Light layers are essential for toddlers moving through the seasons! Linen and merino always make for a comfy and stylish little outfit, so this week we made up the Parker Top by Paperdoll Patterns and pair it with the Tui Pinafore by Below the Kōwahi. How cute does this pair look?! Very kindly modelled by Poppy from our HQ Family!
Pattern Review
Parker Top — Paperdoll Patterns
Paper Doll Pattern's Parker Top is a basic crew neck (view A) top, with long sleeves and an optional mini patch pocket. We made up size 4 Parker Top for Poppy, which was one size bigger than the suggested size for her measurements, as we didn't want it to be too tight. We would recommend considering what fit your child likes to wear, and checking the measurement chart carefully before you select a size.
This top was super enjoyable to sew up and very quick to assemble, with instructions and pictures for each step. Paper Doll suggest this pattern would suit a beginner sewist, which we would agree with! The construction is very simple. We used a four-thread overlocker for the main seams, and neatened the hems and cuffs with a narrow cover seam (you could use a zig zag stitch for this). Our Parker Top used 50cm of ZQ Premium Merino - Vintage Blush, with a little excess for future scrap busting projects!
Paper Doll Patterns offer beginner-friendly downloadable PDF pattern that you can print at home on A4 or US letter paper! We love the Parker Top, and have made it up before! Check out our two year old ZQ Premium Merino set here, featuring the free Stevie Leggings pattern.
Pattern Review
Below the Kōwhai — Tui Pinafore
The Tui Pinafore is a classic pinafore-style dress that Sophie from Below the Kōwhai describes as one that 'will take you right back to your childhood'. We love the vintage vibes of this little pattern, and have spotted a few on Instagram with cute embroidery additions on the bib front! With this pattern you can create a fitted pinafore dress with pockets and an elastic back waistband. We made a size 3 up for Poppy in our beautiful Plain Weave Linen - Blackcurrant, using 1m of this 140cm wide fabric, 75cm of our Fusible Interfacing Stretch Weft - Black and 30cm of Anti-Roll Elastic 25mm - Black. We felt the waistband was a little tight on Poppy, so made our elastic slightly longer than the recommended amount for additional comfort. You'll also need x2 buttons for the back straps!
Download the Tui Pattern from Below the Kōwhai here.
Fabric Recommendations
We love these two patterns in our ZQ Premium Merino and Limited Edition Plain Weave Linen! With a selection of colours available in both ranges, it's the perfect opportunity to mix and match. Check out a bunch of colour options above!
On the left are Plain Weave Linen colours Vintage Rose, Mango, Sage and Tangerine and on the right, ZQ Premium Merino colours Vanilla, Duck Egg, Red Clay and Acorn.
Sewing for toddlers is a top task here at TFS HQ, with lots of fast-growing little people in the extended family! We'd love to see what you're sewing for your loved ones - share with us over on Instagram and TikTok using #TheFabricStore