I am lucky enough to live twenty minutes away from the organic fabric company, Cloud 9 Fabrics and sometimes I get to sew samples for them! It’s pretty awesome because their fabrics are just straight up amazing. I was thrilled when they sent me the Small World fabrics from Rae Hoefstra to work with. Thrilled! I mean, LOOK, it is so bright and colorful and it’s corduroy but lightweight corduroy. It’s so perfect. I love all of the prints, they remind me a bit of some Boden textiles except they are also perfectly Rae! Cloud 9 asked me to make three things for them. So for my small world sewing I stitched up a music box jumper, a playtime dress and an abbey jacket. Mostly, I want to gush over this fabric but the patterns are really exciting, too and they deserve a review. Given that the fabrics have just been released AND it is Kid’s Clothes Week, it seemed a good time to show and tell.
Sadly, I don’t have pictures of these things on real people. I just don’t have any girls to sew for! Luckily, these outfits are all adorable even without a model.
The Music Box Jumper (in view A) and the Playtime Dress are both Oliver and S patterns. Without fail, when I pick up an Oliver and S pattern I am impressed. Not only are the instructions clear but the garment construction is professionally done. I’m really a big fan of their kid’s clothes. I have made the playtime dress before but never in corduroy. Despite it’s generous shape, there is a button placket in the back, making it super easy to put on especially for kids who are fussy about that.
The music box jumper is a dress I might have overlooked were it not for the View A option. It’s got the most adorable a-line shape and lovely faux pockets next to a deep pleat. On the back is a button placket again. I used some cute polka dot buttons that I had on hand.
The Abbey Jacket, though, was new to me and oh man, THIS JACKET! It’s so fantastic and so perfect in this amazing yellow corduroy! Cloud 9 wanted me to alter it a little bit by adding a lining and pleats to the front as well as changing the front button plackets. I think these changes make the coat a bit more sophisticated and I love that!
They are adding their own buttons to the final jacket. The lining is the Cloud 9 Cirrus Solid grey and it’s so soft and luxurious. Almost like a shot cotton with it’s weave. I’m wild about their solids.
The details on this jacket are so cute! If I had girls I would absolutely make them a closet full of these. The sizing runs from 12 months to 10 years so it’s a fantastic range for a pattern. I found the pattern less detail-oriented than I am accustomed to. It could have been because I was also making alterations but I found some of the instructional language a bit vague. Not a big deal, and certainly not enough to impact the end product. I would still recommend the pattern but with the cavaet that it’s better suited to a more experienced sewist.
I’m so behind on Kid’s Clothes Week. In fact, I haven’t gotten started! This is just a crazy week. But, I’m still optimistic. Are you sewing for your kids this week? Going with the Wild Things theme?
meagangracie says
I think of the shwin patterns as being good for a type b swistle who is willing to wing a few things 😉
Melissa Q. says
That is a great way to put it! They are. And, I love them for it actually. It totally works for the skilled sewist.
kristin says
ARGH it’s all so cute! I just asked for the music box jumper as part of my O+S pattern testing payment because of this…never sewn it! You’re a lucky gal to live so close to cloud9 and i totally agree about those cirrus solids! dreamy.
Melissa Q. says
Oh, you are going to love the music box! It’s really sweet. Thanks for the kind words, friend!
Alexandra says
Just found your blog – absolutely adorable patterns. I LOVE the little umbrellas. Awww 🙂
Melissa Q. says
thanks so much! They are so cute, aren’t they?!
Pat says
amazing and so beautiful!!
Melissa Q. says
Thanks!!
Estela says
thanks for the reminder that there is corduroy out there…hehe!
Melissa Q. says
you bet!
Melanie Tuazon says
I love these clothes so much. I wish I had a little girl just for the umbrella coat! So so so good.
Melissa Q. says
I know! Me too! That coat is too good!