Hello Everyone! The very snowy start we've had to our holiday season here in Minnesota was the inspiration for this week's design hack for The Silk Road dress pattern. Using reverse appliqué, we are going to create two snowman sections that will build on each other with each wrap of the dress.

Reverse appliqué is a needlework technique in which two or more layers of cloth are sewn together with decorative outlines and the cloth is then cut from the outlines to reveal a specific layer of cloth underneath. The cut edges can be turned under for a more finished look, but to give the snowman in our project a softer outline, the cut edges of the applique are left raw and frayed. For the perfect finish, the dress trim is omitted and two of the ties are replaced with scarf ends so that the snowman is not only decorative, but also a functional part of the dress. Use the templates I've provided and watch the video below to learn how to make this fun and easy snowman dress - just in time to celebrate Christmas!

To get started, you'll need to download the Thimbles and Acorns Silk Road pattern. Look over the pattern, review the supply list and gather up all the necessary fabrics and supplies.

To make the Wrap a Snoman variation, you need a few additional supplies. Please download the free supplemental PDF to get the full tutorial and additional template pieces for the applique. Other than that, the supplies are the same.

Tutorial Download:

Grab the full PDF download in the Sewing With Cinnamon Bonus section, here: Wrap A Snowman Pattern Hack

 Week Three Task:

• Watch the Sew-Along Pattern Hack video and follow along with your project.
• Check out the Ultimate Resource Guide for fabric and supply sources. (Find this in the SWC Bonuses section)
• Jump over the SWC Facebook Group for conversation and project sharing. Show us what you're working on and post your questions in the facebook group under the announcement video for this month. Be sure to tag Shari, so she sees your questions and can respond quickly!

Hi Everyone! This week I'm jumping in to share a super cute pattern hack of the Silk Road Dress design! After a bit of experimentation and creative thinking, I've settled on a darling little top made by tweaking a few pieces and modifying the construction just ever so slightly!

The original design included several great elements that I wanted to keep when modifying it into a top. The wrap & tie front, of course! But I also wanted to keep the cross over back neckline, while removing the double wrap element. Watch the video below to follow my process and see how I modified the pieces to create this cute little top!

To get started, you'll need to download the Thimbles and Acorns Silk Road pattern. Look over the pattern, review the supply list and gather up all the necessary fabrics and supplies.

To make the top, you need just a 1/4 yard of fabric. Other than that, the supplies are the same.

 Tutorial Highlights:

• Start - 4:15 Overview and pattern piece modification.
• 4:15 - 5:10 Cut pieces and construction
• 5:10 - 7:50 Instruction modification for the Neckline/Back
• 7:50 - 9:20 Back Construction, side seams
• 9:20 - End Finishing the top

The main changes to this pattern are the modification to remove the "double wrap" which alters the construction method a bit. 

When following the pattern instructions, you'll want to stop at Step 5 and sew the lining to the fabric along the neckline as shown in the hack video.

Instead of tacking the ties down where marked on the original pattern, they will be placed in the underarm side seams 1/2" down from the raw edge (one in the lining on wearer's left and one in the fabric on wearer's right). The two ties in the front are the same.

Sew the side seams after you have overlapped the back as shown in the hack video!

You can continue to add trim or simply finish the top without trim - the choice is yours!

 Week Two Task:

• Watch the Sew-Along Pattern Hack video and follow along with your project.
• Show us what you're working on and post your questions in the facebook group under the announcement video for this month. Be sure to tag Shari, so she sees your questions and can respond quickly!
• Check out the Ultimate Resource Guide for fabric and supply sources. (Find this in the SWC Bonuses section)
• Jump over the SWC Facebook Group for conversation and project sharing.

Hi Everyone! With Christmas only a few short weeks away, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to take a closer look at wraps. Instead of wrapped packages, however, we will explore the topic of wrapped garments. To help get you started, we have a special Christmas gift for you – a brand new pattern from Thimbles and Acorns!

“The Silk Road” is a unique double-wrapped dress pattern that was inspired by an ancient Chinese design and will only be available to Sewing with Cinnamon subscribers through the month of December. It is a quick and easy pattern to sew that lends itself well to adaptation, making it a great project for holiday gift-giving.

For this topic, I'm excited to announce that Shari Fuller, the designer of the Thimbles and Acorns brand, will be my co-host! This week, she will walk you through the pattern with a sew-along video and over the next couple of weeks Shari and I will each share a fun pattern hack to help get your creative juices flowing. We are really excited to see all of your projects!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

(The announcement video posted in the SWC Facebook Group):

The topic will be divided into four sessions:

• Part 1: Sew Along For The Silk Road Dress
• Part 2: Pattern Hack 1, with Cinnamon
• Part 3: Pattern Hack 2, with Shari
• Part 4: Happy Holidays!

It's going to be a fun course! Are you ready? Let's go...

To get started, you'll need to download your free copy of the Thimbles and Acorns Silk Road pattern. Look over the pattern, review the supply list and gather up all the necessary fabrics and supplies.

 Week One task:.

• Watch the Sew-Along videos and follow along with your project.
• Show us what you're working on and post your questions in the facebook group under the announcement video for this month. Be sure to tag Shari, so she sees your questions and can respond quickly!
• Check out the Ultimate Resource Guide for fabric and supply sources. (Find this in the SWC Bonuses section)
• Jump over the SWC Facebook Group for conversation and project sharing.