Agnes in Black Lace

I've never yet owned a little black dress. 

That is, until now.

As soon as I saw the Black Paisley Lace Fabric at Minerva Crafts

I knew it'd be perfect as an overlay on a dress. I just needed to pick the pattern.
For the bottom layer I chose a soft bamboo cotton jersey from Sew Lovely Fabrics.

After some deliberation I settled on the Agnes Dress by Halla Patterns. 

It was swingy and seemed to have enough fabric to accommodate a growing baby belly. 

I did have to hack the Agnes Dress pattern a little.

Because I wanted to do sleeveless and double layered, I chose to use the burrito roll method (you can find a good tutorial here!)

The dress is comfy and will be perfect for dates or special occasions. 

I'm thinking I can add a shrug or cardigan in the colder months as it's often cold up here. 

A bit of a story here: 

I sewed this up in the Spring when I was about 17 weeks pregnant, got the pictures taken at 22/23 weeks (I was on semi bed rest), edited them, and then I ended up in the hospital on bed rest for 12 weeks. That's why I'm finally posting about it now!

In the meantime we had a handsome little man who was born at 35 weeks by scheduled c-section, and I'm slowly getting back into sewing and blogging. 

This dress hasn't gotten much wear other than the pictures yet but I'm looking forward to being able to wear it when I'm done nursing my new little man. 

Sew Lovely Cherry Blossoms

Sew Lovely Fabrics once more has an amazing preorder open! 

The fabrics are from Raspberry Creek Fabrics so these are milled and printed in North America.

I got to try out the Cherry Blossom and Stripes.

The fabric sews up very nicely and it is a lighter weight cotton jersey fabric which is perfect for summer dresses and tops. 

I paired it with a coral rayon spandex for the neckband and flutter sleeves. 

The dress pattern is the (affiliate link) Hazelbee Dress pattern (which seems to be unavailable at the moment.) 

Be sure to order your fabric soon as there are minimum amounts needed to be able to get the fabric ordered in. (Don't worry--if minimums are not met you will be refunded!) 

This dress will be headed off to a cute baby girl! 

Hazelbee Dress in Tulips

Sew Lovely Fabrics has some super sweet fabrics up for preorder (and these tulips are already in stock here!) 

I had a chance to sew up the Watercolour Tulips as soon as they came in and I'm very happy with this fabric. 

I used the Hazelbee Dress in size 12 months and sewed up the play dress with flutter sleeves. 

The pink is a cotton lycra I had in my stash but if you are looking for some really nice co-ordinates, they have a Jazzy pink and also a blue and white pin polka dot.

I did finish the dress a little differently than called for. I did a neck band in the round instead of a neck binding before the last shoulder is sewn. 

It'll be a perfect gift for a new baby--especially a pretty Dutch baby. 

While the tulips are available already, be sure to check out the fabrics that are on preorder before it closes on the 15th! 

Back to School Tour

This post contains affiliate links--they help support my sewing addiction so if you are inspired to buy a pattern because of what you see on my blog, please buy through my links. Thank-you! 

Or, the Not-Back-To-School stop on the tour...

We're not heading back to school as we homeschool, but each fall the kids are in dire need of some new, well fitting, un-torn, un-stained clothes. 

We do often leave the house for swimming lessons, co-ops, and other functions after all. 

So, first up is the Nivalis Dress from Sofilantjes and the Caramel Leggings from Filles a Maman. 

My daughter is thrilled with this outfit! 

I love the style of the Nivalis--I'm a sucker for European style. 

And the Caramel Leggings.

What I love about these is that they are not just plain leggings. 

They actually have design features, and the fit is great.

Next up is the Dax Trousers from Gracious Threads, the Military Messenger Bag from FABulous Home Sewn, and Rascal Raglan from Ottobre 4/2013.

So for this one, the Dax Trousers are such a classic pant style. 

The functioning fly, adjustable waist, and welt pockets make it so you can have play pants with a sturdy denim or you can have Sunday pants with a fancier fabric. 

My son uses the Military Messenger Bag for taking his Bible, pen, notebook, and other 'necessities' to Church. 

It makes a great book bag! 

(You can read more about this pattern and bag here!)

The shirt is a staple in this house. I keep turning back to this pattern for my kids. 

I do put a different cuff on this shirt than is provided in the magazine.

