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Welcome to my Blog

I am a grandmother to 4 little girls. I blog about the things I make for them, review patterns, provide tutorials on how I've dealt with techniques or problems, which I hope may help others, and give links to the (mostly) free patterns I use. Every so often, I do a 'Best of..' post listing the best free patterns I've found under specific headings - babies, girls, boys etc. Enjoy the Blog!

Sunday 5 November 2017

My Free Patterns


Here you can find links to some of my own patterns (for which there is no charge). You are welcome to use them for non-commercial purposes, i.e. for your own use. I'm always adding to this collection, so it's worth clicking on the tab at the top of the blog, as well, to see what's new. Some of them require only measurement, whereas for others, there are free PDFs for you to download. Where I make PDFs, I sometimes draw them initially on grid square paper, so that you can check the printed size corresponds to my original. 

Check them out below.

Friday 3 November 2017

Free Pattern for Baby / Toddler Bolero or Waistcoat

A number of times, I have wanted to make one of the grandchildren a little waistcoat, either for dressing up, or as a little bit of extra warm or style. Each time, I've made my own pattern, so I thought it was time to share the patterns. This would be suitable for a boy or a girl.


Free Pattern - CLICK HERE for the first page and
 CLICK HERE for the second page.

BEFORE YOU CUT:

Above you have the links to the pattern, in 2 pages. It's free, and it shows a one inch square so you can check the printed size is correct. If it isn't, you could use some squared paper and redraw it. On the two pages of the PDF, BOTH SIZE PATTERNS ARE SHOWN. Pattern #1 is the smaller one, for approximately 9-15 months (more about sizing later). Pattern #2 is for approximately 18-24 months. However, boleros are quite forgiving, size wise, as they don't tightly enclose the chest, and the length doesn't need to be exact, either. I suggest if you have a small person to make a bolero for, you measure the patterns down the back fold, and across the back armpit to fold. Then measure your small person from neck to  waist or hip, and from armpit to armpit. Halve the latter measurement. Then see which of the patterns looks the best match, depending on whether you will need a seam allowance.


For the tutorial and more information, read on.