Me, myself & Peggy...

I thought it about time to take some photos of one of the many Peggy skirts i made for myself. This polka dot Peggy was actually one of the very first samples of the Peggy skirt View A with the button tabs that i made it up to test the actual design of the skirt to see  whether i liked it, if it would work, is it comfortable and most importantly does it look good on the old bod! 

The last two patterns, Billie Jean and Mae i modeled the patterns myself which was a lot of fun and definitely an experience in getting over being really self conscious in front of the camera.. Ok i'm still kinda awkward and uncomfortable, but i'm working on it and no doubt i will do some modelling again for future patterns. But for the Peggy skirt i was so grateful when my gorgeous friend Michelle kindly accepted my invitation to model the Peggy skirt for me and freshen shit up a bit, it occurred to me you may possibly be sick of seeing my face! And what a fine job she did, she's one good looking chick, yeah? 

I'm really enjoy the  little kick i still get when i am wearing one of my pattern designs out and about... I really  don't think this is will ever get old, this pattern designing gig, i love it and  i think i may have just found my passion :) But in saying this i also  think it is  important to show the patterns i design actually on me, the designer. As i said i am very, very  proud of each design and i want to show them off to you and their versatility in fabric or wear etc, i also want you to see there is nothing hidden in the pattern designs and lastly and most probably the main point is  i want to show you how they look on a average gal, like me. 

Because sometimes there is an illusion created, i think, with fashion design especially be it a  pattern design or clothing that it can  sometimes  lack any kind of  authenticity or realness  and basically looks downright  fake  when shown on a professional model, who would look amazing in a hessian bag amirite? And yeah the photos look amazing in the end  and totally should be in a magazine but what about the real world? What would it look like on a girl that isn't a size 0? Or has more junk in their trunk? Big boobs? Has some tum tum area? Or is the total opposite of these things? You get my point. I don't want to do this with Bluegingerdoll, not from the very beginning, EVER . I wanted  to to show  some kind of realness  and authenticity with my pattern designs and it is as real as its going to get when on me, because i am that girl i just described above with the  junk in the trunk, tum tum area the whole list.  So here i am, in all my realness and  not a professional model ( obviously and  neither is Michelle) just a  girl who is just proud of her pattern designs and wants to show them off and is just trying to have a go at something she loves doing while keeping shit real, rant over, now  enjoy:

Oh yeah i finally got new hair... only took me a million years.. I'm one of those people that inst really a fan of going to the hairdressers for some reason i akin  it to the the dislike of dentists some folks have.

 With my samples i tend to  choose pretty standard fabrics and as cheap as possible. Doing this means  i can still  re work ( pull apart and use the fabric for something else)  if i have too or still wear it as a 'wearable muslin' that will slide into my wardrobe rotation, that's if i decide that its a shit design idea and its not going to work. The many samples i make for each pattern design tend to get A LOT of changes made to them so obviously no point using that rare vintage fabric that i have as well. Hence the choice of this discounted polka dot cotton fabric that i have like a millions yards of laying around, but totally still looks cute though and is very versatile in my wardrobe. 

In case you haven't noticed the Peggy skirt has way cool pockets... See I'm being helpful and pointing them out :)

This particular Peggy skirt i made a tad shorter, so it would sit just above the knee and its still totally cute. The original Peggy skirt version shows it sitting below the knee which  is still very much a flattering length, but just to show you short or longer the Peggy skirt will still look super cute!

****Don't forget to enter the competition to win yourself a copy of the Peggy skirt, check it out here, ends this Friday.***

Abby
x

Mae by Abbey....

 

 

Remember this gorgeous Mae blouse that won the Mae sew-along and contest? It was sewn up by the gorgeous Abbey from  Sewcharleston. Abbey's Mae blouse definitely caused a raucous stir among the sewing community when the voting begun. Some hearts definitely started racing with Abbey's choice of fabric for her Mae blouse.. Absolutely divine and so well suited to the Mae blouse  a match made in heaven.

Abbey was kind enough to answer a few questions for me about her sewing experience with the Mae blouse, and basically her Mae blouse is sooo beautiful  not to share again with you folk so take it away Abbey!

What type of fabric did you use? What inspired your choice of fabric?

I used a quilting weight cotton by Anna Maria Horner. The fabric is called Social Climber in Teal. I chose this fabric because I felt it had a vintage feel to it and the Mae blouse is a vintage inspired pattern. This is my fabric quilting weight cotton to date and I think it was perfect for the Mae. I also wanted to use a fabric that I have a lot of confidence sewing with, since sewing scallops was a new skill for me. The scallops were surprisingly easy, especially with the scallop tutorial on the Bluegingerdoll blog. 

