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!

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106 Comments

  1. Gaafmachine – It’s here, One Thimble #16 on August 11, 2017 at 12:11 am

    […] Sewing with Sarah […]

    • Jessica McBride on August 11, 2017 at 3:48 pm

      You must have the most amazing wardrobe, everything you make is so beautiful.

      • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 5:20 pm

        Thank you! I’m running out of closet space!

    • Sheena painter on August 12, 2017 at 5:55 am

      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.

  2. Jennifer @ Kutti Couture on August 11, 2017 at 6:55 am

    This is absolutely my style to a T. I LOVE this, Sarah!

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 5:46 pm

      Thank you Jennifer!

  3. Jess Hughes on August 11, 2017 at 7:02 am

    Ohh LOVE!! I love the dress it is beautiful!

  4. Liesel on August 11, 2017 at 7:09 am

    You did a STUNNING job on both patterns! I am so excited for this issue!

  5. Tracey Kenyon on August 11, 2017 at 7:11 am

    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

  6. Angeline on August 11, 2017 at 7:21 am

    These are the two dresses I would attempt first with this issue of One Thimble. Love what you made!

  7. Kristen on August 11, 2017 at 7:23 am

    I wasn’t sure about the Miss Olivia Dress pattern but I love this version!

  8. Justine on August 11, 2017 at 7:38 am

    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

  9. Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 7:41 am

    Beautiful!

  10. Amy on August 11, 2017 at 7:56 am

    Both patterns are gorgeous, but I especially love the fabric combination for your dress. Gorgeous!

  11. Lis on August 11, 2017 at 8:01 am

    This is an absolutely gorgeous creation! I LOVE it!!

  12. jeanine on August 11, 2017 at 8:27 am

    love both those patterns! trying to soak up last of summer hanging with friends and getting some gardening and sunshine!

  13. chinapat on August 11, 2017 at 8:40 am

    Very nice designs.

  14. Shayna on August 11, 2017 at 8:53 am

    Your dress is beautiful!

  15. brittany lowery on August 11, 2017 at 9:01 am

    I love the slit in the skirt! Very casual yet classy looking.

  16. Jaclyn on August 11, 2017 at 9:33 am

    Thanks for the tips for sewing with wovens! Was attempting to try something for myself and the information helped!!

  17. Courtne on August 11, 2017 at 9:41 am

    They both turned out beautiful!

  18. Alison on August 11, 2017 at 9:50 am

    Your dress turned out beautifully! I haven’t sewn with wovens much. MIght be time to branch out.

  19. Leece on August 11, 2017 at 9:56 am

    Stunning fabric choice, love the dress 🙂

  20. Koko on August 11, 2017 at 10:28 am

    You and your daughter look great in the beautiful dresses

  21. Celine on August 11, 2017 at 11:29 am

    Your dress is gorgeous!!! That linen is spot on

  22. Kimberly on August 11, 2017 at 11:47 am

    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!

  23. Diane on August 11, 2017 at 12:21 pm

    Your dress is beautiful!

  24. Cara G on August 11, 2017 at 12:26 pm

    I love the Olivia dress! Stunning!

  25. Megan on August 11, 2017 at 12:45 pm

    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.

  26. Saskia on August 11, 2017 at 12:46 pm

    I love your dress! The linen works wonderfully for the skirt.

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 2:39 pm

      Yes it does! One of those lucky times when I had the perfect match of fabrics!

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 5:21 pm

      Thank you! I’m really starting to love linen! Presses so well!

  27. Lisa L on August 11, 2017 at 1:27 pm

    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?

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 2:39 pm

      You can purchase the patterns individuall or the magazine as a whole. You can also subscribe to the magazine for a discount, I believe.

  28. Auschick on August 11, 2017 at 1:36 pm

    Ooh I love this so much! Your combos and styling are always so spot on!

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 2:38 pm

      Aw, thank you! It’s fun to style new clothes and see how it can change the look!

  29. Melanie G on August 11, 2017 at 1:52 pm

    Something for everyone in this issue. Will be sure to check it out.

  30. Krysten on August 11, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    These are gorgeous! You’ve convinced me I need these patterns! ❤

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 2:38 pm

      Thank you! This is an especially good issue!

  31. Jessica on August 11, 2017 at 3:33 pm

    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.

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 5:20 pm

      Thank you Jessica! Can’t wait to see your version!

  32. Margaret Winters on August 11, 2017 at 3:41 pm

    It turned out beautifully

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 5:20 pm

      Thank you Margaret!

  33. Tammy on August 11, 2017 at 3:43 pm

    I love the little triangles!!

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 5:20 pm

      That was my favorite detail too!

  34. April Simpson hunt on August 11, 2017 at 4:07 pm

    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.

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 5:19 pm

      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!

  35. Hannah on August 11, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    Both dresses look beautiful but I especially love the mint linen skirt on your miss Olivia dress

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 5:19 pm

      Thank you! The mint was a dream to work with too- I love linen!

  36. Marah on August 11, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    I love both dresses but yours is totally swoon worthy!

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 5:18 pm

      Thank you! It makes me feel fancy!

  37. Rachelle on August 11, 2017 at 4:31 pm

    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!

