Pattern 8

 I'm so excited that I got this Stof Belgian sewing book for Christmas. It was only possible thanks to my wonderful longtime friend who lives in Belgium. I already have plans to create several dresses from this book, but for now here are the first two…

 Project details:
Pattern: Stof book. Pattern 8 with C skirt, which is a basic dress with a straight skirt
Size: 122-128 cm
Notions: 12-14 inch invisible zipper
Lining fabric: white cotton voile for bodice lining

 Fabric for first dress:
Dots & Dashes Multi Poplin 100% cotton from the Lisette collection

 I tried several different colored belts with this dress… red, blue, pink, and neon yellow. The red one I borrowed from the Belgian style dress, the other 3 are just ribbons. My daughters favorite belt is the pink one, of course! Which color belt is your favorite? Or maybe you would prefer it without a belt?

 Fabric for second dress:
Pink/white/black vintage cotton floral (I just recently bought this as a vintage shop, it was 2.75 yards, 36 inches wide for $10, I was so happy there was so much because now I can make more dresses out of it)

 The photo was taken before it was hemmed.

I actually sewed this one up first, I was so excited to start that as soon as I traced the pattern pieces I cut out the fabric. I wondered if I was suppose to add seam allowances. I sewed it up and it is a little too tight/small for the girl (although it fits the dress form perfectly). I looked back in the book, typed the steps in google translate and then discovered that yes you are suppose to add seam allowances! That goes to show you how excited I was, I just dove right in without translating the steps first!

If you are curious to see items made from the patterns in the Stof book check out the Stof flickr group.

Off to sew the next dress using this book…

Origami Collar

 I've been wanting to try this origami collar ever since Suz of sewpony posted the tutorial last month. I've been working on it and the dress these past couple of days and now it's done!

 Project details:
Pattern: Tinny Dress, size 4Y, with mods: sleeveless, fully lined bodice, rolled hem
Tutorial: Origami collar
Fabrics:
bodice: green/blue/white vintage floral (I bought this fabric almost 2 years ago at a vintage shop. It was 1 2/3 yards, 36 inches wide for $8.00)
bodice lining: white cotton voile
circle skirt: modern large blue polka dot, "England Swings" by Rebekan Merkle for Timeless Treasures Fabrics
origami collar: dark blue chambray
bias tape on waist seam: dark blue chambray
Notions: invisible zipper

 Everything came from my stash except the invisible zipper.

Well, this was an experiment for me, mixing patterned fabrics, mixing vintage and modern fabrics, and I rarely sew with green, but overall I'm glad I took the risk.

I'm really pleased with the look of this origami collar, it's such an interesting detail. Maybe you'd like to try adding an origami collar to one of your future girl dresses.

LEGO Valentines 2014

 These will be our class Valentines for this year. We decided to put together LEGO rings and a little LEGO play set.

We got all of the LEGO bricks from the pick-a-brick wall at a LEGO store.

 I bought 50 adjustable silver ring blanks with glue pad on etsy.

It's easy to attach a flat 2X2 LEGO brick to the ring with E-6000 glue.

 A variety of unique LEGO pieces can create all different types of rings.

 And the little play set is a fence, bench and 2 red flowers ~ too cute!

I did the same packaging as last year when I made the LEGO mailbox necklaces.

A LEGO minifigure crayon was also added.

I have 50 of these to make, so I better get back to work!

18-Inch Doll Reversible Skirt

 For Christmas my girl got her first 18-inch doll (she was named Jazelle). Of course now I am super excited to sew doll clothes for her. I whipped up all these cute little doll skirts. Would you like to sew one, too? Click HERE for the free pattern and tutorial on the Oliver + S blog.

Happy doll clothes sewing!

Gray Linen School Photo Dress

 It has been too long (2 years ago) since I've sewn up the School Photo Dress. Sharon from Sweet Pea and Pumpkins hosted a School Photo Dress sew along last week, sharing tutorials Part 1 and Part 2 for the dress on the Oliver + S blog, it was just the motivation I needed to jump in and sew another one. And what a bonus that everything came from my stash, I thankfully didn't have to go out in the frigid cold weather to purchase anything.

