Pleated Spring Skirt - FREE PDF Pattern

Who's ready for Spring?  I know I am!  And in honour of the new season, I've designed a little skirt to share with you.  It features an elastic waist, six inverted pleats, and a band at the the bottom (no hemming!).  It's very easy and quick to sew...a great project for someone new to sewing.  The clearly photographed instructions walk you through each of the steps.  Choose either woven or knit fabric...both options are suitable for this pattern.

The Pleated Spring Skirt Pattern & Tutorial includes:

• instructions to draft the six pattern pieces needed for the skirt
• 12 page PDF document (1.5MB) with full colour photographs and instructions
• measurements for all sizes 3 months to 12 years
• fabric recommendations & requirements, notions, sizing chart

Download the Pleated Spring Skirt Pattern HERE:

PLEATED SPRING SKIRT PATTERN

Have a very Happy Easter weekend!

Ruffle Top Review by Imagine Gnats

I simply couldn't wait to see what Rachael from Imagine Gnats was going to make with the Ruffle Top pattern.  With her incredible sense of style, I knew it would be something amazing, and she certainly didn't disappoint!  Thankfully, she gave me a sneak peak so I didn't have to wait too long, but since then, I've been anxious for today to come so I could share it with all of you!  Head over to Imagine Gnats to see more of her one-of-a-kind Ruffle Top and read her review of the pattern.

While you're there, make sure you check out the many projects she's made.  I just love her fabric choices...simply perfection! 

Kitschy Coo's Skater Dress Tour

Welcome to the first stop on

Earlier this month, Amanda, from Kitschy Coo  released her new pattern, the Skater Dress, and when given the opportunity to participate in the tour, I was all over it!  Here's Amanda's description of this versatile dress:

This funky yet functional knit dress has a fitted bodice, high neckline and a curved flared skirt. With a generous cut, the dress is designed to be worn for up to two years per size, here the skirt hits at the knee in the first year and just above the knee in year two. There are options for a sleeveless, short sleeve and long sleeve version, with bodice pieces drafted specifically for either sleeved for sleeveless . It's a perfect garment if you are new to sewing knits and very quick to sew up.

Being less experienced with knits than I am with woven's, I was pleased with how Amanda leads you through the process of piecing together this dress in a way that results in something that looks very nicely finished.  In addition to my sewing machine, I used a ballpoint needle and serger. One of these days I'll get myself a double needle, and when I do, I'll let you know how that goes.

The pattern is sized in 18m/2T, 3T/4T, 5Y/6Y, and 7Y/8Y.  I made Anja (who's almost 2 1/2) a size 18m/2, and it's a bit roomy on her.  As described above, the dress is designed with a generous cut, so, this pattern is ideal if you want it loose fitting or have a taller child.

Now, I don't have easy access to a lot of cute printed knits here in Canada.  I adore the prints in the Kitschy Coo shop, but all I have in my stash are solids.  To make my dress a bit more fun, I got out my acrylic & fabric paint, Martha Stewart stencils, and some foam brushes.  The result was the butterfly motif in chartreuse, grey, and eggplant.  Don't look too closely...it's definitely not perfect!  

Keep following the tour to see some amazing versions of this cute dress.  I've seen a few incredible sneak peeks and I'm sure you'll be impressed, too.  Can't wait to see what these talented ladies make!

kids' clothing belgian style at Straightgrain

Today E&E's in Belgium...not literally (I wish!), but at An's wonderful blog, Straightgrain for her inspiring series.  The dress may look familiar because I had some fun with the Ruffle Top pattern and changed it up a bit for my look.  Today's the last day to get it at it's introductory price (enter discount code INTRO30OFF).

See you at Straightgrain!

Peek-a-boo Pattern Shop Tour

Welcome to the Day 4 of the Tour!  Amy from Naptime Crafters, has a real knack for making patterns and has designed over 100 of them.  I'm fortunate enough to have quite a few in my collection, and always enjoy sewing a peek-a-boo shop pattern.  

