Fairies, Straight Grain, Nani Iro and a GIVEAWAY

By Victoria As-it-Seams - 01:24

This a post about fairies and magic.
Magic that happens when you combine the legendary sewing words; Straight  Grain, Nani Iro and GIVE AWAY.

But firstly back to that fairy.

I don't like fairy dresses. At least not the kind that are made of nylon in a factory in China. But I do like fairies. (And I also like giveaways, see the end of this post for details!)
So I set about making my own fairy dress - only Missy had her own ideas.


Hanami fairy dress, Straight grain pattern, As it Seams

I wanted to make something ethereal, and properly 'fairy like'. So this is what I came up with. A modified Hanami dress, with a circular skirt cut into eight petal shapes. This must be about the eighth Hanami dress I've sewn from Straight Grain's pattern - it's so versatile.
It is entirely lined, and completely reversible, in two different shade of green, one a mock linen cotton, the other the finest voile. I had to think quite carefully how to make this work on both sides. I might even do a tutorial.
And this was my 'styling' vision. A leaf dress, over a 'fairy skirt'. Missy however had other ideas.

Hanami fairy dress, Straight grain pattern, As it Seams
She wore this combination for exactly five minutes - before deciding she would rather be in the garden.
"It's my bean dress!" she declared, picking up trowel and planting beans.

That was fine by me - because I really believe that the clothes  should be worn, and not tucked away in wardrobes.
The fairy/bean dress had another outing, this time a picnic in a  beauty spot near us, called The Heavens (yes really). This time, it looked particularly fairy-like. When she started paddling in the stream, mud and all, I realised that this little Missy is more 'earthy fairy' than ethereal.
Please forgive the photo-fest. I'm enjoying bringing back memories...

Hanami fairy dress, Straight grain pattern, As it Seams







Now for that giveaway. Back in the summer I amazingly won the Secret Squirrel Sewing contest! One of the prizes was one of An from Straight Grain's sewing patterns. 
Um well, guess what? I already have them all. As can be seen in the little gallery below, all sewn, or flipped from Straight Grain's patterns. 






So An is  letting me give my prize away! And not one prize - but three Hanami dress patterns!
The Hanami is my go-to dress pattern. Simple bodice, elegant options, it's proved infinitely variable. 
And An has been stunningly generous. She's added 1.5 metres of Nani Iro fuccra double gauze, as the top prize in this giveaway. Fabric can be posted worldwide.
That's more than enough to recreate Norah's beautiful blouse pictured here.
Oh An! I'm beside myself with excitement. And there are lots of chances to win. Simply click on the rafflecopter. Giveaway ends on October 31.






a Rafflecopter giveaway

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14 comments

  1. Wow, what a great fairy dress! I think I might have to steal your idea!

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  2. I like your earth fairy dress and practical everyday princess dresses. :)

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  3. I have the Hanami as well, but am eyeing that fabric ;)

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  4. Missy is gorgeous :) The bean dress - haha I completely agree - clothes needs to be worn and played in!

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  5. Love the dress, what a good idea. xx

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  6. I love dresses to be worn too. Even carefully made ones should be worn and enjoyed, mud and all.

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  7. This is so pretty Victoria!! I love it:)

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  8. Beautiful dress, and a gardener, she has my heart. I like to garden as well.
    lfhpueblo (at) msn (dot) com
    Lauralee Hensley

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  9. I agree - costumes / dresses are meant to be worn. I love how your daughter called it her bean dress. A lovely fairy dress, Victoria.

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  10. Gorgeous lil' models...& fairy dress is so cool! Looove these outfilt!! My Grangirlie will looove them too!

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  11. What a beautiful post, and beautiful patterns! Thanks for sharing!

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  12. This is so sweet, I love the dress!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I love hearing from you, and try to reply as often as I can, either here or by email. All views, tips, gratefully received...
Victoria