A Skirt For the Ages

It's not often I count down the release date to a new pattern, but I have been waiting for the Nevaeh's Skirt to release for weeks, because ladies, this is A Skirt For the Ages.

Now it's my turn!!!

Introducing Create Kids Couture Nevaeh Skirt in Baby, Child, Tween, Women, Plus and Doll.  

I only tested this in Child size on Hobbes because I never really saw for my self. But now that it's released, you betcha I'll be hitting the sewing machine with the women's version of this skirt. Why should Hobbes have all the fun?

I made about 5 of these, and I couldn't believe that once I had the pattern cut, the skirt took me about 30 minutes to construct.

Hobbes was really into long skirt for the summer, and they look great for fall too. But for Back To School sewing, How fun do these 2 different pocket options look? I think she'll love collecting treasures for her Kindergarten class (sniff!!! growing up to fast).

Did you notice how the A-line skirt can be accomplished with a Slim of Full look? The full look has a bit of gathering at the waist before attaching the skirt. Since I love conserving knits-the A line Slim look is my favorite!

And for the full look, grab your copy of the Doll Nevahe Pattern too! I promise you will make tons of these in 15 and 18 inch size. They sew up so fast, you will make one of each to match your child.

And for more Nevaeh fun, enjoy this sweet video all about the great options with this Amazing A line Skirt:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5llAhkntu8&feature=youtu.be

Like the blog, come say hi and follow me at Baby Hobbes Design

Till next time,
Happy Sewing!
-Merav

The Waiting GAME!!! A Summer worth of CKC Zack's V-neck Ringer Tees

The Waiting Game!!! A Summer worth of CKC Zack's V-Neck Ringer Tees 

It's been MONTHS since I shoot these pictures of Hobbes Little Brother-and today is finally the day I can share them!
Introducing Zack's V-Neck Ringer Tee Shirt in Baby, Kid, Tween and Men. Yep! Tested and graded in multiple rounds and up-sized so all the men in your life (small and big) could match!!!

As a tester, we are given a short amount of time to turn in a finished item, photograph and review it for fit and construction. Usually included are conversations while we are sewing about the fit and what works and what should be reworked. Testing a top like this Zack's V-neck could take me anywhere from a day to three days just to sew it. But I do it because I love the challenge of testing, and I feel fortunate to get the opportunity to do it; even if I have to WAIT months to share it!

I have tested clothing for Create Kids Couture for about 16 months now, since Hobbes Little Brother (HLB) joined us. I remember the first one I was ever asked to do had two button holes and I was so scared to do them. But after watching like 3 hours worth of YouTube videos I went for it. These days I offer these 'scary' button holes on most of my dress straps, allowing them to grow with the child. If I didn't get assigned buttons, I wonder how long I would have avoided it?

Same goes for the just released Zack! Since 2015 I made a resolution to work outside my comfort zone staring with working with stretchy knit fabric. WHAT WAS I AVOIDING??? Oh, I love the ease of cutting it. You never have to line it (conserve on fabric) and kids can just slide it on and off - works for me as HLB loves to wiggle around his changing table, making anything with snaps or buttons obsolete. Plus, you never have to zigzag or serge your seams, because it's knit-it doesn't fray.
****Items sold at Baby Hobbes Design are always finished, even the knits!

The V-neck is amazing to construct, very different from the round collar I can sew on the shirt bodice directly on with my serger. I had to slow down and use lots of pins and sew with my regular sewing machine. But once I flipped it right side out, I was like "wow" I can't believe that worked. The added sleeves bands are a bonus since I am personally not a fan of hemming sleeves-but serging/sewing a band in the round thrills me. And the opportunity to play with color blocking in the collar, sleeves and bands can spice the pattern up. Lastly, the pocket! What kid (and adult) doesn't like a shirt pocket to store little treasures in! You can create the pocket with knit or woven fabrics with a touch of stabilizer.

I love sewing for Hobbes Little Brother-I couldn't have imagined how fun boys clothing could be! The Zack's V-neck Ringer Tee has been a staple in his wardrobe this summer. As you can see, he has these awesome tops sets with matching Harem pants MBJM and I just ordered more knit fabric to start on his fall collection.

Pick up your copy of Zack's V-Neck top in all sizes today, while it's 30% off. Create Kids Couture
And stop in and say hi to me over on my Facebook shop
Happy Sewing!
-Merav

Introducing the new Seraphina dress with a little bit of fabric improvisation!

