Simplicity and New Look produce quite a few trendy patterns for kids.  Stella and Clare both fancied Simplicity 8105 and Stella was the recipient of the first garment made from it.

This is one of last school holidays garments, so I am really having to trawl the dim dark recesses of my memory for details! I am guessing that I sewed size 10 for Stella – despite her being very slim, she needs the body lengths of the 10, as she’s a fairly average height for her age. I also figured that this was intended to be a roomy style anyway, so as long as the shoulder width was right – along with armhole depth and sleeve length – it should be pretty right. Sizing children’s clothing is an ever moving feast.

There are a number of nice details on this top. From the pattern website: Easy-to-Sew knit tunics and leggings sized for child and girl are must have essentials. Make tunic and leggings in a multitude of colors and prints. Mix and match for endless wardrobe options.   Hmm, that doesn’t really tell you much!  The line drawing might be more helpful.

Stella’s tunic is view B, with the gathers at the front shoulder yokes and at the back yoke seam.  Actually, the back and shoulder yokes are integrated.

Sewing this tunic is not terribly different to sewing a typical plain tee. The gathers add a little extra time, but otherwise it’s a quick garment to sew. I topstitched the yoke seams to add an extra details and to stabilise the gathers, and topstitched the neckband to secure it as well. Otherwise most construction was on the overlocker.

The fabric is from Spotlight, and is a cotton knit that I think was from the Lisette range? I really do prefer sewing knits that have better recovery than these cotton jerseys – that little bit of spandex/lycra makes all the difference in ease of sewing and I think also in ease of wear.

This tunic is a great length to wear with leggings – because as we all know, leggings are not pants – and as it turns out it must have been a winner because Stella has actually worn it quite a bit! I can never predict which clothes she will be most drawn to. Often she’ll like a garment when it comes off the sewing machine (or out of a shop) but then I never see it on her. Other times it enters regular rotation. I love these colours on Stella, and agree with her assessment of this top as “pretty”!

Clare has her eye on view D, with the lace inserts. Time to set her loose on my stash!