The MISS AUDREY DRESS pattern is ready for Testing!

It's been a long work in progress but I'm so excited to say that my new pattern THE MISS AUDREY DRESS is ready for testing.

You can select from the pleated skirt version.....

Great dress for the Races!

or the gathered skirt version.

I had a lot of people ask me when I was going to sell the pattern to my Audrey Tea Dress and, I suppose, I gave in to popular demand.  So I created THE MISS AUDREY DRESS for you!

It's a beautiful, comfortable and very girlie dress to wear.  You can dress it up for the evening making it out of gorgeous Silk, Satin Silk, even Georgette lined with Silk or a beautiful vintage Lace.  Also, this makes a beautiful dress to wear to lunch dates and also to the office teamed with a beautiful tailored jacket.  The sky is the limit with this beautiful dress.

I created it slightly different to my Audrey Tea Dress to make it easier to fit and make.  It features:

• a panelled front bodice
• A-DD cup sizing - to give you that perfect
• lined or unlined options
• gathered or pleated skirt options
• all-in-one neck and armhole facing
• easy peasy invisible zip instructions
• in-seam pockets
• sizes 6 - 20 (UK/AUS) and 2 - 16 (US)
• intermediate sewing level

Gathered Skirt Version

Pleated Skirt Version

So I'm now wanting testers to do their stuff and make this gorgeous dress come alive!

I'm looking for intermediate sewers who can make a dress with an invisible zip and also have knowledge of lining a garment.  The instructions are very comprehensive with loads of illustrations to follow along.  What you'll get in return for your hard work is:

• a copy of the final pattern
• your photos of your finished dress on my blog to drive more traffic to your site
• to join my affiliate program (which I'm in the process of setting up) to reap the rewards for your efforts
• you'll be featured on my blog as part of the Miss Audrey Dress Blog Tour

Phew!!  So if you are interested in becoming a Tester for me please fill in the form below and I will announce the lucky ladies on Friday, 24th October.

I have 7 sizes so I'm going to pick a minimum of 7 people to test for me but I will go as high as 14 so that will be 2 per size.

Also, I will have a facebook group so we can go over the pattern step by step and help each other with process of bringing the dress to life!  And once I'm ready to launch the pattern I'll be having a Blog Tour to get the pattern out there in the sewing world!

Ok, off you go and enter your details below and I'll let all the lovely talented ladies who will be joining my testing group by email on Friday 24th October.  If you are not chosen please don't despair as I have other patterns just waiting to be tested.

Many thanks lovely ladies!

Sewing on Binding - Part 3

Now that we've sewn on 2 different bias bindings that you use for armholes, necklines and anything that has a curved edge we are now going to do a binding edge that is more just for decorative reasons.  It's a contrast binding around a hem of a dress, top, sleeve, collar etc.  If you missed out on Part 1 and 2 from the last two weeks click here:  Part 1 and Part 2.

This is how I've done the binding edges on my dress hems for  Audrey Lane dresses.  It's quick, easy and finishes the hem off just nicely.

Ok, let's get started!

Cut your binding piece the width of the fabric x 3.2cm/1 1/4" 

DON'T CUT ON THE BIAS THIS TIME.

With the right side of the binding place it onto the wrong side of your garment.  Pin and sew 6mm/1/4" in from the edge.

Turn your garment over to the right side and fold the binding in to meet the edge of the garment.  Iron the binding flat.

Fold over again and pin.  

Make sure you cover up the stitching underneath.

Stitch the binding down on the inside edge.

Here's the finished project......or you can take it one step further...

Make another row of stitching on the outside edge of the binding.  

I always do this with my sewing projects as it gives the binding a crisper finish and looks great!

And that's it EASY, PEASY...... bindings are a great way to introduce contrast and interest to your garment.

Next week we are tackling another type of binding that is great for armholes and necklines!

Sewing on Binding - Part 5

Today I'm going to show you how to sew your bias binding around curves.  This is really great if you have a scalloped hemline on a top, skirt, sleeves or want a decorative edge on tea towels, cushions and other craft items.

This is the last sewing tip in my 5 Part series on sewing bindings.  If you want to view the other 4 posts please click on the links below:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

So let's get started!

Cut your binding on the bias (the same way I demonstrated in Parts 1 and 2) 3.2cm /1 1/4"wide.

Sew your bias pieces together.  Cut away the corners and then iron.

Get your scalloped piece of fabric ready....

With the right side of the bias piece next to the wrong side of the scalloped piece sew a seam 6mm/1/4" in from the edge.

Continue sewing till you get to the inner curve point of the scalloped edge.  With the needle still in the fabric lift the foot up and pivot the foot to be in line with the outer curve.  Continue sewing like this to the end.

This is how the first stage of sewing on your bias piece will look.  

Turn the scalloped piece of fabric over to the right side and fold the bias piece over twice and pin down making sure you are covering the previous stitching.

Stitch the bias piece down sewing on the inside edge.  When you get to the inner curve point make sure the needle is in the fabric before you lift the foot and turn to be in line with the outer curve. Continue sewing like this to the end. 

Voila! you are done!  You've just finished adding a bias binding trim to a curved edge.  Now go and create some more!

I hope you enjoyed this 5 Part series on attaching different bias bindings.  If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email me and I can help you out.

I'll be putting more tutorials together in the future but if there is something you would like to know 'how to do' please let me know in the comments below or by email and I'll put together a tutorial for you.

NEW DIRECTION FOR 1 Puddle Lane - and lots of fun!!!

I'll keep you in a little more suspense and announce on Monday about this exciting and new direction I'll be taking my little biz.  BUT in the meantime I'd love to share with you something fun that's going to be happening on my blog every Tuesday.

I'll be expanding on my Happy Customer feature and will be interviewing them to give you a little more insight into my Happy Customers.  Each week I'll be featuring one little customer and finding out a bit more about them and what they love to do, what's their favourite food etc.  I'm really excited about this feature on my blog and I really hope you love reading it too!

My first interview on Tuesday will be with my very gorgeous model Gabriella and letting you in on her life a bit more and what she loves to do.

If you would like your little one featured in my Happy Customer interview email me at 1puddlelane@gmail.com and I'll send you out some info!