Angelique's Dress - Pattern Testing

Angelique's Dress - Pattern Testing

Pattern by - Lily Bird Studio

I had the pleasure of testing another one of Cecilia's patterns.

The gorgeous Angelique's Dress.

It has so many pretty little features like gathered pockets, 

front and back pleats and an invisible zipper.

It couldn't have come at a better time for me as 

I had just purchased an invisible zipper foot.

I found this dress a little on the challenging side, 

but nothing someone with reasonable sewing skills couldn't achieve. 

I decided to add a little fabric bow to the front of the dress.

The pattern also suggests that you could use ribbon for the bow.

A little girls dress with pockets will always be a hit.

And wearing a dress always requires a little spin ;)

If you are very quick you can get this pattern for a great value! 

Use the code NEWPATTERN and get this pattern 40% OFF!! Offer valid only at www.thelilybirdstudio.com thought Saturday 22nd midnight.

Evil Doctor and Nurse - Halloween 2014

*WARNING*

Contains graphic pictures

Evil Doctor and Nurse - Halloween 2014

My son told me that he wanted to dress as a doctor for Halloween this year. 

My daughter decided she would like to go as a nurse.

The two make an evil looking pair.

To make my sons costume I used  Simplicity 4388 for the scrubs.

I changed it slightly to remove the front pleat and added a pocket.

For the coat I used New Look 6018 . 

Because the pattern was originally for girls I had to alter it slightly. 

I made it a little narrower at the sides, omitted the collar and added some large pockets.

My daughters costume was made using New Look 6602 for the dress.

I copied the apron from here. It is the one I made last year for my youngest daughter.

The hat was made to fit on a headband.

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Twirly skirt And Collared Blouse

Twirly skirt And Collared Blouse

Pattern: Bananafana Polka Skirt  And 

Pattern "D" Grils Clothing - Heart Warming Life Series

I made the blouse in a size 110 (4) for my 3.5 year old daughter. 

I decided it would be a little long and may cover too much of the skirt 

so I decided to cut 2 inches off the bottom.

Once she tried it on with the skirt I realised the top was probably a little big 

and perhaps I should have left it the original length but kept it until she grew.

Oh well, too late now.

We decided to team the skirt with a plain t-shirt

which looks sweet.

I love this Alexander Henry fabric.

It is called Love City or City Love, I can't remember, lol.

And giant ric rac adds a bit of fun to any outfit ;)

Purple Playgroup Dress

Purple Playgroup Dress

Pattern: Playgroup Dress by Fresh Stitch Patterns 

I made this little dress up a month or two ago. 

We have only just managed to get a couple of photos of this dress in action.

I made this dress for my 6.5 year old.

She is starting to get a little fussier with her clothing choices

but I think this dress looks quite sweet on her.

It is a little too short to be worn as a dress and a little too long to be called a top, 

but either way it looks good with stretchy pants.

I like this dress because you only really need a small amount of feature fabric 

and the rest can be made from cheaper material, still creating a lovely outfit.

Next time I will make it a little shorter and call it a top :)

Halloween 2014 - Dorothy & Glinda from Wizard of Oz

Halloween 2014

Is it weird that I don't really celebrate Christmas 

but I do celebrate Halloween?

The only reason I like Halloween is that it is a perfect excuse to sew some costumes.

The kids would argue that the lollies are the best reason.

This year I went all out and purchased costume patterns.

My 6 year old wanted to go as Dorothy from Wizard of Oz.

I used the Simplicity 4139  pattern.

I decided to make it following the pattern exactly.

How neat is that zipper ;)

I did, however, struggle to line up the bodice at the side seams completely.

Luckily it is hidden as it is under the arms.

I found the perfect sparkly red shoes at Kmart 

but unfortunately they were all too small.

I decided to have a go at making some myself.

I started with these silver shoes.

And with a little fabric glue and red glitter,

they came out like this :)

I made the Glinda costume from the same pattern for my 3.5 year old.

She thought she was going as a princess but when I told her 

she was a good witch she was so upset, 

so we pretended Glinda was a princess :)

I really stepped out of my comfort zone with this dress as it was 

my first time sewing with taffeta and tulle.

I am reasonably happy with the result.

I am probably the most unhappy that I was unable to find the 

apricot coloured fabric that Glinda's dress should have been.

And now for the best bit of all, the photo shoot ;)

xxx