Thread Faction Patterns #106 and #108 {Review, Blog Tour & Giveaways!}

After working with Liz from Thread Faction (formerly Hatchlings Patterns) this fall with her M is for Moto Jogger pattern tour, I was excited to see that she released a full line of children's wear PDF patterns this spring.  I sewed patterns #106 and #108 for today's stop on the blog tour.  Keep reading for all the details and to see how you can be entered to win one of the many giveaways during this tour - and I hope you'll take the time to use the direct links to visit all the tour participants.  At the end of my post I have a link to the four big giveaways on the Thread Faction blog, discount codes from our sponsors, as well as a giveaway here on my blog, and the entire tour schedule with links.  Also - Liz is really amazing and has been putting up a new tutorial, pattern hack, or related post each day of the tour - visit her blog to find them all.  Note - Thread Faction patterns are priced in AUD, so US buyers will have the price converted to USD (the US price is lower than the AU price).

Disclosure: I received these patterns for free in order to participate in the tour.  The Thread Faction links in the post are my affiliate links, which earn me a 15% commission is you make a purchase within 30 days of using my link.  I aim to provide a helpful and honest review and appreciate your support, but if you prefer a non-affiliate link I provide one here:  www.threadfaction.com

The whole Spring/Summer 2016 Collection from Thread Faction appeals to me - a useful set of basics that kids can wear over and over - and that I can sew year after year.  In fact, several patterns can even be hacked for boys (you don't want to miss the other tour stops - such great ideas!).  I look forward to adding and sewing the other Thread Factions SS2016 patterns to my library (and sewing them).

I set out to make my daughter a pair of pajamas using the #106 shorts and #108 top, but the top was too cute to just be night wear, so we re-imagined the pajama plan into two outfits.

First let me tell you what I appreciate about Thread Faction patterns in general.

• SIZING is reliable - take accurate measurements.  I always measure the wearer when using these patterns, and I often wonder if the size is right (see my explanation in my Moto Jogger post), but it always comes out spot on.  Liz also provides helpful details on combining between sizes.  I also know she works diligently to make sure that pattern proportions are correct - neck or arm band lengths and widths, crotch width and rises, etc.
• INSTRUCTIONS have clear, digital drawings to illustrate the steps, as well as helpful information on types of knit fabrics and sewing with knits.
• PATTERN PAGES & PIECES match up nicely and are labeled well.  All my printed pages for both patterns got tossed to the floor by someone in the under 12 crowd at my house and it was no trouble to sort them since they were labeled clearly which pattern each page was in the footer for each page (footer also includes page number, so they stay in order).  Also, assembled pattern pieces have the pattern company and name, pattern piece, stretch direction lines, markings, and size lines are clear with a key for finding size.  Measurements for parts like the neckband are printed on the partnering pattern piece, which is convenient as well.
• CRIB SHEET is included for those who don't need detailed instructions.  (a crib sheet is a list of steps for sewing a garment without detailed instructions)
• ACCESSIBILITY Liz is accessible and provides her contact information (as well as her time zone, to explain why it might take longer to get back to you!).  You can also join the Thread Faction Studio Facebook Group.

Thread Faction #106 

(link to pattern) is a pdf pattern for a girl's skirt with attached shorts using knit fabric. I skipped the skirt and just used the shorts, thinking they would be perfect pj shorts (which they are!), but I also love them with a leotard and look forward to making a skirt version as well.

• SIZE - I made a size 2 for my daughter.  Sizing is based on hip measurement (my daughter measured a 21.5" hip) and made no adjustments.  She usually wears a 3 in bottoms, but I followed the size chart instead of assuming, and although I questioned the size - it turned out just right!
• RISE - different front and back rise.  I was pleased with rises for size 2 and my daughter - no diaper)
• WAISTBAND METHOD - 3/4" elastic serged (or sewn) to top of waistband, then turned under and stitched in the ditch to close.
• HEMMING - shorts are hemmed with recommendation to serge raw edges and turn once then sew with double needle (I used single needle with stretch thread in bobbin).

