How To Line the Chloe Cardigan

The Chloe Cardigan was initially designed for the use of a stable, knit fabric.  It didn't even cross my mind to use a woven fabric until I presented it my testing group and was then asked the question.  To make sure I wasn't lying to them, I quickly made one in a woven cotton and made the following little jacket (it's not really a cardigan anymore, is it?).

As we are now in winter in Australia and some parts are colder than others, Kristy from Charlie Patch Creations made her test version with lining.  She sized up to allow for the extra layers and made such a cute jacket.

So how do you line your own version of the Chloe? 

Firstly, you'll need fabric for your outer and fabric for your lining.  I would recommend making at the very minimum one size up depending what fabrics you have chosen.

You will need to cut out all the pattern pieces in both the outer and lining fabrics, EXCEPT for the front and back facing pieces as you won't need those.

And one of the best things about lining the Chloe is that you don't need to finish any seams, you can just trim them instead.

Follow the instructions of the pattern from STEP 1 to STEP 8 for both the outer and the lining.  If you are having a collar, complete STEP 10 to STEP 11 for the outer fabric only.  Make sure you also complete STEP 15 for the outer fabric.
You'll now have two jackets (I've used piping as a contrast on my outer jacket as it's an 8oz denim and was looking a little plain).

 With rights together, pin the lining to the outer jacket, ignoring the sleeves.

Stitch around the edge making sure your sleeves are out of the way and you leave an opening somewhere along the bottom edge so that you can pull the jacket to the right side once complete (but not yet!).

I like to use this method for the sleeves.   It's a little tricky and can be fiddly but I think it's worth it in the end.  You need to line up the edges of the sleeves with right sides together.  Start by matching the sleeve seam and slowly work your way around the sleeve.  Stitch together.

Your jacket is going to look a little strange once you've sewn the sleeve and you may even wonder how this is going to all turn out the correct way, but stay with me!

With the opening you left in the bottom of the jacket, carefully reach in and pull the jacket out to the right side.  When you pull the sleeves through, they will be perfectly hemmed and no top stitching required.

With your jacket now the right side out, give it a good press and complete STEP 17 to STEP 20 giving you a lined Chloe Cardigan/Jacket.

The Penny Dress PDF Pattern

Earlier this year, (and late last year) I had the absolute pleasure of working with Jen from One Thimble, with the inclusion of one of my patterns, the Penny Dress PDF Pattern.

As well as a recent update of her website, Jen has also just released the latest edition of One Thimble which means that the Penny PDF Pattern now reverts back to my store.

The pattern ranges in size from 1 (18m) right through to size 10 and features front pockets and a back button closure.

You can find the pattern in my shop in the tab above :)

chestnut pants

Do you remember my recent Instagram post of the pants I was making with the upside down cherries?  Well now I can finally share what I was making...

I was fortunate to pattern test recently for these fabulous slimline pants called the Chestnut Pants from Angela at Crafting Zuzzy. 

Even though Emily is now 2, her waist is quite slim so I made the 12-18m size and just tightened the elastic by about 1/2 inch.  I didn't need to touch the length at all.

The pants have a flat front waist and elastic in the back.  They also come with two different back pocket options.

My plan was to put red piping around the pockets, but that meant a trip to Spotlight with a 2 year old, so I skipped it!

And anyone that has tried to photograph a toddler will know that you need to give them something to hold...today's effort was a biscuit!

These pants are perfect for my busy toddler and I love the slimline legs!  I will be making many more of these for Emily as its such a quick and easy pattern.

Angela has a competition running on the Pattern Revolution site where you can win your own copy of this pattern, otherwise grab your copy from either Etsy or Craftsy.

Oh, and you didn't really notice the upside down cherries, did you?!?

How to Sew a Facing to a Sleeveless Bodice

When I first started designing the Penny Dress, I wanted little shoulder ruffles but I also wanted to have a facing (or lining) for the bodice only which gave me a construction problem as there is no back seam to this dress.

I know of the method of sewing a facing and leaving a shoulder unstitched to be able to pull it all through, but this method would not allow for the shoulder ruffles I wanted.

After searching and searching, I asked in a pattern designing group if there was a possibly different construction method that I could include my shoulder ruffles and the answer was YES!

The method was shown to me in pictures with an explanation, but being a visual person, I really needed to test this out quickly as I was like, whaaaaaat????

I did it slowly thinking that there was no way this was going to work, and it was seriously like a light bulb moment...something that seemed couldn't possibly work, was in actual fact quite easy!

So this is the method you will find in the Penny Dress PDF Pattern but you can certainly use this method for other designs as well. 

Once you try it, I think you'll be hooked...check out this YouTube clip for a clearer explanation.

Next Pattern Release - The Penny PDF PAttern

I am so excited that the next pattern to be released for Bubby and Me Creations, the Penny PDF Dress Pattern, will be through One Thimble!  For those that are not familiar with One Thimble, it's a digital sewing magazine (e-zine) made by sewing enthusiasts for sewing enthusiasts.  

Over the next few weeks, before the e-zine is released, I will share with you some gorgeous creations made by my fabulous team of pattern testers.

Make sure to mark the 13 February in your diaries as that's the release date for the next edition of One Thimble!

The Penny Dress features gathered pockets in the front with the same design lines in the back.  The back also features a placket and button loop closure.

This first one is made using the beautiful Michael Miller Wee Wander border print.  How well does this pattern work with a border print?

This next dress is made using fabric from the Cotton and Steel Mustang range and, although a little hard to see, those small dots are actually gold metallic. 

I have another that features piping that I will share soon, once I can get some nice photos of my little miss wearing it!