Sweeter Than Cupcakes: pattern review

Showing posts with label pattern review. Show all posts

Book Review: She Wears the Pants

Monday, June 8, 2015

When I received this book from Tuttle Publishing for a review, I admit I giggled a little at the title. She Wears the Pants may be an odd twist for a title, but I think the subtitled description, "Easy Sew-it-Yourself Fashion with an Edgy Urban Style," is valid. Inside, you will find the author, Yuko Takada, created looks "borrowed from the boys" with an offbeat appeal. But don't think it's all about pants!

The cover photo and the spread below features the Top with Epaulettes. I actually have this pattern traced out, so I'm hoping to sew it up sometime soon. It has a slouchy casual look, but fun widened sleeves and shoulder details.

I'm loving this boxy top too. I'm no fashion expert, but boxy does seem to be a popular style at the moment. This one seems so easy to wear too.

After this experience, I will not be making these pants. I respect the girl that can pull them off though.

They call this a mini dress, but I can see it worn tunic style with leggings and boots in the fall.

While I have yet to work with double gauze, this blouse looks classic yet fun in the polka dot double gauze prints.

Another popular style I have yet to embrace are the culottes.

My one complaint about the book is, while the photography is stunning, some of the items are hard to discern. With the black on black styling....

...you would never notice these details until you study the diagrams.

This is another unique top that is a bit hard to get a good visual on the final look.

Here is the top from the cover image. As always, the instructions are minimal, but the diagrams are ever so helpful.

Don't run out and buy this book without first checking the size chart! As you can see these patterns are designed for smaller frames. My bust measurement would put me out of this range, however, by comparing some of the pattern pieces with ones I've already used, I've found many styles will still work. There seems to be a good amount of ease built in to the patterns.

One last look at the back cover. You can see that square top in the top middle photo.

The patterns are all housed in a folder inside the back cover. Keep in mind, you will need to add a seam allowance when you trace out your pattern pieces. Takada covers wonderful tips from preparing your fabric to sewing with stretch fabrics. So, have you made the leap to sewing for yourself using Japanese Pattern books?

I received the book, She Wears the Pants, for free from Tuttle Publishing. All opinions provided are my own. I will only recommend products that I would use personally and are good for my readers.

Verona Dress by Jennuine Design

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

I haven't signed up for many pattern testing opportunities since joining Modkid, but when Jenn posted, it happened to fall during Spring Break when my kiddos would be at their grandparents. Jenn and I seem to always cross paths in this online sewing community, so it is fun to watch her pursue her pattern making dreams. Did you see her Haven Acres collection with the dressage leggings and sweet pea cap?!?! So unique.

Her latest pattern is the Verona Dress. The size range is quite expansive, NB through 12 yrs. The double layer skirt gives you a chance to play with solids and prints.

There are no closures to deal with. A discreet back casing with elastic makes for a more fitted shape.

The real star of the show is the notched suit style collar. No matter how close I graded my seams here, I couldn't get it to press completely flat, but a thinner fabric may just do the trick.

Avery is thrilled with her new dress! You must go peek at the pattern cover illustration, to see the details inspired by our Verona look.

The Verona Dress pattern is on sale for $7.50, so grab a copy at the intro price!! (affiliate links included)

Book Review: Sewing for Your Girls

Thursday, March 26, 2015

It has been a while since I sewed from my growing collection of Japanese sewing pattern books, so when Tuttle Publishing contacted me about reviewing a couple of recent English translations, I jumped at the chance. Today, I have the opportunity to show you a peek inside Sewing for Your Girls by Yoshiko Tsukiori.

The premise behind this book is there are "eight basic patterns that can be used in endless variations to create many different styles."

Each pattern starts with a basic pattern, then gives an applied pattern that includes variations on the original. By changing up the length and collar on the blouse, you arrive at the dress, but all the work has been done for you.

With that sweet collar and button placket, how could I not sew up this dress?!?

I went with a simple chambray and switched the buttons for neon yellow snaps for a not so traditional sailor style.

The placket came together just beautifully.

That collar! Swoon!!

Here are a few more sweet tops with interesting collars.

If I though Tandy would wear them, I would totally make these overalls. It's a battle to wear pants around here, so it's just not worth the risk!

