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Make It Perfect

Make It Perfect, Wonderland

.Another Wonderland and giveway winner.

Lilsy posed before church this morning wearing another version of Wonderland.  I was a little unsure how this fabric would look sewn up and still think it has a bit of a Polynesian feel to it but it’s always nice to see little girls dressed in not so much pink/pretty/floral!

It was a little chilly this morning so we went with our old trick of popping a white top underneath.  I really do love this dress, it is pretty and cute and girly without being too grown up.

Thanks for your lovely comments on the Wonderland pattern release.  Congratulations to littlebetty – you’ve won a copy of the pattern!  I’ll be in contact to get your details.

And for everyone who left an “isn’t Lil the best little model” comment…here’s the truth:

In real life it isn’t always as sweet and happy as the photos look!  There was a LOT of pouting and grizzling and complaining on Lil’s behalf and coaxing and bribing on mine!  Including statements such as “when we are finished lets go to the supermarket and you can choose ANY treat you want” and “look happy for five more photos and then you can have a turn taking photos of Mummy.”  It felt like a lost cause for awhile, but we got there eventually!
 
SUPPLIES:
Make It Perfect, Wonderland pattern
Amy Butler, Soul Blossoms, Temple Doors in Basil
Matryoshka Doll on Brown ribbon 
April 3, 2011
Make It Perfect, Wonderland

.New pattern…WONDERLAND.

I’m feeling well overdue for a brand new pattern release, so am pleased to introduce you to Wonderland 🙂

The Wonderland dress is destined to be loved by girls of all ages.  A dress with a more formal approach, Wonderland is suitable for a special occasion…think birthday parties, weddings, special dinners.
 
The sweet ribbon trim on the dainty cap sleeves and skirt hem adds a gorgeous touch of detail, allowing you to use a more subtle fabric and let the ribbon shine!
 
 
With pleats galore and buttons down the back, Wonderland will be perfect for any fancy-do!

I am SO pleased with this gorgeous little dress.  My motivation behind it was that I needed something a little bit fancy – but not to fluffy and over the top.  I didn’t want the dress to be one that hung in the cupboard and was only every now and then because it was too “special”.  Wonderland is the perfect compromise!  

The entire skirt is pleated around the top, which makes it look a little more classy and topped off with little cap sleeves and a neat row of buttons down the back, I think it is the cutest thing ever!

Wonderland is avaliable in two size ranges: 
6 months-5 years and 
6 years-10 years 
so none of your little girls will miss out on this one!
You can find out fabric requirements for Wonderland on the website. If you have a store and want to stock this or any other Make It Perfect patterns, contact Creative Abundance to place an order. 
If you would like to purchase a copy of Wonderland for yourself, they should be popping up in retail stores very soon. Ask your favourite store to get one in for you!

I’m giving away a copy of Wonderland (in your choice of size range) to one lucky reader – leave a comment on this post to be in the running!
(Please make sure you leave an email address with your comment.  Giveaway will close Tuesday 29th March and winner will be drawn via a random number generator.)

SUPPLIES:
Make It Perfect, Wonderland sewing pattern
Saffron Craig, Magical Lands, Magic Spots in green
Hippos on Dark Grey ribbon from Ribbons Galore
March 24, 2011
Coastal Breeze, Make It Perfect

.Coastal Breeze for winter.

 

I find the best cure for procrastinating about getting something done is to blog about it.  I’ve had these knits from Crafty Mamas for a month or two now, with plans to make myself a Coastal Breeze dress up and kept putting it off.  After blogging about my plans last week I found some enthusiasm and finally made the dress up a couple of nights ago.

 

I totally recommend making Coastal Breeze in one solid colour.  As cute as it looks in stripes or a print, I feel much more comfortable wearing a plain, dark colour and can easily accessorise with some colour if I want to.

The Stella knit from Crafty Mamas was unreal to work with – I’m definitley going to be stocking up on some more solids from there and start making the kids (and maybe myself) some t-shirts and long-sleeved tops.  Way cheaper than buying them, and I can funk them up in so many ways.  Would anyone be interested in a pattern or have knit tops been done enough?

I have to confess that while I use my overlocker for all internal seams, I have always opted for a regular zig-zag or stretch zig-zag stitch on the external seams (hems, topstitching, etc.)  I decided to break out my twin needle this time and it made the job soooo much easier and looks 100 times more professional.  I thought it would be a lot of fussing around to set it up, but it really only took a minute or two and is just like regular stitching, only two needles are going at the same time.  Highly recommend it over the zig-zag if your machine can do it as it gives a much nicer finish.
So, ta-da…all finished!  Our summer seems to be coming to a quick end, but I think I can pull it off okay with a pair of stockings and some boots for winter!

 

SUPPLIES:

Make It Perfect, Coastal Breeze pattern
Stella knit in Grey Marle
 

P.S. Don’t forget about the Save the Children Japan auction we have running — closes 9pm this Saturday!
March 23, 2011
Make It Perfect, Uptown Girl

.Finished Uptown Girl.

 
I’m cranking out the unfinished projects this week!  Unlike most crafters, I try to finish a project before starting on the next one.  Quilts are my only exception as I like them to take a little longer, but I am VERY strict and make sure I don’t start anything new without  completing the old.
I’ve been working on a new pattern over the last couple of weeks and have been finding it really difficult to get stuck into it with all of these half-finished bits and pieces lying around so I took some time out to quickly finish them up and the pattern designing is flowing much better now 🙂
Remember my Cool Shops! review with Quilt Fabric Delights?  Well I sewed up an Uptown Girl jacket for Lil using the lovely Riley Blake fabric Sarah sent to me:
I decided to go with a size 4 for the jacket – Lil turns 4 in August (winter) and I wanted the jacket to last at least 12 months.  Her last jacket is a size 2 (woah – how tiny was she!) and she can just squeeze into it but not very comfortably.  I love how the Uptown Girl jackets fit forever without looking too big or too small.  Great value for sewing time 🙂
This time around I padded the jacket with left over quilt wadding – I love the softness and warmth that it adds without being too bulky or puffy.  Plus, it’s a great way to use up wadding left over from quilts!
I am really happy with the reverse side too – will be great to wear with a patterned skirt and gives the jacket a total different look.  As  we turned it inside out and put it back on Lil said…”Now I have a Little Red Riding-Hoody Jacket!”
Yes you do!
(P.S. Thanks Quilt Fabric Delights for the beautiful fabric!  Their shop has recently had a face-lift and looks fantastic!)
 
SUPPLIES:
Make It Perfect, Uptown Girl pattern 
Riley Blake, Love Birds, Love Bird Main in Pink
Riley Blake, Love Birds, Cheery Circles in Cranberry 
March 10, 2011