One Thimble Issue 11 - Crossover Flounce Dress

It's time for a new issue of One Thimble and I love the Crossover Flounce Dress from

Designs by Call Ajaire!

  

I chose this dress for the blog tour because Bitty Bee is hitting a growth spurt and is running out of dresses that she can wear to church on Sundays.  The Crossover Flounce Dress gives her two different dresses without taking up extra space in her closet.

I really love the asymetricical lines of the skirt, and the pop of contrast that can be added.

For the first side, I picked Tamara Kate's Nature Walk, which is perfect for spring and summer.  It's light and carefree, whimsical and fun.

For the second side, I went with one of the prints from Prima, from Quilt Gate.  It's a deep purple color and really makes a statement.

This dress features a double layer full skirt, which is perfect for girls who still love to twirl!

The construction of this one was like no other dress I've done, and it turned out perfectly!  I admit, I was scratching my head at a couple of the steps, but I was very happy when it all worked.  I think I have a new favorite method for making fully lined bodices!

Another favorite part of this pattern is that I didn't have to gather anything!  As a mom of a girl, quite a few patterns have ruffles.  Fortunately for me, Bitty Bee is starting to outgrow ruffles, but some patterns still have gathered skirts.  Because of the full circle skirt, nothing had to be gathered when making this dress, which speeds up the sewing process immensely.  Mainly because I don't sit around avoiding the gathering...

The pattern also has the option for making the dress with long sleeves, but since we live in Texas and it's the end of spring, long sleeves just aren't practical.  I'll plan another one in the winter, for her to wear during the 2-3 weeks that we will have cold weather.

Bitty Bee is in love with her new two-in-one dress.  What girl wouldn't love it?

Be sure to visit all of the stops on the One Thimble Issue 11 Tour for more sewing inspiration!

5/12  Pattern Revolution, Lily Shine Boutique, Call Ajaire

5/13 Once Upon a Sewing Machine, Beri Bee Designs, House of Estrela

5/14 Coral & Co, Stubbornly Crafty

5/15 Stitches by Laura, Candice Ayala, Made by Sara

5/16 Sprouting Jube Jube, Lulu & Celeste, Create 3.5, Adventures with Bubba and Bug

5/17 Pear Berry Lane, Beatnik Kids, That's Sew Kari

5/18 Rebel & Malice, Threading Rainbows, Finn's Door, Bee Quilted & More, Snickerdoodle Stew

Bundle Up Women's: Sew Yourself Some Love!

It's Bundle Up time again!  This time, we got to sew ourselves some love, which in my sewing room, I don't sew for myself nearly enough!

I had been seeing so many women posting their "Knot Your Average" tops and loved the look, so I knew I wanted to make one for myself.  I looked around for something to pair it with and came across the Blank Slate Oceanside Pants.  They looked so comfy, I couldn't resist the chance to make a pair!

I have never really gotten along with sewing knits, so I'm on a mission to work with knits more.  This top was a great opportunity for me to spread my knit wings.  I used some of the Art Gallery knit that I had in my stash.  They're from different lines, but I liked how they looked together.

One of my favorite things about this pattern is that it has the option to make it breastfeeding friendly.  It also includes the instructions to make it into a maternity top/dress.

The Oceanside Pants are a wide leg, loose fit pant with a drawstring waist.  I made mine out of a medium weight denim fabric.

Since they are a loose fit, I could probably go down a size or two on them and have a better fit than I got with this first pair, but they are still comfortable in the size I made them.  The pattern goes by hip size because of the drawstring waist.

Come summertime here in Texas, I'll be making some more in the shorts version!  They are quick and easy to make, so whipping up more will be pretty fast.

I'm really happy with the two patterns I choose for this tour and I feel great that I was able to make myself some new clothes!  Bitty Bee usually gets all of the goodies from the sewing room.

Do you get to sew yourself some love?  It's a pretty great feeling.

Join us through the whole blog tour and don't miss a day!!!

