114 days till Christmas....

We are 11 days closer to Christmas. Time is certainly flying. How are you doing with you list of items? I would love to hear about it. My sewing hasn't begun yet but maybe I'll have some time after school starts next week. This week's gift ideas are little bags. Doesn't everyone need a bag to carry items in?

Let's start with the Stash and Dash bags pattern by Amy Butler. This pattern has instructions for three sizes of bags: toiletry bag, makeup bag, and and coin purse. With the right fabrics the large bag could also be a clutch.












Take-along Bags pattern by Lazy Girl Designs. This pattern has two bags included. One is a zippered bag with inside pockets and the other is a drawstring bag.










Sweet Stuff bag pattern by This & That. This is a sweet little zippered bag that is just perfect to use up small pieces of fabric.











There are many more patterns in the store that are just little bags. Use the eBay link to the right to get to the eBay store. Also, there is fabric in the store now and I would be happy to create fabric kits to go along with the patterns.

Happy Sewing!

More Inspiration and Shop Talk

There is so much too talk about today. Let's start with the Inspiration. I have a couple more shirtdresses for you. More ways to think about the Amy Butler "Liverpool" pattern.

Here's a pretty floral Shirtdress by Carolina Herrera. Doesn't it make you think of spring/summer? Details - short sleeves, button front closure, tie waist, made of cotton fabric, and dry clean only. Price: $495.00 .It is a cute dress. Click on the link above and go check it out.





This cute little floral bandanna print Shirtdress is by Ralph Lauren. Details: short sleeves, button front closure, front patch pockets, belted waist, ramie lining, made from a linen fabric, and it's washable. A detail that isn't mentioned but when you zoom in and look you can see that the collar, the patch pockets, and button closure have a white piping. Price $598.00.


Now for some Shop Talk. There is a lot going on. I have added another fabric line to the Etsy store. It's Aunt Lindy's Paper Dolls by Blue Hill Fabrics. It has a vintage feel to the prints. I will attempt to get the pictures added to Facebook in the next day or so.

There are now a few kits on eBay. The kits contain the pattern plus fabric and generally most of the notions except the thread. The kits are approximately 10% less than purchasing the items individually. If you would like a custom kit created just ask. Let me know what you think of this.

Happy Sewing!

Today's Inspiration...

Today's inspiration is taken from this cute little shirt dress from Boss Black:

This Boss Black Shirtdress is made from a cotton/polyester/elastic blend fabric. Details include a pointed collar, 3/4 length cuffed sleeves, back yoke, and d-ring self-fabric belt. It is dry-clean only. Price tag: $495.00. Click on the above link and check out this wonderful little dress.





Let's save a little bit of money on dry-cleaning and make a similar dress using the following pattern.

This is The "Liverpool" tunic pattern by Midwest Patterns a Amy Butler Design. No, the lines aren't exactly the same as the inspiration dress. However, you will get the same general look if you were to make it out of a black cotton/poly fabric. This pattern is very versatile in that you get 4 different hem lengths, and 4 different sleeves lengths. You could make something for every season.




Hope you have found some inspiration for spring / summer sewing.

Happy Sewing!

New Fall 2009 patterns

There are so many new fall patterns. Some have arrived. Here's a sample:

Serendipity Studio has 6 new designs for fall. Here are two of them:

This is the Stella Strip Skirt pattern, a Boutique Chic by Serendipity Studio. I think it is so cute.

Next, the The Torii Tunic pattern, another Boutique Chic by Serendipity Studio. This is a very versatile pattern in that there is a tunic, a knee length dress, and a long dress.

Now, for the newest creations by Amy Butler Design.

The is the The "Liverpool" shirt, tunic, short & long dress pattern by Amy Butler Design (Midwest Modern). What a great pattern! There are 4 hem lengths and 4 sleeves lengths.


The newest bag pattern is Sweet Harmony Handbag & Tote pattern by Amy Butler Design (Midwest Modern).

This is only a few of the new patterns in the store at eBay. Go check out the rest of the Serendipity Studio patterns or any of the other new patterns and notions in the "What's New" section of the store. These patterns will be here one or two weeks and then moved to their respective categories.

Happy Sewing!

Shop Talk - New patterns

I've been busy with new merchandise. Here's a sample of what's has been added at eBay:



Here's one of the Vanilla House Designs patterns - Sew Happy! Lots of little items for around your sewing area.

Amy Butler's new bag pattern - Field Bag & Tote. This is one big bag.

