Grand Revival Designs

Pleat Crazy-Pleated Wrap Skirt

 


There seems to be a theme emerging these last few posts. I've got pleats on the brain obvously. I love the design of this skirt because it's classic, versatile, super easy to make, can be made to any size and because it's a wrap skirt it will fit a little girl for a couple of years. I'll have a tutorial up soon for this and in addition to the clutch with the pleating detail, I have yet one more tutorial in my mind for a pleated skirt made from outgrown kids leggings. I think I'll give pleats a rest at that point, for a while anyway.

xoxo

t

Summer Sewing

Just a little weekend sewing. I did decide to get a new machine, WHY DID I WAIT?!?! I know why, cause I'm cheap...but I am soooo happy with the new machine. No more is my thread breaking every two minutes for no apparent reason, maybe because the new thread holder thingy lies on it's side, it doesn't get caught under the spool anymore? Don't know, but I am happy as can be with my new gadget. I'm converting all Ava's outgrown jeans into skirts for summer, a totally satisfying thing for me. Save money and make something pretty, yippee. I think the little halter top I made for A came out really cute, maybe I'll put a pattern up in the next couple of weeks. Thanks all for the birthday love, I spent it sewing and watching DVD's, that's all I did all day, which couldn't have made me happier.

Wanted to answer a question I've been getting about the Ava Rose collection. I think it's supposed to start shipping in late June/early July to retailers (not 100% sure cause I just design it and the sales team at Free Spirit/Westminster handles the rest). But the best thing to do is call your local store and ask them if they've ordered it and when they're expecting it. I'll try to get a more definitive answer up in the side bar soon. And the new patterns will start to ship in about 3 weeks and I'll have a list of stores up when that happens. Sorry for more slow pokedness in answering these. Talk to ya soon....

Time On My Hands?!?

Can you tell I have time on my hands after finishing my project? Thought I'd put it to good use a make a present for a friends little one. Posted the pattern on the right under Free Grand Revival Patterns.

Also, finally posted the link to the Barefoot Roses and Flea Market Bag Flickr group. I know a lot of Barefoot Roses is being sold out there in the world but I don't get to see projects made with it nearly enough. So join the group, I'm dying to see what you make with it!

Winner and Quick n Easy Girls Winter Hat Pattern

Congratulations to Smileykylie for winning the 10 half yards of Barefoot Roses! Thank you all so much for taking the time to enter and say something nice. I have to say, you girls are just all so incredibly nice!!! I'm astounded and touched every day at the lovely comments people leave on my blog and so many others. It's just such a lovely supportive place, this crafty blogging world, and I'm so glad I found it and started this thing. Every single one of your comments is like a little gift, so just thanks to you all.

I made this little cloche like hat for Ava this week. So totally easy, I swear after cutting it took about 20 minutes to put together. I made it from that minky stuff and it's fuzzy on both sides so it's super soft and warm. And I love that it doesn't require a lining which I find to be the most annoying part of making a hat. So, I posted another PDF in 2 parts, hat directions and hat pattern, all the way down on the left, the last 2 downloads under Free Patterns. All the free patterns are over there in the right column under Free Grand Revival Patterns. I want to make a hundred of these now, that's how I get when I really like something I've made (usually I just make 4 or 5, get bored, and move on to something else). Talk to you soon... 

Saint Nick's Stocking

I know, I know, it's only November, so what's with the Christmas stuff? Well, it's nice to start thinking about it so it doesn't get too crazy at the last minute, not that I ever start thinking about it early. But, just in case you are that sort of organized person I thought I'd post a pattern for these stockings.

My mom made these for us a few years ago. Two are missing, just couldn't find em in my mess of an attic today. I drew the shape I wanted cause I couldn't find any elfy shaped stockings at the time, and she designed em with all those beautiful details that she's a genius with. Seeing them hanging empty for a week or so before Christmas and then watching the kids tear through em Christmas morning is so lovely, especially knowing the love and care my mom put into them. I sometimes make these stockings for girlfriends and stuff them with girly stuff because I think women, especially mothers think about others before themselves and though they may have made or bought special stockings for their kids, if they don't still have their childhood stocking, probably don't have a nice one for themselves.

I would love to make some this year from some of Joel Dewberry's (who I spoke with this week and is seriously an incredibly nice and generous guy, not to mention a design genius) red damask pattern or Amy Butler's fantastic Nigella damasks. Then again, Anna Maria's (did you hear, she's gonna be on MARTHA STEWART, yeah baby, gooo ANNA!) madras print would make a fabulous preppy punk rock stocking. And of course, anything by Jennifer Paganelli would be fantastic but I'd love to do one in her new basics black and white Casey Scroll, LOVE that one.

The pattern is down on the left, all the way down and I do apologize. You'll have to click on each link separately to get the instructions and each pattern piece cause I don't know how to make a proper PDF file. I'm sure my mother will correct this as soon as she sees this post and says "did you really put it up that way?". Merry November everyone!Sure enough, my mom took care of it and the pattern is over in the right column under Free Grand Revival Patterns.