Big and Bold Feliz Dress

Straightgrain patterns are always an instant buy for me, and the latest Feliz dress was no exception.

Surprisingly, considering how much I like pleats I made the gathered version first. I used this Cloud 9 fabric from Spotlight.  I loved the big bold flowers and this simple dress design worked well.

I spent ages making sure I matched up the print at the back and it turned out pretty well.

The dress was easy to put together.  This is the size 5 and it is a roomy dress.  The bodice has a slight curve so I had to check the diagrams a few time to check I got it just right.  

The pattern has some lovely sleeve options, including flutter, bell and longer sleeves.  Freya has made her view on ruffles quite clear lately so I used the dolman sleeves, plus anytime I don't have to set in sleeves is a big plus in my book.  

I'm looking forward to giving the pleated version a try!

Rushbrook Dress

Hi! I'm delighted today to be taking part in the Blogtour for the new pattern by Titchy Threads, The Rushbrook dress and top.

Before Laura contacted me, I had looked at this pattern a few times and it was great to have an excuse to bump it up to the top of my sewing pile.  

Freya is going through a very anti-ruffles and frills stage at the moment.  She's not even considering flutter sleeves so I knew my version was going to be on the plain side.  I had lots of ideas floating around in my head but in the end I went with this Cotton and Steel print.  I knew the bold print would be a good match with the simplicity of the design.

As you can't wrong with red and blue, I used red fabric for the placket and hem facing.  I love that little pop of colour! 

Sewing with bias binding is never my favourite thing to do and I was a little intimidated by the thought of the placket, but the instructions were very clear.  Just be careful where to put your markings, making sure if it's supposed to be on the right or wrong side of the fabric!

This was the first Titchy Threads pattern I've made and I was impressed by how everything lined up nicely.  The instructions include french seams and using a hem facing so the dress is finished beautifully inside and out.

The dress also has a lovely racerback.  It will be great for us Aussies in the Summer but I think would layer nicely for colder weather too.

Freya had been nagging me for a "plain pink skirt" and wasn't too pleased when I made this first.  I think she got over it though and had some fun posing for photos! 

Thank you so much to Laura for inviting me on this tour.  Don't forget to check out some of the other lovely versions made by these talented seamstresses.

10th - my cozy co / while she was sleeping 

11th - Made by Sara / Pear Berry Lane 

12th - Buzzmills / Fairies, Bubbles & Co 

17th - Sew Many Adventures / it's Liesel 

18th - Spools + Oodles of Fun / S is for Sewing 

19th - Giddy Ants / La Folie sewing booth

Driftwood Dress

I actually sewed this one up months ago but have only got around to sharing it now.

This is the Driftwood Dress pattern from Twig and Tale.  I have made and love their vest and pixie pants pattern and thought I'd give this dress a whirl.

To be honest I have mixed feelings about this dress.  The sleeves are quite puffy in this version but that may have to do with my fabric choice, maybe something drapier would be better.  This one is made up with some Tula Pink cotton.

The front and back bodice are the same and the dress can be worn with the closure either at the front or the back.  I'm not sure if the elastic waist is hitting Freya at the right spot. 

The PDF and the dress came together easily enough and had very clear instructions.  I'm just not sure if I like it.  Some days I do and then others I don't.  I think the fabric choice has a lot to do with this, to be fair.  It keeps reminding me of an old-fashioned vintage swimsuit... Freya however has called it her cat in the hat dress and likes it.

So mixed feelings about this one.  I think I will try the pattern one more time with a softer fabric and see what happens.  

Yellow Ogden Cami Dress

I'm dreaming of warmer weather and started sewing more summery dresses.

I'm not sure where the idea came from but about a week or so ago I came up with the idea of wanting a slip dress, for myself and then for Freya.  I seemed to remember seeing a pattern not so long ago but couldn't remember for the life of me where I saw it! Then I remembered the Ogden Cami pattern from True Bias and wondered if it could be made into a dress.

 A quick google search later and I knew it could be easily done.  I bought both patterns straight away and got started with Freya's first.  I simply added 9 inches to the bottom and voila!

The pattern was very straightforward and easy to sew.  It only took a couple of hours from cutting out to finishing off the hem.  I'd had this fabric for a while and was considering using it for this dress and Freya agreed quite enthusiastically, yellow being one her favourite colours and all.

I love it how it's turned out.  It works well layered with t-shirts and is quite versatile.  I think the only thing I will do differently is finish the ends of the straps a bit differently as you fold them over a couple of time before sewing them over the elastic band and it seems a little bulky to me. 

