Polkadot Circle Dress

 
 Bonjour! I am Natalie, a Canadian gal who blogs over at La gang à Nat. In my little corner of the web, I chat about the sewing that I do for my three girls, ages 2, 4 and 11. I am quite excited to have been invited here by Kelli and Sally to show you a garment that I created for my tween Maïan! Ahhhh... the 9 to 13 age group!!! Is anyone else struggling with dressing up a capricious tween! Admittedly, this is a tough age group to sew for... they're not little kids anymore and they certainly don't want to dress child-like. But they're not grown ups either and as parents, we don't want to see them dressed up as women (or even worse, TEENS! GULP!). There will be plenty of time for that, no? Few stores cater exclusively to this age group and compounding the problem is the fact that many sewing patterns only go up to size 8.
What I'll show you today is how to create a circle dress based on a garment that you already have at home, or a basic bodice pattern. So if you'd like, follow me home for a quick tutorial!

Thank you so much Kelli and Sally for having me over today!    

Thinking Spring--Looking Ahead to the Trends

If you think it, it will come right?! With the hopes of warmer weather, how about a little looking ahead to Spring-y fashion for tweens, with some suggested patterns as well so that you can achieve these looks. 

First up here are some looks. Sorry, they are all girls. It just seems that boys fashion doesn't change all that much, except maybe for the bagginess of the pants...but I'll keep looking.
Also, all but Bardot are Scandinavian designers. Bardot is Australian. I think the simple designs that rely on the lines of the garment and fabric choices, so common in Scandinavian design, lends itself to being tween friendly. Most tweens don't want all the frills and ruffles anyway.

I tried to pick things that represented current trends, but also would be easy to replicate.  Here's what I came up with. I'll give you the designs first and highlight some of the trends and then at the end give you the patterns as suggestions to get that look.

Check out this exclusively tween fashion line called Frosk. I love the bold but simple patterns, the simplicity of the designs themselves and the fact that they are tween friendly (ie No belly buttons showing and appropriate length)

Trends to take note: Bold, geometric prints paired with white as well as other prints; straight lines of the dresses and skirts; wide sleeves

Pale Cloud is another line that I have fallen in love with. They are a little less edgier and a little more elegant/romantic looking, with softer edges and more pastels. Just trying to find something for everyone here.

Trends to take note: Jumpsuits/one piece outfits; baggy up top pants ; yellow, wide sleeves

  

 Peit by Sofies Schonoor is definitely edgier, but certainly right on trend

Trends to take note: Jumpsuit/One piece, whether it's pants or shorts; Bold patterns; animal prints; black and white; baggy up top pants

  

Bardot is the Australian design line I stumbled across. 

Trends to take note: Jumpsuit/one piece; animal prints; geometrical prints; baggy on top pants

 

The nice thing about all of these looks, is that they are all totally do-able for you to make on your own. Here's a couple of suggestions to help you on your way:

From Burda Style you can get the simple lines and wide sleeves...the pattern is free, but only goes up to about a size 9. This one wouldn't be hard to add some inches for width at the shoulders and waist if needed as well as length. You could also use this as a spring board for making a wide sleeved jumpsuit, by combining it with a gathered waist pants pattern. Speaking of jumpsuits...

Jumpsuit tutorial from Simple Simon and Co...they are always ahead of the trends over there. It's even in yellow too, which seems to be a hot color for this season, as well as the neon...I keep seeing that in all of the stores (not necessarily in the design lines though).
And Peek-a-Boo patterns just came out with a jumpsuit pattern as well.

There are so many options when it comes to jumpsuits...

This dress pattern is similar to the one in the Frosk picture and we reviewed it here.

The Go to Patterns Anywhere dress has some great simple lines that would work well with the current style and you could pair it with a bold print or even an animal print...or how about an animal stenciled strategically on someplace. I'm thinking at the hem or on the side vs. in the middle.

And here are a couple of shirt ideas...just click on the shirt to find the pattern.

Serephic Raglan by Figgy's

Skipper Top by Sew Much Ado

Burda Style free pattern

  As for the pants, I couldn't find any one pattern that fit the bill, but if it were me I would take a pajamas pants pattern and make them draw string, instead of elastic. Then I would play with the width of the legs, till they were a little more fitted and straight legged. Once again the lovely ladies over at Simple Simon and Co have a great tutorial about drafting your own.

