The Caroline Party Dress - from MHC

There was a sale at my local fabric store recently and I spotted these pretty fabrics. While I was in the queue to get the fabric cut the lady behind me asked what I would be making with these two fabrics. I said a dress for my daughter. The lady, an older lady, did not look impressed by that idea. I guess they are not traditionally "girly" fabrics. 

I decided to make a Caroline Party Dress (from Mouse House Creations). It is my second one (so far). This pattern is awesome. Not just because it leads to a pretty dress. This dress is pretty inside and out. It is fully lined and has an invisible zip. It has no raw seams on the inside so I imagine it is very comfortable to wear. The cut is so sweet for little girls and I LOVE the capped sleeve. There is also the option for a peter pan collar. 

This was the first one I made - for a Rainbow themed project:

Hayley has good instructions for inserting the invisible zip but I must say I still had a couple of "Grrr" moments. Mainly because I tried to do it too quickly. There is also a ladies Caroline pattern (which has been sitting in my etsy cart for the longest time) and I am very tempted to buy more of this fabric to make matching mummy/daughter dresses...too creepy??  

Not too sure what happened with my photo lighting but I promise Eloise hasn't got deeply, deeply tanned legs...

So what do you think? Was the lady in the fabric store right or can my Eloise pull off this look? 

I'm pretty happy with it to be honest. 

Oh, and quick update... I got my results back for my first two exams and... I PASSED!! YAY! One more exam to sit and then I'm free :)  Hopefully I'll be a better blogger when I have more free time. I'm hoping to make some more of the Willow & Co patterns next...first up Clover Shorts!

I Heart Pattern Testing: Fawn Lily from Willow and Co.

Is everyone else as excited as I am about the upcoming release of  Willow and Co.'s first collection, Wanderlust a Glamping Collection? Some of my favourite bloggers and pattern designers have come together to make an awesome spring/summer collection of patterns. 

I was lucky enough to test the Fawn Lily dress. This pattern was designed by Rebecca from Rock the Stitch. It is her first official pattern and wow did she hit the ground running! It is a unique pattern that looks wonderfully different to other little girl's PDFs. It is a well written pattern with clear, easy to follow instructions, professionally drafted pattern pieces and options (I love options). This pattern has the option of two different sleeve styles, button up or crossover bodice, it can be a tunic or a dress and there are different dress length options as well as the option of a-line, gathered and pleated skirt!!.  

One fun thing during the testing process was seeing how the use of different fabrics made for very different looks. It looks great in anything from one to four different fabrics. For my first version I used two coordinating fabrics. I chose the non-pleated sleeves and the crossover bodice with piping and the pleated skirt at knee length.

I love the fit of this dress on Eloise. It is light and flowy and fits her perfectly.

And a couple more...

I may be biased but this little girl is irresistible! 

I recommend this pattern. It has lots of great options and is easy to sew with clear instructions and a fabulous end result. I will be checking out the rest of the collection when it is released in about a week at Willow & Co.

Please feel free to leave a comment to let me know what you think :)

Kerry xx

More Small Fry Skinny Jeans

In case it wasn't obvious, I love making these jeans. They are just so cute. I find myself smiling as I see them come together on the sewing machine. You can see the pair I made for the tour HERE and the two I made for the pattern testing HERE and the ones I made with the free 2T pattern HERE and HERE.

I bought this star denim a few weeks ago and was debating making some overalls with it. But, alas, I could not resist making more jeans. This is not stretch denim but it is nice and light weight and fits really well regardless. I still made the 2T size. I used left over teal drill from another pair for the pocket linings and waistband lining. I also used a real jeans button that has little stars on it too.

I also used a turquoise thread for the construction and topstitching. I love how it looks on the inside with the elastic buttonholes. I have been walking around annoying my husband saying "look at the inside of these, they are as neat inside as they are on the outside". He is still humoring me by nodding and smiling at the right times. The flat felled seams help to make them look like "real" jeans and make less exposed seams against little legs.

This was my best fly so far. 

Little miss E. She does some funny faces when I take photos. The one on the right was her response when I said "smile". She is so expressive and very, very cheeky.

I'm hoping to get time to make at least one of the boys a pair later in the week but don't hold me to it. Life has a way of getting very busy without the slightest bit of warning.

If you want to grab a copy of this awesome pattern (trust me, you do) you can find it HERE. Also if you buy it between now and the 15th of March you can get 20% off with the code TOUR20.

Don't forget to keep following the tour on Craftstorming. There are many more talented bloggers still to come. I can't wait to see them all.

Thanks for visiting. Feel free to leave a comment :)

Kerry xx

Small Fry Skinny Jeans Pattern Tour

I am excited to be back to sewing and blogging again after a long, self imposed sewing ban while I studied for my fellowship exams. I am so glad that is over... Now the long, painful wait for results.... 

Sewing is my time to think. It is about the only time in my day where I am awake and no one is talking to me. I get to be alone with my thoughts. I have missed my mental downtime.

After being part of the testing team for the Small Fry Skinny Jeans I was delighted to be asked to join in this Small Fry Skinny Jeans Pattern Tour. I was even more excited when I saw the line up of talented bloggers I'd be sewing alongside. Wow!!

After finishing the two pairs of jeans I made for the pattern test, I came across this pretty fabric. It is stretch cotton sateen. As soon as I saw it I knew it would become Small Fry Skinny Jeans. What I didn't think of, was what fabric I'd use to coordinate with it. Thankfully the yellow just happened to be in my stash and the shade was perfect. 

