Shwin Designs Archives - QA Creations

This winter I was really tired of buying shirts for my daughter that were too short, so I made several shirts and dresses for her that are long enough for her to not immediately grow out of. I had made a previous version of the Eleanor Dress pattern as a shirt, but can’t find a picture of it – despite the fact that she wore it all last winter! I really like the dress version of this pattern.

Pattern: Eleanor Dress from Shwin Designs

Pattern Description (from designer): Everyone loves a knit dress, comfy and easy to wear. The pattern also has the option for a top. This knit dress pattern comes with many options to create simple by stylish knit dresses. From an oversized collar to ribbing at the neck, long or short sleeves and every combination of them all. This one pattern will take you through many seasons and with the sizes 12m-8years included it will take you through many years of wear.

Pattern Retail Price: $9 for PDF

Fabric Required: 3/4 yard for 2T

Amount of fabric used: I was using leftover fabric from another project so I don’t know exactly what I had, but the amount seems accurate.

Sizing: Includes 12 months to 8 years. My daughter’s chest was in the 2T range, and that’s what I made and I am pleased with the fit. Due to the stretch of the fabric, she is still wearing this dress even though she is now wearing 3T and slim-fit 4Ts in RTW.

Alterations: I made this exactly as designed.

Instructions: They are step by step instructions with a photo for each step. The samples are in a solid color so it is easy to see what is happening, and I like that the short sleeve and long sleeve samples were in different colors so I skip the instructions that didn’t apply to the version I was making.

Pattern Issues: None.

Fabric Choice: I used an athletic fabric that I bought from Fabric Mart last year on a super sale. I think it’s meant for leggings, but it makes a really cozy shirt/dress.

Finished Product: This dress is cute. My daughter loves the pockets.

Notes for future makes: Baste the pleats down prior to sewing the skirt to the bodice.

Final Thoughts: I will probably make the short sleeved version again as it warms up. It’s a cute dress that my daughter didn’t want to take off after trying it on to make sure it fit. Now that she is getting into the “dresses are the best” phase, she likes it even more! I like it because it is a dress that she can still run around with her friends in.

For this spring version of Kid’s Clothes week, I made the Apple Loungewear Leggings. It was 80 this weekend in my part of North Carolina, and Monday it was rainy and 45 degrees. Then again today, was mid-60’s so the weather is just crazy. Either way, summer is not yet 100% here, so the little girl needs leggings.

Pattern: Apple Loungewear Leggings by Shwin Designs, purchased end of November and finally made.

Size: 12-18 months

Sizing: The sizing was chart was pretty good. Technically, she would have been in the 6-9 month waist size, but I’m glad I sized up to her RTW size. These fit more comfortably, and will be worn longer. My daughter is a tall, thin 14 month old and these leggings fit her incredibly well. The length is good. Most purchased pants are too short on here, and they would not have needed the extra length I added.

The leggings even work well under a dress, especially for a new walker that still trips occasionally.

Fabric: Purple floral purchased from Girl Charlee forever ago, so it looks like they no longer have it. It’s a fairly substantial knit, I didn’t write it down but I’m guessing it is at least 8 oz, maybe 9 oz knit. It is a great weight for leggings.Instructions: These leggings have three pieces, and are incredibly easy to construct. They are a super fast sew.

Overall Impression: I like these leggings, and plan to make more pairs. I wasn’t sure about the fold over waistband at first, but it fits right under her toddler tummy and helps keep the pants up without requiring elastic in the waist. This pattern is a winner!

Linking up to Anything Goes Monday.