 

* Did your  Mae blouse  live up to the image you had in your mind?

My Mae blouse is EXACTLY how I envisioned it. I actually first envisioned it with fabric covered buttons, but then I found these red buttons. The red buttons really stand out, which helps draw more attention to this beautiful detail. I was also afraid the quilting weight cotton would be too stiff for a blouse, but since the Mae is a fitted blouse I think it works just fine.

*How did you decide to reflect your personal style in the pattern?

I love floral fabric (probably a little too much), s0 the roses trailing down this blouse pretty much sum up my personal style....FLOWERS! One of the reasons I love sewing my own wardrobe is that I won't pass someone on the street or at work wearing the same outfit as me. The Mae blouse takes the uniqueness of sewing your own clothes up to a whole other level with it's scalloped neckline. When have you ever come across a scalloped neckline like this? I love it! I think Bluegingerdoll needs to make a long-sleeved version and a dress. I need more scallops in my life!

*Tell us a bit about your making process, any tweaks you made? 

The only tweak I made was to complete a SBA. This was a new skill for me and something I thought was way over my sewing level. Abby posted a tutorial on how to complete a SBA and FBA on her blog. I gave it a try thinking I was going to fail miserably, but it worked!

* What thoughts do you have about the project?

I learned 2 new skills with this pattern, how to sew scallops and how to complete a SBA.The tutorials posted for the sew along were so detailed and helpful that I feel like I took a sewing class for free!

 

*Are you planning any future Mae Blouses?

 I have quite a few plans for future Mae Blouses. I would like to make one out of chambray to go with all the different coloured skinny jeans I own. This pattern only uses 1 1/2 yards of fabric, which I have a lot of in my fabric stash right now. I can't wait to stash bust with the Mae! It's finally cooling down here in Charleston, so you probably won't be seeing my Mae blouses until next spring. 

 

You must go and check out Abbey's blog she is sewing up a storm over there and has the most beautiful handmade wardrobe ever!

 

 

 Thank you Abbey!

 

 

INTRODUCING PEGGY + 10% OFF!!!!!!!!!!

Introducing the Peggy skirt!!!! 

The 3rd  pattern release for me & my little pattern company, Bluegingerdoll. Finally i can show you all, no more teasers, haha!

 I decided a skirt pattern was needed in the Bluegingerdoll range, especially a super easy, comfortable, feminine and very flattering design. A  skirt design  that would easily fit into your handmade wardrobe and onto your 'to-do' sewing list.


So without further ado,  let me  properly introduce Peggy:

'Especially designed for beginners the Peggy Skirt  is a cute A line  skirt with just the right  amount of flare.  This easy to sew skirt  features a gorgeous  front pocket design  with cute front tucks. A wardrobe essential , the high waist design will give maximum  figure flattery. The Peggy skirt  includes  three different  waistband variations. View A  has a straight waistband  with cute button tabs. View B  has a raised curved waistband. View C  has a curved 'Lip' shaped waistband.

 A practical ,comfortable and  stunning skirt  suited to all seasons and a variety of fabrics, your imagination is the only limit!'

 

There are three waistband  variations in the Peggy skirt pattern, so you basically transform the skirt into a totally different look with the simply change of the waistband:

 View A 

View A has the cutest waistband button tabs that attach to the side of the waistband. Easy to create and easy to attach for a lovely, fresh design detail. You can also easily swap the button tabs between each waistband variation.

 

View B

View B has a curved shaped waistband. The raised curved of the View B waistband  will accentuate your waist beautifully.

 

 View C 

View C has an extra cute  curved 'Lip' details waistband. Similar to View B, but gorgeous in its own right,the View C waistband design detail adds extra flattery and accentuation of the waist. 

 

 Beginner sewists

Beginners you will love the Peggy skirt, it is  really quick and  easy to sew up. It really is  a no hassles skirt. As i mentioned before it will fit easily into your handmade wardrobe and onto your sewing 'To do' list. With straight sewing techniques such as inserting a lapped zipper or attaching the waistbands, you don't need to learn any super exclusive sewing techniques, but it  will be a great pattern to practice your tried and true sewing skills. It is also easy skirt to  fit with only your waist and hip measurements needed. A quick muslin  is all you’ll need before sewing this beauty up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAST & FABRIC

With only 6-7 pattern pieces and  just under 3 metres of fabric required,  you will easily get  a gorgeous Peggy skirt in that special fabric you have been eye balling or that stash busting fabric you have been saving for the perfect project, Yay for stash busting!  The Peggy skirt is super suited to a huge variety of fabrics, such as Chambray, Cottons for the warmer months or heavier wool blends in the cooler months. So  you can definitely modify it to suit any kind of weather, wherever you are in the world.  Also because Peggy being a small pattern with  only 6-7 pattern pieces depending on which variation you sew up, its an easy skirt to sew up in a hurry.One of my pattern testers advised me they cut it out the day before, roughly within an hour or so  then sewed it up in the next night! Super fast. We love quick sewing projects, don't we?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY OR NIGHT, WORK OR PLAY

