ETA- Congrats to comment # 6, Laura who wins her choice of pattern from E+M Patterns! I'll be in touch!
Recently I was chosen to test out a boy’s shirt pattern by a new to me designer, E+M Patterns. Well folks, I have to say that this pattern is fantastic!
The Boy’s No. 7 Shirt is designed for woven fabrics. It has fabulous details like a boat neck style neckline, button closures at the shoulder seams, side seam hip vents at the hem, a simple pocket to hold treasures and the option of full-length sleeves or 3/4-length sleeves. I was asked to test the shirt in a size 6 with long sleeves for LP which ended up being a perfect fit for my tall and skinny guy.
For fabric I finally broke into my hoarded stash of Sarah Jane Designs fabrics and pulled out a fat quarter of the “A Pirates Life” from her Out to Sea line. Sarah Jane is my all time favorite children’s illustrator and I adore all of her fabrics… This seemed like the perfect shirt to really showcase this adorable print. I had just enough to squeeze out the front bodice.
I love to upcycle clothing so I dug into my bin of castoffs and used an old button-down shirt that was Paul’s. I had to get a little creative (my favorite part!) when cutting out my pieces and ended up using the front of the button-down, buttons and all, for the back bodice of the No. 7 shirt. I used the extra buttons for the shoulder closures so that all the buttons would match.
The shirt went together very quickly- I’d say it took me about an hour and a half start to finish (not that I got to sit down for an hour and a half straight!), including cutting out the pattern, cutting the fabric, and doing the buttonholes. I mostly used my serger for the shirt but Alison of E+M Patterns also includes directions for using your regular machine- and all of the seams are finished so there’s nothing rubbing up against sensitive skin.
I also really love when I learn a new technique from a pattern. I’d never used seam binding to finish off the collar of a shirt before. While reading through the instructions I couldn’t quite see how it would work out but I took it step by step and all of a sudden I had a perfect collar! An “aha!” moment!
It turned out so cute that I couldn’t wait to get it on LP.
LP says it’s “very cool” and comfortable too. It’s loose fitting enough that he can run and play in it but structured enough to look nice and tailored. I think it will be adorable with khaki shorts and sandals this summer….
I love this pattern so much that I decided to make a girl version for Eliza. I haven’t been able to get photos of her wearing it yet as it’s been so rainy but here are a few photos. For the “girl” version I added some width to the bottom part of the shirt and stitched in some pintucks. I used the same pirate fabric on the front of the bodice and chose a blue calico with tiny white flowers for the rest- my Aunt Sue had passed this fabric along to me. I love how the shirts coordinate but aren’t totally matchy-matchy. Hopefully soon I’ll get some photos of both kids at the same time in their cool new No. 7 shirts.
I am participating in a blog tour showing off the latest release from E+M Patterns! The schedule is posted below. At each stop on the tour, you have a chance to check out the new pattern, funky variations and hacks, and reviews. Each blogger will also be giving away a pattern as well. So check out the itinerary below:
www.etsy.com/shop/empatterns
http://www.craftsy.com/user/3129921/pattern-store
Also be sure to like the E+M Patterns Facebook page!
Good luck!
Recently I was chosen to test out a boy’s shirt pattern by a new to me designer, E+M Patterns. Well folks, I have to say that this pattern is fantastic!
The Boy’s No. 7 Shirt is designed for woven fabrics. It has fabulous details like a boat neck style neckline, button closures at the shoulder seams, side seam hip vents at the hem, a simple pocket to hold treasures and the option of full-length sleeves or 3/4-length sleeves. I was asked to test the shirt in a size 6 with long sleeves for LP which ended up being a perfect fit for my tall and skinny guy.
For fabric I finally broke into my hoarded stash of Sarah Jane Designs fabrics and pulled out a fat quarter of the “A Pirates Life” from her Out to Sea line. Sarah Jane is my all time favorite children’s illustrator and I adore all of her fabrics… This seemed like the perfect shirt to really showcase this adorable print. I had just enough to squeeze out the front bodice.
I love to upcycle clothing so I dug into my bin of castoffs and used an old button-down shirt that was Paul’s. I had to get a little creative (my favorite part!) when cutting out my pieces and ended up using the front of the button-down, buttons and all, for the back bodice of the No. 7 shirt. I used the extra buttons for the shoulder closures so that all the buttons would match.
