New Pattern Release - The Raine Dress...

 The Raine Dress blends the classic fit'n'flare silhouette with casual comfort in a 

playful mix of modern and vintage styling.

The Details

Raine's gently curved waistband creates a flattering hourglass silhouette with darts shaping the upper bodice. Personalise your dress with your choice of a '40s-inspired sweetheart or classic scoop neckline.

Choose a simple gathered skirt for a fun everyday look, or step up the glam factor with a pleated skirt, providing a sleeker option for more dressy occasions. Slanted pockets in both views make Raine a cool and practical dress, come rain, hail or shine.

The Raine Dress turns sewing into construction magic, perfect for the intermediate to advanced seamstress. With an all-in-one neckline and sleeve facing, invisible side seam zip and curved waistbands, Raine will step your sewing skills up a notch or two.

Multiple Bust Cups

Raine includes pattern pieces in A to D cups so that you'll no longer need to make additional bust adjustments for the perfect fit.

Included in the instructions are a full set of Finished Garment Measurements, as well as detailed instructions on choosing the right size for your unique shape.

View 1 includes a gathered skirt and sweetheart neckline.

View 2 includes a pleated skirt and classic scoop neckline.

Skill Level

Raine is aimed at intermediate to advanced seamstresses. Having several garments under your belt will make construction easier.

Techniques like the all-in-one facing and clean invisible side seam zip will provide a nice challenge to confident seamstresses.

Fabric Options

The Raine Dress is suitable for a wide range of lightweight woven fabrics with some drape.

Choose any of your favourite fabrics from cotton lawn, voile and poplin to linen and chambray for light summer dresses. Rayon, silks and other slinky fabrics make the perfect glamorous night-time Raine Dress.

The Layers Function

Both Print-at-home and Print Shop Raine pattern files now include the Layers Function.

You can choose to turn on and off any number and combination of pattern sizes to suit your personal needs and preferences. Check out page 3 of your Raine instructions for a full step-by-step tutorial on using this handy little function.

Tutorials

A full video tutorial will take you through constructing the all-in-one facing step-by-step and will be published on the 11th July.

Purchase your digital copy of The Raine Dress for just $12.99 USD!

The Links to your Raine Dress pattern will be emailed directly to you. You'll be able to choose from the easy-to-assemble A4/Letter version OR the A0/Print Shop version (or both!).

I'd love to hear how you're getting along making your Raine Dress, so why not tag me on Instagram or use the hashtag #RaineDress so I can see and share your makes.

If you have any questions, just hit reply and I'll get back to you asap.

xx
J

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New Sewing Pattern Coming Soon - The Gable Top

I've been a bit MIA, mostly because I've been putting the finishing touches on my next pattern, The Gable Top, which is coming soon...

Sign up to my newsletter to be the first to know when it's here 

AND for a limited time subscriber only discount!

Gable is a modern take on an elegant classic 50's design - with 3 seasonal variations suitable for all seasons and made with comfy knits, Gable is a beautiful and quick project, that'll become your new go-to knit top pattern.

See you soon!

xx
J

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Perfect French Seams - The Hunter Tank Sewing Series

I love French Seams and though I did a tutorial a few years ago, I thought since releasing The Hunter Tank, that it was the perfect time for a bit of a re-fresh.

The Hunter Tank can be almost completely made up with French Seams (except for the centre front) and it's the perfect little pattern to try the technique on if you're new to it.

French Seams are the best kind of seam to use on delicate, light and sheer fabrics, just what The Hunter Tank calls for.  They enclose the raw edge of a seam and produce a beautiful finish on the inside and out, and they aren't hard at all! Let me show you...

You'll need - 

• The Hunter Tank Sewing Pattern
• Your Sewing Machine

Steps - 

1. Wrong sides together, place a line of stitching 5mm (or 1/4") away from the seam allowance.

2. Press your seam allowances open (use a Tailor's Ham to keep the light angles on the centre back seam of your Hunter Tank in place).