So there you have some Spring inspiration for your sewing!

Infinity Scarf Tutorial Review

If you want a quick and easy accent piece to add to your wardrobe, you should try your hand at an infinity scarf. Seriously, this was so easy!

I found this tutorial over at the Simplicity site (they have a bunch of free things, but not many garments or sewing related ones). 

The tutorial was easy to follow and everything came together really quickly (thanks to a serger). The knit was from JoAnn's, but Sophia has already requested some more (and I want some more too), so we have plans to use some old T-shirts as well.
What you need: The pattern says 3/4 of a yard of fabric, but I used 12 inch for Sophia's and 1/2 a yard for mine and am pleased with how they turned out.
Skill Level: Very beginner--just 2 seams and a little hand sewing to finish it.
I give this one 5 lightening bolts because of how easy it is and how much I like scarves.

Mad for Plaid Preppy Skirt

Here's a little quiz...go ahead and take a guess as to why I have a thing for plaid.

1. I played field hockey all through junior high and high school and loved wearing my plaid skirt for games.

2. I have a secret vice in that I love the show "Gossip Girls", mostly because I think they did a great job with their costuming.

3. I've always wanted to go to a boarding/private school because of the uniform...and I thought it would be cool to live away from home...in Switzerland.

4. All the above are true.

5. None of the above are true and plaid is just rad...to borrow a phrase from my tween years.

Here is my little creation for plaid week over at Project Run and Play. My reason for creating this was that I think there are a couple of pieces that any tween would love that don't require a pattern. A basic skirt with a side zipper (a little more grown up than elastic waistband) is one of them. I've made this skirt using the basic principles outlined below a bunch of times (here, here and here...just to name a few)

With a basic A-line you can create a number of different skirts. By stopping the A-line look at the hips you can add pleats or gather a panel to the bottom for a different look (if you do this you'll want to line the A-line part by cutting out 4 pieces). You can add a waistband, make it more full or a little more stream lined, not to mention the different looks you can get by making it different lengths.

Here's a quick rundown of how to figure out an A line skirt. Get a low waist line measurement (especially if  you are adding a waistband) and a hip measurement and then I add an inch or more to each to account for seam allowance and so it's not a hip hugger. Take a waist to hip measurement. Now you are set to "draw" your pattern out on your fabric. Make sure you take your fabric and fold it in half twice (you need the front and back piece). Take your waist + 2 inches (blue line) and hip + 2 inches (red line) measurements and 1/2 them. Now take the number you now have for your waist and measure then mark it on the top of your fabric (blue line).  Take your waist to hip measurement (green line) and mark it down from your waist measurement. From the fold take your hip measurement number and mark it at the bottom of your waist to hip line (this becomes the red line).

With me so far?

Now just figure out how long you want your skirt(purple line) and mark that, measuring from your waist. Then all I do is gradually extend the line from the end of your waist measurement line out--the straighter it is the more stream lined it will be while the more of an angle the more flared it will be.

Once I get it cut out, I finish the right side, add the waist band if desired, add the zipper and finish the left side. After that I fold down the waistband and finish it off.

For the waistband, I simply take the waist measurement and add 3 inches (you have to have room to put the zipper in) and cut out a 4 inch band to that length, line it with facing and add it to the top of the skirt. Then I'm ready for the zipper.

Here is the complete look...hopefully I'll be able to get a couple of pictures with Sophia wearing it...Monday's can be rather busy.***Yeah, we got a couple in before dance.***

 

The cardigan is made from 2 thrifted sweaters.  I used the Study Hall Jacket pattern to cut the sleeves, front and back.  I just used the waistbands from the sweaters as the cuffs and waistband of the cardigan. I still need to get Sophia's opinion as to buttons or snaps or nothing at all. I like the preppy kind of look. She's excited for the skirt because she can wear it in so many different ways.

So there you have it, an easy skirt that can be a great addition to any wardrobe.

Sewing for the tween - tips and sewing a high-low hem shirt by Stacy from Land of KA

Today we have Stacy from The Land of KA is with us to not only share some tips for sewing for a tween, but a great tutorial!  Stacy makes amazing clothes not only for her daughter but for her son as well. Go check out some of her creations!

