Would they Wear It: Denim Overalls???

Denim Overalls...oh do they bring back memories. I had a pair in junior high, I'll confess to that and to wearing them with my Converse high tops, with maybe a rugby shirt underneath...high fashion, I'm telling you.

But apparently, they are back and high fashion at that.

Here are a few designer takes on overalls or dungarees for adults.

source

source

Calvin Klein

 These 3 looks are all from the high end French line BonPoint (pictures are the links), the first two are from the children's line that goes up to tween sizes and the last one is from the young misses line.  I've also seen overalls at Target and other big box retailers...so the question is:

Would Your Tween Wear Overalls?

And the other question is, do you think it would make a difference if it was shorts or pants?

A Skirt fit for a Tween: Review of Simplicity 1548

 As promised, here is a review of the Simplicity 1548 Skirt (the shirt is of my own making...more on that at the end).  It's one of their Project Runway patterns, which means it has a bunch of options...they were kind of like the precursor to pdf patterns, where you could pick and chose different options all from one pattern.  I picked up mine on a .99 cent sale at JoAnn's a few years back...you can't beat a pattern for a dollar.

Size: The pattern comes in sizes 8-16...just perfect for tweens.

Materials: All that is required is the fabric and elastic for the waist.  I used some stretch pleather type fabric that my sister had given me.

Skill Level: This would be a good pattern for a beginner.

 I followed the pattern as is and like the trendy look that is perfect for tweens wanting to express themselves.

The Good: I like how the skirt looks feminine without looking girly (so does my daughter).  I like the price and that you can get it for $1. It's also an easy pattern to follow and assemble.

The Bad: It runs a lot short...I think it needs another ruffle or at least to make the bottom one a little longer. That being said, I'm okay with her wearing it with leggings. If I make another I would make it longer though. 

All in all, I give this one 4 bolts!

 As for the shirt, this is my own creation. I took a shirt that she loves and used it as a template. The actual shirt is just 2 pieces, with the seams running on top of the shoulders and arms and then the side seams. Then I just added the cuffs and hem band, which are doubled over rectangles really.  Super easy and she loves it...win, win!

And a gratuitous dog picture to show you why I'm not getting as much done these days. This is Max and he's keeping me busy these days. They aren't kidding when they say having a puppy is like having another kid in the house, but he's cute so I think we'll keep him.

Free For All

This is my post over at Daisy Chain Creations, but since the skirt is such a great look for tweens (in my opinion...a little more grown up/sophisticated looking), I thought I'd share it here too.

The lovely ladies over at Frances Suzanne are changing up their FLIP Series a little this month. All month long they are spotlighting FLIPs of free patterns/tutorials.

So here is my most popular post...all time, my tutorial for a Kick Pleat Skirt (it's also one of my favorite things I've made).  So if you need a reminder here is a picture of the original finished skirt.

For my FLIP I turned it into a dress and changed up the kick pleats.

It's really hard to tell in the pictures, but I pleated the small panel used in the kick pleat. I did this by using the stripes in the fabric as a guide and just kept pleating so that only the maroon shows.  It also gives the kick pleat more of a...kick so to say. Even though the skirt is kind of fitted she has no problem walking in it.

As for the top, I just used the Ethan Shirt pattern again (other versions here and here), so you could say this is a double flip:)

I kind of like how she can dress this up or down.  My original vision was more flapper girl/20's style...but it turned out a little different after consulting Sophia.

Here's a picture where you can see the pleats a little better. We also went sans bow because it just didn't go well with the style of the dress or with the busyness of the stripes...running down the middle of the white stripes is also a silver stripe that doesn't show up in the pictures.  It really is a pretty fabric (JoAnn's in the red tag fabric section) and is kind of a nod to the Pantone Color of the Year--Marsala. The stripes aren't quite maroon (I know that because I couldn't really find buttons to match), but more of a wine color, just like Marsala.

Make sure you check out the Kick Pleat Skirt Tutorial if you want to make a fun yet little more 'grown up' looking skirt! And make sure you check out the other fun creations and look at the crazy/amazing list of FREE!!! tutorials and patterns over at Frances Suzanne!

Shake It Off With a Pattern Review

Here's my nod to Taylor Swift's Shake It Off for Paisley Root's Shake It Off Sew Along

I agree with Karly in that 2014 is a year I could just shake it off and start afresh...it was kind of a tough year for me.

