I had trouble picking my favourite project but the dress below is definitely a top contender – a constellations geranium dress with a hand embroidered constellation. Jane’s gorgeous daughter wore it for her Starry Night birthday party. I have some of this fabric and definitely plan to use this idea.

Jane is sharing not one, not two but three different versions of Fancy Pants Leggings today.

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You might already have seen one amazing remix that Celina used the Fancy Pants Leggings pattern for. Well today she’s got another one for you today and it’s just as incredible.

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I was really excited when my friend Rachael asked me to join the tour. It’s such a cute pattern and it was great to sew something for girls for a change. My cousin’s daughter’s 9th birthday was approaching so I thought it would make the perfect present. Picking fabric was not easy though – I think it was a combination of choosing for someone who wasn’t my child and also for a girl. My inspiration came when I saw this amazing bag by Gail of Probaby Actually. I thought the butterflies would work really well running down the centre at the front. The fabric is Ghost Wing in Dusk by Anna Maria Horner and I had been looking for an excuse to use it. I couldn’t find it anywhere in the UK though so ordered it from Sew Love Fabrics on Etsy. Ruth, the owner of the shop, was so helpful and sent it out straight away for me.

I am so happy with it and really like the effect the little pleat at the top had on the butterflies. The pattern is available (here) in sizes from 6 months up to age 10, a great range. There are two different ways to add pockets and it is really easy to make the pinafore completely reversible. It would be a great pattern for beginners. My favourite thing about the pattern though is the back…

I love the way the two pieces overlap and this looks even better when it’s being worn. I ran into a few problems deciding how to cut these pieces. The butterfly print is a very large scale, directional repeat. As I found out this isn’t ideal for children’s clothes. I spent quite a while trying to cut my pieces and realised I’d either have to cut so you couldn’t really see the butterflies or waste a lot of fabric. Finally I came up with the solution to add some side panels. This meant that in total for the size 8 I used less than a yard of the butterfly fabric for the outer. The purple fabric came from a rainbow selection of fat quarters I bought a while ago. Here is a wide shot.

I’ve got a quick tutorial for you to show you how to add the panels.

One thing to note is that if you’re adding separate pockets to the front then you can’t use attached in-seam pockets for the back pieces, at least not without adjusting where you combine the pattern pieces together. I can’t imagine many people would try this anyway – I was just trying to make it quicker as I also used the purple fabric for the pockets.

For the other side I used a different butterfly print, fortunately with a more random design. This was one of the first fabrics I ever bought – it’s from the Just Wing It collection by MoMo for Moda and I think it’s out of print. I had been hoarding it for the perfect project and decided that this was it. I have left off the buttons on this side so Ella can decide if she would like it to be reversible or not.

I added pockets to both sides and, as it was a birthday present, I used the letters on my sewing machine to add the birthday girl’s name in the pocket. Thanks for the suggestion Abby.

I will be giving this to Ella this weekend so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that she likes it!

This is the schedule for everyone taking part in the roly-poly-along.

5.13 Jill Made with Moxie / Stephanie The Crafty Kitty
5.14 Stephanie NeurosesGalore / Cherie you & mie
5.15 Ari Max California / Caila Caila Made
5.16 Veronica SewVery / Tara Girl like the sea
5.17 Nancy owen’s olivia / Adrianna Crafterhours

5.20 Ajaire Call ajaire / Sarah EmmylouBeeDoo
5.21 Laura Craftstorming / Jessica a little gray
5.22 Frances Miss Matatabi / Nicke kiss kiss quilt
5.23 Amy formwork design / Kat Sew Chibi
5.24 Joanne Rose & Dahlia / Amanda Kitschy Coo

5.27 Celina Petit a Petit and family / Delia Delia Creates
5.28 Christy a.Amelia handmade / Carolyn Fake It While You Make It
5.29 Bonnie Fishsticks Designs / Maria La Inglesita
5.30 Jane Buzzmills / Kate Things for Charlie
5.31 Polly Jack & GeeGee / Molly Rose & Odin

There have been some pretty amazing versions already – I think this one has to be my favourite so far, closely followed by this one or this one. You can also look at the Imagine Gnats Flickr group for more versions.

