Tag Archives: sewing for children

Everything Else

Simplicity 1817 in Orange and Pink

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It’s not often the 11 year-old loves a piece of fabric.  When she does, I grab it and stitch it up quickly!  This crazy orange, pink, gray, black, and white piece is from HL.  It’s 100% cotton and about the weight of a cotton lawn.

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This piece has a little bit of everything going on:  lots of color, white along the center, paisleys and then a more linear design along the border.  While she loved the colors, she didn’t care for the print along the border.  Neither did I.  So, when I looked for a pattern, I tried to find something that would emphasize the paisley print.  I was drawn to Simplicity 1817 for the pleats in the bodice front and the wide straps. 

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The pattern is sized for girls 8-16 with half-sizes.  I cut a 12.  I also added 3 inches in the length for my tall girl.  The pattern was easy to follow and didn’t include any advanced techniques.  I laid the pattern out differently than shown, using specific parts of the fabric to get use our favorite parts of the fabric.  I needed only an extra 1/2 yard to get the look we wanted.  I didn’t use any trim, as the fabric is plenty busy.

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The only change I made after her first wear:  the elastic in the bodice back was still just a tad too long, so I shortened it almost an inch!  While she is very slim, my girl is a swimmer so her shoulders and chest are broad.  She measures about a 10 in the chest on the pattern envelope, so that’s the elastic guide I’d originally used.  I’d recommend you double check that measurement if you choose to make the pattern.

If you sew for your tween/young teen, I’d recommend this pattern.  I love the fact that it’s not too mature for my 11 year-old.  It also provides adequate coverage for undergarments. 

Being Creative, Everything Else

Seersucker for Easter

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I tried 2 new patterns this Easter  Both the tie pattern and the dress pattern were very well written and had step-by-step pictures that would make it simple for even a beginner sewing enthusiast to follow along.

 

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The tie pattern from Butterfly Tree was very simple, however, I thought their pattern instructions were not the most efficient.  I made a second one just with common sense and found it much quicker.  The only change I made to this pattern was to monogram it before stitching together.  Christopher got so many compliments on it.  I’ve been asked if I’ll carry ties in my shop.  I probably will, but not this pattern.  I personally found the tie slightly too narrow for my taste and I didn’t care for the construction instructions.

 

IMG_5744The dress is Emmaline from Violette Threads.  This is a maxi dress with a ruffled, v-neck and ruffle variations along the bottom of the dress.  My big girl choose the red stripe seersucker from the shop stash.  This pattern only runs up to a 10, but it was very simple to grade it up one more size.  Addie chose the single ruffle design, thought the triple ruffle along the bottom would be really cute too!  This dress was surprisingly quick to stitch up.  The dress only took me about 2 hours!  I can’t wait to try more patterns from Violette Threads.  Addie already has her next dress picked out!