Blog Posts

The Olivia Dress - A Dress for Summer to Fall

9/14/2017

There has been so much going on over here, getting back to school, a new pattern in the works and lots of sewing. I've made loads of samples for the new pattern (I can't wait to share it!), new fall samples for my current patterns and some new transitional and fall pieces for my wardrobe. I'm still busy putting the finishing touches on the new pattern but I thought I'd take a moment to share a quick dress I made to take me from summer to fall.

This is the Olivia Dress from StyleArc patterns. Although this is my first time using a StyleArc pattern, I have a student that's been using them and has had great success. This dress couldn't be easier, 5 pieces in total including the facings which is perfect for me when I want a quick dress that's as easy to pull on as shorts but looks cute enough for dinner. I've been saving some patterns ideas for a dress like this on my Pattern Box Pinterest board and now I finally added it to my closet. The fabric is a medium weight brushed chambray with a white pinstripe from The Fabric Store in LA. This dress is cute with sandals right now but it'll also be great with a darker belt and boots as it gets cooler. For sure I'll be using this pattern again and next time I'm going to add pockets to the sides.

The Olivia dress is easy enough for a beginning sewist but keep in mind StyleArc patterns have minimal instructions with few drawings so some garment construction experience would be helpful.

I'll be sharing more makes and a new pattern soon! Be sure to follow me on Instagram as I share more about what's going on in the studio there.

Keep sewing my friends! Diane

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Labor Day Sale! 25% off All Patterns

9/1/2017

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It's a 3-day weekend which means there's more time to sew! Let's celebrate with 25% off all PDF patterns in the store now through 9/5/17. That means all patterns are only $7.50! Use coupon code "WEEKEND" for the discount.

Sew away the weekend and enjoy!

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Pattern Tester Call!

8/31/2017

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I'm excited to say there's a new pattern coming soon and I'm looking for pattern testers! The new Blue Dot pant pattern is designed for beginning/intermediate sewists sizes 6-18 (see size chart below). The call for pattern testers will stay open until all spots are filled and the test will begin in early September.

If this sounds interesting to you, here's what you'll need:

Beginning/Intermediate to Advanced sewing knowledge.
Access to a printer (since you will be testing a PDF patterns you will need to print the patterns).
Interest in testing women's patterns (no prior testing experience is needed).

Here's what you'll do:

Receive a "working copy" of a Blue Dot PDF Pattern to make according to the instructions.
Provide at least 2 well lit photos of your finished project.
Keep the new pattern a "secret" (shhhhh) until the pattern is officially released.
Give feedback on the pattern and instructions on the provided form.

Here's the other stuff you may be wondering:

Pattern testers will receive a "working copy" and a copy of the final finished pattern. There is no compensation for being a tester.
You don't need to have a social media presence to be a pattern tester.
I will be choosing a few testers for every size of the pattern and the testers will be chosen at random.
The turnaround time for pattern testing is typically between 2-3 weeks. This means, once you agree to test a particular pattern, you will need to turn in the photos and feedback before the 2-3 week deadline.
If you don't have time to test a pattern during this call that's no problem, you can decline and try again next time.

If this sounds good to you, email me here with the following info and I will contact you about being a tester:

Level of sewing experience: beginning/intermediate, intermediate or advanced.
Blog URL, Instagram or Facebook if you have one (this is not required).
Bust, Waist and Hip measurement.

Don't be shy! I am looking for all sizes and levels of sewing experience.

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One Pattern 3 Ways! - The Georgia Top

6/28/2017

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The Georgia Top is one of those patterns you can use over and over (and it's on sale right now!) I've been inspired by sewists out there that have done some amazing Georgia hacks. This one from Mahlicadesigns is one of my favorites. And this one from That'sSewAmy is a don't miss. I've said it before, I love nothing more than seeing someone get creative with one of my patterns. I thought I'd show you how to take the simple Georgia pattern and make it up in three VERY different tops.

This is Georgia in a cold shoulder version. I made this so quick I sewed it in the morning and wore it to work in the afternoon. Check out the blog post on how I did it.

Here's Georgia View A in her purest form straight out of the package. An adorable easy to wear dolman sleeve top in a black and mint green rayon stripe knit.

Georgia isn't just for knits but also for wovens. I took this dreamy Anna Sui cotton/silk vintage print and made it up adding a bias neck binding, pintucks and a keyhole neck. I have all the details in this post.

I have a Georgia Pinterest page with even more ideas. I'd love to see your makes! Send me pics!

The Georgia Top pattern is 25% now through July 4th! Enjoy!

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Cold Shoulder Georgia Top - And A Sale!

6/22/2017

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Nothing makes me happier than when I see someone hack one of my patterns. I don't attach any pride to the pattern by expecting for the pattern to only be made as I first designed it. In fact, The Georgia Top is the perfect simple design to have at it. Now it's my turn...

The cold shoulder trend is hotter than SoCal in August and Georgia needed to hop on that party wagon. This fan print rayon jersey came from my last haul from Craftsy. It's a cream background with peach colored Asian fans and is soft and cool for the warm summer.

