Fringe Blouse & Dress, Rayon Version

Harts Fabric was one of the handful of fabric stores that where so kind to offer us testers of the Fringe Blouse & Dress from Chalk and Notch a discount code.

And guess what? Some of those shops (and they are all amazing) are offering YOU discount codes too! I'll have a link to them at the end of this post. I know, I know, I'm mean and I want you to read my post first before you go fabric shopping, ha. But at least I'm admitting it!

If you missed my original post about the Fringe Blouse & Dress, where I'm talking more about the actual pattern, then see HERE.

The Fringe Blouse & Dress by Chalk and Notch Patterns

It's been a loooong time since I officially signed up as a tester of a pattern. I might have been lurking in some tester groups for special friends, functioning as an unpaid consultant. (Actually sometimes I do get paid but more about that later.) But when Gabriela from Chalk and Notch presented her Fringe Blouse & Dress pattern, I literally couldn't wait to get my hands on the pattern and I knew that I definitely wouldn't regret it.

Gabriela knows her pattern drafting and it's always such a pleasure working with her.

The Twisted Trousers and Tank Top.

I don't do a lot of pattern testing but when my god friend and favorite pattern maker Laura from Titchy Threads (blogging at Craftstorming) did a call for testers for her Twisted Trousers I sort of felt the need to apply.

The patterns were actually introduced in my own series Sewing for Kindergarten last September in THIS post. And now they are finally here, yay! And I can already say that they were certainly worth the wait!

The Twisted Tank released a little while ago but is being re-launched together with the Twisted Trousers with the addition of a non-twisted tank top version. And there is a discount for buying both patterns together. Read THIS post for more details.

We went through several rounds of testing and not because Laura does not know what she is doing but because she insists on getting it right. And we all know that pants is one of the hardest garments to fit. There are so many variables with side seams, inseams and crotch seams and then add the fact that the seams (side and inseams) are making that cool twist that you can see on the photo above and you got yourself a real challenge. But she worked it out so way to go!!

Like all Laura's patterns there are plenty of lovely details like a back yoke and pockets, front side pockets and a coin pocket. Plus options for piping and making them fully reversible. 

It is very hard to see in most of the photos but I played with the stripes and cut the back pieces with horizontal stripes and the fronts with vertical stripes. Another way of showing off the twist is using piping or color block. The options are endless.

The waistband is made with knit rib and a wide elastic. I happen to find this gold elastic at Jo Ann the other day in the exact width that the pattern recommend. I sewed it on directly and that worked like a charm. The pattern also have that as an option and it will give you all the info you need.

The Twisted Tank is constructed super cool. There are no side seams and the pattern pieces looks kind of like triangles. I was really really happy that Laura had helping notches on the pattern because then there was no doubt about which sides to put together. Thank you!!!

The pattern gives the option of making the pocket color blocked too like you can see above. I did not quite manage to both match up the stripes in the fabric and the diagonal seam buuuut good enough for me to not redo it, ha.

There is really not any more to say. Both patterns are perfect and contains everything you need for a pleasant sewing experience and a great result that your kid will love too. 

And I'm so happy I do not have any more of that stripy trouser fabric because it is really a pain to photograph, gah.

The two fabrics I used for the tank top is organic interlock knit from Organic Cotton Plus.

(Here is a link for the Stripe. It looks like the navy is sold out at the moment but here is a link to all their other interlock knits).

I took these photos the other day when we FINALLY had some warm weather (for ONE day) but the ground were still muddy after all the melting snow...and guess what the outfit totally worked for a bit of play in mud too!

Get your Twisted Tank pattern HERE.

And your Twisted Trousers HERE.

Thank you!

Pattern testing: Straight Grain's Hanami top/dress.

After my Flip This Pattern-post on Frances Suzanne I think anyone who reads this blog  knows that I am a big fan of An's (from Straight Grain) work. And I felt lucky when I was chosen amongst the undoubtedly many applications to be a pattern tester for her newest top and dress pattern Hanami.

Being a tester for An is not a lot of work because she knows what she is doing and have done most of the work for you. So basically what you have to do it choose between her myriads of great options that her patterns come with like dress or top, flutter or tulip sleeve invisible zipper or a fancy crossed back and Peter Pan collar or no collar. AND she was even letting us choose our own combinations - to actually have free choice as a pattern tester is quite a luxury. I hope she got all options tested!

So what did I choose? Dress with flutter sleeves and invisible zip. The zipper is necessary if you want the Peter Pan collar - and of course do I want that, right!
I love that it is so narrow. Well, I kind of love everything about this dress. So flippin' cute, seriously! Simple and easy to sew but with enough well made details for it not to look simple.
And I thiiiink W likes it too. Ha, look at that big smile.

You can buy your own copy of the pattern HERE.

E & E Patterns' Bubble Pocket Shorts

I have been lucky enough to test another pattern from the talented Heidi from Elegance & Elephants.
The Bubble Pocket Shorts.

Oh boy are they super cute or what!

I did not get a photo of them from the front that gave them enough justice so I also want to show you Heidi's own versions. As you can see the pattern comes with two varieties. With a simple bow or the more advanced sailor version. Love those colors by the way!

I made my version in this bejeweled metallic cotton (well, that is what they call it at www.fabric.com and since I personally have no idea what to call it in English I will just use their title).
You make them really pretty inside with contrasting bias tape and waistband facing - don't worry Heidi will give you all the information you need to do it. The sailor version also have an adjustable waistband which is always a big advantage when we are talking kids clothes, right! 
All in all a great pair of shorts with lots of possibilities. You should also check out THIS post where Heidi is showing off all her tester's work. So many great pairs.

The pattern will be for sale from HERE friday the 19th of April.
Go for it!
And congrats on another great pattern Heidi.

Ruffle tunic from Elegance & Elephants

When Heidi from Elegance & Elephants announced that not only was she releasing this pattern for sale but also that she needed pattern testers I wrote back as fast as my fingers could hit the keyboard. You know that I am not a ruffle person but that does not mean I don't like ruffles. They just need to be used with care in my opinion and for this top they add exactly the thing that takes it from a very basic top to an AMAZING top. To me great basic clothes is actually really hard to make (because you obviously don't want it to be boring just because it is basic) and the regular reader of this blog will know that I personally always manage to screw up on that make-basic-clothes-front. But again that does not mean I don't like basic clothes and that is probably why I love this top so much. 

Even though I did manage to screw this one up by choosing two fabrics that made it look like something a waitress would wear in a 1950ies diner. Maybe not a totally disaster but take a look at one of Heidi's versions below. That is what I really fell in love with. Clean and simply beautiful. 

Oh well the pattern is being released this monday and I will get my own pattern to practice  getting the fabric right. You should jump over to THIS post on Elegance & Elephants and see what the other testers did with the three versions this pattern contains. So many options! Well done Heidi and thanks for choosing me as a pattern tester!