Louisa Dress Review and Giveaway

Recently, I had the pleasure of sewing Compagnie-M's Louisa Dress pattern.  As expected, Marte has done a fantastic job with this pattern, I can wholeheartedly recommend it.

What I was immediately drawn to was the unique design with those functional pockets on the front, which ended up being my daughter's favourite part, too.  I also love the pairing of modern with vintage design which Marte does so well.

Clear instructions, well-lit photographs, and a well-made garment inside and out is what you'll get with this pattern.

The Details:

One change I made, was to cut the lower back piece on the fold instead of cutting two, in order to avoid interrupting the beautiful design of the fabric.  I also couldn't find an invisible zipper as long as the one recommended in the pattern.  But it's invisible, you hardly notice how short it is, right?! 

The beautiful vintage looking fabric that added so much to this dress is a cotton poplin from l'oiseau*.  Unfortunately, it's no longer available, but l'oiseau has plenty of other gorgeous poplins in stock.

*affiliate link

How about the opportunity to win your own copy of this fabulous pattern?  Marte is generously offering it to one lucky reader!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

On another note, I wanted to also mention that this was the first photo shoot we did after I read Alida's new ebook Style that Kid.  What a difference it made on pretty much everything I did!  We had so much more fun, too, because of Alida's valuable suggestions.  I highly recommend you check it out!  (and I'm not receiving anything for the plug...just wanted to tell you how much I genuinely enjoyed Style that Kid!)

Bohemian Babydoll Free Cap Sleeve Attachment

For those of you who have the Bohemian Babydoll pattern and would like a FREE bonus cap sleeve option, it's now available!  

DOWNLOAD your free cap sleeve attachment HERE.

Adding a Full Lining to a Bodice Without Closures

You've recently been seeing a lot of spectacular versions of the Bohemian Babydoll pattern around here since we're in the middle of a pattern tour.  One thing that I particularly love about this pattern is that it has no closures whatsoever.  Talk about an easy on, easy off dress (and an easy sew!).  A couple of of the tour participants whose skills I respect and admire (thank you Marta and Rachel) both made the suggestion to check out an alternative way to sew the lining to the bodice.  And because I'm always up for learning new ways to do things, I did a bit of research and some testing.  And here you have it: an alternative method for attaching the lining to the bodice, with or without the sleeves.  It's kind of one of those magical methods where you look at it and think "how in the world is this going to work?!?!" (at least I did!), but then when you actually try it out, it's a bit mind-blowing!  

I'm going to more or less let the photos speak for themselves, but here's the basic idea for the version with sleeves.  Keep in mind that these steps are after you've sewn around the neckline (steps 4 & 5 in the pattern).  You'll be skipping steps 6, 7, and 8 with this method, since you'll be sewing the side seams afterwards.  You will also be omitting steps 14 - 19.

1.  Sew each sleeve to each armhole on the outer fabric only, right sides together

2.  Open the bodice and lining on one side, and sandwich the entire bodice with the sleeves in between it.  Not the easiest step to explain in writing, but take a good look at the third and fourth photos below to figure it out.

3.  Then, sew the bodice to the lining.  Be careful not get the sleeves sewn in there!

4.  Pull it right side out.  Repeat on other side...and DONE!!

To watch a video tutorial of these steps, click HERE.

At this point, you would then sew the outer fabric side seams right sides together, and repeat with lining side seams.

Now, it's time to add the skirt, continuing in the pattern from step 20.

Watch a video tutorial of these steps HERE.

Click below for more information about or to purchase the Bohemian Babydoll pattern:

Disco Dot Dress Tutorial

Welcome to everyone here for the 30 Days of Sundresses series hosted by Melly Sews.  I love this series, with tutorial after tutorial of cute dresses to wear in the summer sunshine!

Last year, I remixed the Pleated Playsuit pattern for my Village Green Sundress tutorial, and this year, I decided to do the same thing.  What I came up with this time, was a little dress with ties and a cut-off racer back.  It's great for showing off a couple different fabrics, and the bodice is fully lined.

I've had this Michael Miller Disco Dot fabric in my stash for ages and Anja's been asking for something to be made out of it.  This dress was the perfect opportunity to pull this fun, bold fabric off the shelf and turn it into something sweet for summer.

THE TUTORIAL

If you don't already have the Pleated Playsuit Pattern, download it HERE and follow along to make your own Disco Dot Sundress.

Just to explain step two a little further, you want the width to be the size you would normally sew, but the height size to be one size smaller.  For example, I made the size 4/5 width for my daughter who wears a size four, but cut the height at a size 2/3.

