Introducing Megan Nielsen Sewing Patterns

Back in November I rather failed to tell you about our new pattern designer Megan Nielsen.   Shocking and criminal, I know.  Well, we have just received in her new (and drop dead fantastic) Banksia Top pattern.

Banksia Top

Megan Nielsen is an Australian fashion designer living in the US. She designs the most sweet and feminine clothes.  Just in October last year, after seeing a gap in the market, she released a collection of seven maternity sewing patterns that she had perfected through her own pregnancies.  This has been swiftly followed by two non-maternity patterns which have been taken from her Fall 2010 clothing collection.

Megan Nielsen Maternity Patterns

The Darling Ranges dress is a button front v-neck dress with elbow length sleeves and gathered waistline. Includes large pockets (in my book a dress has got to have pockets) and ties at the back to allow it to be worn in a fitted or loose style.



Darling Ranges Dress

Both dressy & casual the Banksia Top is a great wardrobe addition. Semi fitted with button up placket front, and large Peter Pan collar it also features elbow length sleeves and shaping darts at the bust line.

Swoon!



Sewaholic Renfrew Top - The Perfect Tee

We've had this new pattern from the fantastic Tasia at Sewaholic for a week or so now, and it's set to be a favourite.  Tasia is busy designing a full wardrobe of patterns, and what wardrobe would be complete without your basic tee?

The Renfrew Top has three sleeve options and three neck options which are all mix and match giving a whopping nine different styles of t-shirt.  I didn't even know that was possible!

This top is destined to take the fear out of sewing with knits too, billed as 'the knit top pattern for people who dislike sewing with knits'. Instead of standard machine-stitched hems, the sleeve and body hems are finished with bands. These banded hems are easy to sew and finish the edge in a professional-looking way.

Not sold yet?  Well, go and take a look at the Sewaholic Flickr Pool... they're starting to pop up in there!

Clever Charlotte Sewing Patterns

We have a new pattern design house in the shop!  Clever Charlotte patterns are the creation of Carla and Erin, a dressmaking duo from Ohio.  The patterns are made for girls in sizes 2T-8, and there are currently eight fantastic modern sets to choose from.

Finch Shorts

Kestral Coat - collar unbuttoned

I'm not sure if my favourite is the Raven Hoodie and Pants, the Finch Shorts, or the Kestral Coat.  What do you think?  You can take a look at the full collection here.

Hoarding and Scrap Packs

I've got a crime to admit to.  I've rather been hoarding end of line scraps.  See this big pile here?  This contributes to nearly two years worth of bolt ends.  Yes, I know, something has to be done about it.  All these beautiful fabrics, just sitting there... Criminal.

So, I'm going to let them go in the form of the Backstitch 'Lucky Dip Scrap Pack'.  For the measly sum of £6 you get 100g of delightful fabric scraps from this stack.  100g is somewhere between 0.75m and 1m of fabric.  All pieces are of a useful size - no piece will be smaller than 4 inches wide or 4 inches tall.  You will get between 5 & 15 different prints (depending on their size).  As an example I have taken a photo of the contents of one of the packs.

There's a lot you could do with this bundle of goodness!

And... they all come prettily wrapped, so perfect as a gift too.

A Valentine Card

My husband was working late last night, so I seized the moment and made my valentine card.  I always go for the 'quick and simple, but effective' route and what could be simpler than a couple of hearts embroidered onto a card.  I also embroidered a little heart onto the  envelope... just as a little sneak preview!

I left the tails long and just tied them in a bow at the back.

Have you done yours yet?