The shirt went together very quickly- I’d say it took me about an hour and a half start to finish (not that I got to sit down for an hour and a half straight!), including cutting out the pattern, cutting the fabric, and doing the buttonholes. I mostly used my serger for the shirt but Alison of E+M Patterns also includes directions for using your regular machine- and all of the seams are finished so there’s nothing rubbing up against sensitive skin.
I also really love when I learn a new technique from a pattern. I’d never used seam binding to finish off the collar of a shirt before. While reading through the instructions I couldn’t quite see how it would work out but I took it step by step and all of a sudden I had a perfect collar! An “aha!” moment!
It turned out so cute that I couldn’t wait to get it on LP.
LP says it’s “very cool” and comfortable too. It’s loose fitting enough that he can run and play in it but structured enough to look nice and tailored. I think it will be adorable with khaki shorts and sandals this summer….
I love this pattern so much that I decided to make a girl version for Eliza. I haven’t been able to get photos of her wearing it yet as it’s been so rainy but here are a few photos. For the “girl” version I added some width to the bottom part of the shirt and stitched in some pintucks. I used the same pirate fabric on the front of the bodice and chose a blue calico with tiny white flowers for the rest- my Aunt Sue had passed this fabric along to me. I love how the shirts coordinate but aren’t totally matchy-matchy. Hopefully soon I’ll get some photos of both kids at the same time in their cool new No. 7 shirts.
I am participating in a blog tour showing off the latest release from E+M Patterns! The schedule is posted below. At each stop on the tour, you have a chance to check out the new pattern, funky variations and hacks, and reviews. Each blogger will also be giving away a pattern as well. So check out the itinerary below:
- Wednesday, June 4, 2014: Finn's Door (review)
- Thursday, June 5, 2014: Baby Steps to Couture (review)
- Friday, June 6, 2014: Emskyrooney (review)
- Tuesday, June 10, 2014: Friends Stitched Together (pattern hack) and Made by Amanda Rose (review and tutorials)
- Wednesday, June 11, 2014: Mae & K (review) and Sprouting Jube Jube (tutorial on a knit version)
- Friday, June 13, 2014: Rebel and Malice (pattern hack), Sew Many Adventures, Sew Little Time (review) and Pity Kitty (review)
Each stop on the tour includes an opportunity for you to win a copy of an E+M Pattern! So come tour with us as we check out this cool little shirt!
And if you just can't wait for the giveaways to end for you to win, you can purchase them. The E+M Boy's Shirt No. 7 can be purchased in any of Allison's online pattern stores: E+M Patterns official website, Craftsy, and Etsy.
If you’ve read through this far you’re in luck- E+M Patterns is giving away a pattern of your choice! Just leave a comment between now and midnight EST Sunday night about what you like most about this pattern. I’ll use a random number picker to choose one of you on Monday to win!
And if you just can't wait for the giveaways to end for you to win, you can purchase them. The E+M Boy's Shirt No. 7 can be purchased in any of Allison's online pattern stores: E+M Patterns official website, Craftsy, and Etsy.
If you’ve read through this far you’re in luck- E+M Patterns is giving away a pattern of your choice! Just leave a comment between now and midnight EST Sunday night about what you like most about this pattern. I’ll use a random number picker to choose one of you on Monday to win!
Be sure to visit E+M Patterns at one of the following links:
www.empatterns.comwww.etsy.com/shop/empatterns
http://www.craftsy.com/user/3129921/pattern-store
Also be sure to like the E+M Patterns Facebook page!
Good luck!
I love that you can use multiple fabrics with this one!
ReplyDeleteL ove this shirt!
ReplyDeleteI love that you were able to mix your fabrics and coordinate for both your little ones. How creative. And the pin tucks are too cute.
ReplyDeleteSoooo. Cute!
ReplyDeleteSo adorable!!! I love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute shirt! I love that it uses so little of the focus fabric. :)
ReplyDeleteLaura you're the winner! Please contact me with your email so that I can let Alison at E+M Patterns know!
DeleteFantastic!
ReplyDeleteI love how classic it is...timeless for little boys! (Also, loving your fabric choices!)
ReplyDeleteI love how the construction of the shirt just screams for being made with multiple fabrics instead of a single fabric.
ReplyDelete