Pre-School to Pre-Teens: Parcel #5 is here!

Our little girls. Our daughters. Our nieces. Our granddaughters. For most of us, they are the very reason we started sewing. They melt our hearts and make us tear our hair out all in the same five minutes. Girls. (shrugs) We're magical creatures.

Today I'm launching a special Pattern Parcel collection for our girls. The indie patterns in their Parcel were chosen for their versatility. They're modern styles that transcend time. They're Audrey. They're Marilyn. They're Hillary. This Parcel completely covers the size range from 4 years up to a 12 tween. Most of the patterns span even further, as small as newborn and 3 months, up to a 14, 16, 18 girl's tween sizing. We also chose these patterns because they were all styles we'd be proud to have our girls wear. But they're also still styles our girls want to wear. And I'm sure you all know what a fine line that is to walk.

We sew for our girls because we want them to have quality garments made with fine materials. Because store bought clothing for women these days is overpriced and poorly made. It's trash waiting to fall apart and accumulate in our landfills. Not only that, but let's be honest, today's store bought clothes are often styles that rush our little girls into an over sexualized womanhood or cram commercial garbage down their throats.

Let's make our girls clothes that are comfortable. That allow them to be the people they want to be and allow them the movement they need for all their activities. These patterns let our girls climb trees and build forts or get lost in books. They let our girls run and play. They can be athletes, artists, engineers and scientists. And even princesses. ;) Let's make our girls a wardrobe worth wearing.

Introducing, Pattern Parcel #5: Pre-School to Pre-Teen.


Click this image to learn more about the patterns and sizing.
Parcel #5 includes:
Lily Knit Blazer by Peek-a-Boo Patterns
Everyday Yoga Pant for Girls by Greenstyle
Asymmetrical Drape Top by EYMM
Playhouse Dress by Fishstick Designs
Mimi Dress and Shirt by Filles a Maman

BONUS PATTERN: Sunki Dress by Figgy’s

Choose your own price to support these independent digital pattern designers and to help us in our work with the charity DonorsChoose.org. Together, we've raised over $11,000 this year for classrooms in need!

Happy Friday, y'all!      

Pattern Parcel #4: Let's hear it for the BOYS!

Any Maker Momma of a little dude will tell you how the wee men get the shaft when it comes to sewing patterns. Really, all clothing in general. It's usually nothing but boring basics. Well, I want modern. I want hip. I want fun and comfort all rolled into one. Our sons and grandsons ooze character and they deserve better!

So we wrangled up our favorite digital indie patterns for boys and, BAM! Introducing Pattern Parcel #4!


Pattern Parcel #4 includes:

Schoolboy Vest by Sew Much Ado
Maxwell Top by Shwin Designs
Small Fry Jeans by Titchy Threads
Zippy Jacket by Blank Slate Patterns
Jet Pack Bag by Betz White

Choose a price of $26 or more (which, hi, that's still only 50% the retail price of the first five patterns, never mind that you'll be getting six!) you'll get the Bonus Pattern, the Knight Hoodie by Charming Doodle. This pattern is so awesome. I want one for me!


Remember, you get to choose the price you pay for the Parcel. Show your love for the indie designers in the Parcel and choose to share some of your price with the charity, DonorsChoose.org. We take our portion of the sales to pay all the costs associated with running the sale then give the rest to DonorsChoose.org as well. Get freaking awesome patterns, shop independent artists and feel good doing it.



Follow along with the Parcel #4 Inspiration Tour Schedule:

Friday, August 22 casa crafty || Lulu & Celeste || Keep Calm and Carrion

Saturday, August 23 Max California || Amanda Rose

Sunday, August 24 little betty sews

Monday, August 25 Kadiddlehopper || Radiant Home Studio

Tuesday, August 26 La Pantigana || Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts || Friends Stitched Together

Wednesday, August 27 Make It Perfect || Modern Handmade || GYCT Designs

Thursday, August 28 Needle and Ted || Mae & K || Mimi's Mom

Friday, August 29 Pienkel || Once Upon a Sewing Machine || Friends Stitched Together

Saturday, August 30 FABulous Home Sewn || Gray Skies || The Crazy Tailor

Sunday, August 31 Nine Stitches || Max California || Oliver's Fancy || Friends Stitched Together

Monday, September 1 a happy stitch || lady and the gents || Our Family Four || Swoodson Says

Tuesday, September 2 verypurpleperson || Things for Boys || The Crazy Tailor

Wednesday, September 3 Our Family Four || Rebekah Sews || a happy stitch

Thursday, September 4 Sew a Straight Line || la inglesita || Made by Sara || Knot Sew Normal

Friday, September 5 Knot Sew Normal || Gracious Threads || Sofilantjes || Max California

Pinterest junkie? Follow the Official Perfect Pattern Parcel board to add the latest Inspiration Tour creations added to your pin feed. Upload your Parcel creations to your Kollabora profile and make sure to tag the Parcel as your Supply!