Feb 1     Sew Thrifty

Feb 2     Feather's Flights

Feb 3     The Wholesome Mama

Feb 4     Sprouting Jube Jube        

             Sugarplum Cuties

Feb 5     Shaffer Sisters

Feb 8     Mabey She Made It

Feb 9     Rebel and Malice

Feb 10   If Only They Would Nap

Feb 11   Sugarplum Cuties

Feb 12   Hibbadoray

Feb 15   Bee Quilted Beauties       

             Mabel Madison

Feb 16   Sew Starly

Feb 17   All Things Katy            

             Handmade Boy

Feb 18   Friends Stitched Together

             Lady And The Gents

Feb 19   Sew Happily Ever After

             Sew Like My Mom

One Thimble Issue 10 Review

It's back!!!  One Thimble Issue 10 is now available and packed with some great patterns!

I chose a couple cute patterns for Bitty Bee, and I plan on making a few things for Gamer, too.

First, I tried the Jolie Skirt from FAM.  This was my first FAM pattern to make and I was very pleased.  The skirt has two options, either a pleated front or a flat front.  I made the flat front skirt out of some pretty Batik fabric I had gotten at Quilt Market.

I love that the pattern included an actual pattern piece for not only the skirt pieces, but also for the waistband, instead of just measurements.  To me, having pattern pieces for everything just makes cutting out so much easier.

The skirt was very simple to put together and took less than an hour from start to finish.  Bitty Bee wants to make more of them, and this is a pattern that she can easily make on her own (with supervision, of course).

I wanted her to have a shirt to match her new skirt.  I bought a plain t-shirt from the store and used the applique files from the Swoodson Says Adventure Flags (also in this issue) to show our creative side.  Freezer paper and fabric paint, plus some rhinetones, and she has an awesome custom shirt that perfectly describes her attitude.

I also made the Willow Dress from Bubby & Me for her.  For someone who has sewn her whole life, I don't have much experience with knit and I'm trying to change that.

I left the sleeve ruffles off when making this dress, Bitty Bee is starting to dislike them on her clothing.  Without the ruffle, the pattern opens up to possible color blocking with some contrast.  For this one, I kept it all the same.

Again, this pattern includes actual pattern pieces for all of the pieces, which makes cutting the fabric so much easier.

I also plan on adding some length to the bodice and making her some t-shirts with this pattern.

Issue 10 is full of great patterns, articles, and sewing advice.  Go pick up your copy today

or you can enter below to win a copy!

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Tour Schedule
2/12 Pattern Revolution, Rebel and Malice, Happy Okapi, Sew Happily Ever After  
2/13 Beri Bee Designs, Stitches by Laura 
2/14 Bee Quilted, Pearberry Lane 
2/15 LuLu and Celeste, Once Upon a Sewing Machine 
2/16 Horris and Deedle, Baby Hobbes Design 
2/17 Call Ajaire, Made by Sara, Sprouting Jube Jube
2/18 Snickerdoodle Stew,  Made by Meli, Create 3.5

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One Thimble Issue 9 Review

It's here!  One Thimble Issue 9 has been released and it's packed full of sewing goodness!

One Thimble is an e-zine packed full of patterns (usually 6-10 per issue), tutorials, sewing articles, and tips on growing your sewing business.  Each issue costs $25 AUD (approx. $18 US), which is a great deal for all that's included!  Plus, you get exclusive coupon codes just for OT readers!

In this issue, you will receive the following 14 PDF patterns/tutorials:

•  Cross Bow Dress (size 0-8)
•  Pseudo Smocked Romper (size nb-3)
•  Ringmaster Top (size 1-10)
•  Ringmaster Pants (size 1-10)
•  Timeless Treasure Skirt (size 1-10)
•  The Carnival Jacket (size 3-12)
•  Vincent the Victor Free Motion Applique
•  Trapeze Eloise Free Motion Applique
•  The Statement Clutch
•  Good Fortune Headwrap
•  Festive Felties *
•  Cheeky Monkey Softie
•  Vintage Circus Sit Upon
•  Circus Toss Game

