Spring into Colour
Did you know that there is a colour palette for spring fashion? Honestly, it's a surprise to me. By the time I feel spring seducing me with the promises of temperate days, extra sunshine and everything getting ready to grow, I'm just ready to wear anything that doesn't involve jeans, boots, cardigans and jackets.
But Pantone (always the trendsetters) release a forecast of colours for spring. And for once, I've decided to pay attention. Of course, the only drawback is that being in Australia, we're about to head into autumn. Nevermind, I'll just consider myself somewhat ahead of the game.
When choosing what to sew for this stop on Sewing By Ti's blog tour, I knew I wanted to sew another matching girl and doll dress for my daughter. She received a new 18" doll for her birthday. A no-name, clothesless one, having trimmed the hair and tattooed her Australian Girl doll (5th birthday present). She named the doll Clementine.
I'd just finished testing Tie Dye Diva's* Clementine dress, and Jen was able to put together a doll version of the pattern (best designer ever!!).
With the pattern sorted, I looked to my most recent order of fabric from Textile Traders, and decided that my pink/lilac flaxen (a linen, cotton blend) was pretty close to the 'Ash Rose' colour from Pantone (there are a few pink/purple shades in the colour trends). This fabric was a dream to sew with. I'm rather pleased that I have another 4 metres of a floral print and a metre of solid purple to play with. I ended up using some spray start for my final press, to try and help keep those wrinkles at bay.
The Clementine dress is a button front dress with the option of a round or sweetheart neckline. Or you can adjust the pattern pieces and place those buttons at the back. There is a placket in the skirt of the dress, and there are options for ruffled, or 3/4 sleeves (and instructions on how to make short sleeves). For the lilac dress I kept it simple with a round neckline and ruffle sleeves, adding in some vintage lace for interest.
In my 'original' gingham version (made during testing), I went for the sweetheart neckline, 3/4 sleeves, and faux underskirt.
To make the doll version, I had the dress do up at the back with Kam Snaps (for easy dressing). I 'sized down' the lace I used in the main version, by trimming it to size (adding seam allowance to the section that I wanted to be visible. I'm pretty happy I went with this option, as it helps to tie the two dresses together, but the lace in its original size would be overpowering on the doll option.
I still remember how excited I was to have clothes that matched my cabbage patch. And I'm really happy to be able to do the same for my daughter. I think she does enjoy playing with Clementine more when they have matching clothes. And any play that doesn't involve endless requests for more screentime is a win in my book. Since I already have a bit of a collection of Tie Dye Diva Patterns, I can see that I'll be picking up some more of the doll versions in the future.
What makes this dress great for spring (or Autumn) is the 3/4 length sleeves. Aren't they just the ultimate trans-seasonal feature! Plus, the linen blend provides a nice breathable fabric that is good for warmer weather too. This version of the dress is a little longer than indicated in the pattern - I cut out the full length skirt, then decided to add the lace, which added a fair bit more length.
After a month of back to back pattern tests and marketing sews, it is fun to sew something up however I feel like - adjusting things on the fly. Of course, sewing for kids gives you a fair amount of latitude - it's a fairly safe bet they'll grow it into it at some point.
So what are your plans for Spring (or Autumn) sewing? Do you wear particular colours in each season? Or do you have 'standard' clothes that you wear depending on the time of the year?
Check out the other stops on this tour for more spring sewing inspiration.
Thursday, March 1st: Sewing By Ti- Intro
2nd: Tenille's Thread
Monday, March 5th: Confessions of the Pink Obsessed
6th: Sewn By Lone
7th: Sewing By Ti, Stylin Stacy
8th: EYMM
9th: Stitched by Jennie
10th: Elli and Nels
Sunday, March 11th: Make it Sew with the Bear and Pea Atelier
12th: Very Blissful
13th: My Heart Will Sew On
14th: Sewing Blue
15th: Seams Like Style
16th: Kate Will Knit
17th: Twinado Alley
Sunday March 18th: Mermaids Den
19th: My Sewing Roots
20th: Our Play Palace
21st: Kathys Kwilts and More
22nd: The Fairy Dust Bin
23rd: Oak Blue Designs
24th: Aurora Designs Fabrics
Sunday March 25th: Flaxfield Sewing
26th: Seams Sew Lo
27th: Ma Moose
28th: Back 40 Life
29th: Auschick Sews
30th: Manning the Machine
31st: Mermaids Den
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. The opinions, sewing and photography are all my own.
