Love in the Summer Sundress

Love in the Summer with
Namaste Bag and Circular Knitting Cast

The first day of summer has come and gone and it's time to think about warmer summer breezes and days at the beach! Thanks to a student of mine, I was turned on to a great little dress that's begging to be sewn...so of course I couldn't resist and now I'm teaching a class in it this month at The Grove.

It's a free download pattern from SewStylish.com. Granted you have to piece together the printed sheets...but they're clearly labeled and easy to follow. Just clear your living room floor so you'll have lots of room to spread out! It comes in a multiple of sizes and would look good on most body's since it's an empire waist and has a forgiving skirt shape.

I made it in two fabrics from Alexander Henry called Catlin Blooms and Catlin Stripe and the colors look great with the Namaste bag in the picture. Both fabrics and the bag are available at The Grove.

The pattern was originally printed in Twinkle Sews, along with a number of other creative and fun patterns. The book provides the patterns, so it's worth the purchase! The only challenge I had in making the dress was figuring out the bra pieces, but once that was done, the rest fell in place.

Join me this month if you're in town or get the pattern and sew this great little dress!

Creativity + Sewing = Smiles and Success

Thought I'd share with you the great work my students at The Grove did in their classes over the last few months. It's always fun to see someone move from "how do I thread this thing?" to "what's the next project you're teaching?" And I have to say, I've met some very talented students who just needed to have a little help in the "land of sewing"!

The first hour or so is often filled with doubt on whether the seam is sewn right or the gathers are puckered in the right places, and I notice lots of "breath holding - even though the Yoga studio is down the street". Once that's worked through, we start to relax and laugh and see something actually take shape before our eyes!

And here are the results!

Lee, in the Stella Strip Skirt she made standing next to her Mom
with the Stash and Dash Bags they made!

Liz with her colorful Needle Case and Jan putting the "pedal to the metal" on her Case!

Lisa and Michelle, almost done with their Dharma Eco Friendly Bags!


And Stephanie DONE!

Katie, Susan, Rita and Lee proudly showing off their awesome Market Bags!

Come and visit The Grove and sign up for a class...May will have drop in and work on your project classes for those that are "stuck" and in June we'll be having a Twinkle Sews Sundress class, a Summer Top class that combines crocheting with sewing (the crocheting part offered in May) and a Joy Bag class!

Whatever you do, wherever you are....explore your creativity!