The Franklin dress

If you follow my blog you alredy know how much I love to find new pattern designers. I already talked about how it always feel as a shoot in the dark but hey, I guess I like to live dangerously. :) So, when Erin from Brooklin Pattern Co. asked me if I would like to join the Franklin dress & top pattern tour I immediately said yes! I loved the pattern from the minute I saw it and I would have the chance to work with a new designer.

Erin was born in the UK but grew up in the east coast (USA). She worked as a costumer and a patternmaker on Broadway for several years until she became a mom to two munchkins. She is now lauching her patttern company with this debut pattern.

I was very impressed with the overall quality of this pattern. The pattern pieces have a lot of notches, on the right places and they match perfectly (I won't talk again about the importance of notches :) ), and the instructions look amazingly professional (something it is not common to find in the indie pdf patterns).

Pattern:
The Franklin dress pattern by Brooklin Pattern Co. 

Fabric:
This fabric is rayon challys. It worked great! It is super soft and it drapes beautifully. 
This fabric was chosen by my little princess from my stash, so no suprise it is... a floral print. :) I had 3 yards of this print and I was saving them to make something for me (I have to say it was a favorite fabric from my stash... but what's a mom supposed to do when a child asks for it?...) but because I had to fussy cut the print to center and match front, back and sleeves, I was left with 2 yards of scraps... I really don't know to do with them... They are big enough to make maybe a girl's blouse or top but I am not sure I will be able to match the print perfectly... Oh well...

Details:
This pattern is available in sizes 6 months to 8 years. It features a beautiful pleated yoke, gathered sleeves and in seam pockets. I love it!!
I did some things differently though: I have made the button placket a girl's placket (the pattern instructs on how to make a boy/ unisex placket) and I have enclosed the yoke seam (so it wouldn't itch, not that it would in this case because this fabric is really soft, but I am used to make enclosed seams since I personally prefer it to exposed seams).

She wanted to take it to school today and I was "hummm, no!" :) She would be comfortable, no doubt on that, but it is a bit too much of a dress up style to go to school, don't you agree? :) 

I think I am on an experimental phase of my sewing... 
I should be making pratical clothes for my kids, things they really need, but instead I am finding myself lately wanting to try new things and to use new or fancier fabrics... It is a shift on my sewing style? Only time will tell...
I began sewing for me not for my kids. Then when I found the whole sewing-mom-blogger online community I was compelled to sew for my kids - something that surprisingly has never crossed my mind, maybe because I thought it wouldn't be worth it since they grow up so fast and let's face it, sometimes a handmade outfit costs the same or even more than those from RTW... 
So, even when I decided to start sewing for my kids it was more about me (about learning more and making sewing experiments and finding new patterns, new designers, new techniques...) then about them (making them clothes they need)... I guess that for me selfish sewing is not just about sewing for myself but also sewing for my kids... I mean, sewing is my hobby and just as any other hobby it is supposed to be a creative outlet or something that keeps you sane or something that makes you relaxed... So it is always a bit about ourselves and our well being, right?
Is it shocking? Or is it something you relate with? I wonder... 

This post is part of the Franklin dress pattern tour. Take a look at all the other participants versions for some inspiration!

Erin is giving away a Franklin dress pattern, just entry the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DIY Tulle Skirt (simple and easy!)

Hi guys! Today I am over Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop's blog sharing a super simple tutorial on how to make a tulle skirt. You can whip it up in 10-15 minutes and you can use it as it is OR sew it together with a tee to make it a dress OR sew it together with some leggings for a more comfortable and warm outfit. 
You can play with the tulle and tee colors to make princess dresses - they make perfect last-minute costumes!

Happy sewing!


Hoje estou no blog Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop's blog a partilhar um tutorial super simples para fazer uma saia de tule! Pode ser feita em 10-15 minutos, e pode ser usada simples OU cosida a uma t-shirt para fazer um vestido OU cosida a umas leggings para torná-la mais confortável e quente.
Pode jogar-se com as cores do tule e da t-shirt para transformá-la num vestido de princesa! Basta pensar em branco e azul para um vestido à Frozen, ou amarelo com azul para um vestido à Bela Adormecida... As possibilidades são ilimitadas!

