LilyGiggle Jujube Dress Sew Along- DAY 1

Today is the first day of LilyGiggle's first ever sew along! I hope you are excited to sew along with us this week as we learn some new tricks and encourage and inspire each other from our sewing rooms all across the world. 

At the end of the week we will be having a fun contest for you to show off what you made. Three winners will be chosen. The SAL hosts, plus Beth and our LG admins, will choose their favorite to be the grand prize winner of 4 yards of fabric from the sweet lady at PurpleSeamstress and 2 patterns of your choice from LG. Two more contestants will be chosen- one via Random.org and the other as the Fan Favorite (you get to vote!)- and each will win 2 patterns of their choice from LilyGiggle.

The pattern we are using this week is the Jujube Dress. 

This pattern has quite a bit of versatility, and you will see that even more this week.  I hope you find some fun new ways to make this dress that you may not have thought of before. 

For today we will start very simple. 

First you need to print and tape your pattern together. If you haven't purchased your pattern yet, you can buy it here.  Be sure to use code "sewjujube" for 30% off! Don't forget about the cool layering options for printing that Beth has added now.  You will find the details on page 4 of your pattern. 

Our next step is to prep your fabric.  Your knit REALLY needs to be prewashed and dried. Knit sometimes does a significant amount of shrinking in the wash so it's always best to prewash it.

Now for the cutting--- For today I would suggest that you only cut the front and back bodice. Tomorrow there will be some sleeve options discussed, so you may want to wait to decide on your sleeves until after you see the featured looks.  

Now wasn't that easy? Day 1- check! 

See you tomorrow!

Labor Day Giveaway!

I recently made this beautiful dress for a pattern testing for LilyGiggle. I love it so much that I'm going to give one away today!

The bodice is knit from Art Gallery's Arizona line and the skirt is woven cotton from the same line.

Features a drop waist bodice and is available in size 2-12. 

To enter to win this dress enter the giveaway here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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!

Butler Britches by Brownie Goose

It's not very often that I sew for boys, especially my own son. Nearly ever time we go to the local fabric store, he finds some sort of super hero or cartoon print he wants. He always request pajamas. I'm assuming because that is all he thinks his mother knows how to make for boys.

When Amy asked me to test this pattern, I knew my boy would be super excited that mama was sewing for him. We had to compromise on a fabric though. He's ALL BOY.  If you can't shoot it or shoot with it, it better be something that is dangerous or really fast.  When I found this race car print from Riley Blake I knew it would be perfect for him.  I paired it with Robert Kauffman Chambray for the main fabric and Riley Blake navy gingham for the trim.  

 

  

That cute face saves him from a lot of trouble. :)

This pattern is fun and a bit funky with asymmetrical cuffs and button tabs. The cuffs are fully lined and that little button tab is a cute accent and scrap buster. If you are like me, you have more than a few scraps that need busting. :) Now about this pocket....

 

I love pockets. There are two pocket options on this pattern, so you can have fun with it and choose whichever you like best. There are also two different waist band options. I did the elastic waist but the instructions also include a flat front with elastic in the back only. This pattern comes in size 6 months all the way up to size 10.

The Butler Britches are a great pattern; but that's the norm for Amy. All her patterns are great. Easy enough for beginners, yet refined enough for experts. And her humor will make you want to buy more of her patterns just to read the instructions.

This pattern is available for purchase in the boys BundleUp sale now through August 29. The more patterns you buy, the more you save! 

  The Butler Britches will be in Amy's shop, Brownie Goose around Sept 10.

Jujube Dress

I'm sure this is news to no one now, but LilyGiggle has reopened!  Four new patterns are making their debut this week.  I've managed to find time to make three of them so far.  The only one I have left to complete is the Sassafrass Skirt and I know I'm going to love it.  (Btw, it's featured on Pattern Revolution today in case you want to check that out!) 

If you are looking for a new pattern for fall, look no further.  The Jujube Dress is here and you need it! I can hardly stand how cute it is!  For my first test I used the Arizona line from Art Gallery Fabrics. This fabric---oh my!  I can't say enough about how much I love Art Gallery.  Their knits are so soft! 

  

This pattern has ruffles down the front, but I felt like the style of this fabric was more suited to a simple silhouette. So, I choose to leave off the ruffles.  

 

I love the drop waist!  It's so classic, and yet I haven't seen many patterns with a drop waist lately so I love that this is a little different.  

The Jujube Dress is a quick and easy sew.  From start to finish this dress took me less than 1 hour to complete.  My daughter loves the comfort of the knit bodice.  She said the twirly skirt made her feel like dancing.  

 

 

 One dress down, but I had to try those ruffles.  Thankfully more Art Gallery goodies came last week and they were perfect for this pattern. I LOVE to fish so when I saw this print I knew I had to have it. It's so sweet and girly and again, this knit is so very soft!  This fabric is from the Emmy Grace line from Art Gallery Fabrics.  I ordered it from one of my favorite fabric shops, 

Hawthorne Threads. 

Look at that sweet fabric!

 

And ruffles those ruffles--  We loves ruffles here in the south!

