Charleston Dress by Hey June

Have I told you how much I love Hey June Patterns? What? Only about a million times, right?

Well, now you have one more reason to love Adrianna even more-

The Charleston Dress is here and you’re going to just adore it!

This pattern features two views- one has a full skirt with pockets and the view I did has a slim body hugging skirt both with princess seamed bodice.

There are a million (or 7) sleeve options too!

I love that you can get a sleek evening dress or a fun everyday dress out of one pattern.

Like all Hey June patterns, the tutorial is superb and anyone from a beginner on can tackle it. The dress has a fun back zipper that can be left off to make this a super quick sew.

Catch the pattern on sale now through Monday and all other Hey June patterns are 20% off with code BlizzardSale! Run and #buyallthepatterns!

Naples Dress Blog Tour

Can it get any cuter?

Why yes, just throw in a matching doll version…DYING!!!

I’m so excited to be a stop on the Naples Dress Blog Tour.

This pattern (affl. link) and gorgeous Art Gallery denim are a match made in seamstress heaven!

I was so excited to get my hands on Art Gallery Fabrics new Denim line.

The great people at Art Gallery generously sent a couple yards of Solid Smooth Denim in Afternoon Sail for me to sew up for this tour. It’s got a slight shine and drapes beautifully. Exactly what this pattern needed!

This shade of blue matches her eyes perfectly! I now have a new favorite picture of my cutie!

Denim and cream trim are such a classic combo.

For this version of the dress, I did butterfly sleeves and an aline dress.

I used left over fabric from this dress for the tie. I love the bit of contrast it adds.

Simple and sweet and perfect for her Easter dress.

She loves how comfy it is! Nice and flowy but so hippie chic at the same time.

Of course she wanted a matching dress for her mini-me doll.

The doll dress is such a quick, fun sew. I think it was cut and finished in half an hour.

My kind of project- quick and made her so, so happy!

This pic cracks me up- They have the same toothy smile!!

I had so much fun sewing up this dress. You can check out big sisters version and more pattern details here. I think this pattern will be a favorite around our house for a long time.

I’ll leave you with her ‘smolder’.

Make sure you enter the giveaway for a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of Essentials II from Art Gallery Fabrics and your choice of 3 patterns from (affl. link) Jennuine Designs. Use code NAPLESTOUR for 25% off all patterns (except bundles) in her shop too! I have mad love for her Dressage Leggings (here and here).

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Check out all the other stops on the tour also. So inspiring!

3/21: A Jennuine Life * My Sweet Sunshine * Chelise Patterson
3/22: Rock the Stitch * Taylor Made Creates * Élégantine!
3/23: Handcrafted by RED * Lily Shine * Pattern Revolution * Sew Sophie Lynn
3/24: Sew Shelly Sew * 2 Little Hooligans * Handmade Boy
3/25: Filles à Maman * While She Was Sleeping * That’s-Sew-Kari * Czarina’s Project

An Easter Blaverry Vivie

It’s almost Easter which means new Spring dresses are popping up everywhere.

The Vivie by Blaverry was perfect for this girl.

Sewn in gorgeous floral it just screams spring time to me.

Christie at Blaverry is so good at pushing me out of my comfort zone. This was my first collar and button placket and… I came, I saw, and I conquered it!!!

This dress pairs perfectly with the Decklyn Jacket by Blaverry making this outfit one I am truly proud of.

So many sewing fears tackled in one glorious pairing.

Blaverry patterns are very concise and well written. There is no hand holding for those looking for it but that makes for a short, simple tutorial that isn’t overwhelming.

This pattern features front and back darts that make it easy to get a custom fit on your little model.

Inseam pockets are always a plus too!

It’s such a sweet, classic pattern that I’m looking forward to making again and again.

Now let’s talk about that ah-mazing fabric!! It’s Art Gallery’s Forest Floor line that I picked up from Raspberry Creek Fabrics (this is currently sold out but linked to another great print from the same line).

It’s buttery soft and sewed up just beautifully. It’s the perfect weight for this pattern and I felt totally spoiled working with it.

