Charming Doodle Pattern Review - Knight Hoodie

Last week I signed up to test a pattern by the adorable Elisa Clark from Charming Doodle. I recently found her blog and I can't get enough. She has some talent! Her newest pattern is the Knight Hoodie and it for sizes 2T-10 (but there are rumors that a tween/adult pattern will be released soon).

The awesome thing about this this pattern is it's not just for little boys. I made one for my 6 1/2 year old daughter Maddie. She is pretty big for her ago so I made her the size 10. I took her to Joann with me to pick out her fabric and this is the combination she came up with. At first I was curious about how it would turn out but now that it is done I couldn't be happier. Maddie's in love with it too as you can see.

This was my very first hoodie and my first time working with sweatshirt fleece. This pattern came together so easily. It took a bit to get all the different pieces cut out but once it was cut I was able to sew it together start to finish in about 2 hours. The next one I make will probably take even less time.

 

This Knight Hoodie comes with very unique detail and "armor pieces" as well as buttons for accent. I didn't change anything about the pattern but by changing the color and making contrasting pieces it has a completely different look.

 

The fit on this pattern is loose but not baggy which I really like. It zips all the way up to the chin to give the look of armor. 

Some of the testers put appliques on the back of the Hoodie and it looks great. I left my plain because I think that the color is busy enough as is. :)

Maddie was excited to get to play with Daddy's toy sword from last years Halloween costume during our photos.

Here are some up close pics of the details on the Hoodie. I could not find ribbed knit or a zipper that matched our neon fabric so I just picked up some solid white and used Fabric Spray Paint to give it a graffiti vibe and coordinate with the fabric better.

I am scared to death to paint things like furniture but I have this weird obsession with fabric paint. As you can see below I used the same Fabric Spray Paint to make Maddie's birthday shirt for her birthday earlier this year.

Just for fun, here's Maddie trying to be an 'evil knight'. My silly girl is just too sweet to pull it off.

If you love this pattern and want to pick it up, go here and use the code DECEMBERKNIGHT before Christmas to get the pattern for $3 off. I know this will be a well loved pattern in our house. My younger daughter is already bugging me to make her one.

EYMM Pattern Review - Kenzie's Party Dress and Skirt

I recently had the opportunity to test the new Kenzie's Party Dress and Skirt  pattern by Kymy Johnson over at Everything Your Mama Made & More (EYMM) and I absolutely LOVE how it turned out. This is the the size 10 signature dress with sleeves. There are a couple of different options for this pattern. there is this dress, a skirt with the same bottom, then there is a simple dress and skirt option that has the same top and a simplified bottom. The dress is offered in 2 different sizes. Newborn to 4T and 5-18. There is also a discounted bundle if you want to have the entire range of sizes.

Maddie was feeling extra sassy during our shoot so I let her do her thing and I tried to keep up. The dress is a bit of a fabric hog, especially in the bigger sizes. but I think that it is SO worth it in the end result. There are 8 different fabrics used in this dress (including 2 OSU buckeyes fabrics). 3 of the plain broadcloth pieces are covered in a grey lace to make them pop more. I was determined to only use what I had in my stash so I had to get a little creative. (:

The one thing that was mentioned during testing was that that arm holes were a little large on the bigger sizes but that has since been corrected for the final version.

I had never done a rolled hem with my serger before and I was terrified to take parts out of my machine because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get it back together the same. 

I used this awesome tutorial from LBG Studio and I was able to make my first rolled hem. Warning though, rolled hems use a TON of thread. Especially when you have this much to do.

I am in love with the way the back is put together. The low back is darling and who doesn't love a good bow? I even sewed my very first dress placket with this dress as well as the first time I have ever used snaps. I decided to try snaps instead of buttons because I HATE sewing button holes. The snaps were so easy I have no idea why I didn't try them sooner.

Here is little miss saying," what do you want me to do now mom?"

And get ready for it, the TWIRL!!!! The dress has the right amount of twirl and is super fun with all the layers according to my 6.5 yr old. 

As you can see we had to set up pictures in the garage because by the time it stopped raining at 5PM Saturday night it was already pitch black outside. A couple of thumb tacks and a piece of white fleece and we were good to go.

Aside from myself, my girls are my biggest critics (in a loving way of course). Here's Maddie telling me she knows where I messed up on the dress. Can you find it?

**Hint, something may or may not have been sewn on inside out. No, I am not going to fix it. It adds character, right? **

Linking up at:

What Kids Wore Wednesday
Weekend Wonders

Go To Patterns, Pattern Review - Holly Trousers and Shorts

If you have been around this blog for a while you know that I test a lot of patterns. There are a couple designers that I have tested for several times, but I was beyond giddy and excited when I reviewed an email from Andrea over at Go To Patterns with an opportunity to test the Holly Trousers and Shorts pattern that is part of the newest Pattern Anthology. 

I tested the size 5 shorts for my soon to be 4 year old. She wears a 4/5 in RTW clothes and the fit was perfect with just a little bit of growing room which was what I expected for the sizing chart. The shorts are made from a twill/wool type material that I've had forever. I got it for $1 a yard at Walmart about 6 years ago and I still love it and have used it a couple times before. 

There is a zipper in the side, pleats in the front, a cuff on the shorts, and a wide waistband with the option of belt loops that I omitted because the material was so thick and Abby rarely if ever wears a belt.  

It was chilly and windy when we went out to take pictures but Abby was a trooper and actually let me get all of 3 shots before she started posing herself "like the fake people at the store" as she says. 

I don't know about you, but I think she might spend a little too much time shopping. She has the poses down. haha

You can go here and check out the entire Pattern Anthology. They always have the best designers collaborating on these.

Linking up at:

What Kids Wore Wednesday