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 So when exactly do the tween years start? For my girl, I think it started around 3 with the attitude. When you are a little curly-haired blonde cherub as a youngster everyone thinks you are adorable and you can get away with so much. That translates to a bit of an attitude when you start to grow a bit. She can still be a sweetheart, but there is no doubt she has her own opinions about things! It has been about a year or so since she stopped wanting to wear dresses that I have made for her. This proves frustrating, as I LOVE TO MAKE DRESSES! Now, I need to make more tween appropriate clothing for her. Last fall I did a s.w.a.p. (sewing with a plan) for her back to school clothing. She wore most of those clothes all year until they didn't fit her anymore. Now I am in the midst of another year of back to school sewing, and need to determine what to make for her this year. 

 These are my tips for pleasing a tween:

  Request Input They are no longer at the age where you can make whatever YOU want to make and expect them to wear it. My kids were pretty good for a long time about wearing whatever I made, as long as I picked it out and put it on them. They were lazy that way. Fun times! If I expect my girl to wear something now, I need to solicit her input on what she likes. I let her pick fabric and show me what styles she likes.  

Look at popular stores for current trends I think one of the number one things you hear from adults whose mothers sewed for them was, "It looked homemade, out of style, I hated what she made!" We have so many options for buying fabric and embellishments nowadays, that it should not be a problem to make something they would like. I get catalogs from a few stores, so I look at them and also online. Justice is a pretty popular tween store, but Chasing Fireflies has a few things that would work for them, too. I get out the catalogs, give her a pen and have her circle her favorites. It gives me an idea of what direction I should go when I set out to make her clothes. Current trends: High-low tops, patterned leggings/jeggings/skinny jeans, animal print, layered lace tops

  Add some bling Rhinestones are all the rage right now. I don't have a heat set tool, so I buy mylar carrier sheets from Dharma Trading. You can either make your own designs for the rhinestones, or use a printout when you place them on the sheets. You can also add pre-made iron-ons, rivets or use fabric paint. I get most of those types of things at Michaels craft store. Anything you add is going to make it look more trendy, and not homemade, with the *BLING*.

  Make it comfortable and un-fussy There are some super cute things out there that just don't seem user friendly for a little girl. I have seen little girl trenches with belted waists. Tell you what...that belt would be lost in no time with my kid. That is just wayyyyy too much work to get dressed with that. Another thing...she is all about knits or stretch twills/denim. If it doesn't allow her to move, then it gets put into the "I won't wear it" pile. I made her these jeans last spring. She wore them about 3 times before she tried to do the splits in them. They were corduroy without a lick of lycra in them, so guess what happened?? Split is right! Big tear right up the backside NOT on a seam. So...she needs things that will stretch! 

 Alrighty... Today I am going to show you how to do a high-low hem shirt with a lace overlay.

First off, you need a regular knit top pattern. One thing you always need is a basic top block. From there you can go in many different directions. Here are the front and back patterns in process. I moved them out a bit at the hem to give more room to the shirt. I am using french terry here and it doesn't have a lot of give to it. I wanted it to be easier to get on and off for her.

I used my French curves (bought a package of them off of Amazon) to draw the curve on the front and the back. The front has a bit of a swoop in it, but you can just draw a plain curve, too.

Then...time to cut! I cut the lace on the front along with the front piece to make sure they ended up the same.

Sewing Steps:

• Pin and attach the seams at the shoulders. I used my serger, but you can use a zigzag on a regular sewing machine. I serged stay tape on at the shoulder to give it some extra stability. Next I serged the ends of the neck binding and then serged it on. I ironed it down flat, and then top-stitched with a zig-zag stitch on the sewing machine.

• Pin and attach the arms in the flat.
• Sew the cuffs on the arms and topstitch.
• Sew up the side seam from the arm all the way down.

• Measure the binding out on the finished seam and cut to the proper length. Close the edges and then pin to the bottom. I also ironed it down flat before attaching to the shirt. Now, attach the binding on the bottom seam and topstitch. Alternatively, you can just fold the hem up and sew it down with a zigzag if you don't want to put a binding on the bottom.

All done! Next, I sewed up a simple pair of leggings from matching fabric, so she has a full outfit. Leggings are super quick and easy to make. I made a pattern that has the front and the back in one piece, so you just need to cut two pieces, sew up the crotch, sew up the inseam and attach the elastic. Takes about 30 minutes to make a pair.

Thanks for having me Sally and Major Mama!