Pattern Review: Promenade Girl by Ellie Inspired

Oh my!  When Laura from Ellie Inspired posted that she had an opportunity for boutiques to do a review of one of her patterns in exchange for a bit of cross-promotion I definitely jumped at the opportunity!

Can you see why?!

Meet the "Promenade Girl" - - - and my adorable lil' model!

There are SO many adorable patterns over at Ellie Inspired - beware!

The nitty gritty:

Sizes: 4-12, and two doll patterns (for 15" and 18" dolls)

Options: skirt only, skort, and about a bazillion options for pockets / no pockets, trim / hem style

Fit: slim, average, and plus sized options are ALL included in this pattern (WOW!)

Time: my skort took me 90 minutes from printing to finished skort - breakdown of that time after another adorable picture....

Here was my time breakdown:

Taping pieces together - 3-5 minutes

Cutting time (including cutting out the paper pattern after it was taped) - 23-25min

Shorts sewing time - 17 minutes

Pockets with accents - 44 minutes (phew!  But they're sooooo cute!)

Skirt / final construction - 42 minutes

A few key things I LOVE:

Printing: there are 2 pages to print for the various pocket options - and 6 pages to print if you are adding the shorts (skort option).  If you are just sewing a skirt (no shorts / skort), you don't need to print those 6 pages!

Pattern design:  The use of different patterns for the lines for each size (like Laura does for this pattern) is one of those things that just makes me do a happy dance!  I print SO many patterns (because I'm constantly printing a different size... and because I have TONS of patterns) - and I much prefer to print in black & white.  The use of different line styles for each size makes it SO much easier to follow the correct line!!!  BIG brownie points to her for that one!

And.... there are so many options - and this makes for such a professional, fun lil' skirt (or skort) - perfect for playing!

The directions were clear and easy to follow.  Laura does a great job of explaining each step, using lots of photos, and letting you know what you can skip over (depending on what options you are including).

Play structure to climb?!  No problem!

The fit is GREAT!  this little girl wears a size 4 in ready-to-wear clothes, so I made her the Promenade Girl size 4 - average.... without getting her measurements (GASP!) - and it fits perfectly!

After all that playing.... it was time to relax for a bit....

... and soak up some sun!

If you can't tell.... I just love this pattern!  I look forward to sewing up more!

I added Ric-Rac to the pockets - because, well, why not!?

One thing to note: I used 3/4" elastic (not the 1" the pattern calls for).... mainly because I'm a rebel - but also because it was going to be a VERY tight fit to get that 1" elastic into the back waistband.... and this skort was just too cute to get all frustrated over something simple like some finicky elastic! :)

Peek!  See - look at those adorable shorts under there!  No undies will be showing when this lil' lady is busy playing!

So..... I know after all these pictures you are itchin' to sew one (or ten?!) yourself!  I know I will be sewing a bunch over at my shop - Eggo in the Oven.  You can find the pattern here:

Promenade Girl by Ellie Inspired

A HUGE thank you to my friend Heather, who provided the adorable model (Seriously, those curls?!  And that smile!?  Love her!) - and took these amazing photos.  My friends rock!

A thank-you to Laura from Ellie Inspired for giving me the opportunity to sew up this sweet pattern and share my photos / experiences with it.  This could be dangerous, though.... there are many more patterns from her shop on my wish-list now!

If you made it this far.... you should be rewarded, right?!  How about 10% off anything and everything in my Etsy Shop?!  Use the coupon code "Promenade" (without the quotation marks) through this Saturday!

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This review is 100% my opinion after sewing up this (adorable) pattern.  I was given the pattern for free to sew - but was not compensated in any other way and my review is a completely honest representation of how I feel about this pattern!  I had a really great time sewing it - and the questions / suggestions I had along the way were met by Laura of Ellie Inspired with open arms!

Linking up with The Inspired Wren - Inspire Us Thursdays

Pattern Review: Love Me Knot Shorts by GYCT

There's an adorable new pattern on the market - the Love Me Knot Shorts by Chelsea of Get Your Crap Together (GYCT).

My first "Love Me Knots" - fabric is a premium quilting cotton from Joann's - "Colorbok Fabric Mono Tiny Blossom Gray & White" - it has a little bit of light blue in the background - LOVE!

I had the opportunity to be a tester for this pattern and after a couple rounds of testing and neglecting my custom orders (whoopsie!) I think the final pattern could be a great addition to any spring / summer wardrobe.

