Painting Check Dress

Posted on May 24, 2013 by bobbinsboutique — 1 Comment ↓

I often start a project with an idea in my head, I have a pattern in mind, I start looking at my fabrics and work out what will work with it… well with this dress I saw the Painting Check fabric by Nani Iro and literally just KNEW it would be perfect for an Oliver +S Roller Skate dress (a pattern I’d been dying to try), it was a little bit of an obsession and this is how it turned out.

This is the front, the dress has an elasticated waistline which gives it a great fit and I love the curve of those cap sleeves.

I was super careful when I cut each panel for this dress and managed to line up all the side and back seams absolutely perfectly, I am so so happy about this as I think this dress looks much better for not having wonky stripes. I love the way all of the rainbow lines line up around the side, front and back of the dress – it’s just perfection!

This is the back, I added a Riley Blake plastic flower button in bright yellow which really popped! I love the splash of extra colour and I also love that square to the left with the dash of yellow in it, it’s perfect colour balancing, this dress just makes me so happy!

Oh and did I mention? I made the dress reversible?!? I cut the lining the same length as the outside Nani Iro fabric so this dress can simply be flipped and worn inside out! The lining is a soft chambray a linen cotton mix which is made to look like a light denim, it’s stunning in it’s simplicity and makes this dress even more practical if you spill something on the front (god forbid!) and need a quick Clark Kent style outfit change.

And for a totally geeky little extra I was able to actually include the title of this fabric on the lower left corner of the dress, I could only do this as the fabric had the name printed high above the selvedge, so I made sure to include it as a little extra when I cut – it also meant I could include more of that beautiful red in the dress by cutting lower down – a slightly geeky decision that I love! It just makes this dress even more one of a kind.

If you’re thinking of purchasing the Roller Skate dress pattern, I’d highly recommend it, it’s a great way to show off fun fabrics and it can be made as a top (tunic) style or a dress. I love that it can easily be made reversible and it’s nice to be able to dip in to my fun button stash – thumbs up all around!

Tagged with: Nani Iro, Oliver +S, Roller Skate Dress
Posted in Uncategorized

Pajamas and Snuggles

Posted on May 19, 2013 by bobbinsboutique — 1 Comment ↓

What’s the saying about when life throws you lemons… make lemonade? Well, this week life threw Emma chicken pox, so we made comfy snuggly flannel pajamas using the Bedtime Story Pajamas pattern by Oliver +S available here. I’m not going to write a long post as Emma is currently sat next to me covered in spots and quite itchy, so I have my duties to preform, but here are a few photos to show you the lovely pj’s. The pattern was so simple and the pj bottoms only took about half an hour to whip up! I substituted lace bias tape for the bottom cuff, which made them even quicker (lazy seamstress much?).

Oh I love those little owls and that lace bias trim!

Right, time to return to the off oat baths and calamine lotion.

Posted in Uncategorized

Washi Dress – Poppy Jersey

Posted on May 8, 2013 by bobbinsboutique — No Comments ↓

Last year I made my first Washi Dress using this pattern by Rae of Made by Rae. I was a bit ambitious with my first dress (which I might add was my first time ever sewing a dress for myself!!!) and chose a black floral satin it was a bit hard to work with and the dress has a few minor flaws (like a not flat facing) but the dress worked, I love it and I wear it about once a week, so I think it was a great first attempt.

I’m now desperate for some summer clothes – so it’s time for my first Washi Dress of 2013.

For this dress I went hunting for a beautiful Jersey, I wanted something with a bit of weight to it and a pretty pattern – and I found this 100% cotton jersey fabric for £3.50!!! Yes £3.50!!! and just enough to make one dress!!! Bargain of the century or what?!?!

The dress came together so nicely this time, I spent more time making my pleats, checking my seams were lined up properly and cutting my pattern pieces and the extra effort paid off I didn’t have a bumpy facing – the dress looks professional and, I’d say it came together quite quickly (maybe 3-4 hours tops).

As you can see I added the optional pockets, I do love my pockets and use them all the time on my other Washi Dress so for the extra 15 minutes or so it takes to add them it was worth it!

This isn’t the best picture, because I’m wearing leggings the jersey dress stuck a bit to my leggings – oops and it makes it look like I’ve got a mahoosive bottom, I don’t I assure you! But you can see the back facing and across my back there are several lines of shirring which give the dress a great fit.

