Red Spotty Block Dress

I was so excited when my copy of the new Oliver and S Block dress book finally arrived!

This is the first version of the dress I've made and it definitely won't be the last.  

I'm making a bit of a conscious effort to inject some colour in my sewing as I have noticed I have an AWFUL lot of blue fabric in my stash.  This was something I bought particularly with that in mind and I think it's worked beautifully.

For my first dress from the book I stuck with a very simple version.  I even left off the collar and cuffs to keep it really simple, but I also think the print was bold enough to just stand on it's own. I know I love adding collars and details but it is nice to have a simple dress that she can wear to kinder and not be the most overdressed girl in the room.

The dress went together quite quickly.  The neckline is finished with a bias strip facing.  It was just folded in half once and then sewn on which is definitely the way I prefer to use bias tape.  The trickiest bit by far was the skirt placket.  You have to cut down the centre line of the skirt and fold bias binding over it.  I had a good try but it still wasn't perfect and is something I'll have to practise.

The book itself is great.  The instructions on how to alter the pattern pieces to create new ones is thorough and provides lots of different design opportunity.  The only thing is finding the time to change the pieces myself.  I am hoping I will be brave enough to take some risks and using the features of the book, but I don't think I'll be completely giving up buying patterns too.

Freya loved the dress.  It has a bit of twirl to it so it's a winner in her book.  She actually hugged me and said thank you when she got to wear it.  I'm so glad it turned out OK.  I was felling a bit blah about it as I was sewing but when she put it on I loved it.  All in all a success and I've already started on the next version.

Yet Another Cat Dress

Because a girl can never have too many cat dresses!

This is an Oliver and S Roller Skate dress which is one of my favourites, Freya's too if I'm honest.  She loved wearing her ones from last year and I've had to hide them as they are really getting too small.

This fabric is from the Cat Lady range from Cotton and Steel.  I bought it at the same time as the previous fabric.  I knew instantly this is what I would make from it and didn't change my mind for once!  I hadn't originally planned to add the facing, and certainly not in the mustard but when I put them together it just worked so well.   

The pattern went together as smoothly and quickly as ever.  The only thing I did differently was to use the tunic length for the lining to save on fabric.  I also used carbon paper and put the stitching lines on the lining to save risking the main fabric.   It's turned out well as always and I know she'll get a lot of wear out of it.  It's such a great, practical pattern!

My First Jump-rope Dress

This is the first time I've made this pattern and it sure won't be the last!

This is the Jump-rope dress by Oliver and S.  I've been interested in it for a while but waited until Little Miss was in the larger size range before getting it.  To be honest I was a bit intimidated by the placket and other features, but the instructions are very clear and I made sure I was extra careful and it turned out just fine.

While I do love sewing quick and simple dresses, I actually really enjoyed putting something a bit more complicated together.  This really isn't a quick sew but I reckon it would be easier the next time I make it.

The print is Cotton and Steel (yes, I'm a bit of a fan girl apparently!) from the Cat Lady collection.  I bought a metre and a half and some mustard without any real plans in mind but as soon as I thought of this pattern I knew it would be a winner.

I think this would be up there with the favourite things I've ever made.  I think it looks great on Freya.  This is a size 4 which is generous on her, without being too big.  I know she'll get a lot of wear out of it.  

Red Dorset Dress

There's nothing better than a great, simple pattern.

This is the new Heidi and Finn pattern called The Dorset Dress.  It's a simple a-line dress with some lovely details, which are my favourite kind.  The PDF went together without any difficulty and didn't use up too many pages.  

The back closes with a hidden button placket.  I really liked this feature as it was nice not to fiddle with zippers or button loops.

To be honest I wasn't sure about the button tabs on the front.  I was planning on leaving them off but then during sewing it together I was worried it was looking a tad plain.  So I ended up adding them with some blue piping for extra effect,  I'm so glad I did, but Freya keeps putting her hands in them expecting pockets.

The fabric is some Cotton and Steel I bought without any project in mind.  I've noticed I have been using a lot of blue and teal in my sewing so it was nice to give Freya a pop of colour.

A Rainbow Tinny Dress

This is a dress designed by Freya herself!

Freya has a bit of a love for rainbows at the moment, so when she saw this fabric in the shop she took it straight to the counter.  She is starting to involve herself a lot more in my choosing fabrics for her nowadays (when she's not busy helping the ladies behind the counters)

We took it home and I had some ideas of what I could make and then I decided to ask her.  She was quite particular.  It needed a twirly skirt, zip not buttons, no sleeves and a yellow collar.  At first I was a bit dismayed as a yellow collar wasn't even on my radar but when I held the fabrics together it really worked!

I went straight for the Tinny dress by Straightgrain.  I seriously love this pattern and all of it's options.  This time I tried the asymmetrical collar and the pleated skirt as I was worried about using this directional print with a circle skirt.

As ever it was a straightforward sew.  I sewed the cap sleeved version to sneakily get some sleeves in there.  I absolutely hate setting in sleeves and have a great love of built in cap sleeves.

The dress was a big hit and I think I''ll always like it for how decisive and involved she was in the making of it. I'll have to start asking her opinion more often.

The Dancing Maren Dress

Apparently some dresses are made for dancing in, and according to Little Miss, this is one of those dresses!

This is a Maren dress that I got as part of the Sew What Club.  I'd previously made one of these before and figured it was high time to make another one.

This is some Cotton and Steel fabric that I'd looked at before but after having the idea to make another Maren dress, finally went and bought it. I took my time cutting it too, so the stripe matches up the whole way round. 

I know a white dress really isn't really very practical, but it was just too damn cute!  Luckily she's a bit of a neat freak, so I think we'll be OK

The pattern went together mostly very quickly.  The neckline was a little fiddly with the curve and the facing doesn't have the keyhole shape to it.  I also found the pleat marks on the pattern didn't match up properly.  I renamed some of the pleat lines on the pattern and fudged the last end ones to make it fit.  It's a shame because otherwise it's a very simple pattern.  I'll probably still try and make it again though as I love the style.

All being said though I still love this dress.  Hopefully now Spring is on it's way she'll get to wear it a whole lot!  It was a good day for photos so here comes the overload!

 I told you this dress was made for dancing!

Ryka Tank Top

I was lucky enough to be able to test the latest pattern from Whitney Deal and it's a winner.

This is the new Ryka tank pattern.  It ranges from size 1 to 5 and it is a simple, yet effective top that I'm sure will become another staple.  

 The PDF was very easy to put together and is only 9 pages.  It's got a gorgeous shape with a lovely pleat on the front.  The armholes and neckline are finished with bias binding and it has french seams for the sides, so it's beautifully finished, inside and out.

As it's still quite cold (and windy!) here this week she has it layered with her jeans and a long sleeved top.  I'm looking forward to seeing it Summer with some shorts too.

It was very quick to sew together and very satisfying.  The fabric I've used here is some cloud 9 fabric I've had in the stash for a while.  I've actually made a dress for myself with this but still haven't got around to blogging it.