Retro Sweatpants Pattern

Comfortable, casual, sporty sweatpants for boys and girls.  Details include in seam side pockets, elasticized waistband with optional drawstring ties, and cuffed leg openings.

The Retro Sweatpants pattern includes:

• 27 page PDF document (2.8MB) with full colour photographs and instructions
• numbered, step-by-step instructions
• prints on both standard 8.5X11" and A4 paper
• includes both imperial and metric measurements
• full-size pattern pages 
• seam allowances included
• sizes 12 months to 9 years
• fabric recommendations & requirements, notions, sizing chart

Wishing all my wonderful readers around the globe the best holiday season.  This pattern is complimentary and my gift to you.  Once you are redirected to google docs, click on the arrow in the top left hand corner to download the pattern.  Enjoy!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Easy Handmade Gifts for Kids

There is still time to make some lovely handmade gifts for the littles ones in your life, but not much!  So, today I am sharing a couple gifts I've made that are easy, but sure to be enjoyed.

The first is a super cute monkey made using a DIY Fluffies pattern.  If you're not familiar with DIY Fluffies, I highly recommend you take a peek.  There are so many adorable patterns to choose from, that making a decision on which one to sew was, without a doubt, the most difficult part of the process!

The instructions with digital diagrams are clear and easy to follow, resulting in an adorable toy in no time.  I'm so glad I had the opportunity to try out the this pattern, and will definitely be making more.

Next, is a fabulous scrap buster project using this tutorial by Lindsay from The Cottage Mama.  What a great idea for a fun game!  This set is going to my nephew, but after seeing how much fun my children had testing it out, I think I'll have to make a set for them, too.  Thank you, Lindsay, for a great tutorial!

Behind the scenes, I'm working hard to release a free pattern for you, my wonderful readers.  Crossing my fingers it will be ready on Friday, but after some unexpected 'hiccups', it's looking like early next week is a bit more realistic.  In any case, I will have a gift for you before Christmas.  It's been a great year here at E & E, and I have you to thank you that!

Love for Ruby Day

A little over a year ago, my little girl was in a hospital, undergoing echocardiograms, blood treatments, being poked and prodded on her bruised little body, looking at me with sorrowful, questioning eyes, with no understanding of why she was there and why she was experiencing such pain.  After days with no answers, she was finally diagnosed with a rare form of children's heart disease.  Praise God, she's made a full recovery.  But we will never forget what that experience felt like.

Today, another little girl's heart is going through a battle, as are her parents and family.  Ruby is a sweet six month old baby, whose mom Christie blogs at Lemon Squeezy Home. If you're not already a reader, and you head over there, you will find tons and tons of awesome tutorials and content that shows what a talent Christie is, and then a few posts like this one and another one here, that give a glimpse of what is going on behind the scenes.  You see, Ruby was diagnosed with a serious heart condition at birth and has been fighting ever since.  And today, she is undergoing an open heart surgery that requires the doctors to literally stop her little heart from beating for up to 90 minutes.

Those of us who know Christie, as fellow bloggers and friends, are declaring our love for Ruby and support for her family the best way we know how: through social media.  We would like to flood the internet with heart images for her with the tag #loveforruby on Instagram, Twitter, and a Facebook page dedicated to her.  This is a complete surprise to her family, but we hope that when they see how many people are thinking of and praying for their daughter, that some of their load will be lifted.  That in some small way, it would brighten their day while they wait in anguish for this all to be over so they can take their precious daughter home.

Want to show some love and support for this family, too?  Head over to and like the Love for Ruby Facebook Page, use hashtag #loveforruby, and if you believe in the power of prayer, pray for little Ruby.

Roots Sewing Series

The most rewarding aspect of being a part of the online sewing community is having the opportunity to 'meet' fellow sewists from all over the globe who share the same love for creating handmade clothing.  It's an amazing experience to hear from all of you and to connect with other bloggers who experience the same excitement when a package of fabric arrives, and when you try a garment on your child that you've made and it fits just perfectly!  You know the feeling!

Combining my fascination with world cultures and my love for sewing, I have decided to host a sewing series that celebrates sewing for children around the world called Roots.  An incredibly talented group of ladies representing twelve different countries and five continents will be sharing original outfits inspired by their backgrounds each weekday from January 13 to 31.  Not only will this be a showcase of amazing sewing skills and creativity, but also rich cultural experience, exploring heritage worldwide.

Didn't I tell you this was a talented group?!  It is such an honour to have each one of them participating.

And speaking of participation, I just couldn't host something like this and not include you!  So, in addition to these wonderful ladies sharing their looks, there will also be a Sew-Along for everyone, everywhere who wants to sew something for the child(ren) in their lives, inspired by their cultural Roots.  From January 3 to 31, you can upload your outfit to the Sew Along Link Up and show the world your cultural creation.  

Now, let's add even more fun to this series: how about some PRIZES?!  Reaching out to amazing shops and designers, I've been overwhelmed by enthusiasm over this event.  On January 3, the prize packages for the Roots sewing series will be revealed, and believe me, these sponsors are incredible AND generous!  I may have to give some hints before then, because I don't know if I'll be able to wait that long to tell you because it's just too exciting!!

So, what do you think?  Are you excited, too?  Are you going to Sew-Along?  If so, feel free to use the button below and spread the word!  I would love for you to be a part of this big event!

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Giveaway Day

It's Giveaway Day, a huge biannual event at Sew, Mama, Sew.  If you are new here to Elegance & Elephants, welcome!  I'm delighted you're here.  Hope you can stay awhile, or come back later once you've had a chance to enter all the giveaways!

