Pattern Test: Old Tyme Baseball Shirt by Dandelions n Dungarees

The Old Tyme Baseball shirt by Dandelions n’ Dungarees is part of the Aspiring Designers Challenge happening over at Pattern Revolution. Check out the challenge on their website and find out about all the other aspiring designers participating in it and you also have a chance to win a copy of each of the patterns being released!
I love this shirt. I know, I say that about every test that I’ve done, but I really do love them all.

 

When I signed up to test for this shirt by Dandelions n’ Dungarees, I figured it would be too easy to make it look sporty (and well, seriously she’s 6 months old, it’s not like she can really play baseball!), so I decided to challenge myself to make it a little girly. I think I succeeded! I actually used a vintage pillowcase to make it, I think it works. The print is so sweet!

It was my first time ever doing piping, and while it was a bit of challenge for me the directions were great (although my piping is not, lol).

I really like how it looks layered over a long sleeve. I plan to make more. My older girl could use some new shirts too!

I think a beginner could do this if they’re willing to tackle piping (if they haven’t done that before). Another great thing about their patterns is that they include a sewing dictionary with their patterns. Super helpful at times!

Check out the rest of the designers in the Aspiring Designers Challenge over at Pattern Revolution and enter for your chance to win each of the patterns!

Pattern Test: Little Betty top by Sewpony

I tested a top pattern for Sewpony called the Little Betty top. It’s too cute. Right now there is a 20% off code for her Etsy shop. Just check the blog post.
oops forgot to button it up in the back for these pics

I have to say that I love love LOVE this top. It’s the most adorable top ever! I love the ruffles. The ruffles aren’t overpowering, they’re just perfect. They go all around to the back too. So cute!

It’s great pattern for beginners to try. I’ve only ever (successfully) sewn with knits like 4 times total prior to this top (see here, my other two projects were skirts sewn on my old machine and weren’t that great). You’ll need to make a placket for the button opening and sew on binding, the rest is fairly straightforward.
Did I mention she’s 5 months old now? Where did the time go??? Waah!
There isn’t much taping to do really, most of the pieces fit on one page. (Or at least they did for the 6m size, hmm..) The pattern comes in a size range of 6m to 8y. Baby V is modelling the 6m size. (And for the fun of it, I’m working on a second one in 4T for SillyBean.) No serger needed! You can do it all on a sewing machine, as long as you have a stretch stitch.
Sewing it up is fast and easy. Just make sure you’re not sleep deprived when you’re cutting out the pieces and sewing it or you’ll end up having to recut the bodice and some other pieces three times… Three times.. Make sure you put the fold edge of the pattern pieces actually along the fold.. That may or may not have happened to me. Okay, it did. Luckily I was using an old shirt of mine so I didn’t waste any purchased fabric. But still… For something that in the end was real easy and fast, I sure made things difficult for myself.
I love the cuffs too! And there is actually a wide waistband made of the same ribbing as the cuffs but you can’t really see it when she’s sitting up.
Ah, there ya go! Now you can see the waistband (and a little budda belly).
Anyway, I’m in love. My first tee!
*Just so we’re clear, the instructions are great and easy to understand. I was just having one of those weeks.*

One more pic for good measure.

I wonder what she’s looking at?

 Oh you can’t really see them that well in these pics, but she’s wearing the Metropolitain pants by Terra’s Treasures that I tested. Another great pattern btw! (And if you purchase the pattern you can see a little pic of Baby V in the tester photos!)