So, would you like to win a copy? Just leave a comment on this post telling me who you’d like to make one for. For an extra entry like Craftstorming on Facebook and leave a separate comment telling me you’ve done that. The giveaway will end this Friday (24th) at midnight BST. Good luck everyone! If you’re desparate to sew up a Roly Poly right now and can’t wait then you can buy the pattern here.

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Rachael also hosts several series and gift exchanges including Merrily We Sew Along, Shorts On The Line, The Covert Robin, and (my favourite) Raccoon is the new black. How fun are these pillows?

So head on over to Imagine Gnats. Rachael has a pattern tour for her first pattern running at the moment and we are doing a bit of a tour swap today, so I’ll be back later today posting about the fantastic Roly Poly Pinafore pattern.

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Abby is full of talents including sewing, knitting, baking and even stop motion animation (take a look, it’s really cool). She is also the most organised person I know. I think she could do anything if she put her mind to it. Don’t be fooled by her blog name either – there are plenty of things for women too and she shares so many great tips and tutorials. Here is a photo of one of my favourite things she made recently – a Peter Rabbit Jacket – isn’t it perfect?

Head on over here to see what Abby did with my pattern.

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I have some exciting news! I have gathered together some of my favourite bloggers for my very first pattern tour and you don’t have to wait long as it starts on Monday.

Here is the list of talented ladies who will each be featuring their own versions of the Fancy Pants Leggings over the next two weeks

20th – Abby from Things for Boys
21st – Rachael from Imagine Gnats
22nd – Celina from Petit à Petit and Family
23rd – Jane from Buzzmills
24th – Heather from Feather’s Flight

27th – Stacey from Boy, oh Boy, oh Boy
28th – Gail from Probably Actually
29th – Jenny from The Southern Institute
30th – Ros from Sew Delicious
31st – Carla from Small + Friendly

Anyone is welcome to sew along. You can buy the pattern here and it still has 20% off with the code SMS20 until then end of tomorrow. Don’t forget to add pictures of your Fancy Pants Leggings to the Titchy Threads Flickr group. There have been quite a few different ones popping up in there and I’ll do a round up at the end of the tour. If you have a blog then feel free to grab a button (from the top of the post) using the code below.

Today a few bloggers, including myself, are throwing a virtual baby shower for Abby from Things for Boys. She is expecting her second baby very soon and we have made a few things for her and her new little boy. The gifts we made were:

1: Baby Change Mats by Ros from Sew Delicious
2: Flat Teddy by Narelle from Cook Clean Craft
3: Handmade Baby Boy Shoes by Janelle from Emmaline Bags
4: Baby Hats by Jenny from Mend and Make New
5: Upcycled Cashmere Baby Pants by Dara from Coffee and Lilacs
6: Nappy / Baby Bag by Jo from Bubala
7: Little Kid Kimono Set by Laura from Craftstorming

Make sure to visit the other blogs I’ve listed above. Everyone who took part is sharing a tutorial on their blogs today showing you how to make their gift.

So here is a close up of my gift – a cosy knit kimono top and trousers.

You can download the PDF pattern and tutorial for the kimono top and trousers (in size 0-3 months only) for free over here at my pattern website Titchy Threads. I’ve also shared the tutorial for the trousers later on in the post. Allow me to be a bit soppy first though. One of the best, and most unexpected, things to have come out of blogging is meeting other bloggers. Some have become really good friends even though I’ve never met them in person. It’s so good to be able to talk about sewing with someone who is as obsessed about it as I am. Abby was the first friend I made and we have so much in common. We even have the same sewing machine. If you haven’t visited her blog already you definitely should – she’s a crafting whirlwind. We chat almost every day and I really hope that one day we’ll be able to meet.

