Peek-a-Boo Patterns Skinny Jeans & Sierra Top

It's time for Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop's Fall Pattern Tour!  I'm excited to be participating again and getting to make not one, but two of Amy's terrific children's clothing patterns--the Skinny Jeans and the Sierra Top (affiliate links).

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are 100% my own.

I am an affiliate for Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop, but all opinions in this post are 100% my own. To see the Thrifty Thursday pattern deal, scroll to the bottom of the post!

With the promise of cooler weather fast approaching, I decided to make my daughter, Ella, a new pair of jeans and a stylish sweater top for the fall.

First, let me just say I am in love with this pair of jeans!  Really, these are the most awesome pair of pants I have ever made thanks in part to the superb Skinny Jeans Pattern.  This pattern has a lot of details that can help you make a homemade pair of jeans look store bought.

I started off by taking all new measurements for Ella.  She's grown so much in the last couple of months that I wanted to make sure I was using the correct size for sewing these jeans since so much work goes into making a pair!  Based on her measurements, I went with a size 5.  As you can see, they are a good fit plus she has a little growing room left in them.

To make these jeans look even more authentic, I decided to try my hand at using heavy duty jeans thread.  My big mistake was not having a denim sewing machine needle when I started this project. I worked on these pants a little at a time over an entire weekend and didn't actually go out and buy a denim needle until late the second day.  Boy did it make a difference though!  I definitely recommend making sure you have the right needle for the project before you begin or else you will drive yourself crazy with skipped stitches or excess thread showing up on the underside.  I could have avoided a lot of frustration if I had just gone to the store for the denim needle before I began sewing a single stitch! Lesson learned!

But I must say that the jeans thread really made these jeans look amazing!  Finishing touches can make a huge difference!

I used a stretch denim and decided to embroider a cute "Princess" crown design on the rear pocket. I stitched out the Embroitique design on a piece of the denim fabric and then cut out the pocket piece before sewing it onto the jeans.  Add a few hot fixed crystals and you'll have one happy little girl--I mean Princess!

I finished the jeans with the faux fly and added a functional jeans button to help make pulling the jeans up and down a little easier.

The only thing I wish I had adjusted was the length of the elastic I used for the back of the waistband. The jeans are a little big in the waist.  I should know by now that even though Ella's waist measurement may match the pattern chart for the size I am making, that I always have to shorten the elastic amount specified.  Thankfully, the Skinny Jeans Pattern has belt loops, so she can wear a belt to tighten up the waist just a bit.

To complete the outfit, I tried out the new Sierra Top/Tunic/Dress Pattern.

Again, another top notch pattern from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop that offers multiple options:  short sleeve, long sleeve, top, tunic, dress, pockets on the dress, elastic at the waist with a bow, u-notch at the neck, or regular neck finish.  It was a tough decision, but I chose to make a short sleeved, u-notch neck with the elastic and bow at the waist top.  Using Ella's latest measurements, I chose to make a size 6. It's a perfect fit!

For the fabric, I used 1/2 yard remnant of sweater knit plus some plain black interlock knit for the facings. I attached the sleeves differently than the pattern called for which resulted in me having to use shirring at the waist instead of elastic.  The result was the same though.

One thing I'll note is that Ella has a difficult time getting the top over her head.  I didn't use a zig zag stitch or stretch stitch to topstitch the neck opening, so that is probably my problem.  I'll be sure try a zig zag stitch on the next one I make.  Plus, I'm sure if I make a top with the regular ribbed knit at the neck opening that there would be no problem at all.

Ella looks so grown up and stylish in her new outfit for the fall!  And she finally let me style her hair!  She hardly ever lets me do anything with it, but she really liked how I pulled it back on the sides and made it poof up a little on the top!  She just better watch out!  I grew up in the '80's, so I know how to make big hair!

I'll be making more of both of these patterns for Ella's fall and winter wardrobe.  I've already purchased some stretch corduroy with a bit of metallic sparkle to it for another pair of Skinny Jeans, and I have some pink striped knit that Ella has been asking me to make her a shirt or dress out of.  I think a long sleeved Sierra tunic or dress will be the perfect choice!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Be sure to visit all the other great bloggers on the tour to see what they've made for the fall.  Plus, Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop is having an amazing giveaway that starts Saturday for a 10-pack of patterns!  To find out more about the giveaway and to enter, come back here on Saturday for all the details.

Plus, today is Thrifty Thursday at Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop!  Be sure to grab the Hang Time Basketball Shorts pattern for just $4! Price goes back up on Friday.

If you've just discovered sewVery for the first time today, I hope you'll decide to become a new follower through Bloglovin', Facebook, or email!  Have a great day and have fun sewing!