The Finished Garment

Up In The Sky – Kitschy Coo Skater Dress

Sometimes it’s fun to make something quick, easy, and adorable and the Little Girl Skater Dress by Kitschy Coo checks all those boxes.

Little Girl Skater Dress sewing pattern by Kitschy Coo, as sewn by The Finished Garment — This is the size 7/8 in a watermelon colour theme.

This is the second time I’ve used this pattern. Last time I did this in a winter dress with long sleeves and using french terry. This time I used cotton jersey and made the sleeveless version.

The fabric is from l’Oiseau Fabrics. I used their jersey for the dresses and ribbing for trim. All are really high quality and perfectly suited for the pattern.

The pattern combines two sizes in one, and this works great for my kids, since they can wear the dress for a long time. I didn’t make any alterations at all.

Various cotton spandex jersey prints in a sky theme.

This project is part of the Kids Clothes Week sew along, the Monthly Stitch August challenge: Triple Trouble, and the Stashbusting Sewalong.

Summary

Pattern: Little Girl’s Skater Dress by Kitschy Coo available in sizes 18m-8y. I chose the sleeveless view. There are also short sleeve and long sleeve versions.

Fabric: Starlight Jersey Knit in red and turquoise. Cloudy jersey knit in pink. Stretch ribbing in Aqua, purple and lime. All 95% cotton, 5% spandex. All from l’Oiseau Fabrics.

Size: 3/4, 5/6, 7/8.

Cost: Pattern: £7.20 Fabric: About $24/dress.

Sewing Level: Beginner.

Modifications: none.

Results: Great. Makes a cute, comfortable dress the kids love.

Stash Busting for Seasonal Change

I can’t believe summer is almost over. I just added fabric for a swimsuit to my stash and created a caftan inspiration board on Pinterest. But really, it’s just the right time to get started sewing for fall.

So to get in the right state of mind, I’ve collected some of the best new patterns for early fall sewing. Because even when you’re stash busting, it’s fun to have something shiny and pretty.

The big four pattern companies have just released there fall patterns, or sometimes just their “early fall” patterns and there a few really good ones.

I sometimes find that Butterick patterns don’t really grab my attention, so I was really happy to see three new patterns I like. Gertie has a new vintage-inspired dress pattern, Butterick B6380. Lisette has a great coat pattern, B6385, with various cup-sizes included. And I also spotted a cute and original dress pattern, B8388, that looks great for knits.

Vogue has some new patterns, but one real stand out, V1517, an amazing Anne Klein jacket with skinny pants.

Over at Simplicity, Mimi G has a really cute motorcycle jacket, 8174. I just wish you could still buy Simplicity patterns in Canada.

Not many indie pattern companies have released their fall lines, but quite a few have some nice spring patterns that also work for fall. Oki-Style has a very unique cowl-neck dress. Vanessa Pouzet has her Folk dress, which could work for work or evening. And Named patterns has released a sleeve addition for their very popular Kiehlo dress, making it a great addition to a fall/winter wardrobe.

In separates, there is the new Rosarí skirt by Pauline Alice. Closet Case has the new Morgan boyfriend jeans pattern. And over at Bootstrap Fashion, the tunic with yoke, though an older pattern, I think, would make turn everything into a little mini capsule wardrobe.

And finally, over at Waffle patterns, is the Tosti utility jacket. I think this one is my favourite.

Fabricalicious

I just checked the mail and look at what has arrived: new fabric! And it is so pretty.

I have been so busy and haven’t had time to sew much and have had even less time to blog about it. But I think this is just the trick to kick my sewing mojo into high gear.

Now what to make… I think the red roses might turn into a Lady Skater. Decisions, decisions.

A Quick Summer Dress

It’s been a really, really busy summer. I haven’t had much time to sew and even less to blog. And yet, I still managed to have a blogging backlog.

This is the Sugar n’ Spice Romper and Dress by Heidi & Finn, which I made earlier this summer. I wanted a nice quick project that would get my daughter something fun and comfortable to wear in hot weather, and this definitely fit the bill.

Sugar n' Spice Romper and Dress sewing pattern as sewn by The Finished Garment — I really like the length of the dress.

I used ITY (Interlock twist yarn), a synthetic knit for the dress. The bright print was something I had left over for a dress for myself, and the pink was a remnant that just happened to match perfectly. Both are from one of the local chain stores.

The pattern was really quick and easy to sew. My only complaint has to do with the fabric I chose. The ITY doesn’t have a lot of structure, so in the bodice it tends to curl a little. Next time, I’d use a fabric with a bit more structure (even cotton jersey) for the bodice, or make a bit more effort to make the outer layer of the crossover bodice a bit more snug.

The dress has been a big hit and gets lots of wear. So I will count this one as a belatedly blogged success.

Summary

Pattern: Sugar n’ Spice Romper and Dress by Heidi & Finn available in sizes 12m-12y.
Fabric: ITY.
Size: 7.
Cost: Pattern: $11. Fabric: About $10.
Sewing Level: Beginner.
Modifications: none.
Results: Good, but next time I will make the outer layer of the crossover bodice a bit more snug, or use fabric with a bit more structure.

