Free Pattern Month Day 27 - Liberty Jane Patterns: American Girl Doll Drawstring Dress

 

Please welcome this Memorial Day's Free Pattern guest, Jess of Liberty Jane Patterns!

Jess, contacted me about being a part of Free Pattern Month and I was happy to oblige! In fact I'd like invite other businesses and bloggers.....If you have a free pattern or tutorial that you'd like to offer as a featured post on Grosgrain please contact me at mytumtumtree@gmail.com. It can be a great way to promote your shop or blog! See Grosgrain's stats here.   Or on sitemeter here. Featured posts usually stay up on Grosgrain's front page for one to two days. Just shoot me an email and we can discuss the details.

Free Pattern after intro.

A couple months ago, Lily wanted what her other friends had and that was an American Girl doll. Now, had it been her birthday or Christmas or maybe even Easter I would have obliged but I couldn't justify spending $100+ on a doll for just the heck of it.

So I bought a generic doll which cost me less than $30. But she also wanted some clothes for her doll. Even the generic clothes can add up.

If this story sounds SO familiar to you I definitely recommend checking out Liberty Jane Patterns! Liberty Jane has literally dozens of free patterns on their site for American Girl Dolls.

 In the fall of 2009 they decided to begin making patterns available. Their reasoning was fairly simple. Although honored and thrilled at the high prices their outfits went for at auction, they realized there are a lot of people who won’t ever pay $80 to $150 for a doll outfit, but would gladly buy a pattern and try to make something themselves. 

Liberty Jane also has pattern for sale starting at only $3.99!

Thank you Jess for sharing your free pattern with Grosgrain today!

Jess, take it away!

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Free Pattern Month: Extra Edition

Get this EFF-ARR-EEE-EEE. I said "FREE" burdastyle blouse pattern!

Source: burdastyle.com via Andrea on Pinterest

Hair 14

More Fab-O hair inspiration.

Source: imgfave.com via Ruth on Pinterest

Trending 3

New trend. Tying belts with belt buckles.

Source: latenightfashion.tumblr.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Source: thedressimade.com via Bronwen on Pinterest

Source: the189.com via Benjamin on Pinterest

Source: sabbespot.blogspot.com via Diep on Pinterest

Source: orchidgrey.blogspot.com via Suze-Miss on Pinterest

Source: 9to5chic.blogspot.com via Vivien on Pinterest

Photo Shoot Concepts 17: Bokeh Tutorial

Speaking of Photoshoots. Check out this great bokeh tutorial. I especially like the snowflakes idea. You could be in the foreground and pretend to stand in a storm of glowing snowflakes.

Source: kevinandamanda.com via Kate on Pinterest

Photo Contest & Vote for Mels!

You might recall Brian's sister is getting married in December and I did their photoshoot for them!

She recently entered a photo contest through TransUnions Fiances&Fiances.

Please vote for her here! 

The lucky couple with the most eligible votes will walk away with the $10,000 grand prize!

Says Melody, "Hi, we’re Rob and Melody! We would love to put the prize money toward a down payment for a home, interest accruing debt and help with our December 3rd wedding. With you votes, we hope to skip down the aisle together on the right foot…though we might skip anyway!"

Free Pattern Month Day 25 - Whip Up: Cozy Cross Couch Throw

I know it's "technically" our final day of Free Pattern Month but I have one or two more added on guests to wrap up the month next week. So not to worry, I also have a couple announcements next week so stay tuned for some fun news.

This fantastic Friday, please welcome the multi-talented Kathreen of Whip Up!

(Today's featured pattern after intro.)

I found Whip Up pretty early on in my blogging beginnings.  She has a fantastic blog that hosts a community of crafters who offer tutorials, roundups, book reviews and one awesome weekly newsletter.

 And for the kiddos she also has a great Printable Mini-mag for kids that comes out monthly!

