Pattern Review: Claire's Patchwork Pillowcase Dress by CKC

PATTERN: This is a PDF pattern by Create Kids Couture (CKC). Actually this was the first pattern I bought from them and my first PDF pattern ever (since this purchase last year I have gained a rather large collection).

WHAT: A patchwork dress in the popular pillowcase style, with a twist. There is an adorable keyhole cut and sewn into the back so the shoulder ties can be tied in a bow either at the back or across one shoulder. The dress is finished with a border of ruffles. I love ruffles.

SIZE: I made a size 2T. This pattern has a large size range at 6months through to 8 years.

FABRIC: I used up a lot of my scraps on my first dress. I also made a few for my friends (see photo near end) which I used Happy Hills and Pretty Little things fabric lines amongst others.

PATTERN PIECES: CKC have a unique pattern cutting method, which I've come to love. Most pattern pieces are given in rectangle measurements and the pattern pieces provided are used to cut off sections of the rectangle which leaves you with the bodice pieces. Brilliant.

ILLUSTRATIONS/INSTRUCTIONS: CKC patterns always have photos for every step, you don't have to read instructions over and over trying to work out what is meant. It is so easy to follow you often don't even need the instructions, the photos are so clear.

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: There is nothing very tricky in this pattern unless you create your own bias tape. You'll need a bit of time and patience putting all the squares for the patchwork together, but I found it quite fun.

CONCLUSION: What I love about this pattern is, it's going to fit my daughter for years. As a 2 year old it is a maxi dress, but on a 5 year old it will be knee length.
I find Create Kids Couture patterns brilliant. They are always well laid out. You don't have to print a thousand pages. They are well tested and have great support if you have a problem. I would highly recommend this pattern and any of their others. Find this pattern here.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Brenda

Pattern Review: Diane Kimono by Serendipity Studio

PATTERN: Diane Kimono Dress/Tunic top by Serendipity Studio a paper pattern using tissue. I must comment here to say, I'm so used to pdf patterns now that I find tissue a bit hard to deal with now. 

WHAT: Asian inspired dress/top with a tie to cinch in the waist. This pattern could look a bit frumpy with the wrong fabrics, but I'm excited about making a long dress for summer in some funky fabrics. For this pattern review I made a top so I can wear it in the upcoming winter (over a long sleeve top). I did make a few changes, the skirt in the pattern is one fabric, but due to not having enough in my stash, I made a panelled skirt instead. 

SIZE: XXS through to XXL. I made an XS.

FABRIC: I used fabrics from my stash, I decided to stick with the asian theme: For the main fabric I used Golden Garden in grey by Alexander Henry. I used  the Serenity line by Bo Bunny for accents and Textured Basics by Patty Young for part of the skirt. I love how it's turned out! 

I also fully lined the bodice, which isn't in the pattern, just a personal preference. 

PATTERN PIECES: There are about 5 pieces to cut out and use. I transferred mine to other paper just in case I got the wrong size. I didn't want to have to cut out the tissue. The pattern did suggest cutting to the biggest size then folding the bigger sizes away, but I couldn't see how you would easily do that. 

ILLUSTRATIONS/INSTRUCTIONS: There are a lot of hand drawn illustrations to follow in this pattern. I'm used to photos of late so it took a bit of a mind shift but it was easy to follow once I got my head around it. Instructions were full and detailed with extra instructions for different options to make as part of the dress. 

There are two options for the skirt width and options for gathered shoulders. 

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Using bias tape and as usual I made my own using matching fabrics. Threading a tie through a specially sewn casing 

CONCLUSION: Awesome pattern, easy to follow and comfortable to wear. I would say a beginner could easily cope with this as there are no zips, button holes or darts.

Sew nice of you to stop by :-)
Brenda


Click to find this pattern online.