This hack couldn't be easier and I think I finished sewing it in under 2 hours. It was one of those pieces I made in the morning and wore to my class in the afternoon. To start, I left the armbands and waistband off of view A. To make the cold shoulder I stitched the shoulder seam from the neck 2" and stitched the last 4" from the shoulder to the sleeve hem. I finished the opening by folding back the seam allowance and stitching in place. Seriously....that's it!

Because I want you to have fun with Georgia too, the pattern is 25% off now through July 4th!
Check out my Georgia Top Pinterest page with even more ideas! Have fun!

Happy Sewing!

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Wrap Skirt for the Girl - New Look 6456

6/8/2017

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I set aside my selfish sewing for a bit to sew for my favorite girl. She's home from college and a girl needs something new when she comes home, right? I made a wrap skirt out of this rayon challis print she found at Joann. It was quick and easy and she's very happy.

I used New Look 6456 and made View C and made no changes (not even to the length) and it's perfect. You really can't go wrong with a wrap skirt, they're an easy fit and easy to make. The fabric shrunk like crazy so I had a difficult time getting all the pieces out of the fabric. I think figuring out how to make the pieces fit took almost as long as making it. Cutting and sewing was under 2 1/2 hours and I only had a few square inches of fabric left over. Yay me!

She's going away to work this summer and my plan is to make her another one before she gets back. Chambray maybe? I'm going to miss her so sewing for her will make me feel better.

There's still so much more I've made and haven't blogged about. Coming soon!

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"I Had To Have That Fabric" Dress - McCall's 7381

6/1/2017

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One of my students brought this fabric into class and I immediately fell in love! Not with my student (although she's wonderful and has amazing taste) but with the fabric. I thought about sliding it into my work bag when she wasn't looking or offering to buy it from her but instead she told me she got it from Craftsy and I was giddy to discover it was still available! Yay! For those of you that haven't purchased fabric from Craftsy, all of the their fabrics either come in kits or in precut lengths. I purchased a 4 yard cut so I still have enough for a blouse or shell.

I made McCall's 7381 View A in a size 12 straight out of the envelope but ended up making quite a few changes after I wore it the first time. This is a polyester/spandex knit and although I usually sew with natural fibers, I love the way this dress looks, feels and washes (which is a good thing since I purchased another knit just like it.) The dress calls for a woven fabric and has quite a bit of ease built in, so sizing down to a 10 would've minimized the alterations I needed (and the amount of time it took to take it apart!).

Here are the changes I made:

Made the shoulders 1" narrower (more flattering for me).
Took the sides in 1" on both sides.
Stitched the elastic casing to the dress instead of having it feed through in the seam allowance. A stitched down casing looked less bulky.
Fused knit interfacing to the front neck so it would hold it's shape.

I'm happy I took the time to make the changes even though it took me almost as long to make the changes as it took to make the dress. Every time I need to make changes that require a lot of ripping out I spend days deciding if I should do it or not. I'm always happy when I take the time. "Unsewing" can be very discouraging but I highly recommend taking the chance sometimes.

I've been sewing faster than I've been blogging so I have more to share with you. Summer sewing is in full swing and I couldn't be happier.

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I'm on "Meet The Designer" this week at UpCraft Club

5/23/2017

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Well thank you UpCraft Club for featuring me on "Meet The Designer" this week! I'm really excited! I can't believe I have this dream job so thank you UpCraft for all of the support. Here's a reprint of the article but check out the article on their site and features on other pattern designers too.

Meet...Diane of Blue Dot Patterns! Diane is a wife and mom in Southern California. She started Blue Dot Patterns in 2014 out of her love for sewing and also from her experience as a sewing teacher when she realized her students were frustrated with commercial patterns. Her vision is to inspire sewists through modern design and well-crafted patterns.

Why do you sew?
I can't help it. But really, there's something a little bit magical about taking a fold of fabric and turning it into "something". I'm not one to sew for sewing sake, so making something that's beautiful or even better useful is very important for me.

When did you started to sew? And what was your first make?
I was about 8 years old and I proudly made eyeglass cases for my parents.

When did you start to draft patterns? How was the learning process?
I took pattern making classes at two local design schools and that's given me a good foundation for my pattern line. Although I learned industry techniques, I gear my patterns and write instructions for the sewist.

How is your creative/design process?
I have to say my sewing students and my daughter are great design inspirations but when it gets down to it, I design pieces I want to wear. A pattern needs to fit well and be flattering, comfortable and enjoyable to make. Initially, I start by sketching, drafting the pattern by hand and making it up several times. When I'm happy with the finished product I digitize it in Illustrator and make it a few times more. I write detailed instructions and drawings in InDesign (this is my sweet spot since I'm a sewing teacher and I see on a daily basis the struggles new sewists have with instructions). When complete, the pattern goes out to my amazing team of testers (all skill levels and sizes), is finalized and then released! The entire process can take about 3 months.

