Review: Sew by Pattern Pieces #21100 Fun Tee

Today I want to show off the Fun Tee from Sew by Pattern Pieces. The tee is such a simple, basic staple that is so hard to find in today's cluttered PDF world. I sewed the tee in the long sleeve option, since we are heading into cold weather, using 95/5 cotton lycra knit from Lillestoff fabrics.

Lauren Wernli, the designer, has been in the clothing industry for 20 years now, and her skills are amazing. She includes as standard features that many pattern designers today do not - notches, sleeves not cut on the fold, hem notches and good allowances, pattern cutting information on each piece and the name of the pattern as well. Each size is both color coded in different, distinct colors, and line style.

The store where you can buy the pattern is here:
Etsy https://www.etsy.com/shop/SewbyPatternPieces/about
Craftsy http://www.craftsy.com/user/8305887/pattern-store

Right in the listing, you can find a collage of tester pics, fabric requirements, line drawings, sizing chart, measuring guide and a finished garment size chart including armhole height.

The Fun Tee features sizes 1-12, and is a fitted tee with four sleeve options - short, long, gathered short and gathered long. The instructions are very straightforward, but very well written. Laura gives tips on sewing with knits, and mashing multiple sizes to get a perfect fit. There is also included a wonderful chart to calculate the amount of stretch in your fabric, so you don't get disappointed that your garment doesn't fit after you're done!

Laura also has a reference chart for which pattern pieces you need for your chosen style, which is great as a reference at a glance. She also walks you through transferring your notches and preparing your body pieces for sewing. She explains how to stabilize shoulders, which even as an advanced sewer I found informative. 

The best part of her instructions are the neckband. There are even notches pre-measured and marked, which match up the front center, back center, and both shoulders! There's no folding and pinning! That is something I have never, ever encountered, and that makes me so sad, that I have missed out on such a wonderful feature. Makes me hate doing the quarters and pinning so much.

The other best part of the instructions is Laura teaches you a production technique for quickly serging your side seams, so that you don't have to trim threads and worry about them unraveling. Once you learn her technique, you'll be thirsting for more of her amazing tips and techniques!

Read More

Tester: Wardrobe By Me Haute Skinny Skirt!

The new Haute Skinny Skirt from Wardrobe by Me is really, truly, one of the most flattering skirt patterns I have ever sewn up.

Professionally drafted, the skirt has everything you are looking for - color blocking, an invisible zipper, contoured waistband - all those little details that make you look amazing.

Featuring a lovely side-slit, this skirt will be perfect for date night!

Read More

Tester - Lil Luxe Collection - the Mini Moto Pants!

I tested the new Mini Moto Pants from Lil Luxe Collection, boom! Blown away.

Designed for stretch wovens, this amazing pattern has a fully functioning fly - and button elastic for the smaller sizes!

It may seem complicated, but it's truly not. The instructions are so well laid out, anticipating your every question, that I could sew them up in three hours.

The brilliant pin-tucked knee inserts look so good, close up, The entire finished product looks so polished.

 
Look at those adorable little pockets! And even the skinniness of the pants makes Miki look just so darn cute!

Read More

Tester: Filles a Maman's new Petit Oiseau is just TOO CUTE!

As you probably know by now, Filles a Maman is one of my favorite designers for children. Mel Henry is such a wonderful, humble person that I always love working with.

Mel is Canadian, and primarily speaks French. Now, I learned French in middle school and failed miserably. Just couldn't develop an ear for it. But sewing for Mel means chic designs that american pattern makers just don't come up with. American designers have a very different sense of style.

The Petit Oiseau oozes with just that sense of chicness. A lovely flounce that goes from one shoulder, across the chest and down the other arm, cut on the bias, makes this regular tee shirt transform into something special. I used a rayon spandex for this version, with a cotton lycra solid for the flounce.

You also have the option of leaving the flounce off, and doing a two-color color blocked tee. That is a totally different look that is cute too!

I used a lovely cotton lycra for this one, in a pretty floral print that's all the rage this season. 

Read More

Tester: Winter Wear Designs' Ma Cherie top is just too darn cute!

Winter Wear Designs has some pretty awesome designs for women and girls. Since Suzanne's last name is Winter, that's where the name of the company comes from, not that she only designs cold weather clothing!

Here's her latest offering for girls, the Ma Cherie top, which I absolutely adore. There are options for sleeves, and the neckline is beautiful.

I made Miki this version in a corduroy from Hobby Lobby, and I love it so much. She looks so girly and delicate!

 This is a size 2, and that's a cookie in her hand. It's perfectly yummy, I promise, even though it looks suspicious ;)

Read More

Tester: The Laundry Day Tee by Love Notions, Free for a limited time!

Love Notions is amazing. I know I've said that before. Tami, owner and designer extraordinaire, released this awesome top, The Laundry Day Tee for $4 on her website, and if you join her facebook group, there is a coupon code for it to be free. So head on over, I'll stop talking now.

I'm short, and this tunic length is almost a dress for warmer weather.

This is a rayon blend, in an XL. I had to say something more!!

Read More

Tester: The new Eclair Top from Gracious Threads!

My daughter is very cute. I think so, at least. And I love to see her in cute, chic clothing. I'm not into the frilly, ruffly outfits now that she's almost two. And this blouse, The Eclair Blouse from Gracious Threads, was perfect for our aesthetic!

I used stash fabric from Rasheeda Coleman, it's organic cotton knit. Add an amazing exposed zipper, and yummy bias trim, and this slim fitting top makes a dreary day so much fun!

Read More

Tester: The Romance Raglan by Wild Blumes Patterns

Presenting the Romance Raglan top from Wild Blumes Patterns. This is a beautiful pattern that highlights and showcases the more romantic you. Perfect for date night! Now, I just need to find a babysitter ;)

We tested this pattern to make sure it worked well for smaller sizes and larger ones, and I must say, I think I look fabulous in this top!

Wild Blumes Patterns released this fantastically flattering design that hugs your curves and shows off your bosom. Sexy and eye-catching!

Read More

Another Hatteras Hoodie! Jungle Boy, this time!

Here's Miki in her Hatteras Hoodie (view B) in my custom printed Jungle Boy fabric. We just love this pattern!

The Aztec was a coordinate printed right alongside the panel. The artwork is custom drawn for our group by a very talented artist.

I'm still learning to use my camera in Manual Mode though!

Read More

Tester: The RushCutter Dress! By Em Makes Patterns

This is an amazing dress I tested for Em Makes Patterns. It's due to be released any day now!

EM Makes Patterns is a little known gem in the PDF world. Her patterns are just amazingly drafted.

I used a light synthetic peachskin of sorts that I bought from Walmart long ago. I love the stripes in this version! The different directions gives it so much interest.

I am also impressed that Em gave us so much time, since all the seams are French seams and everything looks nice inside and out. It's an advanced pattern, with lots of curved seams and bias binding and buttons and plackets!

Read More

The Hatteras Hoodie from Hey June!

The Hatteras Hoodie is my latest favorite pattern. Hey June's Adrianna Appl has some serious design skills, and I have to say that sewing up this hoodie made me so happy!

This is a size 2, in a cotton-lycra blend. The main blue fabric with seagulls and crabs is by Wanderlust Designs, and the orange and pink dots is by EuroGirls Boutique.

Read More