What’s Inside?

• Pattern & Guide: No more guesswork! The kit comes with a detailed pattern and a guide to ensure your stitches are on point.
• Materials: You get a 14-count Aida cloth, threads in 20 popping colors, and a trusty needle. And guess what? The canvas is blank, giving you the freedom to let your creativity run wild.
• Theme: The kit is all about celebrating the iconic Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with a vibrant calavera (skull) design. If you’re not familiar, calaveras are often made from sugar or clay and are a staple in Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations.
• Size & Color: The design measures 8.7 x 9.05 inches. With 20 thread colors to play with on a white canvas, you’re in for a visual treat!
• For Whom?: Whether you’re a seasoned stitcher or a newbie, this kit is perfect. It’s designed to enhance hand-eye coordination, making it suitable for both adults and kiddos

The Cultural Connection: You know, there’s something truly magical about stitching a piece that carries so much cultural weight. Every thread you weave isn’t just adding color to the canvas; it’s connecting you to centuries of tradition, stories, and celebrations. As you stitch the Calavera with its cigar and sombrero, you’re not just crafting an image; you’re embracing a slice of Mexico’s soul.

Stitching Tips for the Adventurous: If you’re feeling a tad adventurous (and I know some of you needle ninjas are!), why not add your own flair to the design? Maybe throw in some sequins for that sombrero or use glow-in-the-dark thread for the Calavera’s eyes. Remember, needlework is as much about creativity as it is about skill. So, let your imagination run wild!

A Conversation Starter: Once you’ve got this beauty hanging on your wall or draped over your couch, trust me, it’s going to be a conversation magnet! From the curious “What’s the story behind that skull?” to the impressed “Did you make that?!”, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to share tales of Mexico’s rich traditions and your own stitching journey.

In the World of Art: The influence of Dia de los Muertos and characters like Santa Muerte isn’t just limited to festivals or needlework kits. Modern art, movies, tattoos, fashion – they’re everywhere! From edgy street art murals to runway fashion designs, the vibrant colors and deep symbolism of these icons have inspired creators globally. It’s a testament to their universal appeal and the timeless allure of Mexican culture.

Wrapping It Up: So, there you have it, fellow stitchers! The “Viva la Mexico” kit isn’t just a pastime; it’s a passport to a world of color, culture, and creativity. Whether you’re stitching away on a rainy afternoon or showcasing the finished piece to friends, remember the heart and history behind every thread. And hey, next time you’re sipping on some margaritas, raise a toast to the vibrant spirit of Mexico and the joy of needlework!

The winner will be announced on July 4, 2015, and will receive $50.00 to spend at www.lilaclanepatterns.com. Good luck!

Lilac Lane invites you to the Lace & Twirls Summer Showcase, taking place this Sunday, May 31 at 7:30pm CDT/ 8:30pm EDT. 14 boutiques will feature ready to sell, one of a kind clothing for boys and girls.

All Lilac Lane proceeds from this event go to benefit Compassion International, a charity group dedicated to releasing children from poverty. Visit online at compassion.com for more information. We hope you will join us this Sunday!

Want even more? You can sign up to be first in line to choose. One person will be drawn each day by “liking” the page and tagging someone you know who would also like to attend.

I own and use a serger from time to time, but it is limited in these garments. As seen above, a serger is sometimes used to finish the edges of the ruffles. I want everything about this clothing line to be as comfortable as possible so that little girls will want to wear the outfits!

I try to line the garments if possible. When fully lining, I will sometimes serge the edges of the seams to decrease bulk. As you can see the seams won’t touch the body. This particular outfit is lined with the softest batiste and will be available on May 31 at the Lace and Twirls Showcase.

Most outfits include quite a bit of hand sewing.

Here you see another fully lined outfit, this one is the Sweet Flower Sugar Dress.

As you can see the Flower Sugar Dress includes buttons and understitching, a type of stitch that holds everything in place without showing from the front.

That’s it for today, and I really hope you enjoyed seeing the INSIDE of my clothing!

xo, Melissa

Happy sewing!

Shop now! Just visit our handmade girls dress shop.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

LITTLE GIRLS CLOTHING HANDMADE WITH LOVE IN SMALL QUANTITIES.

To shop currently available Lilac Lane Clothing, please visit our handmade girl’s clothing boutiqueon Etsy.

At Lilac Lane, it all starts with an original design. Once the design is created and tested, Lilac Lane Clothing is made from the best fabrics we can find. We use heirloom laces and delicate trims to enhance the outfit. Every little bit of our clothing is handmade with exacting finishes, including hand stitching where needed and French seams where possible. The garments are made to last the test of time and to be handed down for generations. Comfort is always kept in mind, as beautiful clothing should also be fun to wear.

All of this is produced in our in-house studio. You can be confident of quality that lasts for generations when you purchase from Lilac Lane.

Do you need something completely custom? Please contact us. We will make an outfit to your size specifications, and we will work with you on your vision. Lead times available by asking. info (at) lilaclanepatterns (dot) com

Keeping your iron clean is so easy, you won’t believe you haven’t known this all along.

All you need is dryer sheets and an oven-mitt to protect your hands.

First make sure your iron is very hot. Then protect your hand with the over mitt and scrub with a dryer sheet. Any type will do, and one that smells wonderful will make your whole sewing are smell good too. Scrub away, but be sure not to burn yourself.

Your iron will now be covered with little oily beads (but notice how clean it is!)

Again, protect your hands with an oven mitt. This time grab a scrap of cloth from your waste basket. Scrub all over the iron until the beads are removed. After this, it’s a good idea to iron on a scrap just to make sure the iron is absolutely free from the oil.

And that’s it! Your finished. Enjoy your like-new iron.

Here’s what you do:

1. Go to facebook now and request to join the group. You’ll be joining more than 21,000 other sewers, so what’s not to love?

2. On Wednesday, post a photo of your Lilac Lane Pattern creation. It can be ANY Lilac Lane Pattern and you can only post one photo.

3. Be sure to tag it with #PDFlove and the name of the pattern PLUS Lilac Lane Patterns.

That’s it! You could win! Good luck!

Today we’re happy to share the newest Lilac Lane pattern, the Classic Elegance Jacket. This pattern is just perfect for layering over a dress or jeans, making short sleeves perfectly comfortable in the winter. The jacket is REVERSIBLE! It comes with 3 sleeve lengths to choose from and is in 11 separate sizes from 2T to 16.

Today only the jacket is just $3.99! Don’t wait.