Jocole Blog Tour Oct 24

Last day of the blog tour!!!  We have Shelly and Jona on the last day today.  Shelly from Sew Shelly Sew and Jona from Stitches and Spills are ready to share their cuteness today.  

Shelly made a Pencil Skirt and Cap Sleeve Tee.  Go see more photos and read about what she did here.  

Jona made an Endless Dress and Essential Pants to make a super cute outfit.  Go see the cuteness here.

I hope you have enjoyed the tour as much as I have.  I love seeing all of the outfits, precious little ones and some beautiful ladies.

Thanks for joining us!

XOXO,

Kara  

Summer Blog Tour Endless Dress in Happy Home

Summer Blog Tour

Jocole Endless Dress 

with Art Gallery Happy Home Fabric

I know it seems really early to be thinking about the start of school, but is it really?  School starts in one short month and I need to be prepared.  The start of school brings back such memories of my childhood.  I remember being sleepless the night before the first day of school.  Who will my teacher be?  What if I can't find my locker?  What if I can't find my classes?  Lunch time in High School was always so worrisome for me.  Back then, we had to make phone calls (yes, pick up the phone and call someone!) to find out if we had any friends in our lunch period.

My own children don't seem to worry much about the start of school, they are just excited.  Excited for the new year, new friends, old friends, new teachers and especially those new school supplies.  Do you remember that smell?

I made the Endless Dress for the first day outfit for my youngest daughter.  I just love the words on the skirt fabric.  Memories, love, together, happiness, warmth, family......  Those words not only speak to having a Happy Home, but also to a successful school year.

I used Art Gallery fabric from the Happy Home Collection and I just love the colors and patterns, not to mention how soft they are.

I also made the Essential Pants in the shorts length to add a little coverage under the dress.  I use the Essential Pants pattern all the time.  They make perfect shorts and we can never have too many shorts.

Fabrics used:  Entryways Joyeux, To Live by Love, Lotus Beats Echo, Where the Heart is Pure

Please be sure to enter for a chance to win the Endless Dress Pattern from Jocole.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


XOXO,

Kara

Fabric was provided by Art Gallery Fabrics.

March 2015's Mini-Bundle Annoucement

Jocole is SOOOOO excited to introduce a new concept for my patterns ... each month I'll release a mini-bunde with select patterns (March 2015 has 5) at a reduced price.

You can buy March's Mini Bundle HERE

For March 2015 we decided on patterns that would work well together and will be featuring tutorials on modifying them and mixing them together ALLLLL month long.  What a fun way to try out some patterns and use them in different ways.

This special bundle price will ONLY last through the end of March, so get it while you can and make sure you check back for the fun tutorials.

Total Retail Price = $43.0

Discount Mini-Bundle Price = $26 (40% OFF!!)

Details for Each Pattern:

1.  Crossover Tunic & Dress (Retail Price $8)

This tunic features a crossover v-neckline and extended cap sleeves. A-line shaped skirt with THREE different lengths make this a versatile pattern: hip length, tunic length, knee length. Binding around the neckline and armholes. Perfect for everyday wear, or super comfy as a nightgown.

13 sizes included: (12m-14 + doll)

2.  Peplum Top (Retail Price $9)

Fitted knit t-shirt with a peplum at the natural waist (also includes the option for a longer peplum in the back).  Patterns includes 3 sleeve length options:  short sleeves, 3/4 sleeves, long sleeves
16 sizes included: (nb-14 + doll)

3.  Skater Skirt Add-on (Retail Price $4.50)

Add a knee length curved, flared skirt to the natural waistline of the peplum top.

16 sizes included: (nb-14 + doll)

4.  Happy Herringbone Dress (Retail Price $10)

A super cute halter dress featuring an empire bodice with an elastic back and a pieced herringbone style skirt.  Bodice is fully lined for comfort.

Two length options: tunic or dress.

16 sizes included: (nb-14 + doll)

5.  Endless Dress + Vol. 1 (Retail Price $12)

The Endless Dress is the ONLY dress pattern you are EVER going to need.

A timeless and classic style dress with a peter pan collar, or 2 different necklines, fully lined empire or waist length bodice.

3 Sleeve length options: short sleeves, 3/4 sleeves or long sleeves

Tunic Length or Knee Length Gathered Skirting

Button or Snap closure at center back.