*Requires hand-sewing

In the e-zine you’ll find 27 articles & tutorials, including the following:

•  How to insert an invisible zipper
•  How to get perfect points when sewing Half Square Triangles
•  How to make an I-spy bag
•  How to make a velcro back bow tie and toy tutu
•  How to make a Hoop Tent
•  How to make an insulated lunch bag
•  How to fussy cut
•  How to get your Sewjo back
•  How to photograph flatlays
•  Trending fabrics and much more

Source: One Thimble Shop

I was so excited to join in on the release blog tour and chose three patterns from the e-zine to make and review.  Looking through the options, I fell in love with the Ringmaster Top and Pants right off the bat.

Bitty Bee is growing up, and with that, she's not as fond of ruffles as she once was.  I made a few small adjustments to make her smile.

On the Ringmaster Pants, instead of doing the ruffles, I found a really cute off-white trim.  I made them out of some denim from my stash, and though you can't see it in the pictures, the waistband is the same fabric as the Ringmaster Top.

The Ringmaster Top originally had a small ruffle as trim on the front, but I took the trim I used on the pants and doubled it up to pull the whole outfit together.

Bitty Bee loves this outfit and I especially love the Ringmaster Top.  The elastic on the sides do a nice job of pulling it in and giving it a nice shape.  I'll be adding a lot of this style to her wardrobe in the future!  And this is one that she will probably be able to make on her own.  She has been doing really well in her sewing classes and now has her very own sewing machine!

I also made The Statement Clutch from Two Pretty Poppets.  I had never made one of their patterns before, and I was pleased with how it came out.  I did make a few changes, since it's for Bitty Bee.

Right now, she's all about having purses and bags and backpacks, so I added a second D-ring to the other side of the clutch, so that I could add an adjustable strap, making it more like a mini-messenger bag.  I also used a magnetic snap closure on it and added an iron-on patch that I made out of an Urban Threads embroidery design.

The other modification I made was adding a divider inside of the clutch.  This was a simple mod, I used the main bag pattern piece to cut my divider and then basted it onto the back lining piece before sewing the two lining pieces together.  Then I just followed the remaining directions.

And now the fun part!  You can win your own copy of One Thimble Issue 9!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also, be sure to visit all of the other stops on the One Thimble Issue 9 Tour 

for lots of great sewing inspiration!

11/12 Pattern Revolution, Blue Wren Handmade, Snickerdoodle Stew

11/13 Lady and the Gents, Lulu and Celeste

11/14 That's Sew Kari, Finn's Door, Stitches by Laura

11/15  Create 3.5, Call Ajaire

11/16 Made by Sara, BeriBee Designs

11/17 Handcrafted by Red

11/18 Blue Wren Handmade, Baby Hobbes Design

11/19 Rebel and Malice, Bee Quilted

Lilac Lane Pattern Release: Treasured for Dolls

I've been hanging around the PDF world for a few years now, testing for a few different designers, sewing from lots of different designers, and I have to say that I am loving Lilac Lane Patterns!  And this week, Melissa is launching her brand new website!  Guess what that means!  A week of giveaways and celebration!

Last month, I tested one of her newest doll patterns, Treasured for Dolls.  I had also tested Treasured for Girls and wrote a review, which you can find here.  Luckily, I had enough of the Art Gallery Reminisce for the matching doll dress.  Doesn't Marie-Grace look fabulous in this dress?

The dress has a Velcro closure in back, making it easy for little hands to dress their favorite doll.  Her sash is attached in front and ties in back, so no shifting around or losing the sash!  I don't know how many random sashes Bitty Bee has in her room that I've made and they haven't stayed with their garment!  Attached sashes are the way to go with little girls!

It is always such a pleasure working with Melissa and we at Bee Quilted Beauties can't wait to see what the future has in store for this talented designer!

~*~Princess Bee~*~

Bundling Up with the Potato Chip Skirt

I have a love/hate relationship with potato chips.  I love them when I want a salty snack, but they're not the healthiest option out there.  And you really can't eat just one.  However, I've found a potato chip that I only have love for.  The Potato Chip Skirt from Tie Dye Diva, part of Bundle Up Girls!  And true to it's name, you can't stop at just one!

