Ansley Top by Blaverry For My Sweet Aisha

After so many postponed projects, I finally managed to sew something up for my sweet girl Aisha, I am a happy mama!

Aisha is 14 years old this year, and finding a pattern that would get her nod of approval is proving more and more difficult! That's why I was so happy when I stumbled upon this beautiful Ansley Top/Dress pattern by an amazing designer Blaverry. This pattern has the covered look that is trendy and what my modest girl who is now in full hijab, loves to wear. Plus the sizing goes up to size 14 yeay!

It took us longer to decide on fabrics than to sew one up. Aisha wanted something neutral for easy mix and match and she chose a lovely lightweight rayon in my stash. This fabric is so flowy and swingy great for this baby-doll yoked type of top.

The pattern itself is a dream to sew! It's a great pattern with so many options. I finally selected a no collar, straight hemline top version to make it more like a feminine blouse. As for the sleeves, I did not add the cuffs but simply add a 6 inch double fold band to lengthen the 3/4 sleeves and for added contrast.

Obviously, my pre-teen loves it! Hehehe....we had fun during the photo shoot (pleated clutch made by mommy too). My girl, all grown up but still have that goofy side of her that we always love :)

More pics to show you the different angles of the top. There is a placket in front of the top which I think if you prefer to be at the back could easily be reversed. I did add a layer of interfacing to the button yoke to stabilize this flimsy fabric. I also used snap buttons for the closure, easy as pie :D

Pattern instructions is great and I also love the fact that this pattern comes with a layered format where you can just select and print the size that you need instead of printing all of the different sizes. I love this function, it saves me printer ink and effort as you only print what you need.

I highly recommend this pattern. Even if you don't have a pre-teen to sew for, it comes in size 9 months to 14, plenty of sizes and the options are endless! I'm thinking of making the hi-lo hem version for lil miss Hanan soon!

The Perfect Party Dress Transformed As Perfect Maxi Dress! - A Tie Dye Diva Pattern Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to new hoppers! :)

I feel very honored when Kathy from Handmade Dress Heaven invited me to join this wonderful blog hop that she is hosting. We are to sew a dress using the Perfect Party Dress pattern by Tie Dye Diva (affiliate link) and we were asked to show variations or modification, big or small of the pattern. Today is the final round and I had so much fun reading other participants entries.

Now, I am a big fan of any pattern designed by Jen, the genius behind Tie Dye Diva (TDD), I have bought almost all of her patterns and have sewn many of them with much success! So I know that the Perfect Party Dress Pattern is indeed a great pattern used as is.

However, my intention during this blog hop is to show you how with a perfect bodice pattern block you can use it to transform the pattern into any dress you like. For instance, a maxi dress!

Yep, I did that plus empire waist and long sleeves! And my little princess is beaming, it was worth the effort :D

I managed to snap a few photos on how I modified the bodice pattern. I made a size 7/8 for my 7 yo girl. Here's how I do it :

Now you have altered front and back patterns. Note the changes I made on the fabrics to cut. I eliminated the lining and sash pieces to turn this into no-sash, empire cut dress :)

For the sleeves, you can actually use any sleeves pattern in your girl size from any of your existing pattern collection. I actually used TDD sleeve pattern from her Chelsea dress! I wanted a bit of a puff on the sleeves so I cut a bit wider on top and gathered as in photos below :

The sleeves were sewn to the lined bodice before the sides of the bodice are sewn. If you have sewn a dress before this is really not difficult at all! :)

To turn this into a maxi I just measured my girl from her chest down and add a 1 inch seam allowance. I did not put a sash. The dress has an invisible zipper closure. It is my favorite go to closure, so easy! There are many tutorials on the web for invisible zipper. I also added a dainty lace trim to pretty it up but still keeping everything else simple.

We went by the lake to take photos. My princess had her moments of tantrums (she hates mummy giving her "princess pose" orders lol)...but I kept telling her how pretty and poised a princess she is so I managed to snap some good ones I guess.

I love the background here...just like a real castle lol

Princess pose done right haha

Princess in her garden...

By the beautiful lake...

Of all the photos this is the one that I love most. My little princess in her perfect maxi dress!

I hope you can try and transform a dress from the Perfect Party Dress pattern too! You can be your own designer with this pattern. Try your design on a muslin first if you need to see if it works. I did! I tested the pattern on a muslin bodice and sleeves before I cut into my good fabric to test the fit. Trust me, you'd have so much fun! :)

Thank you for reading and don't forget to visit everyone's blogs in the blog hop!

The Sunki Dress for Aisha

I rarely get to sew anything for my sweet Aisha...now that she is 12, she is understandably picky about what she'd like to wear. Luckily when I showed her this pattern few months back she said yes, so I went to work :)

I used the Sunki Dress pattern by Figgy. This pattern only goes up to size 9 and that is how skinny my girl is. It fits her just nice and yes she wore it as tunic with her favourite leggings or skinny jeans.

