The Norah Dress Pattern Tour

When Hayley from Welcome to the Mouse House asked me to participate in her Norah Dress pattern tour, I was powerless to resist.  That collar!  I have a real weakness for patterns with a vintage vibe, and this one really hit the spot.  Plus, I love any pattern with a classic, simple shape.  This is a dress that will never go out of style.

Of course, the collar is the real show-stopper.  A cinched peter pan with ties?  I die.  When I was cutting the collar pattern piece, the scraps seemed like they would be just the perfect size and shape for a few pockets.  They are a bit tight up top, but Ruby can still get her hands inside, and the first thing she did was start loading them with treasures.  Plus, the pockets were a way for me to add more pink (at her request).

Fabrics used:  main print - Emily Herrick Technicolor in Kryptonite, collar - Essex Yarn Dyed Linen in black, lining - Kona Cotton (not sure of the color).

Ruby approved.

Until our little photo bomber came along.  Oh sure, it was funny at first, but then baby sister tried to steal too much of Ruby's thunder.  "These pictures are just of ME!" she said.

It wouldn't be a photo shoot without a few tears, right?

No tears were shed about the Norah Dress though.  It was a real winner.  I can't wait to sew up more versions for my girls (it works for knits, too!) ... let's just say I plan to copy Simple Simon's perfect yellow Norah tunic pretty much point by point.

Thanks, Hayley, for including me in your first pattern tour!  I'm a fan.  

Make a stop at all the blogs on the pattern tour, so you don't miss any of the wonderful versions of this pattern!

Signature Dress by Go To Patterns

I love a versatile sewing pattern, and the Signature Dress by Go To Patterns might just be my new favorite.  It is the first pattern that Andrea, of The Train To Crazy, has released in her new shop, and with 3 lengths, 7 sleeve options, 4 styles of pockets, and many other design options, there are literally hundreds of ways to customize your perfect dress.

For Ruby's dress, I choose the maxi length, a flutter sleeve, a shirred waist, and inset pockets.  She is on the robust side, so I cut the 3T size in the 2T length, and the fit is just perfect.  The Signature Dress comes in sizes 12 months to 12 years(!), so I know I'll be using this pattern for a long time to come.

This is the first long dress in Ruby's wardrobe, and she really loves it - apparently anything in this length qualifies as a "princess dress."  At first I was a little apprehensive about sewing a maxi dress for a two year old who spends 75% of her waking hours falling down, but she ran around in the dress all day yesterday and it didn't cause any problems.  Hooray!

She especially loves those pockets - especially when I stuff them with a few jelly beans as a photo bribe (not that they work particularly well ... do you notice a theme of back turned, head down shots in this post?  I really need to find a more cooperative model).

Get your pattern HERE.

This post is part of the Go To Patterns blog tour.  Click on the blogs below to see other variations on this pattern:




Keep up with Go To Patterns on Facebook.

Prairie Rose Pattern Tour

Hello, long, lost blogging friends!  I hope some of you are still out there reading, because I've got a whole bunch of recent projects to share with you, starting with ... the Prairie Rose Set from Wee Muses.

When Annelise of Aesthetic Nest asked me to join her tour, I took one look at the Prairie Rose Set and knew Ruby would love it.  What little girl wouldn't?  It is an entire collection of clothes patterns dominated by ruffles.  :)

For Cora, I sewed up the maxi skirt, but more on that in a minute.  Ruby received a modified blouse and pant.

For the blouse, I left off the ruffle and elastic casing on the sleeves.  I also made the pants sans ruffle, added a pin tuck down the front and back of each leg, and narrowed the leg quite a bit.  (photo above is the slimmer version, photo below (in boots) is the full-width leg).  Even having omitted so many ruffles, this is a very fun and feminine look.

I can't tell you how much prancing and preening went on when I pulled this outfit out.  Ruby could not stand still.

I made this floral maxi skirt for Cora (and the coral flashback skinny tee to coordinate), but she absolutely rejected it.  Two year olds are impossible.  Grrr.

I got little smiles for these photos only because she was so pleased with herself for not keeping the skirt on.
What a stink-face.

Ruby, who had been eyeing those flowers from the start, decided she could make it work, and quickly adopted the skirt.  "It's ok if its not so long, mama."

Twirling promptly commenced.

So I guess that makes Ruby the big winner.  She always gets ALL the clothes.  (But I sure hope Cora softens her heart about that skirt, because ... SWOON!)

The Prairie Rose set is a fully collection that includes a blouse, dress, skirt, and pants for sizes 18 months - 8 years.   If your little girl loves ruffles, this one is a crowd-pleaser (unless she is two, and then I make no promises).

Thanks, Annelise, for letting me participate in your pattern tour!