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2015 has proven to be such a momentous year for us here at Violette Field Threads.  We've been diligently working behind the scenes, and we've accomplished many of the goals we've set for the year (and some surpassed).

Our customers and fans are our number one priority, so we're so happy to finally share with you a project we've had brewing for months! Since the inception of Violette Field Threads in May 2011, Jessica and I have been the sole pattern designers.  We work together as a team to create each and every pattern that is currently offered in our shop. While we absolutely plan to continue our design work (at the same rate that we do now), we are also excited to expand our team of designers! This means additional designs available each season, expanded sizing, and more varied styles. This leads us to our exciting announcement!!!

 We have brought two brand new designers on board!  We were drawn to each wonderful designer for their sense of style, keen eye on trends and the level of creativity we have always seen in the creations they bring to life!  

Please join us in welcoming Alexis Wright and Bernadette Reinecke to Violette Field Threads!! We asked them all to tell you a little more about themselves and what you can plan on seeing from them soon.  Here is what they have to say:

Alexis Wright

Hi, I am Alexis Wright and I am beyond excited to be joining the Violette Field Threads Team!!  Like a kid at Christmas, I have not slept in a week holding in all my excitement (well I had a lot of sewing to get done too).  About 4 years ago I stumbled onto a pattern called the Olive Bustle Top and there started my love for VFT.  I think the worst thing to have to do is write about yourself, especially with my biographer on vacation (hehe), so here goes… I am a wife and mother of 2 wonderfully crazy kids.

 For the last 7 years I have also been the owner of an Etsy shop called, My Sweet Sunshine.  I learned to sew thru a lot of trial and error, but hey, that is the best way to learn right? You probably know me most form my 1000’s of pictures I post every time I’m working on a test pattern.  I adore photography just as much as I hate it (you photographers understand).

  I’m really looking forward (and a pinch of nervousness) to be working with this awesome team and continuing to learn from Jessica and Ericka.  I did have fun after all writing this with my husband (you should have seen the 2nd, 3rd and 4th version, haha). Thanks and I can’t wait to show you what I have up my sleeve.

Bernadette Reinecke

Hello, I'm Bernadette.  I'm a mother of 4.  My older children are all boys, 14, 16 and 18.  The oldest just graduated from high school!  My youngest is my only girl and my model.  She is starting Kindergarten this fall.  She's the reason I started designing and sewing. I am the sort of person that needs to be doing something creative at all times.  Chances are, I have at least 4 different projects going on at any given time.  Usually, at least one is a sewing project but others may include drawings, doll painting, or a craft project with my daughter.  

I am greatly inspired vintage styles, particularly the New Look of the fifites and Victorian styles. I love the crisp clean silhouette of the first and the soft femininity of the second.  I also draw a lot of inspiration from nature.  I love the colors and the organic shapes that can be found just outside. When I'm not making something, you'll probably find me nose deep in a science fiction or fantasy novel or watching the SyFy channel or Bob's Burgers.

 I love to unwind with some good fantasy and comedy along with some strong iced tea. I'm really excited to be joining the design team behind Violette Field Threads and have so many ideas I can't wait to share with you all!

Do you feel as excited as we are?!  We can already tell you that these girls are going to knock your socks off!!  

With all of these new designers and expansion, we knew the marketing aspect of Violette Field Threads would also expand. So, that lead to us also needing to fill a spot for a Marketing Assistant.  We are completely confident that we found one of the best ones around and we are also very happy to introduce Emily Steiger to the Violette Field Threads team as well!!

Here is a little information about Emily:

Hey all! I'm Emily! I am wife and SAHM to 1 little lady and 2 gents! I FINALLY taught myself to sew 2 years ago, after failing miserable at my first attempt 4 year ago.  I am smitten with all things crafty, I love a good bargain and I live for fashion!  Sewing allows me the creative outlet to incorporate all the things I love into an article of clothing that is unique and fits me like a glove! I started out sewing just for my munchkins but quickly realized how much fun it is to also sew for myself!  If I'm not at my sewing machine, you will likely find me reading a romance novel (yup, the cat is out of the bag) with a glass of wine or a margarita! Follow my adventures over at my Blog and on Facebook!

