The Hummingbird Dress

 

Our annual trip to Disneyland is coming up and I just happened to have this fashionable princess fabric in my stash and a really cute new dress pattern by RabbitRabbit Creations.  This is the Hummingbird Dress, Jasmine's latest release.  There are options to fancy this little dress up but I chose the simplest "everyday" version. 

I had exactly 1 yard of this fabric and knew that it had to accommodate both girls.  As it turned out, the everyday option was more than enough for both dresses.   I even cut a little off the bottom so that I could add the hem band to tie it in with the bodice fabric.

This was such a quick sew too; I probably finished both dresses in under 2 hours.  The fitted bodice gets its shape from elastic in the back.

I'm excited to make the dressed up version: chiffon, sequins, lace, the possibilities are endless.

A Jennuine Design: The Matinee Dress

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Spring in Oregon can be a little treacherous.  Often, it can rain days on end and you feel like it's just a sad continuation of the rainy season that we have nine months of the year.  Then all of a sudden, we get one glorious day when the sun comes out and the sky is blue, and the flowers start sprouting. 

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Timezone: Pacific Daylight Time

We took a trip to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival on one of those glorious spring days, and it was the perfect opportunity to photograph B in her new Matinee Dress, which I had the pleasure of testing.  Jenn is the author of the lovely blog A Jennuine Life.  The Matinee dress is her first foray into the world of children's pdf patterns, and let me tell you, the pattern and tutorial are so impressive, professional, and thorough that you would never guess that she is a novice.  The steps are fully illustrated with computer graphics and the directions are concise with just enough details.  I'm excited to see more of her designs in the not too distant future.

The front has a sweet boat-neck, a sash right at the empire line and a simple drop waist with a gathered skirt.  But then, she turns around and you get this:

Is that not the cutest?  I just can't get enough of the back view.  B is on the slim side for her size, so I added an extra button in the back to make sure that her skivvies didn't accidentally peak out.  Jenn has since added a section on customizing the fit of the dress.  But honestly, I like that it's a little on the big side.  She will definitely get more wear out of this lovely dress.  And she is growing so fast that she'll probably outgrow it soon enough.

I really wanted to use this Heather Ross floral for B.  There are little bees flying around amongst the flowers.  Her nickname is Bee and she is busy, busy, busy!  I found the perfect plaid from my stash to match.  I think it's Riley Blake.

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You can find the pattern on Etsy here.  It's on sale currently; just use the code MATINEE20 to receive 20 percent off.  Or you can hop onto craftsy and buy it at the already discounted rate.  And be sure to check out all the other tester's versions of the Matinee dress.  There are some crazy talented sewists/ photographers with beautiful children in this group.

I'll leave you with one last picture of B jumping for joy.

E&E Patterns' Bohemian Babydoll Top/Dress

E & E Patterns, otherwise known as Elegance and Elephants designed by Heidi Kettner, just released this lovely top/dress: the Bohemian Babydoll.  It's a fairly quick sew; no buttons and no zippers, hurray!  The hem is slightly curved both in the front and the back and has a facing, one of those fun, but practical details that truly define a professional result. 

I added the piping to break up the print a little.  This is Lisette apparel cotton from JoAnn's.

I've made a couple of E & E Patterns before: this top and these shorts.  Honestly, I love all her patterns!  This one is just such a pleasure to sew.  And it's the perfect summer top.  I'm thinking that a new pair of bubble shorts would pair perfectly with this top.

From now till Friday April 25th, you can get this pattern at a discounted price.  I'll see you here in a couple of days with a dress I made for B and some beautiful photos of spring....

Violette Field Thread's Stella Dress

S went to her first Father/Daughter dance recently, and at the last minute, I decided to make her a dress.  This is the Stella Dress by Violette Field Threads.

The dance was Hawaii- themed so I tried to find a tropical looking print.  The fabric is from JoAnn's quilting cotton section.  I'm not sure who the designer is but it's nice and soft.

She was so excited to go to her first dance.  And just beyond thrilled that she went with her favorite guy in the world.

Heidi & Finn Ballon Top

I recently tested Heidi & Finn's newest pattern, the Ballon Top.  Here is a definition of the word "ballon:" the lightness and grace of movement that make a dancer appear buoyant.  Perfectly appropriate for this lovely top. 

So in a nutshell, the top is a basic tee with 3/4 or short sleeves embellished with 2 layers of chiffon (or any other type of light, floaty fabric).  The two layers of chiffon gradually lengthens in the back to form a high-low hem.

 

 I really do think this top defines the Heidi & Finn style, pretty but practical, functional and playful, simple and elegant.  The pattern includes a separate guide for the overlay fabrics and explains the different types of fabrics that can be used along with links to on-line shops.  Christine also does a great job of holding your hands through the process of sewing with chiffon. 

 

Both the knit and the chiffon are from JoAnn Fabrics.  You can read more about this pattern on the Heidi & Finn blog, along with more tester pictures.

The Aster Cardigan: Willow & Co. Glamping Collection

I'm sure you've heard by now of Willow & Co and their soon-to-be-released spring collection of patterns.  If not, you should definitely check out their blog.  So today I get to tell you about the Aster Cardigan, designed by Vanessa of lgb studios.  I've been following Vanessa's blog for quite a while and was so excited to see this little cardi coming out as a pattern.

It's such a simple and elegant design and is sure to become a staple in any little girl's wardrobe.    I can see myself making many more in the years to come.

Are you excited yet?  I sure am.  The whole collection is making its debut in one week.  Let the countdown begin.

Willow & Co. Fawn Lily Tunic by Rock the Stitch

I'm super excited to share with you my tester version of the Fawn Lily Tunic and Dress pattern, coming soon from the Willow and Company Spring Collection.  This pattern is designed by Rebecca Holmes of Rock the Stitch. 

I love everything about this pattern, the construction, the style, the various included options; it is just such a unique look that you can't find anywhere else.  And for a first pattern, Rebecca really knows her stuff.  Everything fits together so perfectly and explained so clearly.

The Wanderlust Collection's release date is April 22nd.