Patterns » Lola Pink Fabrics

Summer Camp

Jul 052011

Did you know that Lizzy has a 1001 Peeps Summer camp going on? You can read her interview and see the schedule here. Every few days there is a new free project for you on a new blog! Super fun!

I’ve been sewing with 1001 peeps myself – so I thought I’d do a couple posts this week too. First things first, this is another collection where I believe the coordinating prints are awesome stand alone prints too! So versatile and easy to mix into projects.

As usual, I started out by thinking of clothing to make with the line. My word for this dress was gypsy because that seems to fit into idea of 1001 Arabian Nights. (Which was Lizzy’s inspiration for this line.) Plus it just fits in with my daughter’s personality!

I used the Lily Top as the starting point of my dress. However, I did not want the big ruffle along the bottom so instead I lengthened the dress by 5 inches and cut the width of the ruffle in half. For the handkerchief, I had originally envisioned it tied around her waist – because the seems like a rather gypsy thing to do – so I did not follow the pattern with the Lily Top. Instead I used a fat quarter and cut out a triangle by folding it on the bias.Then the band is just a strip of the Pearl Bracelet.

Haley did not want to wear it around her waist and actually it looks pretty dang cute on her head too. She wore the hankie several days straight with whatever she happened to be wearing.

Pattern: Lily Top by Pink Fig (with modifications)

Fabric: 1001 Peeps by Lizzy House

Scheherazade – Basra Blue
Jewels – Persian Purple
Pearl Bracelet- Brown
Illusion – Pink

I think this dress would be fun mixing up other colors too…..here is just a quick sample for you. All the colorways mix and match beautifully, so you really could have fun here!

Okay back in a couple days with another Peeps Project! Don’t forget I have the entire collection of 1001 Peeps – and still a few magnet/notebook sets to give away with orders too.

More Sprinkles

Fabric, Fresh Fabric, New Fabric, Patterns

Jul 032011

Sprinkles are back in stock! Just wanted to let you know. I ordered way more this time but they are still moving quickly – so you should go grab some before they are gone again!

I’ve seen some of the “boy” options and they are SO CUTE! I can’t wait til you can see them! Have you been following the Izzy & Ivy blog? Each month they are doing a remix of one of their patterns! It’s really fun to not only see the patterns in new fabrics but also simple changes they make to “mix up” the pattern!

July’s remix is the Ruthie’s Romper. Isn’t it fun?

Okay now what you’re really wanting to know….who won the cute package of Sprinkles? It was lucky number 13.

Margaret Wiltshire says:

Fantastic, these sound perfect! I craft for friends and family and have looked into custom labels but you get just tooo many. But i would love to add labels especially sizes for that ‘professional’ touch!!

So Margaret, let me know your shipping address and I’ll get your Sprinkles out to you!

Modern Basics

Fabric, Fresh Fabric, Patterns

Jun 292011

The cute baby quilt that I showed yesterday is a pattern that is in Amy‘s book, Modern Basics.

This pattern is called 1,2,3! and it really is fast. The baby size only needs 4 half yards of fabric! (plus 1/2 yard for binding) There is enough fabric to make 4 rows of 3….I only did 3 rows of 3 and I can’t remember exactly why. So my quilt measures about 36×36.

It is a fast quilt – the top could easily be finished in a day. (After I selected the fabrics, which we all know is the hardest part, then it took me less than 2 hours to cut and piece the top!) And I like how it shows off the cute animal print and star print.

I think this quilt will be loved by the little boy that it’s going to – and his older brother will probably enjoy it too. And that makes me smile! After all, that’s kinda the point of a baby quilt, right?

So I’m not sure how helpful this will be because of the 5 half yards I used, 2 are already sold out and 2 more are almost gone…. But here are the fabric details for those inquiring minds out there.

