Carina Gardner "Playdate Outfit" Pattern Review Part 1

I always have a couple of projects in the works that way I have a choice of what I can work on depending on my mood. Right now one of works in progress is an adorable yoke front blouse and capris from a pattern by Carina Gardner. I will admit I hadn't heard of her until I stumbled upon her pattern line while shopping for fabric at The Fat Quarter Shop a shop whose main focus is fabulous quilting fabrics but even those don't quilt will love this shop. They offer a wonderful selection of high quality cotton fabrics from a wide variety of popular designers and manufacturers. Among them are some of my favorites, Alexander Henry, Moda, Lecien and Riley Blake to name just a few. Here are some collections I'm loving right now that they carry,

 

The day I happened on the pattern I was looking for a line by Michael Miller called Strawberry Tea Party. My daughter saw it one day while I was shopping on Etsy. I LOVE Etsy, don't get me wrong, I sell there as well as shop  quite often but there is one little problem I've encountered while shopping for fabric specifically. It seems that in most cases sellers list only one yard at a time(to keep fees down, you are charged for each item individually as a seller) so in order to get the amount I need a special listing must be requested. It's kind of a pain as is checking out one seller at a time when purchasing from multiple sellers so when buying more that a yard or two I choose one of my favorite online fabric and supply shops. I have many listed in my sidebar. A quick search will give me an idea of which of my faves has the best selection of what I'm looking for. For Strawberry Tea it was Fat Quarter Shop.

So on to the project at hand. Here is the pattern  and here is the active link to the listing. It is $14.95 which is so reasonable when you see all the options included.

It has everything you need to make a couple different mix and match outfits. It includes the blouse, which is also offered as a dress in an above the knee length, cuffed capri pants and shorts. Lots of choices, my only problem was deciding which to make first. I decided on the combo featured on the front of the pattern.I'm also impressed with the easy to follow quality construction of the pieces. The blouse and dress are fully lined and the capris and shorts have a nice flat front with elastic in back for easy dressing and comfort. Carina has several other patterns that judging by this first one I will have to have. I love the whimsical but still classic style of her designs. They are understated yet still very sweet.

I decided on Strawberry Tea  Party  as the main print of the blouse and selected a tonal pink tiny gingham from Riley Blake's Quite Contrary collection for the contrast strip and fabric flower accent. I chose a solid pink from Riley Blake for the main fabric of the capris and the gingham for the cuff. Here are my fabrics,

So far I have cut all my pieces and started the construction of the blouse. The pattern is printed on regular weight office paper rather than the usual fragile, easily torn pattern paper that the big pattern manufacturers print their patterns on. This is a big draw for me as I usually trace my pieces onto pattern makers paper so I can use multiple sizes, I have two daughters and most patterns size range includes both sizes. What a pain in is to trace that super lightweight paper, it tends to shift and rip.

All this talk has made me really want to get to work on this sweet little outfit, both pieces are sure to be spring/summer staples. The top would look so cute with some denim or chino bermudas and the capris paired with a cute and simple tank or t will be a classic look you can wear again and again. Off to work I go, can't wait to see how it turns out and share my finished product!

Freebies!

In my research for all the links for my last post on my favorite PDFs I came across a couple of freebies I had to share!

 Ellie Inspired is another pattern line in pdf form you can buy online.Here is the link to the shop. They are darling patterns and I discovered they had a blog so I had to check it out and I am so glad I did! There are several amazing freebie patterns and projects, you can find them all Here.

My favorite is the Sweet Apple Frock, shown below

 

You can find the pattern here.

How generous of Ellie Inspired and Riley Blake Designs to share it with us!

