A Sewing Portfolios Michael Miller Fabrics Collaboration

You're So Vine....

A few months ago I was selected to be a Sewing Portfolios Ambassador (more on that below) and was then sent four, 1 yard cuts of Michael Miller fabric from the beautiful Plume range, to create some gorgeous pieces. (I have been bursting to share and the wait has seemed like an eternity!)

I was given full creative licence and as soon as I saw the fabrics, I pictured a photoshoot with a fun, boho/gypsy vibe.
The vibrant colours are just so much fun and I knew we had to enlist the help of a special little friend to enjoy this photoshoot with us....!

Isn't she just divine!

 

I chose the Kaitlynn Dress by Violette Field Threads for Miss K's outfit for two reasons:

1. The neck frill screamed boho to me and I knew she would love the "Belle, of Beauty And the Beast" element , which I chose to feature the Jewel colourway of You're So Vine, 

and;

2. Miss K loves a full, twirly skirt (it is her number one criteria most days) which was perfect to showcase the larger print, Fan Fare in Saphire.

For Miss A's dress, I chose the Alice Dress by Violette Field Threads for the bodice and used the Gold colourway of You're So Vine, with an inset of the Fan Fare in Saphire. For the skirt I used the Bella's Dress by Simple Life Pattern Co in the Majestic in Saphire, with a pop of pink in the ruffle with You're So Vine Jewel. While I love the handkerchief style of the Alice skirt, I really wanted to showcase each fabric in this little dress and the frill on the bottom of the Bella's Dress compliments the neck frill on the matching, but not matching big girl dress perfectly.

Just as I pictured, the girls wandered and danced and enjoyed the beauty of the forest "garden" - it was a magical afternoon!

I mentioned above about being a Sewing Portfolios Ambassador - you might be wondering what that is all about.... Let me fill you in!

Earlier this year, I came across a page called Sewing Portfolios.com on Facebook. 

Their aim is to provide a FREE online sewing portfolio database to users worldwide and to connect individual sewers and sewing related businesses, promoting partnerships and collaborations.

I signed up on their website and created an online portfolio of some of my sewing projects, then joined the Facebook Group to learn more about how Sewing Portfolios could help me connect with fellow sewists and businesses. 

Not long after joining the Facebook group, I was contacted by a business member, Marina Roussel of Peach Patterns, through my Sewing Portfolios contact, requesting me to join her PDF Pattern testing team!

I have had several other opportunities to test for pattern designers, who have put out a testing call in the Sewing Portfolios facebook group. I was able to quickly provide a link to my individual portfolio, that enabled them to view my sewing projects all in one place. 

As a PDF pattern tester, this was perfect for me, but Sewing Portfolios is about so much more than just testing patterns. 

Not long after joining, I saw a call for Sewing Portfolios Ambassador's and thought I'd try my luck by applying. I was lucky enough to be selected to join the team and that's where Michael Miller Fabrics comes in... 

Michael Miller Fabrics have partnered with Sewing Portfolios to provide fabrics (for FREE) to each Sewing Portfolios Ambassador to create beautiful pieces (not just clothing) to help spread the word!

They also provide fabric for the Fabric FriYay giveaways held on Sewing Portfolios Facebook page!

You might be thinking that this all comes at a huge cost, but let me tell you, this is ALL FREE! 

Sorry for yelling, but this really is a fantastic online community and opportunity to connect with sewing related businesses, hobbyists and professionals worldwide. Or simply a fantastic way to catalogue your work just for yourself, as you can opt to set your portfolio to private if you prefer. 

I am incredibly grateful to have had this opportunity and look forward to many more successful collaborations.

P.S. I hear there is another Ambassador call coming soon, so if you haven't already, sign up today and get your portfolio ready!

*This post DOES NOT contain any affiliate links.

Gold River Adventure Dress - Goober Pea Designs

~ Pattern Testing ~

I adore a twirly skirt and so does Miss K!

