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

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Satya Romper from Jennuine Design Disguised for Fall {Kids Clothes Week}

The theme for this season's Kids Clothes Week is Disguise, so while I work on some actual disguises for my kids, I thought it would also be a perfect time to disguise one of my favorite summery patterns for the fall season.  I sewed a pair of baby leg warmers and modified this Satya romper from Jennuine Design* that I made during testing.  I originally made them as regular hemmed shorts, but this week I decided to add the elastic just because I love that look on baby legs!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links indicated with *.  I was a tester for this pattern and I am a Pattern Brand Representative this year for Jennuine Design.  Being a design rep has no requirements, but means I get a free copy of each pattern she releases in 2015.  But I'm still glad to test when I can because I really enjoy working with Jenn and think her patterns are really well written and designed.  Her pdf patterns are available on her site, but will also be available as paper patterns and in stores soon!  During Kids Clothes Week you can use code DISGUISE in her shop* to save 20% on your purchase.

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1Pattern:3Ways - Deep Sea V Neck with Create 3.5

Another pattern done three ways - today it is the Deep Sea V-Neck by Meriel at Create 3.5.  She used the Deep Sea V-Neck from Patterns for Pirates to create a top, dress and vest for her three children.  I love the modifications she made!

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1Pattern:3Ways: From-a-box with Portrait Peasant from Scientific Seamstress

Are you ready for another 1Pattern:3Ways?!  I love what Stacey at From-a-Box is with the Portrait Peasant from Scientific Seamstress.  Peasant tops are know for being simple but also versatile; she really took advantage of this feature created three very different tops and dresses for her daughter.  My favorite is the same as Stacey's favorite, but you'll have to read her whole post to see which one that is - and leave a comment to let her know your favorite as well!

Don't forget to enter our giveaway HERE and join our link party HERE.

1Pattern:3Ways Tour Schedule & Links

July 10      Creative Counselor & Sew-Not-Perfect

July 14      Sew Starly

July 17      From-a-box

July 21      create 3.5

July 24      Rebel & Malice

July 28      Sew-Not-Perfect

July 31      Lulu & Celeste

Aug 04      Bee Quilted Beauties

Aug 07      Hattilu Handmade

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Animal All-in-One Hooded Scarf

Cats and foxes and dinos - oh my!  Christine at Heidi & Finn has released the new Animal All-in-One Hooded Scarf - another of her versatile pdf patterns that is easy to sew, has tons of options, doesn't require much fabric, and is great for keeping or gifting.  This pattern is so much fun!  Each of my kids wanted (at least) one right away.  The pattern is a great springboard for your own creativity.  With options and pattern pieces for cat, mouse, fox, bunny, pig, bear, and monkey ears - as well as spikes for a dinosaur and fins and teeth for a shark, you can also combine or modify pieces to come up with your
own versions as well.  I created a wolf using the fox ears and shark teeth, and I made a puppy by modifying the bunny ears.  I also learned a new word this past week - I'd never heard of a scoodie - have you?  Now I've not only heard of them, I've sewn four!

Overview:

• Forty-five page pdf pattern and tutorial with photos.  Pattern is sixteen pages for the full pattern with both options (button closure and full scarf) and nine pages for just the button closure and all ear options.
• Fits sizes 6-12m to most adults.
• Option for button/snap closure or full-length scarf.
• Includes interfacing at closure
• Easy sew.  Nothing complicated or unclear.  A serger is optional for this pattern - you can sew the entire pattern on a regular sewing machine.