Thread Faction Pattern #108 

(link to pattern) is  a pdf pattern for a girl's dress or peplum top using knit fabric, and I made the peplum version with no changes or adjustments to the pattern.

• SIZE - I made a size 3 this time for my daughter.  Sizing is based on chest and height measurement (my daughter measured squarely in a size 3 this time) and made no adjustments.
• FRONT/BACK - are separate pattern pieces with different necklines
• NECKBAND METHOD - sewn from same fabric as main, serged (or sewn) to shirt main.  I was pleased with the proportion and fit of the neckline for the size 3 I sewed.
• HEMMING - sleeves/arm openings raw edges are serged and turned under once to hem.  I admit this was the trickiest part for me - the bottom of the armscye was tricky to get turned smoothly.  Bottom of peplum/dress is serged along raw edge and turned once to hem.

You can shop the entire Thread Faction Spring/Summer 2016 collection HERE.  It is full of versatile patterns you can sew with knits.  Which one will you sew first?

Also, I promised GIVEAWAY info!

Win Here Win a free copy of the Thread Faction #106 pattern here on my blog using the Rafflecopter Widget below.  The giveaway here on my blog is open internationally and runs from May 27 at midnight to June 3 6 at midnight (extended through the weekend!).  For further details read the terms and conditions on the widget.

Win BIG at Thread Faction  Click the image below or use this link to enter the giveaways on the Thread Faction blog (scroll down the post and look for the blue marker pointing to the entry link) - giveaway runs until June 6 Australia time.

Prize No 1 – $50 store credit with Raspberry Creek Fabrics
Prize No 2 – $50 store credit with LA Finch Fabrics
Prize No 3 – $35 Store credit with Girl Charlee Fabrics plus 3000 BWD Bucks Rewards Points ($20 equivalent) withBWD Fabrics & Supplies
Prize No 4 – $25 store credit with Phat Quarters plus $30 store credit with the Fabric Fairy

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shop with our sponsors and use the following discount codes to save!
(valid through June 2, 2016)

• LA Finch Fabrics is offering the discount code Threadfaction15 which will get you 15% off one order and it includes free buttons.
• The Fabric Fairy is offering all readers 10% off their entire order for the duration of the tour with the coupon code “threadfaction”.
• Bobbie Lou Fabric is offering a 10% discount from May 26th thru June 1st with the discount code THREADFACTION
• BWD Fabrics and Supplies is offering 15% off during the tour with the code TFACTION15 (excludes pre-orders)
• Brave Fabrics is offering Free standard shipping to Australia and NZ for the duration of the tour too! Use the discount code  THREADFACTION
• Phat Quarters is offering readers a 20% discount code (not to be combined with any other discount or credit) for the duration of the tour. The code to enter at checkout is THREADFACTION. There is an order minimum of $10 for the coupon to work. If anyone is outside the US & would like to order multiple items from the shop, they recommend contacting them to set up a custom listing so that they may accurately calculate shipping.

Don't forget to check out all of Liz's posts with tutorials, free patterns, hacks, etc on her blog.

Follow the entire #factionONtour!

May 26

Nap Time Creations * Miss Castelinhos * Swoodson Says * Needles to say 

May 27

Made By Sara * Sew Not Perfect * Hello Holli * Whisk 'em 

May 28

House of Estrela * Made By Amanda Rose * Max California * Brave Fabrics

May 29

Create 3.5 * Bless by Tone * The College Seamstress 

May 30

Ma Me Mi Mo * Paisley Roots  * Skirt Fixation 

May 31

Sew Very * Rebel and Malice * Call Ajaire 

June 01

Better Dressed Child * Buzzmills * Handmade Frenzy

June 02

Lamb and ewe crafts * All Things Beautiful * Pen, Seb & Rox