Emily Dress - New Pattern

Here's a preview of my latest pattern - Emily. I've been wanting to try out this idea for awhile and am pleased with the results. It has pleat inserts in a contrasting fabric, buttons down the back and is fully lined. I have a few things to add to the instructions then out to the testers. Even though it won't be quite as easy as my other patterns, I would still consider it moderately simple. I made a special effort to take lots of pictures and explain each step in detail. This dress is great for those special dress up occasions but simple enough for everyday play.

As I've posted before, I name my patterns after someone. This one is named after my neice who is very special to me. She is the daughter of my identical twin sister who passed away 10 years ago.


Sew Sensible has a new pattern available soon called Hope Joy. It's a cute bubble top that goes great with her twirl skort pattern.

APIL - Last Tball Game for the Season

We had the last APIL League tball game for the season this past Saturday. Even though tball is over, there will be other events throught the year. The next one is in two weeks on May 17th.



The kids have so much fun. The smiles on their faces tell the story. Here are some pictures from Saturday.

After the game, trophies were given out to each child that participated. One of the children said it was an honor to get a trophy. One of the mom's said that her son would probably sleep with it and she would have to figure out how to get it from him to take a bath.

After we gave out the trophies, we had hot dogs, chips and juice for everyone. The food was donated by Harvest Grocery in Dutchtown. Tommy Martinez, Parish President, and his son, Brad, stopped for a visit.

Betsey/Joey Shorts - Customer Creation

These pictures of shorts made from the Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern from a customer who purchased the 4 pattern bundle pack. It is exciting for me to see that my patterns are being used by sewers from all over the world. This customer lives in a country called Oman. Admitting my lack of geography or countries of the world, I didn't know Oman was a country or where it was located. I looked on the internet and found out it is a country in the Middle East. How awesome to connect with people from all over through sewing as well as provide me with a lesson in World Geography as an extra bonus.

Here is what she said.
"I just wanted to drop you a quick email to say thank you for your lovely patterns. I was keen to get some shorts made and that night I made one for my 8mth old son and then this past weekend I have finished a pair of reversible shorts for my “almost” 5 (everyday counts when you are “almost” 5 you know LOL). I am attaching some pics for you.

I would have loved to have taken some outside but already the summer is here and it was too hot to go out and play, sorry. I love your blog too! I think for my bub I will make the bigger size as he wears cloth nappies and I find them a bit low on the back but it is nice to have a pattern that is so flexible. I can see that there will many shorts made as gifts this year. I took the “handmade pledge” for this year so I am always on the look out for some great ideas. "






I love the combination of fabrics - map print and pirates.

She embroidered a top with a pirate to match the shorts. How cute is this outfit.

Thank you to my customer for sending me these pictures.

Sewing Project - Dress for a Gift

Here is my latest sewing project. I made this for one for a gift for one of the several new baby girl's who will be born in the next few months. This is the second dress I made from this printed batiste fabric that I just fell in love with in the store. There is also a pink version of the print that I may go back and get a yard or two of.





The dress is made from Mallory Pattern by Children's Corner. I made one small change in the back. I put only one row of buttons instead of two.

I think my next baby girl gift will be a new pattern I'm working on with pleats. I've been thinking about doing this for awhile.

Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern - Customer Creation

How exciting to open my email and get these great pictures from a customer. She made 3 pairs of shorts from the new Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern.



Here is what she said, "Woohoo - what fun!! We had so much fun with these and I was able to whip them up so quickly.Thank you so much!! My daughter is already picking out new fabrics for more!!"

Thanks, L, for sending thse awesome pictures. Looks like they are enjoying the outdoors.

APIL - Body Sox

Because of a grant obtained by The Resource Center on Psychiatric and Behavorial Supprts Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, Ascension Parish Inclusive League, part of PARC in Ascension Parish has been able to purchase equipment for both those with and without disabilities. Along with the traditional sports (tball, basketball, soccer and bowling) many with adaptive capabilities, many other items have been purchased for upcoming events.

Some of the items purchased have been those that are designed for sensory therapy - balls of all shapes, sizes and textures; character building tools and body sox.

Body sox are therapeutic sacks made from see-thru lycra. They can be very beneficial to those with sensory processing disorders helping to increase body awareness and balance as well as recommended for children with ADHD. They are also fun for anyone, adults or children and can be used for such activities as relay races.

