The Search For 5 Great (Non-Custom) Knit Retailers!

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With so many amazingly adorable knit patterns out there, it’s sometimes hard to find JUST the right print. And if you’re on a budget it gets even tougher. So today we’ve compiled a list of 5 great online knit retailers for buying gorgeous knits on a budget!

The Search For 5 Great (Non-Custom) Knit Retailers!

1. Purple Seamstress

Melinda Dozal (or Mel, as she is fondly known by her customers) is the owner of Purpleseamstress Fabric. It began as a hobby on eBay but took off in a big way. It allowed her to retire from her full-time court reporter job to do what she loves best; playing with fabric! She now has her website (linked above) and a Facebook page where she is very successful. And her customers all swear she has magical shipping fairies because her shipping speed is almost unreal. She sells all kinds of different knits in solids as well as in some beautiful prints and her prices are very reasonable!

2. Southern Belle Fabrics

Southern Belle Fabrics has a goal to inspire your creativity by offering the high-quality apparel fabrics at affordable prices. Southern Belle sources all of their fabrics in the USA in order to help support our nation’s economy. They are located in the Heart of Texas, so hospitality is second nature to them. On their site, you can find some amazingly affordable gorgeous knit fabrics and outstanding customer service that they try to provide to each and every customer. Definitely a retailer worth a purchase!

3. Knitpop

Knitpop is another great domestic knit retailer with awesome fabrics at even more awesome prices. It is based in San Diego and run by Sara Jaggers Knook, who is a very sweet and personable lady. Knitpop carries a very wide variety of knit fabrics and is a clear favorite of their followers. If you’ve never ordered from them before, it’s worth mentioning that they offer $5 off your first purchase plus 25% in Rewards when you create a new profile on the site. Rewards for future purchases are 5% and they offer bulk discounts!. They also have some pretty mind-blowing sales, so make sure you check them out during one!

4. Sincerely Rylee

This is a business that has been mentioned in our blog before for good reason! Darcey Johnston, owner, and operator of Sincerely Rylee is based in Florida and is a very beloved member of the online fabric community. Her customer service and warm personality are two of the many keys to her success. Her business is best known for sweater knits and mystery boxes, although she does carry a wide variety of gorgeous and affordable knit fabrics perfect for the whole family. This is definitely a business to follow if you’re into knits.

5. Droomstoffen

For this last fabric business, we’re traveling a little farther from (my) home… Droomstoffen means Dream fabrics in English. Yvette is 31 years old with one son and two bonus daughters who she loves like her own. She started Droomstoffen 3 years ago in Almere Centrum, Netherlands. After 6 months they moved 3 doors down to a larger store. The shop is growing every day and now includes a pretty impressive web presence. They carry a variety of fabrics including many Scandinavian and German prints. They specialize in jersey, French terry, and other stretch fabric. And good news for us in the States! She ships internationally!

In fact, Droomstoffen has generously offered to give away a $20 shop credit to one of our readers! Enter HERE for your chance to win! We will draw and announce a winner next Saturday!

And Knitpop is giving away a 3-monthKnitpop subscription! You can enter that giveaway HERE! Good luck!

Make sure you check back with us next week to see a whole week of amazing school sews on our Back To School Blog Tour!!!

Why Blending Is Important

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We all want the perfect fitting garment, right? Well, no matter your body type, you CAN get that! How? By blending sizes! Let us show you why blending is so important and how do do it correctly!

Why Blending Is Important

In order to blend sizes properly, you will need current and precise measurements for the person the garment is for. You can find a handy graphic in all BSD patterns to show you how/where to get these so your sew comes out perfectly. Make sure if you’re using layers, that you leave on all of the ones that match your measurements. Keep in mind, that most bodies will not fit one specific size perfectly. To give you some perspective, I personally am a size 12 in the bust/overbust, a size 16 in the waist, and a size 8 in the hips. If I didn’t blend, I’d either be WAY baggy in the bust and hips or WAY tight in the waist.

Example:

Recently during our Sophia testing, one of our amazing testers sewed up 2 versions of our new Sophia top. One blended incorrectly, and one blended correctly. Here are her results.

Incorrect

You can see here that the blending did not go well. The back curve of the racerback is pinched and doesn’t lay right. This happened because the width of the back piece was blended incorrectly in proportion to the length.

