Quirky little Quinn- a new pattern by Made for Mermaids

There are a few pattern companies that I test for on a regular basis that never disappoint. Made for Mermaids is one of those- they always nail the perfect patterns and the newest pattern- Quinn, is no exception!

A precious v-neck front and elastic or shirred back can be paired to make a multitude of combinations. There is a top, a dress with or without ruffles, an A-line tunic, and even a Maxi dress length! I just had to make two the first day and really want to make the others now too! Here's a peak at our top version paired with Made for Mermaids Lucy shorts in chambray.

The pattern has directions for making your own straps from fabric or dimensions if you choose to use pre-made bias or trim. I opted for this gorgeous vintage braided trim that I picked up locally for my dress version. I had no clue what I would use it for when I bought it, but I just knew I "needed" all that they had of it! The beads I found in my stash of vintage buttons inherited from my grandmothers and thought they added a fun touch.

For the top version I used a sweet mint twill tape for the straps- I love some mint! I also used a gorgeous woven jacquard ribbon with one of the most beautiful color combinations. It just makes me swoon!

The pattern ranges from a size 1/2 up to a 14, so you can sew these up for many years! This pattern looks great on any age and the fit with the elastic back and sweet shoulder ties is very forgiving. The pattern includes a detailed size chart and fabric requirements.

Detailed step by step instructions with photos will guide you through the construction process from cutting to finishing. And as always, the pattern includes layers so you can choose any or all sizes to print out and save yourself a little ink. 

We had so much fun sewing these up and taking pics- I leave you with just a "few" of our favorites before you head over to the Made for Mermaids page to shop for your Quinn- available starting Thursday 5/26 and on sale for a limited time!

Junie!

I love everything about this dress from the super cute name Junie- to it's fun and unique back! Welcome the newest pattern in the Brownie Goose line up releasing Friday April 29th- the Junie Dress!

This dress has a criss-cross open back perfect for those hot summer days! Edged in bias trim for a touch of fun on the bodice- a great place to experiment with colors and patterns. The pattern includes instructions for making your own bias and also measurements for using pre-made bias if you desire.

I couldn't help but make a couple of these, and have almost finished my third now! Such a fun and fast sew! The waist has elastic for a fitted look and the pattern has two skirt fullness dimensions. These are both the fuller skirt option.

The Junie starts at size 18 months and goes on up to a size 12! I think this is a great pattern for girls at any age! I added some buttons and a sweet little tie to the front of this one for a touch of fun.

Pattern pieces are fully digitized and a helpful measurement chart is included to aid in choosing the right fit for your child. And as with all Brownie Goose patterns, you get Amy's fabulously fun tutorial to keep you entertained as you sew up your Junie dress! Here are just a "few" more pictures of our Junie's to keep you entertained while you wait for Friday to get here!

Run and grab your Junie from the Brownie Goose shop starting Friday! And be sure to stop by and share your creations in the Brownie Goose Lovers FB Group!

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!