I am in love with this fun and comfy looking knit dress and leggings outfit by Elizabeth Whitehurst from Cotton Belle Boutique. The Sketchbook collection comes with 4 printed knits and Elizabeth used the Ink Outburst Atelier and Doodlie Meander prints for this look. What a perfect look for back-to-school! Find out more about this outfit on the Cotton Belle Boutique blog.

See the full week of bloggers here. Yesterday Raedene Averitt from Chasing Mermaids posted the cutest dresses using Sketchbook cottons and Sketchbook knit for leggings. Tomorrow Jessica Stewart from Snickerdoodle Stew will be blogging and showing us what she's made with Sketchbook fabrics--I can't wait!

As the designer of the Sketchbook fabric collection, I don't get the opportunity to see my prints for the first time. That may sound weird to you but having created the prints, sewn 18 quilts (so far), and worked with these prints for the past 6-8 months takes the newness out of collection for me. It isn't until something like this blog tour and seeing what others have sewn with my fabrics that I can see the collection for the first time. That's why this week is very exciting for me and full of surprises! 

More ideas and inspiration for Sketchbook fabrics can be seen in the Sketchbook fabrics LookBook. I love this virtual magazine that Art Gallery Fabrics creates for each new collection.

Pencil Pouch Project

Yesterday I posted a little tutorial on how to sew French seams. French seams create concealed seams. This clean, professional finish is ideal for totes, pillowcases, and garments. The next three days I will be adding a new free project to my Free Patterns page. Each of these patterns will use French seams in the construction.

With kids going back to school, it's always nice to sew something special for them to use during class time. I designed a free pencil case project with this in mind. The pouch itself is not revolutionary looking but I feel the construction is and uses French seams. I bet this will be one of the easiest zipper pouch projects you will ever do and I owe it all to using French seams. Fully illustrated instructions will take you step-by-step on how to construct this simple (and I think elegant) pouch design. Makes me want to go back to school just to use the pencil pouch! Find the pattern here.

Pencil Pouch shown in Sketchbook fabrics Framework Golden and Doodlie Playful prints. Be watching for tomorrow's new pattern and how to dress up your closet!

Don't forget to repost your favorite Sketchbook Blog Tour pictures on Instagram. Include the hashtag #SketchbookTourGiveaway and be entered into the drawing for 10 free yards of Sketchbook fabrics!