One Thimble Tour: Soaking up the last days of Summer!
Are you still soaking up the last rays of summer as it fades into fall? I know I am! Despite the heat, summer is my favorite time of year, and I never want to see it end! The opportunity to be a part of the official One Thimble blog tour was the perfect chance to do a little bonus summer sewing, before I start to turn toward transitional pieces and cooler weather fabrics.
If you haven’t taken a look at Issue 16 yet, you totally should- the patterns are all amazing, with a beachy, dreamy vibe and plenty of options for boys, girls and women! I had a hard time narrowing down my choices, but I finally settled on the Hally Dress by Ainslee Fox and the Miss Olivia Dress by 1 Puddle Lane. (Don’t forget to read to the end to enter to win a copy of the entire magazine!)
Both these patterns were designed for wovens, and were from designers that I hadn’t sewn with before. If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time you know that I’ve recently gotten into wovens in a big way, and the opportunity to stretch my skills by sewing a woven pattern from couple new-to-me companies was too potent a combination to resist! If you haven’t sewn much with wovens yet, you’re missing out- you can catch my Wovens 101 post here, for help getting started.
The Hally Dress from Ainslee Fox is a girl’s casual dress, in sizes 1-12. I made up the size 1, for Princess, who is 18 months old (how did that happen so FAST?!). It has a few unique features that drew me in, such as side panels, front and back gathering, and little triangle cut outs made from angled bias trim straps.
Looking over the Ainslee Fox website, it looks like dresses with special touches are her speciality, and now that we are well out of the crawling and into the twirling, girly stage (I hope it lasts forever!), these are right up our alley!
The fit was perfect right out of the envelope, and while I did scratch my head a few times at a couple things in the instructions, it all came out well in the end. I used a cat print quilting cotton from my stash, that’s been gathering dust for years. I used to buy quite a bit of quilting cottons from our local store, but when I discovered a love for sewing adult clothing, I had to stop, because there aren’t many garments you can make from quilting cotton for adults that don’t make you look like you’re wearing a colorful paper bag, due to the total lack of drape.
However, this print is really great quality, so I expect it to wear well, and the weight and structure were perfect for this pattern. I’m so glad to have finally found a use for it, and the Princess loves her dress!
She decided halfway through our photoshoot that she wanted to do her OWN hair….with mixed results. I love her personality and independence!
Of course, I decided I needed a dress too, and the Miss Olivia by 1 Puddle Lane was calling my name. I’ve heard amazing things about this designer and her Miss Ruby Tuesday Dress from Ti, so I was keen to give the Olivia a try and see how it fit! The Olivia Dress features a faux wrap front (great for nursing!) and a wrapped skirt with included pockets.
I’m a bit smaller than her drafted measurements in the smallest size, but I was hoping the blousey fit would be flexible enough to accommodate a little extra room. I shortened the skirt by 2″, since I’m 4 inches shorter than the pattern is drafted for, and crossed my fingers. With the way the wrap is hemmed and constructed, length adjustments at the end would have been quite tricky. Fortunately, it all worked out pretty well! I have a feeling she drafts for a larger cup size than I’m sporting after nursing 3 babies, and would take a bit of length from the front neckline next time, but overall I love it!
I used an Anna Marie Horner cotton voile for the top (purchased from the local quilt shop- what the heck was I going to do with 1 yard? I don’t know what I was thinking!), and a matching mint colored linen blend for the skirt from Sew Vagabond.
I was a little concerned that the skirt would be too “heavy” for the top, but the elastic waist does an effective job of taking out some of the weight, and a belt does the rest. The drape on this linen was amazing, and I’d love to get my hands on some more of it for a pair of woven pants for fall. Sew Vagabond has the most amazing wovens- I’m going to have a full wardrobe from their fabrics before you know it!
The length of the skirt after my adjustments ended up just right, and I rolled up the sleeves so they would hit me in a more flattering spot. Flutter sleeves are also an included option, but this baby is a fabric HOG, and I just barely squeaked out my pieces with the 2.5 yards I had for the skirt and the single yard I had for the top. I sewed the entire project using a microtex needle, and it made for some beautiful stitching. Seams were finished with my serger for efficiency, though I could easily have done french seams for a more high end finish if I’d had the time (and patience!).
