.Spotty Skippy.

Did you know that Make It Perfect attended the last International Quilt Market in Minneapolis? Well, I wasn't there in person but my pattern distributors (Creative Abundance) were there showcasing my patterns along with a few other designers from Australia.

I sent over a whole heap of samples for display and it was a great excuse to sew up a few fresh ones too.

I have a cupboard full of Make It Perfect samples but sometimes I sneak the samples out of the cupboard and into my own wardrobe! I needed to make a new Skippy dress because nothing was sample-worthy and this is what was created...

I used an Art Gallery knit, and am so happy with the quality of this fabric. It's great that the bigger fabric manufacturers are spending more time creating fabrics that are suited to sewing clothing, the variety and types of fabrics are ever increasing giving us so many more options for sewing. 

I didn't use any contrasting fabrics for this dress, just the spots all the way through and I love the effect. I'm not sure where this dress will end up yet...it should be living in the samples cupboard so I don't have to sew up another one next time I need a sample but I can feel it making it's way towards my own wardrobe!

SUPPLIES:
Make It Perfect, Skippy pattern
Art Gallery knit, Dotted Boulevard by Sara Lawson

.Spring Tops.

I'm almost to the end of my un-blogged sewing projects. Like these three tops. The change of season always brings around "wardrobe crisis" - usually in the category of tops. Last year's are tired, worn out or I just need something fresh and new - you get it, right?! Plus ALL of my knit tops end up with a couple of little holes right in the front, a few inches above the hem. I have no idea why, but more often than not I am getting rid of tops because of these little pesky holes! Does that happen to you? So frustrating!

 

So, for this top I used my Skippy dress pattern, but didn't add the skirt to the bottom. I love this style - it has a lovely relaxed fit, the half-sleeves are always a win and the kangaroo pocket in the front and gathered sleeve caps help set it apart from a regular tshirt.

 

After these photographs were taken and after I had worn the top a few times, I ended up taking off the hem band and shortening the length a bit to make it more snug around my hips. It has a much nicer fit now. This fabric was purchased from Ixat (no longer avaliable) and I originally bought it as a "boy-friendly" print with intentions to use it for one of the boys but it was quite lightweight and I thought it would suit an adult better than a child so it became mine!

And another one of the same...Skippy dress turned into a top. This fabric is also from Ixat (also out of stock), but much thicker and with a better recovery than the arrow print and you can see how much that effects the way the finished top looks. Knit fabric varies so much, using different fabrics for the same pattern can give it a totally different look.  

All of the trims and bands for this top were made using a really good quality black jersey with great stretch and recovery. The waistband on this one was cut exactly the same size as the one in the arrow top but it much tighter here because of the recovery (how much it "bounces back" when you stretch and let it go) of the fabric. Unless you have someone to guide your sewing decisions, sewing with knits is a real trial-and-error process until you get to know what is going to work, how things will turn out with different fabrics, etc. I loved this fabric uncut, but it is pretty "out there" as a top! I have to be in the right mood to wear it and have actually changed the sleeve bands from the solid black fabric to the triangle print to try and tone down on the contrast so much but I'm not sure that was the best move?!

 

And the last Spring top make is using a different pattern altogether! This one is the City Girl Top. I bought it during a sale from Pattern Anthology a long time ago and hadn't used any of the patterns yet so thought I needed to at least give one of them a try!

The fabric I used was purchased on clearance from Crafty Mamas, it was really cheap so I thought it would be good for a trial-run before cutting into a more expensive fabric. I think I would like the top more in a solid print, but the fit is really nice - very comfortable to wear as it is nice and loose and flowy, but the cowl neck and pleat in the front are just enough "extra" to give it a more dressy rather than casual look.

 

So, now we are half-way through Summer (although it doesn't feel like it some days!) and I have Summer wardrobe crisis going on! Need to sew some short-sleeved tops and a swimsuit or two ASAP!

.Short-sleeved Skippy.

 

Truth be told, I'm still trying to get into the sewing groove...it always takes awhile to find the time during the Summer school holidays, but playing at the beach, working in the yard and hanging out with the kids have taken priority lately. And I like it that way.

I was cleaning out some folders on my computer last week though and found a few items of clothing that I have sewn and never blogged about - kinda helpful to keep the blog rolling along!

This is a Skippy dress I made awhile ago - I think this may be the first short-sleeved version I have shared on the blog?

I choose to go a solid chocolate brown for this one. A little more subtle than the loud prints I am usually drawn to. And it gets a good workout. As fun as it is to sew with bold prints, these plain basics are always the ones that are easy to pull out of the wardrobe without much thought in the morning.

I really love the gathered cap sleeve option on the Skippy dress. This sleeve is gathered both at the top and the bottom of the sleeve, creating a full and even puff. The edge of the sleeve is finished off with a thin band.

I'm determined to break my sewing fast today...whip up a few "needed" items then start work on a new pattern because it's been awhile!

SUPPLIES:

Make It Perfect, Skippy sewing pattern

Robert Kaufman, Laguna jersey in chocolate  

.Skippy & Joey Hop.

Welcome to the last installment of the Skippy & Joey Hop! 

Vanessa from LBG Studio cropped the skirt of this Joey dress to make it a tunic length to wear with jeans - I really, really like! How about those big, bold florals too? Pretty!

 

Abby from Sew Much Ado has THE cutest little girl wearing THE cutest Joey! She used an unexpected print for little kid's clothing and I think it looks fantastic, cute little cowl neck too!

 

Jane from The Drapery is ready for some Spring action in her cheery Skippy dress. Love her puffy, short sleeves. She used some Lillestoff knit - one of my favourites.

How awesome is this Joey made by Christie from A Lemon Squeezy Home? Perfect print for a little girl - and she pulled out all the cool poses in these fun photos!

