Sewing Scientist

George & Ginger Picnic Dress

I love George & Ginger patterns - they are so unique and fit great. I was thrilled when I was chosen to become a pattern tester for them.

This is my first pattern test for them! It's the Picnic Dress. It's part of the staples collection and will only be $5. BUT - for one day only - June 16th - it will be $4!

I made this one in french terry.

I really love the gathers at the back and front. I hate showing my legs - so I'll be wearing this with leggings.

I made my first one in this gorgeous liverpool (aka - double knit). It's a little shorter and will definitely need leggings under it too.

I've grown very fond of maxi dresses this year and could not resist the temptation to make a maxi length version of the picnic dress. THIS IS NOT IN THE PATTERN. And I have to admit - I LOVE it!

Fabric is from Pink Zeppelin Fabrics and is currently at preorder. The bodice is cotton lycra and the skirt is a baby rib knit from my stash.

Green is my favorite color and I do love snakes - we have a ball python names Maya.

I'll be wearing the heck out of this and will definitely make a few more in maxi length for the summer.

Be sure to grab this pattern if you can while it's only $4, but if you miss that sale, $5 is still a grest deal!

Pink Zeppelin Snake Scales

Pink Zeppelin Fabrics has a great round of fabric at preorder that's all scale prints. All kinds of scales - snake, dragon, mermaid, clown fish, crocodile - and more. They are available on a variety of bases - cotton lycra, bamboo lycra, french terry, brushed poly, PUL, cotton woven, and swim.

Order at http://pinkzeppelinpreorders.bigcartel.com

Use the Code FATHALF to make everything in your cart a fat half and use the code LAYAWAY to apply layaway.

I was a bit unsure what I was going to make when this snake scale print showed up at my house. And after thinking about it a while - I was struck with inspiration.

I recently tested a pattern for George & Ginger and knew it would be perfect!

This dress is a modified version of a pattern that will be released on Friday - June 16th.

I love the shape of the bodice.

The gathers in the skirt help minimize my hips.

I feel so elegant in this dress - like a snake princess.

Where's my crown?

This preorder has something for everyone, boys will love the reptilian prints and girls will love the mermaid like scales.

K's Closet Fabrics and More

K's Closet is a women's boutique in Hillsborough, North Carolina Owned by Sharyn Arai. She orders custom designs for her boutique and offers the fabric for sale as well.

Sharyn currently has a set of prints at preorder that are geared towards women to do some selfish sewing. These designs are being offered on cotton lycra and a brushed poly base.

I was sent a sample of the Clementine print on brushed poly. The brushed poly is nice and thick with a plush nap. It has excellent stretch and would be perfect for leggings and works well for other apparel as well.

The Clementine design has a mixture of bright autumn tones with rich fall colors. I decided to pair the print with some scraps of faux leather knit to make the Love Notions Margot Peplum.

The hexagons in this print are fun with some having a design on them.

I really love the pops of the orange and mustard colors.

This print pairs well with my jeans and amber jewelry.

The preorder for this gorgeous design - and many others - closes on June 10th.

Be sure to join the K's Closet - Custom and designer fabrics and sewing supplies Facebook group to see all the designs offered sewn by other seamstresses and to learn about upcoming designs.

Itch to Stitch Beausoleil Top & Dress

Kennis Wong of Itch to Stitch makes amazing patterns that are always on trend, have fantastic instructions, and are perfectly drafted. The Beausoleil top & dress features the very trendy "cold shoulder" feature that's very popular now but in a stylish woven top or dress.

The Beausoleil Top & Dress is on sale for $9.60.

I chose to make the top and absolutely love it! This is going to be a great top to wear this summer that can be dressed up with slacks or a skirt, or made casual with jeans or capri pants.

I made two versions of the Beausoleil. My first one I made with some vintage cotton woven that I've had in my stash for several years. I actually got this fabric from my Grandmother one day.

It's a Schwartz Liebman Textile - and I just love the colors. Green is my favorite color! A little scientific fact for you - the human eye can see more shades or variations of green than any other color. After green, blue has the most.

My second version is made in a Joel Dewberry Freespirit Cotton Voile.

I'm a sucker for paisley prints and this one is so unique and has fun colors.

I feel so summery in this version. I love it with the white pants.

