Maverick Shorts by Charming Ollie

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I rarely do much with woven fabrics lately but knowing I had some awesome fabric to use for a boy, when I had the chance to sew up the Mavericks from Charming-Ollie I decided to go for it.  I love the little folded down pocket detail, and thought they’d make a great addition to our summer wardrobe.

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The pictures throughout the instructions were very helpful, and I think a beginner would be able to follow along pretty well.  I found the instructions overall easy to follow, although there are a few areas that there could use a bit of clarification.

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While there isn’t a size chart or measurements included, I made our normal store bought size and that seemed to work well using the suggested lengths for elastic.

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I would like to have seen a better guide for the pocket placement also.  The pattern suggests  2” up from the bottom edge but since I was only doing a 12m size, 2” from the bottom put the top of the pocket almost at the waist edge so I had to adjust a bit.

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Overall, I love the end result, they are such a cute style.  The Pirate Parrot Poplin by Verhees I got from Mabel Madison was just perfect for my little on the go explorer.

And a bigger version by Ari of Max California

Allie Oop by brownie-goose

Hi there! I’m Kari from That’s-Sew-Kari here with a review of the Allie Oop Top & Dress -- the latest release for brownie-goose.  This pattern is a sweet summer swing design (say that 5 times fast) and comes in both top and dress length.  The sizes range from 6/12m thru girls 12.  A few features are the curved yoke and hem, optional keyhole opening and the shoulder flaps that button in the back.

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This pattern is easy to put together -- just a few pattern pieces -- with a professional finish.  The inside bodice seams are hidden, making the only non-enclosed seams down each side of the skirt.  If you’re like me, though, and sew late at night mere feet from a sleeping husband, you may just find yourself using French seams for the sides so you don’t  have to run the noisy serger.  

Although the pattern pieces print in color, the bodices are not nested by size so you could probably save some color and print in B&W.  The front and back bodice is nested, however, which means you can either trace, print a second copy, or cut the unneeded portion (either front or back line) and simply tape the cut portion back on and cut the remaining yoke. The skirt piece sizes are all nested, but easy to follow which cutting line you need to use should you choose to print in B&W.  The instructional style is conversational and easy to follow along with the included pictures.  In the back of the tutorial, you’ll find two mini tutorials on how to reduce length or width.

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I sewed up the size 3 width with a 5 length for my 6 year old.  Don’t worry, sizing in the pattern is not off!  My daughter is petite (but makes up for it in sass, don’t you think?!) and often requires a smaller size in all patterns.  It’s a perfect fit, with just enough room that she can layer a tee in the colder months for year-round wear.  As I was looking through my fabrics to get inspired, I came across “It’s A Girl Thing LA Boutique Girl” by Michael Miller and knew it would be perfect for my little fashionista (sadly no longer available).  I paired it with a turquoise broadcloth that was in my remnant bin.  I used a black and white striped button for my keyhole opening and 4 small black buttons on the shoulder flaps.  

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I really love the included details in the pattern.  I took Amy’s advice in the pattern and did a double row of topstitching on the curved hem which made for a nice touch.  And I love that the section on bias binding for the arms showed the proper method for attaching bias.  It honestly irks me when the cheater’s method is used in a pattern (like it’s cheating the new sewers from learning proper techniques).   The keyhole is unique, but definitely isn’t something to be rushed.  Take your time to get the best results (PS… broadcloth made it a tad fiddly, simply because there’s not a lot of weight to the material).

I will definitely be making more Allie Oops!  This particular outfit is earmarked as her first day of 1st grade (minus the sunglasses...lol)!!  Based on the pictures, I’d say my daughter clearly loves it!!!

Allie Oop is adorable on babies and toddlers too!

And don't forget the tweens!
 

Inspire Tights by Greenstyle Creations

Marnie and Lisa made up the Greenstyle Inspire Tights this week. If you're looking for workout gear, check out the review and see if this pattern might be for you!

