Sunday, April 21, 2013

A Big Book Report

For the Twins next clothing choice I suggested they go with a casual outfit. Something comfy to wear for travel or in the evening.
Elsa plumped for the Book Report dress by oliver+s ,but in a knit.
The Twins are 'out' of the sizes now but I thought I would have a go at enlarging the pattern.
I figured the knit would be forgiving and if all else failed it could be finished as a nightie.
At the elbow I cut the pattern and added an inch.
To the centre front and back pieces(including the facings)I added 3/4 inch to the fold. Thus 1 1/2 inches to the width.
I moved the pleat markings accordingly.
The bottom edge of the top piece is slightly shaped so I cut and lengthened about half way down the pattern piece.
I added 3 inches to the front and back pieces.
I am really happy with the proportions.
It was definitely not as tricky as I thought it would be.
Elsa is pretty happy with it too!
Very very comfortable.
But very very snappy.
The nitty gritty kitty.
Love this pattern,love love love the instructions and followed them to the letter.
The only step I added was to topstitch the very front neck line as the knit was turning.
I don't think it would be an issue with a woven fabric.

 I have the PDF version and I am super impressed with it. Rather then tape lots of pages of paper to create a massive pattern sheet,the smaller pieces are printed on individual sheets and the bigger pieces are taped together to create that single piece ie sleeve or dress upper back.
It makes sense if you see it.

 PS The pockets are soooo cute!
xx N
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24 comments:

  1. JenniferApril 21, 2013 at 10:31 PM

    Love it Nicole. I am going to have to pinch this idea off you. This would be perfect for Ella

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  2. motherof5April 21, 2013 at 10:34 PM

    Jen,I have masses of the pink left,I will put some aside for you!
    Thank you
    xx N

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  3. MylinhApril 21, 2013 at 10:37 PM

    I love it! I've always thought it would be a good pattern for knit fabric.

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    1. motherof5April 22, 2013 at 5:39 AM

      It was a bit floppy in construction but once all the seams were sewn it was fine!
      I didn't have to gather and ease the sleeve cap either,just stretch to fit.
      xx N

      Delete
  4. runciblespoonApril 22, 2013 at 1:22 AM

    Fabulous dress, and it looks great with those boots. Thanks for the knit tips, I'm bookmarking this for reference!

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    1. motherof5April 22, 2013 at 5:42 AM

      Thank you Catherine,she bought those boots with her house keeping money. They are patent leather and she is very proud of them. She will be pleased you noticed them.
      I was pleased with the drape of the knit.
      xx N

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  5. JaneApril 22, 2013 at 2:33 AM

    Looks great, I think it's a fabulous pattern for an older girl and you've done an awesome job of upsizing and converting to knit.

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    1. motherof5April 22, 2013 at 5:42 AM

      Thank you Jane.
      I am no pattern maker so I was quite nervous but very pleased.
      Nothing ventured and all that!
      xx N

      Delete
  6. AngelaApril 22, 2013 at 3:36 AM

    Great job on the sizing up!!! I found it was not too difficult when you have a multi-sized pattern. This is a lovely version of the Book Report, and I agree with you about the O+S PDF patterns, they're the best presented downloadable patterns that I've used.

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  7. motherof5April 22, 2013 at 5:44 AM

    Thank you Angela,I am tempted to try again.
    I have been sewing some other patterns but I keep coming back to my O+S
    XX n

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  8. mcApril 22, 2013 at 8:38 AM

    It looks great on her! And, it looks like you got a nice fit too! I've been wondering about trying one of the pdf patterns. That is good to hear.

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    1. motherof5April 23, 2013 at 7:16 PM

      Seriously,they are the nicest PDF's.
      Hugo had been putting them together for me but he was away working so I had to do it myself.
      It was a doddle.
      I use the double sided sticky tape to put the pages together.
      Thank you
      xx N

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    2. mcApril 24, 2013 at 7:01 PM

      Sticky tape - genius

      Delete
    3. motherof5April 24, 2013 at 10:33 PM

      A Hugo tip.
      xx N

      Delete
  9. sarahApril 22, 2013 at 5:54 PM

    I adore this in knit! And I love your (or Elsa's) fabric choices. Can't wait to show this to Grace. By the way, the other night when I was at the computer, Grace asked to look at pictures of the twins. She looks up to them as a faraway cousin I think. She loves their style and confidence.

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    1. motherof5April 23, 2013 at 7:18 PM

      We are just like a big family aren't we Sarah,its lovely.

      Thank you so much,this was all Elsa's choice,I was not sure but she was right!
      xx N

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  10. Inder-ificApril 22, 2013 at 7:49 PM

    It looks fantastic! A few sizes up and it would work for me! That's good to know about their PDF patterns, because I hate printing out 500 pieces and then having to tape them all together to cut out tiny little pieces ... that's why I usually order the paper patterns!

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    1. motherof5April 23, 2013 at 7:19 PM

      Thank you Inder,it would look super cute on you!
      I do like this type of PDF,I was not a fan previously.
      xx N

      Delete
  11. CindyApril 23, 2013 at 7:38 AM

    The dress looks great, Nicole! (and good job, Elsa, for picking a knit!) I really love the way it looks...now if I can only convince Kayleen.;)

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    1. motherof5April 23, 2013 at 7:24 PM

      Thank you Cindy,I hope so,it looks so nice on.
      xx N

      Delete
  12. AnonymousApril 23, 2013 at 4:01 PM

    Gorgeous, Nicole (and Elsa's)!
    It does look fab in knit - I love the fit on her (not too loose, not too tight, just stylish enough).
    I also approve Oliver+S pdf patterns (although I do miss their unique package), especially when you need to add the international shipping costs ...

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  13. motherof5April 23, 2013 at 7:25 PM

    Thank you Ana Sofia,sewing for teenagers is turning out to be quite fun!
    xx N

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  14. thornberryApril 23, 2013 at 7:37 PM

    I love this in the knit - I've got it cut out in wovens for each of my girls, and now feel that I will need to imitate you (again) by making them each another in a knit and hoping that it looks half as good as Elsa's does! I completely agree with you about the Oliver + S pdfs - they are so well designed, and when you are making them in different sizes - as I do - they are completely worth the effort of taping - because there isn't as much taping as there is with pdf patterns by other companies! Liesl has got it all figured out.

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  15. motherof5April 24, 2013 at 10:35 PM

    Please do Lara!
    Its a gorgeous dress anyway but making it stretchy is the cherry on top!
    xx N

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