This little skirt is great for so much, dress it up or down, casual or even school uniform!  And my favorite part of this adorable little skirt?  It can be made reversible!!!

 

Bitty Bee's skirt is also reversible, but it was getting a little chilly at the park, so we didn't get to change hers for the pictures.  Her skirt does have the pink on the inside, but she likes the teal side better.  It's the pockets.  The child loves her pockets.  I did lengthen the depth of the pockets so she can hold more stuff!

I've already made three of the doll sized skirts, they're so addicting!!!  And Bitty Bee loves how easy they are to completely change the look of the outfit!

One of the things I really like about this skirt is the length.  It hits Bitty Bee right above the knees, so it's a great length for kids to wear to school!  Making it in khaki or navy twill would be perfect for the girls who have to wear uniforms!  And you could make the reverse side out of a fun print so she can swap it around after school!

I paired the skirts with simple pillowcase style tops.  For Bitty Bee, I used the free Allison's Pillowcase Top and Dress from Create Kids Couture.  For Grace, I used made up a simple pillowcase top that I will be writing a tutorial for soon.

For those of you who saw my blog post earlier this month, I used the Fairyville fabric from my mystery package!  I know I set the goal to use all of the fabric this month, however, I kinda got distracted with life and wasn't able to get to it all yet.  I still plan on using it all, just maybe later on.

If you haven't Bundled Up yet, get on it!  You have until Monday to get your patterns at a great price!

~*~Princess Bee~*~

One Thimble Review and Giveaway

I had seen posts about this e-zine, One Thimble, and at first thought $25 for a magazine was a little high, but when the chance to review the entire magazine came up, I got curious and wanted to see what the buzz was all about.

Boy was I glad I did!!!  I picked two of the many patterns available in this issue and really enjoyed not only sewing the Moku Skort and the Art Caddy but also reading the articles and sewing tips within the magazine.  It's so much more than just 15 patterns/tutorials.  This issue includes tips and pointers for things like shirring and sewing with knits, it includes interviews with designers, tips for small businesses.  I still haven't even had a chance to read everything yet, but I can't wait to be able to sit with my Kindle and read the entire thing.

I have a little budding artist in my house and so the Art Tote was perfect for her.  She always has a small sketch pad with her and has been known to draw on anything that will sit still for more than 30 seconds.   I had some fun, bright Moda fat quarters in my stash that were screaming out to be used for this.  The line is called Daydream by Kate Spain.  It is an older line, but the colors are so beautiful!  The Art Tote features space for both colored pencils/thin markers and for crayons, as well as pockets for a sketch pad/small activity book and for little things like erasers and a pencil sharpener.  This is going to be great for road trips to see the grandparents!  I've already gotten a request for another one by my son and I think this will make a great Christmas gift for some of the younger members of the family!  I have a 6 year old niece that will love this!

 

My artsy little Bitty Bee also loves to make a statement with her clothing and Art Gallery Fabrics is perfect for helping her make that statement!  I made her the Moku Skort out of Priory Square by Katy Jones.  They are fun little culottes that will be absolutely perfect once we get rid of this cold weather!  Seriously, I live in Texas for a reason!  One of the those reasons is that I'm not a cold weather creature!!!  Bitty Bee has already told me that she wants more of these shorts once it warms up and even wants to try to make them on her own.  They went together so quickly that I have no problem complying with her request.  From cut to finish, they took around an hour.

They have a flat front waistband with elastic in the back, and the instructions include how to make the waistband adjustable.  I'm looking forward to trying out adjustable waist bottoms and was glad to see a designer including that option.

I'm especially proud of Bitty Bee for helping with her shirt.  Sunday Clippings has such a great design for shaggy applique!  I cut out around some of the flowers, making sure I kept the bird, and fused it to the shirt and Bitty Bee did part of the sewing around the edge.

