For The Love of Legends: Mermaid Wishes + BONUS Free Silhouette Cut File
When I saw that CraftingCon & Phat Quarters were hosting a blog tour with the theme of legends, I quickly signed up. We are a little obsessed with mythical creatures. My oldest daughter’s room is decorated with mermaids, so it was only fitting that she get a mermaid themed dress to match.
Now, I’ll be honest. I originally had in my head to do something super elaborate and costume like. But, then I quickly came to my senses and realized that for something as awesome as a mermaid, I would want my daughter to be able to wear it 24/7. So I switched gears and self drafted a new dress. I’ve been hoarding this beautiful fabric from Michael Miller’s Out to Sea line by Sarah Jane, and this project was the perfect time to use it!
One of my favorite things about a blog tour is it gives me the chance to take off my designer hat for a little bit and exercise a different creative muscle. My original plan was to mash a couple patterns together, but one thing led to another and I ended up drafting a whole new design. Old habits die hard I guess. But the really exciting thing is that I got to use my Silhouette Cameo.
If you are not familiar with a Silhouette Cameo cutting machine, I have to apologize for the hit your wallet is about to take. Because when you find out all the things this machine can do, you are going to want one. As a matter of fact, I designed my youngest daughter’s room decor projects around it just so I would have a good excuse for my husband to buy the machine (Sorry, hubby!). They are so much fun! I’m pretty sure these cutting machines were originally marketed for scrapbooking, a pastime that I always think I want to do in my head but never actually have time for. The newest machines can cut all types of vinyl and do amazing things like embossing and etching in addition to cutting paper. Honestly, the possibilities are endless.
I sadly don’t get to use my machine as much as I’d like. I recently got a bunch of heat transfer vinyl on a good deal on Amazon and decided to put it to good use for this project. My favorite thing about the Silhouette is that you can trace almost anything and it will cut it perfectly. Gone are the days when you need to buy a million expensive cartridges that have designs that you have to settle for because they are the only things close enough to what you wanted. With the Silhouette, you can find (or in my case make) a jpeg and tell the software to trace it and cut. Easy peasy.
I created a cute mermaid-inspired design on the computer and then cut it out with the Silhouette. Once the design was cut out and the excess vinyl was weeded, I just placed it on my bodice piece and ironed it on. I did this in a couple different steps so I could get the layout exactly how I wanted it. The finished bodice was so adorable, it made the sewing aspect a little nerve wracking. You know that moment that things are going so perfectly that you are terrified that you will mess it up in the final hour? Yes, that was totally me. But thankfully luck was only side, and the final product turned out amazing. Check out the photos of my mini me below:
Cute right? The heat transfer is prominent on the bodice, and the the flutter sleeves really compliment the print on the skirt. Plus, because I couldn’t help myself, I added a little lace trim to the flutter sleeves. Every dress needs a little lace, don’t you think? I am so in love with this dress that you will probably see the pattern in the shop soon. It’s just too cute.
Now you know I couldn’t show you this fabulous mermaid themed dress without sharing a little love, right? That’s why I decided to offer my Silhouette fans a little something. Click here to download your FREE silhouette cut files I created for this dress.
Ready to win some cool prizes? Scroll on!
3/14
The Wholesome Mama•Skirt Fixation•Amazing Adventures Of Bubba and Bug•Bella Sunshine Designs•From-a-Box
3/15
Wild + Wanderful•The Fairy Dust Bin•GYCT Designs•The Kisses Co.•Call Ajaire
3/16
Handmade Boy•Mae & K•create3.5•Pear Berry Lane•Sewing Mama RaeAnna
3/17
The Inspired Wren•Rebel & Malice•Sew Starly•XO Jessica•Falafel and the Bee
3/18
PenSeb&Rox•Knot Sew Normal•Beatnik Kids•Lulu & Celeste•Swoodson Says•Friends Stitched Together
And be sure to check out our giveaway sponsors and enter below!
Prize Package 1:
Phat Quarters: $20 Gift Card
Momma Quail Patterns: 1 Pattern of Choice*
Bella Sunshine Designs: 1 Pattern of Choice*
Handmade Escapade: 3 Digital Downloads of Choice
Sewing Mamma RaeAnna: 1 Pattern of Choice*
XO Jessica: 1 Custom Shirt
Knot Sew Normal: 1 Pattern of choice*
Prize Package 2:
Phat Quarters: Legendary Pattern with 3 piece FQ Bundle
One Thimble: 1 Magazine Issue
Modern Yardage: Paul Bunyan FQ
Love Notions: 1 Pattern of Choice*
Beatnik Kids: 1 Pattern of Choice*
Swoodson Says: 1 Pattern of Choice*
GYCT: 1 Pattern of Choice*
Call Ajaire: 1 Pattern of choice*
Skirt Fixation: 2 Yards of Fabric
*Excludes bundles
We will draw a random link-up to win an issue of One Thimble Magazine!
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So what is your favorite mythical creature? Let me know in the comments.
First I cut out new neckline on the pattern using a curved ruler. I tried to make the center of the neckline fairly even with the shoulder strap width. Then I made sure the back was even with the front. After doing a full bust adjustment, I sewed a quick muslin. Sewing muslins aren’t much fun, but they are so essential if you want to get a nice fit. All bodies are shaped differently, and I would much rather waste $2 a yard muslin fabric than my hoarded $$ a yard designer prints. In this case, I’m glad I did a muslin. While my full bust adjustment was a success (yay! My boobs fit!), when I altered the neckline, I didn’t remember that with the boatneck design, the shoulder would have to be brought in more. See that little excess fabric in the neckline? I would have been sad had I not done a muslin first! Most of the time when I do a muslin, I don’t finish the edges or anything unless I need to for an accurate fit. The more experienced you get with fitting, the quicker you can sew a basic muslin to figure out how the fit will be. 
Altering the neckline was an easy fix. I re-taped my pattern piece to a piece of tracing paper, moved the shoulder in a set pre-measured amount, and I was all set. Now I should have made a new muslin, but since I had measured the amount the shoulder needed to be moved, and because as a designer I am very used to making these types of adjustments often, I went for it with confidence (and the knowledge that I had enough fabric if I made a mistake.) The end result was pretty spectacular: 
This is by far the most favorite thing I have ever made myself. The pictures (taken by my less than enthusiastic that he was forced to stop working our 
I almost forgot to mention my other secret hack. One you would never notice on the outside, but makes me want to jump with joy… LACE! If you’ve looked around here for half a second, you will know that I’m addicted to the stuff. So when I decided to do a blind hem on the dress, I added a little lace trim on the hem. Pretty, huh? What’s a birthday party without PRESENTS?!?! I have to admit, when I heard about the prizes for the giveaway for this blog tour, I was kinda sad I couldn’t win them myself. Check out the info below on how to enter, and be sure to check out some of the other bloggers and their fabulous creations! Oh, and all 
