Today is the second pattern of the Sew Straight & Gather  a month and a half ago I tested the Etage Top/Dress pattern for Terri. Even though we were right in the throngs of Project Run and Play, I knew I wanted to get in on this test. I love unique designs and I love the challenge of helping test them.
My first tester version didn't really work out, it will fit Boston next year probably but we both loved the style so much that I knew I wanted to sew it up again (really it was the only way I could get her to stop wearing the one that was too big). Out of this testing experience I really gained a lot of respect for Terri, I have seen designers that have an idea of what they want but stop short of getting it perfect because they are so set on a deadline. Terri is the type of designer tweaked and step back and re-tweaked every element of the pattern until it was perfect. I am so impressed by her work I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
Let me tell you about this pattern:
Size Range from 12 M-12Y (Chest from 19 3/5"-30 7/8")
Print by Size Option
Fully illustrated instructions *They are beautiful illustrations, I really feel like in the example of this  pattern illustrations are much more helpful than pictures
Dress or Top Option
Half Sleeve, Short Sleeve and Sleeveless Instructions
I am going to admit something before I continue, I had every intention of running a rolled hem on the bottom of each layer but my serger is being silly right now and I was feeling lazy. So I decided to run with the knit does fray crowd on this one.
The way this pattern designed you end up with a beautiful neckline no matter how crazy your knits are. The stacking order is mind altering but with following her instructions you end up with a beautiful garment. I would warn this isn't a pattern that you should sew late at night or when you are too tired to focus on detail.
The movement on this pattern is really stunning. It is so stylish but a design that you aren't going to find among RTW garments. It is one of those that when your friends ask you where you got it and you answer that you made it their jaws will drop. A lot of the ladies in the tester group did prints which were stunning but I love how it looks with just a basic solid.
My favorite pattern is watching Boston move and dance in it. She just can't help do everything she can to make it move. It is classy while being still being child appropriate. You can pick up this darling design or the Uptown/Downtown dress that we showed you yesterday for 25% off this week with the coupon code UPTOWNEXPANSION25 (etsy or her shop).
Fill out the Rafflecopter below to win a copy of this pattern.
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First off thank you for all the support and love during our Betty Skirt Tour.
This week we will be sharing work from other amazing designers from around the world. Today and Tomorrow you get to see the talented design work of Terri from Sew Straight Pattern Co. This summer Terri released the Uptown/Downtown Dress Pattern and she recently added 6 free add-on's to this pattern making this absolutely perfect for every season. She has all of her patterns 25% off through Saturday Nov. 22nd, by using the code UPTOWNEXPANSION25 which can be purchased on etsy or her shop.

Before I get started, this photoshoot had to be done in a prenap/post nap situation. Boston end up being so tired the first time that she just ran around and picked up leaves. She wouldn't let me take more than a few shots unless it was her sitting on the ground, examining her finds. Which doesn't work so well for showing the fit of a maxi dress. When we came in from pictures she crashed on the couch 5 minutes later. That is the reason that half of these have either fresh or fuzzy hair. 
We are heading into winter here quickly so I knew I wanted to make Boston a nice warm dress that she could wear to church. I used four of the add-ons for this dress; long sleeves, maxi skirt length, cowl neck and pockets. We both are so happy with the results.
Let me tell you a little bit about this pattern:
- It offers a print by size option (even for the add-on's)
- You can add as many add-on's as you would like, without adding much time to your sewing
- Size range is from 2-10 yrs. (Chest 21 1/4-28)
- Straight forward instructions that are easy for even a tired pregnant momma to follow
- Clear Pictures for the original dress pattern, easy to view illustrations for the add-on's
Boston is going into the imitating stage, which has been weird for me. I remember when Ryder did it with Slim Jim, but it feels a little silly but flattering. One of her favorite things in my wardrobe is my maxi dress, every time she tells me I am a pretty princess. When she saw her dress I asked her what she thought and with a huge grin as she hugged it she said, "It is a mommy dress." I even let her wear some "mommy lips" (lip gloss) for this photo shoot, I could tell with the air she walked out for pictures that she felt very grown up. Really I am not sure that I am ready for her to grow up but I guess if it will help her keep her dress down I might just go for it.
According to the sizing chart I sewed up the size 2 width (her chest measurement is 20 1/2") with the 3 length. The fit on the chest tighter end of the ease spectrum (it reminds me of the fit of the bimma) so if that is something that concerns you, I would suggest sizing up one. The way pattern is stacked this is easy to use the width of one size and the height of another. I did have to add a little extra paper to my maxi skirt add-on pattern piece, but Terri covers even this in the add-on instructions. 
This dress was made from fabric I had on hand. The dress fabric was left over from Jo's dress and the cowl fabric was made from a skirt I made for Al a decade ago. I think the weight of both made them perfect for the cold temperatures that we have on top of us now. Last time I struggled with hemming this fabric so this time I basted the fold line then stitched the hem and then pulled out the basting stitches when I was done hemming. This worked much better than last time when I tried serging and then hemming.
There are a bunch of awesome bloggers on the Pattern Expansion Tour, make sure to catch all their darling creations. I know that after you see them you won't be able to resist purchasing this pattern.