Boas costuras!

A Floral Jacket

  

In this photo it seems that the jacket doesn't fit, but it does! She was moving and her left shoulder is lowered, that is why it looks a bit lopsided...

I had the chance to test this pattern about 2 weeks ago just a few days after I pinned almost every single outfit from Dolce & Gabbana's Fall/Winter kids collection to my kids fashion pinboard on Pinterest. I was in love with those bold floral prints at first and then, oh well, I fell in love with the whole collection... So I just had to make this jacket in a bold floral print. :)
I waited until week # 4 of Project Run and Play to post about it because I think this jacket actually shows my signature style - florals and details, like piping! (I have joined Signature Style challenge on season 8 of PR&P also with a floral + piping. :) You can check it here.)

Pattern: the Beetle jacket by Mamacosesola.
Fabric: floral cotton piqué as main, and a polka dot rayon for the lining.
Details: I love this jacket! I love its design and details, as the piping (you know how I love piping... :) ), the peplum style and the sleeves that are slightly gathered - adding to the overall design. It features a peter pan collar, it closes with a button placket or with big sew-in snaps on the inside (which is what I used) and it is fully lined! It is a feminine short jacket that goes well in several styles, depending on the fabric you use. The instructions are in spanish but there are lots of images to help you through the construction. 

I should have ironed the lining... :)

This jacket is perfect for Fall weather.! I can't wait to make a few more with other fabrics, such as corduroy or tweed. I think they will look great!

The Summer Soirée dress

I should have understitched that lining... ;)

So Summer is definitely (and finally) over around here. (I don't hide that I am a Fall lover. Maybe because I was born in October. :) ) The weather is still nice for short sleeves during the day - if it is  not raining that is - but the early mornings and after dusks are already a bit chilly. 
Shamely I have still a few outfits I made for summer that haven't been blogged yet, so I thought that maybe this was a good time to do it since in no time it won't make much sense... at least for all my upper hemisphere readers. ;)

I have tested this pattern a few months ago but unfortunately at the time I couldn't take proper outside photos... I was finally able to have this photoshoot a month ago, but life just got in the way and for one reason or another I didn't shared this project until now. Before I started to blog more often (earlier this year, after 7 years of blogging just for myself :) ) I didn't realized all that it takes to make a sewing blog post or a DIY post... Well, it takes a lot! :) And sometimes we just don't have the time to go to a certain place to have *the* phoshoot, or we don't have the time to edit the photos and write about it... Oh well, I have a couple of other summer projects to blog and (doing a happy dance) I have all the photos taken, so I will be blogging about them in the next 2 weeks.

Pattern: the Summer Soirée dress by Lil Luxe Collection
Fabric: I have used a medium-weight satin brocade fabric (the kind of that is used for kimonos). Both bodice and skirt are from the same fabric yard. It was a chinese print border fabric with three layers - one green band with chinese dragons, one pink with small red flowers and one red and small pink flowers. It had this colored stitching lines between layers that I carefully cut to match at the bottom of the bodice pieces.
Details: This dress features a beautifuly designed bodice, a bubble skirt, a V back, and in-seam pockets. It was recentely revamped into a new pattern - the Socialite Peplum Bubble dress - which I love even more! It can now be made either as a peplum top or a bubble dress, sleeveless or with short/long sleeves. Perfect for Fall weather.

You can see by her face that he was having all the fun... :)

We took this photos at the same time I was also photoshooting the Knight Hoodie (for Pattern Parcel #4). If you missed it - and want the to get the story behind this - go check it here. 

The Playhouse dress - It's Perfect Pattern Parcel #5!

Perfect Pattern Parcel #5 is here!! And is all about girls of all ages - from toddlers to tweens!

