Sassy Skirt by Children's Corner

Sassy Skirt from Children's Corner view B

This is a close up of the crazy butterfly I added to the Target t-shirt to tie it together.

Pattern Description: Sassy Skirts is a collection of three skirt patterns designed by Susan Whitman. View A is a double-layered under and top skirt cut on the bias. The skirt is attached to a lined skirt yoke and has elastic at back of skirt. View B has a slightly gathered skirt and is completely lined. It also features elastic at the back waistline. View C has a single layer bias skirt. View C is completely lined and has elastic at the back of skirt waistline. Optional belt loops and sash can be added to all patterns. Instructions are included for belt and belt loops.

Pattern Sizing:This pattern is available in sizes 3-5 and 6-10.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?Yes, but you will have to be in a quiet room and thinking or you will be ripping out the underskirt when you attach it.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I LOVE this pattern on little girls because the waistband FITS. So many patterns have a rectangle cut for the yoke of a skirt. This one is shaped and the back has elastic allowing the front to hang smooth and not bunched up around the waist.

Fabric Used:This is a quilting cotton from Patty Young's Flora and Fauna collection with a t-shirt from Target.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:I made the skirt in view B without the belt ties. To tie the outfit together with the shirt I wonder undered one of the butterflies to felt and added some matching ribbon and rick rack.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?YES!!! This IS the pattern to use for little girl's skirts!

Conclusion: I will use this pattern or at least the yoke for all dropped waist skirts for my daughter. No more rectangles that don't fit well.

Sweet Arabella from Australian Smocking and Embroidery, Issue 73

This is a great fall dress.

The dress form pushes this little dress to its limit.  But the back view lets you see the collar well.

This close-up gives you a good look at the different colors in the smocking.  

Pattern Description: A square yoke dress with a smocked front. The collar has gathered ruffles and piping. The sleeves are puffed and there is smocking to hold the sleeve up.

Pattern Sizing:Sizes - 3, 4, and 5 years. These are Australian sizes, so they run very large. I made a size 5 and most normal 6 year olds could wear it.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it is a lovely dress. I used a totally different color scheme than the original pattern and smocking, but I was very pleased with the results.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes. Australian Smocking and Embroidery have easy directions for any intermediate sewer. This issue had a page of illustrations on how to put on the ruffled collar. That is a great help, since it is a lot of fabric in a very small space.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I really like the smocking design with the gap in smocked sections. It hangs on my daughter so well. The collar also looks great. I almost cut it out because I knew it would be difficult to make this look good.

Fabric Used:
I fell in love with this purple quilting cotton and finally found the great fall project for it.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
none

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I usually don't sew two smocked garments alike, but this is a favorite.

Conclusion: Great directions help make great garments. This is a great example. 

Sara's Skort by Children's Corner Patterns

Sara's Skort always looks so tailored.  Even after a ton of cartwheels, my daughter still looks put together, except for the hair.

This is a quick view of the shorts.  It is hard to see them due to being the same fabric for both skirt and shorts.

This is the embroidery work on the Target t-shirt.  Designs by Juju, Paisley 6.

Pattern Description: 
Pattern is for skort only. The skirt is lined and the shorts are unlined. Skort front is fitted, while the back waist has a casing with elastic.

Pattern Sizing:
Sizes 3-8 in one package. I made a size 6.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love the fit of this pattern on my daughter. It is very tailored and doesn't look home sewn at all. Even better is the shorts underneath for a girl that does cartwheels everywhere.

Fabric Used:
I used a paisley print from Sandi Henderson's Farmers Market Collection. The t-shirt I purchased from Target and the embroidery design is from Designs by Juju, Paisley 6.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I added piping on the bottom hemline that was purchased from Children's Corner.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I have made this skirt numerous times and with different fabrics. It is always cherished by my daughter and gets tons of compliments.

Conclusion: 

A great wardrobe builder for the under 8 crowd!

Ainsley by Children's Corner Patterns

A great fall outfit for my daughter.

Pattern Description: 
Ainsley is a girl’s over-blouse that buttons in the back and has both short and long sleeves. The lined yoke has gathered front and backs that are pulled in at the waistline with a narrow topstitched waistband. The short fitted sleeve is edged with a small hemmed ruffle. The fitted long sleeve has a slit at wrist and is slightly gathered onto a small sleeve band that buttons. The A-line skirt features side vents with two buttons each and an elastic casing at center back. Designed by Susan Whitman.
Pattern Sizing:
Available in sizes 2-5 and 6-10.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
When I cut out all the pieces, I thought this would take more time than a usual shirt and skirt, but it went together like a dream and very quickly.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love the fit. It looks adorable on my 6 year old daughter. The proportions and drape are wonderful.
Fabric Used:
I used a Moda cotton plaid and print that I picked up at Quilt Festival a few years ago and was waiting for the perfect garment.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I wouldn't change anything, but if I was sewing for a hard to fit girl through the waist, I would do some measuring since it is fitted in the waist.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, next time in spring colors.
Conclusion: 
I love Children's Corner patterns for their great fit and polished look. This is just another example of great patternmaking for children.

The skirt has a button closure on both front side and a strip of elastic in the back.