Over the Top Modified Ruffle Dress by Blutteryfly Baby Boutique

We’ve long admired Bee J Stanley, owner of Blutterfly Baby Boutique, because she takes Sis Boom fabric and makes endless ruffles for dresses, rompers, bloomers and more. This momma of 4 works full time with a long daily commute but still finds time to sew. Wow! Give her a follow over on Instagram and Facebook for your daily dose of sewing and color inspiration.

Over the Top Modified Ruffle Dress


Hi!! I’m Bee J Stanley, owner of Blutterfly Baby Boutique.  I am a mother of 4 beautiful children. I have a wonderful husband who supports all my sewing habits, sometimes unknowingly, OK mostly unknowingly…LOL.  I have been sewing little girl dresses now for over 2 years. I’m self-taught from using blogs, internet, YouTube and simply watching others and feel like I’m learning more every day.  I’m always willing to help new sewists with questions and hope to learn some amazing skills in return. Not that I’m the expert, but having someone help with simple things that make everything easier can really help.  I work a full-time job 50 hours a week with a 3-hour daily commute and I do all my sewing on the weekends-  I call it my “play time”. Making crazy over the top modified dresses are my new favorite creations and are so much fun, so I thought I would share a little on how I do that.  Threads and Stitches sent me some fabrics to play with and create this blog, so here we go.  I’ve never written a blog before so I hope you like it and please come share with me once you have tried this- or one of your own over the top designs! I am super excited to showcase one of the best designer fabrics in the world- Jennifer Paganelli’s Sunny Isle Collection, Sis Boom– Free spirit fabrics.  

To see a tutorial on how to make this amazing dress, head over to Thread and Stitches….

Dream a Little Dream….

We have fans all over the world, but a large contingency is down under in Australia. It’s fun to see how our Aussie fans use our fabrics especially since they are in the southern hemisphere and thus in opposite seasons. Today, we are sharing a look from Amanda of dream.forgirls.handmade. The model, Bella, wears the sweetest outfit in Krysta from the Hotel Frederiksted Collection. Thanks Amanda and Bella’s mom Heidi for sharing. You can follow Bella over at isobellas.world. Don’t forget to share with us on Instagram and Facebook. We love seeing what you are up to!

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Sis Boom Angie Hack-A-Thon Day 1

By Idle Sunshine

Idle Sunshine Angie Hack

Hi everyone! Welcome to the first stop on the Sis Boom Patterns Angie Hack-A-Thon Tour! I am so excited to show you my version of the Angie, it’s definitely my new favourite dress.

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You might remember in my recent post from the Just For Me January Tour that I am an Angie fan and that I planned to make one in knit fabric!

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With most things in life, I like to do a bit of research and then just give it a go. Usually that works out fine… In this case I think I pretty much nailed it!

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Let’s take a look at a picture from the original pattern to get a feel for the bones of the dress.

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Here’s where the “Hack” comes into it. I decided to make a knit version instead of woven for my hack, partly because I love the drape and most definitely for the comfort and fit. I also decided to reverse the height of the necklines and make the front a high neckline and the back low. I used a quarter circle skirt instead of a gathered one and I added cap sleeves!

continue reading over on Idle Sunshine…..

Sis Boom Patterns – Always a Perfect Fit

Long time Sis Boom fan, Rachel Berwick Hodges, was contacted by her friend Christiana Nelson recently to sew dresses for herself and her daughter. Rachel lives in New Hampshire and Christina is in Texas so they weren’t going to have a chance to met in person, pick a pattern together and take measurements. But luckily with Sis Boom Patterns, you always get the perfect fit.

Rachel said of the experience “These patterns are so great! Christy gave me their measurements and I chose the pattern sizes based off of them, which resulted in perfect fits! I haven’t seen either of them in a year, so being able to get a perfect fit just going by measurements means that Sis Boom patterns really are something.”