They have you put a cuff on single-layered and then still hem that. I do a folded over cuff so I don't need to hem the sleeves. It makes it a bit of a quicker sew and I prefer the look. 

Be sure to stop by all the other great stops on the tour!

Monday, September 25, 2017

Host: Sprouting JubeJube

Sewing by Ti  *  mahlicadesigns  *  Momma You Can Make It  *  Kutti Couture  *  MoonStar - Wondermirakel  *  Call Ajaire

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Host: Lulu & Celeste

Sew and Tell Project  *  From-a-Box  *  Ronda B. Handmade  *  MeMade  *  House of Estrela  *  My Heart Will Sew On  *  Tales From A Southern Mom

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Host: Sprouting JubeJube

mahlicadesigns  *  Gracious Threads  *  Adventures With Bubba and Bug  *  Elli & Nels  *  Bellevi  *  Little Heart Threads  *  Sewing By Ti  *  Lulu & Celeste

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Host: Lulu & Celeste

Paisley Roots  *  The Crafting Fiend  *  Sewstarly  *  It's Liesel  *  Tales of a Tester  *  Kaleidothought  *  auschick sews

Friday, September 29, 2017

Host: Sprouting JubeJube

SewSophieLynn  *  Sew Haute Blog  *  mahlicadesigns  *  Sew and Tell Project  *  RP Custom Fabrics Blog  *  FABulous Home Sewn  *  Sewing By Ti  *  Phat Quarters

And, check out the amazing sponsors over at Sprouting JubeJube! 

Duchess and Hare Blog Tour

It is sometimes a little 'scary' using fabric for a pattern that comes from a new-to-me designer.

I'm pleased with the results of this one.

I sewed up Duchess and Hare's 'Who's Got the Button.'

I sized up for length as I like my girls' dresses a little longer than a lot of dresses are designed.

They out-grow them slower and it's a little more modest.

Overall I'm happy with how this pattern turned out--I've had a number of adults saying they would wear a dress like this!

The only thing that was new to me on this pattern was the method of sewing the bias trim around the bodice. It is a method that needs to be done with care so you have no raw edges poking out.

But, the end result is pretty sweet!

I love how the lace pops out and breaks up the print.

The pattern has the option to do a solid skirt and one with lace/bias binding trim.

The bodice runs a little wide at the shoulders but my daughter is petite and is on the low end of the size range.

Fabric was a thrift store find a number of years ago.

This was the perfect vintage-esque pattern to use it for.

Be sure to enter to win the giveaway for

5 Duchess and Hare Patterns and a $25 gift certificate to Threads and Stitches Fabric. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to stop by the other blogs on this tour to see some more of Duchess and Hare's patterns sewn up!

Monday July 24 Neva Couture Curtiepie

Tuesday July 25 Seams Sew Lo Auschick Sews

Wednesday July 26 Sewing by Ti Tales From a Southern Mom

Thursday July 27 FABulous Home Sewn Lilla Gumma Ondinneke van Hoof

Friday July 28 Sew and Tell Project Bellevi

More of Caroline

If you haven't noticed yet, I absolutely love to sew up the Caroline Party Dress as baby gifts. 

It's a quick, easy to sew pattern and so easy to modify as well. 

I made some little mods on this one. 

I added the strip of pink as a layer between the bodice and the skirt and then also added the pink at the bottom to tie it all in. 

(The real reason was not quite enough of the floral fabric to make the right length, but I love how it turned out!) 

Again, because it's for a baby, I added easy to close snaps on the back instead of an invisible zipper. 

Elsa Times Two

Last time I mentioned how my boys love Star Wars.

My girls are a little late to the Frozen party but they've joined.

My oldest daughter chose this Elsa fabric from Fabric.com and when I was sent extra because it was the end of the bolt, I was able to squeeze two dresses out of it! 

I chose to use the Maggie Mae Dress pattern by Shwin and Shwin. 

It is still one of my favourite quick dresses for older girls. I like the curve in the bodice and the color blocking opportunities! 

The pink fabric was a bonus from someone on a destash site--I had ordered a number of prints from her and she threw in this extra. I love how it adds the pop of color.

And, my girls were thrilled to match in their Elsa dresses! 

Caroline Party Dress for Babies

I've been whipping out Caroline Party Dresses like they're going out of style. 

A friend ordered two of them and the third is for a brand new niece.

First up are two size 12 month dresses. 

Next is a size 6 month for my niece. 

