Spring Sale at You Can Make This

Ava Sundress Customer Creation

What a great treat to see these pictures in an email from a customer today. She used the Ava Sundress pattern and added a ruffle to the hem. This precious model has some great poses. Thanks R for sending these.

Ava and Annette Customer Creations

A customer sent me these pictures recently using the Annette Reversible Sundress and Ava Sundress. What a great idea to add the panel for the July 4th dress and the rick rack trim.
I love this print and the extra bows on the shoulders are so cute.

It is such a treat to get these pictures from customers and see the ways they make the patterns different and unique. Thanks to all the customers who send me the pics.

Ava Sundress as a top - customer Creation

One of my Louisiana customers sent me this picture using a shortened version of the Ava Sundress as a top to wear with shorts. What a cute short set this made with the bright colors and applique.

Here is what she said:

"I just finished with my first Ava dress (cut to a top w/shorts). I SIMPLY LOVE IT..... I must say your e-patterns are the easiest by far to read. "

I enjoy seeing the patterns used in different ways. Customers are so creative. Keep the pictures coming. They inspire me.

Latest Sewing Project

I've been busy working on the new pattern and testing different versions while waiting on tester comments. I should have everything completed soon, possibly ready by this coming weekend.

I also managed to get something made for a gift. I used the Ava Sundress Pattern and handmade braided trim as the straps.

Projects for Holiday Mart and Christmas Gifts

These are a couple of Ava Sundresses that will be available at the Holiday Mart on November 14th. Both of the dresses are made from Fabric Finder's pique fabric. The fleur di lis was a free design I downloaded from sew forum.

Their are so many projects I would like to do for Christmas gifts this year especially now that I have an embroidery machine. The problem is finding the time to complete them all. I am happy to say that I did manage to get a few cups embroidered for co-workers.

Ava Sundress Pattern Customer Creation

Check out these cute Halloween dresses using the Ava Sundress Pattern. They are available for purchase on Etsy in a shop called Gramme's House along with many other cute items. Some little girl will look great this Halloween. I love the big smiling spider.

Ava Sundress Pattern on YCMT

Ava Sundress Pattern is now available at YouCanMakeThis.com

These are some of the tester's comments:



"I love this little sundress! Sews up very quickly with perfect results! Perfect for beginning sewers! "



"It sews up very quickly, the instructions are clear and the photos demonstrate the steps beautifully. "



"Simply adorable!! This pattern creates a super cute look with such a small amount of fabric. Great canvas for appliqué!"

Ava Sundress, Annette Reversible Sundress, Applique and Embroidery

I've been busy sewing and getting some practice with my embroidery machine. Some of the projects are gifts but others are for possible sale at a trunk show I may have.

This one is made from using the Annette Reversible Sundress Pattern . The flamingo applique is from Embroidery Boutique .

I used the applique fabric for the reversed side and added a fabric flower in the blue pique.

This is the Ava Sundress Pattern, my newest pattern. The bow applique is from Applique For Kids. Check out her gallery and find the JoAnn Dress, Karen Capri Set and Tana Tutu Dress showcasing some of her great designs.

This is another Ava Sundress Pattern using a free design from Sew Forum. I would love to give credit to the digitizer but I didn't make note of it when I downloaded the design. The Ava Sundress Pattern will soon be available on YouCanMakeThis.com.

A co-worker recently got married and I monogrammed these towels for her. I told her I was a beginner in the embroidery area. She said she was OK with that and didn't mind me practicing on some towels for her. The font is from Embroidery Rn.

I didn't this size letter before putting it on the towel and was a little disappointed that it was not as large as I thought for the hand towels. I decided to make them both the same just to be consistent.

I have to admit, I don't enjoy embroidery on towels as much as dresses but wanted to give it a try. It's been fun trying some of the applique and embroidery designs I've been collecting.

I've also got a new pattern I may try soon. It is only in the idea stage at this point but hopefully will become a reality in the coming weeks.

Annette Reversible Sundress as Swimsuit Coverup

I recently saw this posted on Sew Forum and thought it was the cutest idea. She used the Annette Reversible Sundress pattern and a towel to make a swimsuit coverup. Adding the flip flop applique, and matching bow and shoes made this such an adorable set. Thanks to this customer for allowing me to share this awesome idea.

Here is what she said: "I actually used a pattern from http://www.youcanmakethis.com/, the reversible a-line dress and i used a bath towel to and instead of the lining the whole dress i just cut out an interfacing for the top and used the bottom of the towel for the hem. it was super easy to make! "

More Sewing Projects

My daughter called me last Thursday and asked if we could make her a dress for an event she was going to Friday night. She found some fabric in my stash she liked. We got up Friday morning and put this together in about 2 hours. It was a joint venture - I did the sewing and she helped with the adjustments and idea of how she wanted it. It was very simple with one seam down the back. She was pleased with the results and said she got several compliments at the Art show she attended wearing it.


One of my co-workers had a baby recently and has alot of infant clothing. I made her something a little larger (Size 1) for next summer. I used the Ava Sundress pattern and tried a new free font I downloaded. I would love to give credit to the person who supplied the free font but I don't remember where I got it. If anyone recognizes it, let me know and I'll update the post with the person's name. I will have to try to remember to make note of the person who gives the free designs in the future. I am very grateful to them for sharing their gifts. The name was a font that came loaded on my machine.

I tend to change and add to patterns I use, even my own. This time I added a border along the hem using the gingham the bow is made out of.

I love the different shades of gingham fabric. I recently purchased several different colors to use for contrast and trims. Just another excuse to buy more fabric.

It's been great having some time to sew. I have several more projects in the works. I'll post pictures as I finish them.

Ava Sundress with embroidery and braided trim

I recently purchased a few embroidery designs from Embroidery Boutique and wanted to try them out. The Ava Sundress pattern is great for embroidery and applique on the front. I also added a handmade braided trim for the straps and along the hem.


This embroidery design is very simple and fast to do. These applique designs are

so much fun and are great for that little something extra on an outfit.

This is a better view of the braided trim. I used two pieces on each side for the straps and one row along the hem.

I took some pictures of the process and will try to put together a tutorial for the trim. I used gingham fabric in three colors for this trim. It takes a little time to do but I really liked the results. I ended up making extra to use again on a future project.

Ava Sundress Tester Pictures

These are the pictures from testers of the Ava Sundress Pattern. It's fun to see the color choices and ideas customers and testers use.


Two of my testers have little girls as you can see by the pictures. The other two are like me and don't have little ones but love to sew for them.


You won't believe how fast this pattern is to make. You can make several for everyday without the bow or make one bow that coordinates with several. Add an applique or embroidery design on the front. Even add a top underneath for cooler weather.

I have to make changes, create the cover and put it all together. I am shooting for getting it out this weekend.