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We were given this Uptown/Downtown Dress Pattern in exchange for a review. We only work with companies & products that we personally believe in and agree with their quality standards. I had shown this pattern to my husband and I had every intention of purchasing this pattern, I was just waiting for pay day to make it happen when the invitation came from Terri.

PS. If your little girl is a Swifty like Miss B. just know that this is pattern perfect for shaking it off.

Today we have darling, Charity and Sabra.

Charity is from Say Grr Sewing. In the last year we have got to know Charity fairly well. I'm pretty sure she is our blogging cheerleader. Almost without fail, she leaves comments on almost everything we blog about. She is so down to earth. We love this lady. She made this darling pink, large pleat Betty Skirt. Click here or on the picture below for more details.

Say Grr Sewing: Large Pleat Betty Skirt

I am sure this is not the first you have heard of Sabra from Sew a Straight Line. She is sewing blog famous for making her own jeans, amazing things for her boys & darling things for her daughter Ivy. I am always in awe by her attention to detail on each sewing project she completes. Along with being crazy talented Sabra is full of quick whit and is a joy to spend time with. A few weeks ago Sabra, Christie and I got together for a nature hike with our kids; Ivy spunky personality was so fun. Boston and her were instant friends. This little denim skirt is perfect for keeping up with all that spunk, to read more about click here or on the image below.

Sew a Straight Line: Denim Betty Skirt

Today we have Audrey, Heidi & Amy.

Audrey is part of the cute girls at Skirt Fixation. We were first introduced to them through sewing along with Project Run and Play. They were one of the very first purchasers of our Betty Skirt. For the last year as we've got to know them and have really come to love them. It seems we are always being encouraged and uplifted through the comments that are left. They like us, are budget friendly and find modesty important. They do quite a bit of up-cycling and as luck has it they have even refashioned a cardigan to make the Gathered Skirt with Placket option for today. Genius! Click here or on the image below to see more details.

Skirt Fixation: Gathered Skirt with Placket Option

I am sure that you all know the fabulous, Heidi from Elephants & Elegance. She took a chance on our blog when we were still baby sewing bloggers, letting us test some of her babies. And since then this blog stalking on our part has turned into a friendship. We consider her one of our sewing mentors. She is so encouraging and her patterns always have the best finishes every time I sew one I think I learn something new. I just adore the fabric that she used for her Betty Skirt, by using the directions included in the fit section of the pattern you can shorten the skirt to above knee amount of your choosing all while keeping your yoke distance perfect. Click here or on the image below to see her floral fine wale corduroy skirt.

Elegance & Elephants: Floral Corduroy Gathered Skirt

Amy, is a dear friend indeed. She has tested and made so many Betty Skirts for us. Without her and her friendship this pattern wouldn't have the full range of sizes and include doll pattern. She encouraged us to add the tween sizes after her niece was right on the bubble and helped us get the doll pattern just right. With all the self doubt that come right before releasing a pattern (or re-releasing with twice the amount of sizes and new features) her positive energy helped us push through our demons. Click here or on the image below to see her modified pleated skirt.

SewNBows: Modified Pleated Skirt

As part of the tour we are offering the Betty Skirt for 30% off with the Code BETTYTOUR.

Today we have Jenn from A Jennuine Life & Kari from That's Sew Kari and their skirts are so darling!