I find they make great baby gifts as they are pretty quick to sew up and what baby can't use more dresses?

I again modified them all with snaps as it's much easier to dress a baby with snaps rather than a zipper. 

I'm always afraid the zipper will catch their skin.

To do this mod, I again added about 3/8" to each center back and sewed that shut as I sewed around the neck and armholes. 

A super simple modification! 

Knippie Sewing

Quite some time ago, my parents brought a Knippie home for me from the Netherlands.

As soon as I saw this pattern (#8, February/March 2016), I had to sew it up for my youngest daughter. 

I love the ruffles on the front. 

The neat thing is that they are not actually gathered--they are cut like a 'C'. 

Also, the fold-over elastic bindings are super sweet. It looks so tidy and neat. 

It has an easy button closure on one shoulder seam. 

Made with some sweet European fabric, it's the perfect dress for my little girl! 

Uptown Downtown in Brushed Poly

I had the opportunity to try out some fabric from Water Tower Textiles, a new Canadian fabric shop. 

Now, so you know, I did receive the fabric for free in exchange for a review, be it good or bad. 

This is my own honest opinion of the fabric. 

I chose to review the Fuchsia Brushed Poly. 

I had never sewn with brushed poly before and was absolutely thrilled with how soft the brushed side is! 

The fabric is perfect for fall or winter clothes as it's so cozy. 

My daughter was not cold at all when we went out in the chilly morning to take these pictures--she kept telling me how warm this dress was. 

The brushed poly washed up quite well with minimal shrinkage--between 1/2" to an 1" of shrinkage on a piece approximately 62" long. 

A downside to sewing with brushed poly is that you don't want to make mistakes while sewing.

It's so pillowy that the stitches are quite difficult to take out--especially when you use a triple stretch stitch. My poor fingers took the brunt of my seam ripper. 

(I think that is a downside to any thicker, soft fabric, so definitely not limited to the brushed poly!) 

I also do not know how it will hold up as it gets washed over and over again. 

Overall I'm happy with the fabric and would buy brushed poly again--especially for warm clothing.

The pattern is the Girl's Uptown Downtown Dress by Sew Straight and Gather in a maxi length with the cowl add-on and the long sleeves.

I sewed up the size 5 with added length. 

The sleeves are a little more snug than I hoped they'd be, and I may size up to a size 6 overall next time, though that's just personal preference, as the dress is meant to be snug and fitted. 

I also did not hem the sleeves as that would make them even more constraining, especially when putting the dress on. 

Caroline Dress V.2, a Sale, and a Giveaway!

(This post contains affiliate links! Thank-you for using them and supporting my sewing addiction in this way!) 

 

Quite some time ago, I posted about V. 1 of the Caroline Dress.

I had good intentions of following that post up rather quickly with this post.

But, with my lack of energy this pregnancy, I've had little desire to write up a post.

You should see how many drafts and pictures I have yet for other posts.

 

 

Either way, here is my second version of Mouse House Creations' Caroline Party Dress.

I made it the same time as V.1. My daughter was growing out of her clothes and was somewhat jealous of her older sister's twirly dresses.

So, I quickly whipped up these two dresses.

 

 

The fabric for this dress I received from a friend. It's an older quilting cotton but it has stood up very well to the wear and tear of a toddler.

I again did the modification for snaps on the back, just because I figured it'd be easier to quickly dress her with snaps rather than trying to zip it up without getting her hair or skin caught.

 

 

Oh, and have you heard about the sale and giveaway happening over on my Facebook page?

Use the code JUSTBECAUSE in my Etsy shop for 30% off.

 

Caroline Dress V.1

(This post contains affiliate links! Thank-you for using them and supporting my sewing addiction in this way!) 

My youngest daughter was somewhat disgruntled about wearing pants when her older sister got to wear fun dresses that twirled and looked so girly. 

So, I took out Mouse House Creations' Caroline Party Dress and whipped up a couple of dresses for her. 

This is version 1. 

I adjusted the back to throw on some snaps so that I wouldn't have to fiddle with a zipper while trying to dress her. She is not one to sit still for long. I extended the placket by 1/2" and added interfacing to accommodate the snaps. 

A butterfly applique was added to the bodice to tie it in a little better and to add a fun feature. 

Butterfly fabric is from Fabric.com (years ago!) and the star fabric is from Connecting Threads (also quite a while ago--I can't find it there anymore but it was called 'Little Stars'.)