Knock it Off - Sew a Straight Line

Here's another fantastic knock-off for you today!  This time, it's made by the amazing Sabra from Sew a Straight Line.  She's done an entire re-creation of an American Outfitters ensemble for boys that's just perfect for summer.  To get more details on how you can make this cool outfit for the little man in your life, head over to Sew a Straight Line.

Knock it Off - SewVery

The knock-off of the day is made by the super talented Veronica who blogs over at SewVery.  She sews such beautiful outfits for her children!  Veronica's readers selected this dress by voting for it on her Knock it Off Pinterest board.  Great choice, and it turned out lovely, Veronica!  Click over to SewVery for more.

Flip This Pattern

It's a series, it's a competition, it's a sew-along...it's just plain awesome!  Flip this Pattern is a YEAR-LONG EVENT hosted by the amazing sewing sisters Ashley and Emily, over at FrancesSuzanne and I am so incredibly excited to be a part of it that I can hardly contain myself!  

Here's the idea: twelve patterns have been selected to be 'flipped' (remixed, embellished, made-over, etc.) by three or four guest bloggers each month.  Anyone at home who chooses to sew-along can add their own 'flip' to the linky party.  Near the end of each the month, YOU will vote on your favourite guest blogger 'flip', and WE, the guest bloggers, will vote for our favourite sew-along 'flip'.  Then, those winning 'flippers' will win fun prizes!  Sound awesome?!  I know!!!

Here's what a typical month will look like in FrancesSuzanne's words:

"Final week of the preceding month: discount codes available for the flipped pattern, giveaways of the pattern, and prizes announced for the guest contributor and sew-along winner
{*offers and prizes will vary each month....}

First Wednesday of the month: sew-along linky party opens

Following 3-4 Thursdays (depending on the calendar): guest contributors share a 'flipped version' of the given pattern

Friday (following the final guest contributor's flipped version): public voting of the guest contributors' creations; sew-along linky party closes

Sunday: public voting ends

Final Tuesday of the month: Winners announced

**And the cycle continues with the next month's pattern!"

Here are the patterns that have been selected: 

(Bubble Pocket Shorts makers out there...get ready for June!!)

 | Pattern Anthology  Figgy's | Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop | Shwin Designs | Clever Charlotte  Violette Field Threads | Blank Slate Patterns | Heidi & Finn | The Cottage Mama

And here are the guest contributors: 

(yes, yours truly will be flipping the lovely yet-to-be-released Tinny pattern 

by StraightGrain in August)

Mommy's Apron Strings | Winter Wonderings | doguincho | SoCalSewingMom |  nest full of eggs

cathgrace | Welcome to the Mouse House | S is for Sewing | Sewing Like Mad | Elegance & Elephants | Call ajaire Little Kids Grow | Daisy Chain Creations | Once Upon a Notion | Handmade Martini | iCandy handmade | you & mie If only they would Nap |  Foster Ramblings | Designs by Sessa | Shaffer Sisters {Jo} | greendoodle | Shaffer Sisters {Al} Siestas & Sewing | mama says sew | Sewing Mama RaeAnna | sewVery | Nap Time Crafters | {lbg studio} Shaffer Sisters {Scary} | Sweeter Than Cupcakes | Once Upon a Sewing Machine | Crafty Cupboard | The Powell Family




Head over to FrancesSuzanne for a more detailed explanation of the event,
and get ready to do some 'flipping'!!

Knock it Off - Sumo's Sweet Stuff

 It's an honour to have the incredibly talented Summer from Sumo's Sweet Stuff participating in the series and sharing her knock-off skills.  I just love this beautiful classic eyelet dress she's created.  Head over to Sumo's Sweet Stuff to see just how she did it!

Knock if Off - Sweeter Than Cupcakes

Starting off this new week of knock-offs, is the very talented Courtney from Sweeter Than Cupcakes.  She's the mom to two beautiful girls, who taught herself to sew when her oldest was a baby.  I'm beyond thrilled to have her sharing this Mini-Boden-inspired skirt for the series.  Head over to Sweeter Than Cupcakes for details on how she made it, plus a full tutorial for size 5.

Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses Blog Tour and Giveaway

Welcome to the “Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses” blog tour, featuring finished projects and giveaways from Sweet Seams’ latest book. The designers over at NYC-based Sweet Seams wanted to create a collection of fast, fun, and inexpensive dresses to make for their daughters, granddaughters, nieces and god-daughters. The dresses, which all start with a simple T-shirt, were inspired by all the little girls in their lives who feel special in projects that were made especially for them. Crafters can upcycle any T-shirt, maybe even an old favorite that doesn’t quite have the same fit anymore or one that’s stained near the hem. With 28 very different styles to choose from, anyone can find a design that fits the little girl in their own life.

When Sixth & Spring Books recently invited me to participate in this tour, I was eager be a part of it and promote this great book.  I love projects that are quick & easy-to-make, and this book is full of great ideas that allow you to not only make use of an existing t-shirt (can't get much easier than that!) but then, to customize the garment with your own fabric choices and embellishments.  The designs are for girls ages 2 to 8 and range from party dresses to tunics.  There really is something for everyone in this book!

 Images from Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses by Sweet Seams Studio, published by Sixth&Spring Books. Photography by Dan Howell and dress design and instructions copyright © 2013 by Sixth&Spring Books/Soho Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

One lucky E&E reader is going to receive a copy of Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses from Sixth & Spring Books!  Enter with Rafflecopter below and earn up to four chances to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Continue the tour (or catch-up on anything you missed) to see more finished projects, reviews, and giveaways:

May 5  

Nouveau Stitch will feature a finished project, “Flirty Shirt”  

Just Pure Lovely will host a giveaway  

The Crafty Princess Diaries  will host a giveaway

May 6

Crafting A Green World will feature a finished project, “Cool Water”  

Stitched by Crystal  will feature a project for her 9-month-old  

May 7

Prudent Baby will review and host a giveaway (71,674 UV)

House of 34 will host a giveaway

May 8

Smashed Peas and Carrots will feature a finished project, “Bubble Tea”  

Simply Modern Mom will review and might do a project

May 9

Marsha’s Spot will feature a finished project, “Patchwork of Art” and host a giveaway

Sew Spoiled will review the book  

May 10

Dollar Store Crafts will review the book

Only From Scratch will feature a project

May 11

Wild Olive will feature a finished project  

Positively Splendid will feature a finished project   

May 12

On the Laundry Line  will feature a  finished project  

Elegance and Elephants will host a giveaway

May 13

Luvinthemommyhood will review and host a giveaway

My Little Gems  will host a giveaway

Knock it Off - Frances Suzanne

I could go on and on about how much I love the creations made by Ashley & Emily from FrancesSuzanne.  It seems everything they make for their adorable nieces is straight out of a high-end, designer boutique.  Here's a perfect Mini Boden knock off they've created and not only are they showing how they made this beautifully embellished skirt, they treating us to a free downloadable pattern (any size!), too!  Don't miss this one....head over to FrancesSuzanne...now! :)

Hello, Elegance and Elephants readers! What stellar knock-offs shown thus far in the series, and the month is so young....The inspiration is blowing us away, and our sewing to-do list keeps getting longer and longer!!

Today, we'd like to share with you our knock off of the Mini Boden Embellished Summer Skirt.

Head on over to our blog to see how we did it, as well as find a free, downloadable pattern tutorial: our "GIFT" to you...