Isla... the next dress in the Dreamy Collection...

I was honored to test out the next dress in the Made for Mermaids Dreamy Collection- the Isla! It's hard to top the gorgeous Juliette dress that released last week, but the Isla is equally gorgeous and fun... just look at that back- SWOON!

She has a hi/lo hem look that is just oh so precious! The straps have button holes that can be adjusted for growth or a better fit. Not to mention the elastic back which is very forgiving when it comes to the perfect fit!

This pattern ranges from sizes 1/2 to 14- a very generous size range! It has nested layers so you can print only the sizes you want and my favorite no-trim pages so it goes together fast!

The front has a gorgeous pointed bodice that is perfect for using lace overlays or accent trims. I chose to keep this Isla plain but there is so much you could add here!

But the back of this dress is the real show stopper in my opinion- choose your most beautiful trim and let it shine! The pattern has instructions for pleating your trim but I chose to leave this gorgeous trim flat and let it shine all on its own.

The pattern includes cut lines for both top and dress lengths. It is equally precious as a top. Pop over to the Made for Mermaids Pattern Group and check out some of the tester pics in top length. <3

The Isla pattern will be debuting soon in the Made for Mermaids Pattern shop, so be on the look out for it and other upcoming additions to the Dreamy Collection. <3 <3 <3

Juliette...

Love struck Romeo
Sings the street a serenade
He's layin' everybody low
He's got a love song that he made...

Is it stuck in your head now too? I've been humming this Indigo Girls oldie ever since I started cutting my first Juliette dress by Made for Mermaids. Megan has another gorgeous pattern for us and it is just DREAMY- Meet Juliette!

The Juliette can be a top, a short dress or a maxi dress as shown here. The pattern also has instructions for adding some DREAMY ruffles to the skirt for a gorgeous dress any little girl would love! It has a full circle skirt so there is an amazing twirl factor that they just can't resist!

The pattern is made for knit fabrics and I chose to use a basic white/ivory knit. I had planned to add nylon chiffon ruffles, but my fabrics did not arrive in time and my little model actually loved it plain- so we added a cute Joyfolie belt and went for it!

Add some sunglasses and instant celebrity ; )

The pattern ranges from sizes 1/2 to 14. Made for Mermaids patterns are so easy to print and assemble. They include layers- so you print only the sizes you want to print. The pattern also includes materials needed, fabric requirements, and helpful tips for sewing with knits.

Head over to the Made for Mermaids Pattern group to see all of the other dreamy Juliette's the testers have sewn up- the possibilities are seriously endless!

And once you are sold on the pattern, it can be purchased starting on Thursday 3/17 in the Made for Mermaids pattern shop! Go sew up something DREAMY today!

The Charlotte Top by JillyAtlanta

I had the opportunity to test for my sweet friend at JillyAtlanta again this week. Her newest pattern, the Charlotte, is a gorgeous ruffled top or dress with multiple sleeve options. Hello Charlotte!

The pattern ranges from size 2 up to 8 years. I made the size 2 for my petite model with a size 4 length. The pattern includes size charts with measurements to aid in choosing the proper size.

This is the sleeveless top version but you can also add a short sleeve, three-quarter length sleeve or long sleeve with elastic. It can also be made into a dress with an elastic casing at the waist.

The back has a simple, yet sweet, button loop closure at the top. A fun place to use an accent fabric or fun little button! We paired our top with skinny jeans and boots for a fun and funky combo, but it would be equally sweet with coordinating summer shorts or skirt by JillyAtlanta. 

The pattern is available in the JillyAtlanta Etsy shop along with all of her other PDF sewing patterns and her gorgeous line of clothing! Go check her out and see all the options Charlotte has to offer! <3 <3 <3

The Ever So Lovely "Eleanor" by Honeydew Kisses Patterns

I haven't done any pattern testing here lately, and as much as I needed to say no and work on the pile of other projects I have going right now, I just could not say no to this particular pattern. The Eleanor by Honeydew Kisses Patterns is seriously like 1,000 options in one pattern. Fortunately, after the holidays have passed, I realized we were also in desperate need of some long sleeve winter dresses. So it was a win, win... I get to test a pattern and hang a lovely little long sleeve dress in the closet. Score! I give you Eleanor...