Add-On Options: Volume 1 is included for even *more* options:

Chevron Bodice, Bib Front, Sleeveless Bodice, Sash and Banded Skirting

Ribbon Bow, Applique and Freezer Paper Stencil Embellishments

To see how truly versatile this pattern is check out THIS BLOG POST for more information which explains how you can make 1,080 different dresses and tops.

To see MORE inspiration photos, please visit THIS ALBUM on the Jocole fan page dedicated to just the Endless Dress.

16 sizes included: (nb-14 + doll)

Total Retail Price = $43.0

Discount Mini-Bundle Price = $26 (40% OFF!!)

Get it HERE

Endless Dress Mashup

Endless Dress Mashup

I received some yummy Riley Blake fabrics in the mail and could not wait to get started sewing!

I started with the "Unicorns and Rainbows" cotton and scrumptious Knits.  The knit is so soft and creamy, I just love how it feels and so does my daughter.

One of my favorite Jocole pattens is the Endless Dress because it is so versatile.  There are literally endless variations of this dress!  I've made a few variations but this one may be my favorite.

Instead of using the bodice for the Endless Dress, I used the Basic Empire Bodice from the Mix and Match series.

 

I used the skirt, skirt band(the polka dot fabric) and sash(in knit) from the Endless Dress and attached it to the Basic Empire Bodice.

I love how the dress turned out and I cannot wait to make more.  I also made the Basic Knit Leggings to finish out the outfit.  

Knit for a Princess!

Guest post by Joey Hendricks
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My daughter and I LIVE in knits. They're easy to wear and care for and they can hold up to our crazy daily life. As you can imagine, I was beyond excited when Jocole released the Endless Dress that can be made in either wovens or knits. Seriously, could that dress BE any more awesome?

Yes, it can! It can be made in fairy printed pink baby rib knit with an foe neck binding and pretty princess sleeves!! It was so simple to make and it looks so great.

Cutting
The first thing I did to adapt the Endless Dress pattern was when I was cutting my pattern pieces, I cut 2  of the high neck front bodice pieces. Since I was making my dress in knit, I didn't need the button closures in the back (cut one on the fold along the grey dashed center back line instead) and I didn't want to add a collar.

Then I traced the sleeves from the Everyday Princess Top. I like added fullness for the skirt so I (typically) ignored Jodi's good advice listed in the pattern and I cut my skirt pieces the full yard width wide. (That's pretty darn WIDE in a knit fabric. Somewhere near 5 feet...let's just say I scaled that back and LISTENED to Jodi lol).

I'm pretty devoted to Jocole patterns and have a FEW (oooooor all of them...don't judge lol) that include a neck binding, So I busted out my trusty old copy of the Ruffle Tee and I scoped out the measurements for the neck binding :) and I cut my piece of foe just about an inch longer.

Laid it all out and cut my fabric..

Construction

As with any Jocole knit top, I started my construction at the shoulder seams and did the neck binding right away. I used fold over elastic at about 75% of the circumference of my neck. Fold over elastic isn't nearly as stretchy as ribbing so bear that in mind and cut yours a little bit longer. I just folded it over the raw edge and zigzagged it on with matching thread. I stretched it a bit as I was sewing just like I would've with ribbing.

The next step was the sleeves. My daughter requested "puffy princess sleeves, mama." I'd never gathered with knits before, not really. I went with the clear elastic gathering method and it worked like a charm. I will never gather any kind of knit fabric any other way! It's so simple, too. All you do is measure your gathering elastic against whatever you're joining it to and add an inch or so to hold it while you sew! You have to try this! Make sure you stretch the clear elastic quite a bit when you're sewing it on. The more you stretch, the more gathers you create.

The tutorial, written by a professional and not meeeeeeee can be found on the blog at http://jocole.blogspot.com/2013/01/clear-elastic-gathers-and-ruffles-easy.html

 For the princess sleeves, you need to gather both the top and the bottom to create that awesome puffy look. Then you just sew the sleeve band on. There's no stretching or anything...just pin it on and sew. The armhole works exactly the same way!

One thing I did want to say about gathering with clear elastic is to watch your stitch width. If your stitch is too wide, like a standard sized zigzag, your elastic won't ruffle. It's too well held down lol. Ask me how I know? I ended up just using my normal stretch stitch on the elastic and I'm super happy with the way the sleeves turned out!

Tada!!!

 The rest of the construction was pretty normal. I used the clear elastic to gather the skirt. The elastic helps a lot with keeping everything together while you're attaching things.This is how it turned out :D My daughter loves it so that's a WIN!

