First I want to say thank you to everyone who applied to be a tester. You guys provided we me a great response and I am so happy so many people are excited for the release of this pattern. There were some really fantastic ladies that I would have loved to pick as testers and had to turn down simply because there were so many of you and I had to make decisions. My husband laughed at me last night because as I opened each email from those who were not picked I said "Oh no why didn't I pick her to test? She would have been great!". So truly I do hope you each reapply when I do another tester call for my next pattern release. I believe there will be many more to come and I can't wait to work with so many of you.
I was really thrilled to see that the Felicity Flutter top appealed to so many ladies of all different backgrounds, sizes, and ages. What a beautiful happy thing that was to realize.
Each one of you who sent an email should have received a reply whether you were picked or not. I do know however that I missed replying to one person. I want to apologize to her here as I do not have another way to contact her. My email sent that one message to the spam folder and when I clicked the "not spam" button it glitched and deleted the email. Thankfully that was the only email that went to spam though.
The Felicity will be released soon. I'm very excited and happy about this and I know many of you are too. Be sure to watch for the release announcement because it will be on sale for the first week before it goes to it's normal price. Happy sewing everyone!
Monday, April 27, 2015
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Pattern Testers CALL
That's right you read that right. I finally did it. After many requests I decided to turn one of my self drafted patterns into a pdf for everyone to enjoy. I picked a pattern that is super flattering toward any woman's figure and as a special bonus it can also be made into a nursing top. It is all flat constructed so it's a great pattern for beginner or advanced sewers. You can easily whip one up in an afternoon. Yet it has a lovely sophisticated look. Now I need pattern testers who would like a chance to try it out. It comes in 5 sizes (XS, S, M, L, and XL). I'm looking for around 3 testers for each size.
As a tester you obviously get a free copy of the final pattern in all it's sizes (does not include seller's license). You also might have a picture of your finished work featured in the pdf pattern itself.
What is required of a tester?
1.) I need you to tell me about any issues you have with the pattern or any typos you may find.
2.) If the fit seems off I need to know what you are having an issue with.
3.) I also need bust, waist, and hip measurements of your finished garment.
4.) I need to know how much fabric you had to use to make this project.
5.) Did the sizing seem correct?
6.) Were the instructions easy to follow?
7.) I also would like you to provide a picture or pictures of your finished garment.
I will need you to complete at least one shirt and report back to me within 1 week. As I said this pattern goes together quickly. I have 5 kids and found a way to draft the pattern and make myself 4 shirts from it in 1 week.
How do you get to be a tester you ask? First be sure you can do what is required of a tester. Next follow my blog so even if you don't get picked to test this time you will still know when I'm calling for testers next time. Next send me an email at wildblumes @ gmail.com with the answers to the following questions. Please be sure to put "Pattern Tester Call" and the letter size you'd like to test in the subject line.
1.) What is your sewing experience? (aka years/months sewing, experience working with patterns, ect.)
2.) What is you skill level?
3.) What size can you test?
4.) Do you plan to blog about it?
Please be as honest as possible. Being a beginner doesn't mean you will be disqualified from testing. I would like to have feedback from all different skill levels.
If you aren't selected to test don't worry. The final pattern will be available soon. Hooray!
As always feel free to ask questions below if you have any.
As a tester you obviously get a free copy of the final pattern in all it's sizes (does not include seller's license). You also might have a picture of your finished work featured in the pdf pattern itself.
What is required of a tester?
1.) I need you to tell me about any issues you have with the pattern or any typos you may find.
2.) If the fit seems off I need to know what you are having an issue with.
3.) I also need bust, waist, and hip measurements of your finished garment.
4.) I need to know how much fabric you had to use to make this project.
5.) Did the sizing seem correct?
6.) Were the instructions easy to follow?
7.) I also would like you to provide a picture or pictures of your finished garment.
I will need you to complete at least one shirt and report back to me within 1 week. As I said this pattern goes together quickly. I have 5 kids and found a way to draft the pattern and make myself 4 shirts from it in 1 week.
How do you get to be a tester you ask? First be sure you can do what is required of a tester. Next follow my blog so even if you don't get picked to test this time you will still know when I'm calling for testers next time. Next send me an email at wildblumes @ gmail.com with the answers to the following questions. Please be sure to put "Pattern Tester Call" and the letter size you'd like to test in the subject line.
1.) What is your sewing experience? (aka years/months sewing, experience working with patterns, ect.)
2.) What is you skill level?
3.) What size can you test?
4.) Do you plan to blog about it?
Please be as honest as possible. Being a beginner doesn't mean you will be disqualified from testing. I would like to have feedback from all different skill levels.
If you aren't selected to test don't worry. The final pattern will be available soon. Hooray!
As always feel free to ask questions below if you have any.