The winner of this giveaway will choose two E & E Patterns from the following original patterns:

Anyone worldwide may enter by leaving a comment below and liking Elegance & Elephants on Facebook.  Thank you so much for stopping by and good luck with all the giveaways!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fastenation Studio Button Giveaway

I recently had the pleasure of sewing a little skirt for my girl with buttons from Fastenation Studio.  These beautiful polymer buttons are distinctly unique and truly little pieces of art.  It's amazing how identical each button is, considering Hannah makes each one by hand.

Make sure to take a look all the different sets of buttons (over a hundred!) in the Fastenation Studio (website shop) and (etsy shop).

And one lucky reader will win a set of buttons from Fastenation Studio.  Enter below and good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Although the buttons used in this post were provided free of charge, all my enthusiastic opinions are my own.* 

Mailbox Surprise

Marte (Compagnie M) and Marta (Do Guincho) have come up with a really fun idea for a sewing series that I'm delighted to be a part of.  Fabric and a surprise parcel…count me in!!  

I recently received the name and address of a fellow sewing blogger, along with a list of what her fabric likes and dislikes are.  Then, considering the list, plus after browsing her blog and Pinterest page, I put together a fabric & notions package that I hope she will love.  

As my surprise parcel leaves British Columbia, Canada for its far-off destination, I leave you with a hint of its contents.  And I wait as patiently as possible for my surprise to arrive.  

Five and Ten Designs Volume One Black Friday Sale

If you haven't heard, Five and Ten Designs Volume One is now available with sleeves!  Considering the colder weather upon us, I couldn't wait to make my first of many longer sleeved dresses for my girl.  

Using some festive taffeta in silver and blue plaid, I made a 3/4 length sleeve party dress.  It's a size two, but I increased the width of the skirt by three inches.  It is completely lined, including the sleeves and is perfect for all the upcoming holiday celebrations.

If you already have the Five and Ten Designs Volume One eBook, download your sleeve pattern and enjoy!  And if you don't have the eBook, yet, now's your chance to get it at a special discounted price!  

Happy Holidays and Happy Sewing!

Free Sleeve Pattern for 5 & 10 Designs Volume One eBook

Exciting news from Five and Ten Designs!  We are now offering a free sleeve pattern to accompany the book!  The sleeve pattern includes three options: long, 3/4, and short sleeve length in all the sizes offered in the book (12 months to 10 years).  With the holidays right around the corner, this will give so many options for all those pretty party dresses.

Here's just a little sneak peek at the party dress I made for my little girl.

I'll be sharing a full view on Friday with another big Five and Ten Designs announcement (here's a hint..if you don't have the book, yet, you might want to wait 'till then).

Already own the Five and Ten Designs Volume One eBook?  Great!  Download the free sleeve pattern here, and have fun creating your new looks!

See you Friday!

More Imported Fabrics, Trims, and Patterns from L'Oiseau

While Friday, was all about what I made for my boy, today, it's my little girl who was lucky enough to received two complete outfits made with delights from L'Oiseau.  L'Oiseau is a Canadian online shop which was opened because of a love of creating beautiful and whimsical clothes.  To make those clothes, you need unique and wonderful products, which is exactly what you'll find there.  An added bonus is that everything at L'Oiseau is top quality, so you can shop with confidence.

When browsing through the Ottobre magazine (Autumn 2013 issue) I received from L'Oiseau, I immediately knew I had to make this adorable outfit:

L'Oiseau has an amazing selection of imported European fabrics in beautiful prints.  With so many gorgeous fabrics to choose from, I finally decided on the Dutch Blooms European Jersey Knit.  How could I not when I saw this posted on L'Oiseau's Facebook page?

"This is hands down the most lovely, silky, richly coloured, beautifully draping, all round gorgeous jersey knit I have ever felt...and I have felt a lot of jersey. Everything that came in this past week is...stunning. Can you imagine how comfy and lovely a Christmas dress would be?"

And I thought it was pretty neat that it's also available in corduroy, so, I ordered both.  And I absolutely agree with the comments above…this fabric is GORGEOUS!  The quality of these knits are unlike any I've ever seen.  They are soft, have just the right amount of stretch, and are the perfect weight.  And the fine wale corduroy is just is beautiful.  It's so velvety smooth, and I love the authentic Dutch design.

One note about the blazer: although the pattern recommended a sweatshirt knit, I used the corduroy.  Making no change to the pattern whatsoever, it fit perfectly.  Since it's outerwear, the pattern allowed for the right amount of ease to make it fit great for wovens, too.

Dutch Rose Corduroy

To coordinate with the florals, I went with some fun, vibrant dots.

Dutch Blooms European Jersey Knit, Mini Dots Green, 

Dots Raspberry, Mini Dots Pink

For the second outfit, I decided to make some super easy, fun leggings (appropriately called 'Uncomplicated Leggings') and since I loved how my boy's Beagle Boy Hoodie turned out, made one for Anja as well.  I also adapted the little purse seen in the photo below, but omitting the petals.  You can find a free pattern for it here.  After having made four garments from Ottobre magazine, I have to say I wholeheartedly recommend them.  The fit is fantastic, the designs superb, and the instructions are well-written and concise.  They are not for the beginner, though, in my opinion, since there are no diagrams to help guide you through the sewing process.

In addition to the garments, I had a lot of fun making the matching accessories, adding some cute trims from L'Oiseau.  The are so many ways you can use these to personalize anything you make (or even buy), but I chose to make the couple little purses and hair clips.

 Iron On Appliqué Little Hearts

 Farbenmix Ribbons Chirpy Bundle

If you value exceptional quality, unique design, and top notch customer service, make sure to head over to L'Oiseau and check out their extensive selection!  They are AMAZING!  And head over to their Facebook page to find their newsletter.  There's some very important information about a major Black Friday deal on shipping!

*Although some of the fabrics and notions used to make the garments for this post were provided free of charge, all my enthusiastic opinions are my own.*