SewBaby News

This post is by Betsy Smith from Illinois.  Window shopping one day, we were so taken with an adorable spring jacket hanging in the window of a childrens store; we just knew we had to buy it.  But once inside looking at the “designer” price tag, we said what we always say in those situations … ”we can make that!”.  So the search began for a similar laminated cotton fabric and we found it in Anna Maria Horner’s Small Gathering – Citrus from her Good Folks Collection.  We lined the jacket with a high-quality interlock cotton knit that gives perfect body to the jacket and just the right warmth and softness.  This combination made for a waterproof children’s jacket that isn’t stiff and “vinyly” like many you see in stores. We chose Sew Baby’s Petal Jacket for the pattern.  What I love about this pattern are the clear instructions, ease of construction, and the unique silhouette – a hybrid jacket/poncho that is perfect for a growing toddler.  The jac...

I just have to depart from sewing talk, and share some images from my garden today.  It's just sooo beautiful. White Bleeding Heart Purple Tulips- these used to be solids, but now have developed feathered petal sports. White Crabapple Tree and Purple Sandcherry-I love the contrast of these together. Littleleaf Lilac-this is the best lilac ever- it repeat blooms in the summer Charles Joly Lilac-outstanding French lilac variety that never fails to produce big, beautiful blooms. Sensation Lilac- a stunning bicolored hybrid- has little lilac smell. Lavender Azalea Flower Arrangement by my daughter Hope your Spring is as beautiful, wherever you are! Ann

It was just about 3 months ago, that I posted my Spring Wardrobe Sewing With a Plan (SWAP for short).  Although I haven't been blogging much about it, I have been plugging away at sewing it, and I wanted to share with you what I've got done.  The plan was to use navy, white and grey fabrics to create an interchangeable wardrobe.  So far,  I've made 2 woven shirts, 2 knit shirts, 2 skirts, 1 trench coat, 1 dress, 2 jackets and 1 vest.  I've still got more fabric to go from my original swap pile, but I think that this is probably as far as this SWAP will get. I'm really switching moods and have already started sewing summer dresses.  Looking at these pictures, I realize that I kind of got stuck on the navy blue, with only one white thing and one grey.  Oh well!  At least I didn't have to change my serger thread often.  I'm really happy with this SWAP!  Unlike my last SWAP- my Green Goddess Wardrobe , this one is super versatile- all t...

I just had to share some more of our Sweet 16 Design contest entries with you.  These incredibly cute creations are all from Julie Lundquist.  Julie is an amazing seamstress who has her own custom childrens clothing business- Ladybugs and Tigertails in North Carolina.  I love Julie's Mission Statement for her business: To make children happy with comfortable clothing they love that is unique and expresses their personalities. To make parents and others who buy for children happy by providing excellent value in fashions that are well finished for durability and long use and made using safe, practical, and and comfortable materials. To provide clothing that is unique and special as an alternative or addition to everyday big-store retail garments. This first one is from our Double Fun Reversible skirt pattern .  I love her choice of fabric and the rickrick trim on the bottom. Julie made this gorgeous dress at the left from the Quilter's Quarters dress patte...

One of my friends' nieces is getting married soon, and her grandmother wanted to give her the famous Betty Crocker cookbook and an old fashioned half apron.  Well, she had no luck finding a half apron, so they came to me and asked me to craft one for her.  The bride-to-be's favorite color is pink, and my friend wanted something dressy for special occasions, so the first thing that came to mind was this beautiful pink eyelet .  I made this from one yard of the eyelet, just gathering the full width of the fabric to fit a straight waistband.  So easy!  Then I spotted a remnant that I had of a Patty Young cotton print that also had pink in it.  Since I was on a roll, I decided to make Simplicity 3752 for an everyday apron too.  This one is super easy because you don't even have to make the ties or waistband- it uses bias tape for that! I think that this is a great shower gift idea and I plan on making it for my niece for her bridal shower this summer...

We are happy to be offering Olabelhe downloadable patterns .  These are BEAUTIFUL designs and Dawn Hansen, the designer, was kind enough to answer questions about herself and her patterns for me to share with you.  This is Dawn in the photo at the right! Me: Where did you grow-up, where did you go to school, where do you live now? Tell us about your family. Dawn:  I grew up in Upstate New York in a wonderful loving home with both of my parents and one younger sister. Until the age of six I was an only child and spent tons of quality time with my mother and grandmother. I can vividly remember them dressing me up and taking me into the “city” for luncheons and tea. Those trips always included visiting numerous fabric shop where my mother and grandmother would shop for fabrics to make me beautiful clothes. I was one of those little girls who never wore the same thing twice and always looked like a living doll. At, the age of 5 I started learning how to sew and would spend...

Congratulations go out to Sonia Showalter who is the winner of Power Sewing's Stylish Sprouts contest! Aren't these Easter Dresses amazingly beautiful!  We sponsored this contest and Sonia will be getting a $30 gift certificate to SewBaby, as well as a 3 month subscription to Power Sewing WebTV Show . Thanks to everyone who submitted an entry.  You can see all of the fantastic entries here . You still have time to enter our own Sweet 16 Anniversary contest- the entry deadline is April 30th.  Prizes and entry rules for this contest can be found on this post.  Check out all of the entries so far on our Facebook Sweet 16 Album !