I figured I better finish posting about March before I get caught up in the excitement of April. That last weekend turned out to be very productive and I was able to use up a remnant that was supposed to be sewn up last November.
A super soft dress jacket for the cold spring days! My little Not Niece's eyes lit up when she saw and felt this fabric. Her favorite color is green and she immediately asked if we could make it "right now?"
I adapted the t-shirt pattern from
Kwik-Sew Method Sew For Toddlers by Kerstin Martensson. When I laid the pattern pieces out I decided to go for a bit of a 50's swing jacket silhouette and put a pleat in the back. I also flared out the back sides to give it more volume, and use up the fabric!
I didn't want to do any top stitching on this plushy fabric so I decided to cut a lining from another knit that she liked. I think it adds a lot of fun to the jacket. I did some light pressing so it wouldn't show on the outside. I also cut the sleeves at three quarters, which was all I could squeeze out grainwise but added big cuffs that fit her just right!
I had some trouble with the collar and decided to rip it out. My sharp seam ripper took a turn for the worst and decided to slice into the shoulder as well. Thankfully plush came to the rescue and it isn't even visible on the outside. I took the rotary cutter to the seam at that point.
By the end of the experience I had one happy little girl, even if she didn't want to wear it just then.
Throughout this project I had to keep reminding myself this is just for a child. She will wear it hard and not for long. I don't need to have everything perfect. As long as it holds together the finishing is fine. Turns out, I was right.
What do you take into consideration when you sew for kids? Do you have any special tips or tricks?
