Friday 25 July 2014

E+M Pattern Shirt No.6 Review and Give-away!



Recently, I was lucky enough to be selected to test E+M’s newest pattern: Girl’s Shirt and Dress Pattern No.6. This pattern is designed for soft, stretchy knits – quick to make and comfy to wear.  I had a lot of fun with this one, making it three times already to try out some of many different options.  Top or dress?  Flutter sleeves or sleeveless? High-lo or straight hem?  Pin-tucks, gathers or pleats at the front bodice?  A-line or banded dress?  See?!  Now you know why there was no way I could stop at just one. I think Miss M needs a few of these dresses in time for summer, when we spend our days in bathers ducking in and out of the pool.  So easy to just throw over the bathers when we duck out. 




Of course, it’s too cold here right now to wear a tank-top, so I have plans to mash up this one with a long sleeved Ottobre Design pattern.  I also have a few half metre cuts of knit prints that I never got around to sewing up when she was actually short enough to get anything from a meagre half metre, so I plan to slice up my pattern for a solid upper and print lower to make use of those cute, but too short cuts.



The pattern is well-fitting, and computer drafted so it is easy to get great results.  The tutorial is super thorough, with clear photography at every step of the process and for every option.  E+M Patterns designs with beginners in mind, and in particular, designs so that you can still get a neat finish without an overlocker.  I used both an overlocker and a twin needle for all of mine though, and her instructions didn’t leave out more experienced sewers like myself either.  I really loved being a part of this testing group as the garment is well planned out, and Allison was so helpful, really listening to all of her testers to make sure her pattern was the best it could be.


Now for the give-away!  Allison has so kindly offered to give a copy of this new PDF pattern to one of my blog readers!  So if you’d love to get ready for the warmer months (or if you are in the northern hemisphere – make something for right now!), simply add a comment telling me your favourite kid-friendly activity on hot summer days.  I will pick a winner next Friday and announce it here.


If you’re keen to start straight away, don’t hold back – her pattern is on sale for today only (until 12pm Friday - Pacific Time).  Head on over to E+M Patterns and check it out!

39 comments:

Sam said...

I adore the yellow dress!

AJ said...

Love the cut out on the yellow dress too!

AJ said...

Forgot to say nothing beats playing under the hose in the summer

paula said...

You are amazing sewing and knitting! I would love to make this!

Brandy said...

We love the splash pad on a hot summer day!

Unknown said...

Love the options with this pattern. Nothing beats a warm summer evening out our local Balloon Festival watching the hot air balloons fly!

LittleKiwisCloset said...

I like freezing flowers and leaves in ice cream container. Fun to watch melting the next day

Janelle said...

Love running under the sprinkler at gran's house

NHeimberg said...

I adore the yellow polka dot dress. My kids love sidewalk chalk and the waterhose. Also, picking blackberries from our bushes.

D White said...

Eating homemade ice cream under the shade tree!

Unknown said...

My favourite summer activity for my 15 month old is a trip to the local swimming pool. I am looking forward to her growing bigger so that we can try a bigger variety of 'adventures' over summer :)

Beth Ann Zumwalt said...

Splash pools at the park! Such a cute top/dress. Perfect for my niece who only wears dresses and tops with skirts.

Miss Marah said...

So cute! My favorite thing to do on a hot summer day with my kids is make popsicles in our popsicle mold and eat them as soon as they are frozen and then make more :) Apple juice and honey powder is a favorite, so is yogurt flavored with jam: think go-gurt but cold and healthier!

Unknown said...

I think all of these are fab! My favorite summertime activity is water balloon fights! :)

Jenny said...

the beach is a great place for summer

Rachel Hawpe said...

Swimming during hot days!

Unknown said...

Turning the sprinkler on under the trampoline and just letting them go wild for a while... While I have a nice cool glass of wine ;)

Melissa said...

Adorable pattern- I'd love to win it! My kids like playing in the sprinkler on a hot day!

6bymomma said...

I love setting up the sprinkler in the back yard

Joelle said...

Love your shirt and dress! My fave thing on a hot day is to take the kids to the pool!

Leanne said...

We love taking our grandchildren to the pool for a swim, nana gets in the baby pool to keep up with the little ones.

Unknown said...

Love the Top & Dress & the fabric, especially the polka dot dress fabric...so darling!! ;o}

Carky_Designs said...

Nothing beats a waterfight, fresh air, running around and team work plotting against the other team! On the days where this isn't possible we love crafting the two little ones get the textas and fabrics scraps and glue and the big two love using the sewing machine, they have made pjs, pillows, and even a gift when the youngest was born ♡

Unknown said...

I do not have any children to spend summer with now but when we did we went to the beach. Now that we have grandchildren and they come visiting they head down the path to the 'pool' and the delightful yellow number would be perfect - as you said just for this. I really like the top and doing in a knit would be soft and comfy.

Avery's Mama said...

Going shopping. It gives the kids a chance to get out and walk around, but in someone else's AC!

Axa said...

love pool time with my little girl!

Nanci Kimble said...

Swimming

Marimba said...

Afternoons lazing the hours away down at the lake :-) the kids love it, its relaxing and a great at to spend a sunny day

Adorable Divas said...

We rarely get 'hot summer days' here in England, so when we do, we make the m8st of it and get out our bikes :0)

Jody Lee Keeler Pierce said...

Picking berries!

Jenn H. said...

I don't have any children but always loved hanging out with my friends at the park and running around on my bike.

Anonymous said...

kids love playing in the lawn sprinkler to cool off.....

cree4108@yahoo.com

fenna said...

the kids love going under the sprinkler or to the beach!!!

greer said...

Hot summer days means early morning trip to the beach. Best ones are with the whole family. So I get to swim with the dog a b d tge husband makes sandcastles on kid patrol

Unknown said...

Taking the kids swimming or fishing

Jody Lee Keeler Pierce said...

Sprinklers!

Martha said...

At the water table!

kimberly said...

definitely visiting the splash pad!

Austysmum said...

Congratulations! You are the winner of this fabulous pattern, thanks to a drawing from random.org. Please send me your email address at austysmum@yahoo.com.au and I will pass it on to the designer who will then send you the pattern :)