Review:

• Clear and easy.  Following the instructions given should give you everything you need to sew this up.  No difficult parts.
• I am so glad this pattern includes instructions to add interfacing at the closure.  Its seems many pdf pattern makers sadly skip this step.
• Great way to use up scraps from other projects, and inexpensive project.  You only need 1/2 of the main and 1/2 yard lining fabric even for larger sizes, so you can hit the remnant bin at your local shop and really make this an economical project.
• Works well with a variety of fabrics.  My favorite version that I did used an upcycled sweatshirt for the main fabric and nice fleece for the inside (the Dino).  Its cozy and the thick fabrics give it a good shape and weight.  But I also used a variety of flannels and different fleece and all worked well.
• Sizing seems good.  My 2 year old is in the XS, 5 year old is in the S, and 7 and 9 year olds are in M.  You can easily size down and/or adjust the closure if you want a more or less snug fit.  The hoods will fit them for a long time.
• I do not apply for every pattern test out there.  Even from my favorite designers, I often skip a testing call if its not a good time, or the pattern isn't something I think I'll love.  In this case, I had a two-week old at the time of the testing call and had intended not to apply for any testing until after the new year.  But when I saw this one come though, I had to apply - and I'm so glad I did!  It was easy and fun to sew - and I was able to sew several in one day (which is not common).

Thanks for coming by and checking out my post.  I'd love to hear from you in the comments - which version of this scarf are you going to sew up first?!

You can pick up your own copy of this pattern in the Heidi & Finn etsy shop here.  

You can join the Heidi & Finn Facebook group here

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You can see more pictures below!

Ava Dress & Pants with Adjustable Waistband from Lily Bird Studio

Versatile, practical pdf patterns are a necessity at my home.  I love the occasional pattern that is just-for-fun, but with so many kids, I benefit most from patterns that are practical and easy to adapt from kid to kid.  The Ava dress and Pants with Adjustable Waistband are two (of many) patterns from Lily Bird Studio that fit that bill.  I recently sewed both patterns for my kids.  You can read about the patterns here and see the pictures, then use the discount code a the bottom of this post to buy the patterns and make your own!

Ava Dress

The Ava Dress offers a sweet and classic A-line with pin-tucks at the neckline.  The pattern includes sizes newborn to 24 months and the option of making the dress reversible. A sweet line of buttons (or snaps, if you prefer) makes the back of the dress both adorable and easy to put on.  The pattern is an easy, straight-forward sew and would be a great project for a beginner, or a quick sew as a gift.  I also love how lovely this dress looks in all types of fabric from cotton to corduroy.

Pants with Adjustable Waistband

Lily Bird Studio's Pants with Adjustable Waistband have a relaxed, easy, comfortable fit.  My boys exclaimed how nice the pants felt and fit when they tried them on!  The pattern sizing ranges from 12 months to 5 years, but I love that with the adjustable waistband and adding a bit of length to the pant leg, I am able to have the pants fit both my big 5 year old and skinny 7 year old (see my post to come for Project Run & Play to see the pants in action on my older son).

The Pants with Adjustable Waistband took me about 4 1/2 hours to sew (not including assembling the pattern or cutting out fabric).  The directions were pretty clear and easy to follow.  I like that the pattern includes a contrast fabric for the inside waistband, top of the back pockets, and inside front faux pockets.  Although the front pockets are not full pockets, they would be easy to modify if you know how to make a full front pant pocket.  The hidden elastic in the waistband is identical to the adjustable elastic and buttons you find on many ready-to-wear pants with adjustable waistbands.   I also appreciate the front fly/zipper guard.  Yes, you do need to insert a zipper on these pants, but this was only my second zipper and it went pretty well.  The real zipper, stitching on the front fly, belt loops, and top stitching called for in the pattern make these pants look far more professional than just an elastic waistband or faux fly.

The only changes I made when sewing this pattern were to add about 1 1/2" to the length, so that I could use them for both boys.  I used a blind hem to hem the pant leg (the pattern calls for a regular straight stitch).  I also used a serger for most of the inside seams, while the pattern tutorial assumes you are not using a serger and gives instructions to zig-zag stitch to finish the internal seams. 

Cecilia at Lily Bird Studio is offering a 15% discount on patterns purchased from her website through Saturday, September 13, 2014.  Use code: SNPLBS15  Please note that this code is good on the website, but not in etsy shop.  Also, be sure to check out Lily Bird Studio on Facebook and the recent review of the beautiful Juliette's Dress at Pattern Revolution.  You can also enter the giveaway for a three-pack of patterns from Lily Bird Studios at Pattern Revolution that runs through September 13. 2014.