Favorite Things

The Little Shift Dress

Kimberly Gladman — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:13:39 +0000

Oh this was a fun photo shoot! What’s better than teddies, and tea, and pink cupcakes and flowers….?
THIS DRESS! The Little Shift Dress.

Isn’t she it adorable? There’s the front and back view. It’s got a pleated front, puffed sleeves and bias sleeve and neck trim. The back waist is elasticized and front has a button trim. The back neck opening closes with a loop and button. It is the prefect little slip on dress and will be perfect for the warmer days coming up ahead!

This polka dotty little number was one of our first prototypes and we fell in love with the modern, hip look and silhouette. It’s become every one’s favorite around the studio including our little model’s.

And, as you can see…it’s suitable and sophisticated for the older girls too! We tried it with a contrast trim and button detail and loved this option as well.

All the dresses pictured here have been done up in cotton but would be suitable in cotton voile, silk, rayon or linen as well. We did do a knit Jersey version and wow was it ever cute and comfy.

It’s no news to those of you who follow us here, that there have been some very special babies born into our Favorite Things family this year. There’s another one due just around the time of Quilt Market, so we are skipping out on Spring in Kansas City this year. We sure will miss seeing all of you. Hopefully all this cuteness makes up for something. Make sure you check with your distrubutors for all ordering information. We are expecting to ship them late May but crossing our fingers they’ll be out and on your sewing tables sooner.

Wishing you all a wonderful day, Kimberly

P.S We’ve updated our website and added a convenient button to the Simple Things store, right on our home-page. If you haven’t checked them out yet and would like a “simple” project, there’s lots of new stuff there for you to take a look at too!

An official announcement!

Kimberly Gladman — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:30:23 +0000

Happy Spring everyone!
This is an official announcement blog for something we are all excited about at Favorite Things!
I’ve started a new venture, designing a collection of PDF patterns! The movement of PDFs is gradually becoming more and more popular in our industry and there couldn’t be a better time to release these. The first few patterns I have designed is a mixture of clothing and accessories for children (because that is my life right now….dressing little people in cute clothes and accessories, keeping little heads warm, and always looking for a comfy pair of pull on pants).For those of you who dont have children to sew for…there WILL be something for you soon!

(COZY CAP)

These patterns are a tad simpler than what you would generally find in a printed pattern, but I can assure you that the fit, terminology and quality remains the same for those of you familiar with Favorite Things Patterns. I invite you to head on over to my website (www.simplethingspatterns.com) , and have a look around! If the idea of downloading, and printing a pattern on your home computer is out of your comfort zone, check out my first blog there on piecing your pattern together. It really is simple, I promise…

(MR. DASH – TIE & BOW TIE)

So, If I’ve started my own line of PDFs the big question remains as to whether or not I will still be designing for Favorite Things. OF COURSE I will be! Favorite Things is my precious stepping stone and will allow me to design bigger projects that wouldn’t be as suitable in PDF format. I could go into the fact that Favorite Things, being a family run business is one of the best things EVER, but that’s a whole other blog post!

(LITTLE KICKERS – PULL ON PANTS)

Before another baby is born into the Gladman family, I have designed something new for Favorite Things and is to be released soon…
That, the baby and so much more to come!
Love, Kimberly

P.S Simple Things is on Facebook! Like them, and stay up to date with new products, blogs and fun stuff!

Lengthening The Wrap Dress

Kimberly Gladman — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:29:44 +0000

We’ve had a few requests from those of you that would like to lengthen The Wrap Dress. We do lengthen some of our front cover samples for our long legged ladies..here’s how to do it! (A Lot of these steps can be used when lengthening other patterns as well. Always keep in mind that whatever you do to the front, should be done to the back and other attached pieces) For this particular pattern, you’ll need the Front Flounce, Lower Front and Lower Back pieces.

For The Wrap Dress you’ll need to extend the grainline on the Front Flounce, and then draw a perpendicular line square to your extended grainline you’ve just drawn. Cut along the horizontal line.

On a piece of scrap paper or tissue draw a vertical and horizontal line that are square. Determine the amount of length you would like to add (here we added 2″) and draw a parallel line 2″ from the horizontal line you’ve just drawn.

Tape your pieces in place, matching all your lines up.

Using a curved ruler, or by “eyeballing it”. Connect your pattern pieces with a pencil.

And cut!

And the same goes for the Lower Front and Lower Back. We’ll demonstrate the Lower Back.

Draw a perpendicular square line to the place on fold line…

and cut along that line.

On a piece of scrap paper or tissue draw a vertical and horizontal line that are square. Because we added 2″ to the front flounce, draw a parallel line 2″ from the horizontal line you’ve just drawn.

Tape your pieces in place, matching all your lines up. Using a curved ruler, or by “eyeballing it”. Connect your pattern pieces.

And cut!

Don’t forget to do the Lower Front now…
I wasn’t blessed with long beautiful legs, but I hope this helps those of you who have been!

