Christmas Dresses

Pattern:  millimilli

Size:  110 cm, 120 cm

Fabric:  textured cotton knit from Haberman's

This is the same pattern I used for Christmas two years ago, it is a simple joy to sew up and so comfortable to wear.  I did not have enough fabric so the sleeves were slightly flared then cropped.  Also, this knit was a lot more loose and drapey than I expected so I added a back tie (there was not enough fabric left for a bow).  The hardest part of this dress is sourcing just the right fabric......I'm starting now to look to make them again for Easter.

T-shir resizing - boxy to girly

At the end of the school year, Jerome brought home a men's size small t-shirt from the D.A.R.E. graduation, that he had no interest in wearing. Asha said she wanted it, so it got dropped in the resize pile. Fast forward to this week, and I realized that Jerome and Asha could use some t-shirts. I dug in the resize pile and came up with a few things.

This one came out the best because the sleeves were wide enough for some puffy details. I used a Milimili pattern in size 140. More shirts using this pattern here and here.

Knit collared dresses

Pattern:  millimilli 

Size:  100 cm, 110 cm

Fabric:  Eileen Fisher cotton/Lycra tweed knit from Emmaonesock

I wasn't up for sewing up anything fancy this Christmas so I gave this pattern a try.  I'm glad I did because these were very simple and quick to sew.  The girls wore them to church today and will also wear them Christmas eve.  I love that they can pull them over their heads themselves, they'll run through the washer and I won't have to iron them. 

millimilli

Browsing through multiple Japanese sewing blogs Marie' discovered the online pattern shop millimilli.  She definitely has the advantage of actually being able to read the blogs whereas I can only look.

These patterns have been highly recommended by other sewers for their excellent fit.  Simple to sew, millimilli offers clean lines and understated design for both children and moms.  Their knit patterns are especially popular and a staple to any pattern collection. 

Marie' already made this shirt from millimilli and I am now working on some basic knit dresses.  In addition to the knit dress and basic T-shirt we also have the basic raglan sleeve T-shirt pattern.  Their patterns come in a range of sizes so we will be sure to post many throughout the next sewing season.

The challenge with this pattern company is as of now they only ship in Japan.  The other problem is their patterns are frequently out of stock.  So although we love to share our sources this is a difficult pattern to access outside of Japan.   If that changes we will be quick to update.          

Layered puff-sleeved T

Pattern: Milimili Girl's T-shir set

the dog appliqué pattern is from a quilt book, White Design - Simple Quilt

Size: 130

Fabric: Navy with white dots from Fabric Fairy, and white sleeves from Alison.