Pattern Testing: The Sally Dress

From the very beginning, this promised to be a great pattern testing!  I have done alot of pattern testing over the years, but my favorite is always Scientific Seamstress/Sisboom by far!  I own a great deal of their established patterns in Women's, Girl's, Boy's and even their Men's patterns--that is how much I love this designer!

One of the things you should know from the very start is that the Scientific Seamstress company is serious about pattern testing! They don't just pattern test to get people to make fancy dresses for the launch of the pattern.  They do rigorous testing; one women's pattern tested for several months and I went through 4 muslins for the one month I tested alone!  I love the group process of testing in that you ask questions, you point out issues, and you take pictures to share what works and what doesn't!

When I started this process, my daughter ended up being on the very edge of the 6/beginning of the size 7 girls.  I decided to make the size 7 knowing she would be going through a growth spurt (I think I hear her legs creaking longer as I type even)!  Ironically, her current growth spurt leaned out her torsal about 1/2" in just a few weeks which made the first tester dress above swim on her without a sash. She dropped down into the Size 6 realm but no fear I know she will return to this size 7 before long!  I simply LOVE the full double-skirt of options 2 & 3 on the pattern.  The way it swishes around her was simply a delight for her!

When you add the sash from Options 1 & 2, you can fudge a little on the sizes because you gather in the fabric.  The picture above is the Option 1 with one Skirt (with decorative band added for fun) and a wonderful sash! The best part about the sash is the Big bow you can make in the back.  I sincerely love this pattern and I am already working on 2 more dresses for my daughter and two more in larger sizes for the daughters of my friends (This pattern goes all the way up to size 14 girls!)!  I would highly recommend this pattern and I don't say that lightly, I have not always recommended patterns that I have tested.  You can find the pattern HERE!  If you are going to sew up the Sally or any of the other Sisboom or Scientific Seamstress patterns, also check out the Scientific Seamstress lab which is a fantastic group for working through any questions!

Until Next time!

*\0/* Cheers
Shanna

The Case of The Forgotten Pattern Testing

I did a pattern-testing this last spring for Lila Lane Patterns.  I was expecting a big launch post after she had finalized the pattern, but the focus turned to some ready-made designs she was very busy producing.  Now that I have done some research, I am not certain she will be releasing this pattern for sale, but  I thought I would share the dress nevertheless.

They are truly lovely dresses, but I sincerely found this pattern too complex for me to wrap my brain around.  It might be because I think that really this design lends itself better to using laced fabrics instead of the cotton I chose.  Lilac lane itself has several ready-wear garments that are completely devine in comparison (Check HERE)

Since these pictures were taken, my daughter has really grown into the dress and it is full summer so its perfect sleeveless.  I am very glad that I took part in the testing, that I completed the dress, but in all honesty its not a pattern I would want to use again.  So many of her designs I have wanted to make over and over, I am sorry to say, this was not one of those.  I hope this review will be taken in the manner that it meant, meaning I am giving my honest opinion.  I like the designer quite a bit, but I feel that all my reviews should be an honest reflection of how I really think of a pattern should it be chosen to be release for sale.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

*\o/* Cheers

Shanna

The Classic Elegance Jacket

[Warning: Photo-heavy post!]

I have to gush over this jacket pattern by Lilac Lane Patterns as it's absolutely darling! It was easy to put together, the instructions seemed clear and I sincerely cannot wait to make some more, perhaps next time I might do the short-sleeved option to go with some of Ziona's summer dresses that I am working on right now.  I made a longer version of Lilac Lane's Sunny Days top and added in a row of pleat-ruffles to add to the ruffling goodness of this jacket.  My favorite part about this jacket is that it is reversible(see pictures below)!

The best part is that their Valentines sale goes through tomorrow! You get 25% off with coupon:  VALENTINE2015  You can find the Classic Elegance Jacket pattern HERE, but look around, there are so many other adorable patterns for girls and dolls!

And now we start the photo-heavy portion of this post

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am linking up this week to:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Fridays with M-R@Quilt Matters
WHOOP, WHOOP Fridays @Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Link A Finish Friday @ Richard & Tanya Quilt

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts
Needle & Thread Thursday @My Quilt Infatuation

*\o/* Cheers

Shanna

Pattern Testing: Treasured For Dolls

Lilac Lanes is a sweet pattern company that I have purchased several patterns and their book.  I probably looked ridiculous in real land when I saw a call for pattern testers.  I might have been decked out in PJ's, I definitely squealed and I might have done a dance (I can't really confirm).

Treasured is the name of a Little girl dress pattern, this is it's Dollie version for 18" & 15" Dolls like the American Girl Doll.  My version is made from one fabric with a white sash, which is attached to the dress in the front, so no need to hunt it down later (you can also use ribbon for the sash).

The Front:

The Side Shot:

The Back:

I love this little dress!  There are so many little options with colors, trims, closures and sashes.  I chose to use ksnaps for closures because they are easier than velcro for my daughter.  One of my favorite items on this dress is something that you cannot see!  On the inside of the dress, I used tiny bias tape that has been passed down to me by my great-grandmother.  In her cache of Raggedy Ann & Andy patterns, clothes and supplies, I found a card of tiny bias tape almost exactly the color of the fabric I chose!

It was my opinion that this is an intermediate level pattern.  I don't think it's for a beginning sewer, but if you have some experience sewing then you will enjoy this treat!  You can find it HERE @ Lilac Lane

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am linking up this week to:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Fridays @TGIFF
WHOOP, WHOOP Fridays @Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Link A Finish Friday @ Richard & Tanya Quilt

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts
Fabric Tuesdays @ Quilt Story
Needle & Thread Thursday @My Quilt Infatuation

*\o/* Cheers

Shanna

Pattern Testing: Gabriella Fae Dress

The day has finally arrived; I can now show you the dress!  I have been pattern testing for Sis Boom and the Scientific Seamstress on the Gabriella Fae Dress.  The best part about this dress is that it has so many options: Short sleeves, long sleeves, 3/4 sleeves, or no sleeves with a regular bodice or a gathered bodice.

4T no-sleeves, non gathered bodice:

I started with a size 5 girls gathered bodice version because that is what my daughter seems to be sporting these days with long sleeves because it was Winter for a couple weeks here in Texas!  Once I tried it on her however , I realized that it's probably best not to measure one's child for garments while they are laying down (while she was sleeping, lol).  I wanted you to be able to see the pretty gathers.  This one should be done this week if I can get the rest of my list completed.

While I was going through the closet, I saw a shirt my husband had never worn that looked like this:

and I turned it in this:

Front

The back

It just needs a little hemming and then this fully lined version will be ready to wear this coming summer (Size 5 girls).  It's a really easy dress to put together, even the zipper instructions seem like an easier task than I thought they would.  If you are interested in purchasing the Gabriella Fae you can find it on the Bundle-Up from January 23-February 2nd.  When it is released for single sale you can visit the Scientific Seamstress Shop HERE.  If you want to see the adult women's version called the Carolina Mae, stop by HERE, they currently have it on sale for the intro price of $8!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

*\o/* Cheers

Shanna