Scout Tees for Spring!

I'll admit it, I'm kind of addicted to the Scout Tee pattern from Grainline Studio. The Scout Tee is a loose-fitting tee designed to be made in woven fabrics. Luckily we have no shortage of these here at Fancy Tiger Crafts. The Scout Tee has become my new go-to pattern for cute wovens. It's just so quick to sew up and so comfortable to wear. I can't resist!

Pattern: Scout Tee by Grainline Studio
Fabric: various, 1 7/8 yd
Size Made: 4
Alterations: None - its awesome!

First up is this one, out of my favorite print from the Lizzy House Catnap collection, Cattitude in Raspberry. I love this print and wanted to make something that I knew I would wear a lot - the Scout tee it is! The Scout tee is quick to sew with only three pattern pieces. The set in sleeves go quickly and the neck is finished with bias tape.

Another favorite of mine is Nani Iro's beautiful double gauze fabrics. This particular one was a remnant that I couldn't bear to see go, so I made a Scout tee. I arranged the pattern pieces on this border print fabric on the cross-grain to get the details on the bottom and sleeves. I love it!

We have recently received a lot of yarn-dyed woven fabrics, great staples for any wardrobe. I used a yarn dyed plaid in a soft purple and charcoal for this Scout Tee. I love wearing this simple top with a knit shawl for even more handmade action!

The Scout Tee pattern is currently available directly from Grainline in her webshop. If you decide to sew one up, we have countless fabrics that would make beautiful new tees. I'm sure there will be a lot more of these Scout Tees in my future...

Amber's Mouse-tastic Laurel with Applique Collar Pattern

I'm a big fan of Colette's Laurel pattern. Simple to make and simple to wear, it has an easy, flattering silhouette. I've made a few Laurels, both the shirt and the dress version, and it is a perfect wardrobe staple. You can even whip one up in just a couple hours, so there's really no reason not to make a bunch!

Pattern: Laurel by Colette Sewing Patterns
Fabric: Lizzy House Catnap fabric, 1 7/8 yds + 2 yards of bias tape
Size and style made: Version 4, size 2 at bust & size 4 at waist
Alterations: appliqued collar (downloadable pattern below) & buttons

The Laurel is easy to embellish--I decided to amp up the cuteness of this mouse print from Lizzy House by adding a contrasting appliqued collar to mine, and three peach flower buttons. I was inspired by my dear friend Sara's adorable collared Laurels.

If you want to embellish your own Laurel with this cute collar, just click below for a PDF with easy collar instructions and pattern.

Click here to download the collar pattern

What could be more perfect than a springtime bike ride in my mice-on-bikes Laurel? 

Catnap Dress Contest: A Cat Dress for Caty

Well, Fancy Tigresses, you really pulled out all the stops for this contest. I know there is a lot of competition out there, but we are darned proud of everyone and had so much fun making cat dresses. Thanks, Lizzy for hosting an awesome contest and making the best cat fabric!

Caitlin (Caty) Vannoy

1) Tell us about your dress - which fabric and pattern did you use?  

This is Colette's Laurel stitched up in Lizzy's Cattitude in Cloud. It's my favorite print from the collection, and it pairs nicely with the Smile & Wave print from Rashida Coleman Hale's Koi collection. I shortened the sleeves a bit and brought up the neckline for more of a boat-neck. And, of course, I added an adorable cat face complete with a button nose to amp up the cuteness factor!
  

2) What obstacles, if any, did you have to overcome for this challenge?

Finding a hypo-allergenic cat to model with.

3) How many other cat clothes do you already own? Can there be too many?

This is the first cat garment in my wardrobe! Can there be too many? Probably not. I already have some cat fabric stashed for a top.  

        

4) Do you have cats? How many and what are their names? Do they like your cat dress?

Sadly, I have no kitties at home. I have never considered myself much of a cat person, but I blame my terrible allergies. I do think they are awfully cute, though (from a safe distance, of course)!

5) How do you keep cat hair off your handmade garments?

There is not enough allergy medication in the world for me to cope with this hypothetical situation.  