 I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love this pattern. It is my go to jeans pattern. It is so well written and I always get the results I am looking for. I like that I can make different styles of jeans all with the same pattern. For these ones I made jeans length and chose the inset pockets (with tiny, cute coin pocket). The fit of these jeans is spot on too, especially with the button hole elastic. I really should get organised and start sewing more pairs for E and for the boys before winter comes along.

I love all the colours in these jeans. Eloise was only too happy to put them on.

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly this little girl is growing up. My baby is all gone and in just over a week she will be two!! How did that happen?

Ducks are one of Eloise's favourite animals. She was happy to have some photos while looking at the ducks. She was, however, NOT happy when it was time to go back home :/

E and I love the little details set into the paths at the duck park.

Thanks again Laura. I have had a lot of fun being part of the testing and the tour and I will be making many more pairs of these jeans.

Head over to Craftstorming to check out the other great stops on the Pattern Tour. Today Lexi from Lexi Made and Meg from Elsie Marley are sewing along too, so be sure to stop by and see what they have created. And, if you haven't already, go and grab a copy of the pattern. It is awesome (and...  you can get 20% off with the code TOUR20 until March 15th).

Thanks for stopping by, please leave a message to let me know what you think.

Kerry xx

I Heart Pattern Testing: Titchy Threads Small Fry Skinny Jeans

In case you haven't noticed I fell in love with the free 2T Small Fry Skinny Jeans Pattern when Laura did a sew-along on her blog Craftstorming. I made these and these. I have been "patiently" waiting for her to release the full pattern since then. Well... not only has the pattern just been released but I got to test it :)

I have tested quite a few patterns in the past year or two, but I think this was the one I wanted to test the most. I was NOT disappointed! Not only is the pattern awesome (I think, we knew it would be) but Laura was so open to feedback and so easily approachable during the process. 

This pattern is beautifully drafted, the instructions are clear and easy to follow. There are lots of options: finishing, pockets, waistband, length and they have adjustable elastic... The testing group all came up with different fabric choices and "looks" for their jeans but one thing was consistent, they all fit beautifully and looked professionally made. These jeans look like store bought jeans! I even learned a new technique as I sewed them.

I started the concept of the "look" I wanted to produce, with these shoes. I bought them for Eloise to wear with another outfit I had made her but wanted to make shorts to go with them too. So I chose this teal drill fabric and embroidered a butterfly on a piece to use for the back pocket. In my head this was going to be such a cute outfit. The shorts turned out exactly as I'd hoped. Then came time for the photos...

We had a heat wave temps (over 40deg C) AND I couldn't find the shoes... anywhere?! We took some indoor photos. The next day was a little better, temperature wise, so we ventured to the park for some outdoor shots... but the air was thick with smoke from a nearby bushfire... So these are the photos we managed to get. 
Side note: I found Eloise's shoes a few days later in Seth's preschool bag?!

blowing kisses xx

I made a second pair with stretch denim and chose the inset pockets (complete with tiny coin pocket). I made a Bella Bodice to go with them.

I highly recommend this pattern. It truly is one of the most professionally drafted and written patterns I've come across. I have fabric ready to make many more pairs for all three of my kids. Oh, I didn't mention the size range. There are two size groupings, the smaller one is from 0-3m - 3T (it is a different shaped jean to account for nappies) and the larger sizes are 3y - 12y (they are more of a true skinny jean fit for kids not in nappies). Such a huge size range, and there is a discount if, like me, you want both sizes!

So, go and check them out! You can buy them here. And keep an eye out for many, many more of these jeans popping up all over blogland.

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave me a message to let me know what you think :)

Kerry xx

I Heart Pattern Testing:Peek-a-boo Lullaby Line Body suit and hat

I saw Amy from Peek-a-boo Pattern shop was calling for testers for her new lullaby line and that the sizes went down to premie. I signed up to test the body suit and hat and mittens in the tiny premie size for my daughter's new doll.

This was a super quick sew and the instructions were easy to follow. I made three body suits and matching hats and made mittens for two of them. They don't require much fabric and come together quickly so I can see myself making a LOT of these for Ellie's doll, up-cycling clothing as I go. 

Amy has made a number of patterns in this line and they are all super cute. It makes me wish I had been as proficient at sewing before I had the kids. I think I would have made most of their baby clothes if I had been. 

These are knit patterns and I know some people are afraid to sew with knits but they are seriously so easy that they make a good intro into knits. 

Pop over to Peek-a-boo Pattern Shop and check out these cute patterns for yourself. They'll be released any day now and I'll try to pop back and add a link to the bodysuit when they are.

Kerry xx

Merry Christmas 2013

Just a quick post to share some Christmas joy.

I made these Sweet Dreams PJ pants for the kids and managed to get some cute photos of them together on Christmas Eve.

We had a wonderful relaxing Christmas and were all well and truly spoiled by Santa ;)

I GOT AN EMBROIDERY MACHINE!!!!!

I have been having so much fun playing with it.

My little cuties...

And THIS is what they are like in about 90% of the photos I take ;)

Merry Christmas to you all! 

I'll be back soon with some pattern tests I'm in the middle of...

How was your Christmas? Feel free to link up your photos/blogs :)