Clarissa Dress - Pattern by MCM Studio Designs

 

I'm a big fan of classic styles. Fashion trends come and go, but style is timeless. This dress was inspired by centuries old provincial French dresses. Designer Linda, from MCM Studio Designs has designed a truly stylish little number! 

 

 

 

 

The PDF pattern includes sizes 2T to 10 & is recommended for intermediate sewers. The challenging parts of the pattern include buttonholes, ruffles, placket & front feature pleats. However with detailed instructions & diagrams included in the pattern, an adventurous beginner could complete this dress.

 

The dress has long & short sleeve options. I completed the long sleeve version - which is perfect for our cooling Australian weather. The short sleeve version finishes where you see the ruffle, so even in full sun, shoulders & upper arms will be protected.

 

 

 

This dress could be made in a variety of different fabrics. I chose a floral quilters cotton for the bodice & a deep blue velour type fabric for the sleeves & skirt. It gave the dress a very luxurious feel!

 

The front of the dress has sweet feature pleats down the centre. In my version the busy floral print hid those lovely pleats, so I decided to add a front vertical ruffle & buttons.

 

 

 

 

 

The back is designed to be buttoned or snapped. Again, I can't resist choosing a lovely button!! These gold glitter shank buttons just set the blue off perfectly! I highly recommend taking the trouble to put buttonholes in, the quality that buttons bring to a garment is second to none. Practice your buttonholes first on a scrap - then your actual garment.

 

 

 

The overall silhouette this dress has is just charming. The skirt falls from the bodice in a sloping gait from the centre front & back. The skirt drops nicely and this is partially due to the 3 inch hem allowance that weighs the skirt down.   

 

 

 

I loved sewing Clarissa and I'm always on the search for unique garments & this dress I feel is one of those items. Don't let those little details that define this dress put you off. Take your time. Make it as fancy or as simple as you wish!

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase the pattern or find out more information, please visit MCM Studio's website  HERE

 

 

Emory's Park Outfit - Pattern by Grammie's Dolls

 

I had the pleasure of testing this adorable set. Options for a boys shirt & shorts, or a girls blouse & shorts. The PDF pattern comes with sizes newborn to 6 included.

 

 

 

 

 

The shirt or blouse has several feature options, including a panel to smock if your that clever! Or add piping or embroidery. I left my samples as is, simple & beautiful. With front pleats the shirt is special all on its own!

 

 

 

The pleating instructions are clear and an adventurous beginner would cope & produce lovely results. The pleats in the boys shirt are fixed at the bottom with the hem. The girls blouse option has the pleats left open to create a more feminine silhouette.

 

 

  

My little model just shone in his version! The shorts have a flat front waistband & are elasticated at the back to give dressing ease. The shorts were very quick to whip up & you'll find if you sew for boys, that you will use this pattern again & again - even just for the shorts!

 

The classic peter pan collar gives this shirt such a vintage feel, keeping that yesteryear vibe alive. The boys shirt has straight sleeves which ease in.

 

 

 

 

The front can be done up with buttons or snaps, but I personally LOVE buttons & can't resist an opportunity to purchase cute buttons!! Like the candy of the sewing world!! (Or well, that's the way I feel about them!)

 

 

My models mum informed me that this is the sort of outfit that she would dress her little man in & I myself really love the look. For Sunday best or everyday play this outfit is simply all class.

 

 

  

I also sewed up the girls version for my daughter - in a 2T. I highly recommend checking your child's size against the size chart. While the sizes I sewed for both outfits fitted the children very well, in store bought clothing their off the rack sizing didn't correspond with these sizes generally speaking. If you don't have the child on hand to measure, choose the next size up! Always sew the size that corresponds with your child's measurements - not necessarily with their off the rack size.  

 

For my daughter's blouse I chose to add piping to the collar. This was a simple add on. Piping add on instructions are given in the pattern.

 

 

 

The sleeves for the girls version differ, and are a puff type sleeve, cuffed at the bottom of the sleeve & gathered top & bottom. Sleeves for both versions need easing in.

 

 

 

 

I of course went to town again on her buttons & chose some sweet red love hearts. For her shorts I chose to modify them. The only difference in the girls & boys shorts aside from the slight length difference, is the ruffle that can be added to the girls version. I replaced the recommended ruffles with a wide cuff as I wanted the print on the shorts to sing on its own merits. This photo always makes me instantly smile! She had gotten something icky on her hands & was very unimpressed! Of course I just had to photograph her!

 

 

 

 

The pattern has the option to print only the sizes you require - which is a HUGE bonus in my books. The instructions are clearly written & for a novice with some experience, the most difficult part of the pattern would be the attaching of the collar & making the buttonholes. If you have never made a blouse or a shirt, this may be a small challenge, but don't let it deter you! The results are just schmick!  (Which is Aussie for amazing!)

To purchase the pattern or find out more, see Grammie's Dolls at https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/279717876/emorys-park-outfit?ref=shop_home_active_1 or at her website http://grammiesdolls.com/

Special thanks to my friend Jane. You know your a star!

Vintage Grace dress/top - pattern by Bella Sunshine Designs

 

Everyone needs staples in their closets, and this cute top or dress fits that to a tee! Vintage Grace will be your go to pattern! Perfect for the adventurous beginner - and I only say adventurous as there are three buttonholes & a simple placket to tackle!

 

 

In the top version, the skirt is almost peplum like and paired with leggings, is a versatile fun top!

 

The bodice is lined and the sleeves are attached internally between the two bodice layers - which creates a very comfortable & finished appearance. The sleeves can be trimmed with lace or pom-pom trim or anything you wish really!

 

 

The back fastens with three buttons - so if your unsure of your buttonhole skills, do a practice one first. If you have a 1 step buttonhole feature on your sewing machine, then absolutely become familiar with it - you will soon be wanting to put buttons on everything!! For this fun top, I chose some cute blue heart buttons, because what goes better with My Little Pony?!

 

I also chose to trim the skirt & sleeves in pom-pom trim & affix an iron on embroidered MLP patch on the front of the bodice (make sure you also stitch these on too.) This really is the ideal top to embellish with embroidery, free hand applique, iron on patches/vinyl etc. Make it fun!

 

 

The sleeves and skirt are gathered - the pattern directions are clear and easy to follow, so even a beginner will manage with ease. If you don't have a serger/overlocker, then you could use french seams to join the skirts, so all seams are sealed.

This was my second Vintage Grace and I decided to do the dress version - although I modified the skirt to have WOF (width of fabric) skirts. This created a very twirly dress! Perfect for dancing!

I also chose to add a red satin ribbon sash. With floral fabric, it totally transformed the look! I added a lining layer to the sleeves and omitted any trim to the flutter sleeves so the fabric could speak for itself!

It is paired here with Bella Sunshine's oh-so-cute leggings - Bow Tie Leggings! I made these in a wooly knit, perfect for our cool Autumn we are having.

 

This dress is finished with red diamanté heart buttons & is a perfect special occasion dress - or any occasion I say!

 

This is my third Vintage Grace and as you can see, it also layers well for cooler weather.

I loved testing this pattern and found the instructions easy to follow & well written.

The pattern features layering options, so you can choose to print only the size you need, or if blending sizes - as I often need to do - you can select the two sizes you need.

 

Its also not necessary to print the skirt pattern piece as the sizes are provided, however if you still like the traditional option of tracing a pattern piece, you can print the entire pattern.  

 

 

 

This PDF pattern comes with sizes 6 months up to 12 which is an excellent size range and value for money with a pattern like this, which you will use again and again.

 

To find out more or to purchase the pattern yourself, please visit Bella Sunshine designs here http://bellasunshinedesigns.com/product/vintage-grace-flutter-dress/

 

or see more on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/bellesandbowsBYzoe

 

 

Daphne Marie Dress - Pattern by Pollywoggles

Now firstly, let me just say, who doesn't like the sound of "Pollywoggles" on their lips?! What an adorable designer name!! And this dress - "Daphne Marie" - is pretty adorable too!

I've been exposed to the world of pattern testing recently. I still very happily purchase patterns, however through testing I get to try out new designers I've never heard of & try new things that perhaps I wouldn't normally. I was lucky enough to test Daphne Marie.

This sweet tea length dress has two skirt layers & the option of an empire waist bodice or regular length (empire is just a bit shorter.) The back of the bodice is shirred or if your not sure on your shirring abilities, you can use the encased elastic option. I do prefer shirring personally for the time factor.

The top front of the bodice features a pleated frill or gathered if you prefer. However the pleats really do compliment the dress nicely. There are two options for pleating given, both easy & viable.

Quilters or crafters cotton works extremely well with this pattern, although you could try a range of different fabric - even an organza top layer would look highly effective!

It ties up through button holes in the back of the dress - so can be adjusted in length & I believe get you quite some wear from any one size.

 

It is a fantastic beginners pattern, with well written instructions & plenty of photographs to follow throughout the pattern. Don't let the shirring or button holes put you off!! The pattern includes sizes 12-18 months up to 10 years. A very simple pattern to blend sizing with also.

 

 

 

 

It was a pleasure working with designer - Heidi - and I highly recommend this fun pattern. You can purchase the pattern yourself here https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/292248025/dress-pattern-girls-daphne-marie-1-10y?ref=shop_home_active_1

 

If you would like to visit my Facebook page for more - please see me here www.facebook.com/bellesandbowsBYzoe

Hampton Top - Pattern by Made for Mermaids

Since I'm at the very beginning of my blogging adventure, I thought I'd back track and show you some of my favourite recent sews. Over the next couple of weeks I will be posting more often than usual.....just to get started! This beautiful top is a design by Made for Mermaids. Hampton is the design and it can be made into a top - as I've done - or even as a dress or romper.

 

It has a size range from 6 months to 8yrs (approx.) Always check your child's measurements against the sizing chart. As I have a tall & slender child, I often need to blend sizes, and that's exactly what I've done here. The pattern easily allowed me to choose a narrow waist line & longer bodice & skirt.

 

 

 

 

This pattern, like many PDF patterns had photographs of each step, I did find the photographs could have been clearer in some steps, but I was still able to follow along without too much trouble. This pattern would certainly suit an adventurous beginner sewer. There are no button holes - it has an elastic loop at the back - I chose to have one only - but you could add three or more depending on your button choice.   

 

 

The ruffle "butterfly" sleeves (as my daughter called them - after giving me a daring flying display) can be left off if desired. I rounded my sleeves at the bases, however you can also leave them square if you don't want to go to the trouble of tapering them (I believe you get a smoother finish if you round them.)

The sides are elasticated to give a beautiful fit, but bow ties are also a lovely feature that helps give that fitted waist. You have an option of big bow ties (as I chose to do) or "normal" sash ties - either would look lovely.

I also chose to jazz up my bodice front with a faux bib feature, I added lace and buttons to give it extra pizazz. When I'm able to figure out this blog thing, I'll try and add some templates! This is an extra design feature of my own.

 

Pair it with Bonny leggings (also by MFM) and your set to go!! To check out the Hampton for yourself, please visit http://www.madeformermaids.com/product/hampton/