A few months ago, I joined Sewing Portfolio and recently was selected as a SP Ambassador. My definition of Sewing Portfolio is The Hub, it’s where you create an electronic portfolio of your sewing. Business members have the ability to search the database and find the right candidate for their projects. The other connection block to SP is their Facebook group, here in my opinion is where all the magic happens, relationships are built and bonds are formed. The best thing about Sewing Portfolio is the bond factor they bring to the sewing community. I constantly feel supported in my craft, as well as being introduced to vendors, pattern makers and fabric manufactures on all scale. I encourage you to take a moment and visit Sewing Portfolio’s website, where you can sign up for FREE membership. As an SP Ambassador, you have the opportunity to try fabric before they hit the stores. I am very pleased to share with you my project for the soon to be released Trade Winds Collection by Michael Miller Fabrics.
The Fabric
I received the lovely Tradewinds collection in the color ISLE. All the fabric is 44-45-inch wide and 100% cotton. This collection includes the designs Pineapple Express, Tradewinds, and Marrisa and also comes in Pink and Navy. In all honesty, I think this was the perfect collection for me, since I’m originally from the islands, it takes me back to days when I would head down to the beach and enjoy a stroll in the early morning with my parents.
The Dress
Ottobre Trumpet Dress was my choice for this project. I wanted to use a pattern with a simple silhouette, yet the cut would still have interesting details. This dress offers both, and sewing for a picky 8-year old is quite challenging. Sophia dislikes anything too form fitting (She hates jeans with a passion, leggings, anything too tight on the arms, anything that may prove to be almost itchy) and she requested it be slightly bigger. Against everything in me, I did as she requested, knowing in a few months she’ll grow into it nicely.
Sophia absolutely love this dress, and wouldn’t take it off, she’s requested I make the other colors in this collection. The fabric is of great quality and I would definitely purchase again, the designs are beautiful and the colors are popping. She had a ball, she knew exactly all the poses she wanted to do and planned the entire photo shoot. The only issue was the girl can’t stay still long enough. Although the adults became quickly exhausted it was well worth it!
I love everything about the design of this dress, the princess seams, the pleats on the skirt and especially the straps. The straps give the effect of a fan or clam, which is my favorite feature, it is also fully lined.
The Process
The process was fairly simple until the lining. I had the dress (shell) completed in an hour. What took the most time was trying to wrap my mind around the strap and lining. To be honest, the lining instruction was almost nonexistent. I felt like I was reading a different language when I got to the lining. This threw me off because I’ve added lining before without a glitch.
On the dress, I used Pineapple Express for the Bodice center front and center back and skirt, Tradewinds was used as the waistband and, Marrisa for the straps, side front, and side back, as well as for the lower skirt. The lower skirt was a modification on the pattern. All I did was find the midpoint on the skirt piece and cut in half. Remember to always add seam allowance to your pattern pieces.
My recommendation if you try this dress, add your straps after attaching the lining to the dress (shell). This will save you a lot of headache. I would definitely make this again, now I know the trick.
Thank You, Michael Miller Fabric for making this dress possible. If it wasn’t for Sewing Portfolio and the opportunity to be an Ambassador, I would not have known the joy (enjoyable stress) of sewing for children. It was a delight to see Sophia get excited about the project, her interest in sewing continues to grow. I can confidently say this is a beautiful line and perfect for the tropic traveler!
I love how you combined the various prints into one great looking dress 🙂
Author
Thank You! It was such a pretty color palette.
love the lines of the dress you chose! Perfect for showing off fabric combos!
Author
Thanks Jeanine! Wasn’t it fun being part of the first SP Ambassadors MMF release 🙂
What a great dress! Ottobre has the best details for kids. They strike such a perfect balance of making patterns with style but still being fun and easy for kids to move around in. I love the combination of these fabrics. So often you see people mix patterns and they look crazy because the colors are all over the place–these harmonize so well both in the prints themselves and the colors. You are not kidding about kids not staying still for pictures! For myself I set up my Nikon with my prime lens and get everything just so, but with them, I use my zoom lens on auto. SO much easier!
Author
It was just such an awesome pattern that I had to make it. Love the fabric also, it’s really nice quality. I’ll get the other colors in the collection. As for the camera, I would do auto (with my zoom), but the child wanted photos in so many places. It was a wonderful experience.
Renata, what a gorgeous little dress for such a beautiful little lady! I agree with you, this dress is perfect for your little one! She looks like she’s having a lot of fun wearing it too! Congratulations on being selected as an SP Ambassador!
Author
Thank you, Myra! Fun was her middle name and giving orders.
The beach palm tree pattern could not be more perfect! Just love.
Author
Honestly! When I got the fabric, I wanted to go on vacation 🙂
Beautiful! I love how SP has connected us to businesses that give opportunities like this, and to each other!
Author
It’s so wonderful to have this hub and the support of all the members and businesses!
Great look and fit.
Author
Thank you! 🙂
It looks great on her. I love the color combination you chose.
Author
Hi Keri, Thank you! It’s been a week and she’s still wearing it 🙂
Those prints are gorgeous!
Author
They are truly beautiful, it’s that sort of fabric that adds life to the project, gets you happy and keep you smiling!
very pretty combo of fabrics. I love the blue, it’s gorgeous and looks so light and summery.
So pretty! Thank you for sharing, Susan
Lovely result, very nice dress!
the blue fabric is perfect for your girl!
Perfect dress choice for your girl.
I love the pinapple express on the bodice .
Love the dress and print!
Author
Thank you! I think the prints are awesome
I agree that this is an island dress. Fantastic job and love the colors.
Great fabric!
Look at my projects at https://www.10esewingprojects.blogspot.com
I adore this fabric print ❤️
Author
Yes! It’s such a pretty print.
Very cute dress & prints!
I love the way you mixed the prints. Beautiful dress <3
Love blue for a dress! ♡
The design on the blue and white fabric is gorgeous!
So pretty, I bet your daughter will get lots of compliment when wearing this beautiful dress. Perfect pattern choice for the fabric.
Author
Thank you! I enjoyed working with it and love all the color way in this collection 🙂
Beautiful dress!
Love these colours
your pictures are amazing!
Simply Stunning!!!!!!
You did an excellent job on this dress. Your daughter is gorgeous and that color way suits her so well! What a wonderful fabric collection.
Your model (daughter) is gorgeous in that blue with her dark hair!! The red flower backdrop is so ideal to compliment the turquoise. Good job!!
The Ottobre Trumpet Dress was a great choice for these prints! <3
great dress
Love the fabric.
Great dress. The blue fabric is very well chosen and perfect for the dress.
My favorite color and a lovely dress!
She looks beautiful, the fabric and dress look great!
Beautiful Fabrics for your Beautiful Dress! Love It!
Beautiful dress. Perfect for Sophia!
This fabric is divine! Love the dress you chose to make, suits the fabric so much x
very pretty!
What an amazing range of fabric. Your daughter looks so very pleased with her choices also.
Beautiful results. Congratulations
Author
Thank you! Yes she was and has hired me to make another dress for her 🙂
Lovely dress. I love the way the prints work well together.
What a pretty color and it looks beautiful on your model!
What a beautiful dress! I understand about the pickiness of 8 year old’s, my boy is just the same. You did a wonderful job even if you found the pattern instructions difficult.
I love pineapple express but it’s even more amazing in this colourway! I love seeing with Michael Miller fabrics too, you’ve done a great job showcasing them.
Author
Yes! it’s such a refreshing color,