Posh Popover by Love Notions

I say this a lot, but Love Notions is a great place to look for Tween patterns!  She comes up with great patterns that not only look cute on the younger crowd, but also look trendy and stylish on the tweens and teens.  I had the chance to test the Posh Popover Top/Dress and it is another hit!

The Posh Popover has a TON of options: 2 dress lengths, 1 top and 2 different sleeve options...there are a ton of possibilities!

Supplies: You'll need 2 different knits, amount varies by choice of design.

I used some striped knit from my stash for the bottom layer and stretch lace for the top.

Difficulty: This is a well written pattern that would be a great beginner pattern for those new to knits.

Good: Easy to make, comfortable, trendy looking top that works well with all body types (comes in 2T to 16 with plus sizes included as well).

There is nothing bad or ugly about this pattern.

So if you are looking for a great pattern to add to your summer staples, you should really check out the Posh Popover!  I give this one 5 Lightening Bolts!

Disclaimer: This pattern was given to me as part of the testing process, but all opinions are entirely my own.

Wrigley Raglan--Pattern Review

Are you looking for a great go-to raglan shirt pattern?  Well look no further! The Wrigley Raglan by Love Notions is that perfect fit raglan with a feminine fit that goes up to size 16.  And bonus points for that fact that it comes in separate plus sizes as well, so everyone gets the perfect fit!

It has your normal crew neck, hood or a split neck option (seen below) and it has 3 options for length: shirt and tunic with a high/low hem or dress.  So many options to choose from!

It doesn't take much fabric (anywhere from 3/4 yard to 1 1/2 yards depending on option chosen) and it is perfect for upcycling dad's old sports shirts.  It's also a great beginner pattern for someone new to knits. Tami over at Love Notions does a great job explaining how to work with knits and gives helpful hints along the way.

Good: Easy to make with easy to follow instructions. I was able to knock a shirt out in an hour from cut to finish. It's also super comfortable with a great fit...my daughter loves it.

Bad and Ugly: It doesn't come in my size.  Really there is nothing wrong with this pattern. I've already made 3 other versions.  This is a 5 lightening bolt pattern!

Really if you don't have a raglan pattern yet, you should check out the Wrigley Raglan by Love Notions and it's on sale through June 13th!

If you want to check out my other versions check my personal blog...I made them all for my other daughter and even turned it into a night shirt, which has been a big hit.

Disclaimer: I received the pattern as part of the testing process but all opinions are my own.

Pattern Review: Skater Dress and a modification

We are excited to share this next post by Esther.  She sews for her niece who has a hard time finding clothes that fit right.  She has a stocky build and of course deserves to have clothes that make her feel as beautiful as she is.

If you sew for a stocky or plus size tween, then you definitely want to read on!

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Hi I’m Esther and I am a self taught sewer for a number of years I started out with quilts and once I had my little monster I started to sew for him and his little monster friends over on instagram @frankieandfang

Name of the pattern:

Jocole women's peplum top with skater skirt add on.

Pattern Source:  You can buy both the peplum top and the skater skirt add-on at the Jocole web store as pdf patterns.

Sizes available:

 This is not actually a tween or a child pattern.  It comes in sizes xs –xxl in women's but I was able to make adjustments to fit my tween.

Special materials required:

Stretch fabric. Cotton/lycra is best to use for a comfortable fit for active tweens.

Skill level required:

Beginner

How you came to choose the pattern:

I first used this pattern for myself and loved the fit. My sister and I were talking on day and she was telling me how hard it was to find age appropriate dresses to fit my niece who is on the husky side, she asked if I could make her something. When I took my nieces measurements I realized that we were about the same size so all my patterns would fit her with a bit of play with the sizing to fit her frame.

Did you deviate from the pattern?  If yes, how?

I cut out the size small in the skirt and the top and graded the top from a small at the waist to a xs under the arms so it was a more straight up and down cut. I cut out the xs in the sleeves.  I took an inch off the bodice to account for her shorter frame.

Good:

This pattern is very easy to grade for those that are trying to get the perfect fit for their girls. From start to finish including cutting it took me less than an hour to make. Because this pattern calls for knit fabric there is no allowance for a chest which I think makes this pattern perfect for tweens both with a small and developed chest.

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Thank you Esther!  This looks like a great option to provide comfortable and fashionable dresses for our plus size tweens.

Pattern Review: Field Research Pants

Scientific Seamstress

If finding a tween pattern is hard, finding a great tween boy pattern is very hard.  But here is a great one.  It is for a hiking pant that converts from pants to shorts

Name of the pattern:  Scientific Seamstress' Field Research Cargo Pants.

Pattern Source:  You can buy this pattern on the Scientific Seamstress Etsy shop which has a lot of casual wear patterns suitable for boys and girls.

