The Pattern Anthology - Alphabet Collection

Just in time for your back-to-school sewing, the Alphabet Collection has recently been released!  I'm so excited to show you what I was able to make with these super stylish patterns designed by the ladies from the Pattern Anthology.  All four patterns are unisex, so there are a ton of possibilities to make each piece just right for any child.  It was definitely time to make something for my boy, and was he ever thrilled to get an entire outfit just for him!  We both LOVE how it turned out!

If you are wanting to compare sizes, my boy is 5 years old with a 21" chest, 19" waist, and 22" hip (quite a bit thinner and a little taller than average).

Study Hall Jacket - a raglan sleeved jacket that has 3 neckline options (ribbed, ruffled or hooded) and three pocket options (zippered, welts, or ruffled)

I chose to make Tobias' jacket with the ribbed neckline and waistband option, with welt front pockets, and one zippered sleeve pocket, in a size 4T.  While there are some intermediate skill level steps, when you follow Andrea's instructions and digital diagrams carefully, the result is a very stylish garment that looks like it's straight out of a boutique.  The high quality denim from Michael Levine is going to give this jacket a ton of wear, too.  You can only imagine how much Tobias loves this jacket, especially with the lining and all the fun pockets!  

Fabric & Notions: Dark Navy Denim (outer) and Little Elephants by Michael Miller (lining) from  Michael Levine, lowpricefabric.com, Zipper & Thread from Coats & Clark

Recess Raglan Tee - an indispensable raglan t-shirt with 3 sleeve lengths and 3 sleeve finishes.

There are so many cool ways to personalize this t-shirt, but I chose to keep mine simple with 3/4 length contrasting sleeves.  The front pocket was an added feature requested by my boy.  This shirt came together so quickly, and fit so perfectly, that I know I will be making many more for both my children (following Kate's size chart, I made a size 3T width and 4T length).  When Tobias put it on, he didn't want to take off, and kept commenting how comfortable was.  This is clearly due to its amazing design, and the awesome fabric!

Fabric & Notions: Texture Charcoal Heather Gray Cotton Jersey Blend Knit Fabric, Charcoal and White Mini Stripe Cotton Spandex Knit Fabric from  Girl Charlee, Thread from Coats & Clark

BBC Vest - a shawl-collared vest that has a rounded or peplum bottom, and options for either a full or racer back style.

Next up is the BBC vest.  I love how quickly this was to sew and the many possibilities of mixing up fabrics between the lining, pockets, facings, and outer vest.  I decided to go with the same denim as the Study Hall Jacket to keep the outfit cohesive and love the result.  The size 4 fit my boy just right.  And the peplum version is super cute, too, so I'm sure I'll have to make one of those for my girl as well!

Fabric & Notions- Dark Navy Denim (outer) from Michael Levine, lowpricefabric.com, Thread from Coats & Clark

W Pants - inverted yoked pants that come in 3 lengths and have many pocket options as well as either an elastic waist or a functioning zip fly.

And last, but certainly not least, is the W Pants (shorts length).  These turned out great!  For my slim boy, I went with a size 4T width, with a size 5 length and they couldn't fit better.  I chose not to sew the zip fly, because my boy prefers them that way, however, having learned how to sew one with Melissa's instructions in the past, I can highly recommend her expert guidance.  Instead of the zip back pockets, I chose to change it up a bit by adding patch pockets that match the unique line of the back yoke.  And isn't this shade of yellow awesome!?  I've always wanted to make Tobias something in this colour (yellow has been my fave shade this summer), and I couldn't be happier with how it compliments the rest of the outfit.

Fabric & Notions - 100% Organic Cotton Yellow Twill from Organic Cotton Plus, Thread from Coats & Clark

So, there you have it!  Four fantastic patterns all in one collection for boys AND girls.  What more could you ask for, right?!  Keep following the tour to see even more possibilities (and catch up on any you've missed!).

The Alphabet Collection is only available through August 12th.

The patterns, fabric, and notions used to make the garments for this collection were provided free of charge.  All links to the Pattern Anthology are affiliate links. Join us along the Alphabet Collection blog tour to see just how versatile these patterns are. Bloggers will be sewing up all 4 pieces from the collection at girl. Inspired., Shwin & Shwin, Sew a Straight Line, elsie marley, Melly Sews, Happy Together, see kate sew, Elegance & Elephants, I Still Love You, kojo designs, Petit a Petit and Family, The Train to Crazy, Delia Creates and Craftiness is Not Optional

Compagnie M Playsuit Remix with Tutorial

Have you been following Marte (from Compagnie M) as she shares her amazing adventures in Romania?  She and her family are there now, and she's been creating beautiful clothing for the Maramures locals.  The stories are heartwarming, and as always, her garments are lovely, made even better by the smiles of the precious children.  

