Country Cowgirl Christmas Dress

This Christmas, I wanted to make Ella something fun, cute, and practical to wear during the holiday season.  What I came up with is the Country Cowgirl Christmas Dress!

A few weeks ago, Amy from Nap Time Crafters asked ME to participate in her 2012 Holiday Pattern Tour for her Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop!  Sew exciting!



I decided to try out her Evelyn pattern which fit the bill for my criteria for fun, cute, and practical.

Evelyn Dress Pattern

I love the simple A-line design and especially the keyhole tie closure in the back (I try to make as few buttonholes as possible)!  Plus, the gathered center strip added some interesting detail which gave me an idea...

I first thought to make the dress in basic holiday colors but add a big bow at the top of the center strip so the dress would resemble a present.  However, when Ella and I went shopping for the fabric, we both thought the cowgirl Christmas fabric was too fun to pass up--but we kept the big bow idea anyway (this feature has been popular lately)!

So today I'm sharing with you my version of the Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Evelyn dress--the sewVery County Cowgirl Christmas Dress!

Now besides adding the giant bow to the front of the dress, I also lengthened the sleeves and added a gathered cuff to match the center strip of the dress.

Since I used my bias tape to hem the sleeve cuffs, I didn't have enough to make the ties for the closure.  I was lazy and decided to just make a loop and cover a button in lieu of making more bias tape!  Turned out pretty nice though, don't you think?

Now, I did say I don't like to make buttonholes, but I did make one exception for this dress.  I wanted to make the bow on the front removable to make washing it easier.  I tried attaching it to the front a couple of different ways, but each time the bow would flop over because it is so heavy. Finally, I caved and put a buttonhole on the back of the bow knot so it could just be buttoned on to this giant green button!

In order to get Ella's cooperation for the photo shoot, I had to bribe her with a cupcake!  It was well worth it!

This dress pattern was so easy to make and should be a staple of every sewers pattern collection!  Not only does the pattern come in sizes 18 months to 8 years (each size is color coded), it also has the option to make this into a swing top!  I love patterns that offer such a wide range of sizes and offer styling options!  Oh, and the instructions were full of pictures and written details that made assembling the dress a breeze.

Here's a reversible appliqued swing top I made using the Evelyn pattern.   I just left off the sleeves and the center strip.  When you cut out the top minus the center strip, just remember to add back the width of the strip to the front and cut out the front of the dress on the fold.  No biggie!

I have no idea where Ella learned to do this pose!  She seems so professional!

And when Valentine's Day rolls around, we'll just turn this top inside out to this...

And since the top is reversible (fully lined), there is no need for bias tape around the neck or keyhole opening.  Instead, I just inserted the tie pieces when I sewed the neckline together.  

See?!  I told you this pattern was a really good one!  It is so versatile!

Want a chance to win some Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop patterns?

Then just enter the contest here for a chance to win all the patterns being reviewed in the Holiday Pattern Tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
If you want to pick up your own copy of the Evelyn pattern or any other pattern at the Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop before the contest ends, Amy is offering sewVery readers 25% off your entire order when you enter the code "hohoho" at checkout now through December 8th.

Here's the schedule for the rest of the Holiday Tour.  Please visit their sites to see what they made. You won't be disappointed!

The Sewing Loft 

If Only They Would Nap

Nap Time Crafters

Sew Country Chick

Sewing Mama RaeAnna

sewVery 

Melly Sews

Caila Made

Sew a Straight Line

Alida Makes

Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Girl.Inspired.

Thanks for stopping by!  Merry Christmas!

Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Holiday Tour

Starting today, Amy from Nap Time Crafters will be hosting a Holiday Tour of items made from patterns in her Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop. The best part--she asked ME to be a part of the tour along with some other amazing and talented bloggers!

Be sure to come back to sewVery on Wednesday, November 28th, to see the holiday outfit I made for Ella using the Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Evelyn pattern.

Oh, and guess what?!  You will have a chance to win your very own copy of all the patterns being reviewed in the tour!  How amazing is that?!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
So mark you calendar and follow along on the Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Holiday Tour to see what great holiday and anytime outfits you can make for the special child or children in your life!  See you there!

I've Been Published in a Magazine! Plus a Giveaway!

I was asked about a month ago to put together a fun Christmas project to be published in Southern Holiday Life Magazine!  What an exciting opportunity this was, and I felt so honored to be asked that there was no way I could turn them down.

I had the perfect project to make, too.  A Christmas Tree tabletop decoration similar to the one my mom and I made when I was a little girl.

A brief tutorial is included in the magazine along with lots of other fun holiday craft, decorating, and entertaining ideas.  

And starting today, the magazine will be hosting their 25 Days of Christmas Giveaway contest.  

To enter the prize of the day, go to the Southern Holiday Life Facebook page and click on the Giveaway Tab for the details or their website to enter via Rafflecopter.  Remember, you have to enter each day to win that particular day's prize.  The contest is only open to US residents, and please read the details of each giveaway regarding shipping/local pick-up only.

Be sure to enter on Friday, November 30th for a chance to win a special prize from sewVery!  I've offered up a custom embroidered girl's short sleeved t-shirt.  The winner will be allowed to pick out the design from my collection of applique/embroidery files as well as have their child's name embroidered on the shirt.  To see a few examples of things I have embroidered/appliqued, check out my Custom Orders tab.  Sorry, but comments left on this post do not count as an entry into the contest.  

And if you are interested in the full pictorial tutorial for my Christmas Tree Tabletop decoration, I'll be posting it here in a few days!  

Lovely Rita's Slim Jeans and Matching T-Shirt

This has become my favorite outfit for Ella--a pair of slim fit Lovely Rita's jeans and matching appliqued t-shirt.

