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Alice In Wonderland – 150th Anniversary

Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland was one of my favorite books when I was younger.  So much so that I read Through the Looking Glass as well to absorb as much Alice as I could.  I even have The Walrus and the Carpenter poem (recited by Tweedledee and Tweedledum) memorized still.


So when Sarah asked if I’d be a part of a tour she was arranging for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Alice, I originally thought I’d do something inspired by Through the Looking Glass as I always consider them a pair – mostly thanks to Disney taking some elements of Looking Glass to use in Alice in Wonderland.  Ultimately though, my girl’s pure elation with anything purple lead me to consider a Cheshire Cat inspired look.

I used the Peppermint Swirl Dress pattern from Candy Castle patterns in the same size I made in this mashUp last year.  I didn’t make a bodice for it as I wanted it to just be a skirt this time.

Grabbing an assortment of purples from my stash, I ended up with this sateen from Organic Cotton Plus, one of my favorite interweave chambrays (out of stock), and this deep purple artisan cotton (*affiliate link) from Imagine Gnats which I also used for the waistband and bow.  To make the waistband, I simply measured Bean’s waist, used half for the front waistband width (plus seam allowance), and a quarter for each of the back waistband widths (plus seam allowance).  The height of the waistband pieces is 5″ which makes about a 2″ waistband once folded over and sewn to the gathered skirt.  I also added about 20″ to each of the back waistband pieces to account for the bow ties, but only gathered the back of the skirt to meet where the back waistband pieces should end.

The inspiration being the Cheshire Cat meant of course there would be purpley-pinky stripes, but I wanted to add a little more of the overall Wonderland feel to the outfit.  Imagine Gnats recently released the Springtail Sundress (*affiliate link) and I thought it’d be perfect for a top to wear with the fullness of the skirt.

I used more of the orchid sateen from the skirt for the ruffled top, fully lined, with bias binding on the neck and arm edges.  The polka dots are another sateen from my stash, I think from JoAnn Fabrics.  I made the smallest size (5) for Bean, which fits her perfectly.  She’s recently made the jump to 5 in some patterns and it seems like a big milestone to me.  I swear she was just in the 2t sizes a blink of an eye ago.

There’s something about the black and white graphic tone of the polka dots with the orchid color that screams Wonderland to me.  I used a large black button and elastic loop to mimic the black polka dots in the lower top fabric.  To wear it with the skirt I tucked in just the bottom, but I love that you can see a peek of the polka dots come through at her waist.  The drape of this top is super cute on its own and it’ll be perfect for wearing into the fall with a pair of skinnies too.

And it wouldn’t be right to leave out the star character altogether would it?  I added in an Aster Cardigan in a basic white as a nod to the classic lines we imagine Alice would wear.

I used white ribbing for the color and sleeve bands as I thought it added some texture to an otherwise basic layering piece (yes I’m already planning ahead for school) AND the ribbing lines reminded me of the Cheshire Cat’s sly smile which ties the whole look together.

Bean adores all of the pieces, but of course her new purple skirt is her favorite.  I think I may be partial to the bouncey drape of the Springtail top though.  While you consider which piece is your favorite and before you head over to check out the other Alice goodness, here’s a gif of Bean running in and out of her favorite hiding bush…. just imagine it could be a rabbit hole…

There’s a giveaway along with the series and the Paneled Sunsuit pattern is one of the giveaway items so be sure to enter the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And here’s the list of the other bloggers on the tour:
Monday July 13th ||  Kid Approved  |  Call Ajaire
Tuesday July 14th ||  Sew Country Chick  |  Feathers Flights  |  StraightGrain
Wednesday July 15th ||  Sewpony  | As It Seams  |  Dotta
Thursday July 16th ||  Boy, oh Boy, oh Boy Crafts  |  Brooklyn Pattern Co.  |  Pienkel
Friday July 17th  ||  While She Was Sleeping  |  My Cozy Co. |  Girl Like The Sea
Saturday July 18th || Falafel and the Bee  |  Huisje Boompje Boofjes  |  A Jennuine Life
Sunday July 19th ||  Paisley Roots  |  La Inglesita  |  DoGuincho

