Angelina Ballerina

This is my Angelina Ballerina costume I made for my Daughter. I shirred the top using the elastic in the bobbin I doubled her waist measurement but probably needed to triple it as I had to make more shirred fabric as double her waist left me short about 6". For the straps I just made a tube 2" wide and pinned them to the top while she had it on then sewed them in place. The fabric is some old parachute material mum gave me from back when parachute tracksuits were in fashion. The skirt is two layers of soft netting with glitter. Full circles skirt gathered separately and sewn to the top separately. The third layer underneath is an organza also a full circle just a tad longer and a rolled hem on the overlocker. I used a tutorial from YouTube to make the satin ribbon rose and hand sewed it on last. Made the white top, leggings and tail. Pink ribbon for the legs is two 1.5mt lengths of ribbon pinned to the legging to keep them up and a second pin through the bow to keep it in all day. The ears are not made by me they were a gift from someone to my other daughter a while ago. I did have to do a bit of hand sewing on them at the back as they had flopped forward after years of use. A few small stitches in the middle has them standing up nicely. She had a great day for book week at school.

Imke top - Sewing clothes kids love

With this Imke top I adjusted the pattern before sewing it based on what I thought from making the first one. This is the smallest size this pattern comes in. I feel it is still a little wide for my liking. I made the arm hole of the sleeve smaller and I am happy with it. Once again the fabric is free and the motif was $2. I couldn't pick one photo of my very happy girl who wouldn't take her new top off. So it got dinner all over it and went straight in the wash.

Imke top - Sewing clothes kids love

The Imke pattern comes with many options. Long sleeves straight, tapered or flared. Short sleeves gathered or not. You can use the side panels like I did above. It can be made with a hood rounded or pointed, lined or unlined. If you don't use the hood they add a neck band but I felt this would be too busy with this top so I just turned the 5/8" seam allowance under. The patterns also don't have seam allowance so I must add these at the pattern tracing stage.

Once I had attached the sleeves and sew up the side seams I noticed that the sleeve has a very wide opening. I didn't like the way it was going to flop around if I just turned the edge under. To make it more fitted I have gathered a small amount opposite the gathering at the sleeve cap and added the band. I have modified the pattern for the sleeve now for next time. I also felt that the top was a bit wide at the sides So I have taken a small amount off the pattern for next time. The boys pattern for this top is much straighter so I may use that if I want a plain t-shirt or a singlet top.

The fish is a $2 iron on motif  we bought at the local craft shop. All the fabric in this top was given to me by sewers who are no longer sewing. So my thread and the fish is all I paid for in this top.

Sewing clothes kids love

I am really happy with this book. I have two girls if you have boys you will find there is not so much inspiration for them but the patterns are unisex. You get 10 multi sized patterns this is great value. I have made one skirt for my daughter pictured below. She loves it. The best thing about this book is lots of people have it and there is a flicker group with so many amazing pictures you will never be stuck for an idea.