Blank Slate Patterns' Perfect Polo

My son's school requires a uniform and part of that uniform for boys is a navy, white or light blue polo shirt. So, after a few years, I consider both my son and I to be "polo connoisseurs." Typically, he wears a classic pique polo. They're readily available at a variety of stores, tough and durable - perfect for an active boy - BUT, they are not the comfiest option in the world. Not as comfy as the super soft, super deluxe Jersey polo I finally purchased for him at the uniform store. All polos should be feel like a t-shirt! Preach!

Enter Blank Slate's Perfect Polo Pattern. I'm super excited about it because (a.) It's a dressed up version of the t-shirt (choose your knit) so it might actually be worn. (b.) It doesn't look like a hot homemade mess. In fact, I probably could make a version of the super deluxe Jersey uniform polo and have it look nice.

I was a little intimidated by this pattern because I really don't like sewing with knits AND there is a placket/collar double whammy but I'm really glad that I tried. I have to say, it wasn't as difficult as I expected! Melissa's instructions are very clear and detailed enough that I wasn't left guessing at any point. It is as soft as a tee because, well, it's made from two. This was a great way to use up some sale tees that I accumulated a long time ago. I definitely could have used one XL men's tee for the boys size 7 if I had used a different fabric for the accent at the shoulders, placket and collar. By using the tees, I was able to avoid hemming either the sleeves or the bottom of the shirt - yippee! In the end, the finished polo is something I'm really proud to say that I made myself. 

 

Disclosure: I received this pattern in exchange for my review. However, any opinions expressed are my own and reflect my own experiences with the pattern.

Make [Believe] Bookworm Button Up

Fittingly, the last item that I'm posting from Pattern Anthology's Make [Believe] Collection also happens to be the last that I sewed. If you've been following along with my other posts, you might surmise that this collection offered a lot of firsts for me . . . and you'd be right. I have sewn quite a lot but the truth is that I generally make items for my two daughters, more specifically dresses and skirts. So, while I'd say that I'm quite experienced and brave in certain areas (invisible zips! gathers! pleats! ruching!) there are other areas where I'm a bit of a novice . . . . such as button ups.

  

My first attempt was fair. The collar/collar stand portion is certainly not ready for a close-up but my placket and pockets seem perfectly fine.

My model (aka wonderful son) does not like to wear button ups outside of church but I think he looks handsome in it regardless. So, if his face lacks any enthusiasm for the actual shirt, I just wanted to be clear that it's not the pattern's fault and the shirt doesn't take it personally so we're fine. All in all, another first! 

Make [Believe] Imagine Jacket

Quick Note: Pattern Anthology's Make [Believe] Collection is only available at a special discount for a couple more days! Check out the details here.

The first item I made for Pattern Anthology's Make [Believe] collection is the Imagine Jacket. When I enthusiastically signed up to test the patterns, I did so blindly with no idea what I would be asked to make. So, if you guessed that a fully lined jacked with welt pockets and a separating zipper incited a mild panic in me . . . well, you'd be right! 

But once I'd calmed down (and recovered from an excruciating trip to the fabric store with all three of my children) I started putting the jacket together, step by step, following the many photos included in the directions. It worked! At the end of the project, the result was a nicely finished jacket, custom made in the fabrics and colors that my son proudly selected. The only hiccup in the process seemed to stem from my unfortunate combo of outer fabric with stretch and lining without stretch but I channeled lessons learned from Project Runway and made. it. work! Overall the lining, that I had been so afraid of, actually saved me from tedious hemming and other sewing steps that I hate and made a nice accent to the collar of the coat.

So, the bottom line is that, despite my anxiety beforehand, I really love this pattern. (Check out some of the special options for girls too - so great!) If I'm going to spend time on a project (as opposed to buying ready-made), I want it to be something special . . . something worth the investment of time, money and energy and this jacket fits the bill.