Adventure Tee - Make (Believe) from Pattern Anthology

Every kid I know wears t-shirts on a daily basis, mine too.  Therefore, every kid needs the adventure tee.  There are several sleeve options and almost as many neckline options. I skipped the placket option this time but man, there are quite a few of those on my to-sew list!  Andrea is a pro at drafting knit patterns!

I ended up making 3 adventure tees within a few days and this pattern isn't getting put away anytime soon :-). The first one I made was for a quick fit check as Miss K was towards the top of the sizing chart (but still  fits into size 12 month). The finish on this shirt is super rough but I love it and she's worn it a whole bunch already - serged edges only (and accidentally/turned on purpose exposed shoulder seams). The second and third shirt are meant to go together but the hi neck/long sleeve black shirt underneath won't work in real life until fall.  It's too hot for long sleeves yet.  The top shirt (grey/black print) gets worn at least once a week. 

Pattern available here - http://patternanthology.com/products/make-believe-ebook-collection
 

 

 

Links to the other pieces in the Make (Believe) collection here:  http://studio280stitches.blogspot.com/2014/07/make-believe-from-pattern-anthology.html

Bookworm Button-Up - Make (Believe) from Pattern Anthology

Did you know that before this, I had never sewn a button-up shirt or used snaps?!?!  Melissa was probably sick of reassuring me by the end of this test but I was so worried that I was going to do it wrong!!  Follow the directions, you say....  Well, since this was out of my comfort zone, I did and was still worried. Why?  Not because the instructions lacked but because I couldn't visualize it.  After every step I was amazed at how this little shirt was coming together. If you've never sewn a similar shirt, you don't realize that your instructions are not quite the same as a standard tee. Haha, of course not!

Needless to say, I initially felt like I had bitten off more than I could chew and I really didn't want to ruin it. It was my mindset that caused me issues, that is the only reason why I would classify this as an intermediate pattern.  You have to have the confidence to follow the instructions to complete it. It sounds weird but, that's where I'm at on this.  I WILL make another one (several actually), and you need to make one/some too!  There are some amazing details that make this shirt to die for!!  Long sleeves, short sleeves, bow sleeves, roll-up sleeve tabs, several pocket options, standard back, overlapped back, high-low hem back. 

Pattern available here - http://patternanthology.com/products/make-believe-ebook-collection
 

Haha oops!  I sewed the pockets shut. 

 

 

Links to the other pieces in the Make (Believe) collection here:  http://studio280stitches.blogspot.com/2014/07/make-believe-from-pattern-anthology.html

Explorer Hoodie - Make (Believe) from Pattern Anthology

This hoodie so versatile!!  Fabric choices can make this nice light outerwear for summer or the coziest hoodie in the freezing winter.  It features either a straight or angled zipper at the neck, with or without the button tab.

Wow was this an easy sew!  The line drawing/illustrations in the instructions make things extra clear. Kate did a lovely job with this!  I can't wait to make another out of ponte de roma :-). There's not a whole ton to say about this because it was SO easy!  I can't stand the cuteness that comes with the angled zipper - such a fun addition!  The most difficult part was sewing the hoodie, hood, and necklacing together but it was only difficult because I was using some crazy fabric!!  I used doubled (bonded) fleece and my machine was not a fan of sewing through a ton of layers of that. If I had used a slightly thinner (less than an 1/8" thick) fabric there would have been no complaints :-)  We have cold winters in colorado though, I and wanted something that would be really warm. 

Pattern available here - http://patternanthology.com/products/make-believe-ebook-collection
 

 

 

Links to the other pieces in the Make (Believe) collection here:  http://studio280stitches.blogspot.com/2014/07/make-believe-from-pattern-anthology.html

Imagine Jacket - Make (Believe) from Pattern Anthology

I'm not going to lie, when I found out we were going to be testing a jacket in the middle of summer I was perplexed. I mean, it's a million degrees outside, why would I need a jacket?!?!  Well, your kids will probably need a jacket when they go back to school, right?  And you probably want to get some things sewn before they actually start school, right?  There's your answer!!  Haha

Once I got past the sewing a jacket in summer and saw the examples, I was sold. This jacket is possibly the cutest thing for a little kid that I've ever seen!!  There are two styles (both easily could be for a boy or a girl) that have separate and equally adorable details.  One with contrast at the shoulders/arm openings and a chest pocket, the other with rouched sleeves and shoulder patches.  My size partner wanted the first option, so I went with the second....  There is no wrong answer here. Both versions for the win!

I LOVE the way this pattern is drafted, the fit is spot on.  Shauna did an amazing job on this jacket and walks you through the assembly like you're strolling through the park. No speed bumps, no hiccups; just step by step. You'd assume that a fully lined zippered jacket with welt pockets would be this crazy, difficult, giant looming project, and it's just not. She guides you through the process so easily that you don't even realize how difficult it could be until, POOF!  You're done. And it's fantastic.   Honestly, the most difficult part of the whole thing was gathering the sleeves. Haha, can you tell I dislike gathering?? It's worth it!

I used a brushed twill for the outside and quilting cotton for the inside, both from JoAnn's. 

Pattern available here - http://patternanthology.com/products/make-believe-ebook-collection
 

 

Links to the other pieces in the Make (Believe) collection here:  http://studio280stitches.blogspot.com/2014/07/make-believe-from-pattern-anthology.html

Make (Believe) from Pattern Anthology

I was ecstatic when I learned that I had been chosen for a tester position with Pattern Anthology!!  These designers are people that I have looked up to both in the blogger world and in sewing designs.   I could not wait for the work to start with these ladies!

I've been working on pieces from the new collection: Make (Believe) for the last month or so.  It is the perfect back to school collection...  Staples that have a twist and are so versatile!  I am so over the moon happy with my tester versions, these patterns are well drafted and the instructions very well written. 

http://patternanthology.com/products/make-believe-ebook-collection
 

Here is a little sneak of the details on each one. In-depth posts for each garment to follow :-)

Adventure Tee - http://studio280stitches.blogspot.com/2014/07/adventure-tee-make-believe-from-pattern.html

Imagine Jacket - http://studio280stitches.blogspot.com/2014/07/imagine-jacket-make-believe-from.html

Explorer Hoodie - http://studio280stitches.blogspot.com/2014/07/explorer-hoodie-make-believe-from.html

Bookworm Button-up - http://studio280stitches.blogspot.com/2014/07/bookworm-button-up-make-believe-from.html

 

This has been my best testing experience by far!  I have learned for much and have learned to look at things a little bit differently than I normally would and how to think about the way the pattern goes together and where you can add different accents with fabrics just in the pattern lines. Thank you to the designers and fellow testers!!!