 Just throw on some tights, flats and a cute cardigan in the cooler months or grab you cutest wedges and sweet singlet top in the warmer weather,and you will be good to go with your Peggy skirt! By mixing and matching the waistband variations with different types of fabrics you can create a whole new fresh Peggy skirt each and every time you sew up this pattern.In no time at all you could have a whole range of Peggy skirts you will be able to wear day through to night, work or play, you only need to use your imagination!

Pockets!

Yay for pockets! I love pockets they are the best thing since sliced bread in my books...

The Peggy pockets are not only functional but  have also been designed so they 'gape' away from the skirt, which is a really cute design feature. They are also  nice deep pockets for all your treasures or simply place yo hands.

Cute Design Features:

The cutest front tucks around these parts. The tucks have been designed so that they add just an extra little bit of spesh to Peggy. A simply compliment, that beautifully accentuates the pocket design of Peggy.

    

Peggy also flattering  in the way that it nips in at the small of your waist, with its high waist design. It also loosely skims just over your hips but still with enough fit that you aren't completely lost in the skirt and have that 'I'm bigger than i actually am look', it actually creates the  maximum amount of  figure flattery for your curves.

 

 

 Bike friendly skirt length 

The Peggy has been certifiably tested and has been given the A-OK with riding a bike! The Peggy skirt length falls just below the knee not only for a feminine look but will keep your modesty in tact when on you bike, oh and also you want get trapped in your bike chain!The hem line is also a little bit looser then a standard A line skirt, allowing a little bit more extra flow and movement.  Also keep in mind  if you prefer the skirt  shorter then  it's super easy to shorten it  to your preferred length.

 

Tried and tested

Peggy has been tested through all sorts of scenarios, because you know what us gals are busy little bees. I have worn all three Peggy variations to my day job, grocery shopping, walked my dog, on a long car trip, bike riding, nights out etc and it is the most comfortable skirt throughout them all. And still at the end of all these activities i still felt gorgeous and comfortable. I will make one guarantee though with the Peggy skirt, you WILL receive a HEAP of compliments!!!

 





























  

  

 

 

Closure:

Peggy closes with a lapped zipper in the back... What can i say I'm a fan of Lapped zippers.
 

Your pattern

Its been lovely to hear such lovely comments on the new pattern packaging, I'm glad you all like it, i myself, am really happy with it. So once again the Peggy pattern will come in the cute Bluegingerdoll envelope packaging, all individually stamped by me! Included with the full multi- Sized paper pattern with clear, concise instructions with lots of detailed images AND with a sew-along coming soon on the blog.

I also have a new schmancy website to show you all as well!
It is the same website address www.bluegingerdoll.com just heaps cooler and a whole lot easier to shop! 


Guess what?!  I want you to  celebrate with me and enjoy the release of the Peggy pattern!
 Sooooo for the next week, finishing up on the 11th, you will receive 10% discount off the PEGGY pattern! Yay!

You can pick up a copy on the new and fancy WEBSITE or at the ETSY SHOP if you prefer that. Just use  the coupon code PRETTYPEGGY2013 in either shop to claim the discount. 

Peggy  is will only be available as a paper pattern.

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING is also available in both shops as well.


Hope you like PEGGY!
 Abby
x

MAE SEWALONG # 2 - FBA & SBA TUTORIAL

 Welcome back to sew-along post # 2. This post i am going to show you how to complete an FBA & SBA on the Mae blouse. I did mention in yesterday's post that Bluegingerdoll patterns are drafted to a D cup, which received a round of applause from a few readers, Yay! But obviously for those of you with different cups sizes, not so Yay. So instead of being restricted by your cup size, i  think it is an important to know how to complete Full bust adjustments or small bust adjustments, that way it doesn't matter what your bust size is, because you will be able to adjust any pattern to your right bust size. And  cup size wont rule your life, and that's a Yay all round!

So before we start, just a quick recap on yesterdays post. If you are sewing along you should have your fabric picked out, pre-washed and ready to go, your pattern traced to your size,  a muslin sewn up and tested the fit and  established if you need to make any adjustments  for a better fit.

OK lets jump in shall we:

What is an FBA & SBA? 

 

 In simply terms:

 

Full Bust Adjustment ( FBA) - You  need some more room for your girls, it is too tight in the bust area, they are getting squashed/flattened and  they need some air.

