Today we are looking at the Scanlan top from My Childhood Treasures which features the classic cross back pinny design with an A-line silhouette. It has some unique features that I have not seen before on other cross back patterns, like the cute scalloped hemline, the sweet pockets, and the decorative bows. The cross back pinny is one of my all time favorite designs. I've been in love with it since before I even had a little girl to dress. In fact, a cross back pinny was the very first thing I ever sewed for my little one. I made it from a paper pattern, and though it was meant to be her coming home outfit, it did not even fit her until she was nearly a year old. Yikes, thank goodness I've found PDF patterns since then!

I'll start with the back side; it's my favorite. Simple, classic, cute. Oh, and modest. Some people see the design on paper and feel uncomfortable with the open back. Just realize, once the garment is on, it pretty much completely overlaps and gives full coverage of the backside. The Scanlan pattern comes with the bottoms for free, both shorts and bloomers! Sweet.

And here's the front. I left off the pockets because I was so in love with the poppies, though I am regretting it now. My daughter is growing super fast this summer, so although she hit the measurement chart at the size 3, I went with the size 4, and it is slightly big on her as I expected.

The pattern calls for button, snap or velcro closures at the shoulder, but I have a little secret for you...I didn't use any. I actually sewed straight across my strap to secure them. Because of the the design you can easily get away with this, or if you are looking for another cool method to get rid of closures, you can use my Bye Bye Buttons Tutorial from a past pinny project.

This is the first My Childhood Treasures pattern I have sewn, though we have reviewed a few other here on the blog. I have a lot of good things to say about the pattern. It has all the "necessary stuff". You know, size chart, fabric chart, supplies, seam allowance, etc. It is not lacking in any of the professional elements. It also has a printing layout and fabric cutting layout, which are not super common with PDF patterns, though highly appreciated!

This pattern comes in 2 size groupings Baby (0-24 months) and Child (2T-10). I got the larger size grouping and the pattern was a total of 50 pages long- that included instructions and pieces for both top and bottoms. Pattern pieces are nested, color coded and clearly marked. I had no issues with pattern assembly.

You might notice that my top doesn't have any side seams. The poppies...I just couldn't cut them! So, I combined my pattern pieces. I'll post a tutorial below so you can see how I did it. It is really easy and saves having to try to match up prints at the seams.