I had the pleasure of making the V-neck cardigan, which is one of the new patterns for Spring.  It is sized from 3 months to 12 years, so you can get a lot of use out of this pattern.  And if you have any apprehension about sewing with knits, they'll quickly disappear with Amy's clear instructions.  In fact, this pattern was so easy and quick to make, I was able to whip up two of them in very little time.  Each one is a slight variation of the pattern, which shows there's plenty of opportunity to customize the design.  

Tobias' cardigan is a size 5, and he has some room to grow into it (he's not quite five yet).  I varied it a bit by adding some colour blocking on the front and one of the sleeves.  The fabric is a combination of some grey acrylic sweater knit I've had in my stash for ages, a green sweater of mine I haven't worn in years, and black ribbed knit for the neck binding, bottom band, and cuffs.     

Anja's size 2T cardigan is made from the extra material I had leftover from the sweater I cut up to colour block Tobias'.  It was a really quick sew because I was able to salvage the existing ribbed edges for the bottom band and sleeve cuffs.  I changed the length to make it cropped and paired it with a store bought polo, some skinny jeans, and her sunshine yellow flats.  She's definitely happy with it (and with her brother's off-camera antics!)!

  

Click below to head over to the shop to pick up this or any of the other patterns.

You can keep following the tour or catch up on stops you missed by clicking on the blogs below, and don't forget to enter the amazing giveaway to win one of every pattern featured in the tour (there will be TWO winners!).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Three Ruffle Top Pattern Winners

Thank you to everyone who not only entered, but for the sweet congratulations and comments on this pattern! You're all too kind!  But, there can only be three winners and they are...

Kristin, Fawn, and Toniette


Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

8 65 48

CONGRATULATIONS!!

There's still time to use the code INTRO30OFF to get this pattern at it's special discounted price.  And when you make your Ruffle Top tunic and/or dresses, please let me know, or add it to the E&E Flickr group.  I know there's got to be some out there already because it's a quick sew.  I'd love to see and feature your creation!

Ruffle Top Pattern Now Available

The Ruffle Top is a princess seam tunic or dress featuring button/loop back keyhole closure, back ties or ribbon sash, two armhole finishing variations, and bias tape neckline.  Dress has either 

A line or gathered skirt options.

$9

• 33 page PDF document (5.4MB)
• full colour photographs and diagrams
• numbered, step-by-step instructions
• confident beginner - intermediate skill level
• prints on both standard 8.5X11" and A4 paper
• includes both imperial and metric measurements
• easy-to-read diagram to help piece together full-size pattern (9 pages)
• seam allowances included
• no serger needed
• no zipper or buttonholes
• sizes 18 months to 8 years included
• instantly delivered to your Paypal account e-mail once payment processed

$9

Pattern was digitized and graded by Melissa Mora.  For information on the services she offers, contact her at Melly Sews.

And the winner of 5 Heidi & Finn Patterns is...

Zafarani (Karly) who said "This is my favorite pattern and I can't WAIT for the bigger size to come out! I love their patterns!"

Congratulations!  E-mailing you now...

True Random Number Service

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

12

Ruffle Top Pattern Giveaway

The Ruffle Top will be available for purchase tomorrow, but I'm thinking why not get things started a little early and offer a free pattern to three of my wonderful readers?  This confident beginner to intermediate level PDF pattern includes sizes 18 months to 8 years, and is customizable in so many ways.  I know it will make a great addition to any pattern collection.  The Ruffle Top pattern testers had a lot of fun with it, and I know you will, too!

**giveaway now closed**

To ENTER you must:

1.   Follow Elegance & Elephants 

OR

Like Elegance & Elephants on Facebook

2.  Leave a comment

This giveaway will be open until 10pm EST on Tuesday, March 12.

Looking forward to announcing the randomly chosen winners on Wednesday, March 13.

Good luck!