Sizes available:  The pattern is sized for children from 3 to 14.  It is a relaxed fit and thus would be great for plus sized children.

Special materials required:  You will need elastic for the waist, and separating zippers for the legs.

The separating zippers are the key to what makes this pattern special.  It is with these zippers that you can make the shorts and then a pant extension that comes on and off easily.  The construction of this element requires attention to detail but it is well explained and there are a lot of pictures to guide you.

Skill level required:  This is not a pattern for beginners.  I would say if you have sewn a few pants in your day, then you are ready to tackle this pattern.  The construction of the pants is not hard, but those detachable legs have several steps.

How you came to choose the pattern:  I bought these as part of the boy bundle on Pattern Revolution's bundle up sale this summer.  If you are looking to try out new designers, you may want to check Pattern Revolution's periodic bundle sales.

Good:  I really liked this pattern.  There are a lot of pockets with great details like pleats and flaps.  And the unique feature of the detachable legs (have I mentioned these before???)  make it a real winner.  What is so appealing to me is that my son can wear these pants right now in the dead of winter and in the summer when it is hot. 

Bad:  I was disappointed that it did not come with a true zipper fly option.  The pattern only has a faux fly.  Next time I make them, I will adjust the pattern and put in a zipper.  If I was making these for a toddler, a faux fly is just fine, but a grown kid wants 'real' pants.

Overall pattern rating:  I would give  this versatile pattern 5 bolts.

Pattern Review: Simplicity 3881

Today I want to review a pattern I have had for a while but use at least once a year; Simplicity 3881. I sewed this version for my daughter a while ago but had not yet reviewed it here on Sew Cool. It is a pattern containing many options.  It comes with a dress, pants, and top.  I have sewn the dress a couple times; once for my niece and once for my daughter.

In this version I substituted the bubble skirt with a circle skirt and my daughter loves it.  The V-neckline does run a bit low, so she always layers it; either with a tank top when it is warm, or a long sleeve during cooler temperatures.

Sizing:  The pattern goes up to size 14 and has a plus size version, if you can find it.

Special Materials:  This and the other views on this pattern require knit fabrics.

The Good and Bad:  The pattern is simple and great for beginners and has some details.  It is a bit trendy and to me has an 80's vibe, so if you don't like that kind of thing, it is not the pattern for you.

Overall rating:  I give this pattern 4 bolts.  It is not one of my favorites but the fact I have sewn it so many times really does say something.   I think a novice and an experienced sewer could get some good use out of it.

Pattern Review: McCalls 6548 view B

I wanted my kids to wear something special as they said goodbye to me before I left for Afghanistan.  I decided to make them coordinating outfits and embroider a seahorse on the front of their shirts.  You see, my unit’s patch has a seahorse prominently displayed (The history of the seahorse is linked to engineer amphibious roots in WWII.) in the center.

This picture was taken shortly before I left for Afghanistan.  That is my amazing husband on the left.

I did not want the outfit to really look like the patch, but having a large seahorse done up with red, white, and blue sent the message pretty clearly.

The skirt I made was from a tutorial by MADE.  It is a fabulous tutorial and I make all my circle skirts using her instructions.

The pattern was view B McCalls M6548.  I have been pretty unhappy with McCalls lately but this pattern is a WINNER! I used it for my son for view B also and for Abi view A.  I like the t-shirt best of the two shirts.

Sizes available:  This pattern comes in sizes 3 through 14.  And since it is unisex, it is extremely versatile for sewing for a family.  I frankly have a different raglan t-shirt that is my favorite from another pattern designer, but it does not come in a size higher than 8.  So, this is a good second choice if you have a tween.

Special materials required:  View B calls for knit fabric.  I finished the neck edge with the same knit as the body but you may choose to use ribbing or fold over elastic (something I tried with my son’s version and it looked great!)

Skill level required:  This shirt is most certainly a beginner level top.

Good:  The instructions are clear and the pattern is basic.  This is the type of top that you could do a million times with different fabric and for different children.  It is just a great go-to t-shirt pattern.

Bad:  I don’t know if it is bad … but it does run wide.  I took it in a couple sizes in the width for my daughter and it is still fairly loose.  But, if you have a plus size child, this negative is certainly a positive.

Overall pattern rating:  I give this pattern   (4) bolts.

Pattern Review: McCalls M4762

Abi needed some summer pants and I did not have a lot of time so I tried out these pants from McCalls M4762, which was a recent acquisition of mine.  I thought the tank top was pretty cute and Abi has been asking for more pull-on pants.

Pattern Source:  I picked up this pattern on sale while I was a Joann Fabric and Crafts. And boy am I glad I did not pay full price.