Correct

In this picture, you can see that the pulling is not happening in the curve of the racerback and the back lays so much nicer. This is what a correct blending should look like in a finished project.

If you aren’t sure what you’re doing as far as blending, Melissa has created some pretty great videos that make it clearer. The first one was a blending video for the Apple Cardigan. And the other was a blending video for the skirt of the Emmaline dress. Or you can find a whole channel FULL of blending videos here.

Of course, if you need help, we also encourage you to join our Facebook group, where you can get help from the designer herself or any number of our amazing and talented followers! We have one of the best and most helpful communities out there and we are SO proud of it!

New Release: The Sophia Tank, Tunic, and Dress!

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Did you hear about our newest release? Sophia is ALL the rage right now and PERFECT for warmer weather sewing! Would you like to meet her? Let’s go!

New Release: The Sophia Tank, Tunic, and Dress

Sophia is the newest addition to Bella Sunshine Designs and she is SO amazing! Sophia is a racerback tank style which features 3 different lengths and a gorgeous waterfall hem that flatters all body types. What makes it even better is that it comes in both adult AND children’s sizing, so mommy and me sets can be made and enjoyed!

As always, our testers really nailed this one! And they’re results are stunning! Let’s start by peeking at some of the girl sized creations… They will blow you away!

Girls Sophia

We got SO many great pictures from our testers… as usual. Let’s start by looking at a couple of these amazing backs!

 

Although, the fronts are completely adorable too! Especially when a girl loves to strike a pose!

Ladies Sophia

The women’s version is just as gorgeous (if not more so)! And we are so blessed to have testers of all different body types to ensure the fit and proportions are perfect! Just look at the backs of these Sophias and how completely flattering they all are!

How can you not love this one? Oh, and she definitely doesn’t disappoint from the front, either!

 

Oh… did we mention that this pattern is maternity friendly???

And of course, new sews are always better when you share with friends!

And in looking at these, you also can’t forget the ever-popular mommy and me possibilities!

So what do you think? Are you ready to add Sophia to your closet? You can buy the ladies version here,  and the girls here. Or if you want to go for the mommy and me option, you can get the bundle here!

Please come join our Facebook group and share your gorgeous Sophia sews with us! We would LOVE to see them!

5 Reasons Sewing Is The Best Hobby Ever

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I began my sewing hobby when I was around 13 years old. I’ve always loved it. And I’ve strayed away a few times. But I always find myself coming back to my machine and the fabric to let my creativity shine. Why? Because sewing is the best hobby ever! Let me tell you why…

5 Reasons Sewing Is The Best Hobby Ever

Express your style like only you can!

Whether it’s clothing, quilting, or home decor, you can put your own style stamp on everything you make. Nobody is just like you, so nobody will create something exactly the same as you. From geek to floral, bold geometric patterns to pale pastels, make it what best represents you and let the compliments roll in!

Clothing tailored for a perfect fit every time!

One of the most beautiful things about sewing is being able to alter a pattern to fit your body. Off the rack clothing can be good, but typically even the best garments will have small fit issues. By making your own clothing, you can tailor the patterns you use to get a perfect fit every time.

Dress your kids in boutique pieces without the boutique prices!

Do you LOVE the look of the boutique clothing but balk at the prices? That was me. I was so in love, but there was no way I could afford those gorgeous clothes for my little girl. Enter my sewing hobby. Yes, it’s more expensive than buying clothes at those large discount chains, but you can get the most adorable boutique looks for a fraction of the boutique pricing. Just make a few pieces for your child, dress them up, and wait for the compliments to roll in.

MAJOR Bragging rights!

Just think of the looks you do/will get when someone compliments something and you can say “I made that!” It’s a fantastic feeling. I always feel such pride when my daughter loves a dress I’ve made and then SHE tells everyone, “MY mommy made this!” as she’s twirling around in it. It’s amazing. And everyone should experience that.

The stress relief!

This is my #1 reason to sew. Sitting in front of my machine, listening to it hum… that is my happy place. Turning a flat piece of fabric into something amazing makes me feel warm and fuzzy. There’s just something about it that speaks to my soul and makes a bad day feel good again. I have never found anything that is as relaxing to me as sewing is.

