Needle and thread Thursday, my other obsession, and a huge giveaway

The giveaway information is given at the bottom of this post.

I know that I have a lot of new friends reading that don’t know me as well as some of you….Although I love doing furniture it’s not my only hobby…. Let me tell you a little something about me: I AM A MANIAC SEWER. Seriously. I am obsessed with how I dress my girls….I love all things fabric, pattern, and notion related. I realized when Essie came home that there was NO way I could afford to dress the girls the way I want, so I taught myself to sew. I had a little sewing machine when I was a little girl, and I used to sew a lot of little things by hand and by machine…little rag dolls, little purses…pillows…I used to get SO MAD when my little machine wouldn’t cooperate with me and sew denim. I was obsessed with cutting up old blue jeans and making blue jean purses with the pockets on the front… Man, I wish I had one of those to show you! That’s the only sewing experience I EVER had. I taught myself to sew using some fabulous patterns that I’ll share. If I can do it YOU can do it!

These days I have a better machine that sews through anything! I have a Babylock Ellure that sews beautifully and also monograms. I’ll share more about my machines later.

My goal is to start sharing a sewing project every Thursday. It won’t always be the girls’ clothes. I’ll also share my slipcovering and other housey sewing projects. I’m hoping this will inspire me to do more of this hobby that I love that has been getting pushed to the side. If I’m accountable to you guys, then I’ll be more likely to get some projects done.

If there’s any interest we could start a Needle and Thread Thursday Party… Let me know if you want me to link up any of your sewing projects, and I’ll be happy to. Regardless of the party decision this is something that I WILL be doing every Thursday. I hope you’ll join me, as I share my projects.

When I show a project I am going to give you links to the fabric and patterns I used so can make something yourself. I will warn you that I don’t often use a pattern “as is”. I change up little things here and there to make it mine. Sometimes I DO stick to the pattern it just depends on the article of clothing I’m sewing. I’ll link you to the places where I find my fabrics, patterns, and notions. If there’s interest I’ll do a sew along and help you through some patterns. Doesn’t that sound fun?? I’m also going to have some fabulous giveaways starting today.

Now that I’m done explaining I’ll get to today’s post. I’m going to give you all the details from these outfits I made recently. We’ve only worn it once, but we got TONS of compliments!

I fell in LURVE with this Pillow and Maxfield Pretty Bird by Michael Miller…

It’s on sale right now at Fabric.com for $7.18 a yard. Go get some quick! I paired it with this “Bloomies”from the same line which is also on sale for the same price. That’s a GREAT price for designer fabric like this. This line comes in several colorways that are gorgeous, but I loved the bright greens, blues, and pinks.

I went to my all time favorite ruffle pants pattern. You can get this pattern from MY FAVORITE ONLINE SEWING STORE EVER! Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops has the BEST selection of patterns I’ve ever found. Period. They also have a FANTASTIC fabric selection. I always try to look there first for what I need. The owner, Terri, is so helpful and gives fantastic customer service and shipping rates. I used the Boutique Bottoms by sew sensible. These patterns are great for beginners and experienced seamstresses. I’ve tried other patterns, but I always come back to this one. I did make my ruffles longer than the pattern states, and I make them I little differently, but they’re great the way the pattern explains too!

This is a downloadable pattern, which means that you use YOUR printer to make a copy. It’s super easy to do! I love this option, because there’s NO tracing of an actual pattern…. You just cut out the size you need. Here’s the link for this pattern. The pattern in the giveaway is a full paper pattern, not the downloadable one. The downloadable Sew Sensible line of patterns are available at http://www.sewsensible.net/.

I used the bodices and straps from Pink Fig’s cuppy cake dress. I did change the way I made the skirt on the dress. Do NOT skip the interfacing on the bodice if you try this pattern. It is very important for the weight of the bodice. I found this out the hard way. :) If you have questions about the changes I made I will be happy to help you! Just post them in the comment section if you do.

Here is the finished product:

The back has a shirred bodice that looks amazing but is SO easy to do… The pattern gives great instructions on shirring. I chose to place the buttons on the inside of the bodice instead of the outside like the pattern suggests.

The girls are wearing Bella Nova Squeaky shoes. They are SO affordable that we have them in TONS of colors. We wear them everyday, and they hold up very well. Melissa is a fabulous person to buy from and has the most amazing customer service ever. You can buy her shoes on her website or on her Facebook page that is listed in the link above.

For fall and winter I layered the top over a long sleeved tee. When spring and summer rolls around they can wear them alone. These pants look precious as they get shorter. These pants can’t be “too short”. They look just as adorable as ankle or capri pants.

Anne Pearce started singing “Shake your booty” while I was taking her pictures. She loves this outfit.

We’re getting ready to go to school!

It’s tough being this cute, but somebody’s gotta do it!

Now for the giveaway!!! I’m SO EXCITED!!!

Terri at Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops and Melissa from Bella Nova Squeaky are BOTH offering giveaways!

Terri is going to give 2 lucky winners their choice of the Boutique Ruffle Pant OR the Cuppy Cake dress pattern! How fabulous is that?? She’s ALSO offering 20% off fabric for the winners! This is an AMAZING offer! You could get started on your own outfit!!!

Melissa is giving away a pair of these fabulous shoes to one lucky winner! You will be amazed at all she has to offer….

How much fun is this???

How do you win? You have several ways to enter.

1. Follow this blog. Leave me a comment telling me if you’re already a follower or are a new one.

2. Link this post on your blog in a post or on your sidebar. Hop back over here, and leave another comment telling me you did.

3. Go visit Bella Nova Squeaky and let me know in a comment what shoes you would choose if you won.

4. Go visit Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops. Check out her fabric, and let me know what fabric you would choose if you won.

That’s 4 entries per person!! I will choose the winners next Wednesday at 7:00 pm using a random generator.

I am doing this to encourage you mamas, grandmamas, aunts, and friends to start sewing for your little ones… I LOVE it when my girls proudly tell people, “My mama made it” when they get compliments on their clothes. I love it that they look like a million bucks for a fraction of the price and that no one else looks just like them. I am bound and determined to get some of you sewing!! I’m here to help with whatever questions you may have…

Let’s get sewing!

Linking to:

The Shabby Chic Cottage's Transformation Thursday

Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

Style Feature Saturday at Perfectly Imperfect