My dear friend Dana emailed me recently and asked if she could introduce me to her friend Amanda, a member of the LAMQG, who is releasing her first fabric collection with Windham this spring. I love Dana and think she has flawless taste, and when I emailed back and forth with Amanda, I could see why Dana loves her. I am so flattered that Amanda invited me to play with her very first collection, Spring Bloom, and since my somewhat obsessive very thorough revision of the Flip Flop Dress pattern is still going on, I took this as a chance to sew up two SUPER cute versions of this dress.
Scroll down to win your own bundle of Spring Bloom fabrics!
I received four of the prints in this collection: a floral in two colorways, and a dot in two colorways. My on-going passions for dots (second only to my adoration of stripes and plaids) continues, and since the bodice of the Flip Flop Dress can be lined, I wanted a good contrast for the interior. The floral I loved for its visual impact–it’s not too busy up close, but it also reads really well from far away. When I first saw the swatches for this collection, I wondered if it might not read a little traditional in person, but the brightness of the prints and the saturation of the colors is really lovely and modern, and this floral in particular I am really impressed with on a garment.
I made one version of the dress for our youngest, and we did what I recommend everyone do when making a pattern for the first time: we went about our regular lives. Like quilts, I think hand-sewn garments are meant to be USED and become an everyday part of your life. In our case, that means roller skates and playgrounds in a brand-new dress. Boom.
My child flipped out a little when she saw this finished dress. She wanted to wear it RIGHT AWAY, MOMMY. She loves the color, she loves the print. I love that it isn’t a cloyingly sweet “little girl” print, but that it’s also appropriate for a little girl–not too sickly sweet but not too hipster, either. She loves that the dress has a fluffy skirt and that she could run and jump and roller skate in it. We agree on that point.
The dots are perfect for the lining. I love a good tone-on-tone print, always, and have seen some of the (seriously incredible) quilts made for this blog hop that have put it to really good use–check the links below for more projects from this fabric!
This dress did not initially have sleeves. The pattern kind of insisted on them during the renovation phase–I’m not about beating dead horses, and I know you’ve all heard me talk about (and seen photos of!) this pattern for aaaaaages, but if I’m going to do it, I want to make it the best I can make it. So when I realized 70% of the way through completing the pattern that I was going to have to give it sleeves as well as instructions for both a lined and an unlined bodice, I bowed to the will of the design. Sewing up a sample sleeve in this fabric was really instrumental in reminding me WHY I went to all that trouble–they turned out so, so great, and I am beyond tickled with how much I love the final dress.
Love what you see? See more of it!! Follow the links below to see some seriously impressive original quilt designs using Spring Bloom, and then hit the Rafflecopter at the bottom to win your very own fat quarter bundle!
SPRING BLOOM MAKERS BLOG HOP SCHEDULE
April 20 Windham Fabrics Snip-its, Bella Caronia Blog
April 21 Leah and Bea Koch – Wintergreen and the Bee
April 22 Nell Timmer – Nell’s Notions
April 23 Jessica Darling
April 24 Kristy Daum – St. Louis Folk Victorian
April 25 Sherri Sylvester – Thread Riding Hood
April 26 Cindy Wiens – Live a Colorful Life
April 27 Krista Hennebury – Poppyprint
April 28 Felicity Ronaghan – Felicity Quilts
April 29 Casey York – The Studiolo
April 30 Better Off Thread
May 1 Right here!
May 2 Bella Caronia Blog That’s a Wrap
Giant thanks to Amanda for including me on her blog tour, to Dana for introducing us, and to Windham for sharing these fabrics with me! Enter below to win some for your very own.
Michele Timms
May 1, 2015 at 8:22 amUnless I am looking for something specific for a quilt project, I am known to buy fabric that catches my eye and I love at first sight!!!
Charlotte
May 1, 2015 at 8:37 amI have so enjoyed this blog hop. The fabrics are so beautiful and I love the dress with the lined bodice. So very, very pretty! Takes me back to the days I sewed for my little girl.
Kate
May 1, 2015 at 8:45 amIt’s all about the colors first!
Samina
May 1, 2015 at 8:46 amYour model looks adorable in that dress! I love that she’s living in it, rather than posing in it. That speaks volumes about your pattern & the fabric.
Samina
May 1, 2015 at 8:46 amShe also looks steadier on her roller skates than I ever did.
Deb J
May 1, 2015 at 8:59 amI mostly look for fabrics that are washable, don’t bleed when washed, and hold up to being used or worn. I quilt and I sew summer clothing for my niece, so something that is sturdy enough for a 10-yr-old to abuse while playing is what I look for in the clothing line.