Well, that’s it for this week’s blog! What do you do to relax? Why do you think sewing is the best hobby ever? Please share in the comments below! And feel free to join our amazing Facebook community to share your triumphs and troubles as well as get help with ALL of your BSD questions! We’d love yo have you!

7 Perfect Summer Patterns to Sew Now

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The weather is heating up here in Wisconsin, and is downright hot already down in places like Florida where Melissa lives. So it’s time to start sewing up some great summer patterns! We’ve compiled a list of our favorite BSD summer-friendly patterns to share with you. Are you ready to dive in?

7 Perfect Summer Patterns to Sew Now

With a wide variety of patterns, Bella Sunshine is great for all kinds of wardrobe styles! Let’s start with some adorable girl’s  summer patterns.

Felicity

With her frilly girly look and spaghetti straps, Felicity makes the perfect summer wardrobe staple. Fully lined, there are no scratchy seams for your girl to contend with. And the elastic back makes fitting easy!

Sun-Kissed Sunsuit

For the more rambunctious, there’s the Sun-Kissed Sunsuit! This cute little romper is perfect for the littles who are always on the go, especially the climbers! The optional flounce can help make it extra girly. With the added dress and maxi options, you can’t go wrong. Fun and functional and of course adorable!

Rose Bubble Shorts

Who doesn’t love a good pair of bubble shorts? I think they’re some of the cutest things I’ve ever seen! And with a flat front and elastic back, they’re stylish as well as easy to get on and off. Win win!

 

Now let’s look at some patterns that would make AWESOME mommy and me sets this summer! You know you want to!

Violet

Talk about a beautiful tank or dress! Spaghetti straps and a lightweight knit make it oh so comfortable! And the flounce (if you use it) makes it flirty and fun! Just picture the amazing mommy-daughter tops and dresses you’ll make!

Tess Tulip Shorts

Another fun possible mommy and me pattern… The tulip shorts are fun and right in style right now! With 2 different inseam lengths, you can get the perfect-for-you fit. You can also add a lot of character with fun trims and fabrics, making it a great way to showcase your personality.

Sahara

Bring one of our most popular patterns into summer with you! With multiple skirt and sleeve lengths (including a sleeveless option!), you can make the perfect top or dress for you for any climate. A fully lined bodice equals no scratchy seams inside. Another of the perfect summer patterns for matching sets. There’s also the possibility of mashing the Sahara bodice with the Emmaline skirt, giving you even more style options!

Amelia

A crossover bodice, ruched waistline, and beautiful gathered skirt make Amelia a perfect all-occasion sew for the summer months. The lined knit bodice makes for a super comfy wear, while the skirt can be made in multiple lengths to fit any need. Amelia is so flattering on any body type as well, making it great for everyone!

 

Did we miss any of your summer favorites? If so, please let us know your favorite Bella Sunshine sews in the comments! And please join our Facebook group for fun, games, triumphs, questions, and an awesome community!

5 Sewing Techniques All New Seamstresses Should Try

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Getting into sewing is exciting, but it can be a little scary too. Learning new things is always an adventure, for good or bad. But the more you know and learn and grow, the better you are! So we’ve compiled a short list of 5 sewing techniques every new seamstress should try (and master)!

5 Sewing Techniques All New Seamstresses Should Try

1. Blind Hem

How to Sew A Blind Hem in 5 Easy Step - Must Repin for Later!

A blind hem isn’t used as much as it used to be, but if you’re wanting to sew heirloom quality  children’s clothing with woven fabrics, it is definitely a skill to learn! It’s also great for hemming ladies skirts and dresses. You can find an awesome tutorial for learning a blind hem right here! It’s PERFECT for BSD patterns like Alice for ladies or for girls!

2. Understitching

Understitching is a great way to add an amazingly professional finish to your work. It’s one of those often overlooked sewing techniques that we all should know about. Many Bella Sunshine patterns employ this technique for a beautiful finish, not the least among them is the Sahara. You can even practice your understitching by making matching mommy and daughter Saharas! Learn more about understitching by reading this informational post!

3. Stay Stitching

 

Stay stitching is a MUST have skill when working with about any fabric. It’s the thing that keeps necklines and armscyes from getting all wonky as you’re constructing a pattern. While not necessary for all garments, it’s especially useful in sewing v-necks like the Regan Raglan for ladies and kids. Best part? This one is FREE! You can learn more about what stay stitching is and why it’s so important in this post.

