Pattern Review: MCM Love Bird Dress

Good morning! Today I get to show you a dress that I totally love, and if you grab it today, you can have it done for Valentine's Day!

Here is the Love Bird Dress from MCM Studio Designs.

 

In retrospect... that dot fabric was not a wise choice for photo taking but bear with me, because the dress is fantastic.  *Disclaimer: I received this pattern for free in return for testing, but all opinions are completely my own!

The details:

Sizes 2 -14 years

Made for Woven fabrics

Two skirt options: plain or ruffled back

Two ruffled back options: 3 or 4 tiers

Three sleeve options: cap, petal or sleeveless

Optional apron that can also be made reversible

Heart cutout on back bodice

Includes two applique templates

Inara is wearing the cap sleeve, 4 tiered back, with reversible apron style.  And I totally love it.  The ruffles are curved flounces, so there isn't a bunch of gathering to do.  In fact, the only gathering I did was on mys sleeves.   

The instructions are very clear and easy to follow illustrations, and I found the techniques to result in a nice professional looking finish.  

I used the Waverly prints that everyone is raving about from Walmart.  I did find that they shrunk more than I expected in the wash, just so you know.  

The pattern comes with instructions for buttons and a buttonhole template, a continuous bound skirt placket, and hand stitching the bodice lining to enclose the waist seam.

What I loved: I love the longer length of the skirt, as I think it lends itself nicely to being a more dressy pattern if you choose the right fabrics.  I LOVE that they are flounces, not ruffles, and they make for the prettiest back detail without being over the top.  The shape of the apron allows the ruffles to peak out in the back. And I like how you can change the whole look with the apron.  I also love how the bodice lends it self nicely to applique, colorblocking, or embroidery.

What I'd change: I think I'd go back and under-stitch my neckline so it stays in place, but she's worn the dress twice now, and its held up well without it.  And this isn't a change, but when it warms up, I am going to try doing the 4 tier pieces, but only use three of them, so I can make a shorter, sassier one for summer!

This is my first time sewing a pattern from MCM, and I've gone back and added Estherlyn's Jumper to my "buy" list, as I quite like the asymmetrical look, and I was very happy with pattern writing style of this designer.  

 

Inara loves the dress, and I do a well.  The fit is nice, the style is elegant, and the instructions are well written.  I think I've found a great new designer to follow!

The pattern is available here, at the sale price of $8.00 through Monday!  

Pattern Review: Little Kiwi's Closet Flutterby Peasant Dress/Top

So I have to start this post by admitting something that may sound kind of silly:  I have never made Inara a peasant dress before.  I made a modified one for myself last year, but I hadn't found a pattern I loved for Inara.  Then Lydia of Little Kiwi's Closet posted her teaser pics and I jumped on the chance to test.  

The Flutterby Peasant Dress/Top

Sizes Newborn to 12 years
4 style variations: dress with ruffle, dress with no ruffle, top with ruffle, and top with no ruffle. 
7 sleeve options: flutter, short, long and various elastic options
Designed for wovens, but works nicely in knit!

The first thing I want to highlight about this pattern is the body shape.  The body piece is slightly a-lined and it gives the pattern a nice flattering shape when worn.  

 

The second thing I want to point out is that this pattern is AMAZING with border prints!  I decided to go with the top with no ruffle and the short sleeves with elastic to highlight this gorgeous fall border print that has sat unused for over a year now!  

 

 

Can you tell Inara loves it?  She was so excited to pose in it.  I was actually kind of worried that the arm elastic would bother my sensitive princess, but I think its just the right length to look cute without irritating her.... Win-win.

After whipping out the top in under an hour, I decided to make the dress version.  I wanted to bring out the whimsical look of the fabric and went with the ruffled style with flutter sleeves.  I think she makes a cute little fairy .  :)

THEN, one of the other testers mentioned knits... And off I went back into my sewing room.  

I decided to  make the top version with flutter sleeves and I did a rolled hem on the ends of the sleeves and the ruffle.  

The result was a super cute and comfortable knit top... And moment of silence for using up the rest of my Finn and Jake fabric *sniff sniff*

 So, if you're looking for a cute and versatile peasant dress pattern - this is definitely the one to grab.  The instructions are clear and easy to follow.  The pattern pieces are easy to assemble.  I think that the wide size range and the multiple style options make this pattern a great value as well.  

