Cricket Dress and Tunic by Brownie Goose

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We are happy to start bringing you reviews from one of our favorite designers, Amy from Brownie Goose. These classic patterns for girls (and sometimes boys!) are a fan favorite, and it's with great honor that I turn it over to JaNette and Ellen as they review Cricket's Dress and Top.
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Hi everyone!  I was fortunate to review a pattern from one of my all time favorite designers Brownie Goose!  As much as I love her patterns, I love her writing style even more.  She is hilarious! It makes sewing up the dress, or in my case, the tunic SO MUCH FUN!  

Cricket's Dress and Top is available in sizes 18 months through 12 with the option of tunic or dress. There is a Finished Measurement chart and a Materials Chart with suggested fabrics. I chose to use my Joel Dewberry fabric but with a lighter weight fabric the sleeves would be even more fabulous! The Materials Chart also includes the extra things you need like interfacing. Then the Pattern Layout Chart to help to waste as little fabric as possible.

She literally takes you by the hand and walks you through step by step. This is perfect for newbies to sewing because she EXPLAINS things with examples of what might cause a "temper tantrum" along the way.  Even this seasoned sewer (is that even the correct term?) has learned something new or been reminded of something I had forgotten.

Amy also has a love of topstitching.....just like this girl right here.  Except, I didn't topstitch this time!  Gasp! I know right?!  I topstitch everything. Probably lots of things I shouldn't.  But when I was sewing up this, it held it's shape really well at the neckline with the interfacing.  I might regret it after it's first wash but it's nothing I can't add if I need to. 

The keyhole closure is super sweet.  It lays nice and flat with her instructions.  One of my favorites about this pattern.

And those sleeves!!! I had no idea what they were called until this pattern.  Bishop sleeves!  Learned something new :)  Simple enough to make, really.  A little gathering at the shoulder and a lot of gathering at the cuff.  She gives you 2 options to finishing the cuff.  1- a cuff with a closed seam and 2- a cuff with an external seam. I chose the option with the closed seam and had no trouble at all.  

Then she reminded me to use my twin needle to hem.  I received one in my Stitch Box a few months ago.  Completely forgot all about it having it!  What lovely topstitching on my hem.  If you don't have one and you like to topstitch...get one.  It's pretty awesome. 

If you are wondering about those pants Jenna is wearing, well they are the Brownie-Goose Lily Ruffler Pants.  Another fun piece to sew up!

This is a quick and easy pattern to sew up but with a professional finish. In a few hours, I made this Cricket's Tunic, a Cricket's Dress and the Lily Rufflers! I hope you enjoy sewing yours as much as I did :)

Until next time..

JaNette
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It's Ellen from ellzabelle bringing you a very fun dress to make!  This is my very first pattern by Brownie Goose and it was a breeze to put together.
I love the simple boat neck dress with long gathered sleeves, curved hem, and keyhole back.  

Here are some details about this pattern:

  • Sizes 18 months - 12 years
  • Pattern layout for cutting
  • Size chart, materials needed chart, finished garment measurement chart
  • Cutting diagrams
  • Glossary of terms
  • Tutorial A-How to Lengthen/Shorten a Curved Hem and Sleeves
  • Step by step photos with 33 pages of instructions (great conversational style!)
  • Nested pattern pieces
  • Lined bodice
  • Options for a dress or tunic
  • Alternative sleeve cuff construction

I immediately knew I wanted to do a Bohemian dress style with some fabric from my stash.  I love hippie styles and I think this dress looks perfect like this.  I made a headband from the fabric leftovers

And living in Colorado, I couldn't forget the cowboy boots. 

The keyhole back and button add a sweet touch.  The instructions were so clear and pattern very easy to put together.  I would rate it as a beginner pattern.  I'm very anxious to make a lot more of these dresses.

I used the blue lining fabric for the sleeve cuff.  The gathered sleeves are perfect for the dress.

I think sizing was fine.  My 7 year old measured more of a 6 year old since she's very petite, but I made the 7 so she could wear it for a while.  It was roomy and I took the hem up by 3".  I did a longer stitch on it and will let it out if needed.   

I think this dress is a classic, simple and comfy style.  I'm looking forward to trying more of Brownie Goose's patterns in the future (especially the Bay dress and top!).  

-ellen