Duchess & Hare - PDF patterns Sunny Side, Heat Wave & U-Turn

 

I know, it's been a while since posts, but three children + full time university has meant sewing has taken a back seat. However, I can't help but sew! Sooooo.....please let me share with you three of the latest PDF patterns by Duchess & Hare, starting with Sunny Side and Heat Wave.

 

Sunny Side & Heat Wave 

 

 

Sunny Side is a gorgeous halter or tie back top or mini dress, with a sweet top frill/ruffle. This is the dress version with pom pom trim added. 

 

I opted for the tie back option for my 4 year old, however the halter ties are just as aesthetically pleasing and functional. I also added some beads to my ties - just for fun!

 

Like all Duchess & Hare patterns, both the Sunny Side and Heat Wave come with layered pattern pieces. These two patterns include sizes 2 to 12. 

Heat Wave shorts are the perfect accompaniment to Sunny Side and can be made with a scalloped hem or straight if you prefer or want to whip up a 5 minute quick sew pair of shorts! (They are literately that quick and easy!) Scalloped hem will take more time, but the results are so pleasing! 

Big Bow is Duchess & Hare's FREE bow pattern increased by 150%

 

 

This adorable koala fabric was the perfect choice for a top length Sunny Side.

Sunny side comes with an elasticated back and beautifully enclosed lined bodice. Heat Wave has an elasticated waistband and enclosed scallop hem (if choosing this option.)  

 

If you would like to know more about the Sunny Side and Heat Wave patterns, please click HERE.

 

 

U-Turn Dress

 

Now that winter has officially hit us here in Western Australia, I opted to sew the U-Turn in heavier fabrics, although this dress is the perfect all-rounder!

This plaid wool was a generous gift from a dear friend and I'm so pleased I used it to sew the U-Turn dress. The U-Turn pattern includes sizes 6 months to 8 and comes with layered pattern pieces. 

With a cross over back, the skirt is beautifully full, especially if you choose to make a reversible dress!! (You will need to use snaps instead of buttons for a reversible dress.)

 

I can't resist buttons, so I made non-reversible versions and love the results in medium weight fabrics. The unicorn fabric is pinwale cord.

 

This is an earlier test version and has since had length added to the vintage length.

 

 You can choose bodice/sleeve flutters, or leave them off. A hem ruffle is also an available option, plus pockets!! Boy, we do LOVE pockets!

 

Blouses paired with my versions of the U-Turn dresses are the Muttonchop (as shown above) or the Story Book blouse (in the satin, paired with the unicorn dress.)

 

To see more on the U-Turn or purchase the pattern, please visit Duchess & Hare HERE.

 

Want to see more inspiration or share your Duchess & Hare sews? Please join the Duchess & Hare Facebook pattern group HERE.

 

 

Like the bonnet? This sweet pattern is the Evergreen bonnet by Twig Tale.

 

 

Happy sewing!

 

~ Zoe ~

Mila - PDF Pattern by Sansahash

Long time no see! It's been hectic in my house since before Christmas last year! I started university this year as a mature age student – full time – registered nursing! So, sewing has had to take a back seat!

But let me start off my blogging in 2018 with the newest pattern by Sansahash, the Mila dress! 

I'll keep this short and sweet, like the dress! With a retro feel this cute dress can have a pleated or gathered skirt, can be sewn in woven or knit. Regular or v back. Sleeveless with a knee length skirt – simply remove 1” from the height of the skirt piece if you prefer a vintage length like myself. 

 

Mila includes sizes 6 months to 12 years, complete with layered pattern pieces and grading instructions should you need to select a custom fit. My little lady needs a 12 month width with a 4 height!

 

We love a comfy knit dress in our household, so I've sewn two knit versions. 

Please note that the bodice of this dress is an earlier version and the finals don't cut so far in at the armhole/chest area. 

I hadn't actually thought of doing pleats in a knit fabric so I was pleased and surprised by the result! If you have trouble pressing your knit fabric, I highly recommend a starch spray to keep those curling edges in line!

 

 

Miss A adores this dress, not just because of the comfortable fit but because of this amazing fabric! Check out this custom knit from Fabric Trove! Love it too? Visit here: support me with this aff link! (affiliate link, you pay no extra!) 

I had run out fabric for the back, so substituted with this knit lace – it meant that i needed to cut two back pieces instead of the facing. An easy hack and rather effective!

Add a broach or belt to add some extra styling pizzazz

 

This hello kitty version has an added knit rosette, please see my blog post here on how to make one!

 

I love the casual, sportiness of Mila, an everyday wear dress that your little one will reach for time and again from her wardrobe!

 

A quick highly satisfying sew that your girl will actually want to wear! Get your copy here.

 

Until next time,

~Zoe~

Taylor Trench Coat - PDF Pattern by Rebecca Page

Hi there! Yes indeed it's summer time here in Australia.......but since a large chunk of the world and most importantly Rebecca Page's part of the world is heading into winter, I'm showing you this amazing sew that I had the pleasure of testing! The "Taylor Trench."

 

This PDF pattern includes children's sizes, newborn up to 12 years, ladies sizes XXS to 5XL and an 18" doll's version! Something for everyone!

 

This trench coat pattern boasts many optional extras including:

 

2 coat lengths - standard and trench

Patch or welt pockets

Shoulder tabs

Wrist tabs

Back yoke

Front yokes

Belt & belt loops

Removable hood

Depending on which options you choose, you will need a minimum of 14 buttons. (Fortunately you don't need to put in 14 buttonholes too!)