Endless Dress Sew Along Day 4

Endless Dress Sew Along Day 4

You should have 3 skirt panels sewn together; a back panel, front panel and another back panel.  Let's sew the band onto the skirt panel.

Sew all three band pieces together along the short side; one back panel, one front panel and another back panel.   Fold the band in half WST and iron.  The band panels will match up exactly with the skirt panels.  Attach the band to the skirt by matching the raw edges, and serge or zig zag stitch.   Iron the seam up to the skirt panel and topstitch.  You have one long skirt piece with the band attached.

Serge the open side of each back panel.  Pin the back panels together marking down 2-3in from the top of the skirt panel.  This will be the opening for the bodice buttons on the empire bodice(if you are doing a regular bodice you do not need the opening at the top of the skirt).  Attach the panels together.

Iron the seam open.  You can see the opening in the picture.

Topstitch around the opening.

Gather the skirt to the same length as the bodice.

With the bodice front facing the skirt front (RST), insert the bodice into the skirt.

Attach the skirt to the bodice.

Serge or zig zag the seam.  Turn the dress right side out and iron the seam up to the bodice.  Topstitch the bodice.

Congratulations!!!!  You completed an Endless Dress!  I hope you had as much fun as I did.  Come back next month for another sew along!

And, we're outta here!

But mom, I don't want to take any more pictures!!!!

Endless Dress Day 3

Jocole Endless Dress Sew Along Day 3

Buttons, Buttonholes and Pockets

Are you ready for buttonholes today???  Yikes!  I hope you'll give them a try, even if it's just to practice.  I have a couple of hints before we actually sew the buttonholes.  

Have you ever wondered about that little hole on the arm of the bobbin case?  Well guess what!?!?  You're about to use that sucker!  When the hole is used, it adds a little extra tension to the stitch and gives a nice, tight buttonhole.  The thread goes through the hole on the bobbin case.

Second, the buttonhole foot comes in handy for making --wait for it--buttonholes!  I didn't even realize I had this foot but it came with my machine.  The channels on the bottom of the foot keep the parallel lines of the buttonhole in place.  Just use it like a regular foot and it will work keep everything straight on its own.

Don't laugh, I practiced about 10 buttonholes before I was happy with the buttonhole.  I wanted to make sure I programed the machine correctly.  (Are you sick of me saying buttonhole yet?  I am!)

Start on the actual, real life bodice now.  Buttonholes go on the left and buttons on the right.  (Ignore that I put them on the wrong sides!)

One of my favorite pattern pieces in this PDF is the buttonhole placement guide.  The guide allows you to mark the buttons on the right side and the buttonholes on the left.  The guide insures that the buttons and buttonholes line up correctly.  Genius!

Mark the buttonhole placement on the LEFT side of the bodice back (the picture shows the buttonholes on the wrong side).  This is an empire length bodice so there are 3 buttonholes.  Be sure that the buttonholes are a little longer than the buttons so the buttons slide in easily.  Sew the buttonholes.

Mark the button placement on the RIGHT side of the bodice back(the picture shows the buttons on the wrong side).  Sew on the buttons.  Fabric covered buttons also look really nice, find the tutorial here.

Make sure everything lines up!

Pockets are also an option for the Endless Dress.  Place all 4 pockets RST, at the top of the skirt panels.  Sew the pockets onto the right side of the skirt.

Iron the pocket pieces flat and topstitch.  Place fabric RST and line up all pockets.  Beginning at the top of the skirt; sew down to the pocket, around the pocket and down to the bottom of the skirt (sewing the skirt panels and pocket pieces together).  Serge or zig zag stitch the edges.

Now you have a completed bodice and a skirt panel with pockets sewn on.  Tomorrow we sew the skirt band, gather the skirt and attach the skirt and bodice to finish the dress!  

Endless Dress Sew Along Day 2

Endless Dress Sew Along Day 

Are you ready?  Let's do this!

I'm starting the sew along with my mashup of the Endless and the Circle Flounce.  If you are doing the standard Endless Dress, skip down to the pictures with the yellow striped fabric.

Bodice with Straps

Starting with the shoulder strap pattern piece, fold in half right sides together (RST).  Stitch the long seam together leaving both ends open.

Turn both straps right side out.  I used a Bodkin to turn the straps, just to make it a little easier.