I’ve ordered a few more ladies dress patterns to try out this summer, but I think this Washi pattern will always be my “go to” pattern for every day dresses, it’s so simple to make and I know I’ll get a perfect fit.

I’m really excited about my new poppy jersey dress, I wore it all day today and the jersey was a great choice it looks stylish, doesn’t need much ironing and is so incredibly comfortable on, I have a feeling I’ll be wearing this dress out a lot this summer – I have to get my £3.50′s worth after all

Nicole <3 x

Tagged with: Ladies Dress, Made by Rae, Poppy Dress, Washi Dress
Posted in Ladies Sewing

Superhero Peplum

Posted on May 7, 2013 by bobbinsboutique — 2 Comments ↓

I’ve been pattern testing again, this time for the lovely Ari (also known as) Max California who is starting out her range of patterns, her work is super funky and really fun, I can already tell she’s putting a lot of work and love in to her first patterns and I’m sure this peplum will be a big fat hit! I’d been dying to make a Peplum top for ages, so when I was chosen for the testing team I was pretty darned excited, perhaps it was fate! It also just happened that I needed to make a special piece for the Super Hero Showcase at Showcase Handmade UK, so you know the phrase, two birds … one stone… and a special submission was born!

Ok, in case you haven’t heard of a Peplum, it’s basically a top that comes in at the waistline and then has a little flared skirt, it gives a bit of an hour-glass look and is a really cute design for little girls when teamed up with leggings or skinny jeans, I just love that little flared skirt. I wanted to emphasise the skirt so I made this one in a pretty coordinating lime print by Deena Designs. Isn’t that skirt just adorable?!

I used a German import Super Hero fabric, available from Celtic Fusion Fabrics here.

Now there was just one tiny downside to this top, which is expected with any pattern testing, the arm holes are a bit too long and sloped - this is being revised for round two of testing, but means the top would look better with a long-sleeved top underneath – I’ll post a side view so you can see exactly what I mean…

and the back, well the back is simply stunning, it has a row of pearl snaps to make the top really easy to get on and off - the snaps match the fabric perfectly and I just love the splash of extra colour.

I’ll be selling this top in the Super Hero Showcase here on Friday 7th June at 8pm, this top is made up in size 3-4 years and is being modelled by my 3.5 year old (just to give you an idea of fit) I have discounted the cost to reflect that the top would look best layered and is a bargain at £14 plus postage.

Tagged with: Girls Sewing, Max California, Pattern Testing, SHUK, Super Hero
Posted in Girls Sewing

Ruffle Picnic Shorts

Posted on May 2, 2013 by bobbinsboutique — 3 Comments ↓

I’m totally smitten with the Oliver + S Picnic Shorts pattern available here and when I saw a tutorial on adding a ruffle to the shorts by Siesta and Sewing I had a little idea, ruffled broderie trim ruffle shorts with Liberty of London corduroy (one of my all time favourite fabrics to work with). I’ve now sewn up four Oliver + S patterns and each one has been incredibly well thought out and the finish has been amazing! Here’s a little sneaky of the finishing.

This is a close up of the Liberty of London corduroy I’ve used which has ditsy little roses and pretty blue flowers, with ruffled trim and white top stitching, this is a fine high wale count corduroy which is super soft and a total dream to work with!

This is a close up of the inside facing of the adjustable waistline, the waistline is adjustable with button hole elastic and I’ve added a little vintage mother of pearl button I’d been hoarding to this special pair of shorts.

And ta da…! Ruffle shorts, which are totally stunning in real life and the adjustable waistline means they should last a few seasons, these really are my dream shorts *swoon* <3

Tagged with: Oliver +S
Posted in Girls Sewing

KCW and Bubble Dress

Posted on April 30, 2013 by bobbinsboutique — No Comments ↓

This week was Spring Kids Clothes Week (KCW) so I was inspired to try something new, I started out the week with great intentions – as you do, but didn’t quite find enough hours in the day to finish off orders and try lots of new designs. I did however make time for this special Little Red Riding Hood Bubble Dress.

This is a new pattern I’ve recently purchased by one of my favourite pattern designers Oliver + S. This pattern has a fitted bodice, elasticated bottom hem, buttons up the back and the cutest little rounded sleeves. The dress is fully lined which gives it a nice weight and I can just imagine this dress would be lovely for dancing! The picture below shows the lovely drape of this pretty little number.