I feel like my job as a mom who sews is to make my children feel comfortable and beautiful in the clothes I make for them. To see the joy this dress brought to my cute girly is totally the reason I sew.

I love the sophistication of the dress but this picture reminds me that she’s still my sweet little girl.

Make sure to check out Blaverry and the Blaverry Facebook Group for lots of great inspiration. Keep an eye out for more amazing Vivie’s in the group. You can see my other Blaverry projects here and here. Check out Pear Berry Lane’s darling gingham version too!

Bella Sunshine Adaline

It’s Bella Sunshine’s Birthday! I’m here to celebrate with a couple takes on the Adaline dress and tunic.

The Adaline is a versatile dress pattern with multiple sleeve options and cute color blocking detail. I loved the simplicity of the pattern and my mind went crazy with all the possibilities.

The theme of the tour is pattern hacks and I couldn’t wait to put my own spin on it.

First I sewed up an all knit nightgown version in yummy Club stripes from Raspberry Creek Fabrics with a touch of Girl Charlee Knitfix floral.

I did a maxi length for drama and ultimate comfort!

I love the cute ruffly sleeve detail of this pattern.

I lined up the back pieces with my front pieces to determine width and cut on the fold instead of doing a button placket.

I skipped the lining and added a neckband.

She’s all girl and loves nightgowns and this is by far her favorite EVER!

My oldest daughter loves clean lines and fun details.

For her version, I skipped the color blocking and used a breezy polka dot gauze I got in LA.

I modified the sleeve to be a sweet cap sleeve.

We added a faux leather pre-made pocket from Jo-ann’s (I need to stock up on these because they are AWESOME!).

I did a bold exposed zipper up the back- another detail I just can’t get enough of!

The bodice is fully lined and I love the clean finishing of the pattern.

This is such a cool shirt that just suits her style so well!

This was my first Bella Sunshine pattern and I am beyond thrilled with my experience. The pattern came together well and the tutorial was well written.

I think the possibilities with this pattern are so fun. It’d make a gorgeous Easter dress out of satin or linen or a fun everyday dress in cute quilting cotton. Payton has requested another play dress in knit too!

Hope you guys had as much fun as we did on this blog tour!! Make sure to check out the other stops along the way and enter the fabulous giveaway! Head over to Bella Sunshine for more birthday fun!

Bella Sunshine Designs Birthday Blog Tour

Featured Bloggers:

Sponsors:

Prize Number 1:

Bella Sunshine Designs – 2 Patterns of Choice
Once Upon A Yard / Sew It Seams Facebook Group – Grab Bag of 7 yards of fabric

Prize Number 2 (Just for the USA):

Bella Sunshine Designs – 2 Pattern of Choice
Bethany Lane – 3 Sets of “Cute as a Button” wooden buttons (30 buttons total)

Prize Number 3:

Bella Sunshine Designs – 2 Patterns of Choice
Sofilantjes Patterns – 2 Patterns of Choice
Knot Sew Normal – 1 Pattern of Choice
Muffin Head Patterns – Any 1 pattern up to $12.00
Itch To Stitch – 1 Pattern of Choice
Rachel Rossi – Squared Fashion Wrap Sewing Pattern
FABulous Home Sewn – 1 Pattern of choice
Seaside Notions – 1 pattern of choice
Laela Jeyne Patterns – Pattern of choice (excludes bundles)
Pickle Toes Patterns – 1 Pattern of choice.

Enter the giveaway:

Hurry, the giveaway ends on Sunday, February 28th at midnight!

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Celebration Sales:

Mabel Madison – 10% off their website with coupon code BELLABIRTHDAY until February 29th.
Sew It Seams – 15% off their website with coupon code BELLASUN until February 29th.

And of course, you can get 40% off all Bella Sunshine Designs patterns on our website until February 29th. No coupon code needed!

Ready for one more surprise? Check the Bella Sunshine Designs’s website on Friday for a new release or two!

