the Hopscotch Dress by the pattern testers

The most fun part of creating a new pattern has got to be working with pattern testers. While there may still need to be changes after working with them, it pretty much means sitting back and watching the pretty photos come in. It couldn't be more true than with this dress.

Without further ado, here are the testers creations, in order from smallest to largest:

 Swoon! This 2T was made by Jovanna.

Fit for a princess by pattern tester Shanna of Sparrows in Flight.

This little sweetie is Mary on Lake Pulaski's granddaughter. This is the dress in a 3T.

I am particularly fond of this little angel because she is my assistant's daughter. Thank you so much Audrielle! Also a 3T.

This cutie is modeling for Bec Clarke from down under! size 4T. Also find Bec here and here.

Size 5 by Athena. Don't you love all these colors? And Emilie used to wear those same boots. I'm a sucker for those.

Size 5 by Heather in the 3/4 sleeve option.

And another size 5 in the 3/4 sleeve option. This one is by Kristina of Pukeko Kids. So cute!

 Absolutely loving this one! (what am I saying? I love all of them!) Tonia created this outfit for her sweet North Carolina little miss. Size 6.

My wonderful friend Jenny Fish made this for her daughter. (MUST not let Anna see this one as she will have us sewing again right away) Size 7.

And this gorgeous little girl is wearing the creation of Hanna McKenzie in size 7.

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Here is my cute niece Maggie. My sister tested a size 8 for me. Thanks Christy!

Here is the dress in size 12 on pretty Jenna. Thank you Cindy! Cindy had a bit of camera trouble, but the dress is adorable.

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And last but not least, size 14 by tester Kristi. I'm always amazed with Kristy because she homeschools 6 kids but still finds time to pattern test for me.

Thank you everyone! I could not do this without you.To purchase the Hopscotch Dress in paper or pdf, visit the Lilac Lane Etsy shop.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14

Love,

xoxo

New Pattern: the Hopscotch Dress!

Don't you love May? It's such a fun month with so many, many new patterns coming out. I'm so happy to introduce you to my newest creation, the Hopscotch Dress.

 I love, love, LOVE this pattern! First of all, did you notice that the pattern goes up to size 14?

 The stripwork skirt is make of varying widths of fabric (you choose!).

 You can also choose to add these handy side pockets.

 I am in love with the knee-length hem.

 My favorite part is that it's so casual. Just perfect for a day at the park or the beach.

 We had so much fun doing the photo shoot for this one. Although our spring was very wintery, we found a really beautiful day for this.

 Did I tell you the best part? There were 15 pattern testers! Yes, 15!!! Their creations will be up tomorrow, so make sure to check back. It will be like looking at a rainbow with all the pretty colors.

 To purchase this pattern, as either an e-pattern or as a paper pattern, please visit the Lilac Lane Etsy shop.

 And if you're wondering why Hopscotch? Here is the first photograph I took of the dress. Love this one.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30

Love,

xoxo

New Pattern: Out My Window Quilt!

I'm so excited to introduce my new quilt to you, Out My Window Quilt. Last spring in Kansas City, Ellen Medlock's assistant asked me if I'd ever be interested in working with their fabric. Who could say no to fabric as gorgeous as this?

Here is the result! Made from two blocks with all rotary cut pieces (no templates), this quilt goes together quickly. The instructions are written for both a 52" throw (on the cover) and an 87" full/queen.

Thanks so much to long-arm quilter Jeanne Schroeder and pattern tester Karen Woodhull!

The quilt shows off two large-scale prints. As you can see below, a different fabric line gives a completely different look. Below is Mark Hordyszynski's new line, Beadwork for Michael Miller fabrics.

Find this quilt in the Lilac Lane etsy shop! Happy sewing!
 
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Love,

xoxo

Web Cents Magazine

There's a sewing magazine for shop owners who also have online businesses, called Web Cents. In their latest issue, they featured me!

 Here's the cover.

 And the table of contents. Yes, those are Heather Jones and Angela Walters. Guess what? My feature was the very first, right on page 6!

 It was interesting to see how differently Heather Jones and I answered the same questions.

 And the last page has a little recap of the magazine. See the girls and I in the apron pattern?

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Love,

xoxo

Stitch Magazine

A new issue of Stitch is out -- Stitch with Style. And I have a pattern in it! Do you wonder how to get your pattern into a magazine such as Stitch?

I certainly don't have any magic formula, but I can tell you how it worked for me. I just happened to go onto their website and saw that they were preparing for a special edition all about style. There was a call for submissions and the deadline was the very day that I looked at the website! I believe it was sometime last October. Anyway, I happened to have an outfit all drawn up that I had decided I would not make into a pattern for one reason or another (I do this quite a bit, I'm pretty picky about what actually goes into a pattern.) I quick snapped some pictures of Anna wearing it and sent in a little write up. Then I forgot about it.

Fast forward to December and I got an e-mail saying they had accepted my pattern and just write up the pattern and make up a sample in size 6. We discussed colors over the phone and e-mail and now here it is May and the magazine is out!

So here are the photos from the magazine! This is a reversible girl's dress. It is sized from 2 to 6X. Aren't the pockets sweet?

 I have a little ad in the magazine as well, see below.

 And here is the original dress with Anna modeling (very similar to the one for the magazine really.)

So what's my advice? Wait to the last minute? I'm not sure that had anything to do with it, but I feel blessed to be featured like this. Yahoo! Stitch magazine!!!!

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

Love,

xoxo

Birthday Soup

Can you believe this is what we woke up to this morning? Here it is April 23, and snow! It also snowed on my birthday, April 18. In between the two snow days we had 70 degrees. Oh my, Kansas. So on my birthday, I made a big pot of soup with what I had on hand in the refrigerator and pantry. I'll share my recipe and then you can adapt it to what you have in your cupboards.

 Birthday Soup

1 onion

2 bell peppers (mine were red and yellow)

1 Anaheim pepper

2 carrots

2 ribs of celery

3 cloves of garlic

1/2 cup of chopped cilantro

1 cup of fresh spinach

thyme

oregano

1 cup whole wheat pasta

chicken stock or chicken bullion (I prefer Better Than Bullion)

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1. Roughly chop the onion, peppers, carrots, celery and garlic. Saute over medium-high heat in a couple of tablespoons of oil until tender and slightly browned. 

2. Add 8 cups of water or 8 cups of stock, cilantro, and bullion (if not using stock) to taste.

3. Bring to a boil and add pasta, oregano and thyme.

4. Lower heat and simmer until the pasta is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. (Check the carrots.)

5. Place a small patch at a time in your food processor and give it a whirl. You want it cut to small pieces but not pureed. Try to avoid some of the pasta so that you still have whole pasta in the soup.

6. Place all the soup back in the pot and add spinach. Heat just until wilted. 

7. Stir in the parmesan cheese and enjoy!

Love,

xoxo

New Pattern! My First Pillow and Pillowcase

 The third in the series of Learning to Sew Patterns is out! My First Pillow and Pillowcase teaches easy French seams and reversible French seams. You can quickly make up coordinating pillowcases and accent pillows for your bed.

 All the Learning to Sew patterns are currently on display at Petersen-Arne Distributors in Eugene, Oregon! If you live in the northwest, visit their showroom to see all of the patterns in person. They will also display these in their booth at Spring Quilt Market in Portland next month.

 Like all the Learning to Sew patterns, this one is only $6. You can get it on Etsy in paper or on Craftsy as an e-pattern.

Don't forget my blog anniversary/ birthday giveaway and sale!

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

Love,

xoxo