I am so excited to be first up on the very first Sofilantjes Down Under Blog Tour!
We are excited to showcase the summer patterns & also offer you a special discount code and a giveaway!!
Welcome to sunny Australia in Spring! In the interests of full disclosure, the whole of our beautiful country doesn’t look exactly like this, but the part I come from certainly does! I happen to be on holidays at the moment enjoying the gorgeous Port Macquarie area in NSW, which is right near where I lived as a child and where my parents grew up.
My family have had an awesome few days away to celebrate my husband’s birthday and declared it even better than our big holiday to Fiji! Sheesh… I wish we’d known sooner that we could have saved all those $$$$$ on airfares, accommodation and passports haha! Why do we take overseas holidays when we have all this at home though? They could be on to something…
I have been admiring the sweet Sofilantjes Dutch designs, for some time. The brand really hit my radar when I saw the Solis Tunic & Dress release. I bought the Solis straight away, but I had been waiting for warmer weather to sew it up. As you can see here, the warmer weather has well and truly hit! My other choice for the tour is the Litore Tunic & Dress and I think they look awesome together – without being too matchy matchy, which we all know would not be “cool” at all!
We are pretty lucky in Australia to have the beautiful weather and landscapes that we have! The trip we took for my husband’s birthday was a last minute decision, so these dresses of course came with us. They are easy to pack and don’t need ironing as they are made from lovely comfortable, wrinkle-free knit (YAY)! The stripe I used is a ponte, lined with plain white cotton lycra, the skirts are silky, poly lycra florals and I think the green is an ITY (don’t hold me to it, I picked up a huge bundle of it from a charity shop for a few dollars, so it had no label).
Each dress pattern has several skirt options. The Solis has a pleated skirt & circle skirt as well as tunic length options. The Litore has a high/low circle skirt, handkerchief and an A-line maxi. All the skirts are interchangeable between the two patterns which make them great companion patterns. I decided to use the straight circle skirt from the Solis for both dresses, for a cohesive look.
I found these pattern’s fit together perfectly and the instructions very clear. I am absolutely loving sewing knits at the moment and I don’t know why it took me so long to become a convert. I also love the opportunity these dress patterns give you to pair together different fabric combinations. I think this stripe and floral combo looks awesome and so did my girls! I love that they coordinate so well without being an exact match. I can actually see these being worn for Christmas. They epitomise the kind of Aussie Christmas we enjoy – relaxed and comfortable with a bit of style!
I love that the skirt has pockets, I can’t believe I didn’t ask the girls to put their hands in them for a picture, I guess they were too busy clowning around for me to remember!
You see, I have this one girl who is an absolute professional, doesn’t need any instructions… So sensible, mature beyond her years…
Then I have this other gremlin, who we will call a free spirit! I’ll just include this angelic, full of life picture, not the ones where she wants to climb and balance on the edge of everything, scaring the life out of me! We were all dressed ready for dinner, so I wasn’t in the mood to jump in the river to fish her out haha!
But this is her all over – her poor big sister is saying “Whoah, hold on!”, while she is just going for it! Nothing stops this girl haha! She can do anything (even with her eyes shut lol)!!
Please don’t fall in kiddo! The sensible sister always has a hold of her wild little sibling!
I know my pictures all seem to be of their backs, but with these patterns it’s all about the funky back features!! The Litore has these gorgeous double cross straps. I added regular elastic to the straps to help them retain their recovery and not get overly stretched out. The pattern suggests clear elastic, but I didn’t have any in my stash and regular braided elastic works perfectly.
The straps connect to the front with the shoulder tabs (shown in my version in the floral fabric). I like the simple front shape with good coverage.
The Solis has this funky t-bar back design. This works really well on my narrow framed 8 year old. As I said – I am a sucker for a cool back design ❤
The front is again a smooth and simple shape design, with great comfortable coverage.
I actually made both dresses in a size 4 width with 6 length as per the pattern and their measurements. Both my girls are a similar size (at age 8 and 5 – ridiculous I know 😉 so they can swap and wear either dress as they feel like it! The patterns both include sizes 12m – 14 years, so you have a great range to work with!
Follow along on the Sofilantjes tour and catch the other bloggers from Down Under! You might be from our hemisphere, excited to see a tour that relates to our season.
Maybe you are from another part of the world and are excited to see how we interpret the Sofilantjes brand and what our part of the world looks like?
Later this week you will see posts from other Australian and New Zealand bloggers. Make sure you follow along for more chances to win!
Monday Idle sunshine
Tuesday Horris And Deedle
Wednesday Little Cumquat, Bartacks and Singletrack
Thursday Tea, Dust and Stitches, Brave Fabrics
Friday While she was sleeping, Mend and Make New
Thanks for visiting and let me know where you are from, and whether you have heard of Sofilantjes before. If you have sewn any of their patterns, which are your favourites?!
