Pattern Sale at JoAnn Fabrics - First Half of December 2010

3 Day Sale

Thursday thur Saturday

December 2 - 4, 2010

McCall's Pattterns - $1.99 each

MSRP $11.25 - $19.95 each

No Special Orders. Limit of 10.

Excludes Easy Stitch 'N Sew

Vogue Patterns - $3.99 each

MSRP $11.95 - $30.00 each

No special Orders. Limit of 10.

Happy Holiday Sewing

from Brambleberry Cottage

I've Been Kidnapped by the Karito Kids. . .

Gracious, it's been quite a while since I've sat down here at the computer to interact with all of you. I haven't dropped off the face of the earth, but I have been immersed in a rather secret project. Finally, today the wrapper came off, and I can finally share the news and my excitment with all the people I love. I have been nearly bursting keeping this little secret to myself.

Since about the time of my last post, I have been adapting some fabulous patterns that Cinnamon Miles, Designer and Founder of Liberty Jane Clothing, had created for 18" American Girl Dolls. Anyone who knows me, knows my love for American Girl dolls and making fashions for them. Then I was introduced to the Karito Kids and have fallen in love with them as well.

When Cinnamon approached me about adapting some designs for the Karito Kids, I was honored and just thrilled to pieces.

So while I REALLY haven't been kidnapped by the Karito Kids I have been knee-deep in the project. Thus far I have adapted pieces for three patterns and am in the midst of the fourth. I have sewn a tank top, 4 tee shirts, 4 strappy tanks, 2 skirts, a pair of leggings, and two pair of jeans for the photos. And I have taken an awful lot of pictures of the completed items.

I have been so busy that no time has been left for blogging, and my Etsy Shoppe is rather poorly stocked these days because I have precious little time to sew things to put in it. Bill and the kids have been so sweet to pitch in around here to pick up the slack of my undone chores. And I could never be doing this without their wonderful help and support.

But, this is something I have dreamed about for half my life. . . to design doll clothes for someone other than myself. And I have to tell you today that I am so excited, and I thank the Lord with every stitch and photo along the way. Cinnamon Miles has been such a dear; I thank the Lord for letting our paths cross. She has shared so liberally!

Sorry for rambling; guess you can tell I'm sort of giddy. Just wanted to say hi, apologize that updates may be scarce for awhile, but at least now you know why. I know not everyone can get excited about doll clothes, and that is one of the reasons why I started the Maiden Flight blog -- to keep my personal/sewing blog from being over-run by my doll designing enthusiasm. I hope you'll overlook my making an exception in this post, but this is really too much to keep to myself. And since it is affecting me so profoundly -- I guess that makes it personal as well.

Anyway here's the cover to the first pattern book. . . that's my doll and I made those clothes. . . I have to pinch myself because this all just amazes me. The patterns will be available in the next week or so at Liberty Jane Patterns.

You can check out Cinnamon's announcement of the patterns to be released here.

Note Added: February 1, 2011 -- 9:05 pm

Although this post is two months old,I have noticed that many web serches about Karito Kids have brought folks to this post. If you are interested in some more things that we have been doing for Karito Kid dolls, please check out our Maiden Flight Clothing blog. I think you will definitely enjoy seeing the fashions and information we have there.

Nanci

A Wonderful Surprise

I'm so excited that I just had to share this pic with you all. Orangeblossom has tried sewing a few projects over the years, but it just never seemed to be something she enjoyed. She had a ton of other interests, but needlework just didn't seem to be one of them.

At the beginning of school this year, she wanted me to sew a shirt like this for her. I told her it was a simple pattern, and I would be glad to help her with it -- but I wasn't going to make the whole thing. It's not that I think that she should love sewing as much as I do, but I do think that every girl should know a few sewing basics like sewing on a button, or hemming something, or (even for economical reasons) to be able to sew a very simple top if needed.

She agreed, and so at the end of August we cut it out and I reviewed a few things she should know about. She got as far as some of the casings, and then her interest in the project waned. I thought, "Well, that's the end of that."

Lately, she has been talking more and more about being a clothing designer. I offhandedly mentioned that she really ought to know about garment construction to go into that field.

Saturday, she spent most of the day in her bedroom, which seemed a little odd to me.

Imagine my surprise when she came down wearing this peasant top. She had decided she wanted to finish it, studied the instructions, and voila. I think she really did a great job on it. And it is probably one of the nicest surprises I have had. I was so happy!!!

In case anyone else is interested, this is the pattern that she used.

