Girls – Page 5

Pattern Review: Skipper & Stacey by Made for Mermaids

Skipper Skirt and Stacey Top by Made for Mermaids

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I tested two new patterns from Made for Mermaids – the Skipper Skirt and the Stacey Top. They’re part of the Best Friends Collection which also includes Hailey, Rose, and Barbie.

The Stacey Top can be a simple t-shirt with a little pocket.

A simple stacey top and skipper skirt.

It could also be a fancy frilly top with extra embellishments. You choose how fancy or simple you want with mix and match options. I only made short sleeves (this is Florida afterall!), but there are long sleeves and 3/4 sleeves with an optional sleeve tab.

Stacey Top with ruffle.

The Skipper Skirt has attached leggings that come in three lengths. These ankle length leggings will be perfect when the weather cools off here in Florida.

Made for Mermaids Skipper Skirt with ankle leggings.

The shortie leggings are perfect for playgrounds!

Shortie leggings are perfect for the playground.

Made for Mermaids Skipper Skirt with shorties.

I even got a jump on my Christmas sewing!

Made for Mermaids Stacey Top for Christmas

You can buy the patterns individually or there are two bundles available. The first bundle includes only the new patterns – the Skipper Skirt and Stacey Top plus the Barbie Headband. The second bundle includes all four patterns – two new and two updated – Skipper Skirt, Stacey Top, Hailey Pants, and Rose Top plus the Barbie Headband. Sale prices end tomorrow, Sunday, October 2.

Pattern Review – Rowan Raglan by Made for Mermaids

RowanRaglan

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I was a tester for the Rowan Raglan by Made for Mermaids. Normally her patterns are for girls only. This one though is unisex! As with all raglans, it is a quick and easy sew. The basic shirt is perfect for beginning sewers! Rowan Raglans for girls AND boys!

It comes with a variety of options. Hood – lined or unlined.

Rowan Raglan made with a PeekABoo Ninja Panel

Short sleeves (perfect for Florida), 3/4 sleeves, and long sleeves.

My ninja in his Rowan Raglan practicing meditation.

I color blocked this one to make a panda shirt for my little panda lover.

Color blocked Rowan Raglan with pandas.

For the girls there’s more options – sleeve flutters, tunic ruffle, skirt ruffle, and tunic band.

Sleeve flutters on the Rowan Raglan

The pattern has layers so you only have to print the pages and size you need. Everything is explained clearly and there are plenty of pictures to go along with the directions as well as finished items for inspiration.

It’s on sale for $7 (normally $9) until Saturday 8/20 midnight cst. Hurry to Made for Mermaids to get your copy. Then come back and tell me what you made!

Ninja panels were purchased from PeekABoo Fabric Shop.

Pandalicious fabric also from PeekABoo Fabric Shop.

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Making A Tiered Skirt – Pattern Hack

Making A Tiered Skirt

I recently made my daughter a Chloe skirt (a yoga waistband maxi skirt by Made for Mermaids). She loved the maxi length and wanted a knee length one too. Well, I didn’t actually measure her when I made the shorter one and it was a little too short (her feelings too, not just mine plus she’s on the tall side so even though it isn’t really short, it looks like it is). I hated to scrap the skirt and was sure there was some way I could add length to it. I thought about just adding a ruffle to it, but I wasn’t sure it would look right. Then I wished I could make it into a maxi length somehow. Tiered skirt to the rescue.

The short Chloe – she really likes it, but wished it either was a couple inches longer or had shorts attached.

I measured the length of the maxi Chloe and divided by 3 (I wanted three tiers). I added an inch to that number for two 1/2″ seams (in my case 33″/3 = 11″ + 1″ = 12″).

Length of the Chloe Maxi

For the first tier, I used the Chloe pattern and cut the skirt at 12″. For the second tier, I cut a rectangle that was 12″ high and the width of the bottom of the first tier + 10″. You should add at least 25% of the width but not more than double. So, if your bottom measurement is 20″, the next one should be at least 25″, but no more than 40″. Repeat for each tier. The longer the piece is, the more gathers it will have. I wanted very little gathering for this skirt.

Sew the short edges of each tier together so you have a circle or fabric. Run a gathering stitch around the top of each tier.

A gathering (or basting) stitch is a long straight stitch with no back stitches at the beginning or end.

Pull up the gathering so that it fits the bottom of the tier above it. Spread the gathers evenly, pin, and sew. Repeat for each tier. Make the waistband per the instructions in the pattern.

I’ve been using my twin needle a lot recently, and I pulled it out again for the hem of this skirt. I love the professional look of two perfectly spaced rows of stitching.

Hem with twin needle

Chloe skirt with Grace top.

Tiered Skirt, Chloe Pattern Hack

Learning to Sew and Pattern Review: Chloe & Women’s Chloe

Chloe Skirt and Maxi Pattern Review

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Learning to sew doesn’t mean you have to make pillowcases or pillows or other items you don’t really need or want. You can learn to sew and make something wearable and fashionable at the same time! Are you looking for an easy pattern to learn to sew? Or maybe you want to teach one of your kids to sew? Are you looking for a cheap (aka free) pattern? Keep reading to see how to get an awesome deal on this trendy pattern.

I was recently able to test the Chloe and Women’s Chloe patterns by Made for Mermaids. These are simple A-line skirts with yoga style waistbands and a choice of short or maxi length. No elastic to mess with – just four seams. When I saw how easy they were, I knew that it was the perfect pattern for my daughter to learn how to use my machine. Normally she sews on her machine.

Kid Sewing, Chloe Skirt

This time though, she was able to use my machine (which has a stretch stitch) to sew herself a knit maxi. Two long straight seams (the sides), one short straight seam (the waistband), and one seam to attach the waistband (I did help with that – stretching and sewing takes some practice although I’m sure with some guidance she could’ve done it herself). I also did the hem – a rolled hem on my serger.

Chloe Skirt, Sewing with Kids

Maxis are everywhere now and they are so comfy!

Maxi Chloe

We don’t do the matching thing very much, but with something this easy & this comfy how could we not?

Matching Chloes

Short version of the Chloe and the Grace top.

Maxis are perfect for summer weather – lightweight knits make a cool and breezy skirt while still being modest even if you’re chasing after kids!

My version of the Women’s Chloe

Both of these patterns are free – no codes needed, no joing a Facebook group, just follow the links and “buy” the patterns! Then come back and show me what you made.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information see my disclosure policy.