Monday, March 23, 2015
My Favorite Fabric Sites
Recently my favorite fabric site closed up shop. It was extremely sad and I felt like I was losing a friend. What does that say about my fabric addiction, lol. I was worried I wouldn't find another site I like as much but honestly it has been helpful in teaching me that there are other great online fabric sources. This is a list of some of my favorites so far and the reasons why I love them and their drawbacks.
Fabric.com - This is an obvious one. I think everyone probably already knows about. It's great because they have a very large selection and they offer a 30 day 100% money back return policy. They even pay return shipping. They cut their yards 1" larger to account for fabric shift and if your order is the end of a bolt then you can also end up getting an extra few inches of fabric.
Free shipping for orders $35 and over.
Drawbacks - They are a huge site and sometimes that means they sell out of popular items quickly. Usually they can reorder them but if you see something that is labeled "last chance" then it is not coming back. Shipping time can also vary widely.
Hancocks-paducah.com - Lots of great quilting cottons and batiks. Their selection is smaller but they have amazing deals and some very beautiful fabrics you can't find elsewhere. They seem to always cut their yards 2" larger and they also appear to give you end of bolt remnants free.
Shipping is $5.95 for orders under $100.
Drawbacks - They aren't super fast at processing an order. Once it ships it ships super fast but it might be 1 or 2 weeks before it gets shipped. If you're like me and you are ordering while in the middle of something else then this probably isn't an issue. However if you are working on a deadline then check elsewhere.
Girlcharlee.com - I thought I checked them in the past and they were pricey but I must have been confused or their prices have come down. They have a big selection of affordable knit fabric. The quality is hit or miss though. I like that in the description of each fabric they tell you the amount of stretch is has.
Free shipping on orders $99 and over.
Drawbacks -You have to inspect and measure your fabric immediately because they short often and many of my fabrics have arrived with defects. Also they're customer service is very poor. If you have an issue expect that you will have to jump through hoops before they will even consider doing anything. Also I've heard there are some compliance issues if you are trying to sell children's clothes made with their fabrics.
Bandg_corp - This is actually an ebay shop. However they offer such a good selection for a small shop and such great discounts they I feel they deserve to be mentioned. They sell a lot of quilting cotton and fleece. They normally have between 200 and 300 fabrics for sale at any given time and they sell them in 2yd increments (although you can buy more then one lot for a longer cut). If you happen to find the print you are looking for with them then it will more then likely be much less then anywhere else you can find it.
Drawbacks - They work through ebay and they do not offer free shipping at any purchase price but they will combine shipping for you. They also auction off most of their end of bolt remnants instead of including them as a free surprise bonus.
Hawthornethreads.com - I haven't ordered from hear yet but they do have some good prices. I'll update this when I make a purchase from them. I like that they prominently feature pictures of projects that a fabric has been used for. It helps sometimes to see it from different angles and in different lighting.
It appears that they don't have free shipping but that they do have a $5.50 flat rate when you buy 2+ yards.
Drawbacks - You have to click on each fabric in order to see the price. This is very tiring, time consuming, and annoying.
I can't wait to find some other great sites. Have you used any of these? Do you have any other great fabric sources? I still need a good site for cotton webbing and all those little findings like fabric buttons, thread, and d rings. Any good suggestions?
Fabric.com - This is an obvious one. I think everyone probably already knows about. It's great because they have a very large selection and they offer a 30 day 100% money back return policy. They even pay return shipping. They cut their yards 1" larger to account for fabric shift and if your order is the end of a bolt then you can also end up getting an extra few inches of fabric.
 |
| One of my fabric.com hauls |
Drawbacks - They are a huge site and sometimes that means they sell out of popular items quickly. Usually they can reorder them but if you see something that is labeled "last chance" then it is not coming back. Shipping time can also vary widely.
Hancocks-paducah.com - Lots of great quilting cottons and batiks. Their selection is smaller but they have amazing deals and some very beautiful fabrics you can't find elsewhere. They seem to always cut their yards 2" larger and they also appear to give you end of bolt remnants free.
 |
| These all came from Hancocks of Paducah |
Drawbacks - They aren't super fast at processing an order. Once it ships it ships super fast but it might be 1 or 2 weeks before it gets shipped. If you're like me and you are ordering while in the middle of something else then this probably isn't an issue. However if you are working on a deadline then check elsewhere.
Girlcharlee.com - I thought I checked them in the past and they were pricey but I must have been confused or their prices have come down. They have a big selection of affordable knit fabric. The quality is hit or miss though. I like that in the description of each fabric they tell you the amount of stretch is has.
 |
| Some of the lovely soft knits I found on Girl Charlee |
Drawbacks -You have to inspect and measure your fabric immediately because they short often and many of my fabrics have arrived with defects. Also they're customer service is very poor. If you have an issue expect that you will have to jump through hoops before they will even consider doing anything. Also I've heard there are some compliance issues if you are trying to sell children's clothes made with their fabrics.
