Perfect Pattern Parcel #2

Hanami Top or Dress by Straight GrainHosh Pants by LoubeeClothingCelestial Tee by Figgy’sSeptember Tunic & Dress by Too Sweets PatternsCaroline Party Dress by Mouse House Creations

I’m not sure how anybody reading sewing blogs lately could have missed the buzz about the Perfect Pattern Parcel, but just in case you somehow have, let me tell you about it:

The Perfect Pattern Parcel is this wonderful idea that brings together amazing indie designers, fabulous sewing patterns, and presents them for talented sewists to utilize while all at the same time raising funds for a really wonderful organization called Donors Choose.

With the Perfect Pattern Parcel, you get to name your own price for the included designs.  And, as a bonus for choosing a price of $24 or greater, you get a bonus pattern – the Prefontaine Shorts by Made With Moxie.

Donors Choose is an 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.

I have donated to a family friend who is a teacher through Donors Choose to help supply her classroom with needed books.  My next door neighbors are both teachers, and many, many of my college friends are teachers as the University I attended was a highly ranked school for teaching.  I am well aware of the gap between what is needed to effectively teach and what is provided by school funding.  Often, the teachers make up the difference out of their own pockets.  Let’s give the people educating our children a little helping hand where we can, right?

LOOK!!!  Jo-Ann Fabric has NEARLY NEON STRETCH TWILL!  Sorry Lauren, I just could not resist!  This is indeed stretch twill from Jo-Ann Fabric, and from the red tag bin, so even better!  This had been in my on-deck cart patiently waiting ever since I received the e-mail inviting me to participate in The Parcel.

Now, let’s talk about the great patterns I used from the bundle:  The Hanami Top by Straight Grain, and the Hosh Pants by LoubeeClothing.

Starting with the Hosh Pants, these are so amazingly quick to sew and just hit that mark of perfectly fitting while being really comfy to wear.  I have now sewn from two of Sarah’s patterns and I find her instructions to be simple elegance, breaking them down to the essential steps beautifully.  I had to make my own buttonhole elastic as I mistakenly thought I had some on hand, but I can easily swap that out after a trip to Jo-Ann’s.  That’s why the tush isn’t up quite as high as it ought to be!

The Hanami Top or Dress has so many lovely options from which to choose!  I have a thing for great design elements on the back, so I choose to do the cross-backed top with flutter sleeves.  An’s instructions are also very clear; you just have to do a little hopping about to chose the directions specific to the style you’re making.  The way she’s laid out the tiled pattern pieces is ingenious, and she gives specific pages for printing only the pieces you need, saving trees wherever possible.

This photo shoot was a little unusual; I had finished my outfit Monday evening, which meant the only time I had to take photos was Tuesday right after work and picking the girls up from Preschool.  The temps have bounced back down to the 30’s here in Michigan, so that left us with the only option being in Hadley’s bedroom with the setting sun streaming in through her window.

The little ribbon detail down the front of the Hanami is the result of discovering a giant hole in the fabric of the bodice front after I had begun sewing.  The only fix I could come up with using the scraps I had remaining was to cut two fronts with added seam allowance and sew a strip of grosgrain ribbon down the seam.  It works pretty well, right?

Arden loves her outfit!  Head over to the Perfect Pattern Parcel and get yours today!

Check out the other stops on the Perfect Pattern Parcel tour: