The Weather in Kansas and Cake in Brisbane

click for source and a little info on The Little Apple

Just a quick update on Pavlova progress today.  Cake Patterns are printed and assembled in Manhattan, Kansas.  Aka The Little Apple.

click for source. This is from the same storm, photo at Dove Mountain. Pretty.

The Little Apple is currently under deep and picturesque snowdrifts, which explains why I couldn’t get the printer on the phone for two days earlier this week.  I have to stay up late or get up quite early to speak to them, and I was getting a little frustrated.   Rest assured, the Pavlova patterns are printed and ready to ship.  As soon as the logistics carrier can break a path to the printer and pick up our patterns, they’ll start their journey!

Meanwhile, another project I’ve been working on behind the scenes is coming to fruition.  During the Pavlova pre-sale, I was suddenly struck with an urge to make a rag doll based on Esme the Pavlova covergirl.  Mikhaela and I put our heads together and made a jointed paper doll.  Our resulting work deserved to be sampled in fabric, tested, and refined.  That’s what we focused on once production on Pavlova wrapped up.  Very soon, I’ll be able to talk about this a little more.  In the meantime I thought I’d ask for your reactions to the overall design of the pattern?  It’s 18″ sq (~45cm) and makes a lovely detailed 17″ dolly.

I’m printing off a few copies for myself to test and finalize and quickly stitch up samples, then I’ll formally introduce you to “the girls.”

And still more…

Another behind-the-scenes project at Cake involves working with an indie printer to produce more patterns.  More!  We’re still talking and sampling, but once we’re all on the same page I’ll be able to start sending some sweet Cake Riffs your way.   These will be like Cake given the Burda treatment, created with intermediate and confident sewists in mind with minimalist instructions.  I thought I’d mention it, because one of the first Riff releases will be this lovely striped top that I’m dying to put in your hands…

Boat neck front with optional collar flap, modeled on a 1930’s knitting pattern

optional dessert stripe bias back

paired with the Pavlova, cummerbund belt, and the red leather bag (for going out)

If you’d like to receive an email message when this pattern becomes available, leave your email address below and I’ll let you know.  The RRP for the printed pattern will be $8.00 + S&H and $5.50 for a pdf, tiled or printed on AO size paper.

Name

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Pattern Preference paper pattern pdf

Submit

Whew!  Do check out the applique tutorial and template poll, I’m closing that on Saturday morning and I’ll make whichever applique you vote for.  (Go Team Skunk!!! Unlimited voting.)

Today’s winners of the OCC Lip Tar Giveaway:

Congrats, ladies!  Please email me and I’ll drop it in the post early next week.  (stephc at 3hourspast dot com)