Pattern drafting

A 'wintery' Sunday best dress and CALL FOR PATTERN TESTERS (CLOSED)

September 13, 2014


Here is the third Sunday best dress I have made - this time with no buttons, and with three quarter length sleeves.  You can see the summery version I made here, and the original dress here.


I am really pleased with how this one turned out.  I had been on the lookout for a cool butterfly (specimen style) print for a while and was really excited to find this one at Spotlight a couple of weeks ago.  I paired it with some watermelon cotton collar and piping. I love how wintery this dress can look with tights and the longer sleeves (there is also a full length sleeve option in the pattern). 

 
I wasn't sure Juliette would co-operate for photos today. As I finished up the dress I showed it to her and she said,"I don't like that dress".  I bribed her with extra pocket money and some chocolate and she decided I could twist her arm to try it on.  Then she checked herself out in the mirror and decided the dress was "beautiful". Phew.



Juliette insisted on using flowers as props so I just had to go with that.


Can you spot Juliette in this photo? If is was not for the red shoes, she could be mistaken for leaf mulch!



I must say that putting this pattern together has been an altogether more calm and enjoyable experience than making my cosi pattern.  I put myself under pressure with dates with cosi which was unnecessary.  This pattern has also come along so much more quickly and methodically with the great help of Lauren Dahl's pattern workshop course.  I love it!

My pattern will be ready for testing by the end of the weekend and I would love to know if you would like to test my new pattern? Testing will run for one week (from Monday 15 - Monday 22 September) and will take place via a facebook group.  I will notify testers by the end of the weekend via email and then testers will be invited to the tester group where they will find the test pattern and can ask questions, share photos and give feedback. Please only apply if you can fulfil these requirements and also if your child fits closely into one of the age/size bracket listed below.

If you would like to test, please fill out the application form HERE.  


Thank you!!



Pattern drafting

TESTER CALL: The Little Betty top and vest (APPLICATIONS CLOSED)

December 18, 2013


Thanks for those of you who expressed interest in testing my next PDF pattern - The Little Betty top and vest.  I am showing you the other two views today as well as linking up a tester application form.  I am having a long testing window due to Christmas.  I will have the pattern ready to be emailed out in the next 48 hours and feedback will not be due until Sunday 5th January - so about two and a half weeks to sew and give feedback. For more information about the pattern (including line drawings), please see the original Little Betty post linked above.


Isabella wears View A of the pattern - long sleeved with long cuff.  (You can see my youngest daughter Emily modelling View B of the pattern- short sleeved - here).




There is a button and loop closure at the back. The fabrics for both Isabella's and Juliette's tops are from Girl Charlee.

Juliette wears View C of the pattern - sleeveless....



This was a super quick photoshoot in the hot late afternoon sun today.  I am happy with the photos though...especially these ones!



If you would like to help me out by testing my pattern, that would be great!!!  I am hoping to recruit around 15 testers to test sizes 6 months - 8 years. This pattern is achievable for the confident beginner. Please only apply if you think you can make the garment and give feedback by the 5th January.  Also, I am looking for children who fit in to ready to wear in their age/size bracket (ie. aged 8 wears size 8, etc.).   You can apply by filling out the online form HERE.  APPLICATIONS CLOSED.
 
Thank you!!

Pattern drafting

Introducing: The Little Betty Top and Vest

November 28, 2013

So if you read my post yesterday about my 'work in progress' dress/tunic pattern, you will have read that today I am sharing with you another pattern I have been working on.  It is further along than my dress/tunic and I plan to release it first.  It is called the Little Betty Top and Vest....
 

The Little Betty Top and Vest is a sweet little top with a ruffled frill that extends from the front bodice line to the back bodice line.  There is a button and loop closure at the back, wide waist band and three sleeve options - long with long cuff, short with short cuff (pictured) and sleeveless with short cuff. Sizes 12 months - 8 years.