Merry Christmas

Kimberly Gladman — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 22:57:32 +0000

We’re wrapping up our 10 days of Christmas on a thankful note. We really do appreciate and love our community of “followers”, “likers” and readers here. The Internet is a wonderful place that can have even the farthest of friends feeling connected and loved.

It has been our absolute pleasure to design and inspire seamstresses across the country this year and we sincerly hope we can continue to design great things for you all to enjoy. Thanks to each and everyone of you who have sent us photos and kind comments; We all gawk at the computer screen when your creations are revealed to us.

I think most would agree that once Christmas settles down and New Years celebrations are over there is often a lul of quitness and sometimes some much needed rest. We all hope you have had a wonderful time with your family and friends and have time to reflect, be thankful and also hopeful for the year to come.

We are rearin’ to go for 2012. We have babies to born into the family and as for Favorite Things we are always looking ahead, into brimming new ideas and innovative ways for you to make our Favorite Things yours!

(Christmas morning snow drops, we’re always lookin ahead!)

Have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year,

Leslie, Susan and Kimberly

This years favorite drink

Kimberly Gladman — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:46:46 +0000

Oh yum. Chai Tea. A new favorite.

Some of your local shops may make a killer Chai, that will have you wanting to jump into your car just to go get one (ahem, Leslie!) but you can make it yourself too! Here’s our recipe:

Chai Tea

1/2 t. fennel or anise seed
1/2 t. or 6 whole green cardamom pods
1/2 t. or 12 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 t. black peppercorns
1 star anise

Add above with:

1/4” thinly sliced fresh ginger root
to 4 c. boiling water.
Bring to boil and simmer low for 15 min.

Add:

1 t. Darjeeling tea (included) or 2 tea bags
1 c. milk or milk substitute
6 T. honey or brown sugar

Continue to simmer 5 min.

Strain, serve and enjoy!

Have a delightful day.

A favorite winter accessory

Kimberly Gladman — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:30:09 +0000

Pashminas are so lovely because they are so soft and cozy, they come in every color of the rainbow and can actually be worn in any season.

A lot of these tying techniques can be worn day to evening- anytime, anywhere and with mostly everything. The Pashmina was a “trend” a few years back but now has become an essential part of my wardrobe.

If you don’t own a Pashmina any of these tying tips would work with a large scarf too.

Happy wrapping and tying! Hope your staying warm on these chilly days.

The gift of giving

Kimberly Gladman — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:30:33 +0000

We are so blessed and lucky to live where we live and have what we do. Christmas time is a great time to give to those in need. I encourage you to give where you feel most comfortable this season.

(women outside a tailoring center)

As you know, Favorite Things is a big advocate and supporter of the Dalit Freedom Network. From the sales of the Hope Skirts pattern this year we are ecstatic about being able to purchase 8 sewing machines for the Dalit Women in India. Thank you so much! It is amazing to be apart of something that will make a change in another woman’s life and we hope to continue to support these women through the sale of this pattern!

For more info on the Dalits: Watch THIS great new video.

See you again tomorrow!

Give the gift of Favorite Things

Kimberly Gladman — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:46:39 +0000

Who doesn’t love to sew for baby? Some of our Favorite Things to sew are for those precious, squishy, cuddly bundles of joy we have in our family.

One lucky Little is going to to fed, changed and slept in style this Christmas. Our secretary Sue has put together a wonderful gift set including Hushabye Baby for her granddaughter. Giving and receiving the gift of handmade has got to be absolute best!

What are you making this Christmas to give?

A favorite way to decorate

Kimberly Gladman — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:43:26 +0000

One of the quickest ways to add a bit of Christmas cheer into your home is by sprucing up your window sills with potted plants in seasonal colors. Cut flowers are so lovely too, but aren’t enjoyable for as long as potted ones. This year as pictured, Leslie went with Kalanchoe plants in a bright red for a pop of color in her kitchen. Mini poinsettias, the Christmas rose, Baby Cypress trees or even red pepper plants would be festive as well.

Wishing you a colorful Christmassy day!

A good little reminder

Kimberly Gladman — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 22:22:58 +0000

Anyone who knows me, know I cannot wait for anything. When a package arrived in the mail for my daughter, from my mother who lives across the country, I wanted to let her open it right away instead of waiting till Christmas. I waited approximately 2 weeks…and thought this morning would be a perfect time to open one of the packages (yes I did know what was inside).

Oddly, Amy let me open her present and then carefully watched as I pulled out each piece from the box containing a Little People Nativity set. She listened as I explained each and every one. I began to peel back the tape and plastic off of baby Jesus and thought about how much times have changed since the birth of Jesus thousands of years ago.

As I displayed each piece, I had to tell myself to listen to what I was saying. I think children often teach us and remind us of the most important things. I really shouldn’t need a plastic nativity set to teach me that I don’t have to let commercialism ruin or rule my heart or have precedence in my home. It is just all too easy to get caught up in the swirl of activity this time of year.

The best thing about learning what I did, this morning is that I can still remember and focus on what the true holiday season is really about, you can too! All I have to do is turn my eyes to the little babe in the manger and remember what a joyous time of celebration it really is.

Wishing you a joy-filled day!