Hi! I'm Melissa (of Sassy Fras) & I had the pleasure of sewing up the Fishstick Designs Pajama Party PJs for my tween. Finding something that is a hit with a tween can be a challenge, but these met her approval (so much so that she didn't take them off & slept in them after the photos were taken!) I sewed up a size 12 for my almost 12 year old & the fit was great - a little long in the arms, but we're a little on the short side at the moment (the next growth spurt will fix that!)
   They're perfect for a boy or girl, and come in a nice extended size range. You can do buttons or snaps on the front (I chose snaps). In our house, we seem to have lots of little traditions - ones that we've kept from our parents, grandparents & great grandparents, passed down through the generations. And ones we've created on our own to make memories within our immediate family. Some of our most special ones happen closer to Christmas & therefore couldn't be displayed in this post...The one that my kids love: we all pile in the mom-van & go look at Christmas lights around town, and then to a HUGE outdoor display a 20 min drive away. One that is special to me is making my grandmother's pfeffernusse recipe (her family was Danish - and if you haven't had it, results are about 50/50 on whether you'll love or hate it - my kids are NOT fans, but part of the process is rolling out dough, which is similar enough to playdough that they think it's fun) Again, not created for the shoot because if I'm the only one in the house that eats them, I do NOT need to polish off the entire batch - they'll be made right before Christmas Eve so we can share with extended family. Something that is MY "tradition" is "letting go" during the holiday season. Someone has to be an under-achiever. It's a work in progress. No perfectly wrapped presents under the tree, I'm the mom who is hurrying to wrap at midnight on Christmas Eve - and I'm ok with that. Sugar cookies get made, with help from the kids, so they're delicious, yet sloppy (let's face it, even without the kids helping, they'd still be sloppy!) And, I'd love to have the picture perfect, photo shoot ready tree where all the ornaments color coordinate. This is our tree....
  And this is why.....
 It's about the making memories, not the perfection - which I try to carry over into everyday life, and sewing! This pattern is a quick sew some details that give a final look more involved than what it is - so it fits my life. Little brother will have his sometime by Christmas...or New Year's...or...any other "under achiever" moms or those whom life gets in the way know what I'm talking about! So whether your Christmas is picture perfect or more like this: wishing you all the best this holiday season!

I live in the Midwest, which means "you need a coat in the morning, shorts in the afternoon & air conditioning by 4 PM" at this time of year. The weather can be as temperamental as a two year old! (no offense to any prodigy two year olds who may be reading!) Dressing children for the day involves layers, and sometimes guess work.

The Aztec Hooded Vest by See Kate Sew fills a need in a little guy's wardrobe as it adds an extra layer, but not TOO much (and for those who live in warmer places - I'm jealous! do you have a spare room? - err...I mean, you can do this vest with two woven layers to keep heat factor down. Colder climates - you can sew with two warmer layers.) I chose a sweatshirt fleece combined with a cotton woven lining for our "in between" weather in the next months.

Nitty gritty: The vest comes in sizes 18 months-8, in one pattern. Pattern pieces are nested & black & white (no need to wear out that color printer cartridge!) Lines are easily discernible by use of varying dots & dashes. Pattern pieces print on 11 pages that are easily assembled.



I would consider this pattern an advanced beginner to concentrating intermediate pattern. There are options (welt pockets & extra stitching) that can be left off in order to keep the skill level towards advanced beginner. I did the welt pockets, but not the decorative stitching, just my preference!


A separating zipper, however, is not optional & may push the boundaries of comfort for a beginner. If you are not confident at zipper installation, you may want to find a tutorial or directions prior to attempting this step, as the pattern assumes some knowledge in that area.  If at first you don't succeed, grab the seam ripper, step away & eat some chocolate & come back to it - yes, I speak from experience.

The welt pocket is a bit of a leap of faith as it definitely is hard to wrap your brain around just how that is going to work - but if you follow the directions you will be rewarded with some fantastic pockets just right for little hands, or rocks, legos & other treasures that need to be stored safely. Huge hit in our house.

Fit: I made the size 4 based on my child's measurements & also lack of availability in separating zippers locally! I happened to have a 14" zipper on hand, which was adequate for the 4T size, while 5T called for a slightly longer zipper. When you are zipper shopping, too long is ok, as you do cut off the top ends, however too short just won't do. The fit is great, right on for measurements and I found it to be very true to size (however, I will be making one or more in a 5T to allow for more wiggle room for him, when I get my hands on longer separating zippers!)

Total time from printing to tracing, cutting, sewing and completing item was a couple of hours - I'm estimating because I have faith that you won't have the aforementioned zipper fiasco. If you face distractions, I would suspect this would take an hour or two here & there. This is not an item you make & go "that was so quick, I'm going to make 5 more today!" but it IS one that you make & pat yourself on the back saying "Yes, I made that!" Still easier to sew than it is to get decent photos of a whirlwind of a 3 year old! The result? Well worth it in my opinion, AND a preschooler who thinks this vest is "awesome". It makes a great canvas with lots of possibilities for basic wear or fun & funky combinations. If you use a reversible separating zipper, you can even have a reversible vest!

Charlie by Zonen 09

Hello! I'm Melissa, mom of 4 kids (two teens, a tween & a toddler), and woman behind the scenes at Sassy-Fras. https://www.facebook.com/sassyfrasdesign  I've been sewing for what seems like forever, but only steadily for the last 10 years, as my children became self-sufficient & shouldn't need "MOM!" every 2 minutes (notice I don't say DON'T holler for mom, they just shouldn't!) I'm also a lucky lady who was able to review the Charlie shirt by Zonen 09 www.zonen09.com - a comfortable, yet stylish & trendy top for the boy in your life.

