Monday, January 26, 2015

Potato Chip Skirt from the #BundleUp collection

 I was excited to get the opportunity to test the Potato Chip Skirt from Tie Dye Diva as part of the #BundleUp sale that is currently going on. Maddie loves simple skirts, pockets, horses and dogs. Simple enough right? Even better when you can get that all in one skirt fit for a soon-to-be 8 year old. (Can you believe she's almost 8?!?! I can't. )

The patterns runs from 12 months to a 13/14. I love this because Maddie wears a 9/10 and we can still get a couple more years of this pattern for her. You can do the simple unlined version, lined version or the reversible version that I went with. It has inset pocket with the option for piping as well.

The main side of Maddie skirt is a denim with little white hearts in it and a horse applique that I added using my new embroidery machine. :) I used a bright pink polka-dot material for the pockets for a nice contrast.
The reverse side does not include pockets but the seams are fully enclosed and the finish is awesome. I used the pink from the pockets as the waistband so that it would add a little color. This side is a white lightweight corduroy with little pink poodles all over it.
This is a closeup of the skirt and the horse design. Maddie actually cut all the pieces out for me and watched while I stitched the design. She was sew excited that she cut all the doll pieces out as well and stitched the horse on the doll top all by herself. I only helped with threading the machine a couple times. Proud mommy moment for sure.
 The doll version comes a set with a peasant style top and the same options for the skirt. We went with a fully reversible skirt to match Maddie's version. The fit was perfect for Miss Kit.

Are you planning on bundling up? What pattern are you most excited for?

Friday, January 23, 2015

The Tie Dye Diva Pattern Review - Storybook Pinafore


Have you ever looked through your post and realized you have a few that never got published. I used to skip over then because they were a different season or an old project but there are a few that I loved and I still want to share them. 

This is the Storybook Pinafore from Tie Dye Diva Patterns. I was part of the testing process last year. This is Maddie in the size 9/10 I believe. I had this rose printed quilting cotton that I've had for years and this seemed like the perfect fit for this. We were encouraged to be inspired by characters from childhood books so I went with Heidi.

I just put a pleated skirt and polo underneath but the results are ADORABLE!

The pinafore ties at each side and I absolutely adore the flutter sleeves. Oh those freckles......I just want to squeeze her!!

We pull this out if the closet every once in a while and she always gets noticed in this number. :)

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Dear Seamstress on your high horse

This isn't directed at anyone person but this has been on my mind for a while and I thought I would share. 

I'm on a few different Facebook groups related to sewing and embroidery. I use these to educate myself and learn something new or make and meet other sewing gal pals. Sometimes it's also just fun to sit back and watch the drama play out that naturally comes when groups of women come together. 

There are a few things that irritate me in these groups. One of these is women who claim to have been sewing their entire lives that trash pattern designers or talk down to others in the group who are asking question they feel are silly or the person should already know. Here's why I think this way: 

  1. I am 100% self taught. I started teaching myself on a machine I found in my parents stuff (that they never learned to use) when I was 9 and have been working at improving myself ever since. The person asking questions may have just opened up their machine today and your snide comments may make them want to box it up and forget about trying again. 
  2. I have never met another person IRL (in real life) that also sews. I know I can't be the only one like this. When I am stuck and I can't YouTube or Google my way out of a sewing issue I ask questions. That's what these groups were formed to do. Help each other.
  3. Paper patterns suck are really confusing. PDF's can be difficult to read too. Sometimes your vision is a little bigger than your skill set. So what!! I'm impressed you are giving it a shot and your should be proud of yourself. 
  4. It's easy to over analyze or over think directions that seem sure easy and confuse yourself. Sometimes screaming kids, lack of sleep or a number of other reasons make seemingly common sense and logical ideas completely impossible. You may ask a question that you read the next day and laugh at yourself. So what! It didn't hurt anyone, I promise.
  5. We all learn at our own pace. It may take you a week to do the same pattern it took someone else 2 hours to complete. You don't know what their schedule is like at home, if they have free time or help or even if they have been sewing for years. STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS!
  6. Some designers are self taught and sew and instruct in their own way. Some of us appreciate and even prefer this style of pattern writing and construction. If you are more advanced than the directions and you want to do it a different way, go for it. That doesn't mean a pattern is bad because you find it beneath you.
  7. Some designers write for those who have never made anything ever and not for those or have expert skills. Designers have to start designing somewhere as well. They improve as their patterns go. They get better testers, better writing and improve a ton. Give them some slack. Most of them are moms and have families just like you and me.
  8. If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all!

I think anyone who sews can remember the feeling they got the very first time they made something usable or wearable. It doesn't matter if your first project is at the age of 9 or 99. Even with all it's mistakes it was still perfect to you. If you are someone who is just starting out, don't get discouraged. We all started somewhere. Some people forget from time to time they were once beginners too. It 's better to try and fail then never to have tried at all. 

Happy Sewing