Pattern Review - Mae by Bit Of Whimsy Dolls

This sweet doll pattern has become my go to doll for auction submissions! She always gets lots of attention and has raised some of the greatest, single-item amounts of my donations. I of course love that, since the purpose of supporting fundraisers is to help raise money! :)

Let me introduce you to the Mae pattern by Bit Of Whimsy Dolls.

I've shared the Mae dolls here before. You might remember the ABC Sister Dolls we made this past summer.

They are still very much loved by my girls!

We've also shared about other Bit Of Whimsy patterns including the Squirrel and Koala, and have purchased others that we've yet to make. Soon we hope! We love the sweet character and well, "bit of whimsy" that each design has. The patterns all provide easy to follow, step-by-step photos and instructions for the entire sewing process. My one suggestion when working with these patterns is to add a little extra seam allowance to the pattern pieces, particularly if you aren't used to sewing and turning small doll parts. The patterns suggest that the seam allowance is incorporated into the pattern pieces, but we've found the little extra to make a significant difference.

This extra bit of fabric is an easy add on and has provided a more positive sewing experience for me & my girls. :) Before adding this, there were a few tears of frustration and disappointment shed, and that's not how I like to spend my sewing time with my girls! ;)

We've gotten a great response from every one of the dolls we've made!

The finished doll is about 14" from head to toe and offers a removable skirt. You can purchase additional clothing patterns for them too. Their faces have been hand embroidered. The hair is made from felt and I added little ribbon ties to their ponytails. The clothing can all be made using scraps from other projects....gotta love that!

These little sweeties will be a part of the auction submissions I'm contributing to Love Without Boundaries for the 2012 art auction. If you'd like to find out how you can contribute to the art auction, more information can be found here.

If you'd like to try out a Bit Of Whimsy Dolls pattern, she offers several free plushie patterns here.

Happy Sewing!

Pattern: Mae by Bit of Whimsy Dolls

Fabric: Skin/Kona cottons, Hair/felt, Clothing/Various scraps from other projects

Pattern Review - Double Ruffle Halter Dress by Seamingly Smitten

Oh this is a fun dress! 

It's a fun dress to sew and adorable on, so I say bring on the SUN!!! My little sweetie is going to be decked out in ruffly, twirly cuteness for sure! :)

 This is the Double Ruffle Halter Dress by Seamingly Smitten Sewing Patterns  

The pattern has just released for purchase and is a BREEZE to put together! The step-by-step instructions are very easy to follow and provide lots of photos to help along the way.  As you should with all patterns, ahem....I say should because I'm the worst at this!....it is best to read through all of the instructions first. The assembly of this sweet dress is very easy, but it is also likely to be very different than other similar patterns you may have sewn. It was for me. I love when a pattern teaches me new techniques while I'm sewing from it!

I did the criss-cross front straps on this dress and love the look! The great big bow the straps make in the back just makes this sweet dress too! Won't this be perfect at the beach!?

It was truly so quick and easy to assemble, and I loved the finished dress so much....as did my little one who wanted to wear it in spite of the fact that it is still "winter" here! I had to make another! This time in softer colors and with a couple variations.

 This time I also spaced the straps out on the front as the pattern offered as an alternate option. I also did rolled hems on my ruffles in pink. It's kind of hard to see in this picture, but I love the little extra touch it added!

The pattern offers a size range of 6 months - 8 years. I would consider it a perfect beginner pattern that will provide results any seamstress would be proud of!

Would you believe I've already selected the fabric to make another! lol! 

I love sewing and patterns like this that make it even more fun!

 You can get the Double Ruffle Halter Dress pattern in the Seamingly Smitten shop here.

Pattern: Double Ruffle Halter Dress by Seamingly Smitten Sewing Patterns

Fabric: Dress 1 - Flip flop print/Michael Miller, Black & White pindot from my stash

Dress 2 - Bear print from my stash, Gingham from Darla/by Tanya Whelan, Polka Dot "Dottie" by Moda

Seamingly Smitten - New Sponsor & Giveaway!!!

Hopeful Threads is very gratefully feeling the sponsor love!

Today, I welcome our newest sponsor, Seamingly Smitten Sewing Patterns!
I recently had the privilege of testing one of Jenny's newest patterns and can't wait to share the results with you tomorrow when the pattern releases for sale! But until then, how about a little fun?

