We don’t participate in blog tours much these days. Deadlines are difficult to make, and our “to-do list” always is much longer than our actual “done list”.

To put this in perspective, we are STILL in the finishing stages of the 3rd niece’s Easter dress.

Thank goodness for handmade-me-downs! Are we right?!?!

Still, when An {of Straight Grain patterns} sent out a “call” for pattern testers and/or blog tour participants, we had to put our “name in the hat!” Time and time again, An’s patterns speak to our style and vision for sewing for our nieces.

The Nova pattern did just that! We had wanted to experiment with honeycomb smocking for some time – and this was just the excuse we needed to do so.

It might be considered strange to sew a dress, commemorating a country’s independence . . . for a blog tour . . . of a blogger from a different country.

Yet, here we are – being unconventional, at best.

We thoroughly enjoyed sewing the Nova: a pattern full of options – sleeve options {sleeveless, cap, and long}, pleating options {flat, zigzag, box, and honeycomb}, closure options {invisible zipper, button, ribbon}, and garment options {dress or blouse} give a sewist the opportunity to design / create with numerous possibilities. Another perk with her patterns are the interchangeability of sleeve and collar options between patterns. It also ranges in size from 3m – 12 years, and is available electronically OR as a paper version.

Based on EA’s chest measurement, we sewed a size 5, with size 7 length {no collar, capped sleeves, honeycomb smocking, and a button variation for closure purposes}.

The goal with our design: Keep it S.I.M.P.L.E.

1. White pique for the main fabric

2. Navy piping around the capped sleeves

3. Fun button for closure. . . just for fun

4. Bold contrast on honeycomb smocking {drawing attention to that detail}

The honeycomb smocking was actually done using two thread colors. First, we used a navy thread to secure the honeycomb pleats in place. Then, we returned to add a red stitch over the navy stitching. Thus, creating an “Independence Day Dress”.

The honeycomb smocking technique is definitely one we would like to use again . . . it wasn’t a hard concept, and it gives a garment texture and interest.

During the course of the blog tour, An is having some fantastic giveaways . . .and this week is no different. Eileen, of Elizabeth Little, has a sweet surprise for one lucky winner. All the details will be on instagram tomorrow, so stop by and check out the weekly prize. We wish we were eligible to win, but we aren’t . . . so we are crossing our fingers that one of our readers will win instead!!

And, while the Nova blog tour is quickly coming to a close, we encourage you to see more inspiration from the others on tour:

Sisko by Mieke – Bel’Etoile – Zowiewo – Petrol & Mint – sewpony – Fairies, Bubbles & Co
Elizabeth Little – Maker Mountain Fabrics – Better Dressed Child – Just Add Fabric – My Petite Sophie
Frances Suzanne – I Sew Blanche – Lily & Woody – My Minnie Mie
I Love You Sew – Thread Riding Hood – Ariane Blog

Tweet