I have loved being part of the One Thimble Blog Tour for this issue!  Please take a moment and check out the other talented ladies on the tour!

~*~Princess Bee~*~

 

Friday 11/14: Pattern Revolution, Once Upon a Sewing Machine

Saturday 11/15: Handmade Boy

Sunday 11/16: Mimi's Mom, Rebekah Sews

Monday 11/17: Ellie Inspired, Handcrafted by Red

Tuesday 11/18: The Crazy Tailor, The Berry Bunch, Friends Stitched Together

Wednesday 11/19: Made by Sara. Bee Quilted Beauties

Thursday 11/20: Gracious Threads,  Lady and the Gents, Shaffer Sisters

Friday 11/21: Knot Sew Normal, Beazza & Llama, Mae & K

 

 

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Lilac Lane Treasured Dress Review

Tomorrow, Lilac Lane Patterns will be releasing a new dress pattern and I am in love with it!  I was one of her testers and she rocked it with this dress pattern!

At Quilt Market, I hit up the Art Gallery booth and stocked up on their one yard bundles.  I chose Reminisce by Bonnie Christine for this dress.  The dress design just screams spring, so the flowers and colors of Reminisce are perfect.

The dress design has a lower waistline than most in the PDF world and I love that it has the attached sash so it can be pulled in nicely.  There are two buttons on the back at the neck and I was finally able to use some hand crafted buttons that I had bought last year at Quilt Market.

I want to talk about the buttons for just a moment, the company I bought them from, Incomparable Buttons, imports them from Africa where they are all handmade and painted by women living in South Africa.  They are simply gorgeous and I'm so glad that I held on to them, as this was the perfect project to use them on.

Bitty Bee can't wait until warmer weather so she can show off her new dress to all of her friends.  For today, we headed for the local library, a place where stories tend to magically jump off the pages at you!

And her cute little matching bag leaning against the bookshelf?  I picked that one up last year in the SewFab Bundle and it's by LBG Studio.  It went together rather quickly and is the perfect size to carry library books!

Check back on the blog tomorrow for the link to buy the pattern!  I'll update as soon as she releases it.  Trust me, you'll want this one in your pattern collection!

It's been released!  Go pick up your copy today!  Click here to be taken directly to the Lilac Lane etsy shop.

~Princess Bee~

Back to School with Ellie Inspired and Rock the Stitch

I know it's way too hot to be thinking about winter coats, but I just couldn't resist this one!  Ellie Inspired has one that is just darling!!!  The Sweet Pea Coat just has such a classy look and my little darling is wanting less of the ruffles and frills and more of the classy and streamlined.

I will be the first to stand up and say that I am so addicted to anything that Art Gallery Fabrics releases.  For this look, I paired the Emmy Grace with Indelible.  The coat lining and gold on the dress bodice are Emmy Grace, the main print on the dress and the teal on the bodice are from Indelible.  The colors work so well together!

Yep, that's my daughter, twirling in the middle of the street.  Even though she is growing up, she can't resist twirling in a new outfit!  And this coat doesn't fail to impress on the twirl factor!  Instead of buttons on mine, I used a couple frog closures.  They really add a nice touch to the coat.

I really like some of the options available with this coat pattern, such as making it reversible!  I might try that style next.  We do live in Texas and this wool coat is going to be too heavy for most of our mild winter.  But a reversible one in lighter fabrics will be perfect!

The dress is one that I'm definitely planning on making more of!  It's the Fawn Lily from Rock the Stitch and has a lot of great options.  There are two bodice options, overlapping (how I did mine) and button-up.  It has three lengths (tunic and dress, either above or below the knee) and three skirt options (A-line, gathered or pleated).  I did the below the knee A-line for mine because I love the print of the fabric I used and just couldn't see it being gathered up or pleated.

For the back of my bodice, I continued the teal fabric across instead of using the gold from the front.  I like how it came out, almost like a mock bolero.

I had a lot of fun putting this look together for Layna.  And now it's time to start the next project!  This time, my son will be getting something pretty awesome.

~Princess Bee~