The pattern itself is fabulous! It's definitely NOT for beginners but using this pattern makes me feel like a real fashion designer lol. It's so modern and hip and fit for the runway. Well maybe not in the print that I made but the design itself - with side pockets, pleated sleeves, overlapped shoulders & facings - indeed is different and fashion forward.

The construction was a challenge but the pattern does come with excellent instructions. I love this design so much I wish Figgy would come up with larger size range for tweens. I still want to sew for my big girl and finding a good pattern that she approves of gets more and more difficult.

All in all, a great pattern and definitely a gratifying sewing project! :)

The Avita Dress - Pattern Testing

I had such a blast sewing this dress!!!

When Alviana of Sewn By Alviana emailed me to accept my application to become one of her pattern tester, I was beyond delighted! I was so proud to be a part of our own Malaysian girl making it in the exciting world of pattern designs! Her pattern shop Popolok Design features some very innovative designs, a breath of fresh air among the many peasants & knots pdfs on Etsy.

The pattern itself is easy to sew, you'll have fun sewing it! I learn a lot from this pattern too & I just love the sweet design.

Some snapshots of my little princess in her Avita. You could see just how happy she is, just in love with this dress. She even asked me to make the next one in Purple because the dress looks like what Rapunzel wears. Ermm, ok dear...whatever you say m'am... :D

Pattern Review : Macy Dress and pdf Sewing Pattern Giveaway!

As promised in the previous post, I'm back with another pattern review from Petite Kids Boutique and this time I  sewed the Macy Dress!

When choosing the pattern I went straight to a pattern that includes a zipper option as I really, really want to learn the various ways of installing one. I tell you, after sewing hundreds of buttonholes for custom orders I am so sick of it I desperately need a different closure technique! Now, don't get me wrong, buttons are cute! But I personally find zipper easier to use when dressing the kiddos. If only the sewing of one is not as scary!

The construction of this dress is pretty straightforward, easy peasy. I sewed size 5T, a nice loose fitting, drop waist dress great for the active girl.

If you're scared of zipper, use the button option. I love it when pattern designers clearly show me step-by-step for both options. The zipper option for the Macy dress is using invisible (concealed) zipper and Wong (the designer) shows you how to do it when the dress is fully lined. I learned SO much from this pattern!! I feel like a "real" seamstress now that I know how to insert invisible zipper that is neatly sandwiched between the main and lining fabric, so cool!

Last weekend, the big family went to Port Dickson for a short getaway on the sandy beaches! It was a blast especially for the kids. I took the opportunity to take some photos of the lil model on the beach. 5 minutes was all I have before she screamed for her swimsuit lol!

All in all, as previously confirmed, Petite Kids sewing patterns are indeed easy to use and the designer herself is very friendly and helpful. I had fun sewing the Ceci Shorts and the Macy Dress, thank you so much Wong! :)

The discount code in my previous post is still valid until 15 February 2012. And now Wong has generously offered to giveaway TWO pdf sewing patterns from her shop especially for my readers, yeay!

All you have to do to enter this giveaway is to visit Petite Kids Boutique etsy shop here, come back and leave a comment below, stating which pattern is your favorite. Please also leave your email address in the comment so that the pattern could be sent to you. I will choose 2 winners randomly on Sunday, 12th February 2012. Good luck!!

Pattern Review - Ceci Shorts by Petite Kids Boutique and Discount Coupon!

I was given the opportunity to test and review a cute pattern called Ceci Shorts a while back, designed by fellow Malaysian pattern designer selling on etsy, Petitekids. The owner, Wong Li Sian, is so sweet and helpful and has agreed to give a 20% discount coupon to all Sew Retro Chic and Lovemelots readers! Thank you so much Wong, you're the best! :)

As for the Ceci Shorts pattern, I tell you, this is the easiest shorts sewing pattern I've ever attempted. Seriously, Wong's tutorial is so simple, to the point and very clear I have no problem whatsoever. I completed the cute shorts for my lil Hanan in less than 1 hour...I made size 4T and the sizing is spot on for my lil girl....

I love the cute little pockets! If you've never sewn pockets before this is a great opportunity to learn...patch pocket is simple and easy to do :)

The little bow detail on the sides that's so cute! This is the only part of the pattern that I changed. I added a few inches when cutting the bow coz I wanted it longer and the bow looks more prominent :)

Isn't it obvious how much the little model loves her new shorts? Lol! She wears the shorts every other day, especially now that the weather is warmer, it's so comfy for her to run around in :)

All in all, this Ceci Shorts pattern is a must in your pattern stash for anytime you want to reach for easy-to-sew-yet-cute-outcome-everytime pattern. For that, the designer has generously given a 20% discount for all my blog readers, not just for this particular pattern but for ANY pattern in her etsy shop! Please use the coupon code LOVEMELOTS01 to receive the discount. For Malaysian buyers, Petitekids also accept bank transfers though her Facebook page.

I will be back with another pattern review for Petitekids soon, this time it's a dress and I am sew excited!