So here’s the exciting part for you guys! I have a giveaway for you and a discount code!
Enter below to win a copy of the sweet Litore Tunic & Dress Pattern
**********a Rafflecopter giveaway**********
**************************************
The code to use is DOWNUNDER. This discount expires on October 16th & is valid on summer patterns only.
Warmest wishes,
Brooke x
Idlesunshine
October 10, 2016 at 10:56 am
Fabulous dresses, gorgeous little ones, great Aussie sunshine
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October 10, 2016 at 11:14 am
Thank you Lesley! Yes, how awesome is that sunshine? ❤
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October 10, 2016 at 11:05 am
Love it! The girls are so gorgeous!
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October 10, 2016 at 11:14 am
Thanks so much Jess! xx
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October 10, 2016 at 11:07 am
Lovely, I remember holidaying at Oort Macquarie when I was little, I’ll have to take the fam for a visit!
Your girls look so comfy in their new dresses! Great job
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October 10, 2016 at 11:13 am
It’s a beautiful place isn’t it Kel? We love going back to visit family there, it’s a great excuse to get away!
Thank you so much 🙂
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October 10, 2016 at 11:49 am
Your dresses are beautiful! That’s fun to see both dresses side by side! I really loved sewing them this summer, i have sewn at least 3 of each! You certainly have seen them already! 😉 I am at the opposite part of the World and summer has just finished! I will certainly sew some more next summer! It’s a wardrobe keeper !
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October 10, 2016 at 2:14 pm
Thank you Marie-Claude! I have seen your versions most definitely! Thanks for stopping by xxx
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October 10, 2016 at 12:39 pm
I think the criss cross straps are my favorite! I’m excited to follow this tour.
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October 10, 2016 at 2:16 pm
I started out thinking I liked the Solis the best, but now I think I am with you Cassy! The Litore is probably my favourite! Make sure you enter to win a copy for yourself 🙂 xx
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October 10, 2016 at 2:30 pm
They look great. I have never heard of this designer before. Off to check them out now! I like the different back styles.
Port looking amazing as always. I’m from the Hunter Valley and Port is our go to holiday destination. Love it!
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October 10, 2016 at 2:40 pm
Pretty cool designs aren’t they? That’s great, the aim was to introduce the brand to people who hadn’t seen it, so thanks for the feedback! I’m kind of in the Hunter too, in Raymond Terrace! Thanks for your comment Kellie 🙂
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October 10, 2016 at 7:48 pm
Small world isn’t it. I’m in Maitland 😉
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October 10, 2016 at 10:29 pm
Well hi there neighbour! 😉
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October 10, 2016 at 4:35 pm
Love them! Especially the pop of green in the back!
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October 10, 2016 at 10:21 pm
Thank you Kaci! I love the green too 🙂
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October 10, 2016 at 6:07 pm
I love both dresses. And love seeing them together. Thank you ❤
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October 10, 2016 at 10:22 pm
Thank you Anne & Melissa for having me on the tour! I’m so happy you love them as much as I do! xx
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October 10, 2016 at 6:20 pm
Brook your girls look gorgeous in their beautiful dresses. I love the way you made them matching dresses without then being the same, and I love Sofilantjes 😉
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October 10, 2016 at 10:23 pm
Thanks so much Miranda! You are so sweet xx
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October 10, 2016 at 6:21 pm
I love your daughters hair! So beautiful 😍 Hope mine have such beautiful hair one day as well. And I love the similar but still different looks on the dresses.
I’m a bit jealous of your weather though, over here it’s 12 degrees celsius. 😞
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October 10, 2016 at 10:25 pm
Oh thank you for your kind comments! Would you believe they just had hair cuts haha? 12 is pretty cold… Sorry, but I’m so glad to headed into Spring! 😉
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October 10, 2016 at 6:35 pm
Beautiful girls and dresses! 🙂
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October 10, 2016 at 10:27 pm
Thank you so much Nina! 🙂
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October 10, 2016 at 6:36 pm
Sofilantjes is my favourite Pattern Designer! I’ve made all garments and it’s really hard to say which one I like best. It depends…
Love your versions of the Solis & Litore and I enjoyed reading about your country. Looking forward to more 🙂
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October 10, 2016 at 10:29 pm
Thank you Patricia! I’m so glad you enjoyed my post. I hope everyone enjoys the Down Under Tour! I look forward to trying more Sofilantjes patterns 🙂
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October 10, 2016 at 8:55 pm
Love how you described your girls – I have a feeling mine are the same, a responsible caring big sister and a little daredevil who knows she’s looked after hahaha Love the dresses and fabrics combos. Gotta get the Solis now me thinks 🙂
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October 10, 2016 at 10:31 pm
Haha, there’s always one in every family isn’t there Jenya! She’s an absolute animal, i’m not exaggerating one bit {covers her face and shakes her head}!! Lucky she’s cute and entertaining 😉
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October 10, 2016 at 9:00 pm
Love the dresses you made; Stripes and florals are one of my very favorite combinations, these are stunning! And look so adorable on your girls!