Seamingly Smitten has an awesome giveaway for you!

2 Winners will receive $25 shop credit each to the Seamingly Smitten etsy shop!

Since I had such a great response to the Rafflecopter entry option, we're going to use that again for this giveaway, so follow the prompts below to enter as many ways that you'd like.

FREE Bear Softie Sewing Links!

Being that the Teddy Bear is the No. 1 classic softie, I thought it appropriate that it be the first one I highlight! :) 

Here's a collection of a few different bear softie patterns/tutorials that are offered for FREE!

Beauregard Bear by Sis Boom

Teddy Bear by How Joyful

Print & Sew Bear by Skip To My Lou

If you want to check out a HUGE list of all kind of free softie tutorials, visit Sewing Support here. I'll highlight a few of my favorites throughout the month!

Have fun sewing!!!!

Elysium Pattern WINNERS!

What a fun, fun giveaway with lots of great response! 

Thank you Elysium!

Great response to the Rafflecopter entry option too! And wow! It made it so much easier for me too! You can see the winners listed on the Rafflecopter Widget here, and each winner has been emailed.
Now, the winners who get THREE patterns of their choice EACH!

Entry #85Erin S.

Entry #22lee

Entry #18Cecillia

Congratulations to you all! You each should have an email in your inbox from me, please respond within 48 hours and I'll put you in touch with Elysium to have your PDF patterns sent right over!

By the way....Elysium currently has a coupon code on their facebook fan page for those of you who might be interested! :) Thanks for welcoming Elysium as a new sponsor and participating in this fun giveaway! Happy Sewing!

Monthly Project Announcement - March 2012

There are few things that bring such comfort and companionship to a child as a plush toy. 

My children all love their stuffed toys!

And when those soft friends have been especially handmade just for them....even better!

For March's Monthly Project, we will be making a collection of plushies, softies, stuffed toys for the children in our community. We have personal connections to both the foster care system and the Children's Hospital in our area, so depending on how many are made, one or both is where we intend to donate them. We encourage you to look within your own community for an opportunity to give in this way, I'm sure there are many! However, if you don't have a specific outreach to contribute to, we will share a few this month and of course welcome yours to join ours to be given to one of the 2 options mentioned above. 

To highlight the 2 we've chosen.....

Children brought into the US foster care system often come with very little, if anything, of their own. The transition into foster care is often very traumatic and the adjustment period can be lengthy. Something as simple as a plush toy to call THEIR OWN is meaningful in a far greater way than I can adequately express. This small token can provide comfort and security when nothing else can. It matters. It matters in a big, big way!

Children spending time in the hospital are also facing uncertainty and possibly even pain and fear. The comfort a soft friend, who can go with them wherever they go, is again immeasurable. As a mama of 5 littles, I have had my own experiences with our local Children's Hospital. I can't say enough good about the care that we've received! One thing that stood out most from one of our visits....a stuffed friend given to my, at the time, very sick, little boy by the staff. Not only did it cheer him, it touched his weary and worried mama to have someone show tangible, playful care for him this way. It matters. It matters in a big, big way.

Throughout the month I will share a variety of links to free plush toy patterns and tutorials. I will also share pattern reviews for some softies I have made and love! I hope you will join us!

Monthly Finale - Recap & Opportunities

I wanted to offer a quick recap of opportunities to support Fundraising that we have discussed this month. Feel free to leave a comment with any other fundraising opportunities you are personally aware of and remember to look for opportunities to use your personal gifts and talents to give back!

UPCOMING AUCTIONS

These auctions could use and would welcome your donations of hand-crafted items.

Love Without Boundaries Art Auction - Submissions due by April 1, 2012

Hidden Treasures "Tiniest Unroe" Auction - Open April 1-7, 2012

EXTRA SEWING OPPORTUNITIES

Bibs for Cleft Surgery Trip

Blankets for Project Linus

FUNDRAISING FAMILIES

 The Peduzzi Family

Ten For Orphans
Claire Bear

Team Ashley - Choose Joy Auction

BUSINESSES GIVING BACK

Just Love Coffee 

 Assisting Adoption - Thirty-One Products

Delicate Fortress

 Be A Voice

Create H.O.P.E. Designs
Assunta Store

Because....Every Stitch Matters!