Georgia Vintage Dress Pattern from The Cottage Mama: Now Available!

Can I tell you how hard it is to keep a secret from you all? It's the hardest because I just love, love, love sharing with you. I have been working really hard these last several months getting my next collection of sewing patterns ready to go and today I am thrilled to share my first of four new patterns with you! I will be releasing the four patterns over the next several weeks in PDF form and they will all be available in printed, hardcopy form by the end of June.

This first pattern, the Georgia Vintage Dress, is probably the pattern I am most proud of creating since I started designing sewing patterns. I hope you love it as much as I do!

The Georgia Vintage Dress

SIZE 6 MONTH - 10 YEARS 

DESCRIPTION: The Georgia Vintage Dress was inspired by a favorite dress worn by my mother in the late 1950’s. It is a dress with many possibilities and options, yet has timeless classic appeal. View A, the Georgia Vintage Dress, features a piped bib front bodice finished with decorative buttons and sweet pointed collar. The skirt is double layered for extra fullness and has a waist sash that is gathered on the sides for a large bow tied in the back of the dress. Dress closes with buttons on the bodice back. View B is the Georgia Vintage Dress without the bib front. View C, features the Georgia Vintage Dress without the ruffle sleeve and View D, mirrors View A, yet features a single layer skirt. There are so many ways to use this pattern and you will have many opportunities to make it your own.

All design variations have a fully lined bodice and include French seams in the skirt for total comfort for your little one. This is great pattern for confident beginner sewers and offers many ways to get creative with your design!

There are four official variations included in the pattern, but there are so many possibilities! You can mix and match the different pieces to create a truly unique, one-of-a-kind look.

This is my little Matilda modeling the Georgia Vintage Dress, View A in Size 4T. When I photographed her in this dress, she just felt so special and pretty. I could tell by her demeanor. It was a sweet time for us. 

View A, B and D all feature a sweet flutter sleeve. And View C is a sleeveless option that is perfect for the older little ladies or those that aren't a big fan of ruffles.

The front bib detail is trimmed out with piping on the sides and three sweet buttons down the front. You can choose to use any trim you would like in place of the piping or eliminate the trim completely. I can't wait to show you some of the pattern testers versions with different trim options. The sweet, pointed peter-pan collar really adds to the timeless, classic appeal of this dress.

All design variations feature a large bow that is tied in the back of the dress. It is gathered at the sides and makes this dress as sweet in the back as it is in the front.

The Georgia Vintage Dress Pattern is now available for sale in PDF form. If you aren't familiar with PDF patterns, they are patterns that you print on your home computer, tape the pieces together to form the full pattern sheet. The beauty of PDF patterns is that they are available for instant download, so no need to wait to get sewing and you can print them out time and time again (no tracing)! Plus they are a little less expensive then the printed version and you avoid paying shipping. The four patterns that are releasing over the next several weeks are also formatted for our international customers to print on A4 paper. Like I said above, the patterns will be available for sale in print at the end of June, so no worries for our printed paper pattern fans!

I have worked for weeks with an amazing group of pattern testers perfecting this pattern and throughout this next week I will be showing you some of their incredible Georgia Vintage Dress creations. I am always in awe of the talent that surrounds us here in the online sewing community and I think you will definitely be inspired by some of their adorable little dresses.

If you would like to purchase a PDF version of the Georgia Vintage Dress Pattern, you can find it HERE.

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The Cottage Mama Sewing Patterns Now Availlable in PDF / Digital Form!

Just wanted to pop in and let you know that, by popular request, The Cottage Mama Sewing Patterns are now all available in PDF / Digital form at www.thecottagemama.com. I know some of you who were living overseas didn't love having to pay international postage on pattern orders (I don't blame you). And some of you just love to be able to print out the pattern at home and have it right away.

What is a PDF sewing pattern? A PDF pattern is a digital file that you download and you can print out the pattern sheets and instructions on your home computer. It prints out on 8.5'' x 11'' paper and you tape the pieces of paper together to make the full sized pattern sheets. I will warn you; however, that one of the reasons I avoided PDF patterns in the first place is because some of my pieces are very large. A size 10 A-line is a large pattern piece, but if you don't mind putting them together, then it shouldn't be a problem. The nice thing about PDF's is you can put them together, cut out the size you need and if you want to make it again in another size, just print it out and cut out another size......no tracing necessary.

 Charlotte Apron Dress

(SIZE 6 MONTH - 8 YEARS)

Run Around Romper

(SIZE 6 MONTH - 6 YEARS)

Shortcake Reversible Romper and Dress

(SIZE 6 MONTH - 6 YEARS)

Janey Jumper

(SIZE 6 MONTH - 10 YEARS)

Ruby Ruffle Dress

(SIZE 6 MONTH - 10 YEARS)

I am a paper pattern girl at heart, so I will definitely still have the paper versions available for those of you that prefer patterns in that form. But if you love the instant gratification of PDF patterns, those will be available too! You can find all of the pattern available by clicking here.

