3 years ago
The wait is over… I’m finally ready to show you my first completed project in 6 months! But first, let me explain.
If you read my last post (https://www.minerva.com/posts/1110922), you’ll know that we have moved continents in the middle of a global pandemic and are now living in Australia! After our 6-week “layover” in Sydney, we have now reached Brisbane, where we were supposed to be. What’s more, all my (4) sewing machines arrived well and sound after spending 5 months in a container at sea!
Whilst I had convinced myself that I didn’t need my sewing machines when I was busy exploring a new city (read: eagerly checking for shipping updates waiting for my machines to arrive), as soon as our household goods got delivered, I found myself “checking” and “testing” my sewing machines! By then, I was so ready for a project!
With special thanks to the most understanding and patient team that ever is (Minerva, I’m looking at you), I am finally able to share a long overdue project!
Life story aside, can we take a moment to appreciate this joyful fabric? It has the effect of instantly bringing a smile to my face, and quite frankly, brighten up my day! This is the Bugsy and Posy print in cotton poplin from the Dew and Moss collection (ahh even the names are all super adorable) by Art Gallery Fabrics. I was drawn to the playful print, and was also excited to try out an AGF cotton poplin.
It will not surprise you that it did not disappoint! It handles beautifully and sewed up an absolute dream.
But because it was so beautiful, and the fact that I had 6 months to deliberate, I was pretty indecisive in terms of what to make! I wanted a perfect project, doing this fabric justice. I knew that it would be something for Freya, most probably a dress, but couldn’t exactly pin down on the pattern.
Then all of a sudden, just as my sewing machines arrived, Bang! This new Little Lizard King Katy Dress pattern (https://littlelizardking.com/products/katy) was released, right on cue! Decision made!
Well, decision on the pattern made, but how to choose from all the possible options? There were options on sleeves, sleeve ruffles (single or double), skirt layers, skirt ruffles and sash! I was even mad enough to also consider colour blocking (which was quickly dismissed)! After checking out so many amazing makes (oh the cuteness overload!), I had finally settled on the mini sleeve + mini ruffle, single skirt with no ruffle or sash. It’s towards the simple end of this pattern’s design spectrum, but I was very happy with my choice.
By Freya’s measurements (allowing for a tiny bit of growing room and comfort), I cut a size 5 in width blended to a 4 in height. The rest came together really easily! The instructions were excellent, which is consistent with my last made using LLK too https://www.minerva.com/posts/1105163). They include a great level of detail, and there are even links to further instructions where available (for example, if you wanted to sandwich the waist seams in between the bodice and bodice lining).
In particular, the ways things are constructed and finished were right up my street – full bodice lining is great, but what I really liked was the placket for the top of the skirt at centre back, which made the back button closure which is at the bodice section so neat!
If you have a great memory, you may recall that I had a bone to pick with the ever popular Geranium Dress pattern a couple of years ago (more details here https://www.minerva.com/posts/1008341). The back closure was wonky and unprofessional looking, and for a well-hyped indie pattern, was frankly not up to my expectations. I never did get round to making another Geranium (the hassle of having to sort something else out for the back closure didn’t help), so never wrote up a tutorial on how to get a better finish, but hey, the answer is right here guys and girls! These instructions are exactly what we need for this type of back closures.
I added one minor step, and understitched the lining at the neckline, and also as much as I could for the armscyes. You can see the inside out picture for this one.
This was, hands down, one of the most satisfying projects that I have undertaken. It was straightforward, but had some frills (no pun intended), and I don’t honestly remember the last time a project went together so smoothly. My sewing stars are finally aligned! And in terms of the end project… I actually think this dress may just be perfect! Even Freya adores it and asks to wear it a lot, which makes my heart sing.
By the way, it wasn’t Freya’s birthday. She was holding an abandoned, partially deflated balloon, that daddy managed to rescue from a rock pool before it got swept up back into the sea! Apparently it’s the best thing in the world :D
#minervabrandambassador #minervamaker #minervamakes #sewsewsew #sewingproject #sewingpatterns #isew #sewingblogger #sewinginspiration #minervabrandambassadors #sewcute #ruffles #artgalleryfabrics #cottonpoplin #handmadewardrobe #sewingforkids #sewinginaustralia #sewistsofinstagram #llkkaty #littlelizardking #dress
If you read my last post (https://www.minerva.com/posts/1110922), you’ll know that we have moved continents in the middle of a global pandemic and are now living in Australia! After our 6-week “layover” in Sydney, we have now reached Brisbane, where we were supposed to be. What’s more, all my (4) sewing machines arrived well and sound after spending 5 months in a container at sea!
