Sensational Sweater Makeovers from Issue #132: A Video Tutorial

In our September/October Issue #132, the Sew Beautiful staff shared an assortment of ideas for embellishing store-bought sweaters. Two of our favorites from editor Kathy Barnard are pictured here: a cream-colored cardigan with a textured black chiffon trim...

...and a black bolero sweater featuring an interesting pleated ribbon technique.

Kathy shares a quick how-to on each of these techniques in the following 2-part video. Check it out to learn more!





We hope you have fun getting creative with your sweaters using these cool handmade trims. Check out SB Issue #132 for even more embellishment ideas!

Blog Tour Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Denise Norris, who has won our giveaway contest!
Included in the prize package is:

• a complete kit of materials for the camisole through sizes 3X
  
• the book from which we drafted our pattern, Sleepwear Especially for You
  
• the new issue of SB #132, which includes the camisole instructions and templates
• a brand new June Tailor Shape 'n Press board

Denise, be on the lookout for an email from us! Thank you so much to everyone who entered. If you are interested in purchasing the supplies needed to create the camisole featured in the blog tour, we have assembled supply lists for your convenience. Check it out on our website here!

We appreciate every last one of you and know that we could not continue to publish SB without your support. We hope you are enjoying our first ever blog tour. If you're just joining us, visit our blog tour landing page for more information and to see all of the videos.

Katie's Hemstitched Blouse and Wrap Dress

What a nice surprise we got this week when reader Jean Leek Ping of Chico, CA sent us some photos of her daughter Katie (9 years old) modeling a couple of charming SB sewing projects! Pictured above is Jean's version of our "Hemstitching is Hip" blouse, featured in issue #126. SB associate editor Amelia Johanson originally introduced us to the idea of adding hemstitched box pleats to an existing blouse pattern such as Kari Mecca's Bias & Blooms Blouse. We love Jean's rendition in a sweet floral quilter's cotton, a print which she says she has also used for a baby ensemble, a smocked baby dress from The Old Fashioned Baby, and a doll outfit. The versatility of delicate cotton prints like this is just one reason to fill your stash with similar fabrics.

Jean also sent a photo of Katie modeling another Sew Beautiful project - our popular Wrap Dress pattern, which we revisited in casual prints last summer ("Reagan's Wrap Dress", issue #125). Jean picked up this fun brown and turquoise print at her local Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Store. You can find our SB Collection Wrap Dress pattern in our webstore.

Thanks for sharing your projects with us, Jean! Don't forget that you, too, can share your projects with us by emailing them to blog@sewbeautifulmag.com.

Jillian's Easter Dress

Check out this beautifully stitched and smocked Easter dress, made by Sew Beautiful reader and friend Audra Kennedy! Audra sent us this picture of her gorgeous daughter Jillian wearing the "Alice Blue Dress" from SB Issue #114. Jillian spotted the original dress while visiting our Huntsville, AL School of Art Fashion, and to her mother's surprise, she asked Audra to make it for her. Audra tells us, "She said she felt beautiful in it," and we agree!

The "Alice Blue Dress" was featured on the cover of our 20th Anniversary Edition (#114) and uses our popular Pascale pattern, available on the pullout centerfold of this issue. You can purchase back issues of #114 and many others at our webstore.

Audra Kennedy has had articles published in past issues of Sew Beautiful, and her daughter Jillian has modeled for us since we was a toddler. Audra has been a teacher's assistant at the School of Art Fashion for years and is a member of a local SAGA Chapter here in Huntsville, AL. Look for an article from her featuring an adorable boy's bubble with silk-embroidered frogs in our upcoming July/August issue!

Jackie's Two-Piece Toddler Bathing Suits

If you haven't already gotten your copy of our "Blue Issue" (May/June #130) you are in for a real treat! We are so proud of this one, and have been thrilled with the positive responses. One of the most popular articles is our "Toddler Two-Piece" from designer Jackie Young, which is provided as a free pattern on the pullout centerfold (pictured above). In sizes 6 months through 4T, I've read online that many SB readers are already planning to make sweet seersucker swimsuits of their own for the little ones in their lives. Please send us your pictures if you do make one! You can email them to blog@sewbeautifulmag.com.

Pictured above are Jackie's daughters in suits she made for them last summer. We think they look just right in pink and green, accented by girly monograms.

Jackie also sent us a picture of these adorable seersucker swim trunks she made for one of her customers at Three Sisters Heirlooms. Although this pair sports a cute picture-smocked insert on the leg, Jackie says she has also made some with an embroidered monogram to match her two-piece girls' suit. So sweet!

Alana's Christening Gown

Remember Kathy's robed Christening gown that we included as a free pattern in our November/December 2009 issue? Well, in that same vein, we're excited to share this beautiful similarly-styled Christening gown with you sent to us by SB reader Heather Lirette of Handcrafts by Heather. Heather says:

At my client's request I had drawn up a sketch of a coat-style Christening dress using silk cotton broadcloth and embroidered netting and then not a week later as I was pondering exactly how to make it, issue 127 arrived with the gorgeous coat style gowns. Imagine my surprise and delight. Now I knew it could be done--and how to do it.

Using the Baby Gowns pattern from The Old Fashioned Baby, Heather used ivory embroidered organza fabric and edging (Lily of the Valley, 19T6748) purchased from Baltazor Fabric Boutique, LLC and silk broadcloth dress fabric purchased from Wendy Schoen Design. Heather also used our own Martha Pullen Vintage Baby CD I  to machine embroider the gown sleeves (design MPC1948; design was edited to remove cutwork).

One sweet detail of this dress is seen in the bodice trim. Heather used flowers from a coordinating hat and booties set that were purchased by her client, but then added yoyos made from dress fabric and overlay organza. Who knew that yoyo's could ever find their place on such an elegant garment, but they look right at home on Heather's gown.

Thanks again for sharing, Heather! You can see more of Heather's work on her website at www.handcraftsbyheather.com. Don't forget to share your own creations with us by sending your pictures to blog@sewbeautifulmag.com.