I made a few adjustments to the pattern to fit me. I removed 1" from the bodice length (I am only 5' after all) and I did a swayback adjustment so the top would lay nice and flat on my back.

I always learn a new trick from Kennis with each pattern I test for her. This time, I learned how to hand crochet thread and make a bra strap holder. I'm hoping to get a video of me doing the hand crocheting soon - it's so much easier than it sounds.

Be sure to check out the Itch to Stitch blog to see the versions the other testers made.

Designer Stitch Eleni Blouse and Dress

Ann Grose of Designer Stitch makes fabulous patterns that are fun to wear. Designer Stitch is Celebrating their first Birthday with a Blog Tour and Sale!

Here's the Blog Tour Schedule - Be sure to see what patterns the other bloggers make.

June 5, 2017

Pattern Revolution Kick Off of Blog Tour

So Very Jo

Bellevi

woohoobydavina

June 6, 2017
Capture, Craft and Cook

itsewcolorful

Lilliepawillie

June 7, 2017
Living in Twinado Alley

June 8, 2017

Adventures With Bubba and Bug

June 9, 2017

For the blog tour - I'm featuring the Eleni Top - You can also make it as a dress.

The Eleni has a number of options for sleeve length and to add a flounce. I made the 3/4 length sleeve version without a flounce and with straps.

This is a great top for we to wear this summer. I made it with a lightweight cotton voile I purchased from Steve at Super Textiles in Dallas.

The Eleni was perfect for this funky peacock border print.

I think this will be super cute this summer with some white capri pants and flip flops.

If you want to make your own version of the Eleni - grab the pattern now while it's on sale for 50%. The sale ends on June 12th!

La Fabrica Shop by Nina Zabal

A new fabric group just opened their first preorder - La Fabrica Shop by Nina Zabal. Nina Zabal is the owner and artist of the La Fabrica Shop. The designs are printed using organic inks on cotton lycra here in the US. That's something very uncommon in the custom knit industry.

Nina Zabal sent me a sample from her first preorder to sew. I received Hipp Gemma. It's a lovely design of crystal gems in a variety of pastel colors on a soft grey background. I was drawn to this print by my love of geology. I love to collect rocks and minerals - and crystals are always so beautiful.

I was sent a sample that was slightly smaller than a fat half. I immediately knew that I wanted to make the Elle Puls Bethouia with this print.

I love this raglan top in how the sleeves connect in the back. I think it shows off the print great.

I decided to add a little HTV to the top. It's hard to read in this photo, but it says "You were born to sparkle" - and the HTV is glittery.

I used the mint cotton lycra from Made Whimsy for the body.

The preorder for this print, and many other beautiful designs, closes on June 18th.

Presale Bonus Discounts!

SAVE1 - $1 when you spend $25*

SAVE2 - $2 when you spend $50*

SAVE3 - $3 when you spend $75*

SAVE4 - $4 when you spend $100*

*This discount equals to $1 dollar OFF Presale price per yard. Yards can be comprised of 2 fat halves or half yards, or a combination of them.

In addition, get a greater discount when you join the La Fabrica Shop Facebook Group.

Order at https://www.ninazabal.com/

Madhouse Fabrics

Madhouse Fabrics has a preorder open now that's "for the boys", but I think they are pretty awesome for "girls" too.

All the prints are offered on cotton lycra, woven cotton, swim knit, board short, and PUL.

I was sent the "Moon Surface" in cotton woven. I used it to make the Adora Top.

This is one of my favorite patterns. I love the neckline and the back. Plus - it mixes woven with knit for a stylish, yet comfortable top.

I was also sent these "Manly" yarn dyed stripes. I normally don't care for stripes - but these are seriously amazing! Love the colors and the variations in stripe width.

I decided to use these stripe for the sleeves of a Bethouia by Elle Puls. It's a raglan style top - but I love the way the sleeves are joined in the back.

And, I decided to add a little HTV design that I made to my Bethouia top in response to the US leaving the Paris Climate Accord.

I also got to sew the "Moon Surface" print in swim. So now I have a moon swim suit. I love how it turned out.

I used the Patterns for Pirates Sweetheart for the top - with a few tweaks.

This preorder closes on June 9th. Order at http://madhouse.tictail.com/