Even though I was the controller on Willow & Co Patterns' first collection, I was not able to actually sew all the patterns before the release. I'm only human, right!
And YES, this is another GREAT pattern.
It comes with tons of options like with or without lining depending on whether you make it in water-resistant fabric (then no lining) or make it more like a jacket (then lining is a nice option).
There are two types of pockets and the hood can be decorated with two types of ears OR a visor....I mean that's a lot for $10!!
I did the mistake of printing out the whole pattern without needing the lining part. That was kind of silly since that is quite a few extra pages to print and tape together. The pattern can't really be done any other way because well you can't make a poncho without big pattern pieces. Celina gives clear instructions to avoid printing the lining so it really is easy if you just read through the intro before you start printing. (Am I ever going to learn?)
Both fabrics are laminated cottons bought at Fabric.com. The one with blue base (above) is Amy Butler. The one with mint/baby blue base is Tula Pink from Free Spirit Fabrics.
I have never worked with laminated cottons before but as long as I used my teflon foot the sewing was easy. I did not even finished the seams inside - simply kept them raw. I covered the fabric before I pressed the seams but later realized it was able to handle a bit of heat directly from my iron without melting - I did not experiment how much though!
I also topstitched all seams with a thicker topstitching thread to keep the seams nice and flat at all time. Juki to the rescue again!
What gave me the biggest problems with this fabric was the fact that it had probably shifted a tiny bit when the fabric was laminated which meant cutting the print to match up at the seams was super hard. I could not just fold the fabric carefully and then cut both layers (left and right side). Noooo, I had to cut one and then cut the corresponding piece to get matching pieces. GAH!! But I just knew it would be worth it for me in the end so I tried not to think about it too much, just do it!
Both girls clearly love their rain ponchos - even though it really was way too warm to wear them that day....and it was not raining, ahem....whatever!
And I love the pattern because not only is the result absolutely adorable. It is also something I never really thought about making for my girls (which of course now totally has me wonder WHY?). The sewing was so fun and not hard at all and the pattern itself is absolutely the way I want sewing patterns to be. With lines matching up, notches that helps the sewing process and a professional finish. Ahhhhh.
I love how the pattern has snaps a bit under the arms/hands on the hem (can you spot the pink one from the pink spots in the print?). It creates sort of a sleeve opening and my kids can easily play, move freely and reach for things because the snaps keeps the poncho in place. Clever!
I put inseam welt pockets in them both. It really is the easiest of them all in the welt pocket family (so don't be scared) and they add a great 'finished' look to the poncho.
Because I did not read properly on the pattern piece, I ended up only cutting two welt pieces for each poncho and then folding each welt in half. You can totally do that too it just means a more narrow welt than the pattern calls for. I only noticed my mistake when I cut my second poncho and suddenly noticed it said to cut 4 pieces - oooops. And since I already had one poncho with narrow welts I thought I could just as well do the same to the other one too!
There was quite a lot of shenanigans in this photo shot but for once no break downs from the littlest of the ladies, phew.
She even wore PANTS for this....and I only had to like BEG to get her to do that. I guess miracles do happen!!
Okay fall rain....we are ready for you!!
Get your Elm Poncho Paincoat pattern HERE.
Thank you!
Love your ponchos. I would love to sew a rain jacket but i'm afraid about the seams. They aren't water proof right? Or did you seal them?
ReplyDeleteThanks Annika!
DeleteI did press all the seam to one side (as opposed to splitting them) plus I topstitched them so that will definitely add an extra dimension of water proofness.
Plus to me a style like this is not one you bring on a week long camping/hiking trip....it is more a jumping in puddles, waiting for the bus, going to the car type of rain jacket and I'm not worried about the seams for those occasions :-)
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ReplyDeleteLOVE Love love looooooove! Tuesday couldn't come fast enough. Thank you for such a cute post!
ReplyDeleteoh and the shoes. I love the shoes too!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree the shoes are crazy good! ;)
DeleteThese are so awesome! The print matching on the Amy Butler one is insanely perfect!!!! And the topstitching makes all the diference. Love them!!
ReplyDeleteSo so cute! The print matching is perfect! The girls look adorable! Love the ears. :)
ReplyDeleteThey look amazing Mie! So well made and the welt pockets look perfect as they are. I really want to try this pattern.
ReplyDeleteThese look great and because ponchos are so loose fitting, they will be able to wear them for a long time before you have to make more!
ReplyDeletehahaha miracles do happen indeed ;) How cute are your girls in their ponchos!!! The fabrics are super cute, and I think it was totally worth the extra time you spent cutting out all the pieces, because the result is super!
ReplyDeleteSo precious!!
ReplyDelete