Gingercake

Announcing the Sew Fab Pattern Sale Spring 2014!

Coming soon, for one week only, nineteen pattern designers will be joining together to combine their best PDF sewing patterns and selling them to you for the incredible price of $29.95! That’s over 80% off of the combined retail value!

The Sew Fab Pattern Sale is the original pattern bundle sale! Grab the bundle when it goes on sale next week and you’ll be all set for the spring and summer seasons! You have to wait until next week to see which patterns are included in this spring’s bundle, but take a look below to see which designers you'll find!

I think you will be as excited as I am to see some previous favorites as well as several amazing designers that are new to the Sew Fab Sale. Greenstyle Creations, Handmade Therapy, MODKID, Everything Your Mama Made, The Scientific Seamstress, Figgy's Patterns, Two Sweets Patterns, Things for Boys, Patchwork Posse, Betz White, LBG Studio, Mouse House Creations, Gingercake, Heidi & Finn, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Terra's Treasures, Paisley Roots, Molly Blossom Designs, Sewing Mama RaeAnna. Sale sponsored by The Southern Institute.

See you right here, bright and early on Monday morning!

Aster Cardigan Testing: A new pattern from Willow & CO. from LBG studio

I was honored to test one of Vanessa's pattern contirbutions to the new Willow & Co. pattern collection to be released next week.  This is the Aster Cardigan and it is adorable!  I was asked to do the Size 10 for my big girl.  She will be 10 next month!  It is really cute and stylish...

 

These were taken before school yesterday.  It was dark and rainy outside so we took our photos in my new basement studio!  I can't wait to finally have it organized enough to share some good photos.  

Vanessa writes a beautiful and organzied pattern.  The pieces all fit together perfectly and even though I am not a big sewer of knits, this came together very nicely!  The bands at the sleeve and the nice way the placket and collar are designed make it a project that sewers of many skill levels can handle.  

I always struggle with button holes but that is not the fault of the pattern.  The fit is nice.  In these photos, she was wearing a shirt that was a little bulky, but the cardigan is meant to be fitted so next time we will put it on with a more fitted tee shirt underneath.  Next week will be the launch of Willow & Co. so be sure to be ready!

Thanks for letting me test your pattern, Vanessa!

KCW- Front Buttoned Smock

It's a sewing miracle that I participated in KCW!  I think KCW is a great idea and I love seeing all the clothes people make for their kids.  For some silly reason, I always have something else happening and I can't join in the fun.  But this year I am back...

I did another shirt from the Happy Homemade Sew Chic Kids book.  This one is called the Front-buttoned Smock.  Like the pull over parka, instructions are vague in the book, but the pattern pieces fit together beautifully and I love the finished shirt.

My middle daughter is really fun to sew for.  She loves everything and then she will always ham it up in our photo shoot.  

Actually sometimes it is hard to get her to just take regular shots so we often start taking about math class or how she did on the monkey bars during recess at school.  

Or, I have to make her sweep off the front walk!  She is a good sport though and always complies.  This is another reason that sewing for 8 year olds is awesome!  Did you read Monica's post today about a trying to get photos of her toddler?  So perfect!

I sewed this in size 8 (the largest size for this book).  I used a shirting fabric from the apparel section of Joann Fabrics.  It took a little less than a yard, which is always awesome although this fabric was 60'' wide.   When sewing for older kids, quilting cotton is just too bulky and stiff for their clothing and you really need to make the switch.  I can still get away with quilting weight for the baby though!

My buttons and placket are not perfect and I fretted a little about it.  But, in the end, I just finished the shirt even though it is flawed and it still looks great.  I love the sleeves and the pretty gathered neckline.  It is a little frilly but not too much- perfect for my easy going girl.  Thanks for getting me motivated KCW!