And while Marte's been away in Romania, I've been sewing her newest complimentary pattern: the Playsuit.  This pattern was so fun to make, quick to sew, and the unique design is unlike anything I've ever made.  

Rather than attaching the shorts, I decided to remix the pattern and make it into a gathered dress.  If you'd like to make this variation, head over to Compagnie M, download the free pattern, and follow the mini-tutorial below to make you own Playsuit Dress.

Notions:

Thread

Fabric

4 - 1"/2.5cm buttons

Lightweight Fusible Interfacing

Bias Tape

Follow the instructions on your downloaded pattern to complete the bodice.

Five and Ten Designs - Volume One - Look No. 7

Today I'd like to share a few additional photos of the second dress included in the recently released eBook by Five and Ten Designs: Volume One.

If you followed Vintage May earlier this year, you may remember my Gatsby-inspired dress.  Well, Look No. 7 is almost an exact replica of it.  It's a modernized flapper dress for little girls of today.

It features a classic v-back neckline, as well as the contrasting panel down the front, which allows so many options to coordinate with complimentary fabrics, along with the attached sash.

Check out all the other nine looks at Five and Ten Designs.

Five and Ten Designs - Volume One

Five and Ten Designs is a collaboration between 5 indie sewing designers all of whom love to sew for children. Sharing our love for this timeless art with pattern block divergence. Each look is unique to each of our styles, yet, connected by the original block pattern.  It's a truly original sewing experience with endless possibilities!

Volume One eBook is a collection of pattern alterations based on one original bodice block pattern. With clear instructions and step by step high resolution photos as a guide, you will be able to sew ten completely different looks by the time you are done with it. Using the bonus accessory patterns, you can connect with your own inner designer by adding a collar here, a cap sleeve there, or a pocket to any of the designs, thus making it all your own.  Sew one, or sew a whole wardrobe, all from just one basic pattern.

Take a peek at the Volume One Lookbook:

Here is the first of my two contributions to Volume One: Look No. 4.

My love for vintage came out in this design: the peter pan collar, the button-up bodice, the cap sleeves, and the full, twirly skirt.  It's all very 1950s, yet, so wearable today.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS OF ALL TEN LOOKS, GO TO

 Five and Ten Designs.

Five and Ten Designs Sneak Peek

Thrilled to share a sneak peek at what's been in the works behind the scenes.

Premiering next week!

The Cottage Mama Pattern Tour

When invited to participate in the Cottage Mama's Pattern Tour, I couldn't have been more eager.  Having been an admirer of Lindsay's designs for ages, I was super excited to make one of her dresses for my girl.  Her shop is full of beautiful vintage-inspired outfits, but I especially fell in love with the Georgia Vintage Dress.

Here is Lindsay's description of this lovely dress:

The Georgia Vintage Dress was inspired by a favorite dress worn by my mother in the late 1950’s. It is a dress with many possibilities and options, yet has timeless classic appeal. View A, the Georgia Vintage Dress, features a piped bib front bodice finished with decorative buttons and sweet pointed collar. The skirt is double layered for extra fullness and has a waist sash that is gathered on the sides for a large bow tied in the back of the dress. Dress closes with buttons on the bodice back. View B is the Georgia Vintage Dress without the bib front. View C, features the Georgia Vintage Dress without the ruffle sleeve and View D, mirrors View A, yet features a single layer skirt. There are so many ways to use this pattern and you will have many opportunities to make it your own.

For my Georgia Vintage Dress, I decided to combine a couple of the views, and made it sleeveless with one skirt layer.  The hot & humid weather we've been experiencing here made me choose comfort over design, but the double skirt and adorable ruffle sleeves are calling to me, too!

The pattern is available in both paper and pdf in sizes 6 months to 10 years.  The size 2 fit my daughter perfectly (she's 2 1/2).  I would agree with the indicated skill level stating this pattern is great for confident beginners.  There are some very useful techniques in the dress construction, including french seams for the skirt.  Lindsay's instructions and photographs are very clear making this pattern a pleasure work with.  And when you're done making the dress, you can head to the kitchen and make Grandma Marge's Apple Crumb Pie (recipe included in the pattern...how cool is that?!?!)!   

On October 7, Lindsay's new book, Sew Classic Clothes for Girls will be released, with pre-orders being taken starting next month.  This is one book that I can't wait to get my hands on.

Here's where you can enjoy more of the Cottage Mama's patterns along the tour.