The nitty gritty:
Sizes: 6 months through girls 12
Options: pockets or none - place them wherever you want!
Fun details: adorable keyhole at the hem of the shorts, darts at the top of the shorts back (makes for a better, more bubbly fit!)
Style: flat front, elastic back, bubbly / gathered hem

I tested the 18 month size and really had a great time.  These shorts sew up pretty quick (the most time consuming parts for me were the pockets and the trim - but the pockets construction has improved from our first take at them.... and I definitely got MUCH better at the bias trim after completing one pair - the second pair went together MUCH more quickly!)

I love the little keyhole - it's such a sweet design element and sets it apart from other shorts patterns I have (and I have a BUNCH!)

I did my bias trim two different ways for the two pairs I sewed up - the first pair (the gray ones) I attached the bias trim as the pattern was written - hem first, keyhole second.

The second pair, I wanted to try out a "hmmm - I wonder" idea a few of us testers had - and did the keyhole first, then the hem (I used the cutting instructions in the pattern, and then just added a bit to the length to allow for the ties).

The verdict?!  Both are cute! :)

With the flat front and elastic back I think these look adorable over a onesie or with a tucked-in shirt.  If you're worried about that front waistband wrinkling, Alyssa from Keep Calm and Carrion had a brilliant suggestion - add a little bit of iron-on interfacing to that front piece of the waistband.  Should help it keep the shape through wash after wash!

Because of the detail at the hem and the keyhole, these will also be cute with a more flowy / looser fitting shirt.  Perfect!

Oh - and the pockets!  Honestly my first pair I mistakenly thought they went on the back (hehehehe.... oops!) - Chelsea has since clarified that they are designed to go on the front - but guess what?!  They work great on the back, too!  And one of the other testers did them centered on the side seams - making a "cargo" pocket look.  So many options! :)

Thanks again to Chelsea for inviting me to be a tester.  I learned a bunch - and it's fun to be a part of the creative process / "behind the scenes".

Want to buy the Love Me Knots pattern?  It is available from the GYCT Etsy shop here - or on Craftsy  - if you purchase through the Etsy shop you can get 30% off using the code "LOVEME" (I think this code is good through Saturday, April 12th!)

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Linking up with We Did It!  Wednesday

Pattern Tester: Evelyn Dress and Tunic

Recently I had the honor of being selected as a tester for Peek-a-Boo pattern shop.  I love the creative process, and was excited to get my feet wet in the tester department!

I tested the Evelyn Dress and Tunic (Click here to view more details) - a pattern Amy has had out for quite some time - but she was making some revisions AND extending the size range!  Yippee!!!

The details:
Size: 3 month through girls 12
Length options: tunic or dress
Front accent options: flat or ruffled / gathered
Hem finish options: bias tape or traditional hem

This was a pretty quick sew - I forgot to time myself (and my sewing time tends to be broken up thanks to the two munchkins who like to "help").  But I'd say around an hour.

I was asked to test the size 5 in tunic length - and I chose to do the ruffled / gathered accent and bias tape hem.

The pattern was pretty clear throughout - lots of photos.  During the testing process I had a few questions about which way to press things, etc. - and suggestions for seam finishing and top-stitching reminders and I'm excited to share that those things have been made even more clear in the final pattern - YAY!

I LOVE the back detail.  The little keyhole and ties are just too adorable!

This is such a simple, yet fun and funky, little pattern.  My little model wore her tunic with a pair of jeggings and boots and it looked adorable - but it will also be great for spring / summer with shorts!

Depending on your fabric / finish / style choices, this one could be made to have a very retro look - or a super sweet, simple top.  A few of the testers even added embellishements like lace to it - so much fun.

The fit is GREAT.  My little model wears a size 4/5 in ready-to-wear clothes and her mom says she's at that tough stage where lots of things fit funky.  This tunic was a perfect fit.  It has enough room to be able to play / move around - but the shoulders fit perfectly, the length was spot-on, and the fact it has the keyhole / ties in the back make it an easy-on and off piece of clothing.

I can't wait to sew up some more of these adorable tunics / dresses - and you shouldn't either!  Right now, this pattern is on sale for $6.95 to celebrate its re-launch! Get it here!  Yippee!

I'd love to see the Evelyns you sew up! :)

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Disclosure:  In exchange for being a tester (and sewing / providing feedback directly to the designer), I was given the pattern to test for free.  I was not compensated in any other way.  The opinions above are mine alone - and are not influenced by the fact I got the pattern for free (I'd LOVE it even if I had paid for it!) :)  This post contains a few affiliate links.  Buying from Peek-a-boo patterns using these links helps make a little money for me - to allow me to continue to pursue my creative adventure.  Thank you!!!