6) Why should you win the Catnap Dress contest?

There are so many deserving cat dresses out there! I really stepped out of my comfort zone with this one, and I'm so glad I did! 

Catnap Dress Contest: Miranda's Parade of White Cats

Next up is Miranda's Catnap entry. Miranda is extra early for the new extended deadline, February 21st! Don't forget to catch the deets here! Check out the amazingness Miranda has created once again!!

Miranda Harp

1) Tell us about your dress - which fabric and pattern did you use? Did you make any alterations?
This is the Emery pattern by Christine Haynes. I love a fitted bodice with set-in sleeves, and this one fits very well. The little back neck darts really help the fit. As far as alterations go, I pleated the skirt instead of gathering it to fit the bodice. The dress is made from the Kitty Dreams print in Cranberry - the deep dark reds and purples with splashes of lavender and tomato red .... check out the orange bobble trim I found to go with it!

2) What obstacles, if any, did you have to overcome for this challenge?
Every single time I sat down to sew, I had a little helper. Every single time. So you know what I did? I sewed her her very own skirt.

3) How many other cat clothes do you already own? Can there be too many? 
I have at least three other dresses with cat prints. As soon as I thought that maybe that was enough, the Catnap collection came into the store... I don't have any other clothes for my cats, although sometimes Rilke wears a necktie.

4) Do you have cats? How many and what are their names? Do they like your cat dress?
I have two cats, named Rilke and Juniper. Rilke is a seven year old boy cat, and he is definitely my familiar. He is a huge snuggly beast. The only time he leaves my side is when I'm sewing and that's when Juniper takes over.

 

Juniper is a five year old huntress whose favorite things are chasing bugs and things that smell bad. They love my cat dress - they just think it needs two more white cats on it to be perfect.

5) How do you keep cat hair off your handmade garments?

I do a terrible job of that. I do love my Lilly brush!

6) Why should you win the Catnap Dress contest?

I am really into crazy print dresses - I know I'm going to wear this one all the time! Thanks, Lizzy!

Catnap Dress Contest: Jaime's Cat-Assisted Catnap dress

Here at Fancy Tiger Crafts, we have all been sewing furiously for the past couple of weeks since Lizzy House announced her Catnap dress contest. I mean cats and clothes, who doesn't want to win this?! A lot of us are entering so this week we will feature the contest entries of Fancy Tiger Crafts staff and instructors. Check out the rules and details here if you'd like to participate!

Jaime Jennings

Tell us about your dress - which fabric and pattern did you use? Did you make any alterations?

I made the Miz Mozelle dress by Jamie Christina and used the Cattitude print in Cloud as my main fabric with Cat Mint in Raspberry as a contrast fabric. I didn't alter the pattern - I've made this before and it fits me great so I knew it would be good for this contest. I didn't want to take any chances with trying out a new pattern on a contest time crunch! Also, I love that this pattern lets me use two fabrics and I love making my own bias tape, weird right?

What obstacles, if any, did you have to overcome for this challenge?
Teaching cats to sew. I thought it'd be cool if my cats helped me sew my dress, but it was harder than I thought. They really have to work together to get the pedal working while sewing.

Lucy, left and Looper, right work together to hem Jaime's dress

How many other cat clothes do you already own? Can there be too many? 
Well, in addition to numerous cat items, I had already sewn up a Scout Tee out of Cattitude in Raspberry so this is my second Catnap garment in less than a month...it's a dangerous road. Luckily, I don't think you can have too many cat items in your wardrobe.

Do you have cats? How many and what are their names? Do they like your cat dress?
Yes, I have two cats, Looper and Lucy. Looper is a black male who is 16 years old. He likes laying in front of the fire or in patches of sunshine. Lucy is a black and white female who hates vacuums, mops and cleaning in general. They like my dress a lot, and are now inspired to sew their own Catnap cat accessories.

How do you keep cat hair off your handmade garments?
Its a constant battle that is won with lint removers in every drawer of every room.

Why should you win the Catnap Dress contest?
My dress coordinates very nicely with my cats for optimal appeal.