Simplicity 1873 Dresses

This pattern was great although I didn't actually make this exact pattern for any of the dresses shown below. I loved the top half but the skirt was really full and had loads of pleats so I basically omitted the side skirt for most of them and drafted another skirt based on the original skirt pattern.

Simplicity Pattern 1873

I really loved the top part of this dress and the cute little pleated sleeves. I ended up using these sleeves on my recent Vogue 1303 dress as well. They are just fantastic and will come in really handy!!

Pleated Skirt using a large front and back piece.

The next two dresses used some of my last fabric from Rathdowne Fabric store in Melbourne. I still have the beautiful fabric that Neeno sent as well as Dixie so I am really wanting to put them to PERFECT use, as seen in my previous Blogging Buddies post.

Gathered skirt using a large front and back piece.

The original skirt minus the side panels.

I have had so much going on lately I am a bit unsure as to what to make next. I will probably go on a little spending spree and buy some new patterns for some inspiration and get me motivated again.

❤❤❤ Erin ❤❤❤

Vogue 1303 Dress

Hooray I have tried another dress pattern! This time I tested out Vogue 1303 and I am so glad I did. I loved this pattern, although I have made some slight adjustments. Also, you may be thinking you have seen this dress on my blog before...you're not crazy, this is my third dress in this material! Burdastyle Panel Dress and also my BurdaStyle 7494 dress.

Vogue 1303 dress

Dress photos are shown below. The changes I have made or added to this dress is adding the sleeves from Simplicity 1873 (small capped sleeves). I have omitted the front slit, but by doing this I had to add two pleats on the front left and right to adjust the bagginess that was left.

I loved the front pleats that run horizontally along the stomach and then also vertically on the front skirt. This is one of Vogue dresses at its best, hardly any alterations and a great flattering fit! Although, I would also recommend cutting a muslin first as the skirt for me was a bit tight. I ended up cutting it slightly bigger than the top. My next version I may also make the back neck line slightly higher.

I would definitely recommend this pattern and as you can sneakily see from my sleeve inside I fully lined it which ends up being a really nice overall dress!

Happy Sewing!

BurdaStyle Roses Dress

I have been sooo hectic lately with wedding organising I have been neglecting my blog a little which I apologise for and I have made myself put some time aside to take some photos. More posts coming very soon for Simplicity pattern 1873 (three dresses in total!).

I ended up having my engagement shoot and I really wanted to wear this red roses dress. However, it was raining pretty heavily on the day and it being white I was worried it would turn see through! So I opted for a black dress instead and luckily because we basically shot in the rain.

Here is some photos anyway, this is the same dress the BurdaStyle Panel Dress and very similar to my Blue Flower Burdastyle panel dress.

Here are some pictures from my actual engagement shoot. I ended up making the pugs some little outfits for the photos they were in from McCall 5998 pattern. However I just made it a bit smaller in height to fit the pugs properly. I am really looking forward to getting the rest of the photos back!

McCalls Pattern M5998

The professional photos with us and the pugs.

Puggies in their engagement photo outfits.

Copy Cat Challenge Winners Announced!!

Firstly I want to thank everyone for participating in my first challenge. It was so great to see all the amazing Copy Cat outfits! It was such a fun challenge for me and I really hope everyone else enjoyed themselves as well.

Also, a massive thanks to BurdaStyle for sponsoring this challenge with a discount to their on-line shop. You are amazing and so supportive of the DIY sewers, so thank you!!!

WINNERS ANNOUNCED BELOW!!

All of the winners will be notified shortly by email. All prizes were drawn at random using an online number selector. Congratulations to all of the winners I hope you enjoy them!!

Showcase of Copy Cat Challenge outfits!

Arianne (Ariation) has made this gorgeous ASOS inspired scalloped maroon dress. 

Although she has made a few copy cats this one was especially for her birthday! Looks so gorgeous & Happy Birthday!

Left Zara Black Shoulder Contrast Top / Right Karen's BurdaStyle top

Karen from 'I will work for fabric' has made this almost identical match Zara top from BurdaStyle pattern #123, which has been in her wardrobe want list for some time! What an amazing copy cat check out the detail on her recent post!! 

Alison from Cats and Crafts has made this gorgeous Turquoise Polka dot dress (bottom) from her Pinterest inspiration board (top images). Alison has been a massive inspiration for me sewing starting her blog around the same time and creating the most gorgeous outfits!! You must check it out!!

Lucia has created this beautiful version of a Christopher Kane dress in Royal Blue.

What a stunning dress I want one!! Lucia has a number of beautiful outfits on

her blog too (some great work outfits) so make sure you check them out!!

This is Andrea's gorgeous version of a Modcloth dress she made last year. If you don't already know of Andrea's blog Four Square Walls then make sure you check it out, she makes some of the most popular outfits (and lots of them). I can guarantee you will find something you love!

I have recently discovered Annie's blog Nine Stitches, through a number of her

BurdaStyle and Pattern Review competition entries. So glad I did because she makes the

most beautiful outfits, they are all so unique and her fabric choices are incredible!

Sunila is a self taught sewer who sews for fun and has created this beautiful white dress with gold thread (right) for her sister-in law. The original inspiration dress (left) was a Zara dress, very impressive!

This dress has lots of careful and creative detailing which you have to see!

The beautiful Judy from Sew Blessed Maw has created this gorgeous orange dress for her granddaughter (left) inspired from Sew Country Chick - Peek a boo Pattern (right). Judy used pattern 6547 from McCalls. Judy has been very busy creating lots of gorgeous outfits for her granddaughters and occassionly she spoils herself. See her blog for more details!

Check out Maude Belle's outfit #2 inspired by The Outsider S02E11.

This outfit only cost her $32 based on designer brands equalling $580+

How amazing is this Retro Copy Cat by Megan from Meggipeg

Megan has also entered the Pattern Review competition so make sure you vote!!

Left Ping's Chelsea Collars vs right Modcloth The Bells of London dress

Check out this dress from Ping at Peneloping she has so many copy cat versions and they are amazing!!

I will be relying on her blog over the next couple of months for inspiration that's for sure.

How rockstar at these pants by Amy from Thats sew Amy!!

Copy cat from Gwen Stefani's 'Settle Down' music video.

Julia Bobbin has a number of Copy Cat garments but I was able to pick one of my

favourite's to post for this challenge. Thanks Julia! This is a beautiful lace dress she made

to copy Michelle Williams Film Festival dress. Check out all her celebrity copy cats!!

Diya is a very talented self-taught pattern drafter and sewer and has created these excellent copy cat outfits. 

The first one is Diya's beautiful blue Jacqui O dress inspired from the BurdaStyle Vintage Modern Book.

The second is Diya's version of a myntra.com skirt which she self drafted to make for a friend. 

How lucky was she!

Rosy has gone above and beyond for this copy of a beautiful cherrie coat by designer Kate Spade.

Rosy also makes a number of New Girl outfits which is one of the many reasons why I love her blog!

Sew Busy Lizzy has made this gorgeous Shappy Apply inspiration dress and she even looks the part!

Lizzy definitely lives up to her name Sew Busy, you must check out all of her *amazing* outfits!!

Perfect fit comfortable pants by Johanna from projectsbyme.blogspot.se

Left is inspiration (House of Lola - happy pants) and Johanna's  Burdastyle trousers.

How lovely is this bathrobe created by Lori at Sew French!!

Sew French Anthropology bathrobe recreated without a pattern.

Left image is courtesy of Cue Clothing  - Right image is iheartfabric dress (Burdastyle Pattern)

My Royal Lace dress (BurdaStyle) copied from my Pinterest board!