Mori Tour - Sew, Straight & Gather

Today the Mori is over at Sew Straight & Gather where Terri, one of my favourite fellow Canadian designers, has made a gorgeous top for her sweet girl.  Isn't the contrasting bodice beautiful?!

Head over to Sew Straight & Gather to see more and don't forget to check out Terri's amazing patterns!

Mori Tour - Sewing Mama RaeAnna

The Mori Dress & Top is touring some of my favourite places in blogland this month (with a coupon code no less!).  From what I've seen so far, I'm sure you will be amazed and inspired by what these talented ladies have created with the Mori pattern.

Sewing Mama RaeAnna is the first stop on the tour.  RaeAnna has such a gift when it comes to sewing for her adorable children, and did you know she and I have something else in common?  We are both music teachers!  So now you know some blogger trivia, but more importantly, check out this embroidered Easter Mori Dress modelled by sweet Eva Mae.

And while you're at Sewing Mama RaeAnna, make sure to check out all the stunning photos from the family photoshoot by the cherry blossoms.  They are amazing!  

Adding Trim to Garments

Adding trim is a very easy way to personalize a garment and make it completely your own.  There are many types of trim, but the ones I will be using in this tutorial are piping and crocheted pom poms.

Lined sleeves and/or flounces are a perfect place to add trim, so I will be attaching my crocheted pom poms to the flounce of the Mori Dress.  This technique will work on any lined sleeve (flutter or cap sleeves look great with trim) or flounces.

1.  Measure your trim to determine how much of it you want to show on the right side of your garment.  Since I want only the pompoms to show, I will need to place my trim 0.25" (or 0.3cm) from the raw edge of the flounce (because of the 3/8"/1cm seam allowance).

2.  Pin the trim to the right side of the flounce.  As you can see, mine is placed 0.25" (or 0.3cm) from the raw edge.  Baste trim in place.

3.  Place the other flounce piece, right sides together.  Pin and stitch.

4.  Turn right sides out, and press.

5.  Repeat steps 1-4 with opposite flounce and continue with the rest of your garment.

Princess seams are also the perfect place to add some trim.  Here is how I added piping to the princess seams of the Mori Dress (omitting the flounces).  The steps are basically identical to the instructions above.

1.  Pin piping to centre front and back pieces.  Baste in place.  You may find it helpful to use a zipper foot.

2.  Pin side front and back pieces, right sides together.  Stitch.

 3.  Press and follow the remaining steps to complete your garment.

Here are the results of personalizing with trim.  As you can see, the added detail makes these garments truly one-of-a-kind!

This tutorial was originally posted on Project Run & Play.

Mori Dress & Top Pattern

After much anticipation, introducing, the Mori Dress & Top pattern.   

The Mori Dress and Top is inspired by the soft, whimsical characteristics of Japanese Mori Kei (forest style). The delicate flounces are inserted into princess seams to create a dramatic silhouette that will twirl just about as much as the beautifully gathered skirt. The fully-lined bodice has no closures or visible seams, so you can show-off the design in your fabric of choice. The Mori is sure to be a favourite, so be prepared to make a few!

Here is what you will receive in this pdf pattern:

Sizes: 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 years 

- pdf document with full colour photographs and diagrams
- numbered, step-by-step instructions
- prints on both standard 8.5X11" and A4 paper
- includes both imperial and metric measurements
- finished garment measurements chart
- full-size pattern pages
- pattern sizes are colour coordinated and have individual line styles (print in black and white OR colour)
- clear instructions for printing only the size(s) you need using PDF layers
- 3/8 (1cm) seam allowances included
- no serger needed
- link to pattern instantly delivered to your Paypal account e-mail once payment processed 

$9CAD

The Mori Dress & Top pattern was tested meticulously by 37 testers. View some of their photos HERE.

The Mori Dress & Top pattern is available for purchase HERE.

For a limited time, use coupon code moriday to receive $1 off the listed price. 

(expires 7am PST March 2, 2016)

Mori Dress & Top Tester Photos

The new Mori Dress & Top is almost ready for release, but before it does, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the testers who did an amazing job providing the valuable feedback and suggestions that made this pattern possible.

Extra special thanks to: Alexia, Amanda, Ana Sofia, Andreia, Brooke, Candice, Christine, Crystal, Dagbjørt, Emi, Emily, Heidi B, Heidi E, Heidi K, Jess, Jessica, Jessie, Joy, Karen G, Karen J, Kathleen, Kristin, Lies, Luong, Magda, Magdalena, Marelet, Maria Luísa, Melissa, Mgeni, Misia, Rebecca, Suzanne, Tennille, Thao, and Whitley.

Here are just some of the beautiful Mori Dresses & Tops they made:

Top Row: Alexia, Misia

Bottom Row: Luong, Andreia

Top Row: Maria Luísa, Candice

Bottom Row: Mgeni, Thao

Top Row: Heidi E, Marelet

Bottom Row: Amanda, Brooke

Top Row: Suzanne, Lies

Bottom Row: Magda, Joy

Top Row: Dagbjørt, Karen J

Bottom Row: Kristin, Kathleen

Top Row: Magdalena, Rebecca

Bottom Row: Melissa, Jessica

Top Row: Jess, Tennille

Bottom Row: Heidi B, Whitley

Top: Emi

Centre: Ana Sofia

Bottom: Christine

Top: Crystal

Centre: Jessie

Bottom: Karen G

Heidi K

The Mori Dress & Top will be available in the E & E Pattern shop on February 29, 2016.

Coming Soon

The newest E&E Pattern is in the works and within the next few days, a tester call will be made.  If you are interested in joining the testing team, join the brand new E&E Patterns Group on Facebook, and watch for updates.

This pattern, still yet to be named, will be available in sizes 6 months to 8 years, and will feature both a dress and top.

Join the E&E Patterns Group to keep up on all the news and also exclusive members only discounts.

Three Little Skirts

With spring just around the corner, it was time to make some new skirts for my girl.  She rarely wears anything but dresses and skirts these days, so she was thrilled with these new additions to her wardrobe.