Laura J.
May 1, 2015 at 9:01 amI love that she’s wearing it to roller skate! My little one is learning to skate too. This dress would be perfect for that. Though I’m sure I’d be required to use the pink print instead. All very cool.
Michelle Olsen Sasak
May 1, 2015 at 9:50 amIf I’m shopping for fun, I gravitate towards blenders in bright, rainbow colors. Otherwise, it’s mostly sashing/background/binding/backing for quilts in progress. Thanks for the chance to win! mto2golsen (at) gmail (dot) com
Chiska
May 1, 2015 at 9:56 amI mostly look for patterns I like. There’s nothing particular that catches my eye over and over. This is beautiful fabric!
Cherie
May 1, 2015 at 10:08 amWhat a super cute dress! Too bad my baby girl is 12. But that doesn’t mean that would stop me from getting some of the lovely fabric. Like you said making a quilt is good use of it too. Lol. As usual, you are an inspiration when it comes to sewing. Thank you!
Lisa
May 1, 2015 at 10:10 amI love the way you made the dress and the lining is gorgeous too!
Lisa
May 1, 2015 at 10:34 amI look for quality.. I don’t want the garment to rip or fuzz the first time it is worn! Love these prints
Annmarie
May 1, 2015 at 10:49 amDefinitely color. I usually have something in mind when I shop for fabric & it usually needs to match something I already have in my stash. Spring Bloom is lovely & so is the dress you made with it.
Cynthia Brunz
May 1, 2015 at 10:52 amFabric in great colors is what catches my eye. Muddy colors or dull prints rarely make it into my shopping bag. This collection is wonderful! Thanks!!
Erin Ellis
May 1, 2015 at 10:53 amI look for quality fabric with a pleasing design and color.
Quilting Tangent
May 1, 2015 at 10:59 amColor and print that catch my eye and an affordable price.
Shelley
May 1, 2015 at 11:23 amBeautiful colors!
NancyB from Many LA
May 1, 2015 at 11:55 amI just look for something that speaks to my heart, whether favorite colors, pattern, or whatever
Amy H
May 1, 2015 at 12:15 pmI love that dress!
Lisa Marie
May 1, 2015 at 12:32 pmI look for bright clear colors. These fabrics are just perfect for me!
Christy Haggard
May 1, 2015 at 12:35 pmBeautiful fabric and cute dress!
Sarah
May 1, 2015 at 1:13 pmI look for beautiful colors and a good deal, of course! The dress is beautiful. Love the sleeves. Thanks for the chance to win this pretty fabric!
Mary on Lake Pulaski
May 1, 2015 at 1:17 pmI look for fabric with a nice hand – no rough course fabric for me!
Sarah J.
May 1, 2015 at 2:26 pmI typically buy what I like (and that’s usually dots or prints)- and typically without a specific plan. Probably not the best way to go about it, but it is fun!
Alli
May 1, 2015 at 2:29 pmFor quilting fabric, I usually look for blendery prints. 🙂
Katy M
May 1, 2015 at 3:47 pmI just go with my heart! And I can’t resist a quirky print – anything unexpected makes me buy it straightaway 🙂
Allison CB
May 1, 2015 at 4:33 pmBeautiful fabric with bold colours always catch my eye and my purse!!! 🙂
Patricia Cash
May 1, 2015 at 5:05 pmLove the colors in this fabric. The dress is darling and so is your model.
Super Mom - No Cape!
May 1, 2015 at 5:21 pmI’m always drawn to the color/print first. Then I have to touch it. If the fabric doesn’t feel right then it doesn’t matter how pretty the color or print, I won’t buy it.
That little dress is so pretty! Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win some of this gorgeous fabric.
LINDA
May 1, 2015 at 5:32 pmHELLO, A NEAT BLOG HOP!
I look for quality of fabric first and then the design!
Thanks for sharing!
Linda Webster
May 1, 2015 at 6:44 pmSomething about the fabric makes me want to take a second look. It could be the colour, the design, or just how it makes me feel.
Vicki H
May 1, 2015 at 7:51 pmI look a lot for blenders to go with my stash.
Sandy K
May 1, 2015 at 7:52 pmI like fabrics that are bright and eyecatching.
Dot H
May 1, 2015 at 7:55 pmBesides just liking a design, I also want to like how it feels.
Ellee
May 1, 2015 at 8:00 pmWhile great colors initially attract my attention, the fabric must feel good in my hand while still on the bolt. If it doesn’t feel good before being cleaned, I will not invest my time and money hoping that it will improve after cleaning.