Patterns for Pirates Me Heartie Dress

Being my kid is hard. Mom will make you new clothes all the time but then mom makes you stand outside when it’s 20 degrees and threatening to snow just to take a few pictures. Never mind that she’s dreaming of spring and makes you a short sleeve dress. You just suck it up, smile, and know there’s a treat in it for you when you’re done. And mom hopes she can edit out the goosebumps later 😉

These girls are getting so good at just smiling and pleasing their crazy mom.

And they even have a little fun while they’re at it.

The pattern I have for you today is the just released Patterns for Pirates Me Hearties Dress. I was thrilled to be able to test it and my girls just love their new dresses and top.

The first one I made was a simple short sleeve bodice with fold-over-elastic binding and a dress length circle skirt.

This was my first time using FOE to bind hems and it was just fantastic! I followed this tutorial from Made for Mermaids and it made for perfect hems every time!

I don’t do circle skirts very often and my girls loved it so much that Sophie requested her own version. They just twirled and twirled til they were dizzy!

For fabric on these I used a black and white stripe from Purpleseamstress, Club dots from Raspberry Creek and a photo floral print I picked up in LA. I love the selection of FOE at Hobby Lobby and used a couple different ones for my dresses and top.

After I did the dresses I just couldn’t stop! The sweetheart neckline option of this pattern is just too cute!

I used a knit lace I had in my stash, backed with white cotton/lycra from Raspberry Creek and Club floral from Raspberry Creek (that is unfortunately sold out). The neck and sleeves are bound with FOE.

I did the shirt with peplum option and my sleeves are an in between length as I was using every last bit of the lace I could.

I absolutely adore this top and love how sweet it looks on my girly.

There are so many options with this pattern! Check out the Pattern for Pirates Facebook group for some incredible inspiration. With the lace overlay, this simple dress becomes a stunning fancy frock. And the best part… you can make one for yourself, too! Pick up the women’s version here or grab the mommy and me bundle here.

And I saved my favorite picture for the end… Seriously, this girl is one spunky chica!

Angelic Li’l LDT

This little girl had her winter dance recital the day we took these pics. She wore an angel costume for her recital and I spent the day thinking how appropriate that was.

For this version of the Li’l LDT I used a cream sparkle ponte from Joann’s. I had originally gotten it for a cardigan but it was really meant to be this dress- I heard it calling to me 😉

As I sewed this up in the wee hours of the morning, I was nervous it would either be fabulous or look like a fancy nightgown. With every project I cut out it’s so nerve-wracking hoping it turns out like the vision in my head.

This one was exactly as I’d hoped. Once she got it on and styled I fell even more in love with it.

I did the cowl neck, bishop sleeves and high low dress version. The front of the high low has been lowered a bit in the final version.

The cowl and bishop sleeves together just make such a classic, sweet combination.

This pattern will be such a go-to pattern in our house. The girls love all their versions and I love how quick and easy they are to whip up. It’s so fun to think of all the possibilities and how it will work for every season.

Have you picked up your copy yet? Head over here and use code ‘forthegirls’ to get 20% off until 12/19.

That scrunchy nose smile gets me every time!

Love Notion Li’l Laundry Day Tee

This post contains affiliate links. I became a Love Notions affiliate AFTER falling in love with her patterns and style.

The sewing world has gone crazy for the Ladies Laundry Day Tee by Love Notions. Tami at Love Notions has done it again with the Li’l LDT for girls.

The options with this pattern are absolutely incredible. It comes in sizes 2t-16. There are three different lengths- shirt, tunic and dress and high low options too! Five, yes five, sleeve options; tank, cap, elbow, long, and bishop sleeves. Finally there are a million, ok, maybe not quite a million neck finishes; neckband, asymmetrical collar, cowl, gnome hood, and rounded hood! How’s that for choices?!!!

I used all fabrics from my stash and had to try out every kind of knit I owned. And guess what? They all worked just lovely!

My first tester version was a dress length with long sleeves and a gnome hood. The fit of the shoulders changed a bit in the final version but you can see it was a good pattern to begin with.

Payton thinks the gnome hood is so fun! This is a soft ponte and flows beautifully. It’s got great twirl factor which is important if you’re six.

I cut into this gorgeous double-knit I picked up in Africa for Sophie’s long sleeve cowl version.

