But I have a great excuse (per usual). 3 months into the sew-a-long, I found out that we will soon be moving to a country that has no fall, winter, or spring. So, I just couldn’t justify spending the time and fabric to make the adorable jackets and trousers and long-sleeved dresses that made up 8 months of the sew-a-long. My daughter would only get to wear them for a few months (and it really doesn’t get that cold here either) and my second daughter wouldn’t get to wear them at all. So it just wasn’t worth it to me. But I’m keeping the book. And when we get back to the great state of Virginia in 2014, I’ll be pulling it back out for sure.
So, why the “F+” instead of just a big fat F? Well, I did end up with 3.5 things that I love and that my daughter wears all the time. Here’s a review of my (abbreviated) year with Carefree Clothes (click on the pictures to get to the original post)
1. This little top is the reason I bought the book and participated in the first place. I just love it! I even broke out my long-hoarded precious Japanese little red riding hood linen for it. It was that special. My daughter wore it like crazy all summer.
2. It’s cute, it’s summery, it’s my favorite color. What’s not to love? This is a pattern I’ll be coming back to for years to come. It’s so versatile in it’s simplicity.
3. This is the “.5” in my 3.5 projects. I liked it, but it didn’t fit great. It was one that you had to draft yourself and obviously I didn’t spend enough time on that. The first time she wore it, she stained it and that was all she wrote. But I really do love the pictures of her in it, and I would like to make another one with a better fit and a nicer fabric. I really love the pink buttons and the little pleat though.
4. And this one is my most favorite of all. Worth the purchase of the book alone. I can’t get over how cute it is styled for winter, but it’ll work for summer too. With the generous fit of the bodice and the long length, this dress will give at least 2 years of wear. Can’t ask for more when it comes to kids’ clothes!
And bonus: that red dress won me Built by Wendy: Dresses, which I am using as we speak to make something for me! (yeah, I can sew and type at the same time, can’t you?)
So, all in all, I’m glad I (semi) participated. I love the clothes that I made as a result, and I really loved meeting new bloggers and seeing everyone’s variations on the pattern each month. Check out the flickr group to see all the projects from the sew-a-longers. If I haven’t convinced you to buy this book yet, they will.
And Melissa, thanks for hosting and coordinating and donating prizes! Sorry I kinda sucked.
What cute dresses! Thanks for introducing them to me! Its nice to “meet” a fellow Virginian as well! I’ve been following your blog for sometime, and I must admit I love it. You have so many great tutorials, but I especially love that you do great ones for girl’s clothing! Thanks!