Last skirt to show you for a little while.  This is the final one that will be available in a kit.  More information coming on that soon!

Poor Ellie...this one is a little tight around her belly because it's actually a gift for her cousin who's been in the hospital.  We're hoping it will cheer her up!  She's receiving it today so I can show this on my blog now.

This is her "This is supe-y freezing out here, Mom!" look!    (If you're new to my blog, Ellie pronounces "super"--"supe-y" and EVERYTHING is "supe-y" something!)

This beautiful Jennifer Paganelli fabric is from Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops as well.  Gorgeous, GORGEOUS fabric!

Dancer pattern can be purchased here and fabric can be purchased here if you'd like to start on one before the kit is available.

All photography courtesy of Sarah Acker Photography.

When Terri from Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops sent me some of her beautiful heirloom fabric to make one of my Dancer skirts, I was really excited.  I'd always intended on showing the pattern this way at some point but just hadn't made the time. 

This is her oh-so-lovely dotted Swiss (which you know...is my favorite!), and her to-die-for Batiste.  Ok, I'm not kidding, I had to ask her what she sent me.  This is the BEST batiste I've ever worked with...AND it's a POLY-BLEND (which I'm all about with little kids)!   It has a sheen like cotton sateen and is not sheer.  So very soft...okay I could go on and on.  Trust me...it is AWESOME!  And I used some ecru laces and wide eyelet lace and silk ecru ribbons to decorate it.  I also did three rows of pintucks on the bottom layer of the skirt to add some interest.  This is a very fast heirloom project.  AND...it will soon be available as a KIT!  Doesn't that make it easy!?

I asked my mom if she could make a top for Ellie to wear with it and I am just loving it with this skirt.  Isn't my mom good?  This is my friend, Annastasia's crochet pattern.

So, if you haven't already...try my Dancer skirt with heirloom fabrics and laces.  So very girly...and so very easy!

All photography courtesy of Sarah Acker Photography.

I love it when you send me emails of garments you've made using my patterns.  Jana is a sweet lady I've gotten to know through my blog who always writes me encouraging comments.  She teaches sewing classes up in Alaska and her sewing group recently used my Sweet Apple Frock as a class project.

The other day, I opened up my email to the most lovely pictures of her daughter and her friend's daughter modeling not only her Sweet Apple Frock but also my Dancer skirt.

Here is her Sweet Apple Frock shortened to top length by omitting the last tier of ruffles:

And here is her Dancer pattern, always a popular one with girls:

So beautiful!  Thanks so much for sharing these pictures with me Jana.  You made my day!

I made this Dancer skirt for the SAGA Market using new Pima Cottons from Fine Stitchery.  It's a little bit big since I made it specifically for next year.  But, with the cast, Elisabeth's wardrobe is very limited!  This little t-shirt and skirt still works.

 However, I think she may be getting her cast off today - a few days early.  One lady told me her 2 yr old had a cast on and they found cheerios and glitter when they took it off.  Well, Miss E now has a piece from Battleship in her cast! 

Be back later with your free pattern!  Aren't you dying to see?? 

Okay all you silly ladies who kept emailing me and emailing me to find out when I would finally be finished writing Dancer!  Well,

IT'S DONE!!!

That means it is time for my Giveaway!  Four may not be a particularly special number to most people but it is to me. I have four kids, I have four pets, and I really wanted the last four cookies for lunch today (but the kids beat me to them!)...and I now have FOUR patterns out! So, I am offering my first Giveaway to celebrate!  

The winner will receive each of my four patterns and enough fabric to make the Dancer skirt in any size! 

Isn't this fabric so fun for summer?  It is from Bessie Mary.  Jan at Bessie Mary has a beautiful blog and store.  Stop by and see her other yummy fabric! 

This giveaway has a total value of  $80.00!!!

And wait, there's one more thing I must tell you.  This week I am going to be rewriting my first three patterns.  I have learned lots since my first pattern and those of you who have already purchased these patterns from me, don't panic!  I'm not changing the pattern pieces or the construction of the garments.  What I am changing is adding more diagrams and explaining things more fully so that even the most basic beginner sewer will not have any difficulty with the instructions.  So, the winner of this Giveaway will receive the VERY FIRST of the revised patterns!

Here are the rules to be entered into the drawing:

1. Become a follower of my blog.  If you were a member before, it does not count.  You must be listed in my Google Friend Connect since I am no longer using the other member log.

2. Post a comment to this post. Tell me how you heard about me and how you learned to sew.

3. Link to this post on your blog and leave the link your comment.

If you do all three, you will be entered three times in the drawing.Giveaway ends Saturday, May 1st at midnight.  Good luck!

Edited to add:  Some have mentioned that they are getting notification of every comment left after them.  I put a message into Tech Support but until they change some things, you may want to go in and edit your profile so your inbox doesn't get crammed with new comments!  Just sign in and on the far left, there will be a button to edit your profile.  If you don't understand what I mean, just email me!  Of course if you want to see others' stories on how they learned to love sewing, just check your inbox. 

I've been talking so much about Lil' Bluebird because I intended on releasing that pattern first but I want to change a couple of things on it first so I'm going to go ahead and release Dancer this week alone.  Here is a sneak peek at the pattern cover:

What do you think? 

Also, I thought you might be interested in seeing some of the testers' renditions of this pattern.  They all turned out really cute!

Because of many email requests to make Dancer available in larger sizes, I'm happy to tell you that it will now be available in sizes 1-8!   However I'm sorry to tell you that I am full for testers on this one!  Sorry!!  I love that so many are reading my blog and as excited about my new pattern as I am!  Thank you!!

Have a great week everyone!  Oh yeah...and a picture of course.  Isn't this amazing?

Nothing to do with sewing, I know but still - it's amazing!

Can you tell I'm having fun with this pattern? Sorry to tease you but I have to show you one more before I send it to the testers.  This is a size 2.  This is the only skirt that will stay on my baby because of the attached shorts.  I made her a skirt for fun one time with an elastic waist and the front would drop down and hang funny.  Then I would adjust it and it would ride really high.  You know what I mean...

So, this is just done with scrap fabrics in my stash.  I was really doing it just to test the pattern.  I never use muslin for my toiles for this simple reason... if I use somewhat cute fabric, I can still use them as playclothes afterwards if they don't turn out exactly right.  But I actually do like the way this turned out!  I need to adjust the waistband a little still but it's just about done.  This one isn't smocked.  Don'tcha love that matching necklace??  LOL  Gotta let a girl have her bling, I guess!