Recently Amazon started a new program called Amazon Aware. All of their Amazon Aware products are certified as carbon neutral and feature certifications that are part of the Climate Pledge Friendly Program. I am very excited to find Amazon Aware because finding products with these certifications all in one place is very hard. Many of the fabrics used are organic (free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals) and the processes used to make these are less harmful to the Earth and in the long term (and short term) us as well. They have a range of Women’s Clothing, Men’s Clothing, Household Essentials, Beauty Products, and Bed & Bath Products. There is really something for almost everyone (I’m hoping a children’s range is next!) and multiple color options for each in great Spring/Summer colors. There are some great pieces in each line (both Women’s and Men’s) that would make a fantastic capsule wardrobe and is perfect for travel!
When the weather gets colder, it’s so much fun for me to create clothes and accessories to keep us warmer. One of the seasonal projects I just finished is a beautiful girl’s 1920’s style Cloche hat with an inside band of “gratitude ribbon”. It was ribbon I had leftover from another project, that matched my color scheme but it created the reminder to be thankful (and is now called the “Cloche gratitude hat” 😉).
Cloche is French for “bell” and the style of hat was incredibly popular in the 1920’s and originally created by Parisian designer Caroline Reboux. Here is my girl’s Winter version from a VFT pattern out of a holly thick fabric, with red satin lining and sewn satin ribbon rose. I am currently studying historical costuming and really enjoyed having an opportunity to remake one of the popular accessories from this time with a modern twist.
For my daughter’s 3rd birthday and trip to Walt Disney World (our favorite) she asked me to make the two different dresses Belle wears in Beauty and The Beast. I love to sew but this is a major project for any seamstress. I try to make her something for every trip to Disney but this was a bit extreme. Through Etsy I found two different pattern makers to make (what I call) Belle’s Blue Dress and Belle’s Yellow Dress.
Model & Dressmaker
The Blue Dress I purchased was just the pattern with written instructions which was somewhat difficult. It’s a wonderful pattern with good instructions. The dress is finely tailored and absolutely beautiful. It was designed by PaperScissorsFrocks who makes amazing costumes and turned out exactly like the film.
Blue Dress Front
Belle’s Blue Dress
The Yellow Dress (a lifetime sewing goal for me) was designed by Marina at Frocks And Frolics who has not only a great pattern and written instructions but an academy as well online with broken down instructional videos for each section. It was so much fun to watch and make. I honestly can’t wait to make my next one with her. Even the Epcot Akershus Princesses and everyone at the Be Our Guest restaurant at Magic Kingdom complimented her dress and she was so proud. The finished product was exactly what she dreamed of and we couldn’t be happier!
Telling Belle about her dress
Birthday Princess Bib
Getting Belle’s Autograph
I even ended up making a matching bib from another pattern (Yuzu & Pear that I altered) so we didn’t ruin her beautiful dress while eating all her birthday treats at Walt Disney World for our Be Our Guest dinner at Beast’s Castle & our Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Princess lunch at Epcot.
Birthday Princess Bib
Both dresses and bib were made on a Brother SE625 and many of the items I made them with were bought locally in The Bahamas or on Amazon. See the photos and video of our trip to Walt Disney World and her beautiful dream dresses and let me know in the comments if you decide to make either of these. I would love to see them! Send me your ideas of what we should make next. 💖
Look who’s taking a Bahamas holiday before the big night! 🎄🏝🇧🇸🎅 The kids here loved it and enjoyed hot cocoa and treats after their personal meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Sending lots of holiday love from us here at A Tiny Suitcase. Follow us on Instagram for more about the holiday season here in The Bahamas!
by Jaimarie 