delia creates

boys, kids, review, sewing ·

Sewing for Back to School with Pattern Anthology

I missed the bus…
Kris Kross will make you…
Jump, jump!
No really, I totally missed posting this YESTERDAY. Sorry. (tardy bell rings) My dog ate my…er post. 🙂
Well, at least Owen can be fashionably late, as he shuffles to the office with MY pink slip.
That’s right. Back to school is upon us, Owen is going to be in third grade (say what?) and that means I’ve been at the sewing machine whipping up some back to school threads for Owen, with the help of the Pattern Anthology Alphabet Collection. (affiliate link)
You may remember their Spring/Summer collection. I posted about it here.
Well, they are back…to school with an awesome Fall collection. There are four pieces and they are UNISEX. Awesome. You can buy one pack of patterns for $20, to get four pieces for your boys and your girls, ages 18 mo./2 to 8!! Since most patterns sell for $7-10 a piece in blogland, you KNOW that’s a good deal.
I am not saying that just because I am on the tour. I had no idea what price point they were going to come out with once the tour started and when I saw the price, I had reverse sticker shock. This Alphabet Collection bundle really is a good deal. You can sew it as a collection or split it up as needed. Think of it as getting four patterns for $5 each.
Let’s break it down shall we?
There’s your basic raglan tee designed by Kate Blocher (See Kate Sew). This is such a great easy sew. There are very few pattern pieces which means less cutting of paper and fabric (since you can double up) and it comes together super fast. There are different sleeve options and even a button tab sleeve which is pretty slick.
Owen said this was his second favorite piece out of the four because it’s comfy and in his new favorite color (black).
His first choice, being the vest.
Now…I am not really a vest kind of girl, but this one turned out quite nice. The construction is really clever and this one also is a quick, easier sew. The girl version has a ruffle peplum with a racer back…!! Shauna Wightman (Shwin & Shwin) is bringing me over to the vest side. I want one my size! I’ll just have to settle for making one for Natalie, which I will certainly be doing.
Now for the pants. Melissa Mora (Melly Sews and Blank Slate Patterns) is a PRO at pants patterns. She just does pants so well, and this pants pattern is probably my favorite of her pants patterns thus far. (deep breath…tongue twister)
The contrasting yoke in the back with a zipper welt. Genius! I added the color blocked slanted hem at the bottom, so that’s not apart of her original design. I don’t totally love it at the moment, it looked better in my head, but it’s growing on me. I must have been feeling emboldened and inspired by Hong Kong fashion. He would totally rock this in Hong Kong, but here in small town USA. I worry it is a bit too different than the norm. Luckily he is a stud and totally embraces it. (p.s. the color blocked hem was inspired by my good bud Jessica from A Little Gray – HERE).
Of course I did the zip fly option. Melissa has improved her already really great zipper fly instructions, but you can also omit it, if you are not comfortable tackling that yet. If your weather calls for shorts or if your gal likes capris, she provides pattern pieces for those variations as well.
I really love the fit on Owen. He is a slim kid so I don’t often sew the pattern as is. To make sure I get a really nice fitting pant, I choose his size using his waist measurement (or close to it) and then lengthen it. I sewed this up in a size 7 with a size 8 length plus one more inch for growth. I also used a 1/2 inch seam allowance on the sides and inseam only, to make it just slightly more fitted.
And now for the my favorite piece. The jacket. This is a more advanced pattern and could take a beginner a good chunk of time and patience, but it is SO worth it.
Andrea Pannell (Train To Crazy, Go To Sew, Go To Patterns) has knocked it out of the park. Her welt pocket construction is totally genius and holds it shape superbly, and there are so many options. Hood, no hood, ribbed collar and waistband, or professionally finished elastic waistband and collar, ruffled collar… ruffled welt pockets? Fun!
The fit is pretty great too. I sewed up a size 7 with an 8 length and it fits Owen like a glove. I could have totally sewn up a size 8 for a slightly baggier look he can grow into.
By the way…what is up with his teenager attitude?
Third grade…it’s really happening. But then, he does something like this and I see my sweet baby again. And it makes me happy.
Okay back to the jacket. 🙂 You can use so many types of fabric with this pattern to make it look totally different. It has been fun to see the other versions from bloggers on the tour. Some of them look like they came from completely different patterns, but it’s just the fabric type that makes the difference.
I have never sewn a coat using a separating zipper. Um. It was actually easier or as easy as buttons. Ya. So doing that again.
To see the full Alphabet Collection from Pattern Anthology click HERE (affiliate link).

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Wow, lots going on here… so many patterns! I'm also not a vest gal, but my hubby is somewhat 80s and would wear one regularly if he was allowed. At the moment, he's working at a historical park in costume… and vest is his daily wear, so he's happy to rock it there instead of in the real world!
    And yes, I can't use cheap thread ever anymore since switching to good thread.

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  4. how fun! Love all the photos… Hong Kong Fashion is crazy… I live here… nuts! :o) The stretch pants with the crotch at the knees? Who thinks of this stuff :o) Love your pants though and the whole outfit!
    Emily @ nap-timecreations

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  5. Such a great outfit! I loved your color story and I am going to have to get me some of that neon yellow knit. The photos are amazing- love the cross walk with the striped tee. It's all amazing!

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  6. I want to be your photo shoot apprentice. Your pictures are always so amazing
    That colorblocking on the pant cuff is genius! Love how it mimics the W of the yoke.
    And true story: I almost bought Seth a pair of Adidas Sambas, like had them as far as checkout online with my credit card entered, for our photoshoot. My cheapness won, though, and we went with shoes we had. But

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  7. Love it, thank you Delia! I especially like the gingham vest over the striped sleeves, look so cool. And the slant at the bottom of the pants!

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  11. Thank you guys for the comments! I feel so loved.

    Annet – ha. maybe vests for men will come back in style? 😉

    Melissa – I know! Thankfully he is SO clueless about girls (where some in his class aren't anymore already!). I hope it stays that way for a long time.

    Emily – That's right. I didn't think about how you LIVE there! Hong Kong fashion can get a

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  14. Amazing!! I totally love your style, as always. You did such a great job with these patterns and I am LOVING the contrast hem on the pants! I bought the patterns last week and so as soon as I have time to sew I'll be coming back to this post for inspiration. Love it all. I have that plaid fabric from the vest, but I got it at Girl Charlee–not sure if I have enough for maybe the shirt,

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  16. Now that song is in my head! Haha. I totally forgot about the I missed the bus part. Now it is haunting me.
    But seriously this outfit is amazing. I love the jacket. The combo of fabrics are great.
    Oh and I never got a pair of k-Swiss. My older sister had them and I was so jealous 🙂

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  19. Ajaire – I know! I keep singing it too. I've cursed us all. Sorry you got the shaft in the shoe department. I always wanted a sister (I just had/have one brother) but I guess being the only girl wasn't so bad after all…heee. 😉

    Reply

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