{"id":73781,"date":"2020-02-24T09:02:38","date_gmt":"2020-02-24T14:02:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/?p=73781"},"modified":"2020-10-15T21:49:00","modified_gmt":"2020-10-16T01:49:00","slug":"kids-can-sew-kiki-and-caties-girl-on-the-go-dresses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2020\/02\/kids-can-sew-kiki-and-caties-girl-on-the-go-dresses.html","title":{"rendered":"sewn by kids: kiki and catie’s girl on the go dresses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Working with knit fabrics can be intimidating for adults, but that didn’t scare Jessika off from\u00a0introducing a knit pattern to some of her youngest students. She is here to explain why a pattern intended for knits is the perfect starter project for the beginning garment\u00a0sewist.<\/i><\/p>\n

Name:<\/strong> Jessika Zontini, owner of Pindrop Shop<\/a><\/p>\n

Where can we find you on the Internet? <\/strong>Instagram<\/a>, Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n

Pattern used:<\/strong>\u00a0 Girl on the Go Dress + Top<\/a><\/p>\n

Fabric used: <\/strong>Dabs Knit by Dear Stella and Chalkboard Knit by Rae Ritchie for Dear Stella<\/p>\n

Kiki and Catie are two sisters who had an interest in sewing.\u00a0 They were especially interested in making clothes for themselves.\u00a0 They had a bit of a challenge finding clothing that suited their unique styles, and also fit the dress code at school.\u00a0 We decided to start with some easier projects and work up to making dresses.<\/p>\n

\n

Our first project was a drawstring bag.\u00a0 The girls learned the basics of the machine, cutting fabric, and using iron-on interfacing. They did fantastically and were so proud of their creations.<\/p>\n

Next, we decided to tackle a simple garment, the gathered skirt with elastic waistband.\u00a0 Catie made hers from a tie-dyed knit fabric, and Kiki chose a shimmery mermaid pattern.\u00a0 The girls did great again. They were gaining skills and confidence.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I was ordering patterns for the shop when I came across the Girl on the Go Dress + Top. I had seen this pattern before and when I saw it again I knew it would be perfect for the girls. I really wanted them to do something with knit fabrics. A lot of people shy away from knits, but I think they are a great place to start.\u00a0 If you\u2019ve made some cuts that are not exactly straight, or sewn some crooked lines, the knit fabric just stretches over your body and the garment fits fine.\u00a0 They are so forgiving, not to mention comfortable!<\/p>\n

We dove right in and tackled the Girl on the Go. I started by explaining to them the way patterns are written, the symbols, and how sizing works. I showed them how to take their measurements and select their size. Then we started tracing out their pattern pieces onto some Pellon Easy-Pattern. The girls really enjoyed this part. We copied the markings over and then used the pieces to cut into our cloth. This process took the span of several class meetings, but this dress was simple enough that the girls could see the big picture the whole time and stay motivated, not getting lost in the details.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Once the cutting was done and the sewing began, the dresses basically flew together. As the girls could really see the garments coming together, they got more excited to get to the end.\u00a0 They were starting to try on the dresses after each step at this point. It was very exciting for me to see their excitement growing. My whole goal in this is to spread the love of sewing, and it was happening.\u00a0 In each class I was watching their skills and their focus improve.<\/p>\n

Some of the more wild cuts from the beginning were sewn down, and we had to fudge our lines a little bit, but you can\u2019t tell in the finished dress.\u00a0 After seeing the effects of those small mistakes, the girls became more careful on the next steps.\u00a0 They were truly learning, and I could see the gears turning in their heads, just as they had in mine so many years ago, when my aunt Kelley taught me to sew an apron using a pattern.<\/p>\n

\"Teach<\/a>
L-R: Catie in her Girl on the Go made from Dear Stella Dabs knit fabric; and Kiki in her Dear Stella Chalkboard knit dress, holding pillows she had made in a previous class.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I think the best part is seeing them wear those finished dresses.\u00a0 They are so proud of what they made, and they know they can do anything they set their minds to.\u00a0 They are 8 and 11, and their friends and teachers were in disbelief when they showed up to school wearing their handmade dresses and toting their handmade bags.\u00a0 This is just the beginning of what they\u2019ll create, and I know how magical the feeling is. I\u2019m so grateful to have been able to give that experience to them. I hope it will excite other young people to learn these skills, and I hope their desire to keep learning and creating never ends.<\/p>\n