Now, continue with steps 2 - 8 on pages 7 and 8 in the Pleated Playsuit Pattern.  Keep in mind that you are sewing with a lining instead of a facing.  Cut your skirt to whatever width and length you desire, but if you would like some direction, you can use the chart below.

Now, it's time to sew the skirt and attach it to the bodice.  If you have two skirt pieces, sew right sides together on the side seams, and match those seams to the bodice when you attach the two.

Feel free to customize with pockets, if you like.  Hem the bottom edge and you're done!

And there you have a super sweet, quick and easy to make sundress with lots of versatility and opportunities to have fun with fabric combos.

It's always a pleasure to participate in and follow along with the 30 Days of Sundresses Series.  Head over to Melly Sews to keep up with all the guest posts and to enter the giveaway.  Have you heard about the prize?  One lucky winner is going to receive ALL NINE of Melissa's dress patterns!!  Enter the giveaway HERE.

Bohemian Babydoll on Tour - Stitched Together

Having been an admirer of Rachel's blog Stitched Together for some time now, it's such a pleasure to have her participate in a pattern tour here for the first time.  She's a fellow homeschooling mom of four (soon-to-be five!) and she's got a way with sewing and photography.  The teaser photos she sent me blew me away and I love how she tweaked the Bohemian Babydoll to suit her daughter's taste.  Just take a look at this gorgeous photo and head over to Stitched Together to see many more.

Bohemian Babydoll on Tour - Frances Suzanne

This beautiful Bohemian Babydoll is made by none other than the ladies over at Frances Suzanne.  They always find a way to make each garment uniquely their own.  Here, the sleeves have piping.  I love the shape and texture it adds.  Head over to Frances Suzanne for more photos and their review.

Bohemian Babydoll on Tour - Lexi Made

Whether sewing for herself or her children, Alexia from Lexi Made always creates something beautiful and her version of the Bohemian Babydoll is no exception.  For more gorgeous photographs head over to Lexi Made.

Summer of Soleil

Ever since I saw the first sneak peek photos of the Soleil dress from Selvage Designs , I had a feeling it was going to be a huge hit this summer.  It's got all the elements of a great pattern: a unique design, quick sew, superb fit, wide range of sizes (12 months to 12 years), excellent instructions, all designed by none other than Lauren Dahl, the teacher at Pattern Workshop.

For my daughter, I made a size four with a three length, and as you can see, it fits great.  

The cut-out back is what really sets this design a part from other knit dresses out there.  There is also a full back pattern piece included as an option for occasions where one would be more suitable.

Pattern: Soleil dress from Selvage Designs

Fabric: Verandah Jersey Knit Stenzo, Red Jersey Knit Stenzo from:

*this post contains affiliate links*

Bohemian Babydoll on Tour - Raegun Ramblings

Over at Raegun Ramblings, Marissa is telling us all about her experience sewing up a Bohemian Babydoll for her niece.  I absolutely love the combination of colours she chose...can't go wrong with classic red, white, and blue!  And she's even included a quick and easy tute for the fun ribbon wands, too!  Check it out at Raegun Gamblings.

Bohemian Babydoll on Tour - La Gang à Nat

You really can't get much cuter than this!  Here's Nat from La Gang à Nat's Bohemian Babydoll on her adorable little girl. Plenty more great photos at La Gang à Nat.

Bohemian Babydoll on Tour - Shaffer Sisters

A stunning version of the Bohemian Babydoll dress is over at the Shaffer Sisters today!  These delicate lace sleeves are so exquisite.  Here's just a peek, but make sure to see all the gorgeous pics at the Shaffer Sisters.  

Bohemian Babydoll on Tour - Do Guincho

When I heard Marta from Do Guincho was going to participate in the Bohemian Babydoll Tour, I could not wait to see what she'd make.  She has a way of making everything she sews so exquisite and her photos always whisk me away to her beautiful country of Portugal!  And her pretty little girls are always the perfect little models, too.  Here is Teresa in her gorgeous new dress.  Go to Do Guincho to see many more photos and read Marta's review.

Bohemian Babydoll Tour - S is for Sewing and Maja.

Two lovely Bohemian Babydoll Dresses made by two very talented ladies on the tour today.  The first by Ana Sofia at S is for Sewing.  I absolutely love the eyelet and that contrasting floral hem facing...and the polka dots...ok, I love everything about it!  More pics and Ana Sofia's review at S is for Sewing.

I love sharing Maja's creations on my blog.  Not only is she a super talented sewist with a great blog, she also happens to be a REAL life friend of mine!  :)  I love my online sewing mama friends, but there's something really special about a friend you've known for years who really 'gets' what you do.  Anyway, let's talk about her dress...to my delight, she made it in a knit!  First one I've ever seen in jersey, and I love it.  She's got more beautiful pics on her blog, Maja.