Here are some pictures of my daughter trying out one of the adult sizes. They come in childrens sizes also. You can choose to leave your head out or not and it zips in the back.

Doesn't this look like fun?

Betsey Joey Reversible/Non Reversible Shorts Pattern

My new pattern is now available on Etsy and soon to be available on YCMT.

Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern is for boys and girls and has many options. Included are instructions for a non reversible and reversible style in three lengths plus options for ribbon ties, side stripes, ruffles or trim. Included with the instructions for this easy to make pattern are lots of pictures of completed styles to help stir your creativity.

There are 29 pages of instructions and over 100 pictures illustrating each sewing step and pictures of completed shorts in the different styles. Sizes are 1, 2, 3 and 4.

My friend, Aimee, designed the covers. Along with her design talents she also makes patterns under Sew Sensible and is the mother of eight beautiful children. Talk about multi tasking. Thanks Aimee for your help.

Here are some of the bundle packs also available on Etsy.

Tana Tutu Dress Customer Creation

I recently got this picture from a customer who made the Tana Tutu Dress for her daughter. Isn't she adorable? She also made the headband using the additional instructions in the pattern. I love seeing what customers create from my patterns. They inspire and motivate me.

Here is what she said,

"Here is the picture of the dress I made using your pattern. We went out last night and my daughter got rave reviews on her outfit!!! Still a little cold here to wear as a sundress but I think it still looks great with the shirt underneath. Can't get her to keep the headband on so I also made a couple of tulle clippies (using your suggestions - worked perfectly!). "

Here is a picture of the headband with the clippies she created.

Photo Shoot for Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern

I had a photo shoot at my house Sunday afternoon to take pictures for the cover of my new pattern - Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern. A friend is starting a photography business in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area and specializes in children's pictures. Here are some links to check out some of her other pictures. - J Chustz Photography and also on her blog.

This pattern will be available soon and I want to say thanks to all my friends who have beautiful children that I use for my models and talent in photography and cover design to help create my patterns.

Annette Reversible Sundress Pattern Featured

My Annette Reversible Sundress Pattern will be featured in the You Can Sew This Newsletter from the You Can Make This Website. The newsletter is due out on April 17th and for two weeks the Annette Reversible Sundress pattern will be offered at a 20% discount.

Here is the latest one I made. A friend came over and we made this for her daughter one afternoon. This little girl is one of my models. She is one of the girls on the cover of my Karen Capri Set Pattern and will also be on my new Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern (Reversible and Non Reversible Style) coming soon. She is great in front of the camera and such a cutie.

Spring Flower Pictures

Here are more pictures I took of Spring flowers blooming now. After the winter, the burst of colors for Spring is so beautiful.

This is the first bloom on the new hibiscus plant I purchased for my courtyard.

This is a plant my mom has. She doesn't know what it is but saw it at someone's house and like it so much, they gave her a cutting.

This is amaryllis that is blooming in my mom's yard.

APIL Event With Special Guest

Today we had our second tball game for Ascension Parish Inclusive League. It rained during the night so the fields were too wet to play on. But that didn't stop the game. We found a semi dry spot behind the building, drew a field and got ready to play.

Our special guest was Glen Dorsey, defensive tackle for LSU and 2007 Defensive Player of the year . Glen's hometown is Gonzales and he says he enjoys helping out the kids in the community. He was given the task to start the plays by saying "Play Ball".

He was great with the kids, congratulating and offering "hi 5's" for a great job.

He was also gracious and patient while everyone took pictures. After the game was over he signed balls, tshirts, posters, jerseys, APIL bags and anything else we could come up with. He stayed till everyone got their items signed and pictures taken.

A couple of other special guests were Donaldsonville High School football players recently signed to local colleges. This one is Quniton Foster who will be playing at Southeastern. They ran along the bases with the kids and helped cheer them on.

Champlain Babin from Donaldsonville High pictured below will be playing for McNeese.

Being a celebrity and a role model for children brings along with it responsibility. To see these young men offer their time and service to the community was awesome. We wish them all the best in their future and hope others will follow their example.

OK, I admit it. We got a little caught up in the picture taking. Here is one of me and two of my children with Glen Dorsey.

My son was impressed with Glen Dorsey's 30" rims and he allowed us to take a picture with his hummer and my son.