New Release--the Sunburst Clutch Pattern

Yay! It's here!

I've been plugging away at this pattern, and my testers have given me a hand.

Now, I can finally introduce you all to the Sunburst Clutch Pattern!

 

My first 'prototype' is the one on the right. I ended up extending the flap and shortening the wristlet.

The final is on the left, and I am super happy with the results!

 

 

Inside, there is a key ring, and a zippered pouch.

 

It closes with a magnetic snap.

But, one of the suggestions in the pattern is a turn lock.

I think that'd look really pretty!

 






 It's perfect for a date night, or when you just want to
grab a quick bag instead of a purse full of stuff!

 

I love the piecing on it.

It is a bit of a trickier pattern--the piecing has to be done accurately, and being even a little off on the seam allowance will affect the total width of the pieced flap.

But, when done accurately, it really looks a bit like Sunburst--thus the name. (Thanks to one of my lovely testers for the suggestion!)

 

You can buy the pattern in my Craftsy shop, here.

Or, in my Etsy shop, here.

 

A huge thank-you to the ladies who helped out testing this pattern!



Final Giveaway--Aspiring Designer's Challenge

Another great Aspiring Designer's Challenge by Betties Basket Sales and Promotions is gone, and it was a great one!

Lots of gorgeous new patterns were released, a new giveaway everyday...

... I know you're all waiting the final one, which is HUGE: one lucky reader can win

THE ENTIRE COLLECTION

(and more...)

Yeah, you heard right!

The ENTIRE March Aspiring Designers Collection which includes the new pattern from EACH of these designers:

PLUS, get BONUS patterns from these great designers:

That is a CRAZY total of 31 FREE patterns!!

• Itch To Stitch, Emily Culottes Pattern
• Zuzzy Patterns, Chestnut Pants pattern
• GrayDay Patterns, Athena Top pattern
• Bella Sunshine, Holiday Cutout Dress & Top pattern
• Boho Banjo art to wear, Adeline Tunic pattern
• Rose & Lee Designs, Audriella Dress Pattern
• Kelly J Designs, Building Block Cushion pattern
• AimerLae & Finn, Picture Perfect Peplum sleeveless pattern
• OUSM Designs, Grown Up Thumbs Up pattern
• Air Born Quilts, Southwest Dance Quilt pattern
• aha customs, Maddy Lou for Blythe pattern
• Serger Pepper Designs, 1 pattern of choice
• Muffin Head, the Kimmy Bra pattern
• Sofilantjes, 1 pattern of choice
• Golden Rippy, 1 pattern of choice
• GYCT Designs, 1 pattern of choice
• AimerLae & Finn, 1 more pattern of choice
• Rose & Lee Designs, 1 more pattern of choice
• Mandy K Designs, 1 pattern of choice
• Fabulous Home Sewn, 1 pattern of choice
• Shannon Mac Designs, 1 pattern of choice
• Sewing Geek, 1 pattern of choice
• Filles à Maman, 1 pattern of choice
• Littlekiwiscloset, 1 pattern of choice
• MCM Studio Designs, 1 pattern of choice
• Ruby & Jack Patterns, 1 pattern of choice
• Dandelions n' Dungarees, Tini Kini pattern
• Stitchwerx Designs, 1 (single) pattern of choice
• Max & Meena, 1 pattern of choice.
• Bebelambs, 1 pattern of choice
• Whimsy Couture, 1 pattern of choice

Enter to win the ENTIRE Collection w/ Bonus Patterns Below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Seena Dolman Top

Quite some time ago now, my friend Jess from Gracious Threads had a New to Knits! series.

The pattern of choice was her Seena Dolman pattern.

 

 

I'm not new to knits, but thought it'd be fun to join in, and I'm glad I did.

This is one of my favourite tops--it is super comfy and the soft, drapey fabric (from Girl Charlee) was perfect for this shirt.

 

The only modification I made was to cut a smaller arm band.

I wanted it a bit tighter.

 

It's a quick sew, and if you are new to knits, you should have a look yet at all the pointers Jess covered in her series!

 

 

 

 

Mystery Challenge No. 2

It's another Mystery Challenge!!

 

 

I have to say--I love a good challenge as it often pulls out the creativity, and makes me go further than the 'plain' pattern.
When I was challenged by Barbara, from Country Bella, with a Jane Austen theme, I was quite excited--I love old style clothing.
As I searched, I saw a lot of peasant-style bodices on women, but I didn't really want to sew something for myself.
Then I found this:

http://bumblebutton.blogspot.ca/2011/04/free-jane-austen-regency-fashion.html

I knew this was what I wanted to use as my inspiration.

It's so classic and feminine.

So...I got to work, and though it's not exact, I love the results!

 

 

I used Leila and Ben's Sweet Little Dress in size 6-9 months as a jumping off point.

 

 

But, I cut the bodice apart from the skirt, making sure to add seam allowances, so that I could use a lace overlay on the bodice, as lace just seems so Jane Austen-y.

I also lengthened the skirt by about 4 inches so I could add little pin-tucks.

They are hard to see on the pictures, but there are 5 of them.

The dress needed a sash, so I broke out my bag of vintage trims for some velvet-like ribbon which I topstitched mostly around and then let hang.

The 'intersection' where it hung had to be covered since tying it in a bow would show the ugly underside, so I took some pretty lace and hand stitched it into a flower on top of the 'intersection.'

 

 Next, some vintage-style bloomers.

 I would have loved if these were longer so they could peek out while she was standing, but they're not, and I wasn't in a frame of mind to lengthen them anymore.

But I wanted to show them to you, so I put my daughter on the ground and this is the look she gave me:

 

'Seriously, Mom?!'

 Ha, and as she was rolling around, I managed to get a shot of the bloomers.

They're the free Sweet and Simple Bloomers from Sewing Mama RaeAnna.

No modifications were made on this one.

 

 

And, then....the headband to tie it all together.

 

 

 Well, the outfit might not be exactly accurate to the era of Jane Austen but I'm quite happy with how it turned out.

 



 

For a round-up of all the stops, stop by here.