Shirts for Anne & Rose from Ragamuffin Patterns lil Rebel Raglan

I applied for testing a pattern earlier this year, in the spring when a pattern designer posted a call for testers for a cute raglan pattern for girls. I was accepted and over the next month or two sewed up a few versions of this pattern while it was in testing/tweaking stage. It's been a little while now since the final pattern was released and here are some photos of Rose and Anne modeling their finished garments!

The pattern is the Lil Rebel Raglan by Ragamuffin Patterns.

The pattern is super versatile, with length options (from crop top to maxi length), sleeve lengths (from cap to long sleeve), neckline options, hood options, pocket options and sizes from baby through girls 12. While Anne just fits into the 12, the large sizing range will make this a definite go-to pattern for Rose through the next few years, and the ladies Rebel Raglan picks up where the girls pattern leaves off, so I can use that one as Anne grows into those sizes (how is she this big already?!)

While it's been a few years now since I started working with knits, it still is always a challenge. While I feel pretty confident with my serger now I struggled a lot with hems on knits. Double needles break in my modern machine and although I could probably take time to adjust all my machine settings to get a nice double stitched hem with a twin needle and wooly nylon in the bobbin, it seemed a huge headache to have to do that every time I need to hem on knits. 

I found a second hand coverstitch machine through Facebook marketplace and decided to get it. It was not love at first sight, or for a while. I soon learned coverstitch machines are super sensitive and I will never be able to just pop my stretchy fabric under the presser foot and merrily stitch away. I have to sew samples first, adjust the settings, make sure the needle and thread weight are correct for my fabric, etc. BUT! Once all that is done, the results are really nice. 

Although, I think my frustration with initially getting to know that machine has been partly a cause of me sewing absolutely nothing by machine since then - all hand sewing the last few months as I continue progress on my Bronze Age clothing. 

I am glad I did this test sewing and happy to have a good, basic, versatile pattern for my girls. They definitely wear these kinds of clothing much more often than any other kind. They like clothes that are cute and comfortable and that they can play and run around in. No little-house-on-the-prairie style dresses for these girls, alas! 😂 

School starts in less than 3 weeks. It's been a fun, full, busy summer and I look forward to blogging more and having time to share what has been going on once the kids are back in school. 

Much love,

Sarah