 



 

The sewing tutorial itself is extremely detailed and photos are provided with each step for visual aid. Even a confident beginner can sew one of these trenches! Start out sewing the most basic version if you have no experience sewing coats, then work your way up from there.

 

Allow plenty of time to sew your trench coat - this is NO quick sew and should be attempted over several days (or nights as the case may be!) Despite the "epic-ness" of this sew, you will have a beautiful garment at the end, one you will be proud of sewing and love wearing (or having your child wear.)

Taylor Trench paired with Madison Blouse & Berry Bubble shorts - Rebecca Page patterns

The coat is fully lined. It also really does need to be hand sewn in some areas (yuk I know,) again, well worth the trouble, please trust me here!

 

My coat is sewn from cotton sateen and lined in quilting cotton. Sateen has a wonderful gleam to it, but is a little stretchy, so I wouldn't recommend it if you're not a confident sewer. I choose it mostly because it was in the sale bin at the fabric shop for $2 a metre! (Plus it's a medium weight fabric, which you will require as a minimum for your main fabric.)

 

I used kam snaps to attach my removable hood, you can also use buttons if preferred.

 

I decided to sew the welt pockets as truthfully I hadn't sewn a welt pocket before and I was keen to give it a go! I was pleased with the result and whilst more fiddly than a patch pocket, I found it had a nice streamline look and really added that something extra to the coat.

 

My coat is the trench length - which finished below my 4 year olds knees. The standard coat length finishes below the bottom or mid thigh (depending on your or your child's height.)

 

This is a slim fit pattern, so if you are expecting to layer clothing underneath, then choose the next size larger. The pattern as is allows for a short or long sleeve garment to be worn underneath.

 

If you would like to see more or purchase the Taylor Trench pattern, please visit the Rebecca Page website HERE.

 

To see more inspiration, or ask all those Rebecca Page sewing related questions, please join the Rebecca Page Facebook sewing group.

Meanwhile in Australia......a fly can go up one's nose at any time!

 

Despite appearances of the photos, it was actually a very warm day, muggy with rain. A horrible humid 24 hours really! So while out taking photos, Miss A and I were being bombarded with flies!! If you're not familiar with Australia, we have an excess of the little beasties!

 

We also had our Playgroup Christmas party over the weekend. Here is Miss A at the photo station, wearing Christmas tree glasses, face painted as a (I quote her here) "Rainbow Queen Cat."

 

How's your Christmas sewing or craft plans going?  

Until next time,

 

happy sewing!

 

~Zoe~

Candy Coated & Well Rounded - Duchess & Hare PDF Patterns

 

Greetings! I can hardly believe Christmas is around the corner and 2018 is creeping ever closer! How has this happened so quickly?!

 

So before November "17" comes to a close, let me share the two newest patterns from Duchess & Hare.

 

"Candy Coated" - a coat of course! And "Well Rounded" - a dress or tunic.

Candy Coated

A girls dress coat pattern available in sizes 6 months to 12 years - approximately. Confident beginner sew, buttonholes required, along with some fiddly-ness with the cuffs.

 

 

Candy coated is a fully lined coat pattern, designed to sit at around the hips - (perfect to wear with dresses.)

 

This coat features optional side seam pockets, optional front feature ruffles, pixie shaped hood and a gently curved skirt.

 

I added a satin bow to the back of my Candy Coated. This bow is based on the FREE Duchess & Hare bow pattern, then enlarged by 200% (I can't resist a big bow!)

 

I added just 3 large buttons to my coat so that it would gently flare out over my "Take a Bow" dress.

 

I lined my version of the coat with quilting cotton and trimmed with black satin. The main coat is sequin pleather! (Yes, sequin pleather is an actual fabric! I imagined I might be sewing with thin lino as I put this coat together - the texture of the pleather was so strange with the bumpy sequins! And don't even get me started on the buttonhole application in this stuff!)

 

Candy Coated makes a wonderful introduction into sewing coats if you're a first time coat sewer. Not too complicated with a wonderful result. The coat itself is a generous fit, so plenty of room to add extra layers underneath.

 

To see more or purchase the Candy Coated pattern, please visit Duchess & Hare or join the Facebook Group for more inspiration.

 

My angel - most of the time! This was a cool artwork at one of our local cafes!

Well Rounded Dress or Tunic

 

This versatile dress has a high rounded yoke and full swing skirt.  Collars and sleeves and necklines can be shared with Every Which Way.  Included with this dress is an Eton Collar, a gathered sleeve with band, a long ruffled sleeve, and a short angel sleeve.  Optional ruffle at the hem or solid skirt both hit 1”-2” above the knee or choose tunic length which hits just below the bottom or sew a ruffle to bottom to make a dress.  Choose between a full button back or a half placket.  Two necklines are available, Jewel neck and deep square neck.

 

 

I opted for the tunic length, angel sleeves, full button placket and used the Every Which Way pointed collar.

 

 

 

With sizes 6 months to 12 years included and layered pattern pieces, this pattern offers value for money. I love a pattern that has a range of options and sizes to make it last and create many different looks.

 

Miss A and I had a fun time using the fabric theme and vintage feel of this pattern to create an imaginary ice-cream shop!

 

Well Rounded Tunic paired with the Free at Last shorts. (Join the Facebook Group to get the coupon code to purchase Free at Last for FREE!)

 

To see more or purchase the Well Rounded pattern, please visit Duchess & Hare HERE.

 

 

 

Next up, just a little fun.....if you're a part of the Facebook world, you may have seen the "Black & White 7 day challenge." I cheated a little on the last photo - you're not meant to feature any people in the photos.....but these photos capture a portion of my life. What would your 7 days feature?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time, happy sewing!

 

~Zoe~