I haven't posted for a while, as I have been busy testing (and working on something very exciting to be announced soon) behind the scenes. One of my recent tests was the Gold River Adventure Dress pattern for Goober Pea Designs and adore the finished product!

I chose to make the tiered skirt version, so it was a little more time consuming than a gathered skirt dress would be, but am very happy I did. I love the 'dressiness' it gives to the overall style of the dress. Using one of my favourite vintage floral prints by Lecien added to the girly romance. (And Miss K gave it the all important "tick of approval")

The pattern also has straight or gathered skirt options, I am keen to make a straight skirt style in a pinwale cord, denim or velour for layering in winter (but that will have to wait a few months now!)

I do love a full gathered skirt too and have lots of fabric options I could play with......

I'm thinking a feature panel on the bib, with a contrast skirt!

This is a true overall style, with functional button plackets at the sides of the front bib, making it easy to layer and adjust for growth if needed. 

I have made this one in a woven, but the pattern is also suitable for knits and a knit pants add-on has just been released, making this super versatile!

You can find the pattern here!

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The Alice Pleated Dress - Bella Sunshine Design

The Alice Dress by Bella Sunshine Designs is probably one of my favourite dresses. Classic, with a touch of vintage!

The Peter Pan collar, the pleats, the cap sleeves, the fitted bodice, the hidden pockets, the optional dainty belt! All the little details just make this pattern perfection and the finishes are superb, exactly what you would expect from a pattern that oozes sophistication!

When the inside is just as beautiful as the outside!

The entire dress, including the sleeves, is fully lined and has an invisible zip for easy on and off. 

I adore little collars and this one is just the right size, petite and such a beautiful shape!

One of the options included is adding a bias trim to the collar, which I also love and I will be making one with a piping edge next too (the piping instructions aren't included).

The Alice Pleated Dress pattern is sure to be a favourite and comes in sizes 6 months to 12 years. There is also a ladies version, that is just as beautiful, you really need to have a look at the photos! You can find them here. 

The fitted bodice gives this dress a gorgeous silhouette.

I added a diamante slider to the belt instead of a buckle or rings and it just gives that extra little bit of pizazz (not that it really needs it)

Miss K chose pearls and a little clutch bag to style this shoot and wanted her hair pulled back "like Belle from Beauty and The Beast" - she chose well!

The Alice Dress in both girls and ladies sizes is on sale during Bella Sunshine Designs 'Back To School' sale for 24 hours only on the 14th August!

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Making the Josephine Dress by Honeydew Kisses Patterns

The Josephine Dress is a delight (not fast, but definitely worth the time) to sew. It comes in sizes 12 months to 12 years, so you can make one for every little girl in your life! 

She features a double layered skirt with a classic box pleated overskirt, a sweet Peter Pan collar, lightly gathered cap sleeves & a removable sash, which slides behind the feature bodice 'bib' when worn. 

The bodice is perfect for adding a feature panel, some lace insert or even feature buttons (limited only by your imagination!)

The box pleat skirt gives the Josephine dress it's timeless classic feel, but this dress would be equally as beautiful with a simple gathered skirt & this can be easily achieved by using the underskirt piece only. 

If you've been following me for a while, you'll know that my signature style is a lace trimmed Peter Pan collar & a box pleat skirt, so this dress is right up my alley! 

This time though, I couldn't resist using the lace trim on the bodice to enhance the feature panel, so omitted the trim on the collar (as hard as that was) & am so happy with the way it turned out! 

I didn't hesitate to use some of my beautiful Tilda quilting cotton, that I had been hoarding, for this project. I have sewn a couple of other Honeydew Kisses patterns previously and was confident that I could use my precious fabric straight up. I was right, using the measurement chart provided, my little one measured a size 6 & the fit is perfect!

I have so many other fabric/trim combinations in mind to use in this pattern & can't wait to see them come to life! 

Visit Honeydew Kisses Patterns here, to see the other beautiful patterns in the collection!

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