Happy Friday, y'all!

Bombshell Swimsuit by Closet Case Files

I distinctly recall the conversation I had with my mother when I realized the awesomeness of sewing. It was after finally finishing my first handmade garment from a pattern; a black knit elastic waistband skirt. I was excited at the seemingly limitless possibilities of sewing your own clothes.

"You can sew whatever you want?!?" I asked my mother with anticipation.

"You can! Clothes, curtains, quilts. Everything except bathing suits." she tells me. She went on to elaborate that she'd tried to sew herself a bathing suit once and it just came out, well, wrong.

I carried on merrily for twenty plus years of sewing, happy with this limitation. That is, until last month, when the Pattern Parcel #3 Inspiration Tour started. I'll be honest. I was surprised at the number of bloggers who stitched up the Bombshell Swimsuit pattern. I mean, you can't sew bathing suits on a home sewing machine and have them come out right....or can you?

Jorna Tank

I've only got four more weeks of my summer left. I start school up again July 8. Only this is the real deal. Fulltime. Yikes! There goes my daylight sewing hours. Needless to say, I've been trying to take as much advantage of what I have left. Imagine my surprise when I found that despite running the Pattern Parcel #3 sale mostly myself (Danny does all the IT work) I have had time to sew not one, but two of the patterns in the Parcel! This is a first, folks. Not only have I finished and photographed two of them, but I've got a Bombshell on my cutting table. Wait, no! I've sewn three. I totally forgot my own pattern. D'oh.
This is the Jorna Tank Dress. Pretty short dress, huh? The pattern comes with a tank option with a flared, almost peplum hem option. I honestly would have made the dress, but I did not have enough fabric. So I modified the pattern to be a hip length straight tank to use as fabric possible. Elastic cord stitched into a six inch casing I made by stitching down the seam allowances added a little ruching detail.

I'm in love with how my Jorna Tank feels on. And I normally and not very happy with knit garments I sew, so this is a major win. The facings in this pattern add great stability. This pattern goes together quickly and easily. Don't you just love patterns that go together without a struggle or cursing AND fit so well? Thank you, Jenna Brand!


I'm super excited about wearing my Jorna Tank too because I get to show off my gun show! Danny and I are in a little family competition to see who can lose 15% of their weight first. While I'm not out to change who I am, we can all stand to be more healthy. We've been working out every day. Yes. Every. Single. Day. We bike and elliptical and I've been lifting and rowing on the BowFlex. Hence, my new biceps and triceps. I'm already down nine pounds!

At this rate, I'm going to need more Jorna Tanks!

Perfect Pattern Parcel #1 is here!

I come to you now like a marathon runner crossed a finish line. Exhausted, dirty, tired. Only to realize that this line is yet another starting line. After months of work, I am so so proud to reveal to you... Perfect Pattern Parcel #1.


Pattern Parcel #1 includes:
The Skater Dress by Kitschycoo
Dandelion Dress & Top by Seamster Patterns
(formerly known as Disparate Disciplines)
Summer Concert Tee by Dixie DIY
Ava Dress & Blouse by Victory Patterns
Accordion Bag by Sew Sweetness

At Perfect Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers. Independent designers create patterns that are innovative, imaginative and in line with current style trends. It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big box patterns, and we’re pretty sure you, our customers, think so too. So, we’re going to things a little bit different. We're going to allow you to show your support for independent designers in naming your price for Pattern Parcel #1.

That’s right. You read that correctly.

We’re going to let our customers name their own price.

True story.

You will also have the chance to contribute a portion of your Pattern Parcel price to the charity Donors Choose, an amazing organization that matches up the needs of teachers and their students for specific projects with willing donors. The funds raised from each Pattern Parcel sale will go to help K-12 students in minimizing educational inequality and encourage a community where children have the tools and experiences necessary for an excellent education.

And now, before you head over to the Perfect Pattern Parcel #1 site to see all that we have been working on for the past few months, I have been dying to show you this video: the Pattern Parcel #1 Fashion Show. Enjoy!

Pattern Parcel #1 Full Length Video from Perfect Pattern Parcel on Vimeo.

Now, head on over to Perfect Pattern Parcel #1 and see what the hubbub is all about. I've got to go get a fresh cup of coffee. See you there! (Click this button to be teleported to Pattern Parcel now.) Oh, hey, and Happy Friday too!