Each magazine is filled with really interesting crafts, printables, gardening, cooking, you name it! The philosophy for Action Pack is all about inspiring kids to be creative, to develop and nurture healthy habits, and to feed inquisitive minds, and challenge imaginations. ‘Action Packs’, are for busy parents and creative energetic kids.

 One of the great things about Whip Up is that there's so much content! Going through her past newsletters, tutorials and magazines could keep you occupied all day!

 Kathreen lives in Canberra, Australia, with her husband, two small children, chooks and fish, in a purple house with a bright red door.

She says, "I spend my days in various ways, alternating running chaotically and calmly between mothering, making and being. My crafting activities began at my mothers and grandmothers feet, both very practical women.  I am into fabric, – it is my secret pleasure, I love colour and design and making clothing. I make clothes and bags for my kids, friends and the occasional market stall. I also experiment with quilting, and creature making and more practical things like covering couches and making curtains."

 Her other major passion is photography, she has an honours degree in visual arts and photo-media. She loves self portraiture. She studied Mandarin at Uni and spent a year in Beijing discovering her love for photography.

And of course, I can't forget to mention Kathreen's first book: Whip Up Mini Quilts! In it Kathreen presents more than 20 contemporary quilts from across the globe in a charming, easy-to-follow guide. The projects collected in Whip Up Mini Quilts cover all sorts of themes and looks. With plenty of step-by-step instructions and helpful how-to illustrations, her book showcases an artful approach to design basics while outlining the fundamentals of quilting techniques.

Thank you Kathreen for being a part of Free Pattern Month on Grosgrain! It's an honor to have you with us today!

Now this is where I let Kathreen do the talking.......

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Hair 13

Wow.

Source: inspirationalhair.tumblr.com via Yannon on Pinterest

Swimwear 3

More modest bathing suit love.
Buy here on Etsy.

Source: tumblr.com via Julie on Pinterest

Hair 12

Do you like styling your girl's hair? Then you should check out Hair Today. 

Full of great tutorials and inspiration.

Tutorials 34 - Tee Shirt Reconstruction Pattern

This is so great! A pattern for a T-Shirt Recon.

See finished pics at Guaya.

Source: guaya.wordpress.com via Stéph on Pinterest

Free Pattern Month Day 24 - Colette Patterns: Sorbetto Tank Top

Please welcome a favorite among seamstresses, Sarai from Colette Patterns.

(Today's featured pattern after intro.)

I discovered Sarai's website through her adorable FREE bloomer pattern which I've used frequently. Their style is very sophisticated and their dress patterns are unique. I especially love the fabrics they use in their variations and their fun photoshoots!

See Crepe Dress Variations above.

Colette Patterns has some great professional pieces available to purchase. One of their most famous which you might have seen all over the blogosphere: the Lady Grey Overcoat Pattern.

Ceylon Dress Pattern left. Lady Grey Coat Pattern right.

Sarai loves the hard work of running a business and figuring out how to implement her bazillions of ideas. She’s proud to contribute to the revival of sewing as a craft, and to help educate and inspire other sewists. She describes herself as a Crazy Cat Lady, vegetable grower, gin drinker, traveler, knitter, and bookworm.

See Ginger Skirt Variations below.

Follow Sarai's personal blog Sweet Sassafras.

Check out the Colette Patterns blog here.

 See Sencha Top Variations above.

But running a shop isn't a one man operation. Colette Patterns is made up of three more very talented people.

Caitlin Clark, stitcher extraordinaire who puts together samples, helps with design, and comes up with fun projects for the website. Ken Wilson who handles the dirty work of logistics and keeping Colette Patterns website running, as well as helping with customer service. And Rachel Rector, wholesale liason and manager of stockists, in addition to contributing to the Colette Pattern's blog.

Eclair Dress Pattern left. Oolong Dress Pattern right.

Thank you Colette Patterns for being a guest here on Grosgrain today. Your patterns are such an inspiration for all of us crafters in the blogosphere who love to stitch and look stylish.