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 5:18 pm

      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!

  38. Vendy on August 11, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    I think this is a great post and I’m so keen to get myself a copy of this edition!

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 5:17 pm

      It’s a great one! I can’t find a pattern I wouldn’t like in it!

  39. Kerri Learning on August 11, 2017 at 5:23 pm

    This is STUNNING!!!

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 5:47 pm

      Thank you Kerri!

  40. Princesspolley on August 11, 2017 at 5:27 pm

    This wrap dress looks perfect for heading into the aussie summer

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 5:47 pm

      Yes- great for warm weather! And I think it will be great as we transition to fall here in the US as well!

  41. Caroline B on August 11, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    That woven dress is so dreamy! You are my sewing hero 🙂

    • Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 5:46 pm

      Aw, thank you! Its fun to inspire and be inspired!

  42. Sarah on August 11, 2017 at 5:55 pm

    I am desperately waiting for fall here. Your makes are lovely!

  43. Becky on August 11, 2017 at 6:14 pm

    GORGEOUS love all your fabric selections!

  44. Kristie on August 11, 2017 at 6:21 pm

    I love the dress, I don’t usually see for myself but might have to give it a try!

  45. Donna on August 11, 2017 at 6:24 pm

    Your dress is simply stunning!
    I adore the fabrics you chose, especially the cotton voile!!

  46. Kelly on August 11, 2017 at 7:33 pm

    How fabulous is your dress?!!! Love your style!

  47. TMarie on August 11, 2017 at 7:34 pm

    Stunning dress!!!

  48. Ac on August 11, 2017 at 8:01 pm

    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

  49. Aretha on August 11, 2017 at 11:01 pm

    Great blog!! Love the dresses!!

  50. Elisabetta on August 11, 2017 at 11:20 pm

    Thank you so much for the chance, I really appreciate the adult dress, it’s my kind of clothing

  51. Mal CM on August 12, 2017 at 12:13 am

    That dress is so beautiful!

  52. Nelly S on August 12, 2017 at 2:36 am

    Your dress looks absolutely amazing!! I love the mint linen, such a gorgeous colour!

  53. Lorna on August 12, 2017 at 2:47 am

    Awesome

    I love the skirt

  54. Marika on August 12, 2017 at 3:01 am

    So beautiful, what a classy and practical, love it!

  55. […] Sewing with Sarah […]

  56. Paula Parnell on August 12, 2017 at 4:08 am

    Love your fabric choices for your dress!

  57. Tami on August 12, 2017 at 4:40 am

    The dress is beautiful!! Great job mama!!

  58. Tamsyn Spooner on August 12, 2017 at 5:21 am

    Looks great.

  59. Briony on August 12, 2017 at 5:25 am

    They are both beautiful! !!!!!!!!!

  60. […] Sewing with Sarah GAAF […]

  61. Elizabeth Minisee on August 12, 2017 at 5:29 am

    The dress is fabulous and I love love the linen blend of the skirt. It’s a beautiful color

  62. Meiling Sparrow on August 12, 2017 at 6:53 am

    Love the colour combo of your Miss Olivia dress!

  63. Nickkole on August 12, 2017 at 8:31 am

    Ooh your dress is gorgeous!

  64. Candice on August 12, 2017 at 1:00 pm

    Gorgeous!

  65. Gabrielle on August 12, 2017 at 2:55 pm

    I love your Miss Olivia!!

  66. Emily on August 12, 2017 at 4:52 pm

    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!

  67. Cassie on August 12, 2017 at 6:54 pm

    Both dresses are beautiful and I really want to try some linen!

  68. […] Sewing with Sarah […]

  69. Pam Crane on August 13, 2017 at 5:15 am

    Your dress is beautiful on you.

    • Sarah on August 14, 2017 at 1:03 pm

      Thank you Pam!

  70. Ajaire Parello on August 13, 2017 at 7:20 am

    Your dress looks amazing! That dreamy fabric!

    • Sarah on August 14, 2017 at 1:03 pm

      Thank you! I love mystery boxes- sometimes you get the best things!

  71. Karen S on August 13, 2017 at 10:15 am

    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.

    • Sarah on August 14, 2017 at 1:03 pm

      Thank you! She’s a cutie- feisty at times, but adorable!

  72. Cassy Gobin on August 13, 2017 at 3:46 pm

    These are both lovely, but the wrap dress looks amazing! You are knocking things out of the park lately!!

    • Sarah on August 14, 2017 at 1:03 pm

      Thank you! I love all your makes too!

  73. […] 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) […]

  74. Hannah on August 14, 2017 at 5:23 am

    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!

    • Sarah on August 14, 2017 at 1:02 pm

      Thank you! Love finding a new pattern for fabrics you’ve already got!

  75. One Thimble 16 – It’s high tide time on August 15, 2017 at 4:45 am

    […] Sewing with Sarah […]

  76. […] Sewing with Sarah GAAF […]

  77. […] Sewing with Sarah GAAF […]

  78. Shawna on August 17, 2017 at 4:33 am

    The Miss Olivia dress you sewed up is wonderful!

  79. Shasrine on August 17, 2017 at 10:24 pm

    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!

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    […] Sewing with Sarah  GAAF […]

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