Prints:

All Star 2 (Riley Blake) – Bullseye Star and Cherry Circle in orange
Central Park (Moda) – Children Zoo in Ivory
Picnic Parade (Free Spirit) – Blossom in green (which is actually on the value wall for $6.99/yd and a great stash fabric, I must say!)

Binding:
Natural Territory Stripe from Red Rooster fabric

Backing:
Chocolate Minky

So I am wondering (you might say I have an inquiring mind!): Have you sewn patterns from a book? Quilting? Clothing? Other projects? What books?

Sprinkles

Fabric, Fresh Fabric, giveaways, New Fabric, Patterns

Jun 262011

Leading up to Spring Quilt Market, Jana from Izzy and Ivy hinted at something really great they were revealing at market….and they did not disappoint! It’s Sprinkles! (Find them here)

They are woven labels and size tags!!! There’s just something about a woven label taking homemade to handmade. How many times have you made something really sweet, only to forget later what size you made? And they added care instructions to the labels!

One package has 11 size labels, you get 2 of each size for a total of 22. The sizes are 6mo, 9mo, 12mo, 18mo, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. (And if you needed, you could swap the 6 around for a 9 easily! Just sayin’) There are also 4 different “handmade” labels, in different sizes, you get 8 of those and last but certainly not least you get 1 Izzy label! That’s 31 damask woven labels! The woven means they won’t fade, shrink or bleed. And best of all, they come packaged in a super sweet cupcake container, perfect for giving or if you are like us, just looking really cute in your studio. And for less than ten bucks!

Yep, the whole package is only $9.95! Typically these will be 99 cents to ship (in the US) but for the rest of June, if you enter the code SPRINKLES (yes, all caps) it will take 99 cents off your order so that it essentially ships for free (or discounted worldwide). This is only good the rest of June!

Find Sprinkles here!

Annnnnnnnd…..giveaways are few and far between on my blog – but I’m so excited about these I’m going to give one away! Just leave a comment….you know, stating your unwavering love for me or something. Everyone is welcomed to enter cuz I love everyone like that. I’ll draw the winner around July 1st. Or you could just go ahead and buy some too. (They are here!)

I’ve already started using mine. I added a size and care label to my Family Reunion Dress (which you still have time to make for a chance at the gift certificate!). Hopefully I’ll have a chance for a little photo shoot this week to share pictures with you…and at the same time photograph the 1001 Peeps gypsy dress as well July’s kit. So much to do….gotta scram! See you again soon.

Family Reunion Dress Sew-Along: Day 5

Fabric, Patterns

Jun 212011

Welcome back to the Oliver + S Family Reunion Dress Sew-Along! On our final day of the sew-along we will attach the hem facing, sew buttonholes and add the buttons! If you are just joining in, that’s fine! Order your pattern and fabric now, and you can catch up!

If you are running a bit behind, take a peek at the Introduction, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4 posts! You have until July 15, 2011 to complete your Family Reunion Dress and post your photo in the Family Reunion Dress Sew-Along Flickr group, and one person will be randomly drawn to receive a $20 gift certificate to Above All Fabric!

Attach the two back hem facing pieces to the front hem facing at the sides, matching the notches. Press seams open. Sew a basting stitch 1/2″ from the top edge (the inner curve). Use the basting stitch as a guide, fold towards the wrong side and press.

Unfold the button plackets. Align the edges of the hem facing with the bottom corners of the dress, matching the notches. (The center of the dress will not match up with the hem facing yet, so don’t worry!)

Now match the side seams and the bottom notch of the hem facing with the seams and notch on the bottom of the dress and pin in place. This will fold the button placket inside out. Sew along the bottom hem with a 1/2” seam allowance.

After trimming, clipping, turning and pressing your hem, edgestitch the inside fold of each placket as far as possible. Then pin the hem facing in place and edge stitch from the inside of the dress to secure the hem facing.

If you wish add the multiple rows of stitching on the hem, your 1/4″ foot is especially handy!