How about you- are you soaking up the last rays of summer or anxious for fall? Check out the patterns in Issue 16 of One Thimble (aff link), and find something for yourself or your kids- patterns can be purchased individually or you can grab the whole magazine and sew them all!
I’d love to stay connected with you- you can sign up for email updates from my blog HERE, or “Like” my page on Facebook HERE.
Don’t forget to visit the other amazing bloggers on the tour for more inspiration as they feature patterns from the magazine, and enter the rafflecopter to win a copy of the magazine for FREE!
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase an item using my link, a small portion of your purchase (at no cost to you) goes back to me and helps fund my sewing and blogging efforts! Thank you!
Blog Tour Kickoff
Pattern Revolution
8/11/2017
Sewing with Sarah
GAAF Machine
8/12/2017
Call Ajaire
Happy Okapi
Idle Sunshine
8/13/2017
Pear Berry Lane
Candice Ayala
Needles to Say
8/14/2017
House of Estrela
That’s-Sew-Kari
Made by Sara
8/15/2017
Little Cumquat
Beri Bee Designs
Once Upon a Sewing Machine
8/16/2017
Sprouting JubeJube
Sew Haute Blog
Lily Shine Creates
8/17/2017
Lulu & Celeste
Adventures with Bubba and Bug
Curtiepie
[…] Sewing with Sarah […]
You must have the most amazing wardrobe, everything you make is so beautiful.
Thank you! I’m running out of closet space!
Always love your reviews Sarah. I have been eyeing this pattern since the testing sneak peeks. After reading your review I am positive I need it now. Thank you.
This is absolutely my style to a T. I LOVE this, Sarah!
Thank you Jennifer!
Ohh LOVE!! I love the dress it is beautiful!
You did a STUNNING job on both patterns! I am so excited for this issue!
What a gorgeous dress!
We are just starting to warm up down here, so transitioning clothes are still in order. I was just checking out skirt patterns on the way home from uni today thinking id make some maxies for the next few weeks. I think i will have to try this dress too
These are the two dresses I would attempt first with this issue of One Thimble. Love what you made!
I wasn’t sure about the Miss Olivia Dress pattern but I love this version!
I’ve just discovered your blog and I love it. How stunning are you and your daughter is just heavenly. I love the linen on the dress, such a calming colour. I’m excited to sew both of these dresses. Thank you for such a great read
Beautiful!
Both patterns are gorgeous, but I especially love the fabric combination for your dress. Gorgeous!
This is an absolutely gorgeous creation! I LOVE it!!
love both those patterns! trying to soak up last of summer hanging with friends and getting some gardening and sunshine!
Very nice designs.
Your dress is beautiful!
I love the slit in the skirt! Very casual yet classy looking.
Thanks for the tips for sewing with wovens! Was attempting to try something for myself and the information helped!!
They both turned out beautiful!
Your dress turned out beautifully! I haven’t sewn with wovens much. MIght be time to branch out.
Stunning fabric choice, love the dress 🙂
You and your daughter look great in the beautiful dresses
Your dress is gorgeous!!! That linen is spot on
I love the little woven dress for my toddler. It would be great for thin cotton in summer and small corduroy for fall and winter. So versatile.
I would love to win it!
Your dress is beautiful!
I love the Olivia dress! Stunning!
Love both the dresses. Have you been able to successful breastfeed in the dress since its woven? I’m due in a month and really don’t want to be constrained to the same two dresses in my closet that I can nurse in and skirts and shirts.
I love your dress! The linen works wonderfully for the skirt.
Yes it does! One of those lucky times when I had the perfect match of fabrics!
Thank you! I’m really starting to love linen! Presses so well!
Love the dresses you made for yourself & your daughter & the fabric combinations. Just a question about the magazine: do you get the full patterns when you purchase the magazine?
You can purchase the patterns individuall or the magazine as a whole. You can also subscribe to the magazine for a discount, I believe.
Ooh I love this so much! Your combos and styling are always so spot on!
Aw, thank you! It’s fun to style new clothes and see how it can change the look!
Something for everyone in this issue. Will be sure to check it out.
These are gorgeous! You’ve convinced me I need these patterns! ❤
Thank you! This is an especially good issue!
I’ve got my copy of One Thimble and will be making the Oliva dress, thanks for the inspiration and tips. I love your fabric choices, you look beautiful.
Thank you Jessica! Can’t wait to see your version!