This version was made up in a super soft interlock.  I think a slightly sturdier jersey may allow the frills to sit out a bit better, but I love the softness of this top. 


Emily is impossible to photograph...my photoshoots with her last about ten seconds because that's as long as she will stand still - and only if my 'big' girls are singing twinkle twinkle behind me and my camera!
 

This button and loop is not what will feature in the pattern...I had the idea to create a tear drop shaped opening, but this only just fit comfortably over Emily's head, so instead, the pattern will have a longer straight opening (as shown in line drawings).

This fabric is from Girl Charlee.  The girls call it "Emily's pasta bow fabric".  If you follow me on facebook, you will have read that I received it as part of my involvement with the most recent season of Project Run & Play.  Two of the other knits I chose will be transformed in to the other two views of the pattern.
 
I am hoping to work a lot on this pattern over the next week or two and get it ready for testing in about two weeks.  My blog is busy each day between 1-12 December with Laura and my The 12 Days of Christmas series.  So, if you are interested in reading more and seeing more about this pattern and possibly testing (there will be a long testing window due to the festive season), please follow me on facebook where I will be updating as I go. 


I would love to hear what you think of this pattern and if you would be interested in testing from around 10 -30 December.  I will create a sign up form and tell you all about in over on facebook!

Dresses

Pattern progress...My next dress/tunic pattern.

November 27, 2013

I am a slow pattern designer as I am full time Mum with no childcare and all my kids are at home...so I can only work at night.  I have been working on a new dress/tunic pattern for the past couple of months on and off. You may have seen the first official one here.  (I did also make one prior to this - here, but have since decided not to incorporate the sleeves on this version as they are too bulky, being lined, to turn through the narrow shoulder passage when turning right side out).
 
The pattern is taking me a while as there are many options (five sleeve/bodice options plus tunic length option), and it has also taken me a couple of test runs to establish the best order to construct the dress.  Here are two versions you've not yet seen.  Sleeveless with optional peter pan collar, and flutter sleeves (tunic length).  I have named the pattern, but will let you know all about it closer to the pattern release.
 
Here is the first one....
This vintage inspired print is too dark to show off the lines of the dress but I think it is still sweet with the contrasting yellow peter pan collar. 
This version features flutter sleeves and is tunic length.  I opted for just one pocket on this version, whereas the pattern has two. 
So if the green dress is too dark, this one is a little light to properly display the lines!!! I must pick a 'medium' colour for my next one!!  Although I do love this soft little print - picked up from Spotlight.
So this is what I still have to do to develop this pattern:
  • Remake strapped version and photograph stages;
  • Make short puffed sleeve version and photograph stages;
  • Finish (I started a sweet velveteen version a couple of months ago) long puffed sleeve version and photograph;
  • Put together the tutorial and all measurement tables
  • Have pattern tested
So....there is a bit to do!! I think it might be ready for testing early next year. With December just around the corner, I hope this is an accurate prediction!

Meanwhile, I have been working on another pattern!  It is less complicated and I have just finished the prototype tonight....  I did things a bit differently with developing this pattern.  I created the pattern completely (grading, digitizing) before making the garment.  Previously, I have thought up the design, made it in one size and then worked on grading and digitising.  The third pattern I am working on is a knit top/vest, and since it only needs a few tweaks and will be ready before my dress pattern.  I have two more versions to make up and then will create the tutorial, put it all together and have the pattern ready for testing.

Please come back tomorrow to see it!!

Dresses

Project Run & Play: My signature style

October 03, 2013


At the eleventh hour I managed to finish and photograph this pastel striped dress to share in the Project Run & Play sew along for the final week of series 7.  The final week is My Signature style.  This dress took me hours - mostly because I photographed most of the steps along the way (which must be done when children are not around!!), since this dress is version 2 of my 'work in progress' next pattern.
 
When I think about what 'my signature style' is, I would probably say: feminine (because so far, two out of three of my girls have proven their girliness by refusing to wear 'boy pants'!!), youthful with a touch of vintage.  I think this dress encapsulates that.
 