Whilst I had convinced myself that I didn’t need my sewing machines when I was busy exploring a new city (read: eagerly checking for shipping updates waiting for my machines to arrive), as soon as our household goods got delivered, I found myself “checking” and “testing” my sewing machines! By then, I was so ready for a project!
With special thanks to the most understanding and patient team that ever is (Minerva, I’m looking at you), I am finally able to share a long overdue project!
Life story aside, can we take a moment to appreciate this joyful fabric? It has the effect of instantly bringing a smile to my face, and quite frankly, brighten up my day! This is the Bugsy and Posy print in cotton poplin from the Dew and Moss collection (ahh even the names are all super adorable) by Art Gallery Fabrics. I was drawn to the playful print, and was also excited to try out an AGF cotton poplin.
It will not surprise you that it did not disappoint! It handles beautifully and sewed up an absolute dream.
But because it was so beautiful, and the fact that I had 6 months to deliberate, I was pretty indecisive in terms of what to make! I wanted a perfect project, doing this fabric justice. I knew that it would be something for Freya, most probably a dress, but couldn’t exactly pin down on the pattern.
Then all of a sudden, just as my sewing machines arrived, Bang! This new Little Lizard King Katy Dress pattern (https://littlelizardking.com/products/katy) was released, right on cue! Decision made!
Well, decision on the pattern made, but how to choose from all the possible options? There were options on sleeves, sleeve ruffles (single or double), skirt layers, skirt ruffles and sash! I was even mad enough to also consider colour blocking (which was quickly dismissed)! After checking out so many amazing makes (oh the cuteness overload!), I had finally settled on the mini sleeve + mini ruffle, single skirt with no ruffle or sash. It’s towards the simple end of this pattern’s design spectrum, but I was very happy with my choice.
By Freya’s measurements (allowing for a tiny bit of growing room and comfort), I cut a size 5 in width blended to a 4 in height. The rest came together really easily! The instructions were excellent, which is consistent with my last made using LLK too https://www.minerva.com/posts/1105163). They include a great level of detail, and there are even links to further instructions where available (for example, if you wanted to sandwich the waist seams in between the bodice and bodice lining).
In particular, the ways things are constructed and finished were right up my street – full bodice lining is great, but what I really liked was the placket for the top of the skirt at centre back, which made the back button closure which is at the bodice section so neat!
If you have a great memory, you may recall that I had a bone to pick with the ever popular Geranium Dress pattern a couple of years ago (more details here https://www.minerva.com/posts/1008341). The back closure was wonky and unprofessional looking, and for a well-hyped indie pattern, was frankly not up to my expectations. I never did get round to making another Geranium (the hassle of having to sort something else out for the back closure didn’t help), so never wrote up a tutorial on how to get a better finish, but hey, the answer is right here guys and girls! These instructions are exactly what we need for this type of back closures.
I added one minor step, and understitched the lining at the neckline, and also as much as I could for the armscyes. You can see the inside out picture for this one.
This was, hands down, one of the most satisfying projects that I have undertaken. It was straightforward, but had some frills (no pun intended), and I don’t honestly remember the last time a project went together so smoothly. My sewing stars are finally aligned! And in terms of the end project… I actually think this dress may just be perfect! Even Freya adores it and asks to wear it a lot, which makes my heart sing.
By the way, it wasn’t Freya’s birthday. She was holding an abandoned, partially deflated balloon, that daddy managed to rescue from a rock pool before it got swept up back into the sea! Apparently it’s the best thing in the world :D
#minervabrandambassador #minervamaker #minervamakes #sewsewsew #sewingproject #sewingpatterns #isew #sewingblogger #sewinginspiration #minervabrandambassadors #sewcute #ruffles #artgalleryfabrics #cottonpoplin #handmadewardrobe #sewingforkids #sewinginaustralia #sewistsofinstagram #llkkaty #littlelizardking #dress