Jennifer Lauren Pippi Pinafore

I want to confess something – I have been avoiding buttonholes. When I started making this Pippi Pinafore I had never sewn a buttonhole. Let’s just think about how crazy that is, I have been sewing on and off for ten years. I have been sewing A LOT for the last three. And yet, I have managed to avoid sewing buttonholes.

Not this year, for me this is definitely the year of the buttonhole. As well as the Pippi Pinafore, I want to make a TATB Arielle skirt and I have put the Isca Shirtdress and the Victory Patterns Hannah dress on my #2018makenine – so this year is the year I get over buttonholes!

Not only does this pattern have buttonholes – I decided to do two different sizes and two different colours, so I definitely got over my fear! In fact, it was nothing to worry about at all, the one-step buttonhole function on my machine handled all eight buttonholes like a boss. I did decide to quit when I was ahead though and stitched on the buttons by hand. Maybe I will try that on my machine next time!

I really liked the way the straps are closed in this way, the pattern gives instructions on how to use dungaree buckles or buttons and includes this great idea of threading the straps through buttonholes as seen below. I think it is such a cool and quirky detail and I will definitely be doing it that way again!

I got the fabric which is a light grey denim from Adam Ross fabrics as my next make for the Adam Ross Blogger Network, however as you may have seen they are now known as Pound Fabrics and I believe you will have to call them on 0330 998 0222 to buy this soft grey denim if you want any!

The buttons were a bargain from my recent holiday to Northumberland – as you saw in last week’s blog post we took a trip to beautiful Alnwick. While we were there I couldn’t help but notice the amazing craft selection in the Alnwick Oxfam, particularly exciting was the button selection. They had buttons of all shapes and sizes in jars, but best of all, they were SORTED BY COLOUR! I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed tipping a whole jar of yellow buttons out onto a tray (with high sides) and picking out any ones I liked, making matching sets. My husband got very bored as I joyfully sorted through buttons like a child. Oh yeah and did I mention they were all 5p each?! That’s right, I got four of these big yellow buttons for the side and two for the straps of my Pippi Pinafore and spent a whole 30p!

I made no changes to the length and I am really happy with it. I graded out one size from the waist to the hips and I think that worked well. Next time I think I will make a small sway back adjustment and maybe make a slightly bigger bib size. I was between the A cup and B cup (yes that’s right – cup sizes! No SBA or FBA needed for this pattern!) I went for the A cup but I think I will make the bigger one next time for a little more coverage at the sides.

I love this pattern. I love all the topstitching – the pattern said a lot of it was ‘optional’, I didn’t opt out of any of it, I wanted ALLLL the topstitching! I love the deep pockets, I love that it nips me in at the waist – I think it is more flattering than my Cleos – and I really like the crossed over back!

Ok so I think it is fair to say I love it. I have some green denim and acorn buttons lined up for an Autumnal version but that will have to wait as I am not sewing up autumn makes while I am baking in this heat! You can’t tell in these pictures but the pockets, bib and waistband are all lined and I like that it gives you opportunity to play around with some scraps of favourite fabrics, I used a bright yellow quilting cotton from Art Gallery fabrics but you will have to take my word for it!

Tune in next week for the reveal day of the Ogden/Ida swap! Did you take part? I can’t wait to hear what my recipient thought of mine!