Petite Stitchery - a PDF Pattern Company's Debut

 

This year has been one of personal growth. I've plunged into the PDF world, pattern testing and sewing like a woman on a mission! I have the privilege of discovering new pattern companies and I'm pleased to introduce a brand new one! One I believe who will give some of those big names a run for their money! I love the contemporary boho look that shines from the Autumn collection of Petite Stitchery.

 

This first romper is actually a mash of two of Petite Stitchery's patterns. The Ruby Romper and the Maize Top/Dress.

 

Ruby is available in sizes newborn to 3T and Maize is available in newborn to 12 girls. 

 

For this mash, I took the top bodice of the Maize and chose the 3/4 length sleeve. I then simply used the bottom half of the Ruby romper.

 

I opted for a snap crotch for easy toilet trips and I made my version with the short legs. There is also a full length alternative included in the pattern.

 

The back keyhole closure is fixed either with a button or ties - both options have clear instructions and are easy to execute.  

 

The Ruby Romper is an easy sew and would suit any adventurous beginner. It is a great suit to dress up or down. I used a quilting cotton fabric & cotton chambray for mine.

 

I made a faux bib and belt to decorate my romper.

 

The Ruby & Maize patterns come with layered pattern printing options - which I personally love!

 

While I have yet to sew the original Ruby romper, the standard pattern comes with an elasticated back and halter neck tie bodice.

 

 

 

 

Maize Tunic

 

 

This is the Maize tunic - the pattern also includes a dress length version. Again, I've added my own embellishments and really, skys the limit with personalization! Something I really love about sewing.

 

I chose to sew the high-low skirt. As you can see, it is gently sloping. Shorter at the front & gradually longer in the back.

 

The pattern also includes a curved skirt edge alternative, which is longer at the front and back, then comes up at the sides.

"Duck for cover!"

 

As mentioned above, the keyhole closure can be tied or buttoned. For the top I decided to showcase the tied option.

 

The Maize has three sleeve length options. Short (as shown), 3/4 length and full length. The sleeves are cuffed - however, without too much altering, could be turned into elasticated puff sleeves if desired. (Which I do - so stay tuned for my next Maize!)

 

Maize also has directions for pockets! So all those precious treasures can be collected and stored!

 

 

I really love the simplicity of Maize - such a beautiful top/dress with minimal effort required. This sew would suit even a beginner sewist.  

 

A cheeky fellow we spotted on our walk at the park. (Australian Magpie)

 

I love the Maize tunic paired with some cute bubble shorts, check out the Rose Bubble Shorts or Mummykins & Me Berry Bubble Shorts 

 

Stay tuned for more Petite Stitchery in the future! I have a good feeling this company will go far! To view the whole collection, click HERE

 

If you would like to purchase Maize, do so HERE

If you would like to purchase Ruby, do so HERE

 

 

To read more and see more, please visit some of the other wonderful testers blogs....

 

Kristen of My Sew Inspired Life

 

Nathalie of Seams Normal

 

Lesley of Frullemieke

 

 

 

 

  

Garden Sprite - A tulle delight! Free Pattern by FooFoo Threads

 

Now, I know what your thinking..... "Gaaahhhhh......TULLE!! This sounds like a mission!" BUT, before you strike this off your to-sew list, I must tell you..... THIS IS A FREAKING EASY SEW!! That's right! Even a beginner can do this one!!

The stunning Garden Sprite dress, is a dramatic dress, full of dazzle & poofy-ness (yes, right - I'm not sure that's an actual word, but there you go - its undeniably true!)

 

This knee length stunner comes with sizes 6 months - 8 girls included. You can also adjust the skirt length as desired.

The dress ties at the back - through a buttonhole - yes - admittedly, this will be the hardest part! The straps can either be made from tulle - like the skirt - or as I've done, fabric. I chose fabric as I believe its nicer for the wearer.

Do not fear, the back is not shirred - although you could choose to shirr should you wish. The back has elastic casings - 3 or 4 cases is all that is required & you will find it remarkably easy.

 

To top that off, there is no itchy, bumpy exposed side seams - the back bodice is enclosed at the sides within the front bodice piece.

 

There is also no itchy, scratchy-ness going on in the legs department either! The underskirt takes care of that! You could also choose to omit the tulle and turn this dress into a simple dress, using statement fabrics.

I chose to add some fabric flowers, and honestly, it took me longer to hand sew them on, than it did to sew on the 90 pieces of tulle!! I kid you not!! (Maybe I'm a VERY slow hand-sewer.... but hey, find out for yourself!)

 

To make this dress, I strongly advise buying tulle on the roll. Although not available in store in my part of the world, I was able to order online easily. I can recommend Ebay.