Rachel sewed the Carolina Mae for Christy and the Meghan Peasant for her daughter. All the fabric used in the dresses is from the Good Company fabric line. Both dresses look amazing on these 2 lovely ladies! Thanks for sharing with us, Rachel.

We hope you’ll keep Sis Boom Patterns in mind for your Holiday Sewing. If you ever have any questions on the patterns or sewing in general, you can join our Sis Boom Pattern Co Facebook Group. Don’t forget to tag us on Facebook and Instagram to show off you Sis Boom creations.

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Sis Boom Super Fan: Amanda Wilson of Dream-for Girls

We are in the dogs days of summer here in the States, but our down under fans are enjoying cooler weather. Amanda Wilson of Dream-for Girls in Sydney, Australia released a darling collection of clothing for girls featuring our Color Brigade fabric and we are so flattered. She even named the collection Jenny Rose after Jennifer saying “it’s for a beautiful lady named Jennifer, with a sprained ankle and who paints roses with magic as well.” Jennifer sprained her ankle earlier this summer when her dog, George, took off after a chipmunk. Luckily she is OK and pleased old George still has some peep in his step.

Amanda’s collection is available in her Etsy Shop, so hop over and check it out. Amanda has 2 beautiful children, a playful puppy, a great loving husband and a large extended adorable family too. She has worked as a designer/patternmaker and it’s always been her passion.

When we asked Amanda to send her a little bio about herself, she sent in the sweet little poem below. Judging from her joyous spirit, a little extra love and happiness is sewed into every garment she makes.

“Once upon a time…
from down under here…
There was a dream…
of sunny days, beautiful fabrics, sweet party dresses, smiles and fun twirly skirts in our aussie gum tree bush, pretty bows and playful pants down under here !!
Along came a friend and captured some magical photos with love, along came another friend,to walk us on the way…
and hello !!! Dream – for girls.

Photo credit: Meredith West of Dee Dub Designs

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You’ll Soon Be Nostalgic for Nostalgia

Thanks to everyone who made last fall’s romantic and vintage inspired fabric line, Nostalgia, a huge success. It’s still out there but supplies are running low, so if you have any favorites make sure to stock up on a few yards before its gone….we don’t want you to miss out.

We wanted to share these stunning photos by Angie Davis. Angie is the owner of Bella Marie Photography NYC, and she designed this amazing dress for one of her daughters using Kitty and Jackson in Green from the Nostalgia line. Two Snuggle Bugs sewed the design and they came out perfectly. The gold lace is a striking contrast on both fabrics. Hope you are inspired by them as much as we are.

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Sis Boom Super Fan: Micki Rose Handmade

Meet Teigan Miller, the talent behind Micki Rose Handmade. She sews chic, boho inspired fashion for little ones and Jennifer is honored to be one of her favorite fabric designers! Follow Teigan on Instagram and Facebook to see more of her unique and lovely creations.

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I am the Mummy of 2, soon to be 3, very free-spirited children. My big boy, Braxton (3 years old) and Miss Micki Rose (18 months old). Together with my Husband, William, we live in a remote mining town in the middle of Western Australia, called Tom Price, where your nearest major fabric store is an 16 hour drive away! Needless to say the internet is my best friend when it comes to shopping!

I have to admit I haven’t been in the sewing game all that long, my love for sewing all started when I found out I was having a baby girl 2 years ago and from there I haven’t stopped creating. There is no better feeling then when you have finished an item and knowing that you created that magnificent item from scratch.

I started off sewing harem pant sets for my babies and from there things took off. Friends and people in our small town started requesting items and that’s when I decided to turn this little hobby into a small business. If you spoke to my husband, he would definitely say I have a fabric addiction, I just love sourcing vintage and unique fabrics, intricate lace trimmings, doilies and delicate embellishments. I love anything vintage, unique and playful florals, light cotton fabrics and all things girly! I remember the very first piece of fabric I purchased was from the Jennifer Paganelli Lucky Girl line, Vintage Marcella. My Mum and I sat up late one night making a cute little pair of Vinties (overalls) with a doily yoke and pearl buttons. That is definitely where my love for all things Jennifer Paganelli started.

