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.

Sewing on Binding - Part 4

This next binding I'll be showing you is not a decorative binding, it is more a functional binding.  It's great if you don't want to sew on a bulky facing on your armholes and sleeves.  It's fast and easy and looks really great!

But if you do want it to look decorative just reverse my instructions.  So instead of sewing the binding onto the right side and turning over and finishing off on the wrong side you'd sew the binding onto the wrong side and turn it over and finish off on the right side.  Very versatile!

So let's get started!

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

Fold bias binding in half and iron. 

Attach your binding to the right side of your garment and sew together .6cm/1/4" stretching the binding ever so slightly.

Now clip into the seam about every cm/1/4" depending on the curve of your seam.  Making sure you don't cut the stitching.

Fold the bias binding over and top stitch on the binding.

Now fold the binding over to the wrong side and stitch down on the edge of the binding.

And that's it, you're done!

Another great way to finish off your armholes, pockets, necklines and even hems.

Next week I'll be showing you how to attach a binding to a scalloped edge!

NEW PRODUCT - Blossom Party Skirts for you Gorgeous Mumma's

I've been wanting to create something gorgeous for all you Mumma's out there.  I thought it was time for you Mumma's to treat yourselves to something nice.  And after a quite a few months of designing, sketching, tweeking I've created this gorgeous Blossom Party Skirt.  I absolutely love my new skirt it is so beautiful to wear and every time I wear it it makes me feel very girly!   Pop on a white or coloured tee with a wide belt and off you go for the day looking very feminine!  The weather is already starting to warm up in parts and I just want to embrace it with a cool and girly skirt.

The Blossom Party Skirt features either a gathered or pleated skirt.....my skirt is pleated.......a side zip,  waistband and button.  Each skirt will be CUSTOM MADE just for you so all I need is your waist measurement.  It comes with a standard length of 85cm (25") just below the knee but if you need it longer it will cost a few more dollars.  I have a fabric album on my facebook page for you to choose the skirt that's just right for you.  But if you already have fabric in mind, that's great, just let me know!  I will have more style ideas for this skirt just in time for summer.  The Blossom Party Skirt is priced from $58.

I just love my gorgeous new addition to 1 Puddle Lane and it will be available for order in October.  Pre-orders are very welcome too....so you can secure your order early!

Please let me know what you think....I would love your feedback.