Jenn is a long time friend through Project Run and Play community and she has been so kind to join us while she is preparing to move her family from Michigan to New Jersey. She has been over her a couple of times as a guest contributor, I am always amazed by her talent. Al & I had a chance to have dinner with her this April. She was such a hoot to be around. So fun and real, you can tell she is a great mom from the way she talks about her girls. She is for sure Jennuine (sorry I just couldn't help myself). I am sure you have seen her darling patterns if not you should take a moment to check them out.  Click here or on the image below to see her darling mesh overlay skirt. I simply love the way she finished this.

A Jennuine Life: Gathered Skirt with Mesh Overlay

I am sure this is not the first you have heard of Kari from That's Sew Kari in addition to running her own blog she is on the Pattern Revolution team and blogging assistant to Candy Castle Patterns. Phew! It makes me exhausted just listing all that. Her little girls have such fun little attitudes that she always captures in her pictures and her creations. Beyond all that talent, is a darling sweetheart of a woman that we glad friend and look forward to growing that friendship more the future. Click here or image below to see her cheetah print skirt.

That's Sew Kari: Cheetah Print Skirt

As part of the tour we are offering the Betty Skirt for 30% off with the Code BETTYTOUR.

Today we Kimberly from Straight Stitch Designs.

I first met Kimberly in a testing group for another designer, we were testing peers and I was really struggling with my test. She was so supportive and helpful for filling in the blanks. Since then we have been on half dozen other tests together. We are also both students in Pattern Workshop (affiliate link), it has been fun to interact with her further. True to her first impression she is always kind, helpful and encouraging. In addition to her magnetic personally she is stunning and stylish, it has been really fun to see her stunning style in her own designs. Click here or on the image below to see the darling wool skirt she made for her tall slender gal.

Today we the amazing Sally from Daisy Chain Creations and co-master mind of Sew Cool for the Tween Scene, she has been one of our friends from the beginning of our blog. To be honest her excellent feedback (especially on the tween sizes) on testing was indispensable. I think this is the 5th Betty Skirt that she has made and I can't get over the pieced pleated skirt. I love this idea, for the full details click here or on the image below.

Daisy Chain: Pieced Large Pleats Skirt

As part of the tour we are offering the Betty Skirt for 30% off with the Code BETTYTOUR.

Today we have Veronica from sewVery.

We've had the chance to be in some different series with Veronica and it seems like our paths are always crossing in the blogging world. She has such cute style so if you've never been you should head on over to her blog and check her out. I'm so excited to share today's Betty Skirt with you because Veronica made the Betty Skirt work for a school uniform. I really love that she has made it so useful for the everyday application. The khaki color makes it even easier to see the simple lines in this pattern. Around the time we were revamping the pattern we had a big demand for the pattern to be used for school uniforms and it felt like we couldn't finish the pattern fast enough. Click here or on the image below  for the details.

Scary Note. Al did the intro today, but I have met Veronica before and she is darling. She also has the cutest southern accent that you ever heard. Now when I read her blog I can image her saying it with that southern drawl. 

sewVery: Gathered Placket Skirt

As part of the tour we are offering the Betty Skirt for 30% off with the Code BETTYTOUR.

Today we have two darlings up Erin from Crafty Biggers & Renee from Two-Many. Both of them blew our minds by sewing up 3 skirts a piece.

Erin, is a doll we actually met through the testing process when we first released the pattern, because most of our sewing peers had girls our age and she more . It was really her and other testers who helped with the preteen sizes that we were able to get the skirt right. Since then I have been amazed by her and the darling clothes that she makes for herself and her beautiful girls. Click here or on the picture below to see her skirts.

CraftyBiggers: Two Gathered and One Pleats Skirt

First, thing you need to know about Renee is she is a sweetheart and a darling to work with. Second, she is a super fun mom of darling twin girls. She makes the cutest kid friendly clothes. I have been dying over all the costumes she has made this last month (while I have been reading them I have been shielding my phone from my own kiddos so they don't get any ideas :) ) Renee has been killing me on instagram with her previews and now the day has finally come to see her vegan leather skirts (I might have to copy her). Click here or on the picture below to see her skirts.

Two-Many: Vegan Leather Betty Skirts (I was dying over this picture because it reminds me of Al & I when we were little. Just two sisters having a great time together.)