If I was asked to describe my children’s label, I would say it has a unique, boho vintage feel for the free-spirited bubbas out there. My most favourite items to create would have to be my rompers, they have a very whimsical bohemian feel to them! I try to ensure each item is one of a kind and when possible, try not to duplicate things.

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Sis Boom Guest Blogger: Mandy Fulton

We swooned in delight when this lovely bag showed up on our newsfeed one morning. Mandy Fulton won our Caravelle Arcade fabric give away on Facebook this fall and turned it into something amazing. The outside is Jessica in Ivory and Ruby in Pink, and the inside uses Abby in Gray. Thanks for sharing your bag with us, Mandy!. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, you never know when the next fabric giveaway will be.

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My name is Mandy Fulton. I’ve been sewing for about 4 years, and it has developed into a great hobby! I love having a creative outlet, with a useful and beautiful end product. I sew mostly for myself and two young daughters, as well as my friends and family.

I needed a bag with lots of pockets and dividers to hold sewing gear and allow me to transport it to sewing group, the local quilt store, or on road trips. This bag has a place for everything, and zips closed in such a way that the contents stay put while on the go. I love that when unzipped, there is a tray with a lip to keep my stuff from migrating as I work. I use the little zippered dumpling dish to hold buttons. The fabric dish snaps in place and holds my wonder clips perfectly.

The pattern, called the Bionic Gear Bag Notions Tote, is on Craftsy, and won their 2014 pattern design contest.

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Sis Boom Super Fans – Met Rachael and Violet

We were smitten when this blue-eyed cutie popped up on our Instagram feed in a stunning dress combining Vickie from the Good Company line and Maggie from the Circa line and we had to know more! Get to know talented photographer and designer Rachael Owen and her daughter Violet.

Hi, my name is Rachael Owen and this lovely little peach is my daughter, Violet. This was my take on a fall colored dress that still has its foot in the door of summer. I am a full time portrait photographer out of a little town in Eastern Oregon, that is famous for a rodeo. My photography company is called Catching Violet Photography, named after this little gals exciting birth. I am obsessed with ribbon, pom trim and anything Jennifer Paganelli. This dress was designed by me and created by Sonia Hanke, my absolute favorite local seamstress that is so wonderful and never teases me about my funny print combinations. 🙂 You can get Sonia to make you a dress by visiting her Facebook page or giving her a call at (541)377-1624. Please follow me in instagram to see all the fun projects I put together.

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Guest Blogger – Merav Ruthman of Baby Hobbes Designs

We are thrilled to have Chicago blogger and seamstress extraordinaire, Merav of Baby Hobbes Design, reviewing our patterns and blogging about them. Merav is a self-taught seamstress and has her darling daughter, nicknamed Hobbes, modeling the Maddie pattern in swing top and dress versions in this guest post. We LOVE her lace embellishments and swing curve bottom on the top and hope this post helps you push your creativity to the limit! Please follow her Baby Hobbes Design blog, and on Facebook and Instagram.

Sis Boom Maddie and the Fall

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It is by no surprise that I ADORE sewing designer fabrics with beautiful flower scenes, and if you have been following my Facebook posts at Baby Hobbes Design, you probably know by now that I have a little ‘obsession’ with Jennifer Paganelli and her Sis Boom prints. Well, you could have imagined my excitement when I received a package from her with two gorgeous Caravelle Arcade floral prints, one very new to me pattern, and the challenge to “create something wonderful.”

I am in heaven!

It was perfect timing for this collaboration too, as I just started sewing Hobbes back to school looks and the weather decided to turn from beach-bound 90 degrees to a cool and breezy 60 degrees here in Chicago. I downloaded the Maddie pattern (find it here) and instantly knew that I wanted to play with the idea of wearing your summer wardrobe right into Fall. Maddie, with her delicate shoulder curves and angelic flutters seemed like the perfect top/dress to slip over a long sleeve tee or under a faux-fur vest.