Pattern: Playhouse dress, pattern by Fishsticks Design
Fabric: flamingo striped piqué cotton knit (I love this knit! I have used it before here and here.)
Details:
This pattern is an easy sew and such a quick sewing project!
It comes with the option for puff short sleeves or long sleeves and it features a circular skirt. I had to make it in short sleeves since it is still very hot these days...
This dress can be made in knit or in a knit-woven mix!

About PPP#5!
It includes 6 patterns and it's a "name your price" deal! Isn't it amazing? And the best part is that it is all for a good cause! And wait, there is more! If you choose a price of $28 or greater you get a bonus pattern! You can read more and get it here.

Perfect Pattern Parcel believes in supporting independent pattern designers. It allows customers to show their support in naming their own price for each Parcel and it also encourages customers to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. They have raised over $11,000 for classrooms in need!

So, Parcel #5 -  Girls and Tweens includes: 

• Lily Knit Blazer by Peek-a-Boo Patterns
• Everyday Yoga Pant for Girls by Greenstyle
• Asymmetrical Drape Top by EYMM
• Playhouse Dress by Fishstick Designs
• Mimi Dress and Shirt by Filles a Maman
• Bonus pattern: Sunki Dress by Figgy’s (it includes 18 months through a 16 tween sizing)

The story behind this post and my pattern choice:

It was very hard to choose what to make... I just wanted to make them all! If only I had the time... :)

First I was going to make a Sunki dress. I missed all the fun last year when it was released, and then again when it was the pattern to flip over Flip This Pattern. There were Sunkis everywhere around the sewing blogging community and I loved them all!! This was finally my opportunity to make one. But then I realized that this was the bonus pattern and that for the PPP#4 - boys edition - I had also chosen the bonus pattern. It was the Knight Hoodie and you can see it here. So I decided to give it a go on another pattern. And it had to be a dress. And it had to be in knit. :) 

My 3 year-old started pre-school this week. (she used to be at home with me)
We were told in July (when we applied) that the school didn't have a vacancy for her. This week, all of a sudden they gave us a phone call to let us know that a few kids had been transferred to other schools and thus she could finally go! My heart fainted... but she was thrilled!
So now I feel that I need to sew her up an entire school-proof, pratical and suitable for all the running and playing with other kids, wardrobe. Well, I can never have too many excuses to sew for my kids... 
I immediately thought... knits! Well, lucky me! PPP#5 is all about knits! It offers a pants patttern, several tops and dresses, and even a blazer. I won't need to look for anything more. :)

I have sewn this up for her first day at pre-school. Ans she loved it! In fact, she loved both the dress and going to school... She was so proud and happy for leaving home in the morning along with her brother and sister and her cute little backpack (with changing clothes because sometimes she still gets distracted... :) ) to go to school... And I was... well... feeling sad and lost. Last (school) year I was at home with my two girls, and now I am left alone every week day from 9am to 3.30pm. Well, almost. They all come home for lunch! :)

We went to the playground in the afternoon after school was over and she was oh-so-happy in her new knit dress. It is indeed very pratical!

I have already cut some knit for a Mimi shirt (I have made before a Marc shirt also from Filles à Maman and I loved it!) and a Lily blazer. Oh, and I will definitely make a couple of Sunkis for my girls. :)

Make sure to take a look at the inspiration tour!