Thank you to each and every one of you for being a part of our brand!  Without the support and love from all of our customers, we would not have the opportunity for this expansion!! It would be just lovely if you could welcome our new team members below!!

xoxo,

Ericka & Jessica

Our Fabric Love post this week renewed our love of the Kate PDF Sewing Pattern!  Kate has been in our portfolio for a couple of years now and we feel like it is time to give this special little pattern the attention it so deserves!

The Kate pattern has always been an amazing value as it includes:

• Dress or Top with an optional Scalloped Apron.
• Shorts that pair perfectly with the Top.
• Scalloped Handkerchief Headband.

The shorts and top are comfortable and cute summer pieces that your little girl will love!  The are perfect for play during these warm months. Kate moves seamlessly into the Back to School Fall season as well!  The Dress and Top are roomy enough to layer over a long sleeve top.  We created this Cover Look by layering the Kate Dress over the Phoebe Top Sewing Pattern.  

The Kate Sewing Pattern has always been a versatile piece. However, as you can see in our first photo, we decided to add a small detail in to the pattern that created quite a WOW factor! Kate now features an optional ruffle sleeve.  

The ruffle sleeve is bias trimmed and sewn right into the straps!  This tiny detail created a whole new look and we are so excited to share it with you! We sewed up the new look for Scarlett and she looked and felt just like a fairy during her photo-shoot!

For Scarlett's Kate dress we used a vintage embroidered napkin in lieu of the included scalloped apron.  It made for such a sweet classic look.  Her ruffle sleeves are trimmed in bias made to match the skirt on her dress. These little details allow for you to make one of a kind creations.

We also invited some of our steller testers to sew up the *new* Kate!  We were as usual blown away by their finished products and pictures. Prepare to be inspired!

First us is Amanda Olig's gorgeous Kate Top and Shorts set!  We love the vintage feel of these prints mixed together.  She looks like she is straight off the set of a 1960's movie. :)  Amanda dressed up her bodice by adding a strip of crochet lace and aqua buttons to the front. She also added lace trim around the body of the top and used it in place of the traditional ruffle on the hem of the shorts!

Next, is the talented Holly Feldman!  Her daughter, who also happens to be named Kate is just beaming in her shabby chic Kate Dress. Holly omitted the bottom panel on the Kate skirt and created a two layer skirt. We love the fullness that is adds to the dress.

The details on her dress are amazing!  You can just see how much love and effort went into this dress, just check out all those gorgeous trims and lace details!! 

Ashley Cowan put together one of the sweetest sets ever for her sibling photo shoot!  We adore Elise's gingham Kate Dress. The contrast bias trim on the sleeves and hem of the modified double layer skirt really make a pop! Her precious little boy is rocking out a pair of our Jacqueline Suspenders PDF Pattern!  What a great idea for a matching set!!

Ashley also dressed up her bodice with some trim details.  We are so fortunate to have so many creative ladies on our team!

Jane Maikranz is showing off the Kate as a Top and Shorts set.  We are head over heels for her little country girl styling she put together for this shoot.  The set is so perfect even for the big girl crowd. We just adore how she used a lace trim on her shorts in lieu of the ruffle, this is so simple and a real time saver too.

Jane also improvised on the finishing of the ruffle sleeves, a contrasting rolled hem took the place of the bias tape closure.  This is a wonderful option for those times you are running low on supplies and still want to make your top!

Lisa Shelly made this stunning Kate Dress!  She sewed hers up including the scalloped apron but adding a ribbon and button trim to the apron.  We simply adore the simplicity of her bodice, it really showcases the amazing fabric pairings.

We also just love the styling of her shoot, so precious!

Finally, we fell in love with this set by Bernadette Reinecke!  She actually made this for an art fair and we begged her to please send us some modeled pictures of it before she sold it, hahaha!  She is such a sweetie that she did!!!  We love the monochromatic top, it really highlights all the details of the trims.  Bernadette made her Kate Apron a square and it is removable because it is being held on with button closure...so smart!