Amy Butler's new Mini Dress, Tunic & tops pattern. This pattern is sized for girls and women with lots of options.

Of course, this isn't the only things that has been added. There are many more patterns by Vanilla House Designs and other companies along with a few buttons. Check it out! Use the advertising link to the eBay store at the right and click on "What's New" in the left hand menu. As I add more items, I will continue to update.

Happy Sewing!

Inspiration - Track Suit and Shop Talk

Today's inspiration is once again for children. However, this look could easily translate into adult clothing too.

Here's a little Juicy Couture Tracksuit. Isn't it cute? The hoodie has a little bit of embroidery on it along with the kangaroo pockets. It is made from a cotton/polyester terry. The pants have a draw string waistband and are also made from a cotton/polyester terry. Price tag: Hoodie - $78.00 to $82.00, Pants - $64.00 to $68.00 (pricing is dependent on size selected).

I think this would be very easy to duplicate. For the pants, you could try the 2-Piece Yoga Pant pattern by Silhouettes. There is also an adult version. I don't have a pattern exactly like the hoodie pictured but Hoodie & Top pattern by Silhouettes is similar. There is an adult version of this top, also. Both would need a slight modification to put a center zipper in but that would be very easy to do. Just remember to add the seam allowances. If anyone knows of a tutorial on how to turn a top pattern into a jacket, let me know where it is and I will add the link.

I have updated the Amy Butler section in the store. Many items have been restocked and there are new patterns available as well. I think I have all the current patterns and a few of the OOP patterns as well. Here's the direct link to Amy Butler Designs aka "Midwest Modern".

Happy Sewing!

Inspiration - Dresses

Spring is coming! Here's a couple of dresses that will work for spring and summer:

This is a polyester crinkle tank dress with stone details around the neck by Alberto Makali. Price tag: $155.00. Doesn't this just scream summer? Very cute! You could get a similar look using Anna Tunic pattern by Amy Butler. It not an exact match but it would work.




Here's a cute little shirt dress by Neiman Marcus. It has a button front, 3/4 length sleeves w/tabs, and is made from a cotton/spandex. Best part - it's machine washable. Price tag: $160.00. This type of dress is nice for summer. I hope that I get to make a least one this year. Want to duplicate? This is a very popular pattern style this year and can be found in any of the pattern books.


Happy Sewing!

Shop Talk - Amy Butler patterns

All of the Amy Butler patterns have been added to the "free" 1st class shipping list. The free shipping will be now through April 12, 2009. Remember, if you want if faster, ask for the discounted Priority Mail.

Happy Sewing!

Inspirations - Spring Ruffles Part 3

Here's a very nice dress with a ruffled collar:

I really like the look of this double-ruffled collar on the dress by Dior. The dress is made of silk with the ruffled belt that ties with a bow in front. Price tag: $2590.00

You could get a similar look with Amy Butler's Anna Tunic pattern. The ruffles wouldn't be that hard to create. You would have to play a little bit but it would be lots of fun to figure out.

Happy Sewing!

Shop Talk - Go Green!

It seems the trend this year is to eliminate the use of paper and plastic shopping bags. There are many different sizes and shapes of shopping bags available. I guess the different sizes all depend on what you are purchasing. Come check out the different shopping bags at The Pattern Loft:

The Florence tote pattern by Indygo Junction. This tote comes in two sizes: 11” x 15” and 10” x 14”.

Eco Market Tote pattern by Favorite Things. This tote is 15” x 18” x 4.5”.

Tukaway Tote pattern by Mckenna Linn. This tote is 20” x 22” and can be folded into it’s own little pocket.

Betty Shopper pattern by Amy Butler. This bag pattern comes in two sizes: Large - 15" across top and 28" across bottom (width) x 14 1/2" tall x 3 1/2" deep. Small - 12 1/2" wide across the top and 25" across bottom(width) x 14 1/2" tall x 3 1/2" deep.

Bring Your Own Bag pattern by Quilts Illustrated. The bag is 16” x 16” x 5.5”.

Easy Market Bag pattern by Calico Printworks. This bag is 13” x 19” x 6”.

Also, coming soon to The Pattern Loft is the ReUse-a-Bag pattern from Studio Kat. This bag comes in three sizes: 12” x 10.5” x 4.75”, 15” x 14” x 5.5”, 18.5” x 17” x 6.5”. Each bag also folds up into a clutch.

Any of these bags would be fun to make. They would also make great gifts, easily personalized for each person.

Happy Sewing!