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October 10, 2016 at 10:34 pm
I absolutely love stripes and florals too! Thanks so much Flavia 🙂
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October 10, 2016 at 11:17 pm
What gorgeous dresses (and girls). I laughed about having to jump in the river to fish your daughter out…it sounded very familiar!
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October 10, 2016 at 11:25 pm
Thank you Zen! Oh dear, if it was going to happen, it would have to be that child haha! She’s a whirlwind 😉
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October 10, 2016 at 11:17 pm
I love the cross cross straps in the different colors! What a neat idea!
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October 10, 2016 at 11:26 pm
Thanks so much Angela! 🙂
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October 10, 2016 at 11:20 pm
Oh, your dresses look awesome! I especially like the criss cross straps- such a great detail. I have been following Sofilantjes for awhile now and they have such cool patterns. However, I tend to favour woven fabric so haven’t tried any patterns. I have been sewing more knits lately (just like you!) so maybe it’s time to try a few!
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October 10, 2016 at 11:28 pm
Thank you Alison! It’s weird isn’t it, all of a sudden I am almost avoiding woven! I knew I had to have these patterns when they released, so this was a great excuse to sew them up 🙂
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October 10, 2016 at 11:24 pm
How do I follow your blog? I’m not finding any place to put my email address. Thanks!
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October 10, 2016 at 11:42 pm
Hi Angela, there should be an option to follow on the right hand side of the post if you are on a computer. If you are on a mobile or tablet it might hover in the right bottom corner as you scroll. It’s hard to tell you without seeing how it appears on your screen I’m sorry! 🙂
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October 10, 2016 at 11:36 pm
I loved reading this!! Australia (and Fiji) are on my travel list!!
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October 10, 2016 at 11:43 pm
Thank you so much Ava’s Closet! They are both great parts of the world 😉 Where are you from?
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October 10, 2016 at 11:40 pm
The girls dresses look amazing and we are lucky to stumble upon great op finds lol we are really blessed to live in such a wonderful country, I have lived coastal all my life and love the beach and idle sunshine 🙂 I don’t believe I have made a Sofilantjes as yet, I own a few and must take the time to make them. Looking forward to following along, Horris and Deedle and Little Cumquat are among my favs
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October 10, 2016 at 11:46 pm
Thank you Cathie! Are you a pattern collector like me haha? I’m pretty good at collecting fabric and op shop finds too 😉 There’s some great stops coming up on the tour, you might find some new bloggers you haven’t seen too! xxx
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October 10, 2016 at 11:54 pm
Oooh gorgeous makes as always Brooke! Love the stripes and floral together❤️❤️❤️! I really enjoyed reading your post, we have a wild one one in our family too 😜
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October 11, 2016 at 12:14 am
Aw thank you Indu, you’re too sweet! There’s one in every family right? haha 😉 xx
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October 11, 2016 at 12:15 am
Beautiful dresses and girls! I will have to try these! From Oklahoma, USA
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October 11, 2016 at 12:23 am
Thanks Steffi! I’m so glad you liked my post. Thanks for letting me know where in the world you are, I love that! x
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October 11, 2016 at 1:11 am
Gorgeous as always!! Love your sewing!! ❤
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October 11, 2016 at 7:59 am
Thank you Zoe! Back at you sweets x
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October 11, 2016 at 3:39 am
Love these dresses and the fabric combos! XO
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October 11, 2016 at 8:00 am
Aw thanks Gabriela! xx
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October 11, 2016 at 4:55 am
Thank you for participating! I love your Solis and Litore and the scenery isn’t to shabby either !!
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October 11, 2016 at 8:00 am
Haha! Thank you so much Melkitho x
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October 11, 2016 at 8:27 am
How this “Rafflecopter” works? What I should do there? I’m not sure if I use it right..
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October 12, 2016 at 12:52 am
Hi Nina, did you click the rafflecopter link, sign in and follow the instructions? 😊🌻
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October 11, 2016 at 8:55 pm
Both girls look gorgeous in their dresses. I would never have thought to mix all those fabrics, but well done to you, ’cause it really works.
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October 12, 2016 at 12:50 am
Thanks Lightning McStitch! I think putting fabrics together in different combinations could be one of my favourite parts of the process! I’m glad you like it! 😘✌️️
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