Iron the straps.  I put the seam on the back center of the straps so that my pattern would line up nicely.  You can also line up the seam on the side of the straps (I just like mine hidden).

Topstitch the straps.  I attached my flutters at the outside edge of both straps with a topstitch.  

Bodice

If you are adding the sash, be sure to add it here.  I forgot and had to go back and rip out my seams!  To add the sash, fold the sash in half lengthwise so that there is a piece long enough to go across the front bodice.  Baste the sash at the sides of the front bodice.  Now is a good time to add topstitching to the top finished edge of the sash.  Go ahead and attach the ties as well.  (There are pictures of attaching the sash in the photos of the yellow top.)

Sew the bodice front and back pieces RST at one side seam.  Repeat for the bodice lining.  Iron side seams open.

Position the straps as indicated in the pattern.  Tip:  I should have moved both straps in just a tad(like a 1/4in further to the center) because my "little" has a narrow chest and shoulders.  If you don't trust yourself not to sew over the pins, baste the straps in place.

Place the bodice lining RST on top of the bodice front.  The straps are in the middle of the bodice front and the bodice lining.  Sew both bodice pieces together, reinforcing the strap seam by reversing over that area.

Line up both arm holes and stitch together.

I'm not sure if you know this but it is necessary to clip curves so they will lay nicely.  I always use my pinking shears for curves because I don't like to risk clipping the thread.  The pinking shears help the curves iron out perfectly.

At this point you have the bodice front pieces and the arm holes stitched together.  The bodice back pieces are still open because we need to attach the other end of the straps.

We're about to get real here people!  Stick with me because this is where things get confusing!  

Pull out one strap raw edge from the middle of the bodice front pieces.

Without twisting the strap, find the bodice back and line the strap up on the bodice back piece.  Be sure the straps get attached at the armholes.  In the picture below, the raw edge of the strap is at the top of the bodice back, just next to the armhole.  

With the strap in place, fold the lining piece over the bodice back.  In the picture below, the armhole curve is on the left and the bodice back is open on the right.  Stitch together the top of the bodice back pieces being sure to reinforce the strap area.

Your bodice should look similar to the picture below.

Repeat the whole process for the other side of the bodice back.

Here is another view of the armhole and strap.

Once you have both straps sewn into place, turn the bodice front and back pieces right side out and be sure everything looks right.  So, at this point you have both straps attached to the front and back at the armholes.  Iron the bodice pieces so that everything lays nice a flat.

Here is where I realized I should have attached my sash a looooong time ago.  I had to rip out my side seams to attach the sash.  Don't make that mistake!!!!  So your bodice is almost complete!  We will work on the buttons, button holes and skirt tomorrow!  Yay!  

If you made the strap bodice, you are finished for today.

Traditional Endless Dress Bodice

If you are making the Endless Dress bodice, you are in the right spot!  You should have a pile similar to this.  A bodice front and back and a lining front and back.  The front is cut on the fold and the back is in two pieces.

Start by attaching the bodice front and back pieces at the shoulder seams.

Iron the seams open.

Line up the bodice front and lining pieces exactly.

Starting at the bottom of the bodice back outside piece; sew up the side, around the neckline and back down the back outside.  Also sew the armhole curves.  Use pinking shears to clip the neck and armhole curves. Right now the only open edges are the side seams.

Take the corner of the back piece into the center of the bodice and push it through the shoulder seams, out to the opposite edge.  Repeat on the other side.

Iron the bodice, being sure to press right at the seam.

Sash

Fold the sash in half lengthwise WST and iron flat. 

With the bodice laying flat, pull the lining up toward the neckline.

Pin the sash onto the bodice front, lining up the sides and bottom of the sash with the bodice.

Topstitch the top of the sash.

Stick with me, this part can be confusing (ok, maybe it's not confusing to you but I was a little confused the first time I did this!).

With the lining still up toward the neckline, fold the bodice back piece on top of the bodice front.

Open the bottom edge of the back piece to match the front.  Pin in place.  Both arm curves are together and the side seams are lined up also.  This will create a hidden seam so the lining looks nice a professional.

Repeat on the other side and pin.

Stitch the seams together.  Your bodice should look like this.  Press the seam open.

Carefully iron the side seams being sure everything is flat and straight.  

Shew!  You made it!  Let me know if you have any questions, this can be tricky.  Come back tomorrow for the buttons, button holes and skirt.  We are moving right along!!!!