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What I love about the Sis Boom patterns, aside from how gorgeous and timeless they are, is that I always learn a new sewing technique (hum, did you see the sleeve bands). When I first started sewing Sis Boom patterns as a beginner seamstress, I appreciated that the designers take their time to teach and give you the opportunity to adapt the design and measurements for the best fit and style. My Hobbes is petite and I appreciate the opportunity to alter sizing without compromising the finished product.

It’s so important to measure the child wearing this pattern. Hobbes measured in between two sizes, so I cut both bodices and laid the smaller one above, then traced over the larger bodice, keeping the bodice length at size 3-4 but the width with size 2T (see the shaded area on picture #2) then I cut it for her size. I sewed and finished the dress per pattern directions.

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There is something so classic about a repetitive print dress. Caravelle Arcade, Ruby in pink is perfect fabric design to work as a coordinate (see my next look); but she can certainly be sewn alone-to give Hobbes’s Maddie Dress the perfect vintage look.

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Lastly, I waned to pair the dress with Miss 5’s favorite boots, so I decided to hem the dress at the midpoint of her knees. My Maddie dress is complete!

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The second look I created with my luscious Caravelle Arcade in Jessica was a tunic top. I just cherish this print, with its soft pinks and vintage blues on a creamy, buttery color back-ground. Even though it has such a large floral print, the fabric lends itself for wear-ability no matter which direction you are working with.

I decided to go for a top since Hobbes, who has been wearing a dress almost every day since I started sewing, discovered that it’s easier to climb the monkey bars in pants and a shirt. My jaw dropped when she asked me for jeans for back to school, and I couldn’t wait to create this look for her. This time around, I decided to add some subtle touches to the Maddie Top. Starting with an ivory lace trim sewn in to the flutters.

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To get this look, you have to cut FOUR flutters (2-main fabric, 2-lining) to create lined flutters. Then cut two pieces of lace trim about ONE inch longer then the length of the flutter piece. Remember to use the measurements of the side of the flutter that doesn’t meet the sleeve band.
***I chose not to include the interfacing in the flutters

Starting from the left, in the pictures below:
1) Place the lace, right side together with your flutter piece.
2) Place your flutter lining (I used the same fabric) right side together with your flutter, sandwiching the lace.
3) Pin and sew in place
4) As seen in the middle picture, open up the flutter and iron the seams. Be careful ironing the lace, depending on its material may melt.
5) Top stitch your flutters/lace in place.

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Lastly, I am loving tops with a little give this season; especially since I plan to layer it. I decided to add a little swing curve to the sides of the Maddie top.

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To achieve this look, I sewed my top, according to direction, skipping the hemming step and sewing up the side and flutter sleeves. I laid my shirt flat on my measuring board. Since I don’t have a french curve ruler, I played a bit to figure out the curve length for this top. I decided to measure an inch and a half on each side (measured from the bottom side corner) and mark my original pattern with it.

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Following the order of the pictures, you can see that I created a curve on the bottom of my pattern, starting at the 1 1/2 inch mark (see shading). I then cut it off from my pattern piece, placed pattern over my shirt folded in half vertically and cut into my Maddie top.

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Lastly I hemmed the shirt, following the directions in the pattern: folding twice and sewing 1/8 from the folded edge. My Maddie Swing Top is All DONE!!!

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And look how flowy it looks paired with a long sleeve top. Its exactly as I imagined it!

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If you adore this pattern and fabric like I do, please visit Sis Boom for so much more inspiration. To get Hobbes look, you can visit me at Baby Hobbes Design – please stop by and say hi! Made to match Halo created by the talented Julie over at The Little Sparrow Boutique. Special thanks to Thomas at TKPhotography for taking these breath-taking photos of Hobbes and introducing me to a an amazing nature reserve right here in town.