4. Ruffling

If you sew for girly girls, you know ruffles will be coming your way. Did you know there’s more than one way to make a ruffle? Find the method that’s easiest for you here and then use it to create a stunning Juliet!

5. Invisible Zipper

This one is the most daunting on the list, I know. But if you follow this tutorial, I promise it isn’t as bad as it seems. And think of how handy this new skill will be! Invisible zippers make a dress look so perfect! Take the Rebel Girl Party Dress, for example. Just… Ah! So pretty! You’ll be so glad you took the time to learn it!

Are there any other skills you wish you’d learned early on in your sewing career? Or are you new and there’s something not on this list that you’d love to learn? Let us know in the comments below! We might take your suggestion and run with it! If you aren’t a part of our amazing Facebook community, please join us! Share joys, triumphs, tears, questions… we love it all and we’re always there to help!

An Emmaline Sew Along is Coming!

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At Bella Sunshine, we like to hold regular sew alongs to foster a sense of community, to create together, and to give those who might need an extra little push that needed motivation. So, when one of our favorite new patterns released, we thought the timing was perfect! So… let’s get ready for an Emmaline sew along!

An Emmaline Sew Along is Coming!

How excited am I? SO VERY! I’ve been waiting for the Emmaline for a very long time. I absolutely adore the chevron color blocking. It’s effortless to wear, and easy to sew. The sew along will begin on Monday April 23rd and run for 8 days. Here’s the schedule:
We WILL be allowing hacks during the sew along also! So feel free to grab your Sahara or Amelia pieces to mash with the Emmaline! Be creative! We LOVE seeing all of the thought and work that goes into creating the PERFECT garment. So start thinking about fabric choices and get ready… because it’s going to be fun! You are welcome to do the ladies or child version. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, grab the bundle and make it a set!

Be sure to join our main facebook group as well as our sew along group to participate in the fun! We look forward to seeing you there!

New Release ~ Emmaline

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We’re always so excited for a new design. And this one is no exception. The style and ease of this newest release, Emmaline, will have everyone taking notice! Are you ready to meet her?

New Release ~ Emmaline

Emmaline is perfect for spring and comes with so many options! Let’s work from the top down, shall we? First of all, there are multiple sleeve lengths. You can choose long sleeves, 3/4 sleeves, short sleeves, or no sleeves. The skirt comes in 3 lengths, top, dress, or maxi. The skirt in dress and maxi lengths also have the option of being a simple skirt, or a color blocked chevron skirt! Cool, right?

One of the BEST things, though, is that it’s compatible with the Clementine, which means you can swap out the sleeves or skirts to make a whole new dress! How exciting is that?!

Tester Photos

As always, we have some super talented testers who killed in this test! Look at some of their absolutely stunning creations below!

We’ll start with the girls. They’re so adorable and the Emmaline is so versatile! Perfect for any child who loves a good twirl!

Even the older girls love Emmaline! And with the right fabrics it can be absolutely stunning as a more formal dress!

And last (but definitely not least!) Let’s talk the ladies version! Oh so pretty! And with all the options you can make so many completely different dresses with the same perfect fit every time!

And we can’t forget one of the best possibilities… Mommy and me sets! I mean, really, how can you not LOVE these?!

Basically, what I’m trying to say is that you don’t want to NOT own this pattern! And you can get it on sale for a limited time! Sale is good until Friday, April 13th at midnight EST. Get the child’s version here for only $6, ladies here for $7, or buy the bundle and save more for those mommy and me creations for only $12!

Also, be sure to join our Facebook community to share your gorgeous creations, get help, and see all of the other amazing BSD sews by talented seamstresses!

BSD's Most Read Sewing Articles of 2017~ Pin for later!

BSD’s Most Read Sewing Articles of 2017

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As we look back on the last year, we like to peek at the most read sewing articles that we’ve produced. Maybe you’ve read them. Maybe you haven’t. But we thought we’d share them with you. Maybe you missed a gem you needed. Either way, you can look back on these fond memories with us. And maybe learn something new in the process! So here are the top 7 articles from 2017.

BSD's Most Read Sewing Articles of 2017 Pin for Later!

7. Fun Uses for Seemingly Useless Scraps

Fun Uses for Seemingly Useless Scraps ~ Great pin for scrap ideas!

