Perfect Pattern Parcel Blog Tour, Post #2: Maxwell Top from Shwin Designs

This is my second post about Perfect Pattern Parcel #4, and I will jump right in there by saying that you really should buy this bundle if you haven't yet!   If you missed my first post, check it out here to see Connor rockin' his Zippy Jacket. 


Pattern Parcel #4 is all about boys... Included in this parcel are the following patterns:

Maxwell Top by Shwin Designs

Zippy Jacket by Blank Slate Patterns

Schoolboy Vest by Sew Much Ado

Small Fry Jeans by Titchy Threads

Jet Pack Bag by Betz White

Bonus Pattern:  Knight Hoodie by Charming Doodle.

AND, if you're like me, you probably need an explanation of how this works...

You have until September 5th to purchase these patterns while supporting both the awesome indie designers who made them AND children's education equality, as after expenses are paid the remaining profit is donated to Donorschoose.org.  So there are 5 patterns included in the bundle and you kind of get to name your own price on this bundle (retail value is over $60).  If you pick a price over $26, then you get the bonus pattern.   It's back to school time, and if you're like this house, money is tight, but if you can, the Perfect Pattern Parcel people (say that one ten times fast?) would love it if you choose  to pay as much as you can so that they are able to donate as much as possible to Donorschoose.org, and organization that helps support children's education.

Connor LOOK AT THE CAMERA!!

For this second post, I've chosen the Maxwell Top by Shwin Designs to show you.  This pattern is pretty awesome, in fact, I like it so much, that I actually already owned it prior to signing up to blog about the Pattern Parcel.   

The details:
Sizes 12mo - 8yrs
made for woven fabrics
short sleeves
back yoke, lined collar, pockets and tab all make this perfect for a pop of contrast

I made my shirt in size 2 on Connor - he's really on the border of 18mo/size 2, and I think it could have gone either way,  but he'll get more wear out of the larger size.  I used some of his favorite Olaf fabric and paired it with a nice orange solid (I really wanted the Olaf to *pop*, so I changed to orange after originally picking blue).   The tabs on the sides are done using some cool twill tape that I had in my stash, and attached with two blue checkered buttons that I also had in my stash.  I waffled a bit with the front closure and ended up going with snaps, because i really liked the sort of urban look that they gave it.

Okay, silly show off close up here - check out how awesome that one pocket came out??? I totally nailed my fussy cutting!!  (dances happily)

I love the finished look this pattern has - from the facings to the decorative top stitching (I waffled here too, and I am really glad I went with the contrast instead of an orange) .  The instructions are easy to follow along, and the diagrams are clear and easy to undersand.  At one point I misunderstood something, I emailed the designer and heard back from her within minutes, AND she was very nice and sweet, even when responding to my ridiculous question.  In retrospect, it was a pretty silly question, so I'm really glad she didn't respond with "umm... are you sure you know what you're doing??" 

Total time spent on the pattern was about 2 hours including cutting.  I may have been a little slow, because I kept waffling on the details, and fussy cutting, but it still came together much faster than I actually expected!

So all in all, this pattern has actually sold me on Shwin patterns in general, not just for the great pattern, but when a designer takes time to answer and is happy and informative, it just wins me over.  And, its the second pattern I've sewn up from the Perfect Pattern Parcel #4 and I am just as happy with this one as I was with the Zippy Jacket.  I own the Knight Hoodie too, and that one is also a must have ... so really ... click my link!! <I don't get paid if you use my link, but I do get entered in a drawing to thank the bloggers>


And, if you're still on the fence...  Check out the posts from these other amazing bloggers (but hurry and buy it, because Parcel #4 ends on the 5th!):

Friday, August 22 casa crafty || Lulu & Celeste || Keep Calm and Carrion
Saturday, August 23 Max California || Amanda Rose
Sunday, August 24 little betty sews
Monday, August 25 Kadiddlehopper || Radiant Home Studio
Tuesday, August 26 La Pantigana || Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts || Friends Stitched Together
Wednesday, August 27 Make It Perfect || Modern Handmade || GYCT Designs
Thursday, August 28 Needle and Ted || Mae & K || Mimi's Mom
Friday, August 29 Pienkel || Once Upon a Sewing Machine || Friends Stitched Together
Saturday, August 30 FABulous Home Sewn || Gray Skies || The Crazy Tailor
Sunday, August 31 Nine Stitches || Max California || Oliver's Fancy || Friends Stitched Together
Monday, September 1 a happy stitch || lady and the gents || Our Family Four || Swoodson Says
Tuesday, September 2 verypurpleperson || Things for Boys || The Crazy Tailor
Wednesday, September 3 Our Family Four || Rebekah Sews || a happy stitch
Thursday, September 4 Sew a Straight Line || la inglesita || Made by Sara || Knot Sew Normal
Friday, September 5 Knot Sew Normal || Gracious Threads || Sofilantjes || Max California