Also, the blog and website will be undergoing a redesign this summer, so once that happens you will be able to instantly download the patterns directly from the website. It's going to be really nice.....I can't wait!

Finally, I will have a new pattern release coming up in about two months, so stay tuned for some new children's clothing designs. I had to take a break designing patterns this last year while I was writing my book. But the book is turned into the publisher and now I'm back designing individual patterns again!

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Come Sew with The Cottage Mama at The Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion

I cannot even begin to tell you how much sewing has been going on over here at The Cottage Mama. You wouldn't even believe it if I told you.....it has been a lot! You know how much I love to share with you all, but most of it has to be kept as a big surprise until my book comes out next October. But that's the way these things go and it is truly a blessed opportunity. However, I finally have some pieces that I can share with you and I wanted to let you know about a really fun event coming up this February.

Have you heard of the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion? Yes, no, maybe? The Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion is a semi-annual, week long event held in Huntsville, AL that focus primarily on sewing for children. The majority of classes focus on heirloom style techniques, but they have started to incorporate some more modern sewing, adult fashion, pattern drafting and quilting.

Well, guess what? The folks over at the Martha Pullen Company have invited me to teach this February 2013! To say this was an honor is a total understatement. In my opinion, the ladies who teach at this event are the rockstars and legends of the heirloom and classic children's sewing world. Not to mention that Martha Pullen is a legend in her own right. But they invited me. Can you believe it? I am pinching myself to have been given this amazing opportunity, but I am so excited to be part of this community.

I wanted to personally extend an invitation to all of you to come sew with me at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion. I will be teaching three pre-day classes as well as a full, four day school in a Pfaff classroom. The pre-day classes will take place on February 3 - 6 and the four day school will be on February 7-10.

The pre-day classes are each six hours long for one day and we will be sewing one garment from start to finish. My school is a bit different and it is four full days in the classroom with me. We will be sewing six pieces and you will find out every bit of information that is in my brain with regards to sewing......from mixing and matching fabrics, using trims, embellishing, machine embroidery, finishing techniques and more! The event includes meals, special events, not to mention that this will be Martha Pullen's 70th birthday celebration!

When you sign up for one of the pre-day classes or the school, the price includes all the fabrics, trims and patterns. I have chosen to sew all of my classes with the Tilda fabrics from the UK. These fabrics are exclusively sold by the Martha Pullen Company here in the US and I thought this might be a fun opportunity for the students to use these fabrics that they may have not worked with before.

So what exactly will we be sewing? Here are the garments that will be completed during each class and we will be using these exact fabrics and trims. Plus I may have a few extras up my sleeve for my students.

Monday Pre-day Class

Shortcake Double Ruffle Dress

We will be sewing Shortcake Dress pattern by The Cottage Mama with the double ruffle front. I think this dress is going to be perfect for Valentine's Day. Plus your little one will be able to wear it next year as a top. Class is for sizes 6 month through 6 years. More information on this pre-day class found here.

Tuesday Pre-day Class

Ruby Ruffle Dress

This is one of my favorites! The Ruby Ruffle Dress by The Cottage Mama looks beautiful in the Tilda fabrics. Again this dress will grow with your little one as it looks adorable paired with pants next year as a top. Class will be taught for sizes 6 month through 10 years. More information on this pre-day class found here.

Wednesday Pre-day Class

Janey Jumper

We will be sewing the Janey Jumper from start to finish using the beautiful floral Tilda fabrics. Class includes all fabrics and buttons and will be taught in size 6 month through 10 years. More information on this pre-day class found here.

Pfaff School with Lindsay Wilkes

The Pfaff School is the four day school I will be teaching. All students will be provided a Pfaff Creative Sensation sewing and embroidery machine to use for the four days. This will be an amazing opportunity for us to spend four days sewing together. Anything you ever want to learn or know from The Cottage Mama, Lindsay Wilkes, will be learned during these four days together. Again, all fabrics, trims and buttons come as complete kits for all the garments shown.

Here are the pieces that will be completed during the school........

We will be sewing the Charlotte Apron Dress by The Cottage Mama; however, I will be showing you how to make the apron as a separate piece that is also reversible and ties in a big bow in the back of the dress. The apron can be worn with the dress or also used by a little one for pretend play. We will applique the apron and there will be different design options available including the one shown, machine embroidery and several original applique designs by The Cottage Mama.

We will be using the Summer Separates pattern from the Sew Beautiful Collection to construct these darling bloomer capris / pantaloons. These can be worn underneath the apron dress or paired with the ruffle front shirt that we will be making.