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A strange thing happens when you are in your late 30’s and you and most of your friends have finished having babies. Suddenly you start to notice more and more photos cropping up in your facebook feed of your friends running - fun runs, triathlons and even marathons. You overhear mums at school drop off and pick up talking about cross training sessions, how much weight they can bench press and if you want to catch up with someone, chances are that you’ll catch them doing the boxing class at the local gym on Thursday night. PIlates classes, yoga and even pole dancing classes become topics of conversation.  Don’t laugh…..mark my words, it will happen to you!!   So naturally I got excited when the Greenstyle Inspire Tights were released - no longer would I have to hand over $100 for a pair of gym tights, and suddenly I could justify that huge spandex stash I’ve been building and building from the Boo! Designs webstore.

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The Greenstyle tights is the sewing pattern active women who sew have been waiting for and I love it. The pattern is packed full of options - 4 different lengths, angled insert options for the front and back, an optional back of the knee insert, an optional crotch gusset to make sure they are super comfortable, a hidden interior pocket so that you can keep your keys in a safe place and my favourite - the perfect waistband!!! It’s neither too high or too low, firm enough to hold a stubborn mummy tummy in, but not in a way that makes you feel like you are cutting off circulation somewhere because it is too tight. Basically perfect.

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I sew with knits most of the time - a friend of mine who designs patterns the other week told me that I think in knits when it comes to sewing. And she is right. Learning to sew with swimwear and activewear fabrics has been an active pursuit of mine over the past 12 months and this pattern is full of good instructions and tips to ensure sewing success with fabrics that many sewers are a little scared of using. It is a well thought out and clearly explained pattern suitable for someone who is a little apprehensive about sewing with the slippery fabrics. The pattern pieces are easy to assemble and it is layered so you only have to print your size (yay).

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The size range is great - from a waist/hip measurement of 24/32” through to 38/50”. I sewed an XS - I fell in between sizes and sized down as recommended by the pattern. I will mix my sizing for my next pair and cut the curve of the back crotch on the S to give me a little more room through the rear, but they fit great as they are now. I used some of my favourite spandex from the Boo! Designs webstore and cannot wait to get my hands on some supplex to make another pair.And ignore the expression on my face below. I was just about to get run over by a crazy 6 year old on a scooter.

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So ladies, feel inspired! Stop sewing your daughter’s wardrobe and show yourself and your body a little love. Whip up a pair of tights and get active!! I promise you too will become a Greenstyle fan girl like me! Thanks for reading along,

Marnie

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And another set of gorgeous tights by Lisa

I made contrast cuffs at the bottom by cutting plain black tights in capri length, then cutting the contrast fabric piece along the lines between capri and cropped length, and joining them together.  Printed spandex used for the cuffs and tank is from Boo! Designs

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Domi Sweats by Sofilantjes Patterns

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Hey all!  Carrie here, and I’m back to share a brand new pattern from Sofilantjes... The Domi Sweat Pants.  I’ll be honest, I could look in my file of patterns and find lots of short/pants patterns to use with knits, but this one is definitely going to be a favorite!!  

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First, any pattern that I can buy to use for my 1 year old boy and 7 year old girl at the same time, is a HUGE hit in my opinion!  Then, anything with pockets is a big hit with my kids (well the older one at least, the little guy will figure it out soon enough, haha!).  Plus with the different pocket variations and the 3 different length options, we could have 10 pairs that never look the same. 

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I always appreciate patterns that let you select layers so you only have to print the size you need, or sizes.  It makes tracing or cutting out your pattern pieces so much easier.  There’s also a super helpful guide that lets you know what pieces you need to print if you only want to make the shorts, great paper saver! 

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I chose to make the shorts with the square pockets for Reid but left out the drawstring since they aren’t supposed to be used for kids under 2.  

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For Ry, I went with the capri length, which seems to mimic a style that I’ve seen in a lot of stores this summer and fall so she was thrilled with them!  (anything that appears store bought is a plus for her).  On hers I did modify the waist just a bit and went with a yoga waistband which wasn’t in the pattern but a very simple modification.  

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We went with the round pockets on hers so the awesome teal stars could peek out on the sides. The directions were clear and easy to follow and this makes for a great pattern for beginners making their first knit bottoms to someone more advanced that can really make them pop with some fancier top stitching on the pockets. 

The fabrics I used also really makes them stand out.  On the shorts I used the Field of Crosses from Riki Prints Custom Fabrics and the solids were from Purple Seamstress.   On the capris, I went with a Galaxy print from MK Designs and teal stars from TKB Prints.

Thanks so much for letting me share such a versatile pattern!  Happy sewing!!

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