Sewvolution : P+M Patterns - Blog Tour - Blue Princess Top and Ella Shorts (+ giveaway!)

I was beyond happy when Elsa from La Casa Cactus approached me to ask if I'd like to join in a blog tour for P+M Patterns. Karine is a talented French national, living abroad, whose designs ooze that french chic - simple, elegant and understated but with so much style.

Once you've read my post, make sure you check out the giveaway at the bottom of the page to enter and win a pattern of your choice.

I have been using the Leon Shorts for nearly 5 years now, I found the pattern back when P+M was Papillion and Mandarine and only available in printed paper patterns, in that time I've made SO many Leon's and have loved each one!

Don't panic when you head to the website or the Facebook page and see a lot of French - all the patterns are translated to English and are very clear and now they're all available in PDF as well, which is a super bonus for those of us down under where post costs are sometimes prohibitive!!

The Leon Shorts come in sizes 2-12 and they're just the perfect shorts - not too long, not too short, not too straight, not too puffy - just perfect! So, as you can see I was already a fan of the brand and was more than happy to jump in to tell you all about them!

For this blog post I've sewn up the Ella Shorts minus the sash. I didn't think any other woven shorts could top the Leon shorts for me, Ella has! It's such a stylish pattern - I used a beautiful navy linen and they are perfect for a hot summers day.

The Ella Shorts come in sizes 2-12. As always go by the size chart, My nearly 4 year old is wearing a size 3 in the photos below. They are listed as a "medium" difficulty pattern but I would say a confident beginner would easily make a pair.

The pattern includes belt loops and a sash style belt which I left off, because, well.... I know my daughter and she would untie it and lose is along a walk somewhere or even worse, tie it to my poor dogs tail!

I love the box pleat detail in the front and the little button tabs on the sides and my missy loves the pockets - pockets are always a winner in our house - where else would she hide rocks and leaves and lizards...

Can you see the attitude oozing out of those butter-wouldn't-melt-eyes? Are you fearful for my sanity during the teenage years?? I am...

I also sewed up the Blue Princess Top, it is an adorable little dress, or top. It too comes in sizes 2-12 and is listed as an "easy" sew, I would say that is pretty accurate. I've gotten a head start on my easter sewing, I used this cute bunny print to make it a little easter-y

She has decided to call it her bunny top because the back straps look like bunny ears.

And then I loved it so much I had to make her another in this beautiful floral print from The Wildflower Store. I just love blue on little girls.

I hope you have enjoyed this little introduction to one of my favourite designers, you can follow along with the other bloggers in this series (links below) to see what they have sewn up for the blog tour and see what other patterns you (and I) will need to add to our "must sew" lists!

Happy Sewing
Tanya x