The Girl on the Go dress was the perfect project to start with, and I would recommend it to anyone who is teaching a young person to sew.\u00a0 We loved that there were only a few pieces, so the girls knew what everything was, and could see the outcome as they were working on it.\u00a0 It was also great to make something with knit fabric because all the mistakes just became invisible.\u00a0 They love the everyday comfort of the dress, and they feel good wearing it. It\u2019s cute and stylish, and the waist tie gives it just enough detail to be interesting.\u00a0 It was well-written and easy to follow, and exactly what we were looking for in a learning-to-sew dress pattern.<\/p>\n

Do you know a child who has sewn one of our\u00a0patterns? Would you (or they) like to write about it? Drop us a line at contributors@oliverands.com and let’s talk!<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Working with knit fabrics can be intimidating for adults, but that didn’t scare Jessika off from\u00a0introducing a knit pattern to some of her youngest students. She is here to explain why a pattern intended for knits is the perfect starter project for the beginning garment\u00a0sewist.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6023,"featured_media":73783,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20687],"tags":[20785,20835],"class_list":["post-73781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-girl-on-the-go","tag-sewn-by-kids"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/girlotg.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5jZS5-jc1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1141,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2010\/09\/introducing-the-hopscotch-knit-top-and-dress-sewing-pattern.html","url_meta":{"origin":73781,"position":0},"title":"introducing the hopscotch knit top and dress sewing pattern","author":"Liesl Gibson","date":"September 2, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"This top or knit dress comes packaged with the Hopscotch skirt pattern and provides you with many different sewing options. The top\/dress portion of this pattern is designed for knit fabrics with at least 25% stretch. The City Weekend knits are great for this and have much more than 25%\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/DSC_0359.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":78612,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2022\/04\/introducing-the-tribeca-knit-cami-pattern.html","url_meta":{"origin":73781,"position":1},"title":"introducing the tribeca knit cami pattern","author":"Liesl Gibson","date":"April 6, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Introducing the Liesl + Co Tribeca Knit Cami sewing pattern, designed for knit fabrics with a built-in shelf bra and a special strap-sewing technique.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Tribeca-cami-feature.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":64717,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2018\/03\/fabric-ideas-for-the-girl-on-the-go-pattern.html","url_meta":{"origin":73781,"position":2},"title":"fabric ideas for the girl on the go pattern","author":"Liesl Gibson","date":"March 1, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Are you planning to sew our new Girl on the Go Dress + Top pattern? Here are some knit fabric suggestions and some inspiration for you.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/KnitFabric.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12418,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2014\/09\/starting-out-with-oliver-s-knit-patterns.html","url_meta":{"origin":73781,"position":3},"title":"starting out with oliver + s: knit patterns","author":"Rachel Le Grand","date":"September 15, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"This is the third and final part of the Starting Out with Oliver + S series which is meant to offer a bit of advice to someone who is starting out sewing garments.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/playtimeleggings.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":74994,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2020\/04\/sew-tell-elisabeths-belgravia-knit-dress.html","url_meta":{"origin":73781,"position":4},"title":"sew + tell: elisabeth’s belgravia knit dress","author":"Masha Richart","date":"April 22, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Elisabeth is here from the Advisors Circle to show off her version of the new Belgravia Knit Dress pattern, which she modified to a stylish midi length.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Elisabeth-belgravia-hero.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6515,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2013\/04\/take-a-nature-walk-this-digital-release-thursday.html","url_meta":{"origin":73781,"position":5},"title":"take a nature walk this digital release thursday","author":"Todd Gibson","date":"April 25, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Today we are releasing our popular boy's sewing pattern, The Nature Walk Pullover + Knit Pants, as a digital pattern.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/NatureWalk.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73781","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6023"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=73781"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73781\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75911,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73781\/revisions\/75911"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/73783"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=73781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=73781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=73781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}