Ginger
May 1, 2015 at 9:09 pmI most look for something I like. I’m usually shopping in stores that sell good quality fabric, so I’ve already taken care of that. Thanks for the giveaway
Cecilia
May 1, 2015 at 9:18 pmI look for color and then print. This has been a great blog tour, thanks for all the great projects.
June
May 1, 2015 at 9:43 pmI look for colors that catch my eye, an interesting pattern is second.
Jessica P.
May 1, 2015 at 10:07 pmColors and design. I have a rather specific taste in fabric. I like modern fabrics, but not all modern fabric. I also like some shabby chic fabrics, but not all. And so on… So if I see a piece that catches my eye, then it is a fabric that I need to investigate. I really love blues, greens, greys, black and white. However, I enjoy most colors, but certain colors just pop out when I walk by.
Kathy E.
May 1, 2015 at 11:08 pmWhat I look for first when shopping for fabric is the design. I love florals, swirly designs and kids’ designs. Of course, the colors are important, too! Shopping the aisles of a fabric store is one of my favorite things to do.
Pam S
May 1, 2015 at 11:43 pmThanks for this great giveaway and your wonderful blog! When I’m shopping for fabrics I always look at color first.
Nicole Sender
May 2, 2015 at 12:10 amI look for fabrics that might work in a scrappy quilt when I’m in the fabric store. I love to rummage through the remnants. I love the Spring Bloom fabrics and that darling dress.
Karen
May 2, 2015 at 1:26 amI look for colors that speak to me. My daughter would never wear dresses when young, plus she only wanted to wear black.
Tabitha K.
May 2, 2015 at 2:02 amThe first thing I look for in fabric is the color. I check too see how bright it is with the overall look and then design on the fabric is second. Next is how it feels or if I can make it work for me. I love fabric! Thanks for a chance.
tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com
Kim S
May 2, 2015 at 2:38 amI look for the quality and the prints that I love.
Jo
May 2, 2015 at 7:14 amThe colour and the design will catch my eye first but I have to like the way it feels. This is why I don’t like buying fabric online.
Emily C
May 2, 2015 at 9:54 amI look for certain colors and print styles. I love novelty fabric, with stars, moons and little critters. I love blue and purples. I love damasks and paisleys. I am a mixture =)
Tamie
May 2, 2015 at 10:36 amI really am generally looking for something that just catches my eye.
Carole
May 2, 2015 at 12:29 pmI buy fabrics I love, I have to love the design and the colors if I feel in trying to convince myself to get it then I don’t buy it
Gill
May 2, 2015 at 3:39 pmColour, colour, colour!!
Kelly Wilson
May 2, 2015 at 3:55 pmBright, bold geometrics are always on my list. Saturated colors and single colors with white are also a draw. Thanks! Notwendy gmail
Lori Morton
May 2, 2015 at 4:40 pmYour sweet Model & the Dress are GORGEOUS! Love the pattern & the fabric!! Perfect choice all around! Great job!
when I shop for fabrics, if have special project in mind..then am on a Mission lol BUT if just rambling…gotta buy what I instantly Looove! giggle…
Mom C
May 2, 2015 at 7:41 pmFirst I look for color and design and then I look at price. Sometimes price doesn’t matter but most of the time it’s my deciding factor. Thanks.
Deb
May 2, 2015 at 7:51 pmI most look for the designer, bright colors, pattern that I like and that complements the way I want to make the quilt.
Holly E
May 2, 2015 at 9:38 pmI look for fabrics with nice patterns/colors and for ones that are thick enough to hold up over time.
Jenna O
May 3, 2015 at 4:35 amI´m looking for bright colors!
Chris
May 3, 2015 at 1:52 pmThe sweet young lady is wonderful. It’s first about color, then quality of fabric. I love bright and beautiful.
Lynne Tilley
May 4, 2015 at 12:52 amI’m beginning to look for better quality fabrics now that I’m getting better at my quilting.
Fran
May 4, 2015 at 6:44 amFor me it’s all about color, first & foremost but then the pattern is the next consideration. Thanks for the chance to win.
Kathie
May 4, 2015 at 5:40 pmLove the sleeve detail. Definitely worth the time.
Mansuri
May 6, 2015 at 6:17 amThe colour and design are so nice and dress is so beautiful
The Flip Flop Dress in Citrus Checks | Whipstitch
May 7, 2015 at 12:53 pm[…] made sleeveless, with cap sleeves (like in these images), or with a 3/4-length cuffed sleeve (like here). Which some days sounds like WAY too many options, but in practice makes this an absurdly […]
Jenny L
May 8, 2015 at 8:57 amThat dress is very cute! I mostly look for bright, fun colors and prints, but also things that are modern. These fabrics look beautiful!