And after you've picked it up, come on over and join the Little Kiwi's Closet Facebook Group  where you can ask any questions you have AND see lots and lots of pictures of all of the LKC patterns that people are making so you can add more of them to your library!  

OH! And very importantly... It's listed at 20% off for the next few hours!  Grab it here while its still on sale! 

Pattern Review, Giveaway and Tutorial: The Rissa Roo's Pixie Summer Halter from The Plucky Butterfly Designs

Who needs a super fun summer top for their girl that is different, great for summer, and has a cute girly flare?  Everyone.  Okay, maybe just everyone with girls.  Pam from The Plucky Butterfly has created an awesome summer pattern for your little girl.  Meet Rissa Roo's Pixie Summer Halter.

Here it is paired with the Surround Me With Love Twirl Skirt that is a staple in Inara's wardrobe. 

The details:
Available in sizes 2 - 14
Optional ruffle hem
Knit neck binding instructions included, but can be done with Fold Over Elastic as well.
Perfect for upcycling
 

 

For this one I used a t-shirt for center front panel, and the back, and some white interlock scraps for the rest of the front.  The binding is done in a red pique, and the ruffle is done in a matching red cotton/modal.  My kids love Miyazaki, so she is super thrilled with this one. 

The pattern is sized in even sizes, but it is really easy to customize the fit. Inara was sort of on the border, and if your child is on the border, I recommend sizing down.  Knits stretch and you don't want a baggy halter top!  The pattern pieces are easy to put together, and are clearly labeled for cutting.   This makes it really easy to mix and match sizes.  In fact, I may try a size 4 with a size 14 length for her to make a dress version!  

This fabric is one of my total favorite custom prints from The Fabric Igloo. I used a cotton lycra for the binding and the ruffle. This one is from earlier in testing, so it is more of a tunic length, which actually came out really cute.  Inara likes this one because she can wear little legging shorts under it and doesn't have to wear a skirt over them, since her tush is covered.  

Yea, yea, I know its weird, but when she wears leggings if her tush isn't covered by her shirt, I make her wear a skirt over them.  Otherwise her pants sag and everyone can see her butt when she's running around playing lol. 

 

This one is also an upcycle.  I used two t-shirts and some scrap cotton jersey, plus neon green FOE for the binding. What is totally awesome about this pattern is that it the back piece is shaped so perfectly that once you add the elastic in, it doesn't sag or gape on her at all.  She played all day at the playground in this one and never once had to pull it up or adjust it. 

Okay, so I know that some of you aren't totally in love with halter tops.  So if you're on the fence just because of the straps, I wanted to include this tiny tutorial to adjust the straps to criss-cross.  If you want to do this before completing your top, do it AFTER stitching down the back casing for the elastic and BEFORE inserting the elastic.  Also, if you think you want to do this, adding in a couple small scraps of knit interfacing before you sew the back casing down will help reinforce the buttonholes you are going to make. 

 On the back side of your halter measure in about 2" from the side seam (2.25" if you haven't sewn the sides yet).  Mark a line with chalk, a pin, FriXion pen, etc.  Repeat for the opposite side. 

On either side of your mark, work the elastic so its folded in half, and pin it out of the way.  (This is why it may be easier to do this BEFORE finishing the shirt).  On your sewing machine, find your stretch buttonhole stitch.  Make a buttonhole at each mark, so that end of the buttonhole is at the mark you made and the rest is closer to the center back.  These don't need to be huge button holes, big enough to get your straps though, but small enough that they won't pull back out.  I used a 5/8" button in my buttonhole foot for mine.  

 Now, you can just slip the strap through and make a knot, but I think these little bows look cuter... Make a loop with the end of your strap, and wrap it around your finger to tie into a knot.  Now the ends of your knots look like little bows and you have back straps on your top.

If you use a lighter weight knit, you may want to do the buttonholes at the bottom side of the casing (by the seam), so that it don't pull as much.  In this case, just fold the elastic in half toward the TOP rather than the BOTTOM, and follow the rest of the instructions the same!

Ta-da!

 So, if you were on the fence, hopefully you no longer are, as this modification is really simple to do.  The pattern is available in The Plucky Butterfly Designs Etsy shop for $6.95 for the next few days before it goes up to full price.   Or, check out The Plucky Butterfly Designs Shop to pick it up. 

And now for the fun!  Pam has graciously offered to provide a copy of her pattern for me to do a give away! So please enter my giveaway, show her Facebook page some love, and get sewing! 

**If you purchase the pattern now, and win, you will be refunded your purchase price!

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