We will be focusing on applique and embellishing techniques. Other options will include using machine embroidery and exclusive applique designs by The Cottage Mama.

Finally we will be sewing this darling, bow front twirl skirt that will coordinate with one of the embellished t-shirts. This skirt is fully lined and features french seam techniques. Again, I just adore these Tilda fabrics!

So what do you think? Who wants to come sew with The Cottage Mama at the School of Art Fashion in February 2013? There are a limited number of seats in each class, so if you are interested, I would head over to the website for more information and details. I would absolutely love to spend some time with you all. This also might be a good gift to add to your holiday wish list or how about a getaway with some girlfriends? I hope to see you there!

If you have any questions about the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion feel free to leave a comment or email me at thecottagemama[at]gmail[dot]com.

All Tilda Fabrics can be found at the Martha Pullen Store, just click here.

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Baby Lock and The Cottage Mama

I've been wanting to share my new machines with you for several months and now it's finally time!

Meet the two newest members of The Cottage Mama team.......

 The Baby Lock Ellegante 3 Sewing and Embroidery Machine 

The Baby Lock Evolution 8-Thread Serger & Cover Stitch Machine

I was recently sent these amazing new machines from the folks over at Baby Lock and let me tell you that they are truly "dream machines". I was content sewing on my Brother Sewing Machine (CS6000i) and Serger (1034d), but these Baby Lock machines take things to a whole new level. I kind of feel like talking to them and saying "Where have you been my whole life?" But the truth of the matter is that I just didn't even know some of these fantastic features existed on the higher end sewing machines.

I am thrilled to be working with Baby Lock and to have them here as a sponsor. I will be doing some new tutorials and sewing projects for them over on the official Baby Lock blog, Totally Stitchin' coming up soon. You will be able to find a link to their blog under the sponsors heading in the right side-bar of The Cottage Home.

So let me tell you a little bit more about my new machines.......

First up is the new Ellegante 3 Sewing and Embroidery Machine. I guess you could say Miss Ellegante and I had sort of a 'Love at first stitch' experience when she first arrived. She is so quiet and just purrs along as I sew.....music to my ears.

Here are some of the features on this fabulous machine that I really enjoy:

•  Automatic Needle Threading. Just push the button and in 4 seconds the machine is ready to go.

• Automatic Thread Cutting. Again, just push the button.

• Two Thread Spool Holders

• Drop-In Bobbin

• Low bobbin thread indicator

• Stitch memory library - Great for stitches that you use a lot such as gathering and machine applique. It saves the stitch width, length and tension for easy recall.

• LCD Touch Screen that shows you your actual designs and stitch settings and also has a informational guide included so you never have to pull out the manual!

• On Screen Embroidery Design Editing for combining words, pictures, frames and more.

• 531 Built-In Stitches - Everything from a wide scallop stitch, heirloom stitches to borders and decorative characters.

• 492 Built-In Embroidery Designs - Including 14 different font libraries for personalizing and monogramming, applique embroidery, gorgeous floral and seasonal motifs. I love that you can view the designs in the different size hoops before you actually embroider.

• Gorgeous fonts, including a floral alphabet.

• Direct connectivity to your PC and can be used with external drives (floppy, flash, CD)

• Circular Sewing Attachment to make perfect circles with straight or decorative utility stitches.

More specific details on the Ellegante 3:

So not only did they send me the Ellegante 3, but I also received the Baby Lock Evolution 8-Thread Serger:

This serger is so easy to use. If you're not familiar with Baby Lock, their sergers essentially thread for you and they don't have tension dials to fuss with when you switch stitches.

You see those little holes in the picture above (the ones labeled U, L and C). Well, you put your threads in those holes and the machine sucks them in and threads it for you. It is incredibly cool!

Also, one of the biggest challenges with my other serger was that if I wanted to change out one of the threads or if one of them broke, I had to re-thread the whole thing from start to finish in the appropriate order. Well, not with the Evolution. If I want to just change out the upper-looper, I simply remove it, put the new thread in the hole, push the button and I'm ready to go!

I absolutely love not having to worry about the tension on this machine. I just pick my stitch and the machine knows how to adjust the tension for perfect serging every time.

Here are some more specifics about the features of the Evolution:

To say that I was excited when these machines arrived a few months ago is probably an understatement, I was ecstatic! I can't wait to incorporate more machine embroidery, monogramming, serging and more into my designs. Like I said, these machines are truly a dream to sew on and I am so excited about my partnership / sponsorship with Baby Lock.

Look for upcoming projects and guests post over on the Totally Stitchin' blog (the official blog of Baby Lock Sewing Machines and Sergers). Also if you have any questions about my experience with these machines, feel free to email or leave me a comment.

To keep updated with Baby Lock feel free to visit their website, blog and facebook page.

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