Sewing: White and Lavender Chemise Dress and Blouse (Pattern Preview)

Who doesn't love a field of sunflowers? And girls in white linen dresses. 

I found this embroidered polka dot linen when I was in Spain last year and knew it would be perfect for a simple dress for Audrey. She loves purple. And she loves wearing this simple a-line chemise. (My Ruffled Chemise pattern without any ruffle....)

I had a tiny bit leftover to make a little skirt for Scarlett, with the addition of another longer layer underneath. Scarlett's double bow collar blouse is a pattern I've been toying with since the Madeline dresses I sewed last year. I would love to finish it soon--I adore the look! But I've learned not to make promises....

Tess's chiffon polka dot dress was purchased by her grandmother years ago for Audrey to wear.

I sewed and photographed these last September before the sunflowers disappeared. It seemed too late to share then so I've been hanging on to them and nearly forgot about them. Thought I'd share them now before it's too late again. Funny how August also brings thoughts of Fall.

I haven't been sewing dressier things for the girls this summer but I may need to head that direction again. Always something else to sew.... That what I love about it.

Hope you are enjoying the last blast of summer.

Sewing: The Bateau Neck Dress (Pattern Extension)

I have had so many ideas for sewing The Bateau Neck Top in all its variations (and thus the Back-to-School Bateaux Tour). Plenty to keep me busy. But at the same time I, and many of you, kept thinking "dress." Wouldn't this classic top make a cute dress?

And it does! 

Two dresses as it turns out.

I designed the Bateau Neck Elastic Waist Dress with a short gathered skirt and faux drawstring tie. Sporty. Cute. The kind of dress I wanted to wear as a girl with a pair of white Tretorns or Keds. Doubles as a beach cover-up. Perfect casual look for the first day of school. Could add a cardigan and boots when it gets cooler. (Gotta add that to the "to sew" list!)

It can be dressed up with sandals too. And, it works with all the options from the original Bateau Neck Top pattern, which means you can add pockets, a ruffled neck, or a pleat in front.

Scarlett is wearing it with elbow-length sleeves here. Another variation I had turning in my head: shorter sleeves. Not just elbow length, but almost cap-sleeved too (see Tess' shirt here).

Then there is the Bateau Neck A-Line Dress.  It's the Bateau Neck Top with some length. But not just straight down the sides--it has a slight bit of flare. And side vents at the hem for extra ease.

I love this version with the pleated front on Tess. So simple, but a bit sophisticated. This dress works with pockets (see Scarlett's rainbow version here), a ruffled neck, in the Classic Bateau Neck style, or even with buttons all the way down the back. (I have to make one with buttons!)

These dresses are suitable for knits. In this Heather Ross Briar Rose Jersey the dress is soft enough to sleep in. (Hmm....)

These two dress patterns, and two shorter sleeve options are available in The Bateau Neck Dress pattern extension. You can find it here in my Wee Muses pattern shop. (I'm so excited to see the shop looking a bit more full!) 

**The Bateau Neck Dress pattern extension is an add-on to the original Bateau Neck Top pattern. It does not work as a standalone pattern.**

This pattern extension includes digital patterns and instructions for sewing:

• The Bateau Neck A-Line Dress
• The Bateau Neck Elastic Waist Dress
• Short Sleeves
• Elbow Sleeves

I'm excited about the ways this pattern extension multiplies the options for The Bateau Neck Top! It includes 19 pages of detailed instructions for using the enclosed patterns to transform The Bateau Neck Top into a dress, or simply add the shorter sleeves to the top. There are 18 pages of pattern pieces for printing but you needn't print all of them--I've included page ranges for the different styles of dresses and sleeves.

You'll need between 1/4 to 1/2 yard of additional fabric to sew the dress compared to the original top. I've included the combined yardage in the chart above, along with a repeat of the extras, such as pockets, for the different versions.

In keeping with the quality of Wee Muses patterns, this pattern extension:

• is digitally graded and drafted for the greatest accuracy
• includes markings and guidelines for easy pattern printing and assembly
• provides full-color photo tutorials walking you through the necessary steps for a great finished garment
• is tested by seamstresses in the US, Europe and Australia to ensure printing compatibility 

I can't wait to sew with it more! I have plans to share at least a couple more as part of the Back-to-School Bateaux Tour. And I think some of my friends on the tour plan to sew Bateau Neck Dresses too.

How about you? 

You can find The Bateau Neck Top Dress pattern extension here.

Sewing: Back-to-School Bateaux Pattern Tour 2013

Are you back to school? Still gearing up? It's hard to believe summer vacation is ending and school is here but it may be my favorite time of year so I'm ready to jump into the routine, the new supplies, and of course, a few new additions to the girls' wardrobes.

So I'm sewing. And to celebrate, I've invited some friends to sew along with me using my Bateau Neck Top pattern. 