Anyway, a very pleased and proud mama had to show you what she'd done. Orangeblossom is one of those kids that once she decides on something, she goes at it full force.

Pattern Sale at JoAnn Fabrics - First Half of November 2010

Boy, I almost missed the information on this one. It took me a little bit to locate it -- it looks like only one brand of patterns is on sale during the first half of November, but it lasts an entire week.

SUNDAY thru SATURDAY

November 7 - 13, 2010

SIMPLICITY PATTERNS

5 for $5

MSRP - $6.95 - 17.95 each

Limit 10. No special orders.

Excludes It's So Easy, New Look, Burda, & Simplicity Books

Thanks "sew" much for stopping by! ;D

Sew with Confidence - Where do I start?

About a week ago, Dana left me a comment in which she asked me this question: ". . . I have visited you from time to time and was wondering if you have any sites/tutorials that would be good for me as a beginning sew-er to look at. My daughter (11) is anxious for me to make the very simple skirt I bought the pattern for. I know some things and have sewn some straight line things (curtains, bags). Any suggestions?"

First of all, Dana, I'm sorry I didn't respond to you more quickly. Time somehow gets away from me these days. Second, I thought this might be a topic that others might be interested in as well, and so, I decided to answer as a post.

I have taught my two daughters to sew when they were younger, and several of their friends, as well as a few adults. Several of them are becoming quite accomplished, steadily progressing in the difficulty of patterns they use.

My first suggestion is this: Always set yourself up for success. Start on projects that have only straight seams, perhaps casing and elastic waistband.. Progress to gentle curves in the next project. Perhaps gathering in the next. You want to walk away from each project with a sense of accomplishment that gives you confidence to do the next step. (I find that one of the biggest discouragements that causes someone (especially adults) to try one sewing project and never, ever try again is choosing a style they love, but the pattern is too difficult for them. They become discouraged and decide sewing is something they don't have the "talent" for. In truth they simply never learned the basics that allow them to eventually tackle a more difficult style.) ALL THAT TO SAY THIS -- START SIMPLE, WORK UP.

My second suggestion is this: A book rather than a tutorial. Why? Because a book is more portable, it can be taking right to the sewing machine. It's more easily referenced.

The book that I suggest is Sew with Confidence by Nancy Zieman. I have bought this soft covered book for my own daughters and also for a couple of their friends. It is a beginner's guide to basic sewing with lots of clear insructions and illustrations. It's a great reference book. The ISBN # is 0-87349-811-9. Here's a picture of the cover.

Nancy Zieman, learned to sew through 4-H when she was younger, and has now written the manual that is used by young girls in 4-H. However, this book is great for any beginner -- young or old. This and your sewing machine manual can get you started on your road to sewing well. I've always felt that she explained things simply and understandably in her books.

In the back of this book their are a few very simple projects such as the one shown above. There are also one for gift bags (good project with Christmas closing in).

I hope these suggestions have been helpful to you. If you have further questions, just comment and I'll try to answer them for you.

Pattern Sale at JoAnn Fabrics - Last Half of October 2010

Thursday through Saturday

October 17 - 23, 2010

McCall's Patterns -- 99 cents each

MSRP $11.25 to $19.95 each

Limit 10

No special orders

Excludes Easy Stitch 'N Save

Thursday through Saturday

October 28 - 30, 2010

Butterick Patterns -- $1.99 each

MSRP $10.95 - $19.95 each

Limit 10

No special orders

Excludes See & Sew

Vogue Patterns -- $3.99 each

MSRP $11.95 to $30.00 each

Limit 10

No special orders

Pattern Sale at JoAnn Fabrics - First Half of October 2010

In a continuing effort to cut costs, I try to reuse patterns, and if I do have to buy a new one, I try to buy it when it's on sale. You know the old adage, "A Penny Saved IS a Penny Earned." Here are the sale dates for patterns at JoAnn Fabric Stores for the first half of October 2010. If you have a costume sewing project you're thinking about, check out your local Jo Ann Fabric store for your pattern on the dates listed below.

FRIDAY - MONDAY

OCTOBER 8 - 11, 2010

Simplicity Patterns - 99 cents each

(MSRP $6.95 - $17.95 ea.) Limit of 10

No Special Orders - Excludes "It's So Easy", New Look,

Burda & Simplicity Books

* * * * * * * * *

THURSDAY - SATURDAY

OCTOBER 14- 16, 2010

Butterick Patterns - 99¢

(MSRP $10.95 - $19.95 ea.) Limit of 10

No Special Orders - Excludes See & Sew

Y What will you be sewing?

Nanci