Tiny Assassins

A couple of years ago I made bat costumes for my kids for Halloween. The kids loved them and wanted to wear them all the time, but they were maybe a little costume-y for regular wear.

So this year, I used the same pattern, the Red Riding Hood from the book Oliver + S Little Things to Sew, to make capes the kids could wear this fall.

Red Riding cape from the book Little Things to Sew, as sewn by The Finished Garment.

I made the capes in three sizes: small, medium and large. The pattern only comes in medium and large so I had to draft my own small.

I didn’t make any changes to the pattern, and even hand finished the arm openings for a nicer finish.

I used some wool suiting that I bought out of season ages ago and chose a different quilting cotton to line each one. These were also from my stash. I think my total stash busting for these was about 8 meters (about 9 yards). Even the buttons were lonely singles from my button jar.

Black Button — Even the buttons came from my stash.

Grey Button — I think this button had no siblings, so a perfect project for it.

The kids love the capes, especially the big hoods, and they are really well suited for easily fall and late spring. My husband likes them too, though he thinks they look like little assassins from the video game Assassin’s Creed. So maybe they are still a little costume-y after all.

This post is part of the Stashbusting Sewalong.

Summary

Pattern Review: Red Riding Hood from the book Oliver + S Little Things to Sew.

Fabric:

Grey wool suiting
FloraDots in Violet from the La Dee Da collection by Erin McMorries for Free Spirit Fabrics.
Happier Bugs in Blue from the Happier collection by Deena Rutter’s for Riley Blake Designs.
Pick A Bunch Organic Blooms in Orchid by Nancy Mim’s from Robert Kaufman.

Sizes: S, M and L.

Sewing Level: beginner.

Modifications: None.

Results: Excellent! I’ve made these several times before. I would highly recommend this pattern.

My husband thinks the kids look like junior characters from Assassin's Creed. — My husband thinks the kids look like junior characters from Assassin’s Creed.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

Stashbusting Outerwear

Now that summer is officially over and the kids are all back to school, it’s time to bust that stash!

For a couple of years, I’ve been participating in the Stashbusting Sew along. It’s a very casual sew along, where the goal is to use up the fabric (and patterns and sewing notions) that you already have. There are themes each month and people are encouraged to participate when they can – which is exactly the type of easy going sew along I like best.

This year, there are guest leaders, and this month it’s me! My theme is outerwear, and seasonal change- both of which are perfect for september sewing.

In my sewing room, the one fabric that keeps piling up is fabric for outerwear – but often it’s “reserved” for big, complicated projects that I never seem to get around to. So my goal this month is to complete some outerwear projects.

Arctic Trapper Hat sewing pattern from See Kate Sew, made by The Finished Garment. — Arctic Trapper Hat sewing pattern from See Kate Sew.

But I also wanted to share some cool links for outerwear projects to help get people in the mood. I decided to feature some independent patterns that you might not have spotted before, and to choose ones that are especially quick to make. Hope you see something that inspires you!

The Spring Showers Jacket sewing pattern by Elegance & Elephants, as sewn by The Finished Garment. — The Spring Showers Jacket sewing pattern by Elegance & Elephants.

Outerwear Sewing Patterns for Kids

Hats
slouch beanie by Brindille & Twig
Little Cap by by Leila & Ben
Huck Finn Cap by Sew Liberated
Balaclava by Make it & Love It (free)
Arctic Trapper Hat by See Kate Sew.

Shoes
Toms-Inspired Baby And Toddler Shoes by Homemade Toast (free version available)

Coats, Jackets and Capes
Agatha Coat by papillon & mandarine
Urban Weekender Coat by Heidi & Finn
The Cape by Vanessa Pouzet
Lars Jacket by Zonen 09
Black Pearl Coat by papillon & mandarine
Quilted Baby Coat by BurdaStyle
Dinosaur Hoodie Tutorial by The Sewing Rabbit

Outerwear Sewing Patterns For Men

Mister Comet Hoodie by DaWanda
Honey Crisp Conductive Mittens by Seamster

Outerwear Sewing Patterns For Women

Hats
Slouchy Beanie by Imagine Gnats

Jackets
Jett Biker Jacket by StyleArc
Zinnia Jacket by Blank Slate Patterns
909 Jacket by Shwin Designs
Bernadette Quilted Jacket by République Du Chiffon
Jacket Vest by i love sewing (free)
Manufacture Top by aime comme Marie

Coats
Sophia Coat by Tamanegi-kobo
Eagle Jacket by Vanessa Pouzet
Frakke Coat by Stoff & Stil
Eve Coat by Schnittchen

Some Vintage Inspiration from my mother’s sewing pattern stash.

Simplicity 5928 — Vintage pattern from my mother.

Vogue 9308 — Vintage pattern from my mother.

And maybe this year, I’ll finally make myself a cape…

Simplicity 7866 — Vintage pattern from my mother.

A Giveaway!

