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?
I think of the shwin patterns as being good for a type b swistle who is willing to wing a few things 😉
That is a great way to put it! They are. And, I love them for it actually. It totally works for the skilled sewist.
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.
Oh, you are going to love the music box! It’s really sweet. Thanks for the kind words, friend!
Just found your blog – absolutely adorable patterns. I LOVE the little umbrellas. Awww 🙂
thanks so much! They are so cute, aren’t they?!
amazing and so beautiful!!
Thanks!!
thanks for the reminder that there is corduroy out there…hehe!
you bet!
I love these clothes so much. I wish I had a little girl just for the umbrella coat! So so so good.
I know! Me too! That coat is too good!