We hope that you love the new flutter sleeve as much as we do!  Do not forget that Kate is only on $5.00 special through Sunday 6/28/15.  Head over to our shop and pick it up today!

xoxo,

Ericka & Jessica

It is officially summer!  Summer is our favorite time of year because the kids are home, the days are long and filled with fun.  We also love fun summer novelty printed fabric and when we saw this line of fabric by Riley Blake, we just knew it had to be part of our Fabric Love blog series!  Vintage Market by Riley Blake evokes all the beauty of childhood summers and we think you will agree it is a fabric to love.

Riley Blake designer, Tasha Noel yet again knocked it out of the park with this adorable collection of novelty prints.  True to her style, Vintage marketplace is whimsical and fresh.  The vintage floral prints, strawberries, bicycles and border prints make this one of the sweetest summer fabric lines available. Here is a a quick look at all the fantastic prints that round out this collection:

We love the nostalgia of the summer prints and the cool color palette. The crisp colors bring a breathe of fresh air to even the most humid of southern summer days. The pale pink and floral prints are perfectly paired with navy stripes. A pop of red and yellow really make it stand out.

Fabric Love is all about showcasing these gorgeous prints and pairing them our favorite Violette Field Threads Patterns. As soon as the yardage arrived in our studio we knew that we wanted to use these prints to sew up a whole slew outfits all from our Kate PDF Pattern!  Kate is one of our favorite summer patterns and the vintage details made it a perfect fit.

We have our looks to share with you below, plus keep reading for a chance to win a few yards of Vintage Marketplace to sew up your own beauty.

We paired our Vintage Market prints with two other coordinating fabrics that we had in studio to create these fun looks!

Scarlett's outfit consist's of the Kate Shorts sewn up in the Vintage Bicycle Ride fabric in pink. This sweet print proved to be one of her favorite pieces and I got a big hug for making these ones. That is hard to come by when your girls have so many hand-made lovelies to choose from!  We made a coordinating Kate Top in a Navy Gingham by Michael Miller Fabrics.

We added some girly embellishments to really doll up her outfit.  It was so simple to add a large pom-pom trim to both of the straps, then we added some detailed wooden buttons. The shorts were already too cute, but a navy and white stripe ribbon bow was the perfect finishing touch.

Beautiful little Odessy is wearing the Kate Dress sewn up in the Vintage Market Border Print in navy. Kate has a very full skirt and the length makes it such a great choice to really show off border prints!  This border print is definitely worth showing off, the little children and shop motif is just divine!! The scalloped apron sewn up in the Vintage Strawberries in aqua really complimented the dress.

We added some lovely details to her dress bodice as well.  We used red and white gingham piping along both sides of each strap and two little navy buttons on each strap!  It really is all in the details.

 Next up is Cairo, she was absolutely in love with her Kate Shorts/Top set.  Her shorts are Vintage Vine in navy and they paired up perfectly with an adorable pink stripe fabric we found hidden in our stash! She was full of praise for the soft feel of the fabric and loved the girly prints.

Little wooden buttons and lace trims made her summer look even more special.  We also made some fun kite props for the girls to play with during the shoot! They looked so cute covered in bicycles. Jessica created these kites with plastic hangers and tape! (She might be McGuyver in another life) They made such a gorgeous prop, we will really need to dedicate another blog post to showing how Jessica put them together. Vintage dollies and special trims finished off the kites.

All of our beautiful models had a lovely time and adored their outfits!  If you want to sew an outfit that most any little girl will approve of then this fabric line is a must! The prints are playful enough for everyday play clothes or they could be gussied up for a more formal event.  The quality of the fabric is just wonderful too, so breathable with vibrant colors!

We really did feel that Vintage Market and Kate were a match made in heaven? Do you want to sew up your own Kate outfit? Well Kate is on sale for only $5.00 now through 6/28/15 at Violette Field Threads!

We want to thank the inspirational team at Riley Blake for allowing us to play with these wonderful summer prints!  They truly are a fabric we love and we know that you will too!

How would you like to have your own personal stash of Vintage Market?  Well, we are giving away 4 yards (1 each of Vintage Vines in navy, Vintage Strawberries in aqua, Vintage Bicycle Ride in pink and Vintage Border Print in navy.)

They have all been generously donated by Riley Blake! Enter below to win and leave a comment letting us know which Violette Field Threads pattern you would use for your creation!