Nothing says spring sewing like bright colours and pretty fabric! So when Daryl from Fabric Spark contacted me and asked about holding a giveaway, I was super excited. She has a great selection of fabric and lots of bright colours that are perfect for the type of modern quilting that I love.

Putting together the bundle was quite the challenge – there were just too many great choices. I chose fabrics in bright pink and turquoise with some nice darks for contrast (don’t want to be too predictable!).

The fabrics are:

Fabric Spark is giving away a bundle of eight fat quarters to one lucky reader. The contest is open to international entries, which is always great, and closes on Friday at midnight.

Good luck!

This giveaway is now closed.

Hosting a giveaway is always lots of fun. And I’m happy to announce that a winner has been chosen for the Fabric Spark Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway. The winner is Dandi. Daryl from Fabric Spark will be getting in touch directly to organize all the details.

I have a bundle of my own in front of me, so I can’t wait to show you what I’ve been working on. Fun, fun, fun!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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One Last Hurrah for Winter

Spring has finally spring here in Montreal, so I thought I’d share my last winter sewing project before it’s embarrassingly late.

Here in Quebec, it isn’t unusual to see temperatures around -30°C (-22°F) in the winter, and then +30°C (86°F) in the summer. It takes two different wardrobes. So each year I box up all the kids’ winter clothes and bring out all the summer clothes and take an inventory. It seems that over the winter my kids have all gone up at least one size, and one thing everyone was missing was pyjamas.

Bedtime Story Pajamas sewing pattern by Oliver + S, as sewn by The Finished Garment — One last pair of PJs before spring.

Once again I used the Bedtime Story Pajamas sewing pattern by Oliver + S, for the bottoms, and store-bought t-shirts for the tops. I used flannel for the bottoms, which may sound a bit crazy if you live somewhere warmer. But here, it’s likely be chilly at night right into May. I finished these in March, and they’ve gotten tons of wear. This fabric was chosen by the kids and has sat for ages in my stash, so it was time.

I’m not sure how many times I’ve used this pattern anymore, but it’s a lot. So I was sooooo sad to see that it only goes up to size 8. I’m sewing size 7 now, so it looks like I’ll have to branch out pretty soon.

Hope you’re enjoying the change of seasons.

Summary

Pattern Review: Bedtime Story Pajamas by Oliver + S.

Fabric: Flannel Star Wars Angry Birds Flannel in Blue from Camelot Fabrics.

Sizes: 3, 5, 7 and 7.

Sewing Level: beginner, intermediate if not just the pants.

Modifications: None.

Results: Excellent! I’ve made these many times before. I would highly recommend this pattern.

Just to be clear: Angry Birds and Star Wars names and images are licensed to Camelot Cottons by Lucasfilm Ltd. and Rovio Entertainment Ltd. The pjs shown here are not official licensed products and are not available for sale. But you can always buy some fabric and make your own!

Montreal Spring Sewing Meetup

Montreal Sewing Bloggers' Meetup August 17 — Montreal Sewing Blogger Meetup

The snow is still melting in Montreal, but spring is in the air. So I thought it would be fun to organize a spring sewing meetup here in town. Please let me know if you are interested, what you want to do, and when you’re free and I’ll take care of the rest!

The event will be bilingual and open to anyone with an interest in sewing. No blog required 😉

A Renfrew in Stripes

My latest sewing project is for me! Lately my blog has been full of projects for other people, but I have been sewing for myself as well.

The Renfrew Top sewing pattern by Sewaholic, as sewn by The Finished Garment. — The top is really comfy.

My latest project is the Renfrew Top by Sewaholic Patterns. I made this once before, but the results were so-so.

This time I made quite a few adjustments. First, I went down two sizes. I made size 12, which is about 2 sizes smaller than the size chart indicated I should use. This made the fit at the shoulders much better.

I skipped the waistband altogether, which wasn’t especially flattering on me, and lengthened the top by three inches to make up for the length in the band and then some. I’m a little long in the ribcage and ready-to-wear shirts are often too short. This is the length I prefer.

I also skipped the zigzagging around the neckline that is called for in the pattern instructions. Last time, I tried this on the back of the neck but I didn’t like the look. to hem the shirt, I used a double needle. I’m much happier with this finish.

I also used better fabric. This jersey is a bit more expensive than the last time, but has much better recovery. That makes it a little more flattering, but also more comfortable. It’s also really bright, which I like. Who says kids should get all the fun?

I am so much happier with this shirt. It feels great and cheers me up when I wear it.

Summary

Pattern Review: Renfrew Top by Sewaholic Patterns. I made view A.
Fabric: Cotton-spandex Jersey, from L’Oiseau Fabrics.
Cost: The pattern was a birthday gift and the fabric was about 16$ a meter. Total: about 25$.
Size: 12.
Sewing Level: Adventurous beginner.
Modifications: I didn’t zigzag around the neck band, I lengthened the shirt by about three inches, and I skipped the waist band.
Results: So much better than the first Renfrew I made. I plan to make this again with the cowl neck.