Small Bust Adjustment ( SBA) - You need less room for your girls, they is drowning in there.

So how do you know if you need to complete either a FBA or SBA?

 Simply! Just refer to that handy size chart on the back of the pattern envelope and:

FBA - If your bust measurement falls into the larger size column than the rest of your body.

SBA -  If your bust measurement falls into the smaller size column than the rest of your body.

Another way to tell, is if you’ve already made a muslin, you might notice that the bust area just isn't right i.e too loose, excess fabric, fabric sagging or too tight, the bust apex sitting too low or its  just simply looking just plain weird. Then you will need to complete a bust adjustment.  

Calculate your FBA or SBA 

Calculating your FBA & SBA is easy. You just need to figure out what size you would be if you used your  bust measurement... Got it? OK, then compare this size to what size you would if you used your other measurements ( waist, hip) as your size. Then grab your front bodice pattern piece and measure the distance between these sizes. TA DA! This is your FBA or SBA amount.Which ever adjustment you are going to make, this is the amount we will either increase or reduce the bust by.

What tools do i need?

Grab your traced Mae front bodice pattern piece, pencil, ruler, scissors, sticky tape and pattern paper. 

* Please note the bodice images i am using throughout the tutorial, all are working with the seam allowance included.

First up i will show the steps in completing an FBA, the SBA follows exactly the same steps, but instead of spreading the pattern piece for more room we overlap it for less room. For learning purposes it is easier just to focus on the one bust adjustment first up.

STEP 1 

To being with, cut off the sleeve section on the Mae bodice front.

 
 

 

STEP 2 

Get your pencils out and draw your slash lines onto the bodice front, as follow:

Line 1 - Draw 1/3 up the armhole to the apex and then straight through the centre of the vertical dart down to the hem line.

Line 2 - There is no side dart on the Mae blouse so you need to  slant the dart as if there were one. So draw Line 2 slanted from the side of the bodice and extending to the bust apex.

Line 3 - Draw anywhere below the bust apex in the section shown in the diagram.

Step 3

Grab your scissors ( not the fabric ones!) and cut line 1 starting from the hem line and then up to, but not through,  the armhole edge. On the armhole edge, snip a tiny amount in towards line 1, but not completely through,  to create a tiny hinge at this point. ( See diagram below)
Then cut line 2  up to line 1 at the bust apex point, again not right up to line 1, leave enough room to create another tiny hinge.

 



 

















 

Step 4 

 Now you need to tape down  the front section of the bodice, to keep it in place. So i would recommend placing some new pattern paper underneath the bodice piece you are altering and tape it onto that.

This is where we start to make the adjustments. Pull the bodice pieces apart at the horizontal arrows along line 1, using  the FBA amount you calculated that  you  would need for the FBA. You need to keep the long edge of line 1 parallel.  So to do this, keep the bodice completely  flat,  with the armhole going up  and the side panels dropping down - Line 2 will open up and form the side dart.
Now you need to keep these two side sections in place, at the pink dots on the diagram, so tape em down

Step 5 

Our last line we need to cut is Line 3. So cut  line 3 straight across and lower it  until the  bottom edges of the pattern sections are even. Tape it down at the pink dots, as shown on the diagram.

 

 Step 6  

Now because you have already taped your bodice pattern piece onto new pattern piece, you will have noticed that you have filled in these newly created FBA spaces. If you haven't taped it down onto new pattern paper, then you will need to fill in the openings with new pattern paper. Nearly down, all you need to do now is re-draw your darts on the bodice,  as shown on the diagram below. Most probably you will also need to fix up your seam allowances, so do that now as well.

 

Step 7 

 Tape  those sleeve back onto the Blouse, and cut out your new bodice pattern piece! 

 

SBA - SMALL BUST ADJUSTMENT

As i said at the beginning of the post, to complete and SBA on the Mae blouse, you basically follow the  steps from start to finish exactly the same as the FBA i.e draw your lines, cut them etc but instead of spreading the pattern at the 3 drawn lines, as you would for an FBA ,you simply just overlap the pattern at these same lines, using the SBA amount you have calculated. Easy!

 































 

FBA & SBA -  Important things to note!

*Making these bust adjustments will change the size of the waistline (IE make it smaller or wider) so you may need to make an adjustment at the waistline to maintain your correct size.
 *Depending on which bust adjustment you have completed and how much you have shifted the pattern to allow for more room or less, you will have to 'true' your patterns style lines IE at the side seams, hem line etc. 
* Keep the adjusted bodice pattern piece for your future reference, don't chuck it out!
* Once you have adjusted your bodice pattern, either with an FBA or SBA make another muslin and test again.



I hope this helps. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me!

Catch ya tomorrow for the next sew-along post ;)

Abby
x