 

LilyGiggle's patterns all have an awesome new feature that allows you to print size 2-12 nested for paper saving. Or, if you only need one size, you can choose the layering option and just print the size you need!  Beth has also added a quick sewing guide in the beginning of each pattern for the more accomplished seamstress. Her patterns are also full of great tips for sewing with knits.  

Go grab your Jujube Dress for 20% off until Friday with code "OHenry2014!".  Happy Sewing!

Nelle Romper

The month of May is going to bring about some changes at Cotton Belle Boutique.  This little business has grown so much over the past year and I am so thankful.  The downside to all these orders is that my family doesn't see nearly as much of me, and I have no free time to play with my kids who are growing up way too fast! I've been praying for a solution to this problem and feel like God is opening some doors lately that will help me change the way I run my business.  So here is what is up........

#1.  Custom orders will be VERY limited.  I will have to see how this goes, but I am thinking no more than 2 or 3 a month.  If you need a custom item, you will want to plan ahead to make sure you can get in.  My turn around time on these will probably be about 4 weeks, depending on the item.

#2.  Starting on May 15th, I will be doing bi-weekly uploads.  Each upload will feature one item.  I will take orders for that item for 24 hrs and then all orders will close and be completed over the next two weeks.  Turn around time will be shorter which I know you are happy to hear! :) This will save a lot of time for me in sewing and shopping for supplies.  Uploads will generally be bi-weekly on Thursday nights at 8pm. 


And now for a sneak peak---

The first upload will be this darling Nelle Romper!  Price will be $40 plus shipping.  Sizes will range from 6-12 months, 12-18 months, 2, 3, 4 and 5.  This romper is made out of knit so it is super comfy and requires NO IRONING! :)  (Excuse the sticker tattoo on her arm and the scribbling on the wall which I did not even notice until I blew up this photo! Do these kids have a mother??!!)

I hope these changes in my business will be great for everyone.  I'm looking forward to a shorter turn around time and being able to make some really fun, creative items for you!

My etsy store will stay open.  I still have my princess dresses listed since they have been so loved by you all!  Everything on my etsy store will still have a 4-6 week turn around time so be mindful of that when placing your order. 

Thanks for all the support!  You are the best customers!

Elizabeth

Sittin' on the dock of the BAY.......

Wastin' Time.....

No, I wasn't really "wastin' time". I was actually working like a mad woman when I got a text that said "Are you in a spot where you can swing a quick turnaround testing for me? It's kinda secretive too."  I didn't even take a minute to think about it.  #1 it's from my favorite pattern designer and #2 I love secrets.  I'm in!  It took about an hour for me to realize I didn't even think to ask what we were testing or how long "quick" was.  Who cares, its BG!  I'll stay up all night if I have to.

That night I opened my email and gasped when I saw what we were testing.  OMG!  Pinch me someone.  I've been sewing Amy's patterns for years and I love everything she does, but this one takes the cake.  I ran upstairs to my sewing room to dig through fabric.  I was torn between two different pieces, but finally settled on what I wanted to use.  The only problem was that I only had ONE YARD! Note to my fabric hoarding self--- buy at least two of everything from now on. :)  I found some eyelet to use in place of the flutter sleeves and somehow I squeezed a size 4 out of that one yard.  Where there's a will there's a way, right?  :)  Thank goodness my girl is short so it was fine that I was a couple of inches shy for the skirt measurement.  A row of eyelet trim on the hem finished it off to be a perfect length for her. 

Introducing the Bay Dress!

One of the other testers and I discussed how much the front looks like the Lazy Susan, which is another one of my favorites.  But that back, oh my!

Have you ever made something that you just loved so much that it made you sick when your child outgrew it?  Well here's the good news.....this dress will last a while in your child's wardrobe.  When she gets too tall she can wear it as a top over some Darby shorts or even some Sleepy Jeans or Lily Rufflers.  This is a fully functioning wrap dress/top so if it gets too tight in the chest all you have to do is move the buttons over to get some extra wear out of it!  How great is that??!!

Now to caution you about a mistake I almost made: I have to confess that when I make a new pattern by a designer I've used before, sometimes I don't pay attention to the size chart.  I almost didn't on this one but Amy stressed to us that we needed to go with chest measurements on this dress so I did.  I would have normally made the size 5 but I did the 4 instead.  Due to the cut of this bodice and the V in the back, you are going to want to size down when in doubt.  If you make it too big, the shoulders will slide off.

This pattern, like all BG, is very well written and easy to follow.  You can make this your own with fun buttons, trims, piping, lace, etc.  The pattern includes options for a straight skirt, which I did, or a curved back skirt.  It also includes top and dress lengths, along with an empire and drop waist option. 

One more of that lovely back....

And now for the good news! You can be sewing your very own Bay Dress/Top THIS SATURDAY!!! The best part?  IT'S ON SALE!  Yay! Here is the scoop on when and how you can get your Bay dress, along with some other great patterns, for a killer deal.  You don't want to miss it!

Now go pick out your fabric while that fun tune is humming in your head.  I'll be singing it all day now. :)