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callajaire

Singing cards from Mimi provide hours of entertain Singing cards from Mimi provide hours of entertainment. If you can get past hearing them over and over and over haha. “Shake your bunny feet and your bunny derrière” 😆😆 #happyeaster
Good morning! It's time to test the newest patter Good morning!  It's time to test the newest pattern 😍😍
The Bacca Bootcuts are a traditional bootcut jean shape, with a low cut look yet a wide waistband to make them more of a mid rise. 
Testing will begin on Saturday the 3rd and end on Wednesday the 14th, with the fit muslin due by Wednesday the 7th.  I'll need everyone to muslin the view A pants length to be sure the legs are going to fit accurately, but your final can be either view. 
I'm excited to get started! 😘  Sign up here or in the link in profile:
https://forms.gle/aEePLSHDdR9u8Xg76

You'll need the following:
a bottom-weight fabric with at least 10%-20% 2-way horizontal stretch (even for the muslin)
2" elastic - enough to stretch across just the back waistband (this keeps everything snug in place and avoids any "plumber crack" situation 😁)
short zipper - I'll have the exact lengths, but even the largest size uses no longer than 5". I recommend a ykk #3 or #4 jeans zipper (#5 just looks too big with the kids sizes), but any zipper will work.  I'll also have info for shortening a longer zip. 
2 15mm metal snaps or jeans buttons.  The snaps look great and are easier than making two buttonholes, but with the wide waistband 2 smaller snaps/buttons works better than one regular sized one.
#dbcabaccabootcuts #designsbycallajaire #patterntesting #pdfpatterntesting
Tester call coming this week for the Bacca Bootcut Tester call coming this week for the Bacca Bootcuts. These use a woven with 10-20% stretch and they’re amazing. Sizes newborn to 16years.  Be ready 😘😘💕💕
#dbcabaccabootcuts #designsbycallajaire #patterntesting #sneakpeek
And @raspberrycreekfabrics is having a huge giveaw And @raspberrycreekfabrics is having a huge giveaway to close out the Suit up for Summer tour so click over to enter there too 😘

https://www.instagram.com/p/CM4rCFbstJ8/

#raspberrycreekfabrics #giveaway #designsbycallajaire
That’s a lot of pieces!! 😳😳 Sneak peek of That’s a lot of pieces!! 😳😳 Sneak peek of the next DbCA pattern. Keep an eye out for a tester call soon, cause it’s a good one 😘 

In the meantime @randi_parton is running a giveaway in our fb group so head on over to enter 💕💕 Link below or in profile. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/DesignsByCallAjaire/permalink/2875015182768651/

#designsbycallajaire #giveaway #dbcabaccabootcuts #patterntesting #patterngiveaway
And of course I made a Diamondback Cami in swim fo And of course I made a Diamondback Cami in swim for this girl too. Those blueberries are my favorite this spring!  I have some leftover and I already have some plans for it 😍😍
Scroll for the fun microstripe back detail 💕💕 Link with details in profile. 

Oh and don’t forget to click over to @paisleyroots and @sewsophielynn for details on the giveaway - including one of my patterns!!
#designsbycallajaire #suitupforsummer2021 #dbcadiamondback #rcfmonthlymakes #raspberrycreekfabrics
It’s my day on the @raspberrycreekfabrics Suit U It’s my day on the @raspberrycreekfabrics Suit Up for Summer blog tour and I’m telling you all about how I used the Diamondback Cami & Crop for swim! (spoiler alert: there are no mods)
All the info on the swimsuits, fabrics, patterns, and a discount for rcf swim are in the link in profile 😘

#designsbycallajaire #raspberrycreekfabrics #rcfmonthlymakes #suitupforsummer2021 #dbcadiamondback #classicmaillotswimskirt #freepatterns #freepdfpattern #onethimble #ot28
Putting “Santa Claus” to bed 😍😍
Also it’s been a perfect morning outside without our jackets!! 💕💕
I was working on what size Pom Pom to prep for a c I was working on what size Pom Pom to prep for a craft for our moms group next week and the first bunny tail was a little too big for what we’re going to make. So I grabbed some extra Cuddle© Sherpa and put together an Easter hoop 🐰 
#shannoncuddle #easterhoops #cuddleminky #shannonfabrics
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I've always loved making. At an early age I started cross stitching and sewing and I taught myself to knit and crochet during college. When our seven year old daughter Bean was born I was filled with all sorts of inspiration, so now I find ways to manage my crafty time and treasure those moments. Though sewing is what I'm most passionate about these days, there's something about the portability of yarn crafts and embroidery that keeps drawing me back in.

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Today I’ll be sharing some of the pieces that Bean wore during our Watercolor Beach “backyard beach” photo shoot and[Read More…]

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