I’m really pleased with the finished dress and already have plans for what I want to try for the next one. This dress is available to purchase here and hopefully there will be a few more in my shop in the near future.

Tagged with: Aneela Hoey, Bubble Dress, KCW, Oliver +S
Posted in Uncategorized

Girls Night Out Clutch

Posted on April 22, 2013 by bobbinsboutique — No Comments ↓

The other day I spotted the most gorgeous pattern by Zaaberry for a ‘Girls Night Out Clutch’ and I just knew I had to make a few up. I can see these clutches being perfect for gifts and also to coordinate with special outfits. This is one I’ve made for myself, using a viewfinder fabric I recently fell head over heels for by Melody Miller, it’s from her first Ruby Star collection and is a cotton linen blend which has the most gorgeous texture and vintage look. I am so pleased with how this little clutch turned out and can’t wait to totally rock this little clutch this summer.

I used a pretty Amy Butler spot fabric for the inside of this clutch and gave it a magnetic clasp as per the pattern instructions, it’s also double interfaced to give it a bit of structure and padding.

and doesn’t that lace trimmed piping cord beyond sweet?!? As they say the devil’s in the detail and I love the details on this little number <3

I know what all the ladies in my family will be getting for Christmas this year!!! I also plan on stocking a few of these in my Etsy shop in the future, so watch this space.

Tagged with: Ladies, Melody Miller, Zaaberry
Posted in Ladies Sewing

DYO Overalls – Part Deux!

Posted on April 18, 2013 by bobbinsboutique — No Comments ↓

Just a quick update, this is the second pair of DYO Overalls I had the pleasure of testing for BOO! Designs. I made this pair using two of my favourite prints by Pat Bravo from her Indie collection. This is the full length version of the overalls with an elastic bottom hem (super practical) and ruffle straps (super cute) I added a little appliqued heart to the bodice and flower buttons which I’ve been hoarding for over a year for the perfect project! I’m really pleased with how the overalls have turned out and so is E, who calls them her “fix lady overalls” and says she wants to help Daddy with all his DIY shenanigans.

Here’s another glimpse of the bubble short overalls I made the other day using the new Little Red fabric by Tasha Noel.

I’m quite excited and humbled that I was selected to pattern test this amazing pattern as I know like all of the BOO! Designs patterns it’s bound to be a big success in the handmade world! BOO! patterns are available to purchase here, check out the shop, you’ll be happy you did – promise!

Tagged with: BOO! Designs
Posted in Girls Sewing

DYO Overalls – BOO! Designs Pattern Testing

Posted on April 15, 2013 by bobbinsboutique — No Comments ↓

I’m currently pattern testing for the first ever time, I am totally grateful that the lovely Kristie from BOO! Designs chose me for this round of testing her new Design Your Own Overalls pattern. I started following BOO! Designs over a year ago on Facebook before Kristie started designing patterns, I loved her designs, her use of colour and her quirky fresh style. BOO! Designs currently has patterns available for Shirred Dresses, Twirly Skirts, Pinny’s and more all of which can be purchased here.

All of the BOO! Design patterns have lots of options which really give the sewist a way of putting their own stamp on your garment not just sewing the same thing again and again, it’s quite exciting!

I’ve sewn lots of BOO! in the past (maybe I’ll share those with you in a separate post or two) but for now here’s the first of my Overall’s, with flutter straps, heart pockets, pink pearl buttons and beautiful fabric with Little Red Riding Hood and Wolfie by Tasha Noel for Riley Blake.

Tagged with: BOO! Designs, Pattern Testing
Posted in Girls Sewing

A fresh new face!

Posted on April 15, 2013 by bobbinsboutique — No Comments ↓

One of my “goals” for 2013 was to start blogging proper. But so far I’ve made a very sad start of it, so today I’ve sat down, changed my blog over to tie in with my website and am working on the layout. I’m going to work to add some tutorials on to this site and provide you with features and information on what I’m working on (like right now I’m testing a gorgeous pattern from BOO! Designs) and a bit of a behind the scenes look in to Bobbins Boutique, I hope you like it! Please leave comments when you can so I can work out what people want to see more of!

<3 Nicole

Posted in Girls Sewing, Ladies Sewing