Wellington Pattern Pyramid Has Arrived! Enter to Win!

May 20, 2013May 23, 201347 Comments

I was very lucky to win the Wellington Pattern Pyramid from Laura over at Make it Yourself Mom’s Diary. Laura also gave me a very cute card and some lovely stretch cotton floral print fabric.

Love this Fabric from Laura!

This Pattern Pyramid originated from the Wellington Blogger’s Meetup, in New Zealand, where they met up, exchanged sewing supplies and had many patterns left, with no takers. So, Miss Joie De Vivre at A Charm of Magpies, began this Pyramid. It then made its way to Anne from Pretty Grievances. Next up, the lucky winner was Laurie and Kerrielee from Sew Exhausted who then passed it over to my predecessor, Laura. Now, it’s my turn to pass it along to all of you!

These are the 3 patterns I am taking out: (I was quite thrilled that so many patterns were my size!).

Patterns I am Keeping

There was a sailor style /diaper closure culottes pattern that is so fantastic!! Version C has an inverted pleat at the sides. I can’t wait to make these! And, I’m also helping myself to a yoga collection and a pretty yet simple dress.

And, these are the patterns I will be putting back:

Patterns I am Giving

I have included the Vogue coat that I received in a giveaway from Mari at Disparate Disciplines which caused some definite excitement in this post. But, the pattern is several sizes too big for me, and I am finding Vogue patterns difficult enough without the added stress of having to grade it down. So, instead I thought I’d share it with those who can use it! I also included a stylish Vogue skirt pattern with a yoke and pockets, but yet again, it is too large for me. And, a McCalls blouse pattern that includes 8 different styles.

Bonus Patterns I am Giving

And, here are two Extra Special Bonus patterns that I will also be adding in: Very cute 1970s wrap skirts with pockets. The instructions are in French only and I have labelled them in case the winner does not read french.

Here are the patterns sorted by size:

Small Sizes 6 to 12 (32 to 40) That Threads dress is just beautiful! And the New Look vest is really cute if you disregard the envelope styling. The Butterick pattern includes the dress, jacket and pants.

Medium / Large Sizes 12 to 22 (38 to 48). The Simplicity pattern (top row) actually includes the skirt, top, jacket, pants AND purse! A wardrobe in one. And the Vogue Five Easy Pieces pattern includes zip jacket, top, skirt, dress and yoga pants. An entire outfit. That Simplicity dress / top is the Khaliah Ali Collection.

Mens and Accessories Pattern. Accessories are “one size” and the mens jacket is Size 38.

‘New’ Wellington Pattern Pyramid

The fine print:

Anyone, anywhere can enter the giveaway by posting a comment below by Friday June 7, 2013.
You must have an active blog.
A winner will be randomly selected and contacted. I will then post (mail) the pyramid to you. Kitty is sharpening his claws in preparation for the next draw officiating ceremony!!
The winner will then select a pattern(s) to keep and add a pattern(s) of their own back into the Pyramid. (Adding a pattern is optional, if you add a pattern back in, the pyramid keeps going longer, but it is not compulsory.) The winner will then host their own giveaway on their blog and the cycle continues…

Good Luck to Everybody! And, Happy Sewing.

Also, check out Kitty’s last winning entrant selection from our previous Pattern Pyramid win, Kaitui Kiwi from The Curious Kiwi. She finally received the Pattern Pyramid and has it posted up on her blog, here.

Sleeping in Style (with Monkeys)

January 4, 2013February 12, 201419 Comments

So, this years Christmas gifts were….wait for it……sleepwear for everybody! YIPPEE!!

Father and Son Coordinating PJs

Pajama bottoms, a matching camisole and nightgowns.

Run Little Mister Monkeypants Run!!

Green Nightgown with Coordinating Fabric (and monkey fabric yo-yo on the front)

I did not make the jersey t-shirts (I’m still working on inserting sleeves as well as learning to sew with knits), so I bought T-shirts and just embellished them with monkey appliques and matching fabric appliqued on.

Little Mister Monkeypants

The green Jammies set were all based off of the Monkey fabric, so they all coordinated with camouflage patterns, shades of green and monkeys.

Pajamas and Nightgown in Coordinating Fabric

I also added coordinating fabric to the hems and waistbands of some of the pajama bottoms as well as to the chest pieces and straps of the nightgowns. And note the blue monkey slippers that match with the blue linen nightgown.

Blue Linen NIghtgown with Embossed Paisley Pattern (and coordinating monkey slippers)

Nightgown in Blue Linen with Embossed Paisley Pattern

Who doesn’t love monkeys???!!!

Matching Pajama Camisole Top and Bottoms

Coordinating Pajama Camisole Style Top and Bottoms

Red and White Stars Cotton Pajama Bottoms

photo courtesy of The Guardian-uk, of a kitty sleeping in style, with a monkey.

Easy A-Line Skirt

December 29, 2012January 25, 201311 Comments

I completed this A-Line skirt in the same way as the two rectangle skirt, only instead of rectangles, these quadrilateral shapes are actually isosceles trapezoids (to be precise). Yes, that’s the math/science nerd in me leaking out. It’s really one of the reasons why I love sewing and pattern making. The geometry involved delights me to no end. 🙂

But, now that you’ve finished rolling your eyes and being embarrassed for me, here is some information about the A-Line skirt.

I used fabric with a one way pattern on it, so I actually had to cut it across the grain instead of with the length grain (following along the selvage) so that the pattern would go vertically up and down the skirt. I’m not sure how much this affects the integrity of the skirt, but how else do you use these directional prints? If you cut along the length of the grain, the pattern would be lost.

A Line Skirt Flare

With respect to the A-Line, you can add as much flare at the bottom as you wish. Basically, after you’ve made a rectangle, add another two triangles on either side of it to create a wider, flared bottom.

I also added a belt in the same fabric to disguise the elastic waistband casing. To learn more about how to sew a fabric belt with buckle, click here. I sewed on belt loops, also in the same fabric to hold the belt in the right place.

Fabric Belt and Belt Loops

And, I bought a self cover belt buckle, where you cover the buckle with fabric of your choice. I think it’s a good investment (and very inexpensive) as it really ties the belt in with the skirt. With such a busy pattern, I didn’t really want the belt and buckle to stand out more than the skirt.