Make it Perfect Patterns: Offer & Review!

I'm SO excited about the new Make it Perfect Patterns in the shop that have come to us all the way from sunny Australia.  As I've mentioned before I've been really keen to improve on the range of patterns available in the shop but was struggling to find any I liked enough - I'm quite fussy!  I really think these fit the bill perfectly.  Great photos, easy instructions and modern, fresh designs.  I especially like that they've thought about how us crafters like to make things for loved ones as gifts, and so the Sweet Dreams PJs come with matching make-up bag instructions to make it that bit more special

and the Slumber Party Jammies come with a drawstring gift bag.

Then there are the fab Bambino baby set, perfect for a baby shower or new baby gift,

and the Playschool set which is a lovely gift to make for a child's first days at school.

On top of all this the lovely people at Make It Perfect have also sent some extra patterns that I shall be giving away to the first customers who order a Make It Perfect pattern!

The first to order will receive this great fun & funky Melly & Me Little Ninjas pattern.
Second to order will receive the Make it Perfect Versatile Wrap Skirt pattern.
The third to order will receive the Make it Perfect Big High Flyers trouser pattern.

I'll let you know if you're a winner when I notify you of your order - good luck!


As you can probably imagine I was too excited about these lovely patterns to wait any longer and have already made my own Shearwater Kaftan, you can read the review below...

Pattern Review: Shearwater Kaftan

The first thing that struck me when I opened this pattern is that the cut out lines are handdrawn.  Obviously the straight lines are nice and straight and the curved lines are as straight as they need to be and  perfectly accurate enough.  In fact I found it a nice touch.  It added to the homemade feel and it really doesn't matter as you have to trace over the pattern pieces to cut out anyway as the pieces are printed on the front and back of the print outs.

The pattern itself is easy to cut oout and assemble.  It took me a little while - maybe an hour - as I was taking my time and in no rush.  I hadn't heard of a Placket before and admit I had to look it up - for those who are in the dark like me it is, in this case, a small piece of lining fabric for the opening of the slashed neckline.

Sewing the pieces together was easy except for when attaching the sleeves to the body as the fabric bunched up a lot making it hard to see and control.  They recommend sewing from one end to another but I have since read other sleeve patterns which suggest starting at the mid-point (top of shoulder) and doing one side then doing the other seperately.  I think I'll do this next time as it'll help eliminate the bunching problem.

Sewing together took a couple of hours, quicker than I had expected.  If you haven't got an overlocker (I haven't) you will be relying on finishing inside seams with a zig-zag stitch which isn't the neatest - in fact this pattern has made me really want an overlocker!  It doesn't matter however and my zig-zag stich is improving...

I was really happy with the finished article.  It fit so nicely - not as loose as the model on the picture but I am dieting (!)  The sleeves came up a little short but I am slightly taller than average 5' 7.5" and I prefer it with the sleeves up using the little tag and button (lovely detail).  I shall definitely be making another, probably in one of these voiles as it'll give it an extra floaty summer look!  The fabric I used for this version was Tanya Whelan's Delilah Paisley in blue.

A cheesy pic of me in my Shearwater Kaftan!

 
Ability Required: Some experience needed.
Time Taken: 3 1/2 hours
Any Problems, hints, tips: I would make the placket a little wider and the sleeves longer.  I would also sew the sleeves to the body in two sections as described above.  Still loved it though!    
Overall Score: 9/10