Many of you may not know this about me, that I grew up performing (stage drama & musicals) and today, as that act of my life is over, I still leave room in my art for the opportunity to improvise. Sometimes that means doubling up on fabric instead of using interfacing to stabilize the fabric. Making bias tape straps without cutting on the bias, basting a zipper with glue instead of pinning all the way around. And like this time, hiding a connector piece under the main skirt so I can conserve on my Out Of Print (OOP), very limited piece of Amy Butler fabric.

I had the pleasure of testing the new pattern from Honeydew Kisses, The Seraphina Dress. A classic look with the hint of vintage flair. The tunic and dress have an optional bodice choice of pin-tucks (pleats) or a flat bodice. The two layers of skirts give the illusion of fullness without the need of an additional tutu underskirt or an a wide piece of fabric. Lastly, the over-sized peter-pan collar that wraps beautifully around the neck line to showcase the back buttons and create a full cap sleeve look.

As soon as I downloaded the Seraphina pattern, I knew exactly which fabric to use. For a few years now, I have been holding on to one-28 inches piece of Amy Butler Design OOP Sketchbook Roses in Fresh that was screaming for this pattern. I knew it would be a stretch to sew with it, as 28 inches usually yields to either a bodice or a short skirt, but not a full dress. After playing around with the pattern pieces, I decided that my soft Kona in Evening-reminiscing of Cinderella's blue dress color would create the overall dress and showcase the front pin-tucks. My (less than a yard) OOP Amy Butler fabric will create the collar, the side sash(s) and half of the underskirt. YES, I did say HALF the underskirt. Frankly because that's all I had left.

And now I'll share with you my quick guide  "How to improvise with little fabric and still keep the measurements and the look required to test and finish a pattern look" guide by Baby Hobbes Design while sewing the Seraphina Dress Under Skirt. This method can easily be adapted to work with other patterns.

Since it was the underskirt, and I knew that at least half of it won't be shown (unless miss Hobbes decided to lift up the top-skirt) and in order to save on my OOP fabric, I wrote out a quick math equation that that allowed me to use 2 different fabric for the skirt and stick to the correct measurements.

For Hobbes size 3 dress, the length of the underskirt cutting measurements is 12.75" and after it's finished and hemmed, the top skirt sits about 3' inch above it. So I did this: (measurements in inches, math equation written from left to right)

12.75 - 3 = 9.75"

Then I need to include the hem in my equation because I will be using the the OOP fabric at the bottom. The hem in the Seraphina dress calls for a total of  0.50' inch

9.75 - 0.50 = 9.25"

Now I don't want the underskirt OOP fabric to start exactly where the top skirt hits, so I planned to overlap by 1.5 inches

9.25 - 1.50 = 7.75" (this represents the amount of skirt length that will be at the top of the underskirt, hidden and therefor connect the OOP fabric that will be visible in the underskirt)

With the above information, I took my original underskirt measurements of 12.75" and subtracted 7.75". The remainder of 5" in length is what will be cut from my OOP fabric. However, before I cut my fabrics, it is IMPORTANT that I add ONE seam allowance to each fabric where the two skirt pieces will connect. I decided to add an even 0.5 inch to each skirt piece and sew them together with a 0.5" inch seam.

Therefore my final measurements for Hobbes size 3 Seraphina underskirt were:

Top (connector/hidden piece) of the underskirt: 7.75" + 0.5" = 8.25"
Bottom (visible piece) of the underskirt: 5" + 0.5" + 5.50"

***Now just saw the two under-skirt pieces with 0.5" seam, top stitch and continue the pattern as written.

Ok, maybe not such a quick math equation, but very easy to follow, right? It's just a little trick that I sometimes use that give me the opportunity to work with a small pieces or hard to find (H2F) fabric.

Lastly, I personally love any opportunity for a classic button-up back. And the Seraphina dress allowed me to use my nifty Cover Button Kit by Dritz to hand-make beautiful fabric buttons using little fabric scraps that match the dress. And if you aren't friends with your machine button hole maker, there is another trick you can use (follow the link here) to help you get the look of buttons without punching any holes.

I hope you feel inspired to sew with your OOP and H2F fabrics now too! And if you haven't yet checked out the Honeydew Kisses Seraphina dress, please check it out Here.
If you love Hobbes pretty M2M flower headband, visit The Little Sparrow Boutique.
And if you enjoyed this blog, please come say hi to me at Baby Hobbes Design.

Till next time!
Happy Sewing
-Merav