What’s that little saying about plans & life laughing? Well, that is the inspiration behind my review. I should be happily miserably pregnant & waddling, and had PLANNED on sewing up a storm these last few weeks. Insert life chuckling... Instead I’m visiting this little guy who arrive almost 8 weeks early due to some medical needs.
So, now I’m spending this time trying to juggle normal life plus NICU baby life (since early May) and sewing hasn’t happened.
He won’t be naked when he makes it home, but it’s just not the same as being decked out in handmade – so I jumped at reviewing the Stitchwerkz pattern because it looked fabulous and fits my criteria for what babies should wear (comfortable yet stylish)! I was not disappointed.
This I did in a very short time, in between 4 kids' activities, visiting a 5th in NICU & working full time (and having new-mom brain!) and life in general. I’m not Wonder Woman – or even close – it’s just THAT good of a pattern.
Things I love:
*Range of sizes. I had no idea how few & far between preemie patterns were til I had one. With sizes Preemie to 12 months, the patterns would be perfect for itty bitty babies or “lunkers” (like my previous ones born at over 9 lbs)
*Directions are divine. Everything is spelled out & in a logical manner. I love the chart for elastic/binding/etc is ON the pattern pieces so once the pieces are printed, I don’t have to scroll through all the directions to find those measurements, instead it is right in front of me! (It is also in the pattern itself for those who prefer to refer back to it) Very handy. If I can whip up items in a short amount of time in my sleep deprived state, it’s got to have fabulous directions. I LOVE that it covers types of knit that work best, as well as stretch required – all musts to make sure the project is not a masterpiece in frustration.
*Knit know-how. I’m no knit novice, and am very comfortable sewing knits, but I know they can be daunting when starting out. The instructions included should make it manageable for anyone, and I’d highly recommend this pattern to someone needing to get their feet wet in knits. And it’s not just for newbies...my binding has always left something to be desired. Like to the point that I’ve given up trying to make it look nice because it just won’t, and if a pattern calls for binding, I’m more likely to stray from the pattern & do an alternate finish. I knew I needed to try again & my results didn’t stink! (which is saying a lot!) I won’t be running up to point out my binding to strangers, but I’ll be happy to put this on my little one. BIG improvement!
*Logistics. I’m a huge fan of dressing babies in practical clothes that seem comfortable (no layers of ruffles, or zippers, etc) With this series of patterns you can get that, without sacrificing “cute”. You won’t make this, dress your baby in it and dread diaper change time because of the effort it takes to wrangle a little one out & back into it!
*Versatility. Long sleeves or short, cuffs or no cuffs, mittens or not...each pattern has multiple possibilities to fit various needs and allow for a more exciting wardrobe for little ones (and the sewists whims!)
* Knowledge. From sources of fabric to basic construction technique, the patterns are full of info. It truly covers it all - and not just for newbies. As mentioned above, I’ve been sewing for quite some time, but there were still new techniques or different ones, in the patterns, and I tried them & will add them to my bag of sewing tricks.
The only wish I have is that for the pattern pieces that are rectangles, there were also pattern pieces. I know many hate that, as they feel it wastes paper, but I’d love the option so I don’t have to track down my measuring tape that is moonlighting as a “fishing pole” for a 4 year old, and try to cut straight lines on my own.
I struggle a little with the more stretchy knit pants – they wanted to “grow” more than the waistband (you might notice a pucker in that area. argh!) and also sewing the cuffs on in the round – but taken slow, it works out just fine.
I sewed up the Comfy Caterpillar Easy Knit Pants in size preemie and newborn, and the Bitty Beetle in long sleeve bodysuit in newborn and also in t-shirt length. In just using those two patterns, I have the options of 4 outfits by mix & matching. Throw in short sleeves, gown and uncuffed versions of these patterns that I didn’t sew (yet!), plus the other patterns in the suite (Roly Poly pants & TiddlyWink Toppers) and you’d have a full wardrobe that any baby would love to be styling!
The pattern includes sizes 2-12 all in one pattern, with sizes nested on the pattern sheets. As a mom of several kids, that means I can print once & have all sizes! As an added bonus, if you're only sewing for one child or reprint each time you sew, you can print just the size you need through the magic of layers. If you choose to print in the standard format with sizes nested, the sizes are differentiated by different colors with easy to follow lines.
