WOW!!!!! This is a big day for Sofiona Designs. I remember when these two lovely ladies mentioned their new endeavor and asked for some pattern testers. I jumped at the chance, they seemed like they'd be fun, and I'd gotten to know them a bit in other FB groups prior. I HAD NO IDEA what was in store. It's been an incredible year for them, and I've been lucky enough to have tested several of these amazing patterns. Just check out how many they released in their first year alone!!! There's even more coming soon!
I chose the Starry Night Pj's for my anniversary post. I had ordered this amazing Smore's fabric from Libelle Sewing, and I really wanted to make my daughter some cute pjs. I had made the nightgown version several months ago, and she loves it.
If your kid is like mine they run HOT!!! Like all year, even in winter, so she was thrilled it was a tank top. I might end up making a matching Tundra with some coordinating fabric for a cooler day if she wants.
I love the finishings on all Sofiona patterns and this was no different. You may notice that I did not serge my seams, and I never do on nightwear for my daughter. For some reason, she finds the serged seams annoying, even when I use wooly nylon, so I just don't bother anymore, which turns out fine with knits.
This pattern is pretty simple if you follow the steps and excellent tutorial. The only 'tricky' aspects of this pattern are the gathering and binding on the armscye but I'll show you a couple of tips to make them a breeze. So let's get started.
First, the fun part, choosing your fabric. This pattern is for knits and there a ton of fabric choices out there. Make sure you find something comfy and give it a good wash and dry then start cutting. I basted my ruffle to the top of the skirt section, this makes the gathering easier for me. I use my own
method of gathering with elastic thread. (you sew over it, you don't use it in your bobbin).
You mark on the elastic the width of each piece. Zig zag over it on the piece you're gathering. Then pull it till your dots line up with the edges of your fabric. Give it a quick stretch to even your gathers, and boom you're done. Here's the video I did last year that explains it in greater detail, I swear this method was lifechanging for me.
pinned in place
Once you have your gathers ready, you need to make sure you secure them. Now get ready to do the binding. For this, I prefer to sew it with the binding on the bottom, and my armscye on the top. I find I have better control over curves if I can see them. I know my binding is straight so that's not going to throw me off if it's underneath and I can better watch the curve on top. I do this on all of my bindings.
Sewn with binding on the bottom
I learned this when I was sewing bras, you put the piece with the most movement on top to keep an eye on it. Also, make sure your binding comes all the way to the ends, or else it'll show when you attach it to the bodice. (don't ask ahahha)
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So then just flip it all over, and you'll fold the binding down halfway to line up with the top of the seam. I like to put a few clips to hold it, then flip it all the way down to enclose the seam, and make sure it goes past the stitching line so you'll catch it when you topstitch!
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Now give it a nice topstitching, I like to use a triple stitch because it looks like a straight stitch, but still have some stretch to it. Nothing is worse than popping seams after all of your hard work.
Now you're ready to attach it to the tops, and do your neckline binding, a quick hem and you're done!!!!
Pop on over to my blog buddy Dagbjort's Blog, to see her amazing hack of the Starry Night PJs.
Now be sure to comment below if you get this pattern to try, I want to see what you come up with. Don't forget to join Sofiona Designs Fan Group for other fabulous designs, discount, and Giveaways!!!!
Here's a quick review of my Sofiona Sews from the past year.
Enjoy!!!! We love them.
BLOG TOUR and GIVEAWAYS
Each day this week, two bloggers will pair up to showcase one Sofiona pattern. Follow along to see your favorite Sofiona patterns sewn "as is" by one blogger and a clever "hack" by the other.
Some of our favorite Instagrammers will also be sharing their Sofiona makes this week and they'll be doing the same pairing up to showcase one pattern. Follow them for more inspiration:
Join us in the Sofiona Designs Fan Group on Facebook for more fun and to share your favorite Sofiona makes!
Finally, a huge thank you to ALL the sponsors for joining in our Anniversary Celebration! Please participate in the Rafflecopter below for an opportunity to one of the two prize packages listed below valued at over $150 each and join us in the fan group for daily giveaways next week.
Prize Pack #1
Minerva Crafts £100 mystery pack (you choose the colour)
I think a lot of us started sewing to try and save money, or to customize items. Like I mentioned in my previous post, patterns are like recipes, it's ok to tweak them do to budget concerns, time, what items you have on hand, and personal preference. That being the case I decided to make an inexpensive bag for my daughter. I LOVED the angled shape of this bag, and knew my daughter would love it too. I found some fabric I've had for several years, and now I think she might need a matching pencil skirt, we'll see how that goes.
Dress is the Tide, also by Sofiona Desgins and available on their website.
This bag is quick sew, it's a nice simple design with only a few peices, so it was easy to keep the costs down. This bag cost me less then $5. Instead of using D-rings for the straps. I just used these split key rings from the dollar store.
I used the rings in the tabs and sewed them on as per the instructions in the pattern. I decided not to do an adjustable strap so we needed to establish our strap length. I did this by simply using a measuring tape in place of the strap. I used clips on each side to hold it in place, and made allowance for the seams.
Then I just sewed them on to the rings like I did the tabs. No need for extra hardware if you don't want to use it.
So now you have no excuse to not give this great pattern a try. It's a great scrap buster in the smaller sizes. Head on over to Sofiona Designs Fan Group, to see more examples and inspiration. Click this link here to buy the pattern Sofiona Designs.
I chose the Starry Night Pj's for my anniversary post. I had ordered this amazing Smore's fabric from Libelle Sewing, and I really wanted to make my daughter some cute pjs. I had made the nightgown version several months ago, and she loves it.