 
Did you notice the scary shadow monster Isabella created?  She actually loves doing shadow creatures, so I will have to show her this one!
  
I really hadn't gotten as far as working out what I would sew for this week had I still been competing, but my entry would have included three dresses for my girls, possibly using this pattern.  I would have used more bold fabric choices if competing, but I loved this pastel stripe and didn't want to go out and buy something when I have plenty of fabrics in my newly organised crates of fabric. 

This version of my next pattern was made up in a vintage looking pastel stripe and has pastel aqua piped detailing.  I bought the fabric from a local quilting shop, but have lost the selvage ( really need to establish a system of recording the fabrics I use!).  Like the first version of my pattern (which you can see here), the dress features a v-shaped bodice, a central dress seam, pockets (these ones are rounded) and a deep hem.  I am happier with the rounded pockets than the rectangular ones.  I also achieved a more distinct 'V' with this version of the dress.
 

This version of the dress would also suit heavier fabrics as a winter pinafore (although something as heavy as denim would not gather well...perhaps velveteen or soft pinwale corduroy).
 

I had fun with the stripes, creating interest by cutting them both ways to complement each other.

 
The back features two violet vintage buttons from my stash.  They remind me of my Grandma's 'tiddliwinks' that I used to count and play with as a child!  The fabric also reminds me of matching tracksuit sets my Mum made me and my two older sisters when we were young!


I will be making the other couple of views of this dress/top in the next couple of weeks to show you.  I am aiming for an all seasons pattern so there are a few sleeve options, and also a collar option.

 
Have you voted for your favourite of the designer looks for this week?  They are all awesome this week I think.  Voting closes in less than 24 hours, so head here if you would like to vote!
 
If you would like to see more of 'my signature style' and purchase my pattern on sale, you can check out my most recent Debbie's birthday dress here!
 

Dresses

Hooray for Spring....and a sneak peak at my upcoming dress pattern

September 06, 2013

 
Today I am joining in with an Australian/New Zealand based 'blog hop' hosted by Jane from LilPip and Cass from CassCanSew.  You can read all about it here. 
 
Cass can sew and Lil Pip Designs Spring has Sprung
 
'Spring has sprung' has run all this week and finishes on Sunday - featuring two bloggers a day who are posting anything and everything related to Spring!! (see bottom of post for more details). There are also lots of prizes going on too...so make sure to have a look at Jane's blog at LilPip for details.
 
Well, spring happens to be my favourite season.  It has so many things going for it...This is why I love Spring:
- goodbye to winter rain and cold days inside
- starting to plant out our vegie patch
- spring blooms
- outdoor play
- lighter evenings
- the sound of lawn mowers and the smell of freshly cut grass
- usually lovely weather...not too hot!
- my birthday is nestled in there somewhere!
 
The only I don't enjoy about Spring is my yearly dose of hayfever!!
 
So for this blog hop, I decided to share a dress I made recently.  It is a pattern I am working on, the second I hope to add to my etsy shop, sewpony vintage in the coming months (current work on the pattern is on hold due to me taking part in Project Run & Play...yay!!).  I am tossing up between developing this pattern next or another one I am working on...will post more about that soon!
 
Anyway, I think this version of the dress is totally spring - and Juliette trying her hardest to make wishes on the dandelions made this photoshoot even moreso:). Sorry the colours in these pics are not great - the dress was really reflective!!!
 
This is the best of the full length pics I got of Juliette - a typical Aussie backyard backdrop...lots of grass (currently a barren vegie patch in the background), homemade compost bin, gum tree and a slightly rusted hills hoist washing line!! 
 