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I barely squeezed it out of a metre of fabric but it was just too perfect for this dress and my girl. She loves the color and it just fits her style to a tee.

Next up is an asymmetrical collar tunic version.

I used a Girl Charlee knit for the main and my trusty RCF coral for the collar. It’s just adorable and I foresee many of this version come spring/summer.

You know I just HAD to do a french terry version. I’ve been wanting to try one for me but knew my girls would look WAY cuter in it. I did a regular hood and used Raspberry Creek Fabrics french terry.

The drape of this particular french terry is just perfection! I scrounged up the last of this floral french terry I got in LA to line the hood and add bands to the sleeves. I wish I was wearing this myself right now!

I’ll do a separate post tomorrow on my final and favorite version. I did a ‘fancy’ one using sparkle ponte that I just want her to wear everyday!

So, is your mind blown? Seriously, the options are endless. I had so many versions swimming in my head I couldn’t sleep and just had to sew them up. Creativity can totally ruin a good nights sleep 😉

Pick up your copy here and use code ‘forthegirls’ to save 20% through 12/19.

Sisters are the BEST!

Growing up I was nine years older than my one and only sister. I sure loved to mother and treat her like my own little baby but it wasn’t until we’d grown that she became one of my best friends. I love that my girls are only 21 months apart and share that special bond already.

They couldn’t be more different personality wise but I think that helps them get along even better.

If you can’t tell, Sophie is more serious and reserved and Payton has some serious spunk!

Sophie is 8 going on 16 and Payton is happily 6 and still into dolls, playing pretend, and anything sweet and girly.

They had so much fun doing this shoot- our first real one with props and everything. I know my indoor photos need a lot of work but it’s sure fun experimenting and learning along the way. It’s a family affair as my husband helps jimmy-rig the backdrop up and is teaching me the ins and outs of the camera. I really love being able to capture the kids personalities and share my latest creations.

My little super models are getting used to all the pics and for the right price ($1 a shoot as they save for Christmas) I think we all have fun in the process!

Those smiles!!!

I’m pretty sure Sophie is doing her best “Blue Steel” look here!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Mad for Plaid Cocoon Dress

Dress number two for little sister has been in my head since I made these dresses. I snatched up this super rad plaid corduroy last Christmas and it sat waiting- destined to become a cool retro Heidi and Finn Cocoon Dress.

The shape of this dress gets me every time! It’s just so dang cute!

I used a size 6 graded out to an 8 length and I love where it hits.

And you’ve got to have pockets! These are done out of houndstooth for a bit of contrast.

This dress just screams Cindy Brady to me but we added some moto boots to make it a bit more modern.

Don’t tell anyone but as much as I love my non-traditional dresses this one is my favorite by far. When I made my last batch I vowed to make only Cocoon Dresses from here on out. It is such a quick, satisfying sew that I really would make them ALL DAY LONG! Such a darling dress in a quick amount of time. I dare you to make just one!

I’ve got one more dress post for you tomorrow. These cute sisters had a blast doing this shoot and I can’t wait to show you! Are you sewing Christmas dresses? Are you all about the pouf and pizazz or do you do simple and sweet? Red and green or do you mix it up? I’m loving seeing everyone’s dresses around the blog world!

A Christmas Jane Dress

After many tears over this dress not fitting, I promised to make it up to my Payton. I let her pick the fabric from my stash and she picked this super soft flannel shirting from my stash. I knew it needed to be a simple sweet a-line dress and the Jane Dress from Shwin Designs would be perfect.

I had made a sweet summery version with a collar during testing of this pattern and decided to leave off the collar and add a detachable one this time.

I used Made for Mermaids FREE Tiffany Collar in black lace and I love the look and the fact that she can wear it with other things.

I added pom pom trim to all the hems for a little pizazz. I just adore this cute, classic little dress.

It just reminds me of how sweet and innocent my little girls are and how quickly they are growing up.

And since big sis got two Christmas dresses you know this one needed another one too. Stay tuned tomorrow for my take on a classic Christmas dress.

Tag: dress