Oh Suzanna Smock ePattern giveaway

I love reconstructions. Not only are they usually less expensive than using virgin fabric (I can buy two grocery bags stuffed full of adult shirts for $5 here at one particular thrift shop) but, if I do it right, I can avoid having to do any of the tedious stuff like buttons, while having some sophisticated details - all already done for me. Best of all, it's quick! I don't think I have to convince anyone with children the value of being able to make a garment in a nap time (or in less time than a Dora DVD).

Generally, I use patterns in my reconstructions because I find that they allow me to have the correct fit and do not take any longer than guessimating. I actually think they save time in the end by reducing the number of botched garments sent away for scraps because they ended up fitting odd. Perhaps the pattern route is less adventurous, but wasting precious time sucks even more. Plus, I always end up eating too many cookies after wards, soothing my feeling of failure over having made something unwearable.

So, because I love the reconstruction so much, I've decided to put together a little ePattern for revamping an adult shirt to a child's smock peasant blouse style. You've already seen a version of it here, it here, and I know some of you will recognize that it's a variation on my basic peasant blouse pattern, which is no longer available in the shop.

I'm calling it the Oh Suzanna Smock, mostly because of Smootch's country girl look she's been cultivating lately:


(Can you tell she's been missing her home back in Alberta? My little punk has gone all cowgirl on me.)

The Oh Suzanna Smock epattern has pattern pieces for girls sizes 2-7. There is an option for making your own gathered sleeves or using the pre-existing cuffs from your reconstructed shirt:


You can also re-use the pockets or create your own with a pattern piece:


There is, actually, a whole pattern there that could be put together with virgin fabric. The whole pdf package is 18 pages, with 11 of those being pattern pieces.

Would anyone like a copy before I list it in the shop tomorrow night? To enter a draw for the Oh Suzanna ePattern giveaway, just leave a comment on this post. I will randomly choose a comment (via random.org) Monday (January 4th) at 9:00 PM (pacific time) and sent the winner a pdf file containing the pattern.

Happy commenting!

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Thank you thank you thank you for playing! Thanks for all the wonderful comments - you all say such lovely things, it's no wonder why I'm hooked on this blogging thing :D

I just drew Anxiously Hopeful's number (who has a picture of her gorgeous fresh one on her blog that makes me feel all broody). Congrats Anxious on the babe and I hope you enjoy your pattern too.

For anyone else interested in acquiring the Oh Suzanna Smock ePattern by another route, I am listing the pattern tonight on Etsy, where it can be yours for a measly $4 US.

I'll be back soon!