I added the recommended 6 total lines of stitching to my hem facing, leaving long thread tails for each beginning and end, pulling the threads to the inside and tying them off, just as I did with the pintucks.

Since I used matching thread for this tutorial, it’s a bit hard to see the stitching. I used contrasting thread on my sew-along dress, and in this photo you can see where I tied off the threads on the inside. An even cleaner finish would be to tie off the threads, then bury the thread tails inside the hem with a hand needle.

All the dress is missing now is buttons!

I transfer the button placement markings directly from the pattern using my fabric pencil. Place the left placket on the pattern, right side down, on the proper size. Simply mark the top and bottom of each button.

I don’t mark the placement on the side for the buttons. Instead I let the finished buttonholes guide where I handsew my buttons. If you are using your machine to sew the buttons on, you may want the marks on the button-side of the placket.

Follow your sewing machine’s instruction manual for creating buttonholes.

There may be easier ways to sew buttons on, but after a few poorly placed buttons, this is now my method. Starting at the neckline, I align the left and right plackets then center a button over the buttonhole, and put 1 or 2 stitches in place, taking care not to sew through the buttonhole placket. Then I carefully unbutton and finish attaching the button. Continue moving down the placket.

Here’s another photo from my sew-along dress, since I also used contrasting buttons.

To finish up your Family Reunion Dress, add the tiny buttons to your button tab on the front!

Your adorable Oliver + S Family Reunion Dress is finished! Thanks so much for sewing along with me! I can’t wait to see all the finished dress pictures!

Take a photo of your masterpiece and post it in the Family Reunion Dress Sew-Along Flickr group! Upload a photo of your completed dress to the group by July 15, 2011 and your name will be entered in the random drawing to win a $20 gift certificate to Above All Fabric! And don’t forget, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to post here or in the discussion over in the Flickr group.

Family Reunion Dress Sew-Along: Day 4

Fabric, Patterns

Jun 192011

Welcome back to the Oliver + S Family Reunion Dress Sew-Along! Today we will attach the sleeves and sew the sides of the dress together. I’ll show you how to do French seams too! If you are just joining in, that’s fine! Order your pattern and fabric now, and you can catch up!

If you are running a bit behind, take a peek at the Introduction, Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 posts! You have until July 15, 2011 to complete your Family Reunion Dress and post your photo in the Family Reunion Dress Sew-Along Flickr group, and one person will be randomly drawn to receive a $20 gift certificate to Above All Fabric!

As directed in the pattern instructions, for each sleeve, sew a line of basting stitches 3/4”from the sleeve hem edge. Fold the raw edge to the basting stitch, then fold along the basting stitch. Press in place. Do not stitch yet.

Additionally, sew two lines of basting stitches between the notches along the curved edges of the sleeves, one at 3/8” and another at 5/8” (so they don’t interfere with your actual stitching line that will be at the 1/2″ mark). Leave thread tails a few inches long for gathering.

Pin each sleeve in place, matching the notches and using the basting stitches to ease the sleeve into place. As much as I don’t like pinning, this is a spot where you really need a lot of pins to get a good result.

Sew the sleeve onto the shoulder with the dress towards the feeddogs to minimize the chance of puckering. Sew with a 1/2” seam. Inspect your stitch and ensure that the shoulder and sleeve looks smooth from the right side. If not, remove stitches and correct. When you are happy with the seam, finish the seam allowance by zigzagging, overlock stitching or serging the raw edges.

Turn sleeves right side out and remove the visible basting stitch from the sleeves.

You certainly don’t have to do French seams, but they are a favorite of mine, and I sneak them in whenever I can. They create such a nice finish, and it’s really durable for washing and wearing too! French seams aren’t appropriate for tight curves or heavy fabric though, so use your judgment for each pattern and fabric choice.

This will use the same total 1/2″ seam allowance as a typical seam, but to begin you will place your fabric WRONG sides together. Align the sides and pin in place.

