Happy Friday, friends! I have a special, unexpected K outfit for you today. A little while ago, Heidi of Elegance & Elephants generously bestowed me the fabulous Five and Ten Designs Volume One ebook. I’m sure you’re already familiar with it. Oh, it’s so genius: take five basic pattern pieces and make ten (or more if you so choose!) looks from them. This book is so drool-worthy – gorgeous photography, beautiful styling, and of course, wonderful designs by talented designers, Heidi being one of them. The size range is from 12 months to 10 years, so you’ll be able to use these patterns for a long, long time.
I was in a quandary though. A few other lovely bloggers have been posting their creations from the ebook, and I noticed that the look I wanted to sew was getting featured all over the place. This gave me pause because I don’t like to feel like I’m copying…but in the end, I went with my first instinct and made look #2. I LOVE it.
The ruffles! That back with the ties! I can’t stand how adorable this top designed by Jessica of The Sewing Rabbit is.
A side note: two of K’s close buddies suffered broken bones this summer (the right hand for one, the right arm for the other — what were the chances?) and she’s been slightly obsessed with the idea of casts and slings. Hence, the fake broken hand/arm shots:
The sling is the linen infinity scarf I made earlier this week – very resourceful of her. And that would be FOE (fold over elastic) on her hand.
The instructions were excellent and I followed them almost exactly. I made the ties thinner, and did the binding a little differently. It should have been smooth sailing. However, there is something about this (amazing) Nani Iro fabric that caused my gathering baste stitches to get stuck, so I had the darnedest time getting the ruffle to gather. What should have been a quick project turned into a bit of a nightmare, especially since K decided to have a meltdown of epic proportions while I was finishing it up.
I used a size 8 (K normally wears a 7), and originally meant to make it a dress-length but didn’t have enough fabric. I do wish I had added just a little more length, but I think with the 10-minute linen-blend skirt that I banged out on the fly, it looks oh-so-chic. Very French, non?
As always the barometer of success is K’s reaction and the verdict? “Is this for meeeeeee???? Yay!” She has been wearing it non-stop.
I’m so honored to have been given this chance to try out Five and Ten Designs, and I can’t thank Heidi enough. I’m a huge fan of her work and will definitely be stitching up her looks and the others from the ebook in the coming weeks! Please note, I almost forgot to add, that all opinions are 100% my own.
Have a lovely, lovely weekend everyone! See you on Monday, and signing off with a haiku:
Next week is the start
Second grade is here at last
Our fluttering hearts
Wow, Sanae! I love it! No wonder K won’t stop wearing it. I’m glad you went with Look No. 2….it suits this fabric perfectly. Thank you so much for reviewing our ebook!
Thank YOU Heidi! I was shooting to have two looks for today, but time got away from me…
A very beautiful french vibe indeed! Love this style, so chic. And her hand cast and arm sling is too cute!
The hand cast and sling are hilarious. Leave it to a kid to be so creative! Thanks, Heidi!
Hi Sanae! I follow you since a couple of months and keep reading your tips and taking inspiration from your photos. I’m seriously thinking about buying this e-book! I Love the look you’ve chosen, but my favourite is look n. 8!
Hi Dotta, you should definitely get the ebook! It’s so great with so many lessons on how to customize basic patten pieces. I love your creations too!
Beautiful Sanae! I can feel the french vibe, yes. The detail in the back is very lovely…and the fabric just perfect. You and your work are always an inspiration for me. Happy Weekend!
Happy weekend to you, Maria! As soon as I saw that back, I knew I had to make this top
Wow! Gorgeous! It is so lovely. Thank you for the wonderful review!
The looks are fantastic, Delia! I just love the contrasting pocket version you designed – so sweet and sophisticated at once!
gorgeous. simply stunning!
Thanks, Jess! I swear, I want to make ALL the designs. I just need about fifty more hours per day…
That fabric! I immediately was won over by its blue floral print, and then to read later in your post that it’s Nani Iro . . . does it get better than that? Gorgeous top, and clearly a score for K!
I got this Nani Iro so many years ago and had been waiting for just the right project. This was definitely it, because I had the perfect amount of fabric to make this top with hardly any left over!
This is dreamy beautiful, Sanae!! That fabric is calling me and your pictures are so lovely!
Thanks Stef! You all did such an amazing job with this e-book, I’m blown away! Wonderful, wonderful
The outfit is lovely! And second grade- there is just something magical about that age. I’ve worked with kids in many grades but teaching 2nd was my very favorite. Hope K’s year gets off to a great start!
I just can’t believe I have a second grader now! It does feel like a magical age and I truly hope it’s a good school year for her…
I have had a very unhappy friday and looking at your beautiful creations truly lifts my spirits! And K makes me laugh! A true sewer´s daughter – FOE and that scarf , wonderful
So sorry to hear about your day, Ute — I really hope your weekend makes up for it! Isn’t K so funny? One day I want to record the songs she makes up because they are classic!!
so pretty! I was also drawn to this particular version of the pattern. It’s so romantic and sweet
Very romantic and sweet! All the looks are on my to-sew list, everyone just knocked it out of the park. I have been loving all your creations, Tara and Hawthorne is just the cutest!
Cool outfits and photos as always! I love nani Iro fabrics, love your choice of fabric and pattern (look no.2) Sanae!
Thank you, Yeka! I think this Nani Iro may have a little double gauze but is mostly cotton. It was different in texture than I’m used to with Nani Iro, but yes, gorgeous. I wonder if they’ll let me design for them one day?
Stunning! Gorgeous fabric and just divine with the skirt. You’ve inspired me to buy the e-book and create