But that's not the point...the point is this awesome dance outfit that Sophia really wanted.

The shorts are made from the newly released women's yoga pants pattern by Peek-a-Boo Pattern (affiliate link). I made the xxsmall and did a 1 inch seam allowance to make them fit.  The leopard print is a nod to the video. The fabric came from this huge box of knit/stretchy stuff my sister sent me from her fabric stash (she's a quilter so didn't need her knit).

Sophia says they fit great and can't wait to wear them to dance.

For the shirt I used an Old Navy shirt as the template. She wears the shirt to dance a lot because it's comfortable and moves easily. It's just a front and back piece with the arm and waist bands. Very easy to put together and she loves it.

Sophia takes ballet, tap and lyrical. For ballet she wears a black skirt over her leotard. For tap they can wear shorts over the leotard and then for lyrical they can wear things like shirts and yoga pants.  Now she's covered.

The skirt is one that we already had planned, but it went so well with the 'theme' that we had to include it with the outfit.  There is so much 'leather look' in the video this pleather skirt was perfect for it. It is made from Simplicity Project Runway Collection #1548.  It's a great pattern and I have plans to do a more thorough review of not only the skirt but the shirt as well for a different post.

As for the yoga pants/shorts...it's a great, simple pattern. You just need the recommended amount of fabric and if desired, a zipper for a phone pouch.

The one I did was sizes xxsmall to xxxlargre, women's. Peek-a-boo Patterns also has a children's version as well

The Good: Simple, FAST and very comfortable. Instructions are easy to follow and they go together so fast...seriously think the taping of the pattern takes longer than the sewing of the pants.

The Bad: Most tweens are going to fall in between the 2 sizes of patterns, girl's/women's and you might be buying the size up in just a few months. Girl's goes up to size 12 with a 26 inch waist and the women's starts off at xxsmall with a 33 inch waist.  My using a 1 inch seam, seemed to do the trick. Sophia has a 26 1/2 inch waist and our fabric wasn't super stretchy.

The Ugly: Nothing really...

Just another look at the shirt

And another look at the skirt, with a review coming next week.

So go ahead and go watch 'Shake It Off' and see if it doesn't get stuck in your head!

And then check out the other creations over at Paisly Roots.

Be My Valentine

The funny thing about tweens is that they still are very much kids.  But they are starting to develop some more grown up tastes and definitely don't want to look like 'babies'.  And that can make theme outfits a bit tricky.  Like Valentine's Day outfits.  When kids are little, they are much more into having cutsie Valentine's shirts made for them.  But as a tween, they want the shirt, but don't want it to be too over the top or obvious.

So, I have collected a bunch of tutorials that either are a more grown-up version of a valentine's Day shirt or could easily be adapted to be so.

And, I just have to say that I am amazed at the creativity out there.  These ladies have taken simple projects and made some very cool embellishments.

Fabric paints can be a great way to add embellishment to a RTW or hand made shirt.  I love this tutorial for it's detail and simplicity.  I think it also could be adapted for nearly any holiday or mood.

The Pleated Poppy

Fabric applique is another way to embellish a shirt with all sorts of shapes and textures.  Of course, for Valentine's, we usually rely on a heart shape, but really you have other options too.  And you can try some reverse applique for a slightly different look.  Here are some ideas:

Uber Chic for Cheap

Make it Love it

form*work

Another way to add images is to use some sort of iron on material.  Some of you lucky ladies have Sillouetes or cricut machines that can cut out all sorts of images.  But if you are like me and don't, there are other pre-cut products out there or you can go back to the stand-by of fabric paint and freezer stencils.  Here are some fabulous ideas that I think a tween and quite possibly a tween boy could like.

Just Another Day in Paradise

Just Another Day in Paradise

And these next too I really like for their originality and texture.

Uber Chic for Cheap

WobiSobi

And what did I make for my tween?  Well, I actually did not use any of these tutorials, though I still may  in the future.  She had some flannel catch her eye at the fabric store so I made a button down shirt for her to wear on Valentine's Day and any other day she feels like it.

Lumberjack Shirt

It has hearts and definitely will feel like a theme shirt in February, but for the rest of the winter, it will just be a fun and cute shirt.  I think that really is the key: it needs to be fun enough to wear any day and not just February 14th.

The shirt is the Lumberjack Shirt by Patterns for Pirates and we will be reviewing it later in the month.  So stay tuned...

So, do you sew holiday themed shirts for your tween???