When Deborah from Sprouting Jube Jube (pattern made by Allison, EM Patterns) offered a chance to be on this Pattern Tour I couldn’t say no. Even when a sleeveless dress in our September weather is a little risky! The back of this dress is just amazing and I’m so happy I got the chance to sew it. There’s a giveaway and a discount code for you too.
Of course, I could not make just one dress, there had to be one for each of my girls. I was all ready to make two gorgeous bow-backed dresses, when my oldest informed me that she liked the simplified version better. You know how it is when you are almost seven – it is very important to make your own fashion choices! I’m so glad she did, because I got to make both versions. And, as it turns out – I really like the simplified one as well. It’s very pretty and has the same twirl factor as the more showy version – win, win for everyone!
I am especially excited because I ordered my first yardage of Cotton + Steel especially for these dresses from Fabric Spark! You can see all of the fabrics I ordered in this photo (love, love the arrows!) The pink and blue are from the Basics collection – XOXO in Pink Cheeks and XOXO in Toy Boat Gold. That’s right – the dress has metallic gold X’s all over it – Gorgeous! Definitely my favorite out of the three prints. The underskirt of my youngest’s dress is Hide and Seek – Lions in Gold and Teal – oh my! My kids each picked the fabric for their dress, and it was so much fun looking through the options with them. I’ve really got to try that again!
I would label this pattern as an intermediate level pattern – mostly for the zipper installation, and partially because I found myself using my prior dress-making knowledge quite a bit throughout. Though, saying that, the simplified version would be great for a confident beginner. The fit is good and follows the sizing chart exactly, it even has a little extra wiggle “they will grow over the winter”-room around the bodice so the dresses should fit next year as well! I also cheated a tad to make the back flounce stay where I wanted by tacking each fold in place underneath where it doesn’t show. Perfect!
Enough from me already. The discount and giveaway are below, and you can visit all of the other lovely bloggers on the tour for more inspiration. There are some amazing dresses out there. (and a top too!)
September 22 ~ Sofilantjes – From a Box – Golden Rippy
September 23 ~ Friends Stitched Together – Project Destash– Simple and Trendy
September 24 ~ Call Ajaire – Crooked Whimsy – Giggles & Beans – Sews ‘n Bows
September 25 ~ The Adventures of Captain X and the Gingerbear Princess – Once Upon a Sewing Machine – and Me!
September 26 ~ Pienkel – Made by Sara – Rebel & Malice – Shaffer Sisters
September 27 ~ Sewing Sober – Lulu & Celeste – Climbing the Willow
Deborah and Allison are providing a discount for the Secret Garden Dress during the tour this week (Ends September 27th, 2014). Use the code “SGTOUR25” to save 25%! Visit EM Patterns, Etsy or Craftsy to buy the pattern.
Here’s your chance to win the Secret Garden Dress pattern and a whole lot more! Sponsored by:
* The Secret Garden Dress pattern was given to me as part of the tour. As always, all opinions are my own. *
Adorable photos of your daughters! 🙂 The dresses look beautiful on them.
Thank you Anita! They were so good for this shoot 🙂
Great dresses! I like the green one the most. Beautiful with the bow on the back. Again a great job 😉
Yes – my favorite as well, Mirjam. The fabric is amazing!
They both look great. Most of the bloggers in the tour are new to me so I’ll have to hop over!
I hope you found someone fun Lisa! And thank you 🙂
Gorgeous! I love the fabrics and the dresses turned out amazing (once again!).
Thanks Laura! Your comments always make me smile 🙂
Beautiful dresses! And the girls are soooo cute in them!
Is sad tho…for those of us that choose not to be on FaceBook cannot participate in this great Give-a-way 🙁
Haha that last pic – love it 🙂 Such great dresses, and a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate how the same pattern may be used to make different dresses.
Hooray Jenya! You read all the way to the end! Good on you too 🙂 Thanks.
Beautiful dresses! Thanks for the chance at all these great patterns too! 🙂
Thank you Kristy! I love how they turned out as well 🙂
These are darling Sherri! I love the prints for both the fabrics. You’re girls are always such cuties!
Thanks so much Amy! They were so cooperative on this shoot – makes it so nice for all of us!