So let's talk about a few of the options, I chose to make the long sleeve dress version. But, there are also options for flutter sleeves, short sleeves and three-quarter length sleeves! Oh and you can even layer the flutters with the other sleeves. I sized up on my sleeve length to a 4t and I honestly probably would have been fine with the 3t sleeve length, but this way we have room to grow for next year. The sleeve is gathered at the top and finished with a lovely bias trim on the sleeve.

I made the dress length, but there are also options for tunic length, bubble length romper and a pant length romper! You can keep the dress simple, as I have done here, or add a single or double ruffle to the bottom of the hem line. Measurements and instructions for all of the above included in the pattern!

I used a lightweight pink corduroy with fine gold metallic dots and accented with gold sparkly buttons on the bodice. The pattern has instructions for a lovely placket on the front bodice that is completely optional for the dress and tunic versions, but needed for the romper versions.

The back of this dress is both gorgeous and unique. A fun cross over style allows enough ease for taking the dress on and off without the front placket. The back has a straight bodice line, while the front has that gorgeous curve to the bodice. There is also an option for pockets on the outside of the dress or romper if you would like to add a fun accent fabric to your piece. 

Let's talk pattern details... Talia's patterns are always well laid out and very detailed with clear photos to take you step by step through the pattern. Also included in this pattern are layers so that you can print just the sizes you wish to print! The cutting chart provides measurements for any rectangular shaped pieces so you can save on ink and paper there too!

The pattern ranges from sizes 12 months all the way up to 12 years in the dress/tunic and a size 8 in the romper. The pattern is available in the Honeydew Kisses Pattern Shop! Run and grab your copy of Eleanor today!

Hello Cali... nice to meet you!

So, you know how there are always those other shops out there that you admire, you see them post on Instagram and fall in love with their style... and then sometimes you are lucky enough to have them start following you back? I was tickled when Jilly Atlanta started following me and invited me to test out her upcoming PDF pattern release- the Cali blouse & dress. It is such a classic, timeless pattern with loads of options!

I tested the size 2 for my little peanut and added the dress length of the size 4. The pattern has cut lines for both top and dress length. I love the versatility!

There are several sleeve options on this pattern as well- short sleeves, long sleeves with elastic in the upper arm to create a gorgeous bell-sleeve style, trim on the sleeves, or elastic at the wrists, which is what I used in this test. I love a pattern with options!

The pattern ranges from a 2t to a size 6. It includes a size chart, fabric requirements, and a notions listing so that you have everything you need to sew it up.

The pattern itself is a printable PDF that is color coded per size and includes a 1" test box to ensure you printed to the correct scale. There are diagrams included in the instructions to ensure you assemble the pages correctly. The pattern also includes a suggested cutting layout.

This pattern includes very detailed instructions with super clear pictures and even includes a link to a video tutorial on YouTube. The construction of this dress included some new techniques for me, which I am always happy to learn!

There are additional instructions for adding trim along the neck line and sleeves. I left this one plain, but love the look of the trim in both places! Instead, I opted to add a trim just above the hemline for an added pop of color.

I am happy to welcome Jilly Atlanta to the PDF world on facebook. Be sure to check out her other amazing patterns in her etsy shop- JillyAtlanta and also join the pattern group on facebook- JillyAtlanta Pattern Group. And P.S. she also sells some AMAZING clothing in her Etsy shop!

Brownie Goose Luna Love

I am always happy to test out upcoming Brownie Goose patterns- they never disappoint me! Meet the newest in the BG line up- Miss Luna- a square neck beauty with gorgeous angel sleeves or a longer sleeve option as well- wohoo!

The Luna dress is a flowy swing dress with a square yoke and princess seams. The yoke is a fabulous place for embellishment- trims, embroidery, buttons, oh my the options! 

The back has a functional back opening with a continuously bound placket cut into the skirt for ease of getting on/off. 

The pattern is drafted with elbow length sleeves but there are instructions for adding/taking away sleeve length. The alternate view that I tested out has an angel sleeve that is built into the side panel via the princess seams.

I used a gorgeous Art Gallery fabric from Bari J.'s Splendor 1920 collection called Delicate Sautoir Rose. I love this whole collection. I used fabric from this collection for my last test as well to make the Lauren pintuck shirt & Evie shorts.

Luna starts at a 6-12 month size and goes all the way up to 12 years. She is a generous fit due to her flowiness. I opted to do a tunic length- there are instructions for adding or subtracting length given in the tutorial so if you prefer tunic length go for it!

Head on over to the Brownie Goose shop to snag your copy of Luna once it is released! Happy sewing!!! <3 <3 <3