It´s quite overwhelming when we stop to recognize our kids growth thru the sizes we sew for them. I remember choosing a shy size 3 for this little girl when I started and now we´re up on 5 going on 6 sometimes.
These are my tester versions for the newly released Trophy jacket and joggers from Cali Faye Collection.

Well, trophy for me please because the fabric I used for the coat was a plain cotton linen blend which I quilted with a light batting. Because of that, I went up one size but I should have gone two since it´s a bit tight around the armholes.

The jacket is lined, except for the sleeves where you can have a go at a Hong Kong finish. Also the sleeves hem is finished with some bias facing, for which I used a bit of this pretty Petit Pan bias tape my friend Rita gave me.
The joggers are a straight size 5 with no alterations, which means they´re long on my 101 model because the original design for these is actually for cropped pants. I used a stretchy french terry from my local shop and she feels super comfy in them. It has in seam pockets and pleats both on front and back and a waist size band with buttonholes to thread a drawstring of the same fabric or a cord, like I used here.

Underneath there´s a Rowan Tee just like mummy, ha! If the Linden is my TNT for sweatshirts, then the Rowan is surely the equivalent in kids size.

You can check for more pattern details and all the other tester versions here. Use the coupon code NEWRELEASE to save 30% off your entire order at Califaye until May 1st, 11:59 EST.

This post contains affiliate links but all opinions are, as always, my own.

If I ever were to have a love affair with a piece of clothing, it had to be with a romper. Not being much of a dress girl on day to day wear, this fills that one-piece gap perfectly, put it on and you´re ready.

The Sanibel can either be a dress or a playsuit and, obviously, it has the Hey June seal, which means you´re bound to learn some new technique and end up with professional looking finishes. Seriously, I´ve done quite a few of her patterns by now and Adrianna always finds a way to simplify or twist the process a bit to make it easier on us. I call that a real commitment on making very very good patterns.

I used a very light rayon challis from my local shop and it just drapes beautifully, but with some interfacing as recommended it also makes a sharp placket and collar. There are quite a few details and steps, but I wouldn´t say it´s an advanced pattern, specially with the instructions that follow it.
I made the cap sleeve version, which includes some shoulder tabs, in size XS; it has plenty of ease around the waist and hips but you can just pull it together once you tie the drawstring (in an outside sewed casing) with no need for alterations.

The back features a yoke, which is lined, so I´m guessing hacking potential here if you lenghten up the bodice to make a full placket shirt; or add a waistband to enclose some elastic for a loose fitting pair of shorts (or skirt).

Now, this time I can really say that this piece was entirely sewing machine made: with my clever button foot I´m done with "i´ll-sew-the-buttons-later-meanwhile-a-month-goes-by". Even the pompons were basted to the drawstring ends first and then I just tied a knot to secure them better.

The Sanibel is finally available on Hey June´s shop and it´s another must have and a perfect Summer piece!

Chanel, eat your heart out because Schnittchen has taken over, ha! Ok, so I know it´s not comparable, but it´s close. Really close, at least for us sewers sewists people who sew and have mostly learned everything on their own with the help and use of these great patterns out there. Also I have no intention (or skills or knowledge) to do couture stuff, but patterns like these have really satisfying outcomes and are fairly quick.






There are a number of options for little jackets like this in the pdf patterns community, but I was looking for something fully lined and with facings: bingo with the Coco jacket. I´ve become an absolute fan of their patterns after this. I´ve made the Silvia coatigan here and here and though the instructions don´t include pictures, for the Coco you´ve got a photo tutorial on their website which helps since I always have to check if I´m closing the lining right.
The front pieces have bust darts, the back has a center seam slightly curved as well as the hem. All features to bring you closer to a good fitted jacket. Now what made me sell my soul to this pretty little thing was the two part sleeve. It´s a feature you can find in good tailored jackets, like men suits, and just makes the sleeve set soooo perfectly. That is, if you don´t mess it up like I did here, ha! I notched all the marks but since this jacquard frayed quite a bit I lost them in the process, had to go back to the pattern for reference but eventually I missed the lower sleeve alignment so I have a little of twisting effect on something that would otherwise be a perfect sleeve. I would definitely recommend adding a bit of twill tape on the sleeve head and do the notches on it if you´re working with fraying fabric.




The fabric is a jacquard from The Sweet Mercerie and the photos really don´t make it enough justice; it´s got a light sheer and with my awesome photography skills I managed to capture all that reflection, ha! The photos below are more close to its real colour and texture. Underneath there´s Linden number #23 (ha, not really but close enough!) in a lurex pale pink yummy french terry from the same place.





This is also my entry for April´s Project Sew It! Seriously, Celina has gave quite a boost to us all to sew more for ourselves, you must check her perfect coat and all the previous months entries, so much inspiration, so little time!