Sewing resolutions: Bold, Modern Beauty: The Antalya Dress in Avantgarde + GIVEAWAY

My 36-year-old self (there you have it, my age) has been making New Years Resolutions for as long as I can remember--and usually it's the common things we all care about: health, weight, relationship. Last year I added a new Resolutions to my list: Sewing!

Yes I already know how to SEW--as you've seen--I sew a ton, but there are often new elements to explore. Last year I tackled the oh-so-scary KNITS-which have become some of my favorite fabric to sew with, especially for the little man who still likes to crawl and scoot about the floor. This year, I want to explore and find my voice with Modern Patterns and Prints. As Hobbes grows up, her style is changing and I want to make sure that I don't limit her prints and pattern vocabulary based on my previous taste. So welcome to my first of many sews in the series I am calling: Bold, Modern Beauty. This time sewing The Antalya Dress by Coffee and Threads with Katarina Roccella's Avantgarde Collection from Art Gallery Fabrics.

First, I have to say that this is one of my most visually stimulating works to date. I haven't moved the dress into Hobbes' closet yet because I just like to stare at it in my sewing room. The kinship between the Antalya Pattern and fabric prints is spot on; almost like it was written for it. But the truth is, I have had my eye on the Avantgarde collection since its debut earlier this year. The architecture, the color scheme and its vibrancy just drew me in--there was something very familiar in these prints (a new perspective as I sit to write this in my living room and often staring at the wall: I am discovering that our big modern original painting that takes up 3/4th of the space on our wall can be viewed as a complement to these prints, or the other way around.) It wasn't till the Coffee & Threads, Antalya dress popped up in my Facebook feed that I jumped on the opportunity to sew with the collection.

The Antalya dress, with its sophisticated modern flare, is constructed with Dolman-Style sleeves and a single center bodice piece that elongates into a semi-gathered skirt. It's surprisingly a very simple pattern to construct, consisting of 4 pattern pieces/measurements, neck binding and "choose your own adventure" closure with either a zipper or buttons. I actually found myself intimidated by its simplicity and kept looking for more things to add. 90 minutes later, I perfectly finished my first modern sew. 

I chose to finish the dress with a fold over bias tape and an exposed zipper to close. If you want to know more about how to add these fun outerwear zippies, check out my post from last year on exposed zipper here. I think the next time I remake this dress, I may buy one of those 30 inch long zippers and open the dress completely in the back. How is that for a modern edge?

Hobbes and I are thrilled 'we' challenged ourselves!

Now, what about you? Are you ready to join me in sewing Bold, Modern Beauty? Below is your chance to WIN a copy of Coffee & Threads Antalya Dress + 2 yards of Art Gallery Fabrics from the Avantgarde collection. Enter the rafflecopter below and join my Facebook page Baby Hobbes Design on Tuesday, March 2nd when I announce the winner. 

If you want to get your hands on some of this and other amazing Art Gallery Fabrics, check out Punkin Head Threads on Facebook for fabric options here.

Good Luck and Happy Sewing!!!
xoxo
Merav @ Baby Hobbes Design 

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A dress, a top and a Romper ALL-IN-ONE

Hello again! Boy it's been busy around here. I don't normally plan for back to back blogs--but I couldn't resist sharing my beautiful new Eleanor dress by Honeydew Kisses Sewing Patterns along with the debut of her review over at Pattern Revolution.

***Before I go any further,  you can find all the Honeydew Kisses Patterns on sale till midnight tonight with code presday30 over at the Etsy site OR already discounted on Craftsy. Take advantage of the 30% off sake TODAY only!

The Eleanor pattern is loaded with options; it features pattern pieces for Dress length, Tunic and a Romper and ranges in size from 6 Months to 12 Years. It's packed with optional dress ruffles, 3 different sleeves lengths and flutters, and Hobbes favorite, pockets! She always comes home with treasures she collected from her Kindergarten class-her pockets are filled with jewels, sequence, threads and sometimes even rocks.

I chose to make the Eleanor in Maureen Cranknell's Fleet and Flourish for Art Gallery Fabric. As soon as I saw Gentle Mantel Land (bodice) I knew I wanted to highlight all the different prints synchronized in my 1-yard cut. I wanted to show how breathtaking Maureen's fabric prints can be once cut and constructed to flow from the top of the shoulder to the sleeve. There are so many opportunities to GASP when sewing the Eleanor-especially when your back and side seam perfectly line up. 

I had such a hard time keeping this dress under wraps--Hobbes already wore it twice. We love the stylish curved front bodice, which gives the dress a little bit of a swing without compensating the length. The curved back overlaps high enough for a modest coverage, but it's opening is wide enough to allow your child to slip it on and off without any closures--which is always appreciated in our home; Hobbes likes to dress herself!

For more about the Eleanor Pattern and Honeydew Kisses, follow the Pattern Chat group Here. 

Thanks to Art Gallery Fabrics for sponsoring this review. 

Read all about her in the full review over at Pattern Revolution.