See some of our favorite quick and easy scrap-busting ideas! You never know what you might find or learn in the process!

6. The Don’ts of Pattern Testing

The Don'ts of Pattern Testing~ Pin for an amusing read!

This tongue-in-cheek article took a dive into the world of pattern testing. It’s a great amusing read for how not to be a good pattern tester. I must admit, it was very fun to write too!

5. 8 Specialty Feet That Will Change Your Life

8 Specialty Feet That Will Change Your Life ~ Pin to read later!

So much useful information here! Most important to remember: DO NOT be afraid of specialty feet! Thay are your friends and here to help you! Read this article to find out which are the most used feet and why they are so awesome!

4. Top 10 Knit Fabrics For Garment Sewing

Top 10 Knit Fabrics for Garment Sewing ~ Handy Pin for Future Reference!

Confused about knits? This handy little guide will tell you about popular knit types and some of the best projects to use them for! We got a lot of requests for this one in our group, so we brought it to you!

3. Lose Your Sewing Weight: Grade Your Seams

Lose Your Sewing Weight: Grade Your Seams Pin for Later!

This post was SUCH a handy tool for reducing the bulk you can get in seams. Especially when you’re dealing with a lot of layers. Check out this article for help with reducing your bulk.

2. 12 More Bad Sewing Habits You Need to Quit Doing

12 More Bad Sewing Habits You Need To Quit Doing - So guilty of number 5!

There are a lot of things you shouldn’t do as a seamstress. Things that are just poor time management to things that are downright dangerous. This is a list of a few of those things and why they are a no-no.

And our MOST read article of the year…. *insert drum-roll here*

1. Know Your Needles

Know Your Needles (And the Fabrics They Go With) - The unclose photos of the needles really show there is a difference! Must pin this for future reference.

One of our more informative articles, I think. This one goes over a few of the most used needle types out there and which types of fabric and projects they are good for.

 

If you can think of any of our posts that you especially enjoyed that didn’t make the list, please share them in the comments below! And as always, feel free to join our Facebook group for fun, giveaways, sharing, and help! We’d LOVE to have you!

Lettuce Hems… On a Sewing Machine! What?!

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So today I want to bring you something that is near and dear to my own heart. Lettuce hems. They’re cute, they’re frilly, and they’re my favorite way to finish off a knit garment. Now, I’ll admit, it is a very love-hate relationship. I love the look, I love the ease (once you have it down), but I hate the time it takes. Ultimately, though, I adore them and use them any chance I get. So I thought I’d pass along the knowledge of how you can create your own lettuce hems… on a regular sewing machine!

Lettuce Hems… On a Sewing Machine! What?!

You heard me. A regular sewing machine. Why? Because I do not (yet) own a serger. But I loved the look, so I learned how to do it. And now I’m going to teach you! Are you ready? Let’s get started!

What you need:

A sewing machine

Thread

A full (matching) bobbin

Knit fabric with a good stretch

The Key to a Successful Lettuce Hem

It all starts with machine settings. Lettuce hems NEED the correct settings to come out perfect and beautiful. You basically want to set your machine to a satin stitch. On my machine that is a zigzag with a 5mm width and a 0.3mm length.

Working With the Fabric

Now that you have your machine all set up, it’s time to stitch! I recommend starting with a scrap for your first couple of tried to make sure you have the technique. It can be tricky to pick up, but once you have the hang of it, there’ll be no stopping you!

Place your fabric under the needle with the edge about 1/8″ right of the center under your presser foot. You need to make sure that the needle will be OFF your fabric on the right-hand side. Start slow and STAY slow

Start slow and STAY slow. Gently push on your foot pedal and feed your fabric through while stretching it. This stretch paired with the tight stitches is what creates the ruffled effect.

If you go slow and stretch well, you’ll end up with a beautifully ruffled lettuce hem! Now you can take this technique to your dress, shirt, and sleeve hems! Do keep in mind, though, this might not be the best finish for ALL knit garments (I occasionally still use a traditional hem because it fits the aesthetic better, so use your judgment), but it is often perfect and pretty on circle skirts! (Think Maci and Sahara)

That’s it for today! But if you have suggestions for other sewing tutorials you’d like to see, please drop them in the comments and we’ll see what we can do! And join our Facebook group for help, more tips, and to share your beautiful creations!

 

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