Tuesday 2 September 2014

It's spring!! ... And these recent pattern tests are the perfect thing!

See how I rhymed that ... ha ha ... Oh dear!!  I think I'm just delirious because winter is OVER and Spring is HERE ... and with spring comes warmth, and less runny noses and flowers and ... did I mention warmth! ... not that you'd know it today.  Spring lulled us into a false sense of security yesterday with a beautiful warm day, but today is rainy, windy and cold again.  


Anyway, all of that has absolutely nothing to do with this post, which is about some gorgeous pattern tests I've been involved in over the past couple of weeks.  If you follow me on Facebook, you might have noticed I've spent some lovely evenings sewing some beautiful things.  I love love love a good pattern test ... a free pattern, the chance to make some cute outfits and post about them, and a chance to work with some of the most amazing PDF pattern designers.  I find that I learn a new technique (or more) every time I do a pattern test, and there were definitely a few of them here!

I answered a Facebook call-out from Elegance & Elephants for a pattern test opportunity, and was so stoked when I was included.  Heidi is currently putting together a few new patterns which will be released VERY soon.  You can see her LookBook here for a sneak-peek.

Anyway, first up was the Magnolia Skirt and the Hemlock Top ... I was included to sew them up in a size 7 (perfect fit for Bethany).  Here's how they turned out.

I found these great knits at my local Spotlight.  I think with the dreary winter weather we've had lately, the bright happy print just caught my eye.  They scream spring and fun.  Oh, and a skirt that twirls never gets old, does it?  I mean, check that twirl out!  I made the Magnolia skirt first.  It truly was a dream-sew.  Very quick (like about 20 minutes or so of sewing once it was cut out) and it came together really easily.  It's a paneled skirt, and I love this style.  There are two versions, one for knit fabrics and one for woven.  I think I might try a woven one next ... maybe for Hannah ... hmmm, now, which fabric will I choose!!
Then I moved on to the Hemlock Top.  I think this is going to become one of my go-to patterns, to use for making long or short sleeve tops, or to use as a template for designing dress bodices or other fun projects.  The frills on the sleeves are so cute ... just something a little special.  The top comes with long or short sleeve options.  I think it would look great with just the frill, as a kind of cap-sleeve as well!
Anyway, Bethany loves her outfit, and it will come in handy as a great play outfit as our weather warms up.

Next I moved on to the Ponderosa Dress.  This time I signed up as a Size 3 tester, to make this little outfit for Hannah.  And how cute is it!?!
This is another Spotlight Knit Fabric ... they've actually got a few nice ones at the moment.  I coupled it with a little piece of plain red knit fabric that I found in my Mum's stash ... thanks Mum!
This dress was definitely the most technical out of the 3 outfits, but still not too difficult.  I had a little trouble with the sleeves, but I thin that says more about my lacking sewing skills than it does about the pattern.  The dress came together beautifully, and was just perfect for feeding the ducks before the rain came last weekend.  

In fact, we went out for lunch after our duck-feeding was complete and we got so many lovely comments from people about this dress and how cute it looked on Hannah.  

I can definitely see a few more of these in my future as well.  Cute as!

And now I feel the need for some more summer sewing.  I have files on my desktop of pattern links for each of the girls ... lots of sewing fun to be had I think ... yay!

Oh, and I was provided with the patterns for these items in return for testing the pattern and providing my feedback directly to Elegance & Elephants.  I was not compensated for this blog-post, and all opinions are my own.

1 comment :

  1. Nice work! Gotta love it when you learn something new, hey! I have the same birdie fabric waiting to be turned into a dress, too :) Oh yes I am also super excited about spring!

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