Fall Is In The Air

As most of you now know, I'm working for a pattern designer. My favorite thing about this job is that I am having to make time to try out new patterns. Callie's favorite thing about this job is that she is getting lots of new clothes! LilyGiggle just released several updated classics. I purchased all 30 of her patterns last year, but as usual most of them have been waiting patiently in my dropbox for me to find time to make them. One such pattern is the Secret Garden Dress. 

 

This dress was redesigned with the updated "Classics" and I was excited to try it out. I started working on this dress and was worried it was going to be a little boring with the solid ivory color knit I had chosen. The dress was almost completed, but I was exhausted so I put it down and went to bed.  As usual, I lay in the bed thinking of ideas for this dress.  Suddenly I remembered the stretch lace fabric in my scrap drawer, left over from a recent flower girl dress I had made. The next morning I got up and went straight to the sewing room to try out my idea.  The lace added the perfect touch to this dress! 

The Secret Garden Dress is an all knit pattern. I used a cotton/lycra blend from Purpleseamstress Fabric. Her knits are great quality and very affordable. 

There are four different sleeve options for this dress. I choose the 3/4 length for fall, but it also includes a short sleeve, long sleeve and sleeveless version. Flutters are included for the sleeveless option, but I have also used them on top of the 3/4 length version for a little extra "girly".  The bottom ruffle is optional, but I live in the south so it's 

actually not optional. ;)

My next project was the Zinnia Dress. I made my very first knit item from this pattern about 3 years ago. Since then, I've made quite a few of these dresses. The Zinnia has also been updated with a slimmer fit and some new features. The petals on the sleeves are now lined to prevent curling on the edges. 

The bodice of this dress is knit, which I also purchased from Purpleseamstress Fabric. This shade is magenta. The Zinnia has 3 sleeve length options. Again, I went with the 3/4 length but the short sleeve and long sleeve are also included. You can also choose a single petal or double petals.

I had some gorgeous fabric from the Emmy Grace line from Art Gallery Fabrics that I chose to use for this dress. I love Art Gallery. Their fabrics are exceptional quality and so soft! These colors are going to be popular for fall this year.

 

The skirt and sash of this dress are both woven cotton. The pattern includes a top, tunic and dress length for the skirt. I have plans for another one in tunic length over some leggings.

I love the banded neck on this dress. Everyone seems to have their own method for a banded neck, but my preferred technique is the 75% rule.  I sew both of my shoulder seams together and then measure the neckline and cut my band 75% of the length. I've had a perfect fit every time.

I won't spend too much time on the Jujube Dress since I just blogged about it recently. (You can read here.) I'll just share a few photos to get you excited about this great pattern!

 All of these patterns come in size 2-12 with baby sizing being added in the future.

This is another great fabric by Art Gallery Fabrics from the Emmy Grace line. The knit bodice is also Art Gallery and is so soft!

And so concludes my round up of three of Beth's fabulous dress patterns. I hope this has inspired you to try one, if not all three.  If you aren't convinced yet, here are a few more photos

because they are too cute not to share! :)

Thank you to MaddyEm Photography for the great photos!