HotPatterns

I noticed the other day on Twitter that there was some breaking news about HotPatterns.  They've apparently gone digital!  Funny thing is, I always thought they were.

I used a few Hot Patterns that I've downloaded and taped together.  For example this purse from waaaay back is a Hot Pattern.

Original post HERE

I love them because they have such fresh and modern styles.  Here are some of their new releases that I really like.

 

I'm such a sucker for cute art work~

LOVE the versatility of the pattern!

Classic but there's something about this
pattern that tells me it's got style~

And right now, if you visit the Hotpatterns website, you can receive a FREE download for a purse organizer!

I'm heading back right now to get my own!

Pattern Review

I think I've told you guys about PatternReview.com before.

But I'm not sure I mentioned everything you can do there.  You see, Pattern Review is about more than just reviewing patterns!

You can purchase patterns there, and they have some great online sales.

You can take classes.

You can read interviews with the movers and shakers of the sewing world.

AND....you can enter contests!  I usually manage to catch wind of these contests about a day before they close so have yet to actually enter but I noticed two fun ones running right now, and there's still loads of time to make something.

The Pantone Color Contest-Basically, make something green and share it with the community.

Prize: $50 gift certificate for Patterns from the Past

The Patterns Stash Contest-Make something from an unused pattern in your 'stash' and share it.

$100 gift certificate to Elliott Berman Textiles

Click through to see all the guidelines, but they're pretty flexible and easy.

Good luck to anyone who enters!

I'll be the first to admit that this is not the prettiest of sewing sites, but trust me, if you are a sewer you should be a member (it's free).  There is so much information here it will boggle your brain.  (Plus, I think they're doing an overhaul on their look soon, and maybe it will be pretty!)

Do you do PatternReview??  Leave a comment below~

You can see some of my reviews here.

Pattern Review: M5697

I love sewing for my niece.  She's pretty easy to please, and anything I make her usually only takes a metre or less of fabric!

Last week I whipped up a cute little spring jacket for her using McCall's 5697:

This pattern is currently out of print but McCall's 5743 is pretty similar.

I made View C:

I added some personality to some very, very plain ivory jogging fleece by adding an applique and some pretty buttons.

I wouldn't suggest this pattern to someone who is just starting out sewing.  With the gathering, the collar, and the pockets I'd wait until you're what I'd call a lower intermediate.  If you've sewn in sleeves and put in a lining you can probably handle this.

The one thing to keep in mind with kid's clothes is that not only are the clothes smaller, but all of the parts of the clothing are smaller.  Sounds funny, I know.  But when the arm hole is small and the wrist hems are tiny, you can't get frustrated with it.  If you can do those things on a regular sized garment though, then go for it, because the end result is soooooo worth it!



That bottom hem is driving me crazy but I know in real life
it does actually lay flat and match~

Leave a comment and let me know what you think.  Do you make kid's clothes?  Have any tips?  Let us know.

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And don't forget to enter the "Thank you Giveaway" .

Have a great week everyone!