{BLOG TOUR} One Thimble - Issue No. 11

Hooray! It's One Thimble time!! If you're not familiar, One Thimble is a high-quality digital magazine (or e-zine) containing several (typically 10+) patterns, as well as helpful articles and mini-tutorials designed to take your sewing or business to the next level. You'll also find exclusive coupon codes inside to many different shops!

This issue's theme is URBAN JUNGLE and I'm always amazed at the consistency of the photos and fabric selection throughout the entire e-zine. It reads just like a real magazine (especially so if you are on a tablet). When I browse through my issued of OT, I'm sitting in my recliner with coffee in hand and ogling all the new goodies and making mental notes on which patterns to bump to the top of my sewing list.

{Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. By purchasing through my link, I receive a small monetary compensation.)

Before I share the two patterns I selected, here's a rundown of what's included in the latest issue of One Thimble. (SOURCE: One Thimble website)

You will receive the following PDF patterns/tutorials:

– Marty Hoodie (size 1-12)

– Upton Sweater (size 12 months to 14 years)

– Adventurer Pants (size 1-12)

– Hoya Dress (size 12 months to 12 years)

– Crossover Flounce Dress (size newborn to 12 years)

– Wild Things Baby Shoes (size 1 – 5 … approximately newborn to 12-18months)

– Hood Creature Free Motion Applique

– Women’s Hoodie Vest (size xs-xxl ladies)

– Rainbow Wild Animal Cross Stitch*

– Bunny & Bear Quilt

– Felt 3D Animal Puzzle

– Roly Poly Critters

*Requires handsewing

In the e-zine you’ll find the following articles & tutorials:

– Getting sewing for boys right

– How to install double capped rivets

– Tips for getting started with upcycling

– Results of Katie’s pre-washing experiments

– How to make Quilt Block Bunting

– How to make a rag style baby quilt

– How to pattern hack the Scrappies with a rag style quilt panel

– Freezer paper stencilling

– Using Facebook groups for your creative business

– Marketing Do’s and Don’ts

– Trending fabrics and much more

With a price tag of just $25 AUD (Roughly $18 USD), the value cannot be beat. All in all, there are 12 patterns and 26 articles.

There are so many great patterns included that it was hard to narrow it down. A few of the patterns are suitable more for Fall/Winter (current Australian seasons) so I will wait to make those in a couple months. It's already quite warm here as we are finishing Spring and heading into Summer. I decided I'd make the Hoya Dress (Little Lizard King) and try out the Felt 3-D Puzzle Animals (Felt with Love Designs).

The Hoya Dress by Little Lizard King is a button down, safari-inspired sleeveless dress (Sized 12m - 12 years). The bodice is fully lined with all seams enclosed and following the designer's tip in the pattern, I used French seams on my skirt making the inside almost as lovely as the outside. Two extra large pockets and shoulder tabs stand out in contrasting fabric.

This pattern is very easy to put together. In a just a few hours time (less if you sew quickly), you will be finished! Honestly, for me, the most time consuming part is the buttonholes. I use my embroidery machine to sew them, but due to small embroidery field, it meant I had to rehoop for each buttonhole. But, perfect buttonholes every single time, make it well worth the extra couple steps.

This is my daughter's 2nd Hoya Dress. The first one has been worn several times so far! My daughter's two favorite things about this pattern are the POCKETS, and the fact that she can get it on and buttoned all by herself.

I chose the gorgeous Euro poplin in a Parrot print that had been sent to me by my dear friend Rebecca of Candy Castle Patterns. I think I've been holding on to it for about 2 years now because I couldn't bear to cut into it! - I think this was the perfect project for it.

With my first Hoya, I used a geometric print and paistakingly matched the print across the placket. When I started to cut this dress, I threw caution to the wind and decided not to worry about matching. At the last second, I decided to switch my skirt fronts with each other. I really didn't have any reason, but felt compelled to. As I topstitched the last placket in place (the top), I was a little ticked I hadn't taken the time to see where the placket would fall and I ended up cutting off the parrots' beaks. ACK! So I laid the pieces in place to assess the damage and I ended up staring in disbelief. MY FABRIC MATCHED perfectly! Obviously, the sewing gods had seen me slacking and intervened. I should buy a lottery ticket! HA!

For my second selection, I decided to try out the Felt 3-D Puzzle Animals by Felt with Love Designs. Included in the pattern are 8 animals - Octopus, Alligator, Unicorn, Elephant, Rhino, Turtle, Giraffe, and Lion.

The pattern is super easy and is a great scrap-buster. I didn't have any wool felt on hand, but Hobby Lobby does offer some stiffer sheets which I used for the centers. I also just cut out my pattern pieces and pinned it on top of my layers and used that as a guide for sewing, in lieu of tracing onto the felt.

As I was looking through my stash of random things I've purchased at Hobby Lobby (please tell me all people do this). this glittery sheet caught my eye. I just had to turn it into an octopus. The only tricky part of the octopus is maneuvering all those curves. (I need to practice a tiny bit more).

My 5 year old requested an alligator. I decided I would add an additional outer layer of leftover knit (designed by Patty Prann Young of MODKID). Isn't he so adorable?!

I knew my 7 year old would be over the moon with a glittery pink unicorn. She was so excited to meet her new friend when she came home from school.

This pattern was so much fun! I am a preschool teacher and will definitely be making a set or two to add to my classroom. The 3 year olds in my class next year will LOVE them! My girls wasted no time in rushing off to play with them, creating an entire story line about them being a family. I couldn't even coax them into changing their clothes to be a bit more "picture-ready" -- I'll call that a win in the pattern column.

Of course, there are TEN additional patterns included -- and wow, what a diverse selection! I seriously debated sewing up a Women's Hoodie Vest for this tour, but I can't decide on my fabrics (HELP -- what's in fashion?!). I will most definitely be sneaking in a PANDA Roly Poly Critter for my 7 year old (maybe on Sew a Softie Day - July 16th) and my 5 year old would adore a FROG quilt from the Bear & Bunny Quilt Pattern. When it turns colder, I will step out of my comfort zone and push my skills with the Upton Sweater.

What patterns are you most excited about? Comment below!

I enjoyed the articles as well. It's always so great to see familiar names in a magazine from some of the sewing groups online. I was very excited to see a tutorial on Freezer Paper Stenciling. I have never tried, but always wanted to. I also learned that making a double pull zipper is super easy -- I had no idea! Reading Sarah Hansen's sewing story was inspirational and reminded me it's never too late to start in on a hobby -even if it's on a whim. There are so many more great articles and tips in the magazine that I couldn't possibly talk about each one (or you'll be here ALL day).

Have I convinced you yet?!

Here are some of my sewing friends to inspire you further:

5/12 Pattern Revolution, Lily Shine Boutique, Call Ajaire

5/13 Once Upon a Sewing Machine, Beri Bee Designs, House of Estrela

5/14 Coral & Co, Stubbornly Crafty

5/15 Stitches by Laura, Candice Ayala, Made by Sara

5/16 Sprouting Jube Jube, Lulu & Celeste, Create 3.5, Adventures with Bubba and Bug

5/17 Pear Berry Lane, Beatnik Kids, That's Sew Kari