My First Real Live Pattern!!

I'm still pinching myself that I have an actual pattern!  From my head, to your computer!  When Kelly asked if I would do a Christmas nightgown for my month of The Sew What Club, I was so excited.  Because.  5 girls. 

I picture in my head what I wanted: something simple (no closures!), classy, timeless, girly, but not too frilly, and, of course, comfy.

Then I found THE perfect fabric.  Polka-dotty double gauze!  If you've never been to Imagine Gnats, you are in for a treat.  She has so many amazing double gauzes.  I want them all.  They would also make great, unique swaddling blankets...but I digress.  

The reverse side is the inverse of the front.  I wanted to highlight both, so I used the reverse for the accent design element down the front, on the sleeve casings and the bottom ruffle.  I love it so much.

It's a super easy sew-up.  You can leave the front detail off, simplifying it even more. One of the testers cropped it and made matching shorts with the tunic.  The pattern comes with the option of shorts sleeves and you can leave off the ruffle for a shorter version.

The tester nightgown I made first for Clover was a HUGE hit with her.  She twirled and danced and loved it, so I knew little girls everywhere would love this mommy-made nightgown.  Since it's so simple, you still have time to sew it up before Christmas.  Wink, wink, nudge, nudge. All my girls will be getting one in their favorite colors...stay tuned for that photo op. ;)

When we were finished with our shoot, Clover wanted to take a selfie with my giant, brick-like camera, haha! I held the strap and she selfied away.  This generation. ;) And yes, the weather is really as amazing as it looks right now.  It's deceived me to think that Christmas isn't just around the corner. 

How can you get your pattern?  I'm so glad you asked!  Check out The Sew What Club.  It's a monthly subscription of digital patterns right to your inbox.  The kind that you want to sew up every one, in all the various options.  Kind of like your very own Christmas present each month.  I am consistently impressed with the patterns that the designers come up with each month.  It's like those cd clubs I used to belong to, only way better (and probably way cheaper ;)  

Birthday Giveaway Winners!

I just came inside from adding another super (box) to one of my hives.  I was stung.  Four times on my left leg.  I don't know what they have against my left leg, but OUCH!  I guess it serves me right for waiting until dawn and avoiding the task of picking winners for all the giveaways!  But here we go, ready or not!

Gina, you get to go shopping at the Ruffle Fabric shop! Hooray! (mrsdaniels)

Ohio Girl will be getting $50 to spend at Imagine Gnats fabric shop!(bearpaws9)

Nickel...will be cutting and filing on a dime with a cute pocket knife from Blade HQ! (Cathy555)

Hayley Burns will be spending $50 at Piggy & Dirt on stained glass stars!(possumsdaughter)

Jess will be swaddling some little feet with a pair of Mon Petit Shoes for her baby #5!  (crannberri7)

June will be healing and soothing with a jar of Mom's Stuff! (jvarricchione)

RedMittens will be steaming up a storm with a new iron from Reliable!(mbhunt)

And last, but not least, the winner of the beautiful Rachel Baby Lock sewing machine is Kandyce Pinckney!(kandyce.pinckney)

Whew!  I've had such a fun week sharing some of my favorites with you.  Thanks for indulging a birthday girl. ;)

$50 in Fabric!! (Birthday Giveaway #2)

Speaking of fabric, it's my favorite, so we're going to do another fabric giveaway!!  Haha!  I love that I have friends who have fabric shops.  I must be living my life right, or something.  Rachael is the shop owner of Imagine Gnats, and I love that she is just as excited about getting new fabrics in her shop as I am about getting new fabric to sew with.  I went through her almost 200 fabrics and picked out what'd I'd take home with me if it happened to be shopping-spree-with-no-limit-on-my-budget time.  Hey, a girl can dream, right?

Artisan Cotton!  I want to meet those artists, because they've got a mighty fine thing going. 

Crepe de chine in black and white.  Because, hello.  Black and white and French all over.

Then there's this heathered double gauze.  She had me at double gauze.  Love.

Throw Nani Iro in front of double gauze and I just go weak in the knees.  Kryptonite right there, baby.

Just when you thought you'd sewn with everything, you discover quilted jersey! 

This sweet, tiny stripe knit in blue and lime!

Geometric. White on white. Embroidery. Need I say more.

And you can never go wrong with the classic Swiss dot chambray.

• Leave a comment on this post to be entered to win a $50 gift certificate for anything you little sewing heart desires.
• Please include your email address, written out like nobigdillblog {at} gmail {dot} com if you're more comfortable with that.
• Giveaway winner will be announced Monday, August 3rd.
• Have another friend enter (especially if she doesn't sew ;)
• Good luck!