Sarai take it away.

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Summer is a great time for some creative stash-busting. I love using the pretty fabrics and trims I have hanging around to make easy-to-wear basics with fun details that can be switched up.

Enter the Sorbetto top, a simple tank in a loose but body skimming 60s style, finished with exposed bias trim and a center box pleat down the front. Can't you just see it in a bright color with polka dot bias tape for the trim? Or with little glass buttons sewn down the front of the pleat? And with only two pattern pieces (plus the bias tape), you can assemble this versatile top in just a couple hours.

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Inspiration 23 - Paperbag Neckline

I ADORE this neckline.

I think it's a sewn on piece to the dress but it sort of like the paperbag skirts.

Source: picasaweb.google.com via Dani on Pinterest

Inspiration Home 4: Jellyfish Lanterns

Okay seriously. How amazing would it be to make a whole bunch of these as hanging lights with bulbs and cords from IKEA?

Would look really ethereal at night.

Source: damebelette.blogspot.com via Maho on Pinterest

So clever 8

These would be so easy to make with a little felt and hot glue! But I'd definitely be sure it didn't obstruct your child's breathing, probably not best for a newborn but a toddler totally!

Maybe you could tie on of these onto the bow of a present for a one year old. Would make a cute extra gift.

Source: etsy.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Inspiration 22 - DIY Sandals

I bet you could make this yourself.

Take an old sole from a sandal that you don't like anymore. Or buy a cheap one at the dollar store or thrift store.

Sew three leather loops into the sole and use a long piece of fabric for the sandal.
You could easily change out the fabric to match your outfit.

Might try it sometime.

Source: papebrasil.com.br via Maho on Pinterest

Free Pattern Month Day 23 - No Big Dill: Ruffled Clover Dress

 Please give a big welcome to Katy from No Big Dill.

(Today's featured pattern after intro.)

I found Katy after seeing her stylish Ruched Headband tutorial below. It was just such a great look that I had never seen before and upon further inspection I found that sentiment spoke to pretty much everything No Big Dill had to offer.

Katy's creations always have some really great 'WOW' factor.

Project Run and Play O Pop Outfit left. It's Okay to Be Biased Skirt right.

 Do you like fantastic photography with your sewing? Katy's got that.

Short Changed Shirt below.

 Katy's quite a gal! Not only does she put together an amazing blog and finds the time to sew, but she is a mother to five adorable children with another on the way! All with fabulous names BTW, my favorite of which being her youngest, Clover.

Matching cousins outfits left. Village Frock right.

Katy was kind enough to ask me to participate in her 'Once Upon A Thread' themed month in which guests made clothes and crafts based upon their favorite books. The idea was just so genius. Here was one of my favorites from that series.

Avalance Skirt Tutorial left. Ruffle Your Bustle Skirt right.

You can tell that Katy's blog comes from a place where her love of sewing and love for her children combine. It's just such a lovely blog to visit everyday.

Mini Waitress Apron Tutorial below.

I love how Katy uses color in everything she creates. Her greens and oranges and yellows make me gasp.

Oliver + S Dress left. Chocolate Delivery Dress right.

I also love how she doesn't let the fact that she doesn't know Japanese to keep her from using Japanese pattern books. (Note to self, must try that sometime.) Her outcomes are always a treat!

Clover's Thoughts Dress and Pinafore below.

Thank you Katy for taking the time out of what I can only imagine was a very busy day! I truly appreciate your hardwork AND of course today's adorable pattern.

Katy, take it away!

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So, it's a really big deal that I'm here today.  With Kathleen's sense of style paired with her impeccable workmanship, her creations are always astounding.  I love her eye for reinventing a piece she picks up at the second hand thrift shop.  It is such a gift to see the potential in something and have the ability to bring that to fruition.  So glad and definitely honored to be here today!

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