Dortje Trousers

The pattern for Dortje Trousers is from the book "Sewing Clothes Kids Love".  Belinda has done a very thorough review of this book.   When this book arrived, I asked my daughter to look through it and pick out something she liked (I was trying to distract her from some tantrum or other).  She grumbled as she usually does when I ask her to look at patterns.  After she flipped through the book she declared, "I love everything in this book.  Well, everything except the boys clothes".  So I picked out the trousers.  I had to explain that they would not be exactly the same as the ones in the book, because I didn't have the same fabrics.  She wanted reassurance that they would be just as colourful.

For these pants I have used a green & purple linen for the top, a turquoise cotton drill (to match the hat made from a vogue pattern) for the lower legs and an Amy Butler print for the flares.  The ruffles above the flare are made from a purple mesh jersey.  There is a string of white pom-pom trim between the upper and lower leg.  The back pockets are a different Amy Butler print.  I have used a purple and white daisy trim across the pockets and bottom back hem (she especially loves the daisies).

I think if you went and bought all the different fabrics and trims to make these trousers they would be very expensive to make.  All of this was from remnant stash and leftover trims, so I have been able to use up small pieces of fabric I love to make a garment for somebody I love, so it turned out to be a very special project.

I found the book to be truly inspirational.  It got me into the sewing room and sorting through my stash for bits and pieces.  So many sewing books are targeted at beginners.  I love sewing books but I already know how to sew a tote bag and an a-line skirt.   I have been delighted that this book contains so much more (and at a very reasonable price).  The book is probably not best suited to beginners, but we all know that beginners can do just about anything if they really want to.  I guess the most important thing is to remember to add seam allowances to the pattern pieces.  The only down side of the book for me was that there were no pants / shorts patterns included for boys.  

As well as these trousers, I have already make the Insa skirt for my niece (didn't take photos), the Riviera leggings and the Brooklyn tank top.  The Brooklyn shrug is sure to be a favourite as well. 

In this next photo, you can see the first quilt that my daughter has made.  She met a lady in an airport queue who told her that she taught girls to make quilts.  My daughter picked out all the fabrics when we were in Japan.  She didn't want me to help sew it at all.  Eventually I convinced her to let me cut the squares with my rotary cutter, as she was cutting almost random shapes that weren't going together very well.  She sewed all the pieces together (I mended a few holes here and there and then pressed and pressed and pressed it into shape...no pressing as you go for her!).  The layers were spray-glued together.  She quilted rows across the quilt.  My lovely friend at Pom-Pom Rouge gave me the advice for her to quilt in wavy rows, rather than try to sew parallel lines.  The bottom fabric was folded over for the quilt edges (I think binding was a little too advanced for her).

It is really, truly a fabulous effort, sewn in 2 - 3 days.  She has already started on her next quilt as a birthday present for her little brother.