Pattern Review: Almost One Size Truly Scrumptious Pant

First: let me challenge you to say that pattern name 10 times fast!  5 times?  Twice?!?!?!  Ha!

When Chrissy from Muse of the Morning asked for bloggers interested in doing reviews of her patterns I browsed her selection - and was intrigued by these pants.

Here's why (from the pattern listing):
"Children from approximately 6 mos up to 7 years old can wear them! There is ONE pattern piece, which is cut at the appropriate length."

Oh reeeeeallly!?

So here's what I found out when I gave them a go! {please keep in mind I was given this pattern for free in order to participate in this blog tour / review - but my opinions are honest and not influenced by that monetary savings!}

The Pattern
Sizes: "Baby Bloomers" (looks like about a 6-12 month size) through 7
Options: Basic Pants, Basic Bloomers, Patchy Pants, Strippy Pants (strips of fabric..... c'mon!), optional ruffles on the bum
Pattern Pieces: ONE if you're making the basic pants; 2-3 if you're making the patchy / strippy option.  For EVERY size.  Really, truly.  They all have the same width / rise - - - with length cutting lines for each size
Time to sew: I'd say under an hour for the patchy / strippy pants; 30-45 minutes for the basic pants (and that includes taping the pattern together.... and distracting the kiddos with "really cool" toys so you can get back behind the sewing machine)

What I Made
I cut out four pairs of pants - two pars of basic pants, and two pairs of strippy pants.  One of each style in both 2T and 4T.  As for what I sewed..... here's a little glimpse into the life of a work-at-home, handmade business owning mama.....

The truth is - - - my children do not understand deadlines.  Or "mommy NEEDS to work".... or.... "please-do-not-body-slam-your-brother-into-the-floor, I just have ONE more hem to finish up."

So I had the best of intentions when signing up for this tour - I was going to rock it.  I was going to finally make pants {lots of them, obviously!} from the LARGE selection of fabrics I have been storing up for my kiddos.

But life comes up.... and my plan to get this done WAY ahead of time - well, I failed.  Then it was Monday morning, and despite telling my kiddos (and myself) that I had a deadline to meet - - the sun came out and obviously we had to play outside.  So the Wednesday morning deadline was getting closer and closer by the second and I WASN'T SEWING.

But... the moral of this story?!  These pants are FAST to sew up!  Even the strippy ones!  I cut them out Monday afternoon, ironed all the pieces, then didn't get a chance to sew them up until Tuesday morning (after breakfast was consumed and the kiddos seemed to be happily playing for at least a few minutes).  I put the pedal to the carpet and my machines kept up with my "must sew all the things - FAST" pace.

Then I bribed the kiddos with a picnic lunch outside if they would pleeeeeeeease allow me to take a few pictures.  We got a few.... and I KNOW they love their pants because despite the 80 degree temperature outside I could NOT get them to take them off and swap 'em out for shorts.  So they played in them - enjoyed our picnic in them - and smiled the whole time!

After sewing up the two pairs of strippy pants - and getting them on my boys, I can say that I love that this pant has so many options - all that can be pretty simply incorporated into the base construction / design.  It's great that I can print the pattern ONCE, cut it out at the biggest size, and then fold the pant leg up at the line for the size I'm making!

I did feel like the rise of the pant was a bit long on my 1.5 year old (size 2T), and the legs are definitely a bit wide on him.  Not so much that it's an issue.... just not as "trim" of a look as I'd prefer.  For the basic pants I think I may trim down the legs a little bit!

The pattern pieces printed well - and I loved the use of a variety of symbols at each page overlap.  Between the page numbers and the symbols, you should have NO problem getting this taped together!  The instructions were very clear - and construction was a breeze.  I actually put 1" elastic into my boys' pants because they are pretty skinny and the 3/8" that the pattern calls for often doesn't feel like "enough" (in other items I've sewn) - really just a personal preference thing, but thanks to serging (rather than turning the raw edge under) I had the flexibility to do this and not alter the fit from the pattern as written.

This pattern does not have a cutting chart for the elastic.  For many that probably isn't an issue - but for people like me who are most often sewing for customers / kiddos that they don't have in front of them and ready to measure - this means needing to reference another pattern's cutting chart or a table online.  Not a BIG deal - - - but just something to keep in mind!

All in all - I love how these strippy pants turned out and I'm excited to get the basics sewn up as well.  The boys love them, too!  This was the perfect pattern for that busy but AWESOME OSU Beavers fabric - I definitely wouldn't want a whole pair of pants from it.... but the strippy accent is GREAT!

If you made it through all of that... you should be rewarded, right!? :)

Well you're in luck!

If you click over to the first day of the tour you'll find a giveaway!  Chrissy is giving away TEN patterns of the winners' choice - wow!

Also, she has an active coupon code to celebrate the blog tour!  Head over to the Muse of the Morning Pattern Shop and enjoy 30% off any (or all!?) of her patterns through May 17th using the coupon code BLOGTOUR30.  Wowza!

Thanks again to Chrissy for asking me to participate in this blog tour / review - it was fun!

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!!!