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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Bow Headband Tutorial Using Knit Fabric

I gleefully jumped on to the headband making train when I had my first daughter after having three sons!  I love the way a knit headband has a comfortable fit and the big bow adds a fun flair to any outfit (it also masks crazy hair - or no hair! quite well).   This free tutorial will guide you through the steps to sew a large bow headband from knit fabric.  You can choose from a small, medium, or large bow.  This is a sewing tutorial - you will need a sewing machine or serger.  No hot glue gun required (I prefer not to use hot glue on this style headband).  If you are wondering what might make mine different from others (good ones, too!) out there - in my opinion, it's (1) no hot glue (I think sewing makes it more comfortable to wear and less likely to come unglued) and (2) interfacing - the not-so-secret ingredient to give my bows a little extra fluff, shape, and stability.  It's worth it!

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Sewing Storm

I don't often accomplish all the sewing I set out to do - but for once I did accomplish my three sewing goals.  Here is a brief overview of each project:

Raglan T-Shirt
Laura at Titchy Threads/Craftstorming gave me the chance to pattern test this shirt and I really enjoyed sewing it.  The full pattern with additional features and options will be released early next year - I highly recommend that you keep an eye out for it!  The instructions were clear and I really appreciated the little details, suggestions, tips, and skills that she incorporated that took this from a simple T-shirt to a really well-made shirt.  I tested the size 8 for my smaller 9 year old and the fit was great.  I like that it has a slimmer cut to it - it's not too tight but also isn't sloppy looking.  I chose these fabrics because red is one of his favorite colors and his dad has a raglan shirt made with these same colors.

I made this also as part of Kids Clothes Week.  The theme is Storybook and I don't know that this shirt is really storybook inspired, but my son is an avid reader and I'm certain he'll read plenty of books wearing this shirt.  He also thought Benny from The Boxcar Children Series probably wore shirts like this!

Peppermint Swirl - a good start
I am making a Peppermint Swirl Dress (pattern from Candy Castle Patterns) for my daughter's 2nd birthday this week and my goal was to get all the flounces sewn together.  With my new serger it was a breeze, although you don't need a serger to do it.  I'd been planning to make just a skirt, but I've now decided to go ahead with the full dress version, so stay tuned!  I'll finish it up during Kid's Clothes Week this week.

New Boppy Cover 
I've had the same Boppy and cover since my first child's baby shower - over nine years ago.  I've wanted to buy a new one but could never bring myself to pay the money for one of the kind I like, and often I didn't love the fabric patterns that much anyway.  So, I decided to do my own DIY Boppy cover - creating my pattern from my old Boppy cover and a seam gauge - and I am so happy with the result.  It has a medallion print flannel on one side and pink minky dot fabric on the other - complete with zipper for easy removal for washing (or changing).  With minky fabric and flannels on sale at JoAnn's this week, I think I might even make another!  I've debated posting a Boppy cover tutorial with my pattern, and maybe I will.  There are quite a few out there in Pinterest/Google world, but in the meantime if anyone is curious about my pattern just use the contact form or leave a comment and I'm glad to share!

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This post is part of my participation in:
    

Cowl Neck Dress and Sweater from Heidi & Finn

I absolutely love the new Cowl Neck Dress and Sweater pattern from Heidi & Finn! Easy to cut and sew; adorable, cozy, warm, and practical for my daughter. What is not to love?!


I had the opportunity to be part of the testing team for this pattern and the results were great from the start.  The dress and top pictured in this post are from the original pattern run.  Changes made during testing include a slightly slimmer cut on the bodice, the option of a band at the bottom hem, shorter sleeve length in smaller sizes, and a larger cowl in larger sizes.  I used the optional ties in both the dress and top I sewed, which can be tied to the front or back.  The dress also looks great without the ties, or with a belt.  Butterfly appliques are an option included in the tutorial, and several other testers added adorable appliques of their own.  Your choice of knit fabric can be used for this dress ranging from a thinner knit to fleece.  The cowl
will take a different shape and hold depending on the fabric.  I could make these over and over again, and I'm sure I'll make several each year for my own daughters and as gifts!


Another bonus: the pattern does not require a lot of fabric (especially in smaller sizes).  I made both my versions out of a sweater weight knit - the dress is from the Doodles collection at JoAnn's and the purple top I made from a 1/2 yard remnant I purchased at a local specialty fabric shop.  It is buttery soft and warm, and the remnant only cost $4.00 (which is WAY less than I paid for the first two yards of that fabric I bought for myself a few months prior!).

I really appreciated the way the tutorial has you hem the sleeves and bottom (if you do not use the optional band at the bottom).  By finishing the edge of the fabric (with serger or zig-zag stitch - I used serger for one and faux serger for the other) and then hemming, you are able to avoid having the bulky hem that a double-folded knit edge often leaves.  It's little things like this, her method of measuring the cowl neck to make sure it fits correctly (it varies with types of fabric) and similar touches that make this a pattern that is satisfying to make and looks great when finished.

This is a great pattern for someone who is thinking about sewing her first knit pattern.  You do not need a serger, so if you don't have one, don't let that stop you from sewing this dress!  The tutorial includes directions for using a serger as well as doing it without.  The serger I was using fritzed out after the first dress, so for the top I used a stretch stitch and then the faux serger stitch on my Janome to finish the seams and it turned out just as nice inside and out.


Features:

• Easy to follow pattern, quick sew
• Slim cut body
• Option for long/short sleeves
• Super comfy large cowl neck
• Optional long ties sewn into each side can be tied in the front or the back for a different look. 
• Dress pulls right over the head for easy dressing.
• Optional sweater length, bottom band, long or short sleeves makes this a really versatile pattern
• Can be made in any type of stretch or knit fabric (interlock,jersey sweatshirt material or fleece etc.). 
• BONUS- butterfly applique patterns are included to embellish your dress
• No serger needed - instructions for both serger and sewing machine are included in tutorial

Hawthorn Zip-Up Sweatshirt by Titchy Threads for Willow & Co.