When I started thinking about what to make for Abby’s new baby I remembered some of the virtual baby showers that I’ve seen on baking blogs. I thought it would be fun to organise one for Abby but with sewing instead of baking, so we could actually send the gifts to her. I stalked Abby’s blog for comments to work out which other bloggers she was good friends with. Nearly everyone I contacted got back to me and was really excited to join in. We didn’t really discuss exactly what each of us would make but some how we all managed to cover a wide range of items. Ros from Sew Delicious lives near Abby, so we all sent our gifts to her and today she is meeting up with Abby to deliver them. If we can’t celebrate her new baby in person then a virtual baby shower must be the next best thing. I’m looking forward to seeing some pictures of her new little boy soon.

So do you want to make your own Little Kid Kimono Set? The free pattern is only available in size 0-3 months, although I might make a paid version with more sizes at some point. The trousers have a baggy, relaxed fit and a shirred waistband to provide comfort for a wide range of waist sizes. There is also a bum panel in the back so you can mix in a contrast print. There are only two pieces to join with just a few seams so they’re very quick to sew. Here is a front and back view…

So are you ready to make some? Let’s begin…

You will need:

• The pattern pieces (go here to download)
• 0.45m (0.5 yards) jersey knit fabric
• Elastic thread
• Co-ordinating thread

The PDF has a lot more detail including tips for sewing with knit fabric and tips for shirring as well as a size chart and finished measurements.

Lay your pattern pieces out as follows…

Cut the main leg piece on the fold and cut one panel piece, as shown in the picture below…

You are now ready to start sewing.
 

	Place the main leg piece with right side facing up. Place the bum panel on top with right side facing down so that right sides are together. Line up the long edges and pin. The panel should be wider at the bottom where it meets the leg curve.
	Stitch or serge the seam as shown with a zigzag stitch and a 1cm (3/8”) seam allowance. Stitch down to the point of the v at the bottom of the bum panel.
	Arrange the pieces so the other long edge of the panel is lined up with the other long edge of the main piece, with right sides facing. Stitch or serge the seam as before. Press both seam allowances towards the panel. OPTIONAL: Top stitch close to the edge of the panel seam
	Arrange the trousers so the leg seams are lined up with right sides facing. Pin the inside leg seam.
	Stitch the seam with a zigzag stitch and a 1cm (3/8”) seam allowance.
	Keep the trousers so they are wrong side out. Turn both ankle hems up 1.2cm (1/2”) and press.
	Arrange the leg on your machine as shown. You are sewing into the leg, so your top stitch will sew on the right side of the leg. Begin at the inner leg seam. Sew with a 1cm (3/8”) seam allowance using a zigzag stitch, stretch stitch or twin needle (recommended). Repeat for the other leg.
	Turn your trousers right sides out. Fold the waistband over 3.5cm (1⅜”) and press.
	Shirr the waistband. Use a straight stitch and the free arm if your machine has one. Start and finish at one of the panel seams. Make sure to sew a couple of times back and forwards at the start and end of each row. Sew the first row with a scant 6mm (1/4”) then use the first row as a guide for the next. Continue until you have sewn five rows of stitches.
	Your Teeny Tiny Trousers are now finished.

For the kimono top tutorial download the free PDF.

I used random.org to select the winners and the numbers it chose were:

This means that the winners are:

Tiffany, who said…

“I was sewing a ruffle to a sheet to make a tablecloth for my daughters birthday. I cannot tell you how many times I had to rip out the seam and re-do it because I had only sewed the ruffle and not the sheet in spots. So there were holes along the ruffle of it. Never again will I try a continous long seam like that”

Emily, who I think made my favourite comment…

“The biggest mistake I made was sewing my son’s pants I was making him for his birthday into a skirt accidentally! It was the first “boy” thing I made. I guess I have been in girl mode and got distracted! OOOPS!!!”

and Susan, who said…

“i make so many mistakes it’s hard to pick just one of the biggest. I guess for today I’ll stick to buttonhole variety. Do you realize it’s impossible to “fix” a buttonehole that while opening the slit I slipped and opened right through the end threads? It required a whole new front piece and lining to replace.”

Tiffany, Emily and Susan – I have sent each of you an email so please let me know if you don’t receive it.

