Abreu - Modern style for girls: sew a boutique wardrobe

Publisher: Amy Marson Creative Director: Gailen Runge Art Director: Kristy Zacharias Editor: Liz Aneloski Technical Editors: Helen Frost and Alison M. Schmidt Cover Designers: Kristy Zacharias and April Mostek Book Designer: Katie McIntosh Page Layout Artist: April Mostek Production Coordinators/Illustrators: Jenny Davis and Zinnia Heinzmann Production Editor: Alice Mace Nakanishi Photo Assistant: Mary Peyton Peppo Style photography by Mary Abreu and instructional photography by Diane Pedersen, unless otherwise noted Published by Stash Books, an imprint of C&T Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549 DEDICATION For my folks, Jo Lambert and John Abreu. I couldnt ask for more supportive and encouraging parents. I love you! ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I couldnt do this without my amazing husband, Matt. YMEAMB.

Lisa Carroccio (a.k.a. The Diva) is the first person I turn to for guidance. Im so fortunate to have her in my corner. This book might not have happened without the regular encouragement (and prodding) of Sarah Phillips. My life would also be lacking funky shoes, shopping trips, WaHo, and ridiculous donuts were she not in it. Thank you to my awesome pattern testers: Cheryl Arkison, MaryAnn Lopes, and Hayden Thornton.

Yall rock! Caden Kluge jumped in and helped knock out how-to models, iron fabric, organize samples, and make sure I took regular breaks from the sewing machine to do little things, like eat. Shes pretty awesome! Dana Konick and Amor Owensthanks for making my other career dream a reality! I just love these gals: Amanda Wood, Amber Hartenbower, Bari Ackerman, Jona Giammalva, Tifani Keith, Kristina Milling, Meredith Placko, and Veda Behfarshad. The beautiful little girls wearing these clothes hold a special place in my heart. Thank you Shaudi, Kayla, Jadyn, and especially Liesl. Thank you, Andover Fabrics, Michael Miller Fabrics, Dear Stella, FreeSpirit Fabrics, and Intown Quilters, for providing many of the fabrics used throughout this book. Liz Aneloski, you rock! And big thanks to all the C&T folks who helped this book go from concept to paper.

Many, many thanks to the thousands of people around the world who have made my first bookLittle Girls, Big Stylea part of their sewing libraries. It warms my heart to see your emails, pictures, blog posts, and social media comments. Preface School picture day, 2011: My lovely daughter was in second grade. I spent the hours after she went to bed sewing a Knotty Apron Dress for her to wear the next morning for school pictures. I changed the ruffle at the hem to a hem band, per her request, but added a tiny bit of ruching on the bodice. Ouch. Ouch.

Gone were the days of making clothes for my child without her inputat least if I wanted her to actually wear them. My mom friends and I commiserated about the challenges of outfitting our girls, who suddenly decided they were too old for ruffle pants and big hair bows, yet too young to wear scaled-down teen fashions. But then an interesting thing happened. I involved my daughter in choosing clothing patterns and fabric, letting her style shine through. I modified patterns to make them more age appropriate and curbed my desire to throw on more ruffles. (Ruffle all the things!) It wasnt long before she not only outgrew the patterns from Little Girls, Big Style but also inspired an all-new set of wardrobe options for me to createand then share with you.

These days, shell excitedly bring me her sketchbookcomplete with fabric swatchesto show off her outfit ideas. And I know it wont be long before shell bypass me and sew her own wardrobe. Until then, Ill happily work with her to bring those sketches to life. Get the Look Modified Lace-Trimmed Shorts and Layers of Love Skirt HOW TO USE THIS BOOK The projects in this book are divided into three sections: Basic Bodice, Pants, and Skirts. These projects can be created in girls sizes 712. Projects are sewn from a mix of pattern pieces and basic rectangles. Projects are sewn from a mix of pattern pieces and basic rectangles.

Be sure to read the cutting instructions and pattern preparations carefully before you begin to cut your fabric. Most yardage requirements are based on the largest size, so you may have some extra fabric if you are making the smaller sizes. Fabric requirements and cutting layouts work for all fabrics, including those with a directional print or nap. If using a nondirectional fabric, you may be able to modify the cutting layout and use less fabric. Modified Collared A-Line Dress I always recommend that my sewing students make a muslin (sometimes called a toile) when using a pattern for the first time. Theres nothing more heartbreaking than spending hours creating a garment, only to find it doesnt fitespecially when you use treasured fabric.

I tend to purchase clearance fabric for $1$3 per yard for these test garments. Use the patterns. All seam allowances are included. So, just select the size you need; check the project for what pattern pieces are needed; and trace the patterns onto a pattern paper, such as Pattern-Ease (by HTC Retail, Inc.) or Swedish tracing paper, following the instructions in Tracing Patterns. All projects in the book refer to Techniques AZ for commonly used skills such as gathering, creating waistband casings, hemming, finishing seam allowances, and adding zipper insertions. The sewing techniques in this book are a step up from those in my first book, Little Girls, Big Style (also by Stash Books).

While the skirts still have elastic waistbands, the pants all have set-on waistbands, adjustable elastic in the back of the waist, and a zipper fly. Youll also learn to insert an invisible zipper! The pattern hacks (modifications) have grown a little more complex in the Basic Bodice section. Project instructions walk you through converting a simple bodice pattern to a wrap-style top/dress, an A-line minidress with Peter Pan collar, and a pullover tunic. CHOOSING FABRIC Many projects in this book use premium quilting cotton for tops, dresses, and skirts, along with some voiles and lawns. While you certainly can use quilting cotton for shorts and pants, I prefer to sew with a bottom-weight fabric, such as corduroy or denim. The fabric is a slightly heavier weight and better suited for pants and zippers, in my opinion.

Selecting fabrics for a project is one of my favorite activities, especially when my daughter is involved. Tweens often have a definite idea of what they will and wont wear when it comes to color, print, and even texture. While my preschooler wouldnt hesitate to wear loud, clashing prints with acres of ruffles, my fourth-grader prefers solids and subtler prints. My younger sewing students echo those preferences, relegating anything resembling a novelty print to pajama pants and quirky accessories. For me, the process starts with choosing the clothing patterns. Unless Im sewing a skirt or a dress, I always plan an entire outfit before we pick the fabric, even if it includes something were going to buy, such as a blouse or leggings.