Sizes available: This pattern comes in sizes 3 to 14.  But it runs very large.  It has a whole lot of ease and would be a better pattern for a plus size gal or one with some curves.  Even after I slimmed down the pants a couple sizes, they are way too big.

Special materials required: The pants are fairly basic and you only need pant weight fabric and elastic.

Skill level required:  A beginner could sew these up as the are not complicated and have no special details.  But I am not sure it is a good idea.  I don't want a beginner to be discouraged by the poor fit.


I deviated from the pattern a bit by adding the ribbon belt. I later added belt loops for the belt after seeing how bunched up the front was.  I also shortened them to be capris for the summer.

Good: Ummmm, I did not like these pants so I don't have really nice to say.  ...they were easy.

Bad: The pants are very plain and should have been a great basic pattern. Instead, the fit was so far off, the look a bit ridiculous.

Overall pattern rating:  Therefore, I give these pants 2 bolts.  I had high hopes for these capris but I am very disappointed with the fit.  I am not saying it is a terrible pattern, but you should be ready to make some modifications if you choose to sew them.

Western shirt using M6548

Towards the end of the school year, the 4th grade put on a silly play.  And I received a note from the music teacher to dress the kids in "western clothing" and bring a stick pony.  The note emphasized that there was no need to purchase anything and to be creative with items on hand.  The only requirement was that it could not be a t-shirt or very modern clothing.  Well, most of what I make Abi is pretty modern and she really had nothing that could fit the western theme.

But I had recently purchased McCalls M6548 really for the shorts and t-shirt pattern.  I had been looking for an older kid's raglan t-shirt, and another pattern geared for boys is always welcome in my house.  But, the collared shirt seamed perfect for this project.

In order to save some money and stick a bit to the intent of using what you already have, I found some pink linen blend that I had left over from a previous dress shirt I made her.  And to make it truly have some western flair, I drafted pockets with western-style flaps and bought pearled snaps for the front and pockets.

The pattern is actually pretty good.

Sizes available:  It comes in sizes 3 to 14 so it will be good for a whole range of kids.  The cover makes it clear that this was intended for boys, but it is basically a unisex style.
Special materials required:  For the dress shirt, view A, you will need some sort of button or snap and some interfacing for the collar and button placket.
Skill level required:  This shirt is very easy and was a smart choice for me to pick for a last-minute, unplanned project.  The collar does not have a stand and the sleeves are pretty basic in shape.


Good:  It was a simple project for a classic look.  I would like to use this pattern for my boy who loves a collared shirt.  I like a more traditional dress shirt with a collar stand and a separate button placket.  But the fold-over placket sure made it come together fast and it is a great option for beginners.
Bad:  I did not conduct my usual narrowing of the shirt and as you can see it is quite wide on her.  I did not mind because in the summer she will appreciate the breeze and this fall she can layer.  But, I do think the shirt runs big and you should keep that in mind when choosing your sizes.


Overall pattern rating:  I would give this pattern an overall rating of 4 bolts.

YEEEHAAA!

Pattern Review: Day Tripper

 I was looking through different pattern sites for some summer clothes for Abi.  I specifically was thinking shorts and capris, but I really was not being picky and was just brousing to see what my options were.  At Go To Patterns and Co you can sort the patterns by size so I selected size 12yr.  Admittedly, there are not a ton of patterns for pre-teens, but there are a growing number and they are worth checking out.  But as I was looking, I saw that the Day Tripper top by Shwin Designs was listed.  I had just bought this pattern for myself and had not considered it for my daughter.  But it does come in sizes woman's XXS to XL so I figured it was worth a shot.

The pattern is a .pdf and can be bought at Go To Patterns and Co, Shwin Designs, or Pattern Anthology.

Special materials required:  The top is a dolmen sleeve shirt that can be made with knit or woven fabric.  You will need rib knit for the bands on the sleeves, neck, and hem.

Skill level required:  The Day Tripper Top is super easy!  If you have not used rib knit before, this is a great top to do so for the first time.  The openings are wide thus making it easy to handle the ribbing and stretching it to size.

Good:  The pattern has those sleeves that are so on trend right now and it comes with pockets which are always a hit, even if my daughter is weird with them.  The pattern is designed for short or long sleeves and has an optional epaulet for the shoulders that I chose to skip.

Bad: I am not sure if this pattern really works for a size 12 girl.  As you can see, it hangs a bit big on her and a few times it fell off of her shoulder.  But this is not all bad news.  My girl is quite slim and an average or plus size girl would likely have much more luck.  Also, the relaxed fit looks quite comfy and could accommodate a developing figure.

Overall pattern rating:  I am definitely going to sew one of these tops up for  me in the future.  It is a pretty version of a t-shirt and seems like a good wardrobe staple. It sewed up fast but did not look plain and I think that is a wonderful trait in a pattern.  

I give it (4) bolts.

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