The beginning of the book is filled with detailed steps for basic techniques. This books really makes an effort to accommodate a new sewist.

Here is a glance at the instructions for the pattern I sewed up. As you can see, there is a lot of flipping back and forth to other sections of the book to complete a majority of the steps. Finishing the neck opening was quite different than I'm used to, since the author uses part bias tape and part facing instead of all one or the other. The only variation I made to the pattern was to encase the arm openings in bias tape instead of using arm facings.

Sizing on these Japanese pattern books can be quite different, so these measurement guides are very helpful. There is a good range of sizes available in the book. I made the size 110 for Tandy who is 3 1/2.

The quote on the back of the book pretty much says it all!

I received the book, Sewing for Your Girls, for free from Tuttle Publishing. All opinions provided are my own. I will only recommend products that I would use personally and are good for my readers.

Book Review: Sew Sweet

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

I love when Japanese sewing books are translated to English from Tuttle Publishing. But when those books happen to be children's clothes, I get really excited. The stylish clothes in Sew Sweet Handmade Clothes for Girls are right up my alley! I've sewn from one of Yuki Araki's Japanese books in the past here, here, and here, so you can say I am a fan.

With 22 projects, there is a little something for everyone. The author's note at the beginning of the book likens creating clothes to drawing pictures with fabric as the paint. She certainly knows how to create shade and balance with each creation.

There are two Mother / daughter looks to create.

I love everything about this photo from the sweet shirtdress to the vintage sewing machine.

If the shirtdress intimidates you, rest assured there are detailed lessons on the button placket and stand collar. These look like instructions I would refer back to even if sewing from other patterns.

There is a long sleeve version of the shirt dress as well.

Special details don't go unnoticed either. Like the peek of lace at the cuff of these leggings.

I would imagine this sweet blouse would be the first thing I sew from the book. The buttons in front are decorative only. The blouse actually has a button up back opening.

Here is the handy photo index of projects. Under each item you can find the page reference for the modeled photo and the page reference for the instructions. As you can see, a hat and a purse made the project list as well.

Note the size chart below. These patterns are for younger girls, as my oldest, who is 6, tops the chart.

I always see more details with the line drawings than the actual modeled items. This camisole dress has a unique tie front.

In the right fabrics, this long-sleeve dress would make a sweet night gown.

Detailed diagrams are always my favorite feature of Japanese sewing books. Each diagram certainly packs in the information. The little iron symbol is a nice touch.

Here is the line drawing for the back button blouse. The pleated bodice is such a sweet detail.

The pattern sheets can be found in the back envelope of the book.

I hope you've seen enough to get a feel for the book, because.....

....Tuttle Publishing was kind enough to offer a book to one of you!! Enter for your chance to win a copy of Sew Sweet by Yuki Araki.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received the book, Sew Sweet, for free from Tuttle Publishing. All opinions provided are my own. I will only recommend products that I would use personally and are good for my readers.

Everyday Tank Blog Tour

Thursday, November 6, 2014

When Irene of Serger Pepper first contacted me for her Everyday Tank & Dress Pattern blog tour. I was in! Who doesn't love a great tank? Plus it had the bonus of a fun colorblock already figured out for me. I signed up, then took a step back. It's fall here! What am I going to do with a tank? Inspiration struck, and I created a sweater vest style top for my nephew from the tank pattern.

The only change I made was the neckline. I had never sewn a v-neck before, but I had no problem using this v-neck tutorial.

I used a navy sweatshirt fleece and the scraps from my husband's up-cycled sweater I used here. It's the perfect layering piece for fall!

If the shorts throw you off, keep in mind my nephew lives in Texas where fall is almost non-existent. Good thing winter is mild enough for this look!

The pattern includes instructions for making a tank or a tank dress. The sizes go from 3 to 14. You have the options of pockets as well! Find the Everyday Tank & Dress Pattern for sale here.

Irene is offering a coupon code to use during the blog tour. Code: BLOGTOUR40 gets you 40% off all items in your cart (expires Sunday, November 4th). You can use it in the Serger Pepper Shop and the Etsy shop.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**If you buy the pattern using the BLOGTOUR40 coupon code and then win it, you will have the choice between having another pattern or a $ 10 coupon code for a future purchase (expiring by the end of the next year 2015)!