New Pattern, McKensie, Preview

Here is a preview of my new pattern, McKensie. It's a simple dress but has lots of possiblities to be creative. Using different combinations of fabrics, trims and embroidery can change the look. It is an easy pattern that sews together quickly. You'll want to make several. Since it is a jumper style dress, it can be used for all seasons.

The pattern has been sent to the testers and I am hoping to have it available to purchase by the end of June.
I am very fortunate to have friends with precious little girl's that model for me. She enjoyed the photo shoot and was very cooperative. Isn't she adorable. You may recognize her from the cover of a couple of my other patterns.

Sunny Wrap Dress Sewing Pattern with applique

I'm finally getting more comfortable using my embroidery machine and everyone was right - it can be addictive. I made the Sunny Wrap Dress in the reversible style using Heather Bailey coordinating fabric I purchased from All Brands.

The applique design is from Applique for Kids. I wanted something easy to try and thought the bow design would be something I could use on many projects. The dress took only a couple of hours to make.

This is the reverse side. I am drawn to fabrics with pinks and greens. All Brands in Baton Rouge has a large selection of fabrics from different designers. They keep adding more. It's hard to resist temptation to buy everything I like.

Adopted Grandchildren on Easter

This is one of my "adopted" grandchildren on Easter in a pillowcase dress I made for her. She and her family went to the beach for Easter.

Here is her sister, the Mermaid.
We had a quiet Easter. My mom, dad and children came over and I cooked for everyone. We had a crawfish pasta dish with lots of cheese, butter and rotel tomatoes. We all love the recipe but it has lots of calories.

Tana Tutu Dress - Big Girl Style

When my "adopted" granddaughter came over to sew, she decided she wanted a Tana Tutu Dress. Since she is 8 we decided we would make it a little more "grown up" looking. She's 8 but is very slim so I had to adjust the pattern to fit. I slimmed out the sides, added buttons at the top instead of the ribbon and a longer tulle ruffle. I used the 6" tulle in a roll and it worked very well. It's made to fit her short so she can wear black leggings underneath. She came by today for the final fit and I finished it after she left. I hope to get a picture of her in the outfit to post.

JoAnn Dress Nov Available on YCMT

JoAnn Dress Pattern is now available on YCMT.

Here is what the tester for YCMT said:

"This is a great easy pattern. Our little girl loved the dress and we have 3 more ready to go. All in about 1 1/2 hours."

"A simple yet fun dress that is versatile. Can be made using a simple fabric to a wild print and still look great. The simple styling also makes it good for embroideries. Pattern is well written and steps are thoroughly explained."


(Also available in my Esty Shop).

JoAnn Pattern - Tester Pictures

Here are the pictures and some comments from the testers of the JoAnn Pattern. Thanks Joy and Melissa for helping me test this pattern. There are two options for the front and it just happened that each chose a different style.


Melissa said:
The dress was so easy to make and I thought it turned out really cute. I think it only took me about 1.5 hours to make.


This is Melissa's neice wearing the dress she made. What a cutie!

Joy said:
This is a GREAT pattern!! The fact that it takes only 3/4" of fabric & lining and goes together so quickly is sure to make it a favorite for moms!!

Joy designs embroidery applique designs and added the beautiful flowers along the hem. She sells her designs on Applique for Kids. She has this dress in her design gallery.

Tana Tutu Dress Customer Creation

Here is another creation from Joy at Applique for Kids using the Tana Tutu Dress Pattern. The frog is another of her own designs called Mod Frog available on her website.

Thanks Joy for sharing another great project.

Customer Creations - Tana Tutu Dress and Annette Reversible Sundress

Here are some awesome customer creations from the Tana Tutu Dress and Annette Reversible Sundress Patterns. The monogram looks great on both of the styles. They also make a great canvas for applique. Thanks Melissa for sharing these photos.

Dee Dee Pleated Dress Customer Creation

I've been out of town for a few days in Baltimore. My daughter was at a Recreation convention presenting the Ascension Parish Inclusive League Program (APIL) and I met her there for a few days. It was great to get away and I really enjoyed spending time with her. I'll post a little about the trip later.

What a treat when I got this email today from a customer who used the Dee Dee Pattern. Here is what she said.

"My daughter was a flower girl last weekend. The bride demanded "a white sundress with a brown ribbon in the middle". Around that time you announced the Dee Dee dress pattern."

Thanks Dani for sharing these pictures. Your daughter is beautiful.

Customer Creation - Sunny Wrap Dress Pattern

Here is another great Customer Creation from Paula from the Sunny Wrap Dress pattern. I love the bright colors and coordinating stripe. Thanks Paula for sharing these pictures.

Customer Creations - Annette Reversible Sundress

Here are a couple of customer creations from the Annette Reversible Sundress Pattern. The dresses and of course the model are very cute. She has an Etsy shop where she sells pillowcases and childrens clothing called Bungalow Kids. Thanks K for sending these great pictures.

Sunny Wrap Dress - Tigers

Here is my latest project made from the Sunny Wrap Dress Pattern. This one was made non reversible with the tiger print by Fabric Finders and lined with a purple and white check also by Fabric Finders. This one was made as a gift for a little LSU Tiger Fan.

I covered a large button for the back closure placing one of the tigers in the center.

