Raindrop Tee Review and Giveaway

We have only been back from holiday a few weeks and I've managed to test two sewing patterns and nearly finished testing a knitting one.  This is the first of the sewing patterns and I am more than thrilled that I got the opportunity to test this one because it is all kinds of awesome (and this is my first ever blog tour - yay).

The Raindrop Tee by Gracious Threads is a fabulous year round addition to any wardrobe.  It comes with 3/4 or short sleeves, an adorable hi-lo hem and the cutest wee pocket ever.  I gave Miss M the choice of fabric for her first one and she chose this cute stripe baby rib.  It was a little dull so I decided to fancy it up a bit with a wee fussy cut pocket from some woven I had in stash.

 Right here I have to tell you how much I love the fit of Jess's patterns.  With both my kids I usually have to go down about 2 sizes and then add a whole heap of length to get something even remotely sensible but with the slim fit style of these patterns I can just cut their straight RTW size!  Yes you read that right I just cut straight from the pattern, no alterations.  That said I did play with this one a bit.  The striped version is a straight size 3 and I was surprised when I tried it on Miss M to see that it ran a little short in the front.   Then I remeasured her and oops, she's grown quite a bit and is bang on the size 4 for height now.

Cat photo bomb!

Cheeky monkey

One other very exciting thing happened since we got back, I tried out a new supplier of knit fabric and in the middle of testing a package of gorgeous fluffiness arrived.  So teamed with my love for this pattern version 2 appeared, this time the short sleeved version, cut to size 4 length in the hope it will last through our (hopefully) upcoming summer.

So what's not to love about this pattern?  NOTHING!  It's perfect for the spring or fall wardrobe, covers sizes 2-8 and is a super fast wee sew.  There are so many possibilities and I already have a couple more planned, you should also check out the rest of the blog tour there are some amazing versions out there.
And finally you can even enter to win your own copy of the pattern!
Happy sewing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FO: The Travelling Traveller Tee

We have just all returned from a fabulous 5 week trip to the UK and France to spend some time with family.  One day I may get around to blogging about the trip but for now I really need to cacth up on the sewing I did before we went away.

Not long before we left I got the opportunity to test a super secret pattern for Jess from Gracious Threads which is to be included in the upcoming issue of the fabulous One thimble e-zine.  Thi super secret pattern is a gorgeous colourblocked tee suitable for boys or girls, called the Traveller Tee.

I cannot say just how much I love this pattern, it goes together flawlessly and gives such a professional finish.  I couldn't decide what fabric to use for my test and in the end I stumbled across a mens tee in a charity shop and decided to upcycle it for Mr A, being car themed I knew he would love it. 

The tee was from the local streetcar race from some years ago I think but was still in perfect condition and rummaging through my stash I found the perfect complementary fabric for the side panels.  I managed to get the front/back/sleeves out of the original tee and even salvaged the neck band :-)

 And on the model here at home :-)

 Now the travelling begins.  This shirt has now been worn in NZ, France, England and Scotland.

Trying out St John's Chair, Scotland

Checking out Hardrian's Wall, England

Exploring the Roman settlement of Vindolanda, England

Walkway by Hadrian's Wall, England

Saving Baby Inge, Beauval Zoo, France (No babies were harmed in the taking of this photo)

Hanging out with the primates, Beauval Zoo, France

At the bottom of 100 steps, Blois, France

There were many other occasions when it was worn during out break too, it met lions and tigers at a safari park, and saw at least 2 bird of prey shows as well as having fun on lots of woodland walks and trips to the river.  Now thoroughly tested I can say it is a huge hit and Mr A has already asked for another before summer hits here. 
I would highly recommend this pattern as a bit of a variation on the normal tee, and I can't wait to try and version with trim for girls.  It is a lovely slim fit for Mr A (I did a straight size 6 and the fit is perfect) and it works really well for upcycling as well.  Fab pattern Jess it was a pleasure to test it for you.