The pattern includes sizes 92 (2T) through 134 (size 9) all in one pattern, with sizes nested on the pattern sheets. For two pieces, which are rectangles, measurements are given. It is translated into English, is easily understood, with lots of clear directions making it approachable even for the "knit-phobic". There is a short & long sleeved version making it a shirt that can be a staple year round. See, that makes a person happy!! 

This is a European pattern (Belgium), so in true Euro fashion seam allowances are NOT included. As I've sewn from Ottobre & Farbenmix, this doesn't throw me, and don't let it throw you!! The beauty of this is that you just add what you what you are going to take off (except on waistband & sleeve binding, as noted, as it is included in the measurements). I added the 1 cm as suggested, by rubber-banding two pens together. 

I trace my patterns on lightweight plastic (think plastic drop cloth from painters section) & use sharpie pens. I prefer Swedish Tracing Paper (you can also use wax paper, parchment paper, interfacing, tissue paper, or anything else you can find that is halfway see-through & you can write on) but as it's not readily available in my area, I work with what I have!

Let's be totally honest, if you weren't watching I'd trace the pattern as is, and then add the seam allowances by eyeballing as I cut it out of fabric. Do as I say, not as I do, but don't sweat too much over adding seam allowances - as long as you add them at some point (tracing or cutting fabric) you're set!


This pattern is a fairly quick sew & I would recommend it for the advanced beginner or adventurous beginner.  Lots of possibilities for color combinations - make the waistband & sleeve binding match the outer, or contrast fabric. Have the collar the same as outer, or the same as inner/contrast fabric.

The one problem I had with the pattern was tracing & adding seam allowances to the pieces that have little difference between sizes (sleeves & collar). It is rather difficult to follow along the line you are supposed to as they overlap or run very close together. Having those pieces un-nested would save my eyesight! (or, if you're a relaxed seamstress as I am, trace it the best you can & tell yourself that since the lines are so close, the slight difference surely doesn't matter too much!) For these pieces I traced as is, and then added the seam allowance.



Another point to be aware of, the designer has license agreements for items which will be sold from this pattern. Depending on your intended use and your belief in such agreements...just an item to be aware of.

I made a size 5 for my quickly growing 3-3/4 year old - he is between a 4T & 5T in most items. As I used jersey knit, this shirt is more close fitting, but fits perfectly. (Both he & my husband said "it looks small" - thee of little faith!) If I were making one for him to grow into, I'd use a knit with more "give" or size up. Still plenty of room to relax in.


Although I've been sewing for years, this made my husband say "Did you make that?" as he walked past the shirt...quickly followed by "that is really cool". Major kudos to the pattern & style for those comments from a usually oblivious spouse!  I consider this t-shirt with lots of wow-factor. It's as comfy as a t-shirt (and nearly as quick of a sew) but with added details & styling to make it a very fun top.

Hands down, the most difficult part of this project was getting a picture of a not-quite four year old that didn't look like this. Apparently this shirt makes a guy want to do a "TAH-DAH!"

I'm Melissa, mom of 4 kids, and woman behind the scenes at Sassy-Fras. https://www.facebook.com/sassyfrasdesign  I've been sewing for long enough that I don't want to say a number, as it'd make it impossible to continue in my delusion that I'm 20-something ;) I'm also a lucky lady who was able to review the Designs by Moo Cowl Neck Tee. A comfy, stylish tee plus a reason to sew for myself - total bonus!

The pattern includes sizes XS-XXXL all in one pattern, with sizes nested on the pattern sheets. I'll admit to sometimes being a reluctant pdf user. I was not a fan of puzzles as a child, and I still am not. Patience is a virtue, but not one I possess, sadly!  Designs by Moo obviously feels for me & not only do her pattern sheets have clear markings, making it obvious how much to overlap, but each page is also labelled AND there is a chart that shows you how to assemble the pages. Whew! No guessing, no puzzles.

The pattern also is great for those with limited time - a quick sew (naptime!) but with options to make it more involved if you wish. Another bonus is that the pattern specifically tells you which view is easiest/quickest & which is more challenging. For those new to knits, or sewing in general, the waistband & kimono sleeves gets the easiest rating and would be suitable for a beginner, or a more experienced seamstress who is knit-phobic. There are two options for sleeves (kimono & split) and option of hemmed or waistband bottom, making the pattern have more bang for the buck. Even with the more involved options, this pattern is suitable for a beginner+.


My favorite feature? The concise page of abridged directions. Again, for those with little patience (ahem, me), short on time, or who are more experienced in sewing. What it means is that instead of having to read many pages, all directions are summarized on ONE PAGE (which could also easily be printed & kept with your pattern). Groundbreaking!  The designer also provides directions to alter the pattern if one's measurement doesn't fit the size charts (more than just lengthen/shorten) which is very handy.

Did I mention flattering & versatile? Here is the shirt on my 18 year old (typically wears a medium)

And on a "mom body".

The one problem I had with following the pattern was reading and starting at the beginning. I was making the Kimono version, and could not figure out why the directions called for me to leave part of the shoulder open. I read, and re-read, and apparently needed a blinking sign to point out I was following the Split sleeve directions & needed to turn to later in the pattern for the Kimono directions. Once I found that page, very quick sew.

Next problem - my conversation with the teen went from "Honey, will you please put this on" to "Ok, thanks. Now give me my shirt back....seriously!" I will be checking her luggage before she heads off to college! (a promise to make her one got my shirt back). Moms of teens beware - guard this shirt or make a spare for the teen!

Quick, comfy & stylish! What more could a girl want? (ok, a pattern that did the dishes would be cool, but until that day, a great shirt will have to do!)