I have gotten quite a jump start on Christmas here. I have several presents wrapped, Christmas card photos ready for printing, a little experimental baking done, and best of all, Christmas dresses DONE!!
When Lindsay, THE Cottage Mama from The Cottage Home , sent one of her new, seriously fabulous patterns to try out, I couldn’t help but jump on the chance to sew up three coordinating looks and call them Christmas dresses!! And since I knew I’d have a real juggling act to get some pictures to share, I decided to turn it into a big photo shoot party! These three girls had an absolute blast and I’m so excited to now share this pattern with YOU!!
The Janey Jumper pattern is probably the most well-written, well-executed pattern I’ve ever seen. I could probably go on for days about all the details that continued to wow me throughout the dress-making process, but I’ll include just some here:
- Variety – The pattern includes three variations and I loved them so much, I tried all three. On Grace’s dress, I changed the variation a little bit as the pattern has a flat patchwork panel running down the center of the dress. I chose to do two patchwork ruffles just so I could squeeze more ruffles in somewhere. I don’t know that the prints were different enough from one another to see the patchwork aspect, but just think of the possibilities with Lindsay’s design! There are also plenty of opportunities to add ric rac, ribbon, ruffles, buttons, all kinds of embellishments – love that! You can even get two looks out of one dress because it’s fully reversible!
- Straightforward – The progression of steps in this pattern was perfect. The instructions were clear and I loved that there were little tips included; I felt like Lindsay was there showing me what to do (someday maybe!!) The illustrations and extra details were invaluable.
- Seam Allowances – This is probably a little weird, but one of my pet peeves is when it takes me like a hundred years to identify the seam allowances on a pattern. Not so here! The seam allowances were written clear as day. It made me smile.
- Simple and Quick – The dress was simple enough to put together that I did the latter two dresses a couple steps at a time while cooking dinner or watching the kids color. After assembling the first dress, I didn’t even need to check the instructions the second and third round. Everything was just so well explained and straightforward. A quick sew ranks high in my book!
- No Seam Ripper Needed – This pattern is drawn so perfect and explained so well, I didn’t have to redo anything! Lindsay’s technique for the scallop front is genius and the scallops pressed out easily. (I trimmed all my seams with pinking shears). All three dresses came together easily with the lines matching up and everything lying flat. It was a sewing dream!
Sewing DREAM, I tell you. Of course, I expected nothing less from the Cottage Mama. These dresses just make me happy!
And now for the best part… Lindsay is giving away TWO of the Janey Jumper patterns here at
girl. Inspired!
This giveaway has concluded. Please check in for future giveaways. Thanks!
If you haven’t already, you should check out what some other awesome bloggers are doing with the Cottage Mama’s Sewing patterns by following along on the blog tour.
November 8th – The Cottage Home
November 9 th – Craftiness is not Optional
November 10th – A Lemon Squeezy Home
November 11th – No Big Dill
November 12th – Kojo Designs
November 14th – Aesthetic Nest
November 15th – Girl.Inspired
November 16th – Noodlehead
November 17th – The Cottage Home
AND if you need to get your hands on the Cottage Mama’s sewing patterns right now, they are available for purchase by clicking here. You can also read all about the release of her first two paper patterns on Lindsay’s blog by clicking here.
Good luck and happy sewing!!
***The two randomly selected winners of the Janey Jumper giveaway are:
Kristin of The Meldrin Family
and
Barb from Quilting Barbie
Ladies, please send me your address and we’ll get these patterns shipped out to you!
Thanks for entering. If you are interested in sponsoring a giveaway at girl. Inspired., please contact Stef at girlinspired@yahoo.com****
Comments & Reviews
Michelle says
I love the dresses! Adorable. I love hanging out with my kids, watching them discover the world around them and become the people God has created them to be. That is what makes me happy. =)
Alioopsy says
Those Christmas dresses look lovely! There’s so much that makes me happy. Right now it’s my green, avocado coated baby. She’s just started solids and whilst it’s messy she’s a very enthusiastic eater. So much fun.
lil misses' mama says
I am a fb fan of cottage mama!
lil misses' mama says
I follow Lindsay’s blog!
lil misses' mama says
so many thing make me happy but i tend to smile the most right now when our newest little baby shows us his big dimply grins!
Lee says
I like the Cottage Mama on FB. j-j-s AT juno DOT com
Mel says
What makes me happy is spending time with family.
craftmom says
I am a follower of the cottage home.
craftmom says
I love it when my children are snug in their beds, and I walk in before I go to bed and see their faces, so relaxed and angelic. Thanks for a great giveaway!
mjharcus says
I am already a follower and like her on fb.
mjharcus says
Snuggling with my little ones always makes me happy and brings a smile to my face. You did a fabulous job on the jumpers! So cute!
Lee says
i follow the cottage home blog! thanks!
Lee says
Surprise calls from my friends makes me happy! thanks!
Tisha says
I follow the Cottage Mama’s blog.
letisharae@aol.com
Tisha says
I like the Cottage Mama on Facebook.
letisharae@aol.com