We absolutely love sewing skirts!  They are not one of those intimidating project that can last days, but rather they are fun and relaxing to sew.  Both of our girly girls love to wear skirts and if they have a lot of twirl....even better!  Today we have a free skirt tutorial: The Sophia Skirt!

The Sophia Skirt features a patchwork main body that is absolutely perfect for using up all those fat quarters and fabric scraps that we all have laying around our work rooms.  This adorable and easy skirt can make a big statement and will be a loved addition to your little ones wardrobe or your summer sewing line.

So lets get started!  First up is the supply list:

The Basics:

• Sewing Machine - We used our BERNINA PE 350.  We simply adore BERNINA and cannot recommend this brand enough.
• Thread  - We always recommend Aurifil Brand Threads!  They are the gold standard of threads. Strong and beautiful for top-stitching.
• Sewing Pins
• Scissors
• Rotary Cutter & Mat 
• Iron

Fabric Recommendations:

Cotton, Cotton Blends, Eyelet, Linen, Seersucker, Chambray.

Choosing a Size:

Fabric Requirements:

Notions:

1/2" Elastic

5 1/2  yards of lace or pom-pom trim (if desired)

Many of these supplies you already have on hand. This is one reason why we love this project, no expensive trips to the fabric shop!  Now that we have our supplies ready, it is time to sew!!

Cutting Instructions:

 NOTE: You are cutting two rectangles from 6 different prints, for a total of 12 rectangles.  After cutting you will need to arrange them in the order you want them to be in.  

Sewing Instructions (Use a 1/2" Seam Allowance):

Creating the skirt body:

1. Place the first two rectangles together with the right sides touching and the raw edges lining up.  Pin them together along one long side edge.

2. Sew together along the pinned seam.  Open the fabric up and place the next rectangle piece on top with the right sides touching and the raw edges lining up. Pin together along one long side edge. Sew together along the pinned seam.  Repeat this process until all the skirt rectangles are sewn together.  Sew the ends together to create one large circle comprised of all 12 rectangles.

3. For a professional look, finish the seams with a serger or trim off ½ of the seam allowance and finish with a zigzag stitch. Iron the seams flat and set aside.

Creating the bottom ruffle:

4. Place the three ruffle pieces together with the right sides touching and the raw edges lining up.  Pin together along both short side seams. Sew together along the pinned seams.

5. Iron the ruffle in half width-wise with the wrong sides touching.  This has created a folded finished bottom edge.

6. Sew two rows of gathering stitches along the top raw edge.  Gather the ruffle up until it is the same width the skirt body.

7. Place the ruffle on top of the skirt with the right sides touching. The raw top edge of the ruffle should be lined up with the raw bottom edge of the skirt.  Pin to secure.

8. Sew the ruffle to the skirt. For a professional look, finish the seams with a serger or trim off ½ of the seam allowance and finish with a zigzag stitch. Iron the seams flat. 

9. If desired, pin lace or pom-pom trim onto the right side of the skirt right above the bottom ruffle. If no lace is desired simply top-stitch right above the seam on the right side of the fabric.

10. Sew the lace to the skirt.

11. When approximately 1-2" of lace trim is left to be sewn, turn the excess under to create a finished edge. Pin to secure and finish sewing. Set aside.

12. Place the two waistband pieces together with the right sides touching and the raw edges lining up.  Pin together along both short side seams. Sew together along the pinned seams. For a professional look, finish the seams with a serger or trim off ½ of the seam allowance and finish with a zigzag stitch. Iron the seams flat.

 13. Sew two rows of gathering stitches along the top raw edge of the skirt.  Gather the skirt  up until it is the same width the waistband. NOTE: Take care to ensure all the panels are gathered evenly.

14. Place the waistband on top of the skirt with the right sides touching. The raw top edge of the skirt should be lined up with the raw bottom edge of the waistband.  Pin to secure.

15. Sew the waistband to the skirt. For a professional look, finish the seams with a serger or trim off ½ of the seam allowance and finish with a zigzag stitch. Iron the seams flat.Top-stitch right above the seam on the right side of the fabric.

