Fashionista Fab (crop jean jacket from Winter Wear Designs)

My daughter is always cold…always.  It was 93 degrees out today, and she left the school with a hoodie on.  She’s always looking for something to throw over her top when we’re running out the door.  The new Fashonista Jean Jacket from Winter Wear Designs is pretty amazing as an easy coverup! 

Let’s talk details before I start getting too far!

- Size range from 1 to 14

- A4, letter, and A0 print sizes

- Layered printing

- Color photos for each step

- Collarless neck with neck facing

- Button closure in front and at the cuffs

- Welt pocket detail

The pattern is designed for non stretch denims and twill, and we used both denim and duck fabric for ours.  We saw a rose print in Hobby Lobby and needed it.  Well, okay, I needed it and my daughter went along with it.  The finished length hits between the waist and high hip so it make this perfect for fall layering! 

The front closes with jean buttons, snaps, or regular buttons, and it’s really your preference on which you use. We went with jean buttons, and they were a snap to attach.  Just grabbed myself a hammer and schwacked away until they were securely attached.

I really loved the front yoke design.  It was a little fiddly for me to get attached because I’m super impatient and didn’t want to take the time to get it right the first time, but after reading through the directions a second time it wasn’t as hard as I made it on myself. 

I will warn you that this isn’t a fast sew. You will want to take your time to match everything up properly so you don’t end up with your pieces looking wonky.  I wasn’t too sure of my lines until I added the faux felled seams…and man, it was awesome!  The extra time that it takes to get everything lined up is so worth the amazing results you’ll get when you’re done! 

For the one we made during testing, we mixed the pink roses with some floral denim.  I am a little jealous of my daughter’s jacket, and I really need one for myself now.  HA! I’m not so patiently waiting for Suzanne to release a women’s version of this amazing pattern!...and it’s just in time for what I HOPE is cooler weather on the horizon.

AND, it’s on sale at a special release price.  It retails for $9.95 but you can grab it now for $7.50!  I promise you won’t be disappointed!   Just head over to Winter Wear Designs and click add the Fashionista Jean Jacket to your cart.  So easy to do and you'll be really glad you did!!

Thanks so much for reading along!  Be sure to share your  makes in the Winter Wear Designs Fun FB group so we can see your masterpieces!

Blessings and Happy Sewing,

Kim

Running to the Head of the Class with Ellie and Mac

We are well into the second week of school for my kiddos, and they wear uniforms everyday. While I missed out on back to school sewing for them, I definitely needed some teacher ready clothes to wear for those days when I’m subbing.  I was loving the tee and jeans combo that I had going on all summer, but for school, I need something a little less casual. 

I went with the Women’s Tee Dress (*This link is an affiliate link, and I do receive a small commission on any patterns purchased with this link), and I added a cowl neck to it for those days when I’m leaning into a conversation with some of our “not quite finished growing” kiddos.  I absolutely love how it turned out, and I was able to add the cowl with no modification to the neckline!  Double win!! *I do want to note that I received the pattern free as part of this tour, but the opinions in this post are completely my own*

So, let’s take a quick look at this pattern before my train takes off:

• Size range is from XS – 4XL
• Three sleeve options: short, 3/4, or long
• Two length options: mid-thigh or knee
• No trim, layered pattern pieces
• Color photos with each step for those of us who are visual learners

I really love the mid thigh option, but I opted for the knee length.  I might make some shorter ones as well that I can pair with some leggings.  I took an inch off the length to accommodate my “finished growing too soon” height.  The pattern is drafted for 5’5”, and I’m 5’2” or 5’3” depending on the time of day.  I decided to go with my height at the tallest point because I’ll take all the inches I can get!  I also did a full arm adjustment (I’m not sure if that’s what it’s actually called, but it’s what I call it) because my upper arms are larger than the width of the pattern. 

Winters are usually pretty mild here in Oklahoma, but there’s still a pretty good nip in the air so I did the 3/4 sleeve version because it’s brisk in the classrooms some days.  This gives me the  option to wear this when it starts to get  warmer.  I can easily throw a cardi (Ellie and Mac has some pretty amazing patterns for these as well!) over it, and we’re off and running!

This was such a fast sew.  I think the longest part of the process was deciding how much of a cowl I wanted at the neck.  The pattern does not actually come with an option for a cowl neck, but it was pretty easy to figure out how to accomplish the look.  I love how it turned out because it wasn’t sitting right up against my neck but it does give me a little bit of coverage.  I actually went with a pretty short cowl so there wasn’t a whole ton of fabric added to the neckline.  In total, I think it took me an hour to make this dress, and that included gluing the pattern pieces  together.

The dress is pretty loose fitting so it’s perfect for moving around the classroom when I’m up front teaching or running after little ones at recess.  It’s also pretty forgiving of those areas that I prefer to keep a little looser.  I’m trying to figure out how much fabric I need to make me one for every day of the school week because I could absolutely see this being my teacher version of a school uniform. 

There are a lot of patterns in the Ellie and Mac collection that would be great teacher makes, and right now, Lindsey has her patterns on sale so it’s a great time to catch some deals on patterns!  We’ll get a chance to see some amazing makes for both the kiddos and the teachers (or mommas, even!) from everyone on the tour.  Be sure to stop by and show the designers some love for their looks!  AND, there’s a giveaway that you can enter to win a $50 store credit!

1. August 20th: Seams Sew Lo (Intro)
2. August 21st: Seams Sew Lo
3. August 22nd: Momma Newey’s Makes
4. August 23rd: Mama You Can Make It
5. August 24th: DIYDanielle
6. August 27th: Mijn11jes&ik
7. August 28th: Tenille's Thread
8. August 29th: Make it Sew with the Bear and Pea Atelier
9. August 30th: My Sewing Roots
10. August 31st: SequioaLynn Sews
11. September 1st: Mijn11jes&ik
12. September 2nd: Crafty Curly Couture
13. September 3rd: Sew 4 Five
14. September 4th: Our Play Place
15. September 5th: Fée bricolo
16. September 6th: Jot Designs (USA)

a Rafflecopter giveaway Thanks so much to Lo from Seams Sew Lo and to Lindsey from Ellie and Mac for hosting and sponsoring this tour!  Now, get on out there and grab yourself some back to school inspiration!  Also, thank you for stopping by and joining us on the tour!

Blessings and Happy Sewing,
Kim