Sunday, 11 November 2012

Now You're Just Somebody That Used to Sew

red cloud dress full 8

This week I finally got back on the machines for the first time post-surgery.  I'm not supposed to lift heavy things for as long as it suits me as an excuse an undetermined length of time; although I can't fault the surgery itself or the hospital stay, the post-surgery information about what I'm supposed to do or not do has been non-existent.  So to err on the side of caution, I was worried about lifting my behemoth Janome 1100D (it weighs at least 10 kilos) lest my nose collapse into my face or explode like a over-blown balloon.

red cloud dress full 7

What an anti-climax, nothing happened.

red cloud dress full 9

But also, yay.

red cloud dress full 11

In other anti-climatic and good news, I'm finishing up my Skater Dress pattern with the intention of having it ready for testing next weekend.  Those of you who've known me for awhile won't believe me (I'm looking specifically at Emily here) but it's true.  Probably.

red cloud dress full 3

There will be options for long, short and sleeveless versions and it will cover sizes 18m/2T, 3T/4T, 5Y/6Y, 7Y/8Y.  If you have access to a child that size, are interested in testing and can sew and give feedback in a speedy fashion please leave a comment with the size and sleeve option.  Long or short sleeves probably apply to most of us but I would definitely like a couple of those lucky ducks who live somewhere that's not currently freezing to test the sleeveless option.  Please, please, pretty please can you sew the size that fits your child's age rather than individual physique so none of that 'my child is 2 but I normally make her an age 8'.  I hope that doesn't sound mean or snotty but doing it that way gives me more meaningful feedback on general sizing; after testing you can make any size you like repeatedly and with impunity :) 

42 comments:

  1. That fabric is AMAZING. I must must must make a wholesale order with you. That fabric will be involved.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'll test the sleeveless in 5/6. Rylee is about 4 1/2 and sleeveless days are over here. But that still puts her in her current size and something that she can still wear next summer (or really March here). She's currently wearing both size 4 & 5 from the store. Would that be ok?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay! I'll probably also make a long sleeve one, too, so can give additional feedback on that.

      Delete
  3. Noting that @MrsB147 on Twitter has offered to test 3T/4T, any sleeve.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have access to a 7 year-old. Um, gosh that sounds creeper-like! I should say that my daughter is a 7-year-old, size 7. It is kinda cold here, so I would prefer to make the version with sleeves (either long or short), but I'm game for whatever you need.

    ReplyDelete
  5. My daughter would love that dress. Shame her mummy is a useless seamstress!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ooh, I would like o test a long sleeve age 7/8 please! Or maybe 5/6 depending on how tall Maia is.. As Sophie is her twin!! Hahaha ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. And that's what you can do whilst in recovery, your capacities never cease to amaze me, it's lovely. I'm in warmer climes but still it's nippy here, so I would opt for longer sleeves but I'm willing to do sleeveless if that's what you need, mine will be 7 in January. xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ooooh pick me pick me! I have a 6 1/2 year old so 7/8 maybe ? and would prefer the short sleeve option please, we are all about layering ;-) And phew to your nose not exploding! That would have made a huge mess all over your fabric :-P

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have a 3yr old and a 6yr old I can test on. I'm happy to do short or long sleeved for you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. As much as I would love to be a tester, I have no idea how long it will take me to make one of these, given my stoopidly busy life and lack of ability to prioritise. Will be watching and waiting for the pattern. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'd love to test a 3T/4T in any sleeve or none. joan dot jamieson at rogers dot com.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi I'm a newbie at clothes but would love give it ago, Maisie is skinny 6 year old so 5/6 would probably be bob on. Don't mind what sleeve. Email address is:snowflake.unique@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I could do a 5/6 for Nicole... Olivia is a 2yr old who wears 3 from gap/oldnavy on top and 2 on bottom, so I'm not sure what she would do best in so I'd probably not be the ideal tester there. I can do short sleeves for Nicole, despite the fact we've got a pile of snow outside, because she likes to wear sweaters. Long sleeve would be ideal but I could come back to it.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi I would LOVE to pattern test for you! I have a two year old, who wears an 18m-2T or a three yo that wears a 4T. I will test whichever size or sleeve option you need!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would love to test this for you. I could do a 3/4, 5/6, and/or 7/8 in any sleeve option. {Having three girls makes for great sewing!}