Today we have the talented Michelle from Falafel and the Bee. The first time I really got to know her awesome style was when we were judges for the adult clothing design sewing at Skirt Fixation. Every week I was amazed by her uniqueness and artistic approach. One week she hand painted a feather onto a top that totally looked real. She is crazy talented.

Today's post is also amazing. What girl wouldn't love a yellow and pink unicorn Betty Skirt with a pretty blue flower detail? I would've never thought to put it together, but I honestly wish it was mine and that I was wearing it today. It's perfect for Fall, but could also be rocked in any season. Click here or on the image below for details.
As part of the tour we are offering the Betty Skirt for 30% off with the Code BETTYTOUR.

Many times when we are asked to sew up patterns my mind usually is reeling with ideas and directions that I want to take it. The Everyday Tank pattern from SergerPepper was no different we had so many ideas of directions we would take it, but after Al's family had stomach flu go through we decided it was best to abandon our first plan.

I seriously don't know how I am ever going to break her of thumb sucking. She is getting so much better at not always doing it but she is coming up on 3 years. I keep thinking she still is so much my baby that I can't let it go.

Instead I went with the safe plan B sew, a nightgown for Boston. Even though we are headed into winter here shortly the kids night wear still needs to be pretty cool because our apartment always stays above 70 degrees all winter without any heating (I think it is because we are the middle apartment and all our windows face south). When I showed her first thing this morning she was so excited she was so ready for pictures.  I wanted a real life photo shoot to capture the goofy stage she is in. Lately she has been doing the funniest things that just make us giggle. I didn't give her any direction besides "have fun dancing and jumping on mom's bed". All actions and poses were the product of the almost 3 year old mastermind.
Before I show you the rest of the pictures with all their personality I want to tell you about the details of this pattern:
- Print by size option (LOVE LOVE THIS! I love saving on ink)
- Great instructions on using refashioned t-shirts. I was surprised to find a cut chart for the binding if you are using a tee shirt without spandex (as most refashioned T-shirts are).
- Size Range from 3-14 (yes, I will be able to sew this for years)
- Three lengths included (Tee, Midi Dress & Maxi Dress)
- Pocket Pattern included (which is awesome because kids love pockets)
- Color Diagrams 
I sewed this in an evening. The kids went to bed and it was put together before I went to bed at midnight. This is even with my poor decision making to deviate some from the instructions. Irene directs you to top stitch after sewing the pieces together and I decided it would be easier to top stitch all at once when it was all together so I wouldn't have to worry about switching stitches. It wasn't impossible to do but it would have been so much easier to have done it before it was all together. Like I said before I love the idea of the different cut charts for amount of stretchiness on the knit.
The only other deviation from the pattern I made was to make the dress a bit longer. I was going to go with the midi length but then after I printed off the pattern pieces I realized that the skirt line continued several inches below so I decided I would make use of those additional inches. I am glad I did, because when she lays down and puts her feet above her head she stays fairly modest (added bonus a bit of growing room).

Again all her idea

Really can't wait to make more for this winter. The fit was really great for her. The only thing I wish I would have done differently (other than actually following the topstitching directions) was to have looked more diligently for my ribbing, I think it would have layed a lot nicer than the spadex jersey knit that I used. Of course this morning once the project was all done I found it in the kids room, I think Boston was trying to help me sew again by "gathering my supplies".

I love the little photo bomber in the right corner, isn't it always the way with your kids that one is having a melt down and the other one is having the best 5 minutes ever.

The fabric I used for this project was a vintage interlock that was gifted to me by my dear sewing friend Linda.

counting the numbers of Minny Mouse on her nightgown

This pattern is a great pattern that has the ability to work for a boy (I hope to make PJ top for Ryder, using the top option) or a girl, with a large size range (3-14) and quick assembly.

"Look they are happy...they kiss"

Irene is offering a 40% off Code with the Code BLOGTOUR40 on all of her products, which can be purchased here on Etsy or here on her Shop.  If anyone decide to buy the pattern using the BLOGTOUR40 coupon code and then wins it, she/he will have the choice between having another pattern or a $10 coupon code for a future purchase (expiring by the end of the next year 2015).


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There are some really great "flips" of this pattern through out the tour so make sure and check them out.

Monday, 3rd

Tuesday, 4th

Thursday, 6th

Friday, 7th

Saturday, 8th

Sunday, 9th