Pattern Review: The Olivia Top / Dress

I was asked recently to test a new top / dress pattern, THE OLIVIA TOP and DRESS, by Jess from Craftiness is Not Optional. I was really excited because everything Jess does is magic. Seriously.

Let me also pause and say I fiercely LOVE digital pdf patterns. I really hate buying store-bought patterns and only getting to cut out one size.  Then, it's over.  Also, I royally suck at re-folding that gauzy pattern paper and so I always think I will re-use the same pattern, but I don't.  But pdf patterns can be stored in my computer, take up no room, and can be printed and reprinted as many times as I want for as many sizes as I want.  Genius really.

Okay, now on to the pattern.

Once I got the pieces cut out (while watching an episode of Breaking Bad) it probably took me about 2 hours to make the dress AND I also added a lining since the bird fabric I used on the skirt was a bit too see-though.  So, even with an additional step it was still a quick sew.

I consider myself an intermediate+ sewist and I learned more than one MUCH BETTER way to do certain steps than I have ever known before.  Particularly a way of finishing the edges of bias tape that is pure genius.  Seriously, you have no idea how bad previous bias tape edges of mine have been on past projects.  Embarrassing.

The length of this dress was perfect. I find many dress patterns for little girls too short for my taste. Love that this hit perfectly at the bottom of the knee, but, of course, you can really shorten or lengthen it if you wanted to.

There were many different options that came with this one pattern.  Love that.

I did find the chest width of the finished garment to be big based on my measurements.  Next time I would make the 2T and adjust the length of the skirt.  But that is the case with any pattern, I find.  Sometimes it takes a bit of tweaking to your own child's particular body type.  Below is Jess' photo of her daughter wearing the dress and you'll notice it's wide under the arms.  That's about as wide as it turned out on Bianca as well.  I could pinch a good 1.5" on each side of extra fabric.  This can make it super comfy for little ones, I just prefer a more fitted fit.

I looove this pattern.  I will be making more dresses and tops from this cute pattern.

My Project Details:
Green fabric from JoAnn Fabrics
White bird fabric from IKEA
Black buttons from WalMart
Sewing Machine: Brother cs60001
Serger (Brother 1034D) used for finishing inside edges.

Click this link to buy

THE OLIVIA TOP and DRESS

Pattern Review: The Skipper Top

I was asked recently to test a new knit top pattern, THE SKIPPER TOP, by Abby from Sew Much Ado. I was really excited because...
1. Knits scare me
2. I hate the awful screen-printed tops out there for little girls.  I don't want my 6-year-old to be a 100% Drama Queen or a Little Diva. Sheesh!
3. I saw an awesome upcycyling opportunity with this easy pattern (more on that later in the post).

I downloaded the pdf of the pattern and let me start by telling you what was awesome about it BEFORE I even started sewing.

1. The pattern is professionally made and graded. I have bought hand drawn patterns from online sewists before and I love the straighter lines, smoother curves and easier read of professionally made patterns.
2. There is a size gauge square. Awesome. printers are tricky and sometimes printers print items whatever size they want. With this pattern there is no guessing.
3. The pattern tells you exactly which pages you need to print for the shirt options/size you chose. Love.
4. There are match-up arrows for each page so you know, for sure, you are taping the printed pages together properly. You have no idea how much my pregnant mind needed this!
5. There are instructions for serger and non-serger sewists! Bonus!

Okay, now to the pattern. There are TONS options. Different neckline, length, sleeve length and styles are all included. Awesome. The directions were clear and easy to understand and Abby gives you LOTS of hints to having a successful KNIT sewing experience. If you're scared, like I was, this pattern is a great place to start.

Here's what I sewed up for my kids...

For Ella (8 years old) I made this cute tee from a fabric she chose. It was some sort of poly/cotton blend so it was a great place to start since it's not WAY stretchy. I loved that the pattern pieces had included guides on which way to lay the fabric ("stretchiest side this direction") so I knew exactly how to cut.  After an evening of sewing I had this...

And the next day I had a VERY happy 8 year old.

Next came a try at UPCYCLING.  I had a shirt that I saved from before I lost weight that was a Womens 26/28 tee.

When I laid the pattern out I folded the shirt straight down the middle/front to cut the front pattern piece along the fold. Then did the same for the back.  With some easy sewing (it was much more quick after the first go) I had a great little 3T top for Bianca, my almost 3 year old.  Sorry, I don't have pics of her modeling it yet, but they're coming soon!

 

And I am now a full-fledged addict, people.  I went to Joann Fabrics today and scored four more knits from their clearance section to make into the Skipper Top.  I love how easy and customizable it is.  And the little pocket? Adorable!

Hop on over to SEW MUCH ADO and snag this pattern. You won't be sorry and you may just become and addict like me!

Happy Sewing!