3. Fold your seam in half, right sides together, along your stitched edge and press.

4. Place a line of stitching along the seam allowance again, this time 10mm (3/8") away from the edge. Press and marvel at your beautiful finished French Seam.

Ahhhh, look at how pretty that is, and so easy to boot! You can do a French Seam with any amount of seam allowance really, just make sure both seams equal the seam allowance that your pattern calls for (15mm for Hunter). And make sure your first seam is smaller than the second seam, or trim your first seam down before stitching in your second seam.

French seams can be used on The Hunter Tank for the back centre seam, side seams and shoulder seams.

Have you tried French Seams? Will you give them a go now that you know how easy they are?

xx

J

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Perfecting the Centre Seam - The Hunter Tank Sewing Series

Welcome to the first of The Hunter Tank Sewing Tutorial Series. Today we're going to be looking at getting the perfect centre seam. It's pretty straight forward really, but let's get started shall we?

You'll need - 

• The Hunter Tank sewing pattern
• Your sewing machine

Steps -
1. Sew your centre front seam together, right sides facing. Press your seam open.

2. Because there is a 2cm seam allowance included in this particular seam, place a set of basting stitches all the way down the middle of the seam allowance by stitching 1cm (3/8") away from the raw edge, providing you with a guide line for the next stage.

Do this to both sides of this seam allowance.

3. Using your basting stitches as a guide, press your seam allowance in half and tuck your raw edge under.

Because of the light curves in this seam on the Hunter Tank, I like to press it using a Tailor's Ham to help keep the subtle shaping.

4. Press, then secure with a line of stitching as close to the edge as you can get it. Press again and voila, a perfect centre seam every time.

Why not try some contrast stitching down your centre seam next time you're making a Hunter Tank? Have you tried this?

xx

J

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The Hunter Tank - A Sewing Tutorial Series...

Hey everyone,

Let's get onto some Hunter Tank tutorials shall we? 

Below is a little list of some of the tutorials I've already photographed and will be posting about in regards to The Hunter Tank. If you have any other techniques you're interested in knowing a bit more about, let me know in the comments and I'll add them to my list.

• Perfecting the Hunter Tank Centre Seam
• Beautiful French Seams
• Delicate Rolled Hems without a Special Sewing Foot

Hope you're keeping warm (or staying cool!),

xx

J

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* Fabric used for The Hunter Tank above is Frou Frou Floral in Blue.

An Autumn Afternoon...

I've just realised that it's been an age since I did one of these handmade wardrobe showy-offy blog thingys! I guess I have to try to get back into the habit of taking photos a bit more :) 

We took these back in April on a warm autumn afternoon stroll in a beautiful corner not far from where we live. We're pretty lucky.

This version of the Afternoon Shift Dress is made from a Japanese cotton lawn that I'd had in my stash for a few months. I made View 4 with the pointed cross-over neckline and elasticated back shaping.

I've since removed that lovely vintage button though after some little fingers got a penchant for pulling and pulling at it every time I wore it. And I opted to machine stitch the entire neckline down on this version too, instead of hand-stitching like I normally do, because it felt sturdier and a little more up to dealing with the challenges of those previously mentioned little fingers. 

I've come to the realisation that baby-proofing necklines is a must-do these days, not so much a nice-to-do. And so due to the baby-proofing success of machine stitching on this version, I decided to go back and machine stitch down all of my previous versions of the shift and blouse. I'm giving it two thumbs up so far you guys.

This particular Afternoon Shift dress has become a fairly consistent staple over in my neck of the woods throughout autumn. Though, it's got a new contender for my heart at the moment - a gorgeous snuggly plaid flannel one (you may have seen the sneaky preview during Me Made May). It's seriously like wearing a nighty, but no one has a clue. I'm very down with wearing secret PJ's. Proper photos to come.

Oh, and don't forget, if you were thinking of buying the Indie Pattern Month sewing pattern bundle that The Hunter Tank is in, it finishes in 2 days! The Basic Bundle gets you over 40% off the RRP of all three patterns combined and the Extended Bundle gets you over 50% off the RRP of all six patterns. Woot! Bargain indeed.

Talk soon,

xx
J

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