Chevron Emmaline Dress

If you love sewing kids clothes you will no doubt be familiar with the Violette Field Threads sewing patterns.  I love their photographs and dreamy looks.  So, I finally decided to get their Emmaline and Chloe dress paper patterns.  I bought the paper pattern so it took sometime for them to be shipped to me but they did arrive finally.

I love the chevron print for the Emmaline dress shown on the pattern cover so I decided to follow the same for my girls.  I bought them in yellow, blue and purple from Riley Blake Design at Fabric worm. The blue chevron was made into my first Macaron dress. It so happen that my girls love purple and yellow so I made them into Chevron Emmaline Dresses.

The Emmaline dress is a beautiful floor length maxi dress with ruffled halter neckline.  For my 8 year old, I only have 2 yard so I didn't have enough to make 3 bottom ruffles so I adjusted to have only 2 layers.  I love it that the ruffle ribbon ties are adjustable and the elastic band at the back bodice allows for growth.

For my 3year old, I use 4T since she is quite chubby and the 2 yard is enough to make the dress with 3 layer of ruffles at the bottom. I think it really looks nicer and fuller.

Because of the chevron print, I've to make sure that the print runs horizontally so that it will look consistent.  The photograph on the pattern pack really helped me to visualize.  The pattern is pretty easy to follow and I have no problem sewing them up. There is also few pattern pieces to cut since mostly rectangle except for the bodice.

I'm not sure if the elastic that I got was more elastic cause the back bodice is not so tight and they tend to slide down when she sits down. But since they wear white t-shirts beneath the dress so it was no problem.

But the dress really twirl and is so romantic too. They got a lot of compliments when they wear them to church. Do you think it looks home made? In any case, I don't care since they are so happy with it and I'm so proud to be their mama!  I highly recommends the patterns, especially if they are in chevron!

Vintage Skirt

I've been subscribing to Ottobre Kids magazines for some time and I really love the design and small details on each piece. The colorful spread and photography really makes everything looks so put together.  I love the kids fashion on knits and they even offer boys clothes too. 

For first time user, you may need adjustment since the instruction in the magazine is quite minimal with no step by step photos or diagrams and patterns pieces are drawn on top of each other in different color codes and sizes.  Your eyes will likely cross when you try to trace it but since I'm familiar with japanese sewing book, it is still manageable for me.

I've made a dress and 2 jackets for my girls.  Love how they turned out. 

Recently, I ordered a back issue Summer 3/2009 and made up a vintage skirt for my girl.  The pattern is called 'Velma' vintage skirt.

For my recently turned 3 year old, I made a size 98. It was quite true to size. The skirt has 2 square pockets in front, a waistband and ric rac details on the pocket bands and skirt hem.

I used the vintage print fabric that I've on hand. Do you recognize this from my earlier project on pocket skirt?  With this busy print, it's a bit hard to see the details.

I've learnt a new technique to sew the pocket band on the pocket which hide the ugly seams.

I fail in matching print cause the waistband has the apple facing down : ( . I've use the front as inside without realizing it until i've serged the seams.

Added the Apple button. The recommendation is invisible zipper but I didn't have one so I just use a normal zipper and attach with lapped zipper method.

Faux Leather Foldover Clutch

Yup! I've caught the bug to sew one up myself. First caught sight of it at Kristen's blog "Skirt as Top" and really love her doily foldover clutch. Then, chance upon Cherie's faux leather accent fold over clutch and I'm sold.

Bought half a yard of faux leather from Chinatown at $7 per yard to try out. They come in a variety of colors and I bought a pink, turquoise blue and brown to try out.

I use a leather needle for this project and widen my stitch as suggested.  It works okay and I'm surprise how easy it is to sew.

I love the gold metal zipper that I got from a shop at Textile centre. They don't have a lot and size is limited but I'm glad I bought some pastel purple, pastel blue, pastel pink, green and even teal and mint.  The one I got is 10" instead of the required 9". It was okay but i've to adjust the stitch to be closer to the edge in order not to step over the metal teeth. Even so, I had to pick out the zip tab at the end to make the zipper teeth fit into the clutch length. I didn't want to run out to buy new zipper so I made do with what I've.

Want to peep inside?  I line the clutch with Heather Bailey Nicey Jane's Church Flowers in pink, green and yellow that I got last year. I was perfect. I love the sweet color. Not sure what I'll use it for but definitely this will not be my last.