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 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.

Exciting new Market Night .....

A lot of people have been approaching me in regards to ordering my new Blossom Party dresses and I was just going to take orders once a month at my Market Nights on my facebook page but then thought it may not suit some of you who are wanting a special dress for a special occasion coming up soon.

So, I've compromised.  Here's what will be happening:

• You can order your gorgeous new Blossom Party anytime now.  But I will only be ordering fabrics once a week so I can put in a bulk order that way it keeps cost down for you and postage costs from America down for me.  
• I will still be having my Market Nights every 4 to 6 weeks for those that want to order then.  

So, what's this sweetener I speak of????  Call me crazy but I'm going to give 1 dress away at my Market Night.  Yep, you heard right!  I just love making these gorgeous dresses and making you lovely ladies looking and feeling fabulous.  My mission is to have as many ladies as possible in my Blossom Party dresses.

BUT WHAT'S THE CATCH.....I hear you whisper in capital letters?  

• You need to order on the night only and then have your payment, fabric option, price option etc.....in other words, EVERYTHING, done by the fourth day AFTER my market night.  On the fourth day I will announce the winner of the free dress and give them a FULL refund.  I will pick the winner.....it won't be a random pick.  So you need to do everything possible to be noticed by me.  That could mean commenting a lot on my page and blog, do shout outs before and after the market night etc.  So get your thinking caps on and get creative so I notice you!
• I will only have 20 custom spots available.  So it will be on a first in basis.

Do you want to know how you can secure your custom spot early at my next Market Night?

• Join my VIP customer email list and you can shop half an hour before the public.

So, that's it.....that's my exciting (a tad crazy) news.  If you have any questions or want to suggest more fabric options or any ideas you might have please contact me via email.

Oh! and the next Market Night will be Wednesday 28th March, 8pm Qld time (7:30pm Qld time for VIP customers) on my facebook page.

I hope to see you all there.