 Project details:
Pattern: Oliver + S School Photo Dress (difficulty level 3 out of 4 scissors) view A collar with view B sleeves
Size: 6-12M
Modifications: sewn up by the pattern, but just a few changes in the finishing details: I omitted the button & thread loop at the back of the collar, for the armhole seams I finished them with bias tape, and I hand sewed the lining to the back of the invisible zipper
Fabrics: gray linen, white cotton voile lining (perfect fabrics for warmer temperatures)
Notions: 10 inch invisible zipper, hook and eye closure
Made for: Dress a Girl Around the World

 The School Photo dress is my favorite Oliver + S design (gotta love that kangaroo pocket). All the 3 out of 4 scissors Oliver + S sewing patterns are couture for kids, you won't be disappointed.

The calendar has turned to 2.0.1.4 ~ may it be a year filled with fun sewing!

2013 Reflections + Looking Ahead to 2014

 Sew, Mama, Sew is asking sewing bloggers to reflect on 2013 and look ahead to 2014 by answering these questions…

Looking back on 2013, what trends stand out?

• Sewing Belgian style children's clothing, Belgian sewing bloggers releasing their first PDF sewing patterns, see here and here.
• More collaborative projects among bloggers whether it be hosting sewing blog series or releasing sewing patterns together.

Whose work inspired or awed you?

• Une Rose sur la Lune, her butterfly romper is lovely
• Emma & Mona, her amazing striped dress and a fun sweet little project is this Swan Princess Crown
• Maureen Cracknell Handmade, her awesome quilt as you go Herringbone quilt

What did you make that you’re most proud of?
The Great British Sewing Bee dress. I thoroughly found enjoyment going through every single step of the entire process and I did my very best sewing.

 My most well received item was the Striped Dress. The Plaid dress, Checkerboard dress, and Tricolor Chevron were next up on the list.

A theme for 2013 for me could have been Europe (Sweden, Great Britain, Belgium, France, Italy). Not that it was planned that way, it just turned out that this past year quite a bit of my inspiration came from Europe (and European designers).

Sweden

Sweden

Great Britain

Great Britain

Belgium

Belgium

Belgium

France

Italy

Briar Rose

 What was your favorite fabric collection or print?
Briar Rose by Heather Ross which comes in both woven and knit, it's very versatile because it works for children's garments, doll clothes, quilting, etc.

Briar Rose

Do you have a book, pattern or class from the past year to recommend?
I have a TV show to recommend: The Great British Sewing Bee Season 1 and Christmas Special (I watched them on YouTube), the joy of sewing really shines through.

What are your thoughts about social media? How is it going for you? What do you love or hate?
I would like to spend less time on social media and more time creating. There is so much out there, I can't keep up with it all, personally I'm looking for quality over quantity. Also, I get frustrated when Pinterest links take you nowhere.

Can you tell us anything about what to expect from you in 2014? Any projects or life-changing goals you can share?

• I'm excited to announce that a sewing project that I designed will be published in the 3rd One Yard Wonders book which is expected to be released in spring 2014.
• I am really looking forward to watching The Great British Sewing Bee Season 2 which I understand will be showing in spring 2014. And does anyone happen to know when The Great British Sewing Bee book will be available for purchase in the United States?

May 2014 be filled with gorgeous fabrics, lovely sewing patterns, and may your bobbins always be full!

Kid Tomte Outfit

 Here is a tomte outfit I created for my girl, it was originally posted at The Pickled Herring for the Scandinavian Christmas 2013 series. Are you familiar with what a tomte is? Tomte is the red Swedish Christmas elf, an elf to delight children.

 Project details:
Top: Oliver + S Playtime Tunic, size 5, red fleece

 Bottoms: Oliver + S Playtime Leggings, size 7, red and white striped 100% cotton jersey knit fabric

could also be worn with a red and white striped knit hat

 Instead of 3 buttons in the back of the tunic I added 2 sew-on snaps (I've become a huge fan of these sew-on snaps).

 Hat: long red fleece stocking cap, I created it by making 2 tall triangles, 11 inches wide on the bottom, 31 inches tall, with right sides together sew with .5 inch seam allowances, cut corner, trim seams and turn right side out, tuck under 5/8 inch and sew 3/8 inch for hemming the bottom of the hat

before wet felting

 Felted slippers: elf shoes (free knitting pattern) knitted with red wool yarn, then wet felted in hot water wash machine, then hot dryer (Ravelry notes found here)

after wet felting

Thank you for taking the time to visit here.