Hey guys! Guess what! This is your boys' lucky week! Today (and for the next few weeks) I'll be showing you some rad things I have made from the Perfect Pattern Parcel's latest offering: BOYS! Real quick before I show you all the epic that is before you, I just need to let you know that the links directing you to the Pattern Parcel website from my blog are a sort of affiliate link, meaning if you purchase a parcel through my blog then I will be getting an entry into winning some fabric. And since I use mostly second hand fabric some nice new stuff would be AMAZING! It's a really nice little incentive that the Dorseys have given us bloggers, I mean not that sewing up patterns isn't fun enough! Thanks Dorseys!


Yeh I can't even with this awesome parcel right now! There's 6 really fantastic patterns, both nice basic patterns you can build a wardrobe from, as well as the bonus pattern which is the Knight Hoodie. I don't know how many times you would make a knight hoodie but I have plans on making them for FOUR amazing little boys in my life. It's one of those patterns that is just totally awesome!


Pattern Parcel #4 includes:
Maxwell Top by Shwin Designs
Zippy Jacket by Blank Slate Patterns
Schoolboy Vest by Sew Much Ado
Small Fry Jeans by Titchy Threads
Jet Pack Bag by Betz White

So want to see what I made? I stitched up two Maxwells and a pair of Small Fries!



The first Maxwell was pretty easy, because I was resizing a denim shirt that used to be my dad's. I just did all the buttons up on the shirt, then placed the front pattern piece over the shirt and cut it out. I did the same with the sleeves and that was basically it! Once I had the pieces cut out I just stitched the sleeves back onto the new armholes, zipped up the sides and hemmed the bottom. The front breast pockets are obviously designed to sit much higher on a man's shirt, but on Vincent they're at a fun level that doesn't actually look too ridiculous!


It was pretty easy! However the second Maxwell I made was a bit more trickier! Now the Maxwell Top pattern is one of those patterns you really need to read the instructions are you're sewing. Since I've sewn quite a few button up shirts in my past (mostly mens bowling shirts!) I am used to doing things a certain way, and I did get a bit frustrated in some parts of this pattern, but really when I look at the finished product I really love it. I'm quite pleased that I took the time to follow each step exactly, instead of my usual "I'm going to change everything about this!" that I seem to be busting out a lot lately! Really, there's nothing wrong with being a guerilla improv seamstress, however sometimes it's just nice to sit down and sew a pattern and have the results be as you saw in the photo!


The Maxwell Top pattern is designed by Shwin Designs, and I've become accustomed to the steps not being in the way that I would do them, but if I just shut up and follow the instructions the results are always pretty good! I used a red and orange plaid that I got from the op shop (seriously if it's a plaid it's MINE), it's almost a flanno although not quite, so the inside is quite warm and soft. The thing with plaids is that I LOVE matching up the patterns on side seams and other seams, so I had a good time matching it all up and using every skerrick of the scraps that I had to make it all work out. I really love the front button tab, and while the front facing was done differently than I am used to I really like the end result. Everything just fit together.


Okay I know I was saying that following the instructions is good, but I couldn't help myself! I did change some bits! This includes the back yoke, which I added a separate 'flap' sort of thing. I told Vincent it was an upside down pocket and he's obsessed with it. It's just a small design feature you can use to make your boyswear just that little bit unique and different without being too dramatic!


Another little change I made was that I added a strip of red inside the sleeves as reverse cuffs, so he could roll them a little and there'd be that little pop of contrast colour. The red comes from a pair of women's pants that I would love to rock out when I am like, 89 or something. However instead i hacked into the hems of them and made them into sleeves for the Vincenz.


I really enjoyed every little detail in making this shirt, although at the time I was like "this is not fun" I'm on another learning curve with my sewing, and I haven't sewn a button-up shirt since Vin was like 9 months old. I know I am trying to finesse my skills, skills I know I have but that I am too impatient to take the time to do things properly.


And the unsung hero of this shoot has got to be those shorts! Yeh, I made them too! They are the second pair of XXL mens Dickies that found their way into my possession so I made them into a pair of Small Fry Skinnie Shorts for the main man. They have a half fly instead of a zippered fly, and they are in the size 4 which fits this slender boy so well! He loves them. It's almost shorts weather!


So with the Perfect Pattern Parcel, it's a little different than other bundles (I love all their unique qualities!), in that you get the entire parcel of patterns, but YOU GET TO CHOOSE HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO PAY FOR IT. Which I think is amazing and just so good. If you decide to pay $26 or over you get to unlock the bonus pattern which is the Knight Hoodie. I think it's well and truly worth it, since all the patterns together are retail of $49!


Check out all the other amazing bloggers who will be showcasing their best for this bundle (yeh you'll see me a few times there because I want to sew ALL THE THINGS!)

Friday, August 22
casa crafty || Lulu & Celeste || Keep Calm and Carrion

Saturday, August 23
Max California || Amanda Rose

Sunday, August 24
little betty sews

Monday, August 25
Kadiddlehopper || Radiant Home Studio

Tuesday, August 26
La Pantigana || Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts || Friends Stitched Together

Wednesday, August 27
Make It Perfect || Modern Handmade || GYCT Designs

Thursday, August 28
Needle and Ted || Mae & K || Mimi's Mom

Friday, August 29
Pienkel || Once Upon a Sewing Machine || Friends Stitched Together

Saturday, August 30
FABulous Home Sewn || Gray Skies || The Crazy Tailor

Sunday, August 31
Nine Stitches || Max California || Oliver's Fancy || Friends Stitched Together

Monday, September 1
a happy stitch || lady and the gents || Our Family Four || Swoodson Says
Tuesday, September 2
verypurpleperson || Things for Boys || The Crazy Tailor

Wednesday, September 3
Our Family Four || Rebekah Sews || a happy stitch

Thursday, September 4
Sew a Straight Line || la inglesita || Made by Sara || Knot Sew Normal

Friday, September 5
Knot Sew Normal || Gracious Threads || Sofilantjes || Max California