But Pantone (always the trendsetters) release a forecast of colours for spring. And for once, I've decided to pay attention. Of course, the only drawback is that being in Australia, we're about to head into autumn. Nevermind, I'll just consider myself somewhat ahead of the game.
When choosing what to sew for this stop on Sewing By Ti's blog tour, I knew I wanted to sew another matching girl and doll dress for my daughter. She received a new 18" doll for her birthday. A no-name, clothesless one, having trimmed the hair and tattooed her Australian Girl doll (5th birthday present). She named the doll Clementine.
I'd just finished testing Tie Dye Diva's* Clementine dress, and Jen was able to put together a doll version of the pattern (best designer ever!!).
With the pattern sorted, I looked to my most recent order of fabric from Textile Traders, and decided that my pink/lilac flaxen (a linen, cotton blend) was pretty close to the 'Ash Rose' colour from Pantone (there are a few pink/purple shades in the colour trends). This fabric was a dream to sew with. I'm rather pleased that I have another 4 metres of a floral print and a metre of solid purple to play with. I ended up using some spray start for my final press, to try and help keep those wrinkles at bay.
The Clementine dress is a button front dress with the option of a round or sweetheart neckline. Or you can adjust the pattern pieces and place those buttons at the back. There is a placket in the skirt of the dress, and there are options for ruffled, or 3/4 sleeves (and instructions on how to make short sleeves). For the lilac dress I kept it simple with a round neckline and ruffle sleeves, adding in some vintage lace for interest.
In my 'original' gingham version (made during testing), I went for the sweetheart neckline, 3/4 sleeves, and faux underskirt.
To make the doll version, I had the dress do up at the back with Kam Snaps (for easy dressing). I 'sized down' the lace I used in the main version, by trimming it to size (adding seam allowance to the section that I wanted to be visible. I'm pretty happy I went with this option, as it helps to tie the two dresses together, but the lace in its original size would be overpowering on the doll option.
I still remember how excited I was to have clothes that matched my cabbage patch. And I'm really happy to be able to do the same for my daughter. I think she does enjoy playing with Clementine more when they have matching clothes. And any play that doesn't involve endless requests for more screentime is a win in my book. Since I already have a bit of a collection of Tie Dye Diva Patterns, I can see that I'll be picking up some more of the doll versions in the future.
What makes this dress great for spring (or Autumn) is the 3/4 length sleeves. Aren't they just the ultimate trans-seasonal feature! Plus, the linen blend provides a nice breathable fabric that is good for warmer weather too. This version of the dress is a little longer than indicated in the pattern - I cut out the full length skirt, then decided to add the lace, which added a fair bit more length.
After a month of back to back pattern tests and marketing sews, it is fun to sew something up however I feel like - adjusting things on the fly. Of course, sewing for kids gives you a fair amount of latitude - it's a fairly safe bet they'll grow it into it at some point.
So what are your plans for Spring (or Autumn) sewing? Do you wear particular colours in each season? Or do you have 'standard' clothes that you wear depending on the time of the year?
Check out the other stops on this tour for more spring sewing inspiration.
Thursday, March 1st: Sewing By Ti- Intro
2nd: Tenille's Thread
Monday, March 5th: Confessions of the Pink Obsessed
6th: Sewn By Lone
7th: Sewing By Ti, Stylin Stacy
8th: EYMM
9th: Stitched by Jennie
10th: Elli and Nels
Sunday, March 11th: Make it Sew with the Bear and Pea Atelier
12th: Very Blissful
13th: My Heart Will Sew On
14th: Sewing Blue
15th: Seams Like Style
16th: Kate Will Knit
17th: Twinado Alley
Sunday March 18th: Mermaids Den
19th: My Sewing Roots
20th: Our Play Palace
21st: Kathys Kwilts and More
22nd: The Fairy Dust Bin
23rd: Oak Blue Designs
24th: Aurora Designs Fabrics
Sunday March 25th: Flaxfield Sewing
26th: Seams Sew Lo
27th: Ma Moose
28th: Back 40 Life
29th: Auschick Sews
30th: Manning the Machine
31st: Mermaids Den
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. The opinions, sewing and photography are all my own.
"Best tester ever" back at you! This color is divine, and your Clementines are beautiful! So smart to cut the lace down to size, I would have been making myself crazy trying to find matching smaller lace, now I know!
ReplyDeleteAs a girl I didn't even dream of having matching outfits with my dolls. What a wonderful and fun thing you can do for you daughter.
ReplyDelete