This post is sponsored by Craftsy. Sign up for the Sassy Librarian Blouse eCourse and make your own sassy blouses! This was a really fun project to make! The Sassy Librarian Blouse is a pattern by Christine Haynes, that she teaches in a video ecourse on Craftsy. Video courses are really nice because it really feels like you're in a classroom. The instructor walks you through every single step of the pattern, giving tips and information along the way. I learned a few things about sewing garments and ended up with a really cute top! The ...Continue Reading
YELLOW sophie shift
I sewed up a yellow Sophie Shift with some Ann Kelle remix fabric a few weeks ago. It took me a while to get photos. It was pretty windy when we took these, so it was hard to get the dress to lay straight! Anyways, I loved sewing with this cross fabric. The color is called Summer, and you can check it out here. There are some other colors also! I think everyone needs a good bright yellow dress for summer! Bright yellow is just a fun color and I thought it went with the retro feel of this pattern. I used a white solid for the collar ...Continue Reading
DIY bow tie pattern
Here's a reallllly last minute Father's Day gift - a free bow tie pattern! Making your own bow ties is really simple and pretty fun. This post has a free printable pattern in lots of different neck sizes, also! All photos by Kyle Ng Photography. I had the honor of making a bow tie for one of my best friend's wedding this winter! Since I couldn't be there I was really happy to have this tiny part. I probably overstressed about this, I wanted it to be perfect of course. I bought 8 colors of seafoam/aqua fabric, narrowed it to 3 to ...Continue Reading
radiant orchid maia top + why I love woven fabrics
I'm probably unique in liking sturdy fabrics when I'm sewing clothing. I think fashion is all about silhouette and I love fabrics that hold their shape. I fell in love with sewing because I love high fashion, as impractical and over-the-top as it is. That's fashion! I love it and I need that impractical creativity. This gorgeous fabric is a sturdy radiant orchid twill It's really more of a pant or skirt fabric, but I chose to make a sturdy Maia with it instead. Knits are so easy to sew and quick to finish, but deep down, I'm a ...Continue Reading
olive in blossoms shirting by dear stella
Last week I introduced you to Dear Stella fabrics. They sent me a few yards of this floral fabric from their blossom line to play with. I picked it out to use with my Olive dress pattern. The fabric is a shirting so it's the perfect weight for summer apparel. I'm really happy with it! It's a really nice fabric! I used a light pink solid for the collar. The best part about the Olive dress is the pockets! Here's a close-up of the print. It sorta looks like fireworks from far away. This is called Blossoms from the Spring Street ...Continue Reading
Penelope Peplum by iCandy Handmade
I'm so excited that Jen from iCandy Handmade is posting about her Penelope Peplum(s) today! Jen had a new baby when the sew-a-long was going on way back in January but she sewed some up anyways! And they are gorgeous! Click over to check them out. Thanks Jen! ...Continue Reading
chambray maia top + jo totes abby bag
I haven't shared the top version of the MAIA top and dress yet, but I have made more tops than dresses! This is the perfect pattern for summer because it is a breezy fit and short sleeves. I made this one in classic light blue. chambray. The sides have pockets! I paired my Maia top with my new JoTotes Abby Bag in black. I love this bag! It's designed to safely house a camera and a lens. This is smaller than most of the JoTotes bags, I think it is perfect for little day trips where you don't need too many lenses. The ...Continue Reading
free tankini pattern
This sweet summer baby is ready for the pool in her new purple tankini! This free tankini pattern is great for a toddler and easy to sew! The scoop neck back is my favorite part! This tankini tutorial is an adaptation of my free summer baby dress pattern from last year, but in swimsuit fabric and with a little ruffle sleeve. If you've never sewn a swimsuit before, it's not too hard, especially if you're sewing for a child. I made this in about 1 hour and it took less than a yard of fabric! I used a thicker swim fabric with a ...Continue Reading
GARDEN PARTY // cap sleeved callie top
This is the other version of the Callie top...with a smaller shoulder ruffle and cap sleeve. I love the size of this ruffle, it's just a sweet little touch. I made this top for my gorgeous (right, I mean!?) friend Carina, who was visiting from Germany for a few weeks. The fabric is the exact same as the Callie pattern photos, a cream colored eyelet. I used brown buttons for this one. The neckline is a little bit blue because I was out of white bias tape, oh no! Thanks for modeling Carina! It was so fun to make something for a friend! I ...Continue Reading
garden party // pattern specs + details
Today I wanted to get you some more details and specifications for the Garden Party collection! I have also updated the listings with the info in this post: line drawings, sizing, measurements and yardage. All of the patterns come in size XXS to XL, for busts 30"-44". The Emaline dress and top is a knit pattern so it may fit larger sizes. I recommend full bust adjustments for the woven patterns if you are a size D cup or above. The FBA is a quick pattern alteration that will make patterns really flattering for you lucky busty women! All ...Continue Reading
GARDEN PARTY LOOKBOOK // see kate sew patterns SP/SU 2014
Welcome to the GARDEN PARTY! I'm excited to launch 6 new women's patterns today! I've been working on this collection for months and months, mostly in secret, and I'm thrilled to release it today! I wanted this collection to embody summer with feminine and flowy silhouettes and fabrics for warmer weather. I put as many fun elements as I could into this collection, like collars and buttons and pockets. These pieces can be worn to the park, the farmer's market, a summer barbeque, downtown, uptown or even to .... a garden party! There are 4 ...Continue Reading
