Cookin' & Craftin': Perfect Pattern Parcel #5: Filles a Maman Mimi

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Perfect Pattern Parcel #5: Filles a Maman Mimi

Pattern Parcel #5: Choose your own price and support DonorsChoose. Win/win!

The awesome idea behind the Pattern Parcel is probably not news to any of you guys at this point, but here's the PPP story anyway, because it's such a great concept:

Here at Perfect Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers. It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too. So, we allow customers to show their support in naming their own price for each Parcel. We also encourage customers to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. Together we've raised almost $11,000 for classrooms in need!

Pattern Parcel #5 is all about girls, from little girls all the way through tweens. Lots of cute patterns in this parcel, dudes:

Lily Knit Blazer by Peek-a-Boo Patterns

Everyday Yoga Pant for Girls by Greenstyle

Asymmetrical Drape Top by EYMM

Playhouse Dress by Fishstick Designs

Mimi Dress and Shirt by Filles a Maman

BONUS PATTERN: Choose a price of $28 or greater for Parcel #5 and you will automatically also be sent the Bonus Pattern, Sunki Dress by Figgy’s!

For my first PPP make, I went with the adorable Filles a Maman Mimi! I love that cute little neck cutout and the curved hemline.

(omg, I swear it didn't look this wrinkly in real life! just distract yourself with the pretty flowers, a gift from my lovely coworker)

I went with the simplest: the short sleeved blouse version, with no collar or fringe-y bits. I do dig those fringe-y bits, though... next time.

The fabric is some fun striped/paint-splotchy knit from my mom's '80s-era stash (thanks, Martha!). I have a ton of it, so this is not the first thing I've used it for (you might remember the matching Skater dresses I made my nieces).

The pattern came together pretty easily and turned out pretty damn cute! I was worried about the neck cut-out/facing part of things but it was not difficult at all. For topstitching the facings down at both the neckline and hem, I decided to use my twin-needle threaded with yellow thread to match my button. A subtle, but pretty contrast against the pink and white stripes. I kept the sleeves simple, just hemming them up about an inch with the twin-needle.

I made the Mimi top for Zoey, the daughter of our friends here in Bangkok. We went over to their place for a mini birthday celebration. After the cake, I put the Mimi on Zoey and tried to take a picture of her in it:

Oh wait, hold on... are you saying it might be hard to get a 14 month old who's past her bedtime and hopped on frosting to stand still for a photo? You would be right. Here are a couple I managed to sneak in, just to give you a sense of how Mimi looks on her. I made the 12-18 month size, which is a little bit big for her, but she's tiny. Oh well, she can wear it like a tunic for a couple months: