Finch dress

Today is the first of the month, which means a new theme for a Sewpony sewlong is revealed! The month of October is all about sewing with stretchy fabrics.

Sewpony has a number of patterns specifically designed for knits, like Cosi swimsuit, Catherine cardigan and Issie top (available for girls and women). But I know that the Finch dress works for knits also. I made a test version in a knit fabric to see if it would work, and it did. Now it is getting warmer on my side of the globe I decided to make a short sleeved Finch for my little love.

Birch + straightgrain tour

Miss R loves animals. She wants to be a vet or a zoo keeper when she grows up. Last time we went to the zoo she quizzed a couple of keepers about their job and how to become a zoo keeper! She reads any book about animals she can find again and again. She enjoys watching documentaries about nature and animals.

It did not come as a surprise when Miss R chose Sunny Forest print for her new dress. This is one of the prints from the new line of organic fabrics from Birch, the Whistle collection by Jenny Ronen. These prints are available in woven and knit. 

Ivy pinafore and Alexi top

Hi. I am Jenya. I used to be scared of spiders and small bust adjustment. Until I got obsessed with the Ivy pinafore from Jennifer Lauren Handmade.

Nivalis dress for winter

Why must winter be so cold and dark!

Obviously this is not something I can change. However I can make bright warm clothes to help us deal with winter better. I can, and I did.

This is the Nivalis dress and tunic pattern from Sofilantjes*. I made a summer version of this dress nearly two years ago and have been planning to make another one 'soon' ever since.

Isa dresses

Brace yourselves for more twinning sisters style!

Ok, the remark that their dresses are not identical is absolutely legitimate, but still, I used the same pattern for both of them, so my girlies are still twinning? Sort of? Kind of? Yeah?

Tic Tac Toe dress in denim

How many denim dresses can one little girl have, one might ask.

At least one more, Miss L and I would reply.

Louisa dress... again

I was not sure how to introduce this new dress I made for my little love because I don't think that the Louisa dress pattern from Compagnie M needs an introduction.

Finch dress (test version)

When Suz of Sewpony made it public that her new pattern, the Finch dress, was ready for testing, I volunteered to sew it in knit fabric.

This is my test version of the Finch dress patternt. Please bear in mind there have been a few changes made to the final pattern, I will list them later in the post.

Joy dress in bamboo jersey from Maaidesign

Have you heard the exciting news? La Maison Victor's trial English edition was such a success they will be publishing a new magazine in English every 5-6 weeks! The new edition is already available in the US and UK, and it is due to reach our shores around the 21st of May. 

I made one of the patterns from this magazine, the Joy dress, in the most delicious bamboo jersey from Maaidesign store. Please visit Maaike's blog to read more about this project. 

Patricia Rose dress

I am a risk taker! Who would have thought! Well, it is not that I don't take risks in life. I did move to the other side of the globe for example. However when it comes to the things I make for myself, I don't seem to explore too many different styles and cuts. Well, not with my last project!

Pleated summer dress

This red dress is my last summer project. It is one of my favourite 'selfish' makes to date. However it almost wasn't made.

Lacey dress from style arc

I have a secret hobby. I like to go 'window shopping' for patterns and fabric. Style Arc is currently one of my favourite sites to visit. They have so many patterns that I love. A few times my 'window shopping' resulted in a purchase. I recently posted about my versions of Style Arc's Courtney top. Today I would like to introduce you to another fab pattern - the Lacey dress.

Family reunion dress in linen and liberty

Last year I made a Family Reunion dress for my little love to wear to her Aunt's wedding. This year I used this pattern again to make her a Christmas dress.

Janie dress

Miss R: Mummy, can you make me a stretchy dress?
Me: Sure love.
Miss R: It needs to be super twirly, so that when I spin you could see my knickers.
Me: Sure love.

Of course we all understand that my daughter's request meant she wanted a knit dress with a circular skirt. In other words, she wanted a Janie dress by Mouse House Creations. So, While she was sleeping...

Fringe dress in double gauze

A few days ago I posted a question on Instagram wondering if I should be concerned about a friend of mine who made three Fringe dresses in less than a month. I know that you know I was not talking about a 'friend'. Yep. I really did it. I love this amazing pattern by Chalk and Notch so much I made three dresses in less than a month. And I love them all. The first Fringe dress is my 'special occasion' dress. The second was also made with rayon, but the print made it look so cool and casual! And now the third :)

There is something magical about the colour red. For some it associates with danger. For me, it is a colour of love, passion, confidence, fun and beauty. Whenever I wear this dress I feel I could conquer the world. Seriously, don't mess with a woman wearing red!

Playing favourites

Some things are special because of the memories attached to them.

I remember Miss R as a three year old dragging this ice cream printed fabric through Mildura Spotlight asking me to buy it. Three times I put it back on the shelf, and three times she pulled it back down. I remember her using this fabric as a blanket on the way home from Mildura (perhaps she didn't trust me with it thinking I would put it back on the shelf again hehe). Miss R wore the first dress I made with this fabric for three years!!! There are certain benefits when your child only seems to be growing upwards.

Fringe in blue

When one finds a patterns that makes them feel beautiful, one has got to make it again. At least that is what I told myself after the success of my first Fringe dress by Chalk and Notch, and promptly stitched up one more.

Issie top and dress by Sewpony

You have probably heard by now that Suz from Sewpony has updated her Little Betty pattern, added more sizes and views, and recently re-released the pattern as the Issie top.

The Fringe dress

It has been a while since I looked at myself in a mirror and felt pretty. In this dress, made in this fabric, I feel beautiful!

You probably recognise the Fringe dress pattern which was released by Gabriela from Chalk and Notch a couple of months ago. The Fringe dress took the sewing world by storm, and the hype around this pattern is understandable - it is simply amazing!

Rushbrook dress

What could possibly make my little love squeal with delight? Chocolate. Ice cream. And a blue dress with pockets, buttons and some floral print thrown in the mix. And when I say Miss L squealed with delight when I showed her the Rushbrook dress I mean just that. She had her little hands in the pockets before I managed to put the dress on her! 

The Rushbrook dress and top is the latest release from Titchy Threads. This pattern comes in a dress or a top length, has a floaty A-line silhouette and features a subtle racer back. It can look simple and sweet or one can add pockets, flutter sleeves, placket ruffle or/and a hem ruffle to change the look of the outfit. Sizes range from 12-18 months to 12 years.