16. Create a casing for the elastic waistband. Turn the top raw edge down 1/2" and iron flat.  Turn down another 3/4" and iron flat.  Sew all the way around the waistband leaving a 1-2" opening in the back to insert the waistband.

17. Cut out elastic according to the chart below:

18. Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic.  Insert the pin into one side of the waistband opening. Guide the elastic through the opening and out the other side.

19. Attach the two end of elastic and sew them together.  Sew closed the 1-2" opening.

20. You have now made the Sophia Skirt!!!!

We really hope you enjoyed this free skirt tutorial!!  Let us know below if you sew up your own skirts and also what you would like to see next in our free tips & tutorials section!!

For more patterns, please check out our Pattern Shop!

xoxo,

Ericka & Jessica

It is hard to keep a secret!  This is one we have been especially excited to share.  Are you ready??  We are proud to announce that 12 Violette Field Threads patterns are now being carried at Jo Ann Fabric Stores nationwide!!    We love shopping in our local Jo Ann Store because it is a one stop shop to pick up fabric, trims, notions and now our patterns!!

Lets keep the excitement going, how about a chance to win the full set of 12?!  We are giving away a full set to 3 readers!!  Keep reading to enter the contest below.

Here are the titles that can be found in stores now:

• Emmaline
• Alba
• Josephine
• Lilly Belle
• Whitney
• Jane
• Lucy
• Myra
• Vivienne
• Piper
• Adele
• Chloe

Each pattern includes beautiful full color instructions.  They are the only pattern on the Jo Ann's wall that are have instruction sheets printed in full color! As usual, our instructions include detailed photography for each step of the way. They also have sewing tips and inspiration photos. Each pattern retails for $10.95 each, all sizes included.

The Violette Field Threads line of patterns can be found on either the pattern wall or spinning pattern racks of your local Jo Ann Fabric stores.  We are teamed up with the McCall Pattern Company and plan to continue adding more titles each season. Watch for 4 more titles to go show up in stores this Fall.

This has been a very exciting step for us to take and we know that we never could have accomplished this goal without the support of our loyal customers.  So thank you!  Thank you for buying our designs, thank you for sharing them on social media and for all the promoting you do on our behalf.  We are very excited to see what the future holds for VFT and are happy to have made so many wonderful friends along the way!

Would you like to win the entire set?!?  McCall Pattern Company has generously donated 3 full sets for us to giveaway.  Just enter below for your chance to win:

xoxo,

Ericka & Jessica

Well, today is the day! The Ginger Cover Girl contest has come to a close and WOW! WOW! WOW! we were absolutely blown away by the submissions we received.  Once again, these submissions have proven just how talented and stylish you ladies are! The entries more than exceeded our expectations and we have been agonizing all morning over the nearly impossible task of choosing just one to be our new Ginger cover.

Are you ready to see who stole our hearts? We have chosen a winner!!!!!  Ali Foster's precious little Ellie is the new Violette Field Threads Ginger Cover Girl!!!  We simply adore this new cover.  The fabric choice is fresh while still pulling in vintage elements that are perfectly suited for Ginger's design.  The Charlotte Pantaloons & Retro headband really complete the look. The location and props were also spot on, as they really add to the photo without drawing undo attention away from the clothes. Can you resist the sweet little smirk she's pulling, too? We can't! We know that customers won't be able to resist picking this pattern up of the shelf.

We are also extremely excited about our 2nd and 3rd place photos!  With the amount of gorgeous photos that we received, these were not an easy choice either. 

First up is our 2nd place winner!  We simply adore this photo of Andrea Sandal's little beauty. Her combination of fabric textures is absolutely stunning. The wooden buttons and lace details add to the sweet rustic charm of this overall look. What a dreamy look, right up our alley.

3rd place is equally breathtaking. Holly Langford's two little girls are just darling in this vintage tractor shoot!  This really did make our hearts swoon! We love seeing both the Ginger Top and Dress together and the background could not be more amazing. Holly's fabric choices are classic and will never go out of style.

