The Sweetheart Dress: Pattern Review and Giveaway

What's more perfect for Valentine's day than to have a sweet little dress to wear to celebrate the day! I don't think much can compare whether you are 4 or 45, am I right?  Well, if you have a little girl in your life between the ages 2-6 you are in luck because there is a pattern for the most adorable dress my good friend Shannon from Luvinthemommyhood created called the Sweetheart Dress.  It is seriously the cutest thing!

The dress is an 18 page digital e-Pattern meaning you print it off right at home on your computer.  The thing I really loved about this pattern is that there were absolutely NO papers to tape together! All the pattern pieces fit on a few pages of paper, hooray for that! 

The pattern is very clear and easy to understand, Shannon did a great job of making sure it was easy for even a beginner seamstress. Her pictures are super detailed and guide you step-by-step in creating your very own dress.  I made both Penny and Ellie's at the same time, assembly line style, and had them both done in right at 2 hours.   

I think the dresses turned out so cute!  My girls are head over heels excited about them.  Penny picked out the fabric and went to bed praying that I would have them done by the morning for her and her sister to wear.

These two sisters.  

They love to dress alike and can I tell you that these dresses have been worn quite often in the short time since I made them :-) I love when something I make them is such a hit!

The dress is constructed really well.  The bodice has the sweetest heart cut-out on the back, I just love it!  The bodice is also fully lined so there are no seams showing on the inside of it.  I chose to use a covered button in Penelope's dress and I hand embroidered a heart in the middle of it.  She really liked that special touch!

For Eloise, I used a wooden heart button I found at Joann's.  I also lined her bodice with a light pink fabric to change the dress up slightly from her sister's.

Can you tell they are happy!

These dresses have a great skirt that is perfect for twirling in too!

And that heart cut-out!  Ah gah, I can't get enough!

If you'd like to purchase your own Sweetheart Dress Pattern click here now!

And now onto the giveaway!
Shannon has been so sweet to offer ONE of my lucky blog readers one of each of her sewing and knit patterns!!  How awesome is that!?

Just to sum that up for you, that includes:

The Sweetheart Dress pattern
The Commuter Cowl pattern
The Hannah Pom Pom knit hat pattern
The Downton Cowl knit pattern
The Camille Hooded Infinity Scarf knit pattern
The Stasia Infinity Cowl knit pattern
The Mallory Reversible Infinity Scarf knit pattern

To enter, use the Raffelcopter link below!
If you can't see the link, click here to enter!

Giveaway ends next Tuesday, Feb 12, 2013

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway XOXO,

The Signature Dress: Pattern Blog Tour

Woot Woot!  Next stop of the The Signature Dress Pattern blog tour is...me!  I've got to say that I was uber excited when the lovely Andrea of the blog, The Train to Crazy, released her very first official pattern.  This girl has talent, not only is she an extremely talented sewist but she is also a very detailed and option-oriented pattern maker to boot...me likey a lot!

The Signature Dress is loaded with options.  There is something in it for everyone, no lie.  This makes me so excited because if you have a girl in your house you know how often they change clothes, want you to buy them more clothes, try to take your clothes, and love playing dress up.  It's all about the options!

This pattern is sized for ages 12 months to 12 years and oh boy, let me take a big breath here before I tell you all the ways you can make this little beauty....ok, ready?  You can make it a tunic, a dress or a maxi dress.  You can sew cap sleeves, ruffle sleeves, flutter sleeves, short sleeves, long sleeves, all with ribbing, hemming or elastic options.  You can choose no pockets, a kangaroo pocket, inset pockets, gathered pockets or ribbed pockets.  Plus there is the option of adding a hood, appliqué, elastic waist, shirred waist, and tulle at the hem.  Whew!  Told you there were options baby!

Penelope chose this fun red floral fabric from my stash of knits (so summer-y, right!) and then decided on the dress length, cap sleeves, and inset pockets.  The only change I made was to elongate the neck in the front a bit.  I wanted to add the elastic waist but she said no as she loves to twirl, my twirly dancing girl.

Case in point...twirling:

This dress was so easy to make and the details and pictures were excellent.  I love the boatload of options Andrea gives which definitely makes this an all-season pattern.  Perfect for summer, fall, spring and winter!  Plus the fact that it is a pattern for knit fabrics makes every dress, tunic, or maxi comfy for playtime!  

Interested in seeing more fun creations using The Signature Dress?  Follow along on the blog tour, you won't be sorry!  

XOXO,