It turned out beautifully
Thank you Margaret!
I love the little triangles!!
That was my favorite detail too!
Gorgeous as always, sarah! I’m guilty of just purchasing a yard at a time, also. Really need to get in the habit of buying more yardage, but then I get less prints, so it’s a toss up. :)So in love with you and your little one’s wardrobe! Love the brown and blues together, especially.
Thank you! I used to be very random with my fabric purchases- but now I try to think ahead a bit more to what I will do with it, so I get the right amount!
Both dresses look beautiful but I especially love the mint linen skirt on your miss Olivia dress
Thank you! The mint was a dream to work with too- I love linen!
I love both dresses but yours is totally swoon worthy!
Thank you! It makes me feel fancy!
The fabrics for top and skirt portion of your dress works really well together! I always thought they work for kids only and usually use one fabric type for my own – I might try it next time I make a dress!
Thank you! I actually intended for the whole thing to be the mint linen, but didn’t have enough, so I was lucky to find this in my stash and have it match!
I think this is a great post and I’m so keen to get myself a copy of this edition!
It’s a great one! I can’t find a pattern I wouldn’t like in it!
This is STUNNING!!!
Thank you Kerri!
This wrap dress looks perfect for heading into the aussie summer
Yes- great for warm weather! And I think it will be great as we transition to fall here in the US as well!
That woven dress is so dreamy! You are my sewing hero 🙂
Aw, thank you! Its fun to inspire and be inspired!
I am desperately waiting for fall here. Your makes are lovely!
GORGEOUS love all your fabric selections!
I love the dress, I don’t usually see for myself but might have to give it a try!
Your dress is simply stunning!
I adore the fabrics you chose, especially the cotton voile!!
How fabulous is your dress?!!! Love your style!
Stunning dress!!!
I love your Miss Olivia dress. Firstly, it’s just simply gorgeous. Secondly, my daughter is Olivia 🙂 I just renewed my onethimble subscription coz I saw your dress and I decided I need to start my subscription again. Thanks
Great blog!! Love the dresses!!
Thank you so much for the chance, I really appreciate the adult dress, it’s my kind of clothing
That dress is so beautiful!
Your dress looks absolutely amazing!! I love the mint linen, such a gorgeous colour!
Awesome
I love the skirt
So beautiful, what a classy and practical, love it!
[…] Sewing with Sarah […]
Love your fabric choices for your dress!
The dress is beautiful!! Great job mama!!
Looks great.
They are both beautiful! !!!!!!!!!
[…] Sewing with Sarah GAAF […]
The dress is fabulous and I love love the linen blend of the skirt. It’s a beautiful color
Love the colour combo of your Miss Olivia dress!
Ooh your dress is gorgeous!
Gorgeous!
I love your Miss Olivia!!
I have a yard of beautiful Art Gallery voile that I’ve been stumped on how to use…I love your idea of using a coordinating fabric for the bottom!
Both dresses are beautiful and I really want to try some linen!
[…] Sewing with Sarah […]
Your dress is beautiful on you.
Thank you Pam!
Your dress looks amazing! That dreamy fabric!
Thank you! I love mystery boxes- sometimes you get the best things!
Two terrific outfits! Your little model is adorable in her outfit. I love the skirt fabric you chose for your dress–I can almost feel how soft it is from the drape on that beautiful skirt.
Thank you! She’s a cutie- feisty at times, but adorable!
These are both lovely, but the wrap dress looks amazing! You are knocking things out of the park lately!!
Thank you! I love all your makes too!
[…] I’ve actually already made this one up- into the Miss Olivia Dress by 1 Puddle Lane (available through the current issue of One Thimble). I love how it turned out, and this linen was a dream to sew. (Blogged HERE) […]
Oh my! The Olivia is amazing! It’s gorgeous. I have some awesome woven fabric that would work perfectly for it! Great job and great review. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! Love finding a new pattern for fabrics you’ve already got!
[…] Sewing with Sarah […]
[…] Sewing with Sarah GAAF […]
[…] Sewing with Sarah GAAF […]
The Miss Olivia dress you sewed up is wonderful!
They are both beautiful! I have not sewn cloths using woven since I really love working with knits, but these look lovely so maybe I should give it a try!
[…] Sewing with Sarah GAAF […]
[…] Sewing with Sarah GAAF […]