Dee Dee Pattern Customer Creation

I received my very first customer creation using the Dee Dee Pattern. It was made by a military mom stationed overseas for her precious little girl. She is one of the many customers I "met" through sewing and blogging.

Here is what she said,
"By the way, the dress was super easy to put together. With the help of your pleat pattern and a small ruler for my perfectionist side, I was able to do the pleats without any problems. I can't tell you how amazed I was that the dress went together so easy and took less then 1 yard of fabric. The only other dresses that my daughter has with less then 1 yard of fabric are pillowcase dresses and the Dee Dee pleated dress looks much better then those."

Here are some pictures of her precious daughter in the dress she made.

Thanks so much Jen for sharing these pictures. You made my day.

Dee Dee Pattern Now Available on YCMT

The Dee Dee Pleated Dress Pattern is now available on YCMT.

Dee Dee - New Dress Pattern Coming Soon

My new pattern will be ready for testing in the next couple of days. This one will be named Dee Dee, after my mom. It has pleats in the front and back and will be in sizes 1 through 6. Like my other patterns, it will be easy to make and very versatile. The ties and/or straps can be in a different fabric for contrast. Embroidery or a decorative stitch can be added to the front of the tie for an extra touch. The ties on the sides can be loosened or tightened to make the perfect fit.

Here is what it looks like.

If you already have one of my patterns, you can get this one for 1/2 price when available. The only thing you have to do is send me a picture of something you made with one of my patterns to feature on my blog and submit it to the I Made This Section of the YCMT website. Just let me know when you send the picture that you would like Dee Dee at half price when available.

MORE EXCITING NEWS

My patterns will be listed with a site called Banberry Place. They sell European Fabric, patterns, epatterns, embroidery and notions. Currently only the Annette Pattern is available on the site but the others will be soon. Check it out!!

Emily & Tana Dresses Customer Creations

I just got this great picture of the Tana Tutu Dress from a customer in Germany. The embroidery looks great and I love the way it is presented with the name of the dress and her name. It was made with love for a special little's girl's birthday. Thanks Bani for sharing this picture of your Tana Tutu Dress.

This is another great look from a mom who is the mother of two boys but loves making girly things. Here is what she made from the Emily Dress pattern. What a cute idea using camo and hunter's orange. Thanks Heather for sending these pictures.

Heather recently ordered Karen and Tana patterns. Here is what she said:

"I can not wait to recieve the karens capri and halter and the tutu dress. I love all your work. You have amazing items and your patterns are so easy to follow. I have sent you one of the emily dresses I have made. I hope to one day have even half the talent you have. Thanks again for your patterns can't wait to make more works of art!!!"

Don't forget to comment on my previous post to help me celebrate 1 year with YCMT and a chance to win one of my patterns.

Latest Sewing Project

Here is my latest sewing project. It's a gift for a long time friend who is having her first granddaughter in September. The original pattern included a collar but I chose to leave it off. I liked the look without the collar and I find sometimes collars can get in the way on an infant.

This is the pattern I used. It also includes a bubble version for boys and girls in 6, 12, 18 and 24 months.

Everything I've sewn lately has been for my epatterns so this was a nice break from that process. I really enjoy the fast and simple sewing projects for instant gratification but sometimes I like sewing something more involved.

I seem to have pleats in my head lately with the Emily Pattern (see Etsy and YCMT) and this smocked one. I have some other ideas for epatterns which include pleats that I am considering working on next. When I design epatterns, I am usually inspired by something I see then I have to have a picture of it in my head before beginning. Once I have a visual idea of what I want it to look like, I try testing it with some fabric. Sometimes it looks like I pictured it and sometimes it doesn't. It's great when it works. Then I can move on to drawing and writing the instructions. If it doesn't, then it's back to the drawing board. The entire process is enjoyable for me and so very satisfying when the finished product is complete, especially seeing what customers make.

Tester Creations - Sunny Wrap Dress

Here are the dresses the testers made from the Sunny Wrap Dress Pattern. They came out so cute.

Kati made this one which shows how great this pattern is for embroidery. She said it took a few hours to embroider all the "Under the Sea" designs but look how beautiful it looks. Check out Kati's blog. It's in German but their is a button at the top that you can press to translate to English. It isn't perfect but you can get an idea of what the posts are about.She added more along the bottom of the back. Doesn't it look great? I don't have an embroidery machine but have it on my wish list. Adding that extra touch makes such a difference in the completed outfit. This tester, Sarah, added applique to both sides of the dress. The combinations of colors and the use of the fabric from one side on the applique of the other was so creative and looks adorable.

Thanks to Sarah and Kati for helping me out with the great dresses and comments. What a blessing to have such talented and creative customers that transform my designs into beautiful outfits for their little girls.

I made the changes to the pattern and sent the finished product to YCMT today. It should be available soon on the YCMT and is currently listed in my Etsy shop.

Pattern Preview - Sunny Wrap Dress

Here is a preview of the new pattern I'm working on called "Sunny" in sizes 1, 2, 3 & 4. It is fun and easy to make.

I had a picture of the back but it didn't work like I wanted it to so had to redo. Hopefully will be ready for testers next week.

Emily Dress Pattern Now Available on Etsy

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

I also have a 3 dress pattern collection listed on Etsy that has The Annette Reversible Sundress, Tana Tutu Dress and Emily Dress .

Thanks to my models and testers for helping me get this pattern available.