Bandg_corp - This is actually an ebay shop. However they offer such a good selection for a small shop and such great discounts they I feel they deserve to be mentioned. They sell a lot of quilting cotton and fleece. They normally have between 200 and 300 fabrics for sale at any given time and they sell them in 2yd increments (although you can buy more then one lot for a longer cut). If you happen to find the print you are looking for with them then it will more then likely be much less then anywhere else you can find it.
 |
| These Michael Miller fabrics came from Bandg_corp's ebay store |
Drawbacks - They work through ebay and they do not offer free shipping at any purchase price but they will combine shipping for you. They also auction off most of their end of bolt remnants instead of including them as a free surprise bonus.
Hawthornethreads.com - I haven't ordered from hear yet but they do have some good prices. I'll update this when I make a purchase from them. I like that they prominently feature pictures of projects that a fabric has been used for. It helps sometimes to see it from different angles and in different lighting.
It appears that they don't have free shipping but that they do have a $5.50 flat rate when you buy 2+ yards.
Drawbacks - You have to click on each fabric in order to see the price. This is very tiring, time consuming, and annoying.
I can't wait to find some other great sites. Have you used any of these? Do you have any other great fabric sources? I still need a good site for cotton webbing and all those little findings like fabric buttons, thread, and d rings. Any good suggestions?
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Pretty Fabric and Ebates
I've been swooning over this lovely Michael Miller fabric by Sarah Jane. It is called Wee Wander. I can't tell you how adorable it is. It's even prettier in person then in any of the pics. Children with horses, deer, and fireflies. The colors are also beautiful!
I was unable to decide which color way to go with so I picked my favorite prints and bought them in both color ways they came in. I turned 4 of the prints into two blankets with soft luxurious minky backs. I have them listed in my etsy shop but I'm not sure if they will stay there long. My husband and the kids both thought they were the coolest things when they seen them and if they don't sell soon they may never leave my house, lol.
Oh and they do offer incentive for referrals so if you decide to try them out then I hope you'll consider using my referral link by clicking here.
Have you ever considered trying a site like ebates before? Are you already a member of one? What do you think of those crazy adorable fabrics? Have you ever used any Michael Miller fabrics before?
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Skirting the Issue Skirts
Ok, so I've been a busy one. I finished my second nursing shirt (tut still to come) and to make up for my selfish sewing I made 6 skirts to donate for Skirting the Issue. In case you aren't familiar with who or what that is then please read on. It is an effort in the blogging world to spread a little love where it maybe most needed. Sewing enthusiast are encouraged to sew up some skirts for whichever charity they would like. The goal is to create as many as possible in the hopes that it gives a child who may not be in the best situation a little bit of much needed love. You can donate them anywhere you choose and they even give some good examples of places that would be good to donate to. Or if you would prefer you can even mail the skirts to them to donate for you. It's a lovely way to give back and is worth participating just for that. However if you need more incentive they also enter you into drawings for some pretty cool sewing stuff for every skirt you make.
I think it's an annual thing so if you can't do it this year then you should sign up for their newsletter so you can next time it comes around. You won't be disappointed as it's run by Simple Simon, and who doesn't just love everything there?!
I had some designer fabrics that I got in end of bolt surprise packs from one of my favorite online fabric stores. I paired these with some wide elastic ribbon and I pretty much had pre-cut skirts ready to just whip up. I just needed to measure them to see what size skirt they would make in the end.
My favorite is that light pink one on the top in this picture with the grey band and the unknown little creatures on it. I was half tempted to keep it for Wren but I figure that wouldn't be right since that wasn't the intention I had when making it. Other little girls deserve to have adorable clothes too!
These ones I actually made first. I wasn't sure what to use these fabrics for when I first got them but obviously they were beyond perfect for little skirts. Aren't they darling?
Here is all 6 of them together. I think I'm going to bring them with me to bunco and either give them to the ladies there that work for foster care placement or give them to the ladies that put together baby boxes for new moms in need. I may even split them up and give the smaller ones for the care boxes and the larger ones to the foster care ladies. Either way I know they will be going where they are needed and that's all the really matters. :)
I think it's an annual thing so if you can't do it this year then you should sign up for their newsletter so you can next time it comes around. You won't be disappointed as it's run by Simple Simon, and who doesn't just love everything there?!
I had some designer fabrics that I got in end of bolt surprise packs from one of my favorite online fabric stores. I paired these with some wide elastic ribbon and I pretty much had pre-cut skirts ready to just whip up. I just needed to measure them to see what size skirt they would make in the end.
These ones I actually made first. I wasn't sure what to use these fabrics for when I first got them but obviously they were beyond perfect for little skirts. Aren't they darling?
