Treasured ~ a Lilac Lane Pattern ~ Pattern Review

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I am a huge fan of anything classic looking....don't get me wrong...me and the littles also like trendy.....but I'm loving the fact that the classic look is now becoming more "trendy" than it has been in the past few years.



When I saw Treasured by Lilac Lane I fell in love with the classic whimsical look of this dress.....and I knew it was one that had so many possibilities in what one could create with one simple pattern. The pattern details this dress as one that is perfect for weddings, first communions or baptisms...but it is also perfect for a shabby chic look if you need something a little less formal but you are still wanting that major WOW factor!!!



The pattern is a whopping 147 pages...but do not let this discourage you!! Just make sure to print just the size you are needing so you don't end up using up all of that precious ink (you can find printing size information on page 14 of the instructions)!!! The actual instructions on this pattern start on page 4 and go through page 9 with only 26 steps to create this amazing dress!!! There are a few rectangle pieces for the ruffles and for the sash and the measurements for those are given on page 4.



The fit of this dress is perfect! I fell in love with the drop waist and it fell perfectly on my little! Not too low so that it would hit her hip area in an odd way, but low enough to give the bodice an elongated look which clearly sets this dress apart from so many others! The bodice also gives you plenty of room of you want to add your own unique touch....maybe a row of buttons or a ruffle or two down the the front...I left ours plain as we had enough going on with the prints....but once again...the possibilities are endless ladies!!! There was also plenty of room in the armpit area but it wasn't so big that it would gape open and let those girly bits show from the side....we are a "no girly bit showing household" so this was perfect!!! This pattern also goes from a size 2T to a 12 so it's great for matching sister dresses or one to grown with your little through time.



I loved the double skirt...I also loved the fact that it had shape to it so that there was flow as opposed to it being just rectangular. The ruffles are generous so if you are looking for a not so ruffely look just take some length off like I did! I also wanted my bottom skirt to show a little more so I did a couple pin tucks on the side to show of the stripes that I had used in the bodice. That too is an easy modification. Or you can also do what the instructions say and just make the a size smaller in the length of the top skirt if you would like to show off more of the bottom skirt.



The pattern went together very easily and I have to say that I absolutely LOVE the grid background on the pattern....everything lines up so perfectly and I believe that this is the first pattern that I have ever put together that does a grid background! I truly love that touch. All of the pattern pieces are labeled with what they are, the size and the name of the pattern which is nice if you are anything like me and have a million pattern pieces scattered around for a million different patterns.



So far this pattern offers a unique look that is truly one of a kind. It has a great fit.....it has a large size range...and who hoo....a pattern on a grid for such an ease for taping together!!!



This pattern is listed for an intermediate level sewist.  The instructions brief and to the point and if you are a beginner sewist might seem intimidating or possibly confusing. There are detailed pictures throughout the pattern so if you are a beginner and feeling adventurous give this pattern a whirl and you might just be surprised at your outcome.



I love this pattern....I think I might have said that a time or two, but i seriously do! I love the fact that if we have something fancy schmancy to go to I can make a killer fancy dress....and if we want a unique look I can make a killer unique dress....and if I want a shabby chic look I can make a killer shabby dress....can you see where I am going with this! 



I love patterns that are not the same as a million other patterns and this one fits that bill!!! I love the way this dress turned out and what I love even more is the fact that my little loves it as much as I do!!!!



Happy Tuesday!!!

~Rebecca~
XOXOXOXOXO




Beach To School Bottoms ~The Plucky Butterfly Designs~ Pattern Review

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The best kind of patterns that are available are the ones that you can use over and over and over again....the ones that have many different options and styles....the ones that are your go to patterns...the staples to your little's wardrobe....and the Beach to School Bottoms by The Plucky Butterfly Designs.

For my review I chose to do the relaxed pant length with the flounce...I wanted something a little different than the ruffles for this pair....but the next pair I make...which there will be MANY more in our future we are going to add ruffles!!! 



This pattern can be used year round...hence the name Beach to School Bottoms...you can make these in shorty short length, short length, capri length and pant length....see....it really is year round!!!! They also go from a doll size all the way up to a size 12 so not only can this patter be used year round...it can be used year after year after year!

The pattern has a wonderful fit overall...great length...great waist...great room in the bum...just perfect fit all the way around!




The pattern is very well written and includes lots of information from tips and tricks to techniques to a little silliness.... There are tables for the child's measurements, fabric requirements for each of the different styles and a table for cutting ruffles for each size. Everything in this pattern is easy to find and logically placed within the pattern.



Another must have...especially for patterns with lots of sizes....is a table that tells you which pages to print for the size you are needing...and this pattern includes that! Yay for saving my paper and my ink!!



The instructions have great detailed pictures that will help guide you to make the perfect bottoms....I find this to be very helpful for new sewists....or even for those experienced sewists that look at the pictures as opposed to reading through all of the instructions....and I know I am not the ONLY one that does that!!!!



This was my first pattern that I have used by The Plucky Butterfly Designs and I really enjoyed it! The fit was wonderful, the size options vast so it can be used for many years (because lets face it, the styles in this pattern are not going to be going out of style anytime soon), the instructions are great for a beginner who has never sewn with knits or to the experienced sewist, and these things can literally be made in 30 minutes tops! I was able to tape up the pattern, get my fabric cut, and get them sewn together in less than 30 minutes! Hands down that is just one of my favorite things about this pattern.....you know you love those quick sews just as much as I do!!!



So with that....I have no idea what you are waiting for to go grab this pattern! You can sew up some shorts for the beach...the gym...for under skirts and dress...sew up some longer shorts and pair them up with some tights and boots for the winter...make some capris and then go ahead and make a few pair of pant length for the heck of it!!!

Happy Wednesday!!!

XOXOXOXOXOXO 
~Rebecca~