It's a Back-to-School Bateaux (how about that lovely French plural?) pattern tour with:

Simple Simon

The Cottage Mama

Craftiness is Not Optional

MADE

My Sparkle

NoBigDill

{LBG Studio}

KoJo Designs

Delia Creates

Lemon Squeezy Home

luvinthemommyhood

Cirque du Bebe

Whoohoo! I can't wait to see what they come up with. Can you?

We're going to be sharing takes on The Bateau Neck Top from now through the end of September, and by "takes" I mean the variations in the original pattern as well as some tutorials building on it, and, a new pattern extension: The Bateau Neck Dress. Yes, dress!

I love the dress variation! This pattern extension will include two dress versions, actually. But there's something for boys too: two shorter sleeves options--elbow length and short.

Tess is having fun here in the Classic Bateau Neck Top with chest pocket and short sleeves. Scarlett is wearing the Bateau Neck A-Line Dress with hip pockets and the original three-quarter length sleeves.

The rainbow chevron fabric is Laguna Jersey in Chevron Bright by Robert Kaufman and not only is it soft but it makes me happy. Scarlett loves rainbow prints and I love the idea of sending her off to play at school in a rainbow print dress. Tess is pretty pleased with her top too. Smiles all around.

Hope you have a great return to school and can work in a little time to stop by for some back-to-school inspiration over the next few weeks. It's time!

Sewing: The Bateau Neck Top (Pattern & Giveaway)

Well lookie here! I almost can't believe it. Today is the day I am introducing a new pattern. And not just a new pattern, but a new line of patterns! With one for you to win! (See below for giveaway details.)

Please let me introduce you to Wee Muses Sewing Patterns. 

As you might guess from the name, these patterns are inspired by my own three girls. Few things bring me more joy than sewing beautiful clothing for them! I love European children's clothing, the beautifully illustrated clothing in classic children's books, and all clothing that respects what is beautiful and magical about being a child. I want to create timeless designs with quality-construction for my girls to wear and hand down, and I hope to share these designs with you.

These ideas are not really new for me, but Wee Muses Sewing Patterns offer a new level of quality to go along with them. The first PDF pattern I am introducing today, and all those that follow: 

• are digitally graded and drafted for the greatest accuracy
• include markings and guidelines for easy pattern printing and assembly
• retain the full-color photo tutorials you have seen from me previously, and 
• are heavily tested by seamstresses of a variety of sewing levels (look for an upcoming post showcasing them!) (UPDATE: See what my testers sewed here) .

Phew! It's been busy. But worth it I hope! I am excited to see what you think. 

The Bateau Neck Top is a pattern I've been working on for some time (you may have seen a few peeks over the last months) and it's a staple I've come to really appreciate. What is more classic than this boat-neck, three-quarter-sleeve top?

I have always loved the simple, enigmatic shape. Sporty yet feminine on girls, strong yet casual on boys. Practically a requirement for the seaside but perfect for school days too. It’s as comfortable as a t-shirt but with a bit more tailoring. The three-quarter sleeves bridge the seasons. What could be better? 

The Bateau Neck Top pattern includes this classic, which is perfect for girls and boys (boys!), and it also includes some fun variations.

With this one pattern you have so many options:

• Classic Bateau Neck Top
• Bateau Neck Top with Pockets
• Ruffled Bateau Neck Top
• Pleated Bateau Neck Top
• Button-Back Bateau Neck Top

And then there are the fabrics! This pattern was design for knits of a wide variety, including fleece and boiled wool. And the Button-Back Bateau can also be sewn with woven fabrics. I include Tips for Sewing with Knits in the pattern if knits make you nervous (as they did me when I first sewed with them!). The Classic Bateau Neck Top is a great place to start if you've been thinking about trying knits.

I've had so much fun playing around with these tops. I love them in bold prints like these dots and stripes (ordered from this Etsy shop). And they look entirely different and a bit more dressed up in solid boiled wools. I could sew a whole wardrobe for my girls with this pattern, and just about have! But that doesn't stop me from having another set of variations planned for the next few months for both warm and cool weather.

If you'd like a look back at some of posts about this pattern while it was in the works you can check out the blue wool Bateau Neck Tops, this chevron Button-Back Bateau Neck Top, this yellow fleece version, the ruffled one I made for Tess's Easter ensemble, oh, and this mini-striped Bateau I snuck in with Audrey's quilted skirt.

The Bateau Neck Top pattern includes sizes 18 months to 10 years and is a 43 page PDF including 16 pattern pages for printing. It was tested in the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia and is fit to print on letter or A4 paper.

You can find The Bateau Neck Top pattern and subsequent releases here in my new Wee Muses Etsy shop.

And what about my Aesthetic Nest Etsy Shop? It's still here and I'll continue to offer printables, knit and crochet patterns (and who knows what else) as I develop them for my home and family. I will also continue offering Aesthetic Nest sewing patterns, but plan to retire many of them and offer them new and improved through Wee Muses. We'll see how quickly that goes!

If you have any questions please let me know. In the meantime we'll be celebrating (one big hurdle cleared and, happily, more to go) and giving away The Bateau Neck Top pattern to two readers!

Please click through for the details and to enter the giveaway.