    rebekahricker (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Damn I'm slow! Me me me! I have 6yr old, She thinks we live somewhere so much hotter than we do!
    straygoddess @ gmail . com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oooo, I would love to be a tester for you!!! I have 3 girls, in sizes 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8. And I am happy to do any sleeve option you need done. :) My oldest would especially love a cute, comfy dress like this. :)

    grokgrace(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'd love to test the 4 or 5t. Roo is 4 and a half so not sure what size you would prefer?.... I don't mind what sleeve length

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'd love to test 18M/2T, any sleave. Greetings from Budapest

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'd love to test 2T, ideally the long sleeve, but would also be happy to try the shorter version and layer it through the winter.
    runcibles dot lake at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. If you still need a 5-6 tester I would love to! No point making my giraffe of a 4 year old anything smaller! Happy to do sleeveless as a pinafore or long sleeved? That fabric is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'd love to test the 7/8 size - and probably the sleeveless version (yes, I know, it's Scottish autumn, but Megan doesn't seem to feel the cold, and layers are always good!). Glad to hear that you are recovering... Maybe we can organise another fabric hunting expedition sometime!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I do believe you! But only cos you did a pinky swear.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I could do an aged 5 with sleeves of some sort, I'm sure tiny wouldn't mind.

    ReplyDelete
  25. A lovely dress and a useless at sewing Mummy I'm ashamed to say.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have a 4 year old to sew for & busy avoiding a quilting project so lots of clothes getting sewn just now! We're all about layers so sleeveless would be fine but sleeved would be better.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'd love to help test for you, if you still need more people. I have 3 girls, ages 2, 4, and 6. I'd be happy to help with any of the sizes, preferably in long or short sleeves.

    Also, glad to hear nothing terrible happened when you lifted your machine. :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I can test a size 6. I have tested before for another pattern designer and I love knits. I have some samples of my work in my flickr account. I would love to test this pattern looks fun. designsmck(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. If you still need testers, I have 3 not-nieces that I sew for all the time. They love dresses with swishy non bulky skirts. They are ages 2 3 and 5. I can do any sleeve length since they can wear the sleeveless as a jumper. Just let me know what I would need to do since I have sewn quite a bit but never tested a pattern for anyone before. emsewcrazy at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. 18 M/ long sleeve preferred, but can do any of them. My daughter is 13 months, but she's a chunky monkey.

    Elaina @ sewducky.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hello! I have daughters age 7, 5, 3, and 6 months. AND I live in a warm climate, so short sleeve and sleeveless we're good to go! I'd love to test it out :)
    MTRAND2 at gmail dot com

    -Tia

    ReplyDelete
  33. My daughter would love this dress, she is 3 1/2 and the 3/4 would be perfect for her. We are getting ready for winter here, so long sleeve would be most appropriate.

    megan
    m.t.commerford(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I have a 1 year old and a 4 year old and I'd love to test your adorable pattern! Long sleeves as we're in Michigan. My 1 year old unfortunately falls directly into your "my kid is 12-18 mos. but wears a 24 month as she's off the charts for height. The 4 year old is exactly true to size. deshazer(dot)jennifer(at)gmail(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I would love to test for you! I could test the 18 mo, the 5/6, or the 7/8. I have a 6 yr old daughter and a neighbor with willing models for the other two! :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Speed is not my specialty, so as much as I would love an advance look at the pattern, I'll wait patiently for its release.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi, I love this pattern! Do you have enough testers yet? My daughter's just turned 3 and, although we live in London, I'd be happy to make the sleeveless version and have her wear it with a tshirt underneath!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I don't know if you are still looking for test sewers but I have an almost 2yr old and an 8 yr that I could make a dress for. I could do either short or long sleeves. Or both. I have knit on hand and ready to go. I previously tested the reversible hoodie and the undies for you. I'd love to do it again. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Oh, or sleeveless. I missed that the first read around. :)

    ReplyDelete