Come say hi and order this dress at my FB store over at Baby Hobbes Design - I'll have a RTS and Pre-Sale 3/20

Till next time,

Happy Sewing and thanks for spending time with me. I'll leave some extra pics below...

xoxo

~Merav 

Facebook.com/BabyHobbesDesign

IG @ BabyHobbesDesign

One Thimble Magazine Issue #10 Enid, Willow and Jolie Reviews

It's here! The NEW issue #10 from Australia's One Thimble Magazine.  It's filled with 11 PDF sewing patterns and 26 sewing-related articles. I was lucky enough to preview it and I choose these three fun PDF patterns to try out at home on my soon-to-be 6-year-old Hobbes. 

Jolie Skirt

Enid Slouch Beanie & Willow Dress

I want to start with the Enid Slouch Beanie by Rosie Petal. If you have 5 minutes, then you have enough time to sew one of these cute slouchy hats (hmmmm....like the 5 minutes before you head out to a party you thought you didn't need a present for) especially if you make the simple version like I did without the tab. It is the funkiest slouch hat design I have ever sewn, with only 2 main body pieces--and the assembly is genius. The pattern fits a range of heads, from 12 months to an Adult Large. I can't wait to sew a bunch of these in matching knits for the two men in my life

And I am sure you are wondering about the beautiful flutter dress made to match with the indie romantic Heart Melodies prints by Art Gallery Fabrics. It's the long sleeved-version of The Willow Dress (size 2T-10) by Bubby and Me Creations. As soon as I saw this Two-in-One Look of The Willow Dress, I knew I had to try it. I just love sewing dress patterns that are a mix of woven and knit fabrics. With this knit bodice, you can skip the lining or the need to add a closure, which makes the dress construction a breeze. And speaking of a breeze, look at how those flutters keep their shape! I would like to mention that I chose to make my flutters using the woven skirt print to tie in the look, and adding woven flutters didn't change the fit. I love how The Willow looks like it's a shirt and skirt, but it's all sewn together as a dress. Very clever!

Last, but definitely not least is the sweetest little Jolie Skirt by Filles a Maman. I'll be honest, I kept giggling as I was cutting out the pattern (3-pattern pieces) about how little fabric I needed to create a size 4 skirt. I am used to cutting almost salvage width and gathering all of Hobbes skirts-that this design truly made me rethink her spring wardrobe. This season, I am all about subtle design elements and I adore the inverted pleat in the front of the skirt. I chose Art Gallery Fabrics Chalk & Paint by Caroline Hulse in Angular String Coated because I really wanted to create a moment when the pleat opens up and you see the hidden print. You can also skip the pleat and sew two of the back pieces to create a simple A-line skirt. The Jolie skirt starts at 12 Months and goes all the way up to size 14.

I really enjoyed looking through all the options of the New One Thimble issue #10. Come back daily and check out my fellow designers' reviews on the blog tour and enter below for your chance to win your own copy (or refund) of One Thimble Issue #10, or purchase it here.

Thank you Art Gallery Fabrics for sponsoring my One Thimble Magazine Issue #10 Blog Tour Post.

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Tour Schedule
2/12 Pattern Revolution, Rebel and Malice, Happy Okapi, Sew Happily Ever After  
2/13 Beri Bee Designs, Stitches by Laura 
2/14 Bee Quilted, Pearberry Lane 
2/15 LuLu and Celeste, Once Upon a Sewing Machine 
2/16 Horris and Deedle, Baby Hobbes Design 
2/17 Call Ajaire, Made by Sara, Sprouting Jube Jube
2/18 Snickerdoodle Stew,  Made by Meli, Create 3.5

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Exposed Zippers! How to embellish the Melody dress by CKC

Do you love zippers and embellishments? Follow the link here and read all about how I modified Create Kids Couture's Melody dress.

http://createkidscouture.blogspot.com/2015/04/embellishment-tutorials-exposed-lace.html

Happy Sewing!
xoxo
Merav @Baby Hobbes Design

Jocole Criss-Cross Dress NEW LOOK! Reviewed for Pattern Revolution.

Hello lovely sewist! Here is another wonderful blog I wrote for Pattern Revolution. This time I stretched your pattern bucks turning this cap sleeve dress into a long sleeve beauty with this tutorial.
http://patternrevolution.com/blog/2015/12/23/make-it-a-crossover-christmas

Happy Sewing!
xoxo
-Merav @babyhobbesdesign

Skip Skirt by Sew Pattern Pieces. Reviewed for Pattern Revolution.

Back in December, 2015-Pattern Revolution asked me to review the Skip Skirt by SEW Pattern Pieces. It's such a wonderful pattern for knits that combines a few different skirt styling with leggings and shorts. Read all about it here:
patternrevolution.com/pattern-reviews/2015/12/21/skip-skirt-by-sew-by-pattern-pieces

Happy Sewing!
xoxo
Merav @Baby Hobbes Design

Who wants a Boxy Tee? Up-cycle project with CKC

This past summer (2015) Hobbes had to wear her camp-shirts whenever they went on field trips. with Hobbes being petite and a little round in her tummy, I decided to up-cycle her boxy looking child small and medium shirts into a more stylish fitted A-line top with flutters sleeves. 100% shirt only! 

Here is the blog I wrote for Create Kids Couture: http://createkidscouture.blogspot.com/2015/07/turning-boxy-tee-into-flutter-sleeve-top.html

Let me know what you think!

Happy Sewing!

xoxo

-Merav