This version of the dress features:
- Small capped sleeves (I think I will make them smaller than on this dress)
- V-bodice (lined)
- Gathered skirt with central seam
- Rectangular pockets (I may change these to rounded pockets...haven't decided yet!)
- Button closure at back
- Piped detail (gotta love a bit of piping!!)
- Deep hem
 
There will be five sleeve options to make this an all season dress. 
1. Capped (seen here),
2. short puffed sleeve,
3. long sleeved with slight gather at shoulder seam and wrist (I have started the long sleeved version in a super soft velveteen for Emily... I better get it finished quick before it gets too warm here!!,
4. sleeveless
5. and an altered squared off bodice to accommodate straps. 
 
Being an Australian blogger staring out designing patterns  (with a  predominantly international reader base), I am challenged to think of designs that will appeal to those in the northern and southern hemispheres.  My first pattern is sleeveless but lends itself to heavier fabrics so can be worn over long sleeves and with tights (as my girls did this winter). 
 
The fabric I used here is a thrifted vintage bed sheet - I think it is very fitting for this spring theme!!  If you follow sewpony on facebook, you may recognise it from here!  I used store bought yellow bias binding to cover piping cord for the detail around the sleeves, bodice seam and pockets.  I could not find buttons in the right shade of yellow to match the piping.  So I decided to make my own!! I used fimo.

So what do you think of my dress?  I would love to hear your feedback.

And for more Spring inspired posts, make sure you check out these Aussie/NZ blogs taking part in the 'Spring has Sprung' blog hop...
 
 
PS.   If you would like to see what I have made for my first sewing challenge for Project Run & Play, make sure to pop back next Tuesday/Wednesday to see my Oliver & S Popover dress remix.  I would love some more Southern Hemispherean support:)))



 

Debbie's birthday dress

Kids' Clothes Week: Day 1 - Debbie's birthday dress and a pre-release PATTERN GIVEAWAY!!

July 16, 2013

 
I wasn't really planning on joining in with Kids' Clothes Week this season, since we are mid winter here in Australia, and I knew most people would be posting great summer stuff.  But, after being asked by Meg to guest post on the KCW blog, I decided to join in anyway.  The first thing I have sewed up for the week actually fits in with the Summer season.  It's another version of my upcoming digital pattern - Debbie's birthday dress.  You can see the original versions of the dress and introduction to the pattern here and here.
 
Read on to find out how to win one of two of my patterns before my official 'launch' next week.  The pattern is almost ready - just a few last minute tweaks... 
I wanted to make up the dress in a print this time.  I found this gorgeous spotted fabric for $6 per metre at a fabric store in Melbourne and thought it was very "Debbie" style.  I also wanted to have fun with the trim and detail on the bodice. I went for cream eyelet lace with a  satin musk pink ribbon overlay and three vintage cream buttons down the centre.
I love how easy this view of my dress is to sew up.  Once I had it all cut out, I had it sewn and pressed within an hour.
The hemline sits just above the knee - not quite as short as Debbie wore hers, but I think much more wearable.
Isabella was not overly keen to stop playing to try the dress on and have her photo taken, so I promised her I would play any game she wanted for half an hour after taking them...
For some reason, Issie loves pretending she is a cat.  She donned her cat mask and had me crawling around on all fours being the Mummy cat.  She played the kitten, while Juliette was 'owner' and Emily was the puppy dog.  Love being a Mum!
 
Now, onto that GIVEWAWAY!!  My pattern will be ready for purchase next week.  You might see a couple of versions this week for KCW from my lovely pattern testers.  I also have a fabulous blog tour arranged for early August, where you can see some different versions of my pattern.  But for now, I am offering a FREE PATTERN to two readers.  To enter, you need to be a follower of my blog (via Google friend connect or Bloglovin' - links on my sidebar).  Simply leave a comment to let me know you would like one, and if you are a new follower, let me know you have followed sewpony.  If you do not have a blog, make sure you leave your email address if it is not connected to your profile.
The giveaway will be open until the end of Kids' Clothes Week - Which will be 12.00 midday Monday 22nd July (AEST), Sunday night for Northern Hemisphere readers.  I will draw the winners at random and post the winners later on Monday.
 Good Luck!