Pattern Testing: My First Garment

With all the sewing I have done, you'd think I would have made some clothes for my kids by now.  Nope.  None at all.  I don't know why, but the idea has always intimidated me.  Maybe because everything has to be exact to make it fit correctly.  Bags and accessories are a little more forgiving.  But I have intended to try out garment sewing.  I even ordered a Renfrew pattern and several knits (because I had no idea what kind I was supposed to use!) last fall.  It all still sits in a pile in my guest-turned-storage room.

So, when Rachael at imagine gnats asked me to test a pattern for a girls' pinafore shirt, I knew the time had come.  If she thought I could do it, I probably could.  She sent me the pattern in a .pdf, with no photo of what the final product was supposed to look like.  The mystery made it fun!  And for such a simple top, I learned several new skills.  Pockets set in the side seams.  Fully lined.  AND---I had to learn to make buttonholes.  Yet another skill that I have avoided thus far.  It turned out rather fabulously, if I do say so myself.  I used some fabric from the bottom of my stash, in case it turned out to be a disaster, so it's not my favorite.  But my girlie loves it.  And has asked for matching pants.  Oy!  What have I done?!

Want your own chance to test patterns for Rachael?  Head on over to her blog and sign up to be on her tester list.  She also has a pattern shop on Craftsy, where I suspect you will find the finished version of this pattern soon!

Pockets at the sides, buttons at the shoulders

I had a lightbulb moment when I realized that it crossed in the back!  Silly me, not knowing what a "pinafore" was!

Her best model pose!