It's time to start saving your pdf pattern pennies! (if you have a budget for your pdf pattern purchases)


Willow & Co, a pattern collective, is releasing their Spring and Summer line, Wanderlust: a glamping collection, on Tuesday, April 22.  Here is a peek at one piece from the collection, the Hawthorn Zip-Up Sweatshirt by Laura at Titchy Threads and Craftstorming.  I was so excited to be in the tester group for this pattern and I am thrilled with the result!










Pattern Options and Features
The Hawthorn Zip-Up Sweatshirt can be made for boys or girls in a variety of fabrics from medium interlock, to sweatshirt, to fleece, with a contrast knit fabric for collar and zip facings, and a rib knit for sleeve cuffs.  Options include full- or half-zip, regular or split side seam, with or without pockets.  Sizing ranges from 6-12 months to 12 years.


Further details: 

• Pattern pieces vary for each age by color AND line style, so they can be printed in color or black and white. 
• Option to turn off all except one size using pdf layers.  This means you can print only the size or sizes you plan to use.
• Detailed pattern pieces including notches for lining up pieces, adding pockets, etc.  This is often not found on pdf patterns. 
• Pattern pieces are well laid out, and assembly does not result in one giant mass of paper to cut, but rather nicely sized, well-portioned pieces.
• PDF document featuring very detailed tutorial with color pictures of every step. 
• Size chart, finished measurements chart, fabric requirements and supplies list.
• Cheat Sheet at the end for when you need a basic reminder of what comes next instead of following the whole tutorial (for those who are very experienced sewists or have made the garment multiple times).
• Prints on both Letter and A4 paper
• Metric and imperial measurements included throughout

Personal Review
This pattern took thought, time, and attention - and I think the final product reflects the effort put forth.  It wasn't difficult.  I consider myself an advanced beginner, maybe?  It was my FIRST TIME EVER putting in a zipper.  I think it looks fantastic.  It was also my first time doing these kinds of facings, first time putting in pockets, and first time using twill tape.  I won't pretend I didn't use my seam ripper a time or two, but Laura's instructions walked me right through and taking the time and attention to do it right resulted in an awesome finished sweatshirt/jacket.  It looks so well made and it has everything to do with Laura's well-drafted pattern, her detailed instructions, and her involvement and responsiveness to the testers during the testing process.  She quickly responded to feedback, suggestions, and questions and made excellent adjustments to the pattern to make it just right.

My version is the half-zip, split side seam with pockets.  I do not have a huge stash of fabric to choose from (especially knit), so I had to go to my local JoAnn's to look for fabric.  I really wasn't excited about what they had for boys and actually went looking two or three times before settling on the grey/red double layer fleece.  I was inspired by the pirate skull iron-on decal I found, and went from there, using a zipper and thread that matched the red under layer of fleece and the red in the decal.  The contrast fabric that lines the collar, the zipper facing, and pockets is repurposed from a shirt.  I thought the black and grey stripes not only coordinated nicely, but echoed the pirate theme.  I did learn that the fabric had too much stretch for pockets, and they stretched below the hemline.  I fixed this later by sewing the pockets into the seam on the hem.  Laura also recommend in the tutorial now using a fabric with no more than 30% stretch for the pockets. Twill tape options are pretty limited at JoAnns.  Its cheap and only comes in black or white.  When you buy this pattern, check out the etsy shop Laura recommended for twill tape for a great selection on twill tape.

I have two other boys asking when I will make them their own sweatshirt.  Heading in to summer, this will probably wait until fall, unless I can find some lighter sweatshirt knit that I like for boys.  But I know that this pattern is one I will go back to for my own family and for gifts.  It's one of those excellent, well-drafted patterns with clear instructions and beautiful results that I am so glad to have in my collection!

This is my little man's favorite shot, so he wanted me to include it!

Thanks for reading the whole post!  I'd love your comments, new likes for Sew-Not-Prefect on Facebook, and new followers on bloglovin'.  Please stop back again soon!

Mommy and Me Piko Tops from EYMM

What is there not to love about a stylish, quick sewing project for both mom and daughter?  This is one of those great patterns that probably takes more time to assemble the pattern and cut the fabric than it does to sew it.  Kymy at Everything Your Mama Made and More designed these tops and I had the opportunity to be part of the tester group for both the girl's and women's versions.  You can purchase the pattern here, including a bundle for both the girl's and women's version.

The pattern is for lightweight knits and has options for a hi-low hem, sidetail hem, or regular hem, and the sleeves can be short, 3/4, or long.  For my first shirts, I used the short sleeve version with hi-low hem.  Kymy's instructions are clear, with lots of hints for first time knit users.  She gives instructions for sewing with or without a serger and with or without a double needle.  I used a double needle on my, as I usually like the finish it provides, but I had trouble with tunneling on my fabric.  I will be going back and adjusting the pressure on my presser foot to see if that eliminates this trouble.

I appreciate that the top is cute and comfy for both me and my daughter and that I was able to sew both tops in one morning.  I already had my daughter's fabric cut, but I printed, taped, cut, cut the fabric for myself and sewed both tops in one morning.  I might try a size down next time.  I usually wear and sew a medium, and the fit is fine on this top, but I am interested to see how a size down would look as well.

If you are looking for an easy stylish top for yourself or daughter (or both), you have to check out Kymy's Piko tops at Everything Your Mama Made & More!