicely with elastic thread.  I went from being so discouraged and frustrated to having my machine shirr perfectly.  I hope it works for you, too!!  If it doesn't, don't give up!  Someone out there has your machine and has gotten it to shirr properly.  Leave a comment with your machine model, and maybe we can help you out!

 

If you like the peasant style, here are some other options for you to take a look at...

 

 

 

Say hello to Autumn's Peasant Romper from Create Kids Couture!  The elastic neckline, bell-sleeves, fun mix of fabrics... everything you love in a peasant dress- in a romper!  Super comfortable while still being super fashion-forward.  Your little girl will beg to wear this one!  Available in sizes 18m- 6 years. 

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Everyone loves a pretty peasant top!  They never seem to go out of style and are flattering on everyone.  This is the Poets Peasant Top from Ginger & Louise Pattern Co.  It has a sort of Medieval flair about it.  Very romantic and such a classic look.  I love it in the white Swiss dots, but there are so many possibilities with this one!  Soft, small-scale florals would look lovely!  This pattern is available in sizes 2T- 6 years. 

 

Alright ladies, don't be afraid to shirr (and let us know if we can help!), fill your little princess's closet with cute peasants, and don't forget to purchase you copy of the Apron Twirl Peasant Dress for 25% off.  Now go sew something magical!! 

Sew and Tell with the Sabrina Shirttail Dress

 

Hi everyone!  We have such a beautiful dress to share with you today!  Allow me to introduce you to the Sabrina Shirttail Dress from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop!  This is so fun and different from most of dresses out there.  Perfect for those no-fuss kinds of girls who don't want a lot of ruffles, but still enjoy a cute dress  :) 

 

The bib front with all its pretty pleats is just begging me to sew it up!  And I love the contrasting cuffs!  This dress is all about the details.  There are ribbon ties at the back, so those of you who dislike zippers and buttonholes can breath a sigh of relief ;)  I feel like there are a lot of modifications that can be made to change up the look to make it uniquely yours.  The buttons on the bib are decorative, so leave them on or off.  You can do some fabulous things with the right buttons... they can really make a certain fabric pop if done correctly.  You can play around with the bottom of the dress if you want a hemline that goes straight across instead of the shirttail look.  But, I think it gives the dress a lot of character as is.  Trim your bib with rick rack or lace, finish the back closure off with a button instead of a ribbon, do the bib and dress in the same fabric with only the bib-border a different color... the possibilities are endless!  Now the dress is really calling my name... 

 

And to further entice you, I have a review with a gorgeous little girl modeling the Sabrina Shirttail Dress.  This review was written by Theresa H. 

 

 

 

I have been sewing for just over two years. I taught myself to sew and sew nearly every day.  I love to sew clothing and test patterns.  I consider myself to be intermediate/advanced level.  The Sabrina Shirttail Dress is a great pattern for both beginning and advanced sewers.  No "special" skills are needed to sew this pattern.  It comes in a wide range of sizes.....3 months to 8 years!

The tutorial/pattern downloaded and printed easily.  The pattern pieces matched up perfectly and are color-coded for each of the different sizes for easy cutting.  A measurement chart is given, as well as directions on how to choose the right size and how to customize fit.  My finished garment measurements match the charts measurements exactly.

The tutorial is very thorough, clear, and easy to follow with detailed instructions.  Color photos are included to aid in the understanding of the instructions.  The pattern runs true to size.  It has a shirttail hemline falling at the knees.  The sleeve length is perfect and includes a placket with great detail.  It has a pleated bib front and a keyhole opening with bow ties in the back.  I used bias tape instead of ribbon for my back ties.  That is the only thing I changed in my version of The Sabrina Shirttail Dress.  I didn't do the optional decorative stitching or use buttons on the bib since I used a fabric with a busy pattern.  The next time I make this, I will probably lengthen the dress a couple of inches which is very easy to do!

I used 100% woven cotton fabric.  For the main dress parts, I used Studio E Bloom Swirls in purple.  For the front bib, sleeve plackets and sleeve cuffs, I used Studio E Bloom Cherry Blossoms in purple. The Cherry Blossoms line is a bit hard to find, but oh so pretty!  I only used two different fabrics but this dress can be made with more if you use different coordinating fabrics for the dress, bib, sleeve plackets, and sleeve cuffs.  The Shirttail Dress is perfect for everyday wear, or you can dress it up with fancy fabric, satin ribbon back ties, and blingy buttons!  It only took about an hour and forty-five minutes to cut out and sew!  As you can see, my daughter loves hers!

 

That is such a happy dress :)  It reminds me that spring is just around the corner!!  Hurray!!  It would be a great dress for school for the older girls.  It's trendy, not over-the-top, and would be easy to move around in.  Make sure you head to the website to get your Sabrina Shirttail Dress Pattern for 25% off for the next few days!! 

 

While you are on the website shopping, have a little looksee at The Sewing Loft's Cupcake Backpack.  How cute is that?!  I don't think there is any girl anywhere in the world who wouldn't go crazy over this backpack.  If it's for a super special little lady you could take the time to sew on little pearls or buttons for the "sprinkles!"  Would that not be precious?  Decorate your cupcake however you like!  Fill it with books, crayons, toys, clothes... whatever you need for a trip to the library, long car rides, or weekends with grandma. 

 

 

You may have noticed how adorable the little girl in the photos above looked wearing her crotched hat.  Foot Loose & Fancy Free has a really great pattern (several really) that is perfect for beginners called the Cloche Hat with Ribbon.  Whether you crotchet or would like to learn how, this is a great pattern for you that produces beautiful results!  If you don't crotchet, maybe you have a grandmother, aunt, or friend who does that could whip up a few for you.  The pattern is available in sizes New Born- Adults, so this one is perfect for you too ladies! 

Head over to the website and get your copy of the Sabrina Shirttail Dress while it's on sale!  I hate when I see something on sale, and I think I'll just get it later.  Then when I need it, it's not on sale anymore  :(  Leave us a comment and let us know what you think about the dress, about the review, about the blog, about what you had for dinner last night... whatever you like ;)  Hope you all have a lovely day full of productive sewing, fabric shopping, and pattern browsing (possibly my 3 favorite things!)