A few months back, I tested the Pleated Penny top for Shauna of Shwin & Shwin, and as compensation, I was allowed to pick one pattern for free from her shop.  I chose the Lovely Rita's slim fit pant for girls.  

I picked this particular pattern out of all the wonderful, unique designs she has to offer because most little girl's pants patterns are for wide legged, ruffle bottom, elastic waist pants that aren't fitted at all.  This design is such a nice departure from that norm and is a lot of fun when you add contrasting fabrics to the pockets and pants cuff.

I made Ella's pants using size 5T and with stretch denim fabric as recommended in the pattern.   Shauna's pattern was filled with easy to follow instructions and helpful photographs which made constructing these jeans a cinch.  I did change one thing though.  I lined the rear pockets with the floral fabric.  This was easier to me than ironing and hemming the edges of the pocket.  Plus it added another cute detail.

The only problem that I had with the pattern was with the front pocket pattern pieces. I cut them out according to the pattern, but the side seam edge curved inward and did not extend out far enough to match up with the pants leg side seam.  The only solution was to recut the pocket pieces.  I made a note on my pattern to be sure to extend those edges the next time I make a pair.  

I thought the jeans were going to be too big for Ella, but in fact, they fit her quite nicely.  The Lovely Rita's slim jeans are great for running around, climbing, and playing in general.  And they are very stylish!

I bought more stretch denim the other day to make her a second pair.  The next time though, I think I'll make them without the lined cuff and buttons. Now I just need to find the time to sew them together!

Not sure what Ella is doing in all these pictures, but I see that she's having fun poking her lips out!

To go with these cool pair of jeans, I appliqued a double flower design with the letter "E" onto a t-shirt using my new embroidery machine.  I think I am finally getting the hang of machine embroidery!  Check out some of my embroidery/applique work here.

Ella has loved wearing this outfit so much that she has worn it at least three times this past week!  Guess I better get busy making that second pair!  Now if I could only figure out how to make these in my size...

  

Thanks for stopping by!  

Oliver + S Class Picnic Blouse and PANTS

Hello, everyone!  Hope your week is off to a good start!  Mine is so far...

Today I'm sharing with you my latest completed project--an Oliver + S Class Picnic Blouse and Pants set.

Yes, I said pants and not shorts!  If you are at all familiar with the Oliver + S Class Picnic Blouse and Shorts pattern, then you know it is for a blouse and pair of shorts like the ones I made here this past summer.  Ella loves her shorts outfit, so I thought I would make her a fall ensemble using the same O + S pattern but make pants instead.

First, let me talk to you about the blouse.  After taking Anna's class on details at the Sewing Summit, I decided to add a few extras to this blouse. Notice the hunter green piping along the front as well as the two blue buttons.  Plus, I sewed a band to the sleeve edges in the same fabric I used for the front and back facings.  I think these details definitely enhance the visual interest of this blouse.

Isn't this girl just precious?  

Ok, here I must admit a mistake I made in sewing this blouse together.  I mixed up the front and back facings and didn't realize it until I already had the piping and buttons sewn on!  There's not much difference in those two pattern pieces, so I choose not to take it all apart and redo my work.  I honestly can't tell a difference in the fit, and my bet is that you never would have known it either!

Now, on to the pants.  I used my size 5 shorts pattern pieces as a guide in creating the new pattern pieces needed for the pants.  This included the shorts front, back, front facing, and back facing pieces.  I am not going into any great detail on how I created these, but I will say that I used a pair of pants that fit my daughter well as a go by for determining the length of the new O + S pants.

The trickiest part of converting the shorts to pants pattern is the adjustment of the front piece inside seam.  It is angled, but you can't simply extend that angle out to the length you need.  Instead, you'll have to just play with it and adjust the angle the best you can.  It's really no big deal.  Mine worked out just fine.

Where I had a little problem, however, is that I was working with limited fabric, something like just under 3/4 of a yard of denim fabric which was 60" wide.  In order to get the pants front and back and facing pieces all cut out of the denim, I had to make the facing pieces slightly narrower than the  pattern specified.

I did not take this into account when cutting out the waistband pieces, so my front waistband ended up being roughly 1.25" too short!  My solution was to add that little square piece of denim to the middle front of the waistband.  I think it kind of looks like I meant for it to be that way!  Don't you?

The most difficult part of the assembly of these pants was sewing all the way down and then back up the facing pieces.  I did not anticipate this when I decided to make pants instead of shorts.  If you decide to make a similar pair of pants, I would suggest sewing half way down each side of the facing piece from the top then sewing half way up each side of the facing piece from the bottom so that your seams meet somewhere in the middle.  It is very difficult to sew down that narrow leg tube shape and not get a nice smooth seam.  I went very, very slowly and constantly checked to make sure I wasn't getting any other fabric stuck under the presser foot.  Let's just say it was a tense few minutes of sewing!

And then I forgot to sew the tags in while I was sewing on the waistband.  I do this all the time!  Do you? Anyway, I improvised and sewed them onto this little strip of fabric and then sewed it into the pants.  It looks pretty sloppy from the inside, but the outside is nice and neat since I sewed directly over the seam. If you are interested in sizing and care labels, read my post here.

While this outfit is not girly looking at all, it is a great outfit to wear for playing and exploring the outdoors. Plus, Ella can wear these pants with pretty much any t-shirt or other blouse as long as the waistband is covered. She loves the outfit and says it is super comfy, so even though it has a few little mistakes, who cares! As long as she's happy, I'm happy!  And I'd say she looks pretty happy!