Paper Pieced Pillows

I have four nephews and one niece, and for this years birthdays I decided to make a paper pieced pillow case for each.

The youngest got a Minion. Blogged here.

The third in row and also my godchild got a Batman logo.

Here a close-up. I wish I had enlarged this one. It is quite little.

The back is Minky Dimple Dot. Leftover from a quilt I made earlier this year.

 Princess Belle for my niece.

 Close-up. It's hard to see in the picture, but the nose is embroidered on the finished picture.

This one has the soft Minky as back as well.

 No. 2 got Smaug sitting on a pile of gold. The back is just black.

He went slightly off there in the middle. About that weird red dot on his right wing, that is some red candle wax that fell off the chandelier, and I didn't notice until just now. Can't take new pictures because they already arrived at their new home.

No. 1 got a wolf crying to the moon. The back is the same blue star fabric as the front.

And another close-up. 

 All patterns for these pillows are from Fandom in Stitches. A big thanks to the designers!

It was a lot of fun to venture into paper piecing, and I have another project or three on my To-Do list. But for now I need a time-out and sew another bag or dress for a change.

New Patterns, new projects and a Moneta dress

When Colette Patterns announced their sale on some older patterns I immediately ordered two. The Parfait and the Ceylon dress. Two patterns for the price of one, woohoo!

I just finished my first Moneta dress.

Pattern Description:
Made with knit fabric, this dress can be created in a matter of hours. All three styles of Moneta dresses have a gently curved, wide neckline, a fitted bodice, and a shirred skirt with in-seam pockets. Version 1 is a sleeveless dress with a lined bodice and narrow round collar that laps at the center back. Version 2 has an unlined bodice and short sleeves, while version 3 has an unlined bodice and 3/4-length sleeves. (from their website)

Pattern Sizing:
XS - 3XL
According to my measurements I am a size XS. The fit is snug. Would make a size S instead.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Very easy instructions and a sew-along on their website.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
It is a very easy knit dress, great for sewing with knits for the first time. I like the different neckline options.

I don't like the gathered skirt. It just doesn't look good on me. This is only a matter of taste and preference in style!

Fabric Used:
I believe it is a lightweight Cotton Lycra Knit. I got it at the sale section at Denver Fabrics.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
My measurements put me in a size XS, but I ended up sewing the bodice side seams with a 1/4 SA instead of 1/3.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I will not sew it again for myself, since I don't like the gathered skirt on me. Regardless of that I do recommend it, especially for people who just start to sew with knits.

Conclusion: 
Sadly this dress didn't work for me with the skirt. I will use the bodice though and alter it with another kind of skirt and/or as a shirt. 

 After my disappointment with the Moneta Dress I am off to new projects! 

Colette Licorice Dress with Sea Horses

Lady Skater Dress with Doodles

Shorts in Linen and Chambray

And here for some good music!

Licorice Dress by Colette Patterns and more fabric

Long time no posting! 

Sorry about my absence here on the blog. I had a friend from Germany visiting for four weeks. We went on a road trip to Zion National Park, Grand Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend. The time went by way too fast! Now I am back in full swing sewing gifts for my niece and nephews, and trying to catch up on my never ending list of projects.

I also got some new fabric in the meantime:

Far Far Away II FQB by Heather Ross

 Indelible FQB by Katarina Roccella

 Indelible knit on the left, the other two are from Girl Charlee

 Peach Skin from Girl Charlee

 Pretty Potent FQB by Anna Maria Horner

But now for the dress review. I made this dress over a year ago and for some reason never got around writing about it. It's the Licorice dress from Colette Patterns. It is one of five patterns from their book The Colette Sewing Handbook

Pattern Description:

The full sleeves gathered with elastic at the cuffs are so pretty and flattering. I don’t know why, but their proportions just seem to make your waist look smaller somehow. The lack of waist seam makes this particularly forgiving for those of us without tiny waists (ahem). The collar is tucked at the shoulders, so that it pinches into a sort of draped effect, almost like a cowl. (from their website)
 

Pattern Sizing:
Bust 33" - 46", I made 34" (Size 2)
 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, just without the collar and sleeves
 

Were the instructions easy to follow?

As always with Colette patterns well written and easy to follow instructions
 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I am not too fond of the collar and the puffy sleeves.
 

Fabric Used:

Main fabric: Silk Crepe
Lining fabric: Silk/Cotton blend
 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I omitted the sleeves and collar
 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes! I made already two more
 

Conclusion: 

I absolutely love this dress. Very easy shift dress that doesn't require a lot of fabric.