We cannot emphasize enough how much talent we saw during this contest!  We want to thank each and every one of the ladies who submitted their photos for our contest.  We know what is involved.... agonizing over fabric choices, hours spent sewing, finding just the right photography location, coercing the little models (sometimes admittedly with treats), sifting through a mountain of shots, and finally choosing and editing the final picture.  We get it!  It's so much work, and we want to sincerely thank each and every one of you! {Be on the look out for a personal THANK YOU email from us....}  With so many gorgeous submissions, we know there will be some disappointment out there... Please, please, please know just how grateful and flattered we are that so many entered such beautiful work. We hope that everyone is happy with the Gingers they created and had fun creating cherished memories with their little ones! We imagine many of these gorgeous shots adoring walls across the country!!!

Here are some gorgeous photo collages that include at least one of the submissions from ALL of our talented entries. 

Can you believe how gorgeous all these photos are?!? We will also be uploading a photo album onto Facebook so you can be even more inspired to sew up your own Ginger!! In the meantime, please leave some love below for all of our gorgeous Ginger models.

Entrants can expect to receive an email from us on the Thursday regarding contest prizes!

xoxo,

Ericka & Jessica

We are looking to spruce up our beloved Ginger pattern with some new photos, including a new cover for our paper pattern. The original pattern cover is one of our favorites and continues to be a top-seller, however we feel that it is time for an update, and with that, a chance for us to all have a bit of fun!

This is where you come in!  We are hosting a Ginger Pattern Covergirl Contest!!!  We know that our customers have impeccable style and some serious camera skills, so want to see what you come up with.  We will have prizes including cash, gift certificates and of course a chance to be on our Ginger Paper Pattern cover that is sold nationwide!  

Lets go over the details on how to enter the contest:

Entry Requirements

• Each entrant will sew up a Ginger Dress or Top.  The photo submitted cannot be a Ginger modification, as this photo will be advertising the pattern as it is designed.  However, any version of Ginger may be used.  
• Photography must be professional/semi-professional.
• If you chose to feature the Ginger as a Top, you must feature it with either the Lucy Pants or Charlotte Pantaloons.  Both of these patterns are designed and sold by Violette Field Threads.
• The photo is required to have the model positioned towards the right hand side with enough room on the left hand side to add our logo and pattern name.  See examples below.

   

• The photo can include two girls if you would like to showcase both the dress and top, however this is not a requirement as many of our patterns only feature one look on the cover.
• Entries must be emailed to us by May 4, 2015 end of day. The winning looks will be chosen and announced on May 5, 2015! Please email entries to violettefieldthreads@gmail.com with the title: Ginger Cover Girl.

Now lets talk about the prizes!!

1st Place: $100 Cash, $50 Gift Certificate to Violette Field Threads, $50 Gift Certificate to Fabric.com.  In addition, your photo will be featured on our Ginger Paper Pattern Cover!!  

2nd Place: $50 Cash, $25 Gift Certificate to Violette Field Threads, $25 Gift Certificate to Fabric.com. 

3rd Place: $25 Cash, $25 Gift Certificate to Violette Field Threads, $25 Gift Certificate to Fabric.com.

All participants will be featured in an online album and will receive one free pattern from Violette Field Threads at the close of the contest.

Most of all, we want everyone to have fun and enjoy the process of being creative!  Take your time and carefully choose fabrics that will make a statement and stand the test of time.  Research Pinterest for set ideas, poses and the perfect accessories to make your look stand out!

Once the contest comes to a close, all photos will become the property of Violette Field Threads.  They will be featured on our blog, website and printed advertisements.

Have you started your spring sewing? It is the perfect time to get a head start on spring and summer all while saving money! Stock up on all the Violette Field Threads patterns that are on your wishlist!

The Violette Field Threads Spring Pattern Sale starts today. For one week only our entire site will be 35% off. This includes our new spring releases: Haven, Joy, and Annabelle.

The Haven Pattern

The Annabelle & Joy Pattern

In addition to the new spring releases, our beloved classic patterns are also on sale and sure to become quick favorites on your sewing list.

Emmaline & Lilly Belle

Kate & Ellie

Piper

Alba, Myra & Jane

It could not be more easy to save! The website prices have been reduced to reflect the 35% off pricing, so no coupon codes are required for discounts. Simply fill up your cart, checkout, and start sewing! Now is the time to shop and save, so head over to Violette Field Threads now and be inspired!

xoxo,

Ericka & Jessica