Spring 2015 runway trends

New York's Spring 2015 Fashion week just past and every fashion magazine and website is highlighting the their favorites.  I thought we could do the same.  I picked out the looks that appealed to me and gathered them up here.  I think several of these could easily translate to tween fashion.

Don't you?


A few designers were using gingham which is such a classic Spring/Summer fabric and is used for children clothes all the time.  I love how Diane von Furstenburg had such tailored pieces and pops of colored flowers that made this picnic fabric classy

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Oscar de la Renta also was using gingham with stunningly beautiful floral prints and cutouts.

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As one would expect for Spring and Oscar de la Renta big floral prints were prevalent.  An de la Renta used those large floral prints in neat tailored pieces.

DFV source

Shear fabrics were also prevalent in several collections.  Now, when translating high fashion to tweens, one always has to be careful to make adjustments that are age appropriate.  And sheer fabrics obviously can easily translate as sexy.  But, as you can see, these fashions use layers and I think that could be played with in order to make tween fashion with these flowing or cut out sheers.

Oscar de la Renta source

Oscar de la Renta source

Paul and Joe (source)

Vera Wang

I personally just loved this look.  I think it is ho it exudes cool and still has a fun blue pocket.

Marc by Marc Jacobs (source)

We don't choose to show bellies in my family but that does not mean we can't appreciate a crop top trend.  They are cute for layering or with a high-waisted pant too.

Marc by Marc Jacobs (source)

Diesel Black Gold (source)

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Participating in these trends could be as simple as fabric choices.  But, to get some of the looks, the right pattern needs to be found.  So, I thought we could have a little linky party that you all could link patterns or fabrics that you think would work.  I ask that in your title, you state what trend you think that item matches.

An InLinkz Link-up

Pattern Review: Burda Cargo Pant

Abi had asked for a pair of cargo pants and I loved the look of this Burda pattern so I (Major Moma) figured it was time to sew it up.  I have to warn you, it is not a simple or quick sew but I loved the beautiful result.  I am actually am quite proud of these pants and I think they are one of my best.

Clearly, this pattern is being marketed for girls, but I think it could easily be for boys with the right fabric choice.

Name of the pattern:  Cargo pants 10/2010 #150

We reviewed the top on the left HERE

Pattern Source: It is a  BurdaStyle downloadable pdf pattern.  (We are members of BurdStyle's affiliate program.)

Sizes available: It comes in European sizes 134-158 and my size 12 daughter wears a 152 for your reference.  To determine your child's size, you use their height in centimeters.

Special materials required:  You will need a pant weight fabric, snaps for the pockets and some elastic for the back of the waist.

Skill level required: I would say this is an intermediate pattern.  There are pleated cargo pockets, welt pockets, darts at the knees and a zipper fly.  All of these details take time and patience.  At the same time, it is all those details that really make these pants look great.  No tween would be embarrassed to wear these very cool mom-made pants.

Good:  The good about these pants are the professional finishes and the great pocket details.

Bad:  They take time.  And as I have said so many times before, the instructions are not always that clear and are quite minimal.  In order to help you out a bit on the welt pockets, I took pictures along the way and am sharing them here.

Overall pattern rating:  I give it 4 bolts just because of the sparse instructions.  If the instructions were better, I would give it 5.

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.

Having fun with accessories

When your kids are little, they love to have holiday outfits.  At least you may love to make them and they are happy to accommodate.  However, sometimes tweens get a little less enthusiastic.  But, they still are kids and like to have fun.

We did a post with ideas for Valentine's Day that a tween may not just let you make them, but enjoy wearing.  And those ideas could be modified for just about any holiday or season.

So what if you did not want to actually make a real article of clothing?  What if you have some great theme fabric and want to whip up something super easy and super quick that is not meant to be integrated into an everyday tween wardrobe?

Well I say make an accessory!

I wanted to make a bow tie, because I just think they are so cute.  After wondering around on Pinterest, I settled on a tutorial by One Dog Woof.  There are several bloggers that give patterns for authentic bow ties and several quick versions.  I liked this one because it is all rectangles and suited my need for a quick and not fancy project.

Tutorial

Of course, with Easter coming up, you can use this quick tutorial to make a more formal look for your young man or hipster daughter.

During my search, I saw DIY suspenders.  Oh, how fun would that be?  And when my daughter saw them, she flipped!  I was actually surprised how much she liked them and she is excited to wear them.

Coconut Love Tutorial

Lastly, I had a belt making kit in my notions drawer that I wanted to use.  This is actually the accessory I thought my daughter would gravitate too but instead my son chose it.  Have you ever made a fabric covered button?  Well this is the same deal but with a belt buckle.  And then you make the belt in the same manner as you would for the suspenders.

I made all of these with fabric I got out of the remnant bin so I paid very little for the fabric.  Now the notions for the suspenders; that is another story.  But as much as Abi liked them, I am sure we will get some use out of them.  And it would be easy to cut the straps of and use the hardware on a new project.  I probably would have done better to cannibalize suspenders at a thrift store ... and might next time.

Pattern Review: High Five Hoodie

My daughter and I (Major Moma) were having an afternoon together and I managed to talk her into stopping off at the fabric store.  Since it was supposed to be a fun afternoon together, I let her pick out some fabrics for projects for her.  This is one of the pieces of clothing that came out of that trip.

She picked out some Real Tree camo sweatshirt fleece.  Being that we live in Alaska right now, camo is the equivalent to the LBD.

Name of the pattern:  I bought the High Five Hoodie by Peek-a-boo Patterns just for this project, but it won't be the last time I use it.  (We are part of the affiliate program for Peek-a-boo Patterns so we receive a small amount of $ if you click through the link and buy a pattern.)

Sizes available: The High Five Hoodie has a wide range of sizes: 3 mo to 12 years.

Special materials required:  The fabrics to choose are fleece, sweatshirt fabric, or heavy and semi stable knit.  You will also need a jacket weight separating zipper.  If you want to make it more heavy duty, you can line it.

Skill level required:  The pattern instructions are very straight forward and there is nothing complicated with this pattern.  I definitely would recommend it to a confident beginner  and if you are intermediate, or more adventurous, go ahead and line it and make some embellished modifications.

Good:  This a perfect pattern for a tween.  I know it is not fancy, but the tweens I know love to have a great hoodie.  And this pattern is so easy to sew up, you can make any number of custom hoodies for your tweens.  And I love this jacket for all seasons.  It can be an extra layer in the winter and later be a light jacket for cooler days or evenings.

Bad:  Nothing.  A great pattern for everyday wearing.

Overall pattern rating:  5 Bolts!!

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