Everyday A Princess

Every day she's a character, but I sure appreciate the days when she isn't so literal with her cloths.

For the past year, Hobbes favorite princess has been Ariel from the Little Mermaid. From her birthday party theme down to any preschool costume dress up days. Knowing that she likes to pretend she is a (Disney character) princess daily, I often look for patterns and fabrics that will allow her to feel that way - and maybe make the morning routine go a bit smoother and faster.

While cutting out the Cheyenne's Ultimate Ruffle Tshirt by The Simple Life Pattern Company I collaborated with her favorite theme and made her an Ariel Inspired Everyday outfit. I cut soft Purple knit fabric for the Cheyenne long Sleeve Tshirt, with the sleeve ruffles option so she can imagine her hands are swimming in the ocean. I then took the Paisley's Open Back Peplum top and dress also by SLPco and turned my soft Jade knit fabric into a flowy skirt by cutting the circle skirt and modifing the band. Both my knits came from the Purple Seamstress, and you can find a ton of color options Here.

The end result is precious. And my little Hobbes feels like Ariel, but in an apprpriate Everyday Princess school wear.

Would love to hear about your Everyday Princess.
Happy Sewing,
Till next time
-Merav

I wish I had better drapery

I wish I had better drapery so I can take it down and sew this jumper, just like Maria did in the Sound of Music. This was the first thought I had when I saw Create Kids Couture new pattern Makenna's Bubble Jumper. A sweet and playful classic look for our girls. And that's exactly how it turned out.

I was honored to test my fellow Create Kids Couture Tester turned Pattern Maker, Stephanie's first of two Patterns, The Makenna Bubble Jumper and of course, see how is wears on my Miss 5.

I wanted to stop and belt out "The Hills are Alive With the Sound of Music" during our photo session, because by the time I got my camera focused, Hobbes was already up a tree.

For those of you  familiar with my Miss 5, you know this is a very RANDOM, as my little Hobbes tend to sit out from any physical activities. I was excited to watch her in our outing that I might have forgotten to focus on the task at hand, and instead focused on her happy face and climbs.

And isn't that what you would expect from children's clothing. Wearable and spontaneous fun?

So let me point out why I LOVE on this jumper. First, look at that sweet peak-a-boo/cuff on these sweet bubble shorts. Hobbes rarely sports pants, and when she does, she has rules about the fit (rise and elastic has to be in specific place so it doesn't touch her little belly button.) She loved how loose this outfit felt, even with it's strategically placed waist band. 

When I research patterns, I look for items that allow the wearer to adjust and have long wearibility. As careful as I sew for Baby Hobbes Design I am always nervous that my customer may not fall into the 'average' measurement, especially when it comes to fixed straps. If you bought my dresses in the past year, nearly all had included BHD signature "Grow with Me" straps that assures my customer perfect fit and always an opportunity to adjust straps size. I adore these flutter back adjustable straps for that reason. I mean, it doesn't hurt that the look is precious and angelic, but the convenience of the adjustable fit is always a top seller for me when choosing patterns for my shop. 

The front bodice of the Makennas Surprised me too. I learned a new trick with fabric manipulation while gathering the fabric, yet still lining and professionally finishing it. The coverage on the jumper bodice fits more like a Pinafore, and it bubbles open on the sides while you sit. I do advise that while on a 6-12 month baby little chubs, you can probably go shirtless with this jumper; on any girl 2 and up, you are better off putting a tank or a tee underneath.

Gey your copy of this patterns along with Stephanie's other new pattern, Shiloh while they are both on sale here at Createkidscouture.com

And here you go, Hobbes moved on from trees and climbed a little house in the park too. And the sweet jumper didn't hold her back. She could be the next Von Trapp sibling. 

Till the next pattern!!! -Merav

A confession with a pretty dress

Hi, it's Merav from Baby Hobbes Design, and today I would love to introduce The new Mia by Simple Life Pattern Co. Or as I simply call it the "Yes I Can make a tiered maxi dress with sewn in bands, an tie-back and make my own bias tape" pretty blue dress.

When I was picked to test the Mia pattern, I was given a handful of choices on which version to try. I could choose the skirt or top length, with or without bands, tiered or straight.  I almost agreed to the less time consuming choice of the simple skirt. Frankly during the testing days, we were sharing a household with a teething/cranky/up 4-5 times a night little monster, and I just didn't know if I really had the energy for a 'new challenge'.
I went looking in my fabric closet for inspiration, when a 1-year old cut of Batik fabric that I bought on our road trip last Spring, called my name. I immediately unfolded it and knew that in order for me show it's breath of colors and dimension, it needed to be manipulated into a tiered dress.
I also knew that I am in for the long-haul as I NEVER sewn a tiered dress, let alone one with sandwiched-in bands, and I am shamefully going to confess here that I never made bias tape. Up to now I either used pre-made or I faked it by cutting salvaged strips, not on the bias.
So I made the commitment and stood at my cutting table with 10 little zip-lock bags so I could separate the tier of skirt fabric, bands, bias tape and bodice. A pack of sandwich sized zip-lock bags and a marker is always a good 'tool' to keep by my cutting table as I often find my self cutting long strips of fabric and hoping not to mix up the sizes. It's so hard to tell sometimes if something is 3.25" or 3.5 inches.
I must add that cutting into my Batik fabric was the hardest part of this pattern. It is beautifully written along with precise step by step pictures detailing every aspect of this pattern. This dress is NOT meant to be a fast sew; I think I spent 4-5 hours including cutting time. What it is MEANT to be is a NEW silhouette that creates wonderful fluid lines and opportunity to display fabrics and make creative choices. Oh, and the matching (true) bias tape. I am a believer.
Check out the Mia and the new Megan pattern bundle and come back here or to my Baby Hobbes Design  page and share your creative dress.
I am so proud for taking on the challenge and ending up with my "Yes I can make a tiered dress with sewn in bands, an tie-back and make my own bias tape, Dress" It's such a beautiful dress, and my 5 year old (who wears a size 3 in most handmade designs) Just loves it too.
Till next time,
Happy Sewing
-Merav