 

This is a hugely effective dress, that takes very little time to sew (relatively) and the results are just amazing!   

 

We took these photos at one of our amazing local wineries and I'm sure the staff at Houghton's wondered where the rest of the wedding party was!! Hehehe!

 

BUT, I've saved the best until last!! If you join the FooFoo Thread's sewing group on Facebook, this pattern is absolutely FREE!! Yes, that's right.... free!! So come on over and get the coupon code!

 

 

If your crazy or not inclined to join the Facebooking world, you can also purchase the pattern direct HERE .

 

My daughter & I give this dress 5 out of 5 plies! Have fun sewing!!

Little Long Stocking Dolly Pattern - StitchART by Jeanine

 

Let me introduce the newest pattern from Jeanine of StitchART. This is the "Little Long Stocking Dolly."

 

This sweet PDF pattern comes with not only the doll pattern included, but three fun felt hats & her skirt!

 

Dolly from head to toe is approximately 42cm (16.5 inches) tall.

 

If you have never tried FMA - Free Motion Applique - I highly recommend it! I personally love the freedom, the rustic-ness & creativity it brings. You can NOT go wrong! Messy, neat, up, down, left, right! Once you try it, you'll be planning your next FMA project!!

 

Dolly is the perfect project to use up scraps & would make a perfect mum & me project if you have a budding sewest.

 

My daughter loved "Fairy" and was delighted that she could change her hats & jump up and down with her and watch limbs go a-flying!

Nothing beats a cuddle!

 

Embarrassed Fairy posing for your viewing! Even without the skirt, she is delightful! 

To sew FMA, you will need a FMA sewing machine foot attachment - my Singer machine's foot looks like this. 

 It is this foot that gives you the freedom to create easy curves, go back, forth, left, right, zig-zag or which ever way you please with ease.



 

So since my little Miss had already named her dolly "Fairy", an idea came to me...... "YES! She would indeed make a WONDERFUL fairy!!" So I made her a pair of wings!! I created a template from images of butterfly wings, used a ridged iron-on interfacing & some iron on wadding to create this look. You must be careful to warm up this interfacing once again after sewing your wings before turning them the right way. Once the interfacing cools, it goes rather solid & is tricky to pull the right way around!

 

The wings make a perfect opportunity to go crazy with those FMA ideas!! Draw a pattern on or free-style it! I also believe Jeanine is intending to release an add-on pack for her dolly pattern, which will include wings, but also some other exciting options!! Stay tuned!

 

This is the sister to Fairy & she has rainbow spandex wings!! (Be careful ironing on interfacing to this tricky fabric!!)  

I went spiral over-load on these wings! But FMA really enables you to grab your artistic freedom and run with it!

Both my dolly's have black button eyes - but you could use fabric paint or FMA her eyes on. 

Now.... let me say this before you proceed with making your very own Long Stocking Dolly, take special note of the recommendation to use a pencil with an eraser on the end! These thin limbs need to be stuffed little by little and only an eraser tipped pencil will do to help fill these limbs!!! (I did discover this the hard way!! Don't endure my frustration! Get that eraser tipped pencil!)

Another little hack that I like to do with my softies, is to weight them. You can buy special made toy beads. I don't recommend using rice/wheat/dried legumes etc with toys that may be played with & need washing, as your poor softie will not last! HOWEVER, if your on a budget, you can use aquarium pebbles! They are small, a nice weight & will cope with being washed!

 

I like to make a tiny pillow and pop some pebbles in, sew up the end, then make sure my toy filling surrounds the "pebble pillow." It gives the softie a nice "real" feel to it. As a dear friend demonstrated when I first showed her Fairy, she picked her up, cuddled her to her chest and then stated that she liked the weight. As if she isn't weighted she could just "fly away" - demonstrated by nearly flinging her over her shoulder! LOL!  But, as amusing as this is, it is actually in actions, exactly the way I feel too! hehe!

 

I love sewing the odd softie, they are really a very cathartic sew for me. The Little Long Stocking Dolly is also a really delightful little dolly! If you would like to read more about her, please visit Jeanine's blog The Crafting Fiend or purchase the pattern direct from her Etsy store HERE

 

BUT!! Wait there!!....... this is the best bit.... I'm giving AWAY this little rainbow dolly! She will be heading to one of my fans! All you need to do is comment on this blog post & you will be in the running to win her!!

 

I will draw a winner randomly on Friday 4th November 2016 - Western Australian time. This draw is open to international readers, however only enter if your willing to cover international postage - cost would be confirmed. (Postage to the US approx. $16, postage to the UK approx. $20.)

 

So don't forget to check back on Friday 4th! You could have this little fairy heading your way!!