The fabric is from the Enchanted collection by Alisse Courtier.  I loved this range in the shop and I must admit I got a fair bit of it, so there will be more to come. The purple flowers in the dress nicely set off Freya's new glasses too. We notice only a few weeks ago Freya had started going cross-eyed.  We quickly got her checked out and found out she would need glasses. I'm so glad we acted so quickly because her eyes starting going cross-eyed more and more.

She's pretty pleased with them and I think they've really helped.  When she came out of the Optometrist she announced that she could "Look Daddy, I can see the cars!!" I dread to think how bad her eyesight must have been... Luckily she loves wearing them and has gotten used to them pretty quickly.

Cosmo Dress

I am delighted to be taking part in the Cosmo dress pattern tour.

This is the Cosmo dress pattern from Sewpony and it's another winner. I knew instantly that this would be a dress I would love when I started seeing photos on Instagram. 

I made the pattern as is but I used the cap sleeve from this Miss Polly dress instead.  Freya really likes dresses with short or no sleeves and I wanted to keep using the piping.  I really like how you can mix and match the collars and sleeves from some of the other Sewpony patterns.  

The pattern itself was a fairly straight forward sew and the instructions and photos made each step clear. Adding the piping took a little longer but this dress just works so well with piping, so it was worth it.

It actually took me a while to decide which fabric to use for this dress. I kept changing my mind and finding it hard to commit to one idea. Finally I decided on this one and I'm so glad I did.  I knew I liked it but as soon as Little Miss put it on I LOVED it.

I love the detail of the exposed zipper on this dress.  I haven't sewn many exposed zippers (this is my second) but the instructions were very clear and Suz has even made a video to show you how its done. I used fabric glue instead of pins too which I think helped make it a little less fiddly.

The pockets were a hit as well. She'd only had it on for 5 minutes before she was trying out what would fit in them. 

So another great dress pattern from Suz and definitely one I'll be making again.  I'd love to try and be a bit adventurous with my colour blocking for the next one I reckon. Watch this space!

Be sure to check out the other beautiful dresses on the Cosmo tour!

KaatjeNaaisels//Bel'Etoile//PetiteBoutdeChou//ByDagbjort//Havinsewmuchfun//

WenSJe//GiddyAnts//Flaflinko//Larth//PetrolandMint//DoolittleDesignsCo//Bellevi//

Amore//PimpYourPattern//Cas&Nina//Liivi&Liivi//Whileshewassleeping//

StraighGrain//Kneesocksandgoldilocks//Yaaritg//MendandMakeNew//

Honderdachtentwintig(128) 

A Despicable Tinny Dress

It's another Tinny dress folks.

This is definitely my most used pattern now.  This time I've used the bow collar from the Laure Dress. I really love how some designers make their patterns mix and match. It opens up even more options than the one pattern (although this one still has plenty!)

This dress is actually based on the character of Lucy Wilde from Despicable Me 2. Everytime Freya enjoys watching or reading something now she asks for a dress. I had originally thought of making her a minion denim pinafore but she insisted Lucy was her favourite so that's what I went with.

I used a white and pink fabric for the bow as a nod to Lucy's scarf and of course the twirly skirt of the Tinny is always a winner.

I was a bit worried when I showed her while I was half-way through making it, and she said it was wrong.  But luckily she loved it when I'd finished and wanted to wear it straight away.

I was just happy to make something not based on a Disney Princess. I'm really enjoying making these character inspired dresses.  My goal is to be make wearable for everyday while still having that dress up quality. 

Because one Elsa dress just isn't enough...

After seeing how much Freya loved her first Elsa dress, another Princess dress was always going to be on the to-sew list.

So I went back to Frozen for this one and decided on Elsa's coronation dress.  I used the Magrath dress pattern for this one and have plans to use this pattern to make the next Princess dress on the list (and Freya's list keeps getting bigger).

I added yellow piping between the seams which wasn't the easiest thing to do with the shaped bodice. I got out my embroidery machine for the bodice patterns. I got the design from Daisy Sprouts and it stitched up beautifully.

I changed the back to make it a straight yoke and added more piping.  I wasn't originally going to use and exposed zipper but the piping didn't agree with the invisible zipper so I went back to the original design. This is the first zipper I've ever done that wasn't invisible and I kind of like it.  It's got me thinking about using some more exposed zippers with some other dresses.

Other than the back, I didn't alter the pattern at all.  This is a size 5 and it has plenty of room.  To be honest Freya would probably still fit a size 4 in a few patterns, but I always sew up a 5 to be safe, and to make sure it will last for a while. I didn't lengthen it as I wanted this dress to be a bit more user friendly than the full length one.

The pattern was great.  The instructions were clear and had photos for each step. The PDF itself went together quickly and smoothly. 

Needless to say it was a big hit with my girl.  She's already talking about the next character dress she wants, and luckily it's not a princess next time. Watch this space.