Pattern Review: Hummingbird Dress

Today we have review of a lovely summer dress.  Nell is sharing her tween version of the Hummingbird Dress that she modified to fit her daughter's tastes.

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My daughter Isabella, has a book of "fashion designs" (her words) and I try to make her designs for her. 

She has a tiny waist so it is really hard to find store bought clothing that fits her well. :) She has pretty amazing designs and I need to learn to digitize patterns. She wants to have a clothing line for tweens and teens.  :) She is a pretty cool kid. LOL 

Name of the pattern:  Hummingbird Dress by Rabbit Rabbit

website picture

Pattern Source: Rabbit Rabbit Creations (an Etsy shop)  It is available as a pdf for only $7.00

Sizes available: 1-12

Special materials required:

 - For the EVERYDAY dress, I suggest using medium weight cottons or poly/cotton blends. I used quilting cotton for both the skirt and bodice.

 - For the DRESS UP dress, I used quilting cotton for the bodice and straps and voile for the top skirt, and lawn for the bottom skirt. You will need something light and airy for the top skirt.

 - For the SOMETHING SPECIAL, I recommend a basic satin/silk lining fabric for the bodice (with whatever you wish to use as an overlay on the front) and use the same fabric for the base skirt with chiffon for the top skirt.

Skill level required:  Beginner

It is a really cute pattern that can be sewn for an everyday spring/summer dress to a special occasion by choosing different fabrics and lengths. 

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

Yes.  I added to the bodice width and length to fit my daughter’s chest.  I subtracted 10” to the length to make it look more of a tank dress and added a red grosgrain ribbon.

Good:  It worked really good! Now that I graded the bodice I can make any length skirt to fit the occasion.

Bad: N/A

Ugly: Nothing

Overall pattern rating: 5/5 bolts 

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Thank you Nell for sharing your tips to make this dress even more tween friendly!

Lotus Blossom Top by Love Notions--Pattern Review

If you are looking for a pattern designer that 'gets' tweens, you really should check out Love Notions!  Everything that I've sewn from her not only has my tween loved because they are comfortable and trendy looking, but they have been easy, well written patterns that come together like a breeze. 

The Lotus Blossom Top is no exception.

 It's a high/low dolmen style top, that has a cool twist in the front.

You'll need about 1 1/2 yards of fabric and that is it!

 Tami does a great job of explaining how to sew with knits in her instructions, so this really would be a great beginner pattern for those of you yet to try knit.

I think that is Tami's secret though, she knows how to write great patterns for knit and that is just what the changing bodies of tweens look great in.

 The pattern calls for double sided knit (printed/same on both sides), but there are instructions on how to do it with single sided...which is what I used.  That's the only drawback to the pattern. The front is one really long pattern piece that will take almost the length of your fabric, so there is a lot left over...for some other fun project like maybe sleeves for the Wrigley Raglan.

So here's the rundown:

Pattern: Lotus Blossom Top by Love Notions

Supplies: Up to 1 1/2 yards of knit fabric

Difficulty: EASY

Good: Easy to make; trendy, comfortable top; great and easy to follow instructions

Bad: Lots of leftover fabric because of long pattern piece

Ugly: Absolutely none

Rating: 5 Lightening Bolts!!!!!

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.

Willow & Co's new line

Last year a few indie designers got together and started their own pattern company called Willow & Co.  The theme of the first line was 'glamping' and they created several modern and stylish looks for children to wear.  Some of those patterns go through tween sizes, so we took notice.

Now this year, they have a fresh new line that has more items that are great for tweens.  We asked them to highlight their tween friendly patterns and introduce you all to this company.

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Antalya dress

The Antalya dress is a relaxed-fitting dress with modern details. It features short dolman sleeves, curved front-side panels with gathered details, a separate gathered drop waist skirt at the back, and the option of either an exposed zipper or four buttons with loops. The neckline is finished with binding, and the dress curves can be accentuated with piping.

Limon Dress & Top

The Limon Dress & Top pdf sewing pattern includes all the options you need to make a classically modern outfit for a little girl in sizes 6 months through 12 years. It features pintucks on both the front and back as well as a fully lined bodice with a technique that encloses all the raw edges. You can choose to make a sleeveless dress or top or use the gathered sleeves. An optional placket can be added and embellished with your favorite lace or ruffled fabric. (Note: sizes 6 months to 3T must add the placket to allow for dressing.)

London Backpack

The London Backpack is a medium sized bag that works well for both kids and adults. It features two zipper pockets - a large outer pocket as well as a smaller inner pocket, adjustable straps, and it closes with a drawstring and magnetic snap.

This pattern is versatile, practical, and the perfect blank slate for pattern mixing and making modifications to suit your needs.

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Thank you Willow & Co and keep the good tween patterns coming!!!

Pattern Review: Carousel Top knit shirt

Ahh, summer.  A time for tee shirts and shorts.  Tees can be oh so practical but it is also nice to make ones that have some special details that set them apart.  Today I am reviewing a tee that has some simple but lovely feminine details for your basic tee shirt that your tween can live and play in.

Name of the pattern:  The top is the Carousel Knit Shirt. 

The pattern features:

• Gathered neckline
• keyhole back
• button closure option
• Gathered, set forward shoulder seams
• gathered short sleeves

Pattern Source:  It is designed by Andrea Pannell for Go To Patterns.

Sizes available:  It comes in sizes 12 months to 12 years.

She chose to wear a cami under the shirt and you can see it a bit in the key hole

Special materials required:  The top is designed for knits, and so that is a must.  But the key hole has two options; one with the key hole closed, and one with a button closure.  If you choose the button, you will need a button.

Skill level required:  Andrea labels this pattern as a Beginner and I totally agree.  Her directions are clear and the details are nice but not at all complicated.

How you came to choose the pattern:

I do not have enough time to sew all of Abi's summer wardrobe so I decided to make just a couple cute pieces.  I was brainstorming options and that is when remembered this top.  I had sewn it in the past and liked it. 

Good:  It is a lovely tee shirt with sweet details that do not take a lot of extra time.

Bad:  I have nothing bad to say.  The pattern is clear and the top is cute and it has a pretty timeless design.

Overall pattern rating:  I give this pattern 5 bolts!  

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.