I was invited to join Pickle Toes Pattern Brand Rep. Team to make the Black Raspberry Dress/Tunic. This pattern is familiar to me because I have made a similar design from a Japanese sewing book, the only different is that PTP has shoulder closures, while the pattern from the Japanese book is a pull over style with no closure, so, with no closure means, the armholes is slightly larger than PTP's Black Raspberry. I had trouble with Black Raspberry the moment I was selected as one of their brand representative member! First, their message went to my Request Message on FB (which I didn't get any notification until it was 2 days after the closing date for the call, and by Monday (a day before the deadline) I was having trouble sewing the pattern! Ugh! Initially, I was planning to make matching dress for Adra and her big sister, since they get along well together now lol. I was in a hurry and I wasn't my sewing self, I was clumsy, I was panic, I was not being professional at all! All I know I needed to complete this dress before the deadline! And both dress was a mess! A huge one! *SOB So I thought it was the pattern fault, and was thinking how am I going to give a positive review and promote this pattern if there is so much error?? I was frustrated and discarded both dress without hesitated, went to the kitchen and made myself a cup of coffee. I know I needed to calm down. Finished my coffee, I re-read the instructions and it was all my fault *DUH I didn't read the instructions thoroughly and I misread and skipped some step while making the the two dresses. It was a relieved! The instruction was well written, even though the steps are kind of in a different sequence if to compare with the similar pattern in the Japanese Sewing Book design that I have, but you will complete the dress eventually! -REMINDER- JUST READ THE INSTRUCTION THOROUGHLY AND READ IT A FEW MORE TIMES BEFORE YOU START SEWING! LOL So okay, back to the story, I searched for another fabric to cut. And since I do not have more time, I just cut one size for my 8 years old girl in this royal blue Thai cotton with Thai silk design print in gold. Enaydia is 8 years old but her chest measurement falls into size 6 in PTP design, even though I was worried at first especially the armholes, but once the tunic (yes, I did tunic length) is done, everything was perfect for her! Black Raspberry can be made in woven or knit fabrics and there is some tips on how to find suitable knit fabrics for the design. It also has 2 lengths option - dress or tunic, it has rounded yoke with shoulder closures and the design can be made in size 2 - 16! You can plan matching dresses for all your girls! :D Did I mention it also has side seam pockets?? Yay! Although this is not my best sewing (I know I can do better if I have load of time! lol) Overall, this is a nice design and perfect for summer, and if you know how to draft a bigger armholes, this dress is perfect for layering too! Omit the pockets and you can even finish it faster, but sewing the rounded yoke is a bit tricky and you need to go slow if you want to have a perfect rounded end. Oh, here, my fabric is a little stiff. I think a fabric with nice drape will look amazing for the pattern. And I think the only thing I would change is the width of the armholes binding, it is just too wide for my liking. So, if you find my review is good enough, head over to Pickle and Toe Pattern to get your Black Raspberry!
0 Comments
Ah, free spirit blouse/tunic from Tadah Patterns seems a perfect name to make for my little free spirit girl. This blouse (but this is a tunic length for my precious) is so easy to make and has so many ways to play around with fabrics combination and trims. So this may be good news for those who have a lot of fabric scraps and trims! Yes? My husband need to do some research for his work in Cameron Highlands the other day and I took this opportunity to take some photos of Adra with the tunic. It turns out pictures are much better with a breath taking view, don't you agree? These were taken in Tanah Rata at a small garden near the public library. It has been our favorite place to chill every time we visit Cameron Highlands :) and we used to live here for a year and was the best place ever! During the weekdays, (weekends are just impossible with so many visitors from everywhere!) in the evening, a 15 minutes walk from our home and just lazing on the bench watching our kids running up and down the hill. A perfect exercise for them because you don't have to force them to, they will just do it haha... Okay back to the Free Spirit Tunic/Blouse. For Adra, I made it in size 2 View C with tunic length and long sleeves. The main fabric is embroidered cotton and for the yoke I used a blue denim. Noticed the checkered bias binding on the neck line? That is from a ready made bias binding. Both fabrics and binding was from a local fabric shop in Bangkok, Thailand. And as for the pink batik version, I made it in short sleeves and tunic length, still in the View C version (this version is a super quick sew!) and match it with denim for the front yoke. I also used similar Batik fabric for the binding on the neckline. I like the tunic length because it is kinda decent look to me and it is perfect to wear with skinny pants or leggings! Overall, it is a nice and beautiful design with a clean finish. And this design is perfect for all seasons too! Just play around with different fabrics combination and style, nobody will know it is from the same patterns. HA! TADAH PATTERNS FREE SPIRIT BLOUSE & TUNIC PRICE: From 12.90 AUD Sizes: 1 - 14 Skill Level: Advanced Beginner Format Options (choose at top before adding to cart): Downloadable PDF (instant download) OR PRINTED pattern (full colour A5 booklet with colour coded full size pattern pieces posted to you). NOTE: Free Spirit PRINT patterns are PRE-ORDER. Due to arrive early January Description: Unleash their Free Spirit and embrace the beauty of boho with a blouse for Little Miss that befits any fashion occasion. From parties to play dates, this versatile number can be created as a shirt or tunic and is destined to get a favourable nod from fans of all things chic. Deceptively simple to sew, the Free Spirit blouse and tunic has a host of variations including three style options for the front, and a variable length on the hemline. The pattern also features three sleeve options along with a bias neckline or simple no bias finish, all with a relaxed, comfortable fit. The Free Spirit blouse comes in a multi-size pattern to fit children aged one to 14. It features colour coding pattern pieces for ease of cutting and is best suited to light and medium-weight woven fabrics. I told you the Hattie Dress is very addictive to make especially when you have beautiful bordered fabrics to showed off!
For Naydia, I use size 8T with half cuffed sleeve and as for Adra, I use size 3T and sleeveless. Both dresses in full button up closure. I think a dress with full button up closure is easier to put on. Both fabrics was from Belleboo, Thailand. And as for Adra, I use size 3T and this time, sleeveless! I still add the inseam pockets for both dress. When I first saw the Hattie Dress, by Violet Field Threads, I knew I had to buy the pattern! It is a perfect design for the medium weight navy blue check linen fabric. Hattie Dress features a collar with stand and three sleeve finishing options ; sleeveless, short cuffed sleeve and half cuffed sleeve. It is also comes with 2 options of closure: Partial or button up from the skirt panel and also, inseam pockets! Cute!
I've made my first Hattie in size 2T, it's a little bit tight for Adra (next time I will make 1 size up so that she can wear mommy handmade dresses a little longer! HA!), with half cuffed sleeve. The inseam pockets, even I can just omit the step (she never bother to use the pocket anyway) it is just irresistible and too cute not to add! I love all the little details in the dress and definitely an addictive dress to make! |
AuthorHi! I am Liza and I am a full time seamstress and work from home studio. Archives
April 2018
Categories
All
|