Here is all 6 of them together. I think I'm going to bring them with me to bunco and either give them to the ladies there that work for foster care placement or give them to the ladies that put together baby boxes for new moms in need. I may even split them up and give the smaller ones for the care boxes and the larger ones to the foster care ladies. Either way I know they will be going where they are needed and that's all the really matters. :)
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Chomping at the Bit
Well here I am chomping at the bit and ready to start really breaking in my new sewing machine. I've been healing from surgery for the last 2 weeks and I think I'm finally about ready to sit in front of my machine and get to work for real! I've also got something else in the works that has me absolutely giddy with excitement. I can't give to many details at the moment as I haven't even started at it yet and I would like to know it's doable before I make any announcements. I'll tell you it's something that combines many of my crafting loves though.
I made a fantastic nursing shirt that I will be posting soon. I just haven't taken pics yet or else I would be posting it now. It's cute enough to wear as a normal shirt but completely modest and functional as a nursing shirt as well. I'll be making up a few more and there maybe a tutorial to follow.
In the meantime I'll just post this unrelated yet totally irresistible picture of Wolf on his first 4th of July.
Doesn't he look so happy to be hangin with daddy and excited for the fireworks? He stayed awake for the whole show and enjoyed every minute of it too. Not an ounce of fear with all those loud noises and bright lights. He just happily watched the first half of them until he decided he was hungry.
I made a fantastic nursing shirt that I will be posting soon. I just haven't taken pics yet or else I would be posting it now. It's cute enough to wear as a normal shirt but completely modest and functional as a nursing shirt as well. I'll be making up a few more and there maybe a tutorial to follow.
In the meantime I'll just post this unrelated yet totally irresistible picture of Wolf on his first 4th of July.
Doesn't he look so happy to be hangin with daddy and excited for the fireworks? He stayed awake for the whole show and enjoyed every minute of it too. Not an ounce of fear with all those loud noises and bright lights. He just happily watched the first half of them until he decided he was hungry.
Monday, July 7, 2014
2nd and 5th Birthday Dresses
So it's time for the big reveal! Nova and Wren's birthday dresses. I made both of them from the same basic pattern (one I made).
I'll start with Nova's dress because I didn't really change anything from my original pattern. I've been hording this fabric for some time now. I gave Nova the choice between several of my prettiest fabrics and this is what she chose. Can't say I blame her! So 1yd of horded fabric down and a new dress later.....
.... and of course the dress in action. Since of course you know it is a super twirly dress!
Ok admittedly my timing is horrible. I can never catch a full twirl. I tend to catch the very end when the skirt is starting to twist around the other way and gets real close to the body.
She loves it, although for some reason it looks like she's trying to fight back a smile here. Just in time too as she has completely outgrown her 3rd birthday dress.
Did I mention the thing I love most about this pattern is that it can be worn for a very long time by just adjusting the button placement? Umm, yeah I love that! Anything that looks nice and my kids can wear for multiple years or I can switch between girls of different sizes is a huge bonus in my book!
For Wren's dress I made the skirt 2 layers and shortened the top layer up quite a bit to almost peplum in nature.
I only had a half yard of that fabric and I really wanted all of the wide eyelet edging along the bottom of the white fabric to show. It's hard to see it hear and the other pics I took didn't come out to great either since it was almost nap time. When I finished this dress she took it and carried it all through the house. She was so upset when I told her she couldn't wear it right then.
I think she's just as big a fan as I am of these shiny white glass buttons.
Do you make your kids special birthday outfits? If so do they like them? Have you ever used a pattern that lets them wear something for multiple sizes?
I'll start with Nova's dress because I didn't really change anything from my original pattern. I've been hording this fabric for some time now. I gave Nova the choice between several of my prettiest fabrics and this is what she chose. Can't say I blame her! So 1yd of horded fabric down and a new dress later.....
.... and of course the dress in action. Since of course you know it is a super twirly dress!
Ok admittedly my timing is horrible. I can never catch a full twirl. I tend to catch the very end when the skirt is starting to twist around the other way and gets real close to the body.
She loves it, although for some reason it looks like she's trying to fight back a smile here. Just in time too as she has completely outgrown her 3rd birthday dress.
For Wren's dress I made the skirt 2 layers and shortened the top layer up quite a bit to almost peplum in nature.
I only had a half yard of that fabric and I really wanted all of the wide eyelet edging along the bottom of the white fabric to show. It's hard to see it hear and the other pics I took didn't come out to great either since it was almost nap time. When I finished this dress she took it and carried it all through the house. She was so upset when I told her she couldn't wear it right then.
I think she's just as big a fan as I am of these shiny white glass buttons.
Do you make your kids special birthday outfits? If so do they like them? Have you ever used a pattern that lets them wear something for multiple sizes?
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