Homemade Foofa Costume

This year my youngest (having just turned two years old) wanted to be Foofa from Yo Gabba Gabba!

I used Simplicity Pattern #2788 and lots of pink fleece.  The pattern sewed up easily enough, although it was tough to sew through so many layers of fleece since there is stuffing between two fleece layers.
 

When I put it on she HATED it.  But, you know, she's two.  Once we went to the first house and she realized what this Halloween business was all about she went from door to door proudly saying, "I Foofa! Gabba Gabba!"
 

 

I bought the classic. plactic jack-o-latern bucket (but in hot pink) and glued the remaining pink fleece around it, adding the Foofa scallops at the top.  It was so easy and it made a cute addition.

 Overall it was a success! 

Baby Shoes pt. 1

Hello friends!  I hope all of my American readers had a great Memorial Day weekend.  We had picnics, parades, sprinklers, sunburns and a black-eye!  A great weekend all around!

I recently entered the dizzying world of sewing baby shoes.

I made my first pair of home sewn baby shoes on Memorial Day morning.

It was much easier than I imagined and I love the results.

First up was finding a pattern.

Easy enough...right?

Well, sort of.

There are, quite simply, a gazillion patterns out there.

I had a craft book with a pattern in it, Handmade Beginnings by Anna Marie Horner, but I didn't like the design of those shoes. They had high tops and exposed elastic. Not really for me.

I finally decided on a pattern I found on Etsy. 

Mary Jane Baby Shoes via My Sweet Little shop.

The pattern was very easy to follow and had great step by step photos.  I will be making these again and again.  They are so cute.  The sizing was true to size and (as you can see) the embellishment options are never ending.  I went with simple mod flowers cut from circles of felt and topped off with little hot pink buttons.

These are designed to be reversible, but I felt I should start slow!  Also, I really wanted to have the cool corduroy bottoms for little Bianca.  However, because they can be reversible they are fully lined, which I feel is really crucial for little baby's feet to be comfortable.

I think next time I may try adding some interfacing to the bottoms. I was wanting a bit more structure to these shoes, but that is a personal opinion. And, let's be honest, it might not even work!  I'll try it and let you know.

I highly recommend this pattern.  I'm really glad I started my shoe making journey here.  But there is much much more ahead!  You can buy this pattern here.

[ emilie ]

Pattern Review: Butterick 5443

I chose this pattern for it's ultimate twirling powers.  Ella is really gravitating towards tiered skirts and this was a winner.  It was very easy to follow and I made it in a pretty short amount of time.  The only problem is that it uses a lot of fabric, since the ruffled tiers are cut out of only two pieces.  The size ran HUGE.  Poor Ella had at least 1&1/2 extra inches of fabric on each side of her torso.  I wish I had measured her and gone by that instead of the sizes, but by the time I realized how large it ran it was too late to re-cut.

Score: ★★★★☆
Skill Level: Easy
Direction Clarity: Very good.
True to Size: Size numbers ran very large.
Changes Made: I added a wide sash to the waist, a rosette and sleeves (much to Ella's disgust).
Overall: I really like this pattern. I will make it again, but go by measurements when choosing a size.
Recommended: Yes.

Happy Sewing!

Pattern Review: Simplicity 4711

I chose this pattern for the multiple options and I really wanted the bias tape detail along the bottom edge.  I wanted this to be a simple, no-brainer pattern I could whip up in no time....but it wasn't.  I did enjoy using my new Bias Tape Makers...I'm in love with them, but not with this pattern.  I had to re-sew the neckline and, although it turned out cute, that was simply luck.

Score: ★★☆☆☆
Skill Level: Easy
Direction Clarity: No bueno.
True to Size: Size numbers ran true to size
Changes Made: I added the "boy" sleeves to the dress and a sash.
Overall: I consider myself and Intermediate level sewist.  This pattern's directions were very unclear.  I cut out a used a piece of pattern and I still have no idea what it's intended purpose was.  This should be such a simple dress to make, but it was not simple at all.
Recommended: No.

Happy Sewing!

Pattern Review: McCalls 5966

This was Evangeline's Easter dress. I went with McCalls 5966. I chose this pattern because I love the faux wrap style top and like the short, half or long sleeve option.  I always look for patterns I feel can look completely different when made again and again (saving money) and this one completely fits the bill.

Making the wrap top was much easier than I anticipated and I love the finished look, although I might try to raise the V just a bit for more modesty.  The puff sleeves were a cute touch.

Score: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Skill Level: Easy
Direction Clarity: Very good.
True to Size: Size numbers ran large, but if you go by measurements (which you always should) it sewed up perfectly.
Changes Made: I added a wide sash to the waist.
Overall: I really like this pattern. I bought it in Ella's size as well and will definitely use it again.
Recommended: Yes

Happy Sewing!