Aunt Colors soon releasing her first pattern Kylie!

Aunt Colors designer, Heather Doak, allowed me to be a tester on her first soon to be released pattern Kylie! 

Heather has made a great pattern to make a super girly twirly dress out of scraps! I had no need to buy fabric to make this dress. I used 77 different fabrics! I do believe after I fluffed my scraps they grew...lol...After cutting all my scraps to the correct size I closed my eyes and picked the squares to sew together! No need to worry about what square goes where! This dress reminded me so much of the scrappy quilts my mom had stitched together years ago. In this dress there are scraps from quilts I had made my grand daughters mom and siblings in years past. 

Her directions are straight forward. No pattern pieces to print. All you need is a cutting mat, rotary cutter to get started. Having a serger does make this dress easier to construct but is not necessary. As she discuss in the directions ever a lower end model serger works great. I used a lower end model Singer serger that is about 20 years old and it performed well! Having a ruffler foot does help! But, if you don't have a ruffler foot there are other ways to tame those ruffles! Lots of times I use a thicker quality invisible thread for my top thread and regular thread in the bobbin. I set my stitch length to the longest setting and adjust my tension. It gathers beautifully and the invisible thread normally does not  break when adjusting the gathers! There are no seams to match when gathering the 3 tiers together.

The dress pattern is available in sizes 2T-girls size 14!

My model loved the great twirl factor of this dress!

As always Cranberry Ridge Design looks froward to making your one of a kind dress! Please email me! 

Till next pattern testing!

Connie

Handmaiden's Cottage Releases New Picnic Petticoats Pattern with Sale Pricing and Sale Codes!!!

The Handmaiden's Cottage released the Picnic Petticoats pattern today! I was chosen to test this girly pattern along with the 18" doll.

I made the size 4 for my model. She wears a size 4 or 5 in ready to wear garments. The size 

4 is a great fit!  Loved this sweet dress and the dolly dress.  My model for the dolly dress was an 18" doll from a big box store.  Great easy sew with great directions. Loved how Lynn, the designer, went into great detail about using the gathering foot! She uses a 1/2” seam allowance for most seams. I have used the wide ric rack on dresses before but always sewed a seam though the middle of the ric rack. Never thought about stitching both edges like she showed! :) Her directions are spot on with lots of great clear color pics.

This is a great pattern to use all those left over scraps. I actually had been hoarding the Michael Miller Dick and Jane fabric from several years back to make the dress. the other fabrics were scraps.

As you can see below the dress has lots of fullness so your princess can twirl! Little girls love the twirl factor!

The dress is designed in a reverse knot fashion. This is one buttonhole in the back bodice to lace the shoulder straps though to make the pretty bow.

On the Etsy listing Lynn has included a pic which includes fabric requirements and finished dress measurements. I love when I can see how much fabric I need before I buy a pattern. Because I am a gal that likes to sew late at night, knowing the fabric requirements helps me decide if I want to buy the pattern to sew up at midnight!

Lynn is available to answer questions by email or join her Facebook group The Handmaiden's Cottage. You can follow her on her blog also.

The pattern is sale priced at $6.00 until Monday 5/26/2014. regular price is $10.00. 

Lynn also has added some coupons that will be ongoing! WOW!!! Save 10% on purchases of $20.00 with the code 10FOR20. Save 15% on your purchase of $30.00 or more with coupon code: 15FOR30.

As always if you would like Cranberry Ridge to sew up this special dress for your princess please email me!

Till next testing time, 

Connie

Create Kids Couture releases Clover pattern and its on SALE!!!

Create Kids Couture has released the Clover pattern for sizes 6-12 months though girls size 8. It was released today and will be on sale for a limited time!

The pics were all so darn cute I couldn't decide which ones to use!...lol

Now on to the pattern review. :)

I made the maxi in a 12-18 month. The pattern has 3 length options top, dress or maxi. It is shirred all around the waist. Come on now ladies and gents shirring is a breeze! Once you do it you will come back for more, I promise! :)

I can see my model wearing this sweet dress into early fall. Just pair it with a sweater or cute lace top underneath. But for these warm summer months it will be worn sleeveless and with a pair of cute sandals on those sweet piggies! 