Friday, September 19 Pienkel || Cookin' and Craftin'

Saturday, September 20 Sew Busy Lizzy || The Life Of A Compulsive Crafter

Sunday, September 21 Keep Calm and Carrion || Felt With Love Designs

Monday, September 22 Radiant Home Studio || Sewing Sober

Tuesday, September 23 Sew Fishsticks || La Pantigana || Amanda Rose

Wednesday,September 24 Shawnta Sews || Sprouting JubeJube || Knot Sew Normal

Thursday, September 25 Make It Perfect || Mimi's Mom || Climbing the Willow

Friday, September 26 Needle and Ted || Our Family Four

Saturday, September 27 Froo & Boo

Sunday, September 28 Stitches by Laura || Vicky Myers creations

Monday, September 29 Cookin' and Craftin' || The Crazy Tailor

Tuesday, September 30 mama says sew || FABulous Home Sewn || The Inspired Wren

Wednesday, October 1 lady and the gents || That's-Sew-Kari || Sewing Sober

Thursday,October 2 Gracious Threads || Blogs Like A Mother || SewsNBows

Friday, October 3 sew chibi || Lulu & Celeste || Made by Sara

What will you be making with these awesome patterns?

If you haven't got them yet go get them! You have less then 24 hours! (tic-tac-tic-tac :) )

The Secret Garden Dress

This is the Secret Garden dress, pattern by Sprouting JubeJube and E+M.

This dress has two versions - the simplified and the flounce skirt, which features a beautiful bow effect at the back. I have opted for the simple version just because my girls need new clothes for Fall and the big bow would not be so pratical to wear with winter coats. Next Summer I will be making the flounce version - that back is really lovely.

I love the skirt in this dress. And the girls love it too! Look at all that twirl factor... Perfect, right?
The simplified version has a permanent sash and bow (it is sewn to the dress), but I have opted to make it interchangeable so we could change it to match shoes, blouses, hair bows... :)
For this photoshoot I had several options for the sash - a solid cotton in red, a floral cotton print, a blue satin and a black satin sash. She prefered the floral cotton print. I prefered the blue satin one. You can see both in the photos. Which one would you choose?

I would label this pattern as intermediate level. 
The bodice closes at the side with an invisible zipper (you can see it bellow). Although sometimes sewing them up can be a challenging task, I love invisible zippers. I was lucky to get this one right (with both seams matching) at first attempt. I have this super simple little trick and it seems to work great. ;)  
The bodice lining is set to place with an under stitch, and that my lovely readers, is a perfect construction method. Most dress patterns use top stitching all around the bodice neckline but I personally prefer methods with less top stitching (which in my opinion is over used...). 
It also requires a bit of hand sewing - which I love! (Hi, my name is Sara and I am a sewing nerd... :) ) Of course you can always just top stitch it, but in this case it won't be the same, since the stitching line would be just bellow the perfect "V" in the back... So grab a needle and go for a slip stitch by hand. You will be suprised as how quick it can be.

I have used a heavier fabric suitable for fall/winter weather (I *think* it is twill...) and she will be using it with a tee or a blouse underneath. I intended to make the photoshoot with that outfit - to show that this dress can also be worn for Fall/Winter - but the weather here is still very summery. In fact it was very hot this day so she asked not to wear the long sleeve blouse and the tights and winter shoes and I was totally okay with that. This is my hobby not hers, and I am really opposed to force or bribe my kids to make things and wear things just for the sake of me having the "perfect" blog post. ;) 

She was also not in the mood for standing still... so all I got were a bunch of blurry photos with her running and twirling all the time - can't blame her really... :)

Make sure to check the other participants blog posts for this pattern tour!

September 22 | Sofilantjes - From a Box - Golden Rippy

September 23 | Friends Stitched Together - Project Destash- Simple and Trendy

September 24 | Call Ajaire - Crooked Whimsy - Giggles & Beans - Sews 'n Bows

September 25 | The Adventures of Captain X and the Gingerbear Princess - Once Upon a Sewing Machine  - Thread Riding Hood

September 26 | Pienkel - Made by Sara - Rebel & Malice - Shaffer Sisters

September 27 |Sewing Sober - Lulu & Celeste - Climbing the Willow

There is an amazing giveaway for this tour! If you want to win several patterns just entry the rafflecopter bellow for a chance to win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you are buying this pattern you can use a coupon code, good until Sep 27th. The code is "SGTOUR25" and it will give you a 25% discount for the purchase of the pattern in the E+M website as well as in the Etsy shop.