Monday, November 26, 2012

Cyber Monday Sale

Are you enjoying all the Cyber Monday emails you have surely received in your mailbox today? Well, I for one always check to see what type of promotions my favorite vendors are running so I can stock up on my stash.

We have decided to offer a special Cyber Monday savings to our best customers this year, and I want to extend the invitation to you. If you did not receive an email from me yesterday and you would like to be added to our email list, please drop us a line at orders@wendyschoen.com. We will be using this list of names to notify you of our class offerings, current events, newsletters and special promotions.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Color Block Baby Dress

In just one week, we will all be going to the polls to elect our next President of the United States. To show my patriotism, I designed this cute dress. The dress was one I recently taught and I wanted to offer it to everyone. The version I taught was made with hemstitching along the applique bands, but this version features Point de Paris stitch by machine. We are featuring this project on our site as the Kit of the Month, along with a special price. The kit contains beautiful Ulster Linen gingham checks and grid handkerchief linen and comes in sizes 1 to 4. It is also available in blue and white.

This is the first time I have joined a Madeira Applique band cut on the bias. Let me tell you, it was quite different as the band kept stretching, making measuring tricky. Below is a mini tutorial for joining the contrast bands.

The completed Color Block Baby Dress made in the red version with Ulster linen and grid woven handkerchief linen.

Antique buttons were used to accent the pleats. These buttons are included in the kit, too.

Back of dress features shoulder bands that snap together for ease in dressing.

The contrast Madeira Applique hem bands.

Pin and then baste the applique band to the dress, matching up the seams. Mark the placement on the band where the seams meet. It is better to align the seams than to match checks.


With right sides together and edges even, pin the band together.


Sew the band together at the marked position. Trim away excess seam allowances AFTER checking the fit of the band.
 
Open out the hem band, place it in position on skirt and baste securely in place, turning under the edges along the stay-stitches. Press well, then stitch via machine with the blanket stitch function (Point de Paris or Pinstitch), L=2.5; W=1.5.