And remember I would love to create a Clover for your little one! You can email me at cranberryridgedesign@gmail.com.

Tell next pattern testing review, 

Connie

Handmaiden's Cottage Swing Dress

I just made the Swing dress from the Handmaiden's Cottage. Positively in love with this dress!  The pattern comes in sizes 6 months though girls size 8. This sweet dress is perfect for little girls that loves to twirl! 

The sleeves are a doubled layer flutter sleeves with lace on the top sleeve. Elastic is inserted though a casing on the inside of the dress to make the girly ruffle at the top of the dress. There is a double layer of ruffles attached to the bottom of the dress then a ruffle attached to the top to make the dress even more girly! You can shorten the ruffles for a shorter length dress.  I did put elastic in the casing under the arm for a better fit. 

Lynn's patterns are well written with very detailed instructions and color pics! If she made the directions any more clear she would be making the dress for you!!....lol....I love how she uses 1/2" seam allowances. I am not a big fan of 1/4" seam allowances. :) She has top stitching on the side seams giving the dress a professional finish! 

Join Lynn Jeffries, designer of Handmaiden's Cottage, on her blog! 

Matching bloomers also available!

Please message me if you would like Cranberry Ridge Design to design your swing dress!

Till next pattern review!

Connie

Create Kids Couture Releases Jonathan's Swim Short Pattern!

Create Kids Couture released Jonathan's Swim Shorts Pattern today!! I was chosen to test this pattern and had one excited boy to wear the sharks!! He even has the band aids to show that he had shark damage!.....lol

This pattern comes in sizes 6-12 months to boys size 8. Instead of lining like the store bought swim trunks these are fully lined making them more comfortable for your guy! Sizes 3 even allow enough room for a swim diaper!

You can add pockets with Velcro closure on the flaps that close over the pockets. CKC has even added eyelet buttonholes to the pockets to allow the water to drain! He can even store seashells!

 

This is a fast sew! Geared to the intermediate sewer but I think if you are a beginner you won't have any problems with this pattern! But, if you do have problems join the  Create Kids Couture Facebook page! Lots of helpful people in the group! The designers are even there to help out with questions!

The pattern is on sale now and with a discounted price until 7PM EST 5/13/2014!

Till next testing!

Connie

Create Kids Couture releases Elise's Everyday Princess Dress Pattern!

CKC released Elise's Everyday Princess Dress pattern today! It will be on sale until 5/9/2014 at 7PM EST!

The pattern comes in 6-12 month though girls size 8.

I had the pleasure of testing the 6-12 month version.

Your daughter and special customers will love the everyday princess dresses you will be able to create with this pattern designed for intermediate seamstresses! Let your imagination soar with this dress! The cape can be made detachable. I chose to made might so it may be taken off. It has little loops on the dress and then it is attached with ribbon to the loops. Looks great in any color and lots of combinations of fabrics! The ideal fabrics for this dress are 2 way stretch thin or sheer knit for the bodice, woven or satin for the princess bodice and skirt. Cape can be made with any lightweight material. 

Till next testing time. 

Connie

 

CKC releases Elliette's Boutique Apron Skirt

Create Kids Couture released Elliette's Boutique Apron Skirt today! I had the pleasure of testing the 6-12 months size! I paired this sweet skirt with  the Vintage Luxe Alpha applique design on the tee  from Hang to Dry Applique!

The skirt pattern is labeled for beginning sewers. The directions as always are clearly written with great pics!

The pattern comes in sizes -12 months to girls size 8.

CKC patterns are PDF's with instant download. The skirt pattern is on sale until 5/7/2014 at 7PM EST.

As always Cranberry Ridge Design is happy to make a custom outfit for your sweetheart! You can order this custom outfit from Etsy!

Till next testing time!

Connie