And Sunni from A Fashionable Stitch has produced the cosiest Skippy top around. She used some thick, fleecy sweater knit and paired it with a pretty lace knit. Isn't it beautiful?

I'd love to send out a BIG thankyou to the wonderful ladies who took part in my Skippy & Joey Hop! So much awesome inspiration, I love seeing what others create with my patterns.

If you would like sew these dresses for yourself you can purchase them here:

Skippy pattern

Joey pattern

{For more inspiration, visit the first Hop post here, the second Hop post here, the third Hop post here and the fourth Hop post here!}

.Still Skippin'.

I know what you are thinking...another Skippy post? Sorry...(not sorry) I've got lots to share!

This maroon one was the very first Skippy I made. I used this fabric because I knew that I wouldn't be disappointed if it didn't work out. The fabric quality is great, not sure what it is as it was given to me but feels like a jersey that has a bit of lycra content as it has great stretch and recovery and isn't thin or flimsy. But the colour just didn't do much for me. I don't think I have anything maroon in my wardrobe and just don't feel comfortable in it.

Turns out, the dress worked out pretty well first time around, too good to not be worn, so my big sister scored herself another Skippy! 

Maroon is also a really hard colour to photograph. It isn't as dull as in these pictures. I'm not sure what else to say about this one that hasn't already been said...feminine gathered 3/4 length sleeves, a pocket to stash your hands and as comfortable to wear as your favourite pyjamas!

SUPPLIES:

Make It Perfect, Skippy sewing pattern

Maroon jersey knit fabric

.Skippy & Joey Hop.

Hoppity-hop! I've got some sensational dresses to share in the Skippy and Joey Hop today!

Ruby from Zaaberry was another of my awesome pattern testers and she teamed bright pink srtipes with a few little black accents to make this comfy Joey for her daughter:

I let out a little "so cool" gasp when Kirsty from Top Notch shared her Skippy. Isn't it the perfect look for a fresh Spring dress?

Sophie from C'est La Vie had a fun librarian-themed photo shoot with her daughter showing off her gorgeous vibrant blue Joey:

Make sure you head over to Sanae Ishida pronto because her daughter is wearing the two coolest Joey dresses around! Love the sport stripes and although I'm not usually one for animal print fabric, this leopard print may have won me over!

And Teri from Fa Sew La has used some fresh grass green jersey to make herself this lovely Skippy. Terri is 18 weeks pregnant too...I was wondering how the Skippy dress would work with a pregnant belly bump - doesn't she look great?!

I hope you love them as much as I do! I'll be back with more soon and in the meantime, if you would like sew these dresses for yourself you can purchase them here:

Skippy pattern

Joey pattern

{For more inspiration, visit the first Hop post here and the second Hop post here!}

.Skippy & Joey Hop.

I'm back with some more great dresses (and a top!) in the Skippy & Joey Hop! 

Renee from Nearest the Pin was one of my pattern testers and I love the simplicity of the grey with emerald green trim she used in her daughter's Joey dress.

Kirsten from Skirt As Top sewed her little cutie a Joey dress to wear to her first day at school! The polka dots are pretty awesome and you can't help but feeling happy when you see her daughter's crazy funniness in the photoshoot!

Sisko by Mieke made herself a Skippy top. She started out sewing a dress, but ended up leaving the skirt part off and I'm feeling inspired to do the same! Oh, and the cool thumb holes in the sleeves - awesome!

And I came across these little beauties from Kaya's Kloset on Instagram and just had to share. When Johanna isn't sewing clothes for herself and her daughter she keeps herself busy making the cutest baby shoes and slippers.

I hope you are feeling inspired! I'll be back with more soon and in the meantime, if you would like sew these dresses for yourself you can purchase them here:

Skippy pattern

Joey pattern

{For more inspiration, visit the first Hop post here!}

.Skippy & Joey Hop.

It's SPRING - yay! Although our Winter actually wasn't that bad this year, it's nice to look forward to sunshine and warmer days.

Over the month of September we are going to be celebrating the release of the two newest Make It Perfect patterns, Skippy & Joey with a blog tour...hopping our way around the world to check out some dresses made by talented sewers. First up in the Skippy & Joey Hop are a few of my pattern testers (click on the links to read and see more from each person)...

Teresa from Dandelion Drift sewed a Big Joey for her daughter who loves to wear anything sewn from knit fabric. I LOVE her fabric pairing - bright floral + skinny stripes are a winner!

Marnie from Horris & Deedle sewed her two year old a few Joey dresses - this lemon print?....awesome! And she modified the pattern slightly to add a hood for extra warmth.

I laugh everytime I see the pics of Marnie's daughter with her pink sunnies, pushing her hands deep into the kangaroo pouch pockets of this striped Joey dress!!

 

Justine's daughter was feeling a little camera-shy but looks adorable in her Joey dress. I love how Justine managed to cut the pocket from a scrap of knit fabric - what a great way to use up those little bits of knit fabrics you have lying around! See more at JustMeJay.

Peta from Etcetera or Whatever used this fabulous European knit to sew a Joey dress for her daughter. Doesn't it look great?!

And finally, back to Marnie from Horris & Deedle with some more amazing dresses - this time for herself! I think this Skippy dress is my personal fave...such a lovely combination of blues and a very wearable everyday dress.

This dress is made from a combination of stretch lace with jersey lining - such a pretty dress and that scalloped hem creates a much more formal look.

 

And another one, this time sewn from merino wool (loooooove) with a lace applique detail around the neckline.

I hope you've loved seeing all of these dresses as much as I have! I'll be back with more soon and in the meantime, if you would like sew these dresses for yourself you can purchase them here:

Skippy pattern

Joey pattern