Release Day (And about Raven)!!

UPDATE: There is a compiled list of other reviews on the Sofiona Patterns at the bottom of this post. It will be updated as our Launch week continues.

Today is THE DAY! Launch Day! The website is open and we are sharing 30% off till November 25th in order to celebrate this new store opening. The discount will be reflected in your cart at time of purchase. To add to that, the first 50 people to use the code EXTRA5 will receive an extra 5% off their order. AND 4 giveaways!! These generous companies have taken the time to support this venture of ours and we are so honoured. You need to be in the fan group to find out more!!

We don’t have lots for you to choose from yet, but we are excited to have the 4 that we DO have already. If it wasn’t for Christmas getting in the way, we’d have more 😉, but we love Christmas and understand that everyone needs time away from the sewing machines to enjoy the holidays. We do, however,  have more that will be coming to the store soon!

Today I wanted to share just a bit about the Raven and then share a few pictures of all the patterns as I have made them. There are lots of pictures in the fan group from all the testers and you’ll want to go there to see them.

• Intermediate level (suitable for adventurous beginners and those who are comfortable with sewing)
• Options for dress or top
• Back options: tie, band (sizes 5-14) or modest (Specifically tested to be sure training bras can be worn with the scooped back!!)
• Sleeve options: short, mid-length flare, long
• Ruffle: short, long or none
• Designed for wovens (This is no-closure pattern so muslining is always recommended, but in particular for the top as some kids are not comfortable with the shimmy of getting woven garments on and off.)
• The dress CAN be made in knit, but not recommended for the top!

A year ago I started designing the Raven. The hi-lo ruffle and dropped shoulder were the main elements I wanted to create. I eventually lost count of how many times I made this while trying to make sure everything sat where I wanted it to. It was also the point where I really stepped away from IG and the majority of my sewing became “secret sewing”. I still snuck in a few pics along the way.

Then I had the opportunity to sew for one of the AGF look books (#dreamcometrue) and I took the opportunity to use my own pattern for one of my looks. What I can tell you about this version is that it was the last one before I decided to make massive changes to the way we graded our patterns. (And it was at this point that “I” became “we”.) Sewing machines and fabric were set aside for a few months and out came all sorts of books and courses and research and math. It’s actually quite amazing to look back and compare the difference between the two different methods. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I learned between then and now!

Fabric provided for this version by Art Gallery Fabrics for the Mediterraneo look book.

The back of this pattern has the wow factor. The ties, the simple band (available in sizes 5-14 only) and the high back which was a last thought addition that I ended up loving more than I thought I would!

Some may question the reason for the simple band being in the higher sizes only. During testing we found that during construction, the band was becoming stretched out and wonky even with interfacing. This was only on the smaller sizes due to a smaller little neckline to work with. 😢

(Due to the nature of woven garments without closures, it’s recommended to do a quick muslin, especially when making the top.)

Moving on to a look at Arctic Fox, which is the other of my own designs in this release. Not pictured here are the rabbit ears to add to the fox and bear ears.

This pattern is available in a different size format. While still using our size chart, this pattern combines sizes into XS (sizes 2 and 3) to XL (sizes 12 and 14). I intentionally created this to a be an oversized, comfy housecoat that would be wearable for a few years. And while totally cutesy with those ears, it’s also suitable to the older girls who might not care for that.

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Moving on to the first of Trish’s creations. The Railway Joggers. I wish you could properly see the work that went into making this pattern. Trish and I, along with our families, go camping together in the summer and this past summer it was just us moms and the 7 kids for a couple weeks.  We would put the kids to bed in the campers after supper and sit in the dark of the dining tent with our lantern and work. This pattern was the focus of that work time for Trish. It has the edgy look of a moto jogger that we both love and I know you will too!

Amazing fabric for these joggers and the following PJs from Prairie Love Knits. A fellow Canadian company with the most beautiful knits!!! I mean, really, isn’t that diamond quilted knit perfect for these?

Finally, I give you Starry Night PJs. Now, I need to explain something here. First, apparently my kid grew a size since I last measured her and since I made this after she went to bed one night, you now are seeing her in her brand-new, too small jammies. Dang it!! Second, I happened to have one of the older muslin patterns on hand. Serious head shake here. What you need to note is, first, don’t rush projects like I did, and second, the shirt will sit 2″ longer than this is and, well, overall it’ll be a bit bigger when you measure your kid first.

But that aside, she won’t take these off!! She LOVES them and the SUPER soft fabric from Prairie Love Knits is just as much to blame as the comfortable style. If you haven’t tried sewing with bamboo, you are missing out. The whole time I was asking myself why I wasn’t using it for myself.

The Starry Night PJs and the Arctic Fox housecoat are also available as a bundle so you can save a bit extra if you were thinking about both of those!

This is such a small overview. You really need to head over to the fan group or just go to IG and check out the pictures as they roll out. As always, we’re so happy to have you and hope you enjoy.

Visit these blogs from some of our testers for their thoughts on the patterns.

List will be adjusted throughout the launch week festivities.

Rachelle of That’s Sew Venice

Melissa of Wonderfully Handmade

Bridget of Positively Bridget

Aukje from Sew Cucio

Kimberley of VANNAHRAE

Liesel of It’s Liesel

Sharon of Sweet Mama

Lindsay of PA Country Crafts