What I've been up to.......PDF Patterns Part 1

Seems like forever since I've blogged and I really miss it, just haven't been able to find the time with the whirlwind that is my life. Some(or maybe more) of those who might be following my blog know that I have a son on the autistic spectrum. Lately and now that he is a teenager I've tried not to burden him with a label, like for example "I have a son who is autistic" it feels like stating it that way defines him by his disability  and there is a lot more to him. Anyway, it has been a really tough time for us as a family and for me and my son individually. I will try not to go into too much detail but let's just say that the transition to teenager has been a rocky one, lots of bumps along the way. I often feel like a failure as his mother and at a loss as to help him. It is during those times that my creative outlets, mainly sewing, save me. It is my refuge, my sanctuary. In my sewing room I feel like a success. I can take on a new challenge and succeed or at least my mistakes all seem fixable. In parenting I am so afraid that my mistakes can not be fixed and will do long term damage, I am very unsure of myself lately in so many ways. Not so when I am sewing or designing.

As someone who is not the most patient person I LOVE PDF(downloadable)sewing patterns. I can go in search of a new project anytime day or night and get it right away and just print it out. No waiting and I don't even have to leave the house, what could be better?  Most of my recent projects have been e-patterns, except for an Olive Ann Pattern that I have made about four times in the last month, more on that later.

I wanted to share some of my favorite e-patterns and where to find them. I'm all about simplicity right now, and trying to stay away from things that might frustrate me or make my sewing time anything but relaxing "me time". In general that means set in sleeves and certain tricky zippers. I'm also really into projects that can be done in an evening or two. I like instant gratification, and have a terribly short attention span, I'm not proud of it but I am honest and realistic. Sewing is my "thing", the one thing I take time to do just for the sheer joy of it so I want to keep it as fun as possible. In general I've found that most e-patterns cater to that mind set and are beginner friendly as well.

Etsy is a GREAT place for pdf/e-patterns the only downside is that there is a bit of a wait as you have to wait for the seller to process the order and email it to you. There are also sites/shops that offer instant downloads or nearly instant. I have found that many sources or sites offer many of the same designers. Some of the most popular for children are Whimsy Couture, Little Lizard King, Ginger Louise, Sis Boom, and Ellie Inspired  and for the more advanced seamstress, and one of my favorites for heirloom type sewing is Olabelhe. Most of them are available on Etsy but a lot of brands have their own sites too with quicker downloads, Little Lizard King for example.You can visit them here. I have made their apron knot dress, it was a big hit. Here is the link and pic

 

I also just purchased Millie's Market Dress here is a photo of it, so sweet! I plan on doing a contrast sleeve and maybe a sash at the waist.

Whimsy Couture is a very popular designer of children's, girls,  pdf/e-patterns. They have lots to choose from and are super cute and also really easy to follow and construct. I made their knot dress variation, they went together so fast I couldn't believe it, I made three over the course of two evenings. Here are photos of my finished product.

Whimsy Couture also has a great sewing blog, the link is in my side bar in addition to their pattern shop. Here is the shop link..

Another gem I found was the Olive Dress by Up Up and Away Patterns on Etsy. Easy and fun little dress to make and an added bonus was the price of the pattern, only $6!!! They have a great selection of simple and sweet patterns.  Here's my take on The Olive

Two online sewing boutiques that I just love carry a fantastic selection of pdf/e-patterns from a wide variety of designers and offer quick downloads. 

The first is Sew Mama Sew, that is an active link to the pdf landing page. I have a special place in my heart for them because they are local and the customer service is fabulous. They offer just about everything you need to make adorable one of a kind pieces for children as well as women. GREAT fabrics!  I really like their boutique handbag patterns.

I've saved the best(in my opinion)and my favorite for last. Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops is THE place for simply precious boutique patterns, they have an amazing selection of paper patterns as well and they carry Olabelhe Patterns in paper and e formats. My words can't do Olabelhe justice. They are incredible. Here are a couple of their designs.

So there you have it, just a few of my favorite PDF/E-Patterns. Tonight I'm taking on another, The Brynne Dress from Brynnberlee on Etsy. I just found this shop and I love it. All the patterns are just $6 but I got a bundle of three for a mere $12. Here is the Brynne Dress one of three wonderful patterns I chose.

I plan on doing it in a line of fabrics from Riley Blake I just got, I'll share when I'm done :)