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!