How/where do you see yourself and your business in the future?
My next pattern is geared for the beginner/beginner (which getting a newbie excited about sewing is my fave) but also is a great wardrobe builder for anyone. I'd like to release a mini wardrobe pattern collection complete with a bag. I also want to support and interact with my customers more by expanding my website to include more tutorials, sew-alongs and photo sharing.

What sewing machine do you own? Is it the machine of your dreams?
I sew on a Janome 6600. It's not top of the line but it's a workhorse and I love it. I have a 25 year old Juki serger that just keeps running (no lie, I've only had it serviced once, I'm so bad) and a very used embroidery machine someone gave me that's on it's last leg. I'd really love a new embroidery machine and a coverstitch.

What is your favorite make ever? Why?
Pick my favorite child? Hmmm... I have a few. A blue maxi dress made from a challis I bought at Mood in NYC that's nothing fancy but I feel pretty in it, cowboy flannel piped pajamas I made for my son when he was 3 or 4 and a black shantung two piece evening outfit I made from a Vogue pattern.

What is on in the background while you're sewing?
Of late, Spotify and MakerStyle podcast. But for sure I've played "You've Got Mail", "While You Were Sleeping" and "Pride and Prejudice" (all versions even the BBC) 20 plus times...each.

Which is(are) your favorite pattern(s)?
I have at least 5 Margo blouses in heavy wardrobe rotation right now so that's my favorite pattern at the moment.

Who's your sewing/blogging/style/fashion/designer/quilter hero(s)?
I love Anna Maria Horner fabrics, marvel at the prolific sewing from blogger Lori at Girls in the Garden and designer Tracy Reese. I also find I follow a lot of British sewing bloggers on Instagram.

What are your favorite sewing techniques?
Pressing and basting. The iron can smooth out a lot of mistakes and basting can keep you from making them.

What is your least favorite sewing technique/step?
Waistbands, ugh! I think by the time I'm putting on the waistband I'm anxious to finish my project and wear it.

Describe yourself in 3 words: Energetic, nurturing, positive.

3 Favorites - color, texture and fabric:

I love blue, soft fabrics and natural fibers. A beautiful cotton voile has been known to bring tears to my eyes.

3 things that make you happy:

1. Watching one of my sewing students get excited (obsessed) about sewing.
2. A dog hanging it's head out of the car window.
3. When my husband eats the trail mix but saves the M and M's for me.

3 random things about you:

1. I've run 18 half-marathons.
2. Love to eat Good and Plenty when I sew.
3. I'm a lefty.

Life or sewing motto: "I want to leave it better than I found it." "It" can be anything... a project, a person, a job or relationship.

Thank you, Diane!
Enjoy 15% off on Blue Dot Patterns during this week! Go check the whole pattern collection here.
Don't miss next week's interview!
Happy sewing!

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"Tops That Pop" Sew-Along - The Georgia Top

4/30/2017

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I'm happy to say I have another entry for the "Tops That Pop" Sew-long at Faye's Sewing Adventure blog. I grabbed my BFF pattern, The Georgia Top by BlueDotPatterns to make a piece that's a quick and easy to wear addition to my wardrobe.

This is a black and pale aqua rayon jersey that is soft and easy to sew. The Georgia Top is just about the fastest top you could ever hope to put together. I cut it out and made it on the serger in less that 1 1/2 hours. Can't beat that!

I have one more top coming for "Tops That Pop" and don't forget to check out all of the fun things people are making.

Happy Sewing!

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The Sutton Blouse

4/27/2017

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Faye at Faye's Sewing Adventures has a "Tops That Pop" sew-along that I joined. The guidelines are pretty simple, make a top by April 30th and she posts it on her blog. It's a perfect sew along for now because spring and summer tops are easy and fun to make. She posts a few projects every day and people are making some great stuff. Lots of cold-shoulder looks and fun prints. It's really inspiring....check it out and the Pinterest board too.

I made the True Bias Sutton Blouse and it's been perfect. I've been wanting a simple t-shirt type tunic, simple but not too simple and this fits the bill perfectly. I made it out of a rayon challis I picked up at Hobby Lobby of all places. I normally just pop in there for notions or patterns but I walked by this and stopped. It's a lovely color and so so soft.

It's not easy to see but the Sutton Blouse has a yoke that extends from the front to the back so doing variations on this pattern would be really fun. It has a high/low hem but it would also be nice as a long tunic. This is a don't miss pattern friends. It can build up your wardrobe pretty quickly.

I made two more tops for the sew along but I've yet to photo them. I better get to it! Thanks Faye!

Happy Sewing,
Diane

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Forward>>

The Olivia Dress - A Dress for Summer to Fall

Labor Day Sale! 25% off All Patterns

Pattern Tester Call!

One Pattern 3 Ways! - The Georgia Top

Cold Shoulder Georgia Top - And A Sale!

Wrap Skirt for the Girl - New Look 6456

"I Had To Have That Fabric" Dress - McCall's 7381

I'm on "Meet The Designer" this week at UpCraft Club

"Tops That Pop" Sew-Along - The Georgia Top

The Sutton Blouse

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