kids clothes – Page 3

Pattern Review: Joggers by Patterns for Pirates

Full View of Joggers

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I recently got to test the Baby Bear Joggers pattern from Patterns for Pirates. Here in SWFL, we don’t have much need for warm clothes, but there are usually a couple weeks a year where we might want pants. Since we’re from PA, my kids love cooler days when they can wear their favorite winter clothes. As they’ve grown, they’ve requested new warm clothes. Usually one or two pairs of pants and two or three long sleeve shirts are more than plenty! P4P Joggers was perfect for making a new pair of cool weather pants. My son calls them “warm pants” because I made them out of cotton fleece so it’s only fuzzy on the inside.

Back of Joggers

These are a slimmer fit pant and as always there are plenty of options – two pocket options, two waistband options, and three hem options.

I made the slat pockets, or there are also patch pockets. The waistband is elastic and there is also a yoga band option.

I did a roll-up hem, because no hemming! There’s also the options for an elastic hem or a cuffed hem.

Since shorts are what we wear most of the time, I made some Jogger shorts too. These are the patch pockets and I added the red strip down the side (it’s just a 3″ strip sewn over the side seam).

Jogger Shorts with patch pockets

Get your Baby Bear Jogger pattern and there’s also a Mama Bear Joggers and a Papa Bear Joggers pattern – Joggers for the whole family!

Why Paper Patterns

A couple weeks ago I posted my top 5 reasons to use PDF patterns. However, there are also some really good reasons to use paper patterns. Here are my top 5 reasons to use paper patterns.

Cheaper – This is a big one! JoAnns regularly has patterns for $.99. You can’t beat that price. Even if you have to buy more than one to get all the sizes you need, it’s still a great deal! Even WalMart sells patterns.
Perfect for personal use – If you aren’t selling what you make, then paper patterns make perfect sense.
No printer, ink, or paper required – Paying for ink and paper can be expensive! Having patterns printed at a copy/print shop can save your printer ink, but it’s still going to cost you. Paper patterns avoid this.
Easier to store – I don’t know about anyone else, but I have a terrible time storing my PDF patterns. Once they’re taped together, there’s no easy way to store them. Paper patterns are fairly easy to fold up and put back into the envelope they came in.
One stop shopping – you can look through three or four different designer catalogs at one store.

I think they can be summed up into one word – convenience.

What about you – do you prefer paper patterns or PDF patterns? Why?

Pattern Review: Sutton by Made for Mermaids

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The newest pattern by Made for Mermaids is the Sutton Dress and Top. It’s for wovens (material with no stretch which can be easier to sew than knits).

This pattern is a little harder than some. It involves a placket and buttonholes along with making your own bias tape. All of this is clearly explained with lots of pictures. Just don’t expect it to be as easy as some of the recent patterns released by Made for Mermaids.

As always, there are options. Sleeveless or short sleeves with ties. Dress length or top length – both with twirl factor!

You can dress it up with trim along the princess seams or use coordinating fabric or use all the same fabric.

The Sutton Dress and Top has a scoop neck. The bodice is fully lined and the waist seam can be fully enclosed for a nice finished look. The dress length comes to just above the knees.

Sutton Dress and Top is available for $9.

Get it and then come back and show me what you made!

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Skipper Skirt Hack – Adding a Third Tier

Skipper Skirt Hack Adding A Third Tier

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When I tested the Skipper Skirt pattern a few weeks ago, I made my daughter a school skirt. When it was done and she tried it on, it was just barely long enough to meet the dress code. If I had been thinking when I made it, I would’ve measured the finished length and then lengthened the tiers and ruffles. However, it never occurred to me, so I’m adding a tier.

A simple stacey top and skipper skirt.

I measured the around the bottom of the 2nd tier and ruffle. Since I’m doing a size 12, my measurements were very close to the measurements on the cutting guide. I need a tier that’s 5″x41.5″ (don’t forget to add your seam allowance – in my case 1/2″) and a ruffle that’s 5″x72″ (again, seam allowance). Also, if you’re material isn’t that wide, you can cut two pieces that are both half the width – so I’ll cut two 5″x36.25″ pieces for the ruffle. Sew the short edges of the tier together. Repeat with the ruffle. You should have two tubes. Hem the bottom of the ruffle using your preferred method.

Ruffle and tier for Skipper skirt hack

Now, follow the directions in step 7 of the Skipper Skirt pattern where it tells you how to put together the bottom ruffle and attach it to the skirt.

With the extra ruffle on it the Skipper Skirt is definitely long enough for a school uniform skirt.

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Pattern Review: Joy by Made for Mermaids

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I recently tested the Joy pattern by Made for Mermaids. It’s part of their Dreamy Collection (check it out – it’s truly dreamy!).

As with all her patterns, it is an easy sew and the directions are excellent!

The pleats are super easy to do and there’s a video to further explain how to put them together.

Side seam pockets are optional, but so easy!

There are three sleeve options – being in Florida I almost always go with short.

I made mine with an overlay by simply cutting the front and back bodice pieces from both the main material and the overlay material. I basted them together and then sewed it following the directions.

It comes with different skirt lengths too – maxi, dress, and peplum. You can also put a zipper up the back either for a design element or to make it easier to get on/off over fussy hair.

This pattern can be mashed with her other Dreamy Collection patterns. Pick the top and skirt you like and put them together to make your own look. I’m planning a Joy/Juliette mash for an Easter dress!

It’s on sale for $7 until tonight. Buy it here, then come back and tell me what you made.

*This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information.