For those of you who weren’t lucky enough to win I am offering a discount for the next week. Go to the Titchy Threads website and use the code SMS20 to get 20% off for the next week. This will end at midnight (BST) on the 19th of May. For those of you who prefer to pay in dollars (or most other currencies) it is possible to select this once you go through to Paypal.

Today is Giveaway Day on Sew Mama Sew, where there will be hundreds of other blogs linking up with giveaways.

It’s a biannual event and I am really happy to be taking part for the first time today. I have three copies of my new ‘Fancy Pants Leggings’ PDF Pattern to giveaway.

You can find more details on the Titchy Threads website here, including reviews and photos from the Titchy Threads Flickr group. I thought I’d share some photos of what some of my amazing testers have used the pattern for. If you click on any of the photos it will take you to the tester’s blog post.

Jane from Buzzmills has been whipping out pair after pair using upcycled T-shirts. It’s such a great way to get some unique prints.

Celina from Petit à Petit and Family has made several pairs. She’s even made them as swimshorts for her son and then adapted the pattern to create a stunning reversible swimsuit for her daughter.

Heather from Feather’s Flights also used a thrifted T-shirt and hand stamped it with walruses. I love these and the other pair she made with a chevron knit.

Last but not least, Abby from Things for Boys made a really cute pair for the new baby she’s expecting soon. As it’s Winter in Australia she added feet to the bottom.

Welcome to those of you visiting from Sew Mama Sew. I hope you’ll have a look around while you’re here – I mostly sew clothes for my two boys as well baking and a few other crafts. You can get a quick overview of any category if you click on the menus at the top.

The giveaway is available to anyone and three winners will each receive a copy of the Fancy Pants Leggings PDF Pattern. The giveaway closes this Friday, the 10th of May at 5pm PST and I will announce the winners by this Sunday.

To enter this giveaway leave a comment at the bottom of the post telling me about the biggest mistake you’ve ever made while sewing. I think mine was sewing a raglan sleeve on upside down – I had already unpicked the seam once for another reason and I was using French seams. I’d love for you to follow my blog and like either of the Craftstorming or Titchy Threads Facebook pages (or both) although it’s not a requirement to enter the giveaway.

You can also find out more details on the Fancy Pants Leggings pattern page on this blog. I’ll be keeping the page updated with links to all the posts and tutorials related to the pattern. I have set up a ‘Titchy Threads’ group on Flickr where you can share anything you’ve made with my patterns. I’d love to see them so do share.

They’re pretty excited about the release too…

Casper and Rowan are both wearing shorts versions of the Fancy Pants Leggings, which is an option included in the pattern. The very first pairs I made of the pattern I made last year were shorts. Fortunately, we’ve finally started getting some warmer weather here in England so they can actually wear shorts again now.

The amazing viking fabric is another one in Amanda from Kitschycoo’s shop. Casper was desparate for me to make him a purple pair and this was the only suitable fabric with any purple in it. It’s a jersey and is so lovely to work with, as was the tiger print I used in a recent pair of Fancy Pants Leggings. It’s soft, thin but not too thin, really stable and hardly curls up at all. Even the background looks purple in the photos but it’s actually grey with purple details in the images. That combined with the elastic and cuffs meant Casper was pretty happy with them though. To increase the purple factor even further I added some decorative top stitching around the panel with an overlock stitch. Casper immediately requested a purple T-shirt to go with them.

The print on Rowan’s pair is called Swim Class and is by Heather Ross. It was released as part of her Mendocino collection years ago but I didn’t discover it until it was sold out. I was so excited when I discovered that her prints are now available on Spoonflower – the Heather Ross prints are here. This also means that it is now available on their wonderful knit interlock fabric. I ordered a yard on their last free delivery day and have been plotting to make these ever since. Finding Nemo is pretty popular with my boys so I couldn’t resist adding some of Dory’s ‘Just Keep Swimming’ song. You can see how I do that in my ‘branded’ elastic tutorial.

I’ve put a lot of work into this pattern and have had a lot of help from other people along the way. Special thanks go to my family and especially my husband who built the website for me. I am also really grateful to all the testers who helped to make the pattern the best is can be. I hope you all like it.