Attach your 1/4” foot (or align to 1/4” mark) and sew with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Then trim seam allowance down to 1/8”.

Now turn along your seam line, right-sides-together. Either pin or press to ensure that the stitched edge is turned out as far as it can be, and is your new folded edge.

Stitch along your folded edge with a 1/4” seam allowance.

The 1/8” raw edged seam allowance from the previous seam will now be fully encased. From the outside of your garment, everything looks the same, but on the inside, you have a beautiful clean finish too!

Now it’s time to hem to the sleeves! The hem is already pressed in place, so simply refold along the creases. I use the edgestitching foot to achieve against the edge of the hem and sew from the inside of the sleeve to achieve an even stitching line.

That’s it for today! I’ll be back on Tuesday, June 21^st where we will put the finishing touches on our Family Reunion Dresses! Take a quick picture of your progress and post it in the Family Reunion Dress Sew-Along Flickr group! If you have any questions, feel free to ask here or in the discussion over in the Flickr group.

Family Reunion Dress Sew-Along: Day 3

Fabric, Patterns

Jun 172011

Welcome back to the Oliver + S Family Reunion Dress Sew-Along! Today we will sew the shoulder seams and attach the neck facing. If you are just joining in, that’s fine! Order your pattern and fabric now, and you can catch up!

If you are running a bit behind, take a peek at the Introduction, Day 1 and Day 2 posts! You have until July 15, 2011 to complete your Family Reunion Dress and post your photo in the Family Reunion Dress Sew-Along Flickr group, and one person will be randomly drawn to receive a $20 gift certificate to Above All Fabric!

Using a 1/2” seam allowance, sew the pieces of the neck facing together, matching the notches. Press seam allowances open. Sew a basting stitch 1/2″ from outer outer curved edge (where you do not have interfacing). Additionally, sew basting stitches within the seam allowance and along the curve, leaving long thread tails, to help neatly gather the seam allowance during pressing. Gently gather the fabric within the seam allowance use the line of basting stitches at the 1/2” mark as your guide to turn and press.

Set the neck facing aside and pick up the front and back panels of the dress/shirt. With right sides together, sew from the sleeve edge to the dot you marked. Then clip vertically through the seam allowance to the dot and turn right sides out. (See right side below.) Then attach the pieces, wrong sides together, with a 1/2” seam allowance, from the dot to the neckline.

To finish the shoulder seams inside the garment, I opened the seam allowance, folded each side to the center, and closed them together, creating about a 1/4″ folded finished edge. Then I edgestitched, enclosing the raw edges inside. You could also zigzag or serge the edges. (The seam allowances left on the outside of the dress will be covered by the neck facing in the next step, so they don’t need to be finished.)

Pin the neck facing in place, taking care to match the shoulder seams. It does seem a bit strange initially, but you are pinning the right side of the facing to the wrong side of the dress—it all works out! The neck facing will overhang 1/2” at the ends.

Sew with your dress on top so you don’t accidentally turn the pintucks the wrong way.

Press the neck facing to the right side of the dress.

Before topstitching, press one more time, rolling the seam a bit and allowing the seam to stay hidden on the interior of the dress.

Turn the edges of the neck facing under and press. Pin a few times to prevent shifting and edgestitch just as you did with the button tab. (You could even insert rickrack or lace here!) After edgestitching, remove the basting stitch.

That’s it for today! I’ll be back on Sunday, June 19th and we will attach the sleeves and sew the sides of the dress together. (I’ll show you how to do French seams too!) Take a quick picture of your progress and post it in the Family Reunion Dress Sew-Along Flickr group! If you have any questions, feel free to ask here or in the discussion over in the Flickr group.

Older Entries Newer Entries

Summer Camp

More Sprinkles

Modern Basics

Sprinkles

Find Sprinkles here!

Family Reunion Dress Sew-Along: Day 5

Family Reunion Dress Sew-Along: Day 4

Family Reunion Dress Sew-Along: Day 3

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