So what’s happening in your part of the world? I’m guessing for most of you it’s summer and your kids are heading back to school after their break? Not here! It’s winter and we are in the middle of Term 3 for the year!
In Australia our school year is broken into 4 terms with 2 week breaks in between them. It typically begins at the end of January and goes through to mid December, when we have our 6 week Summer break over Christmas and New Years.
Do you think that the different timing of our school years stopped me from saying YES to sewing for a “Back to School” tour when asked by Olu of Madeit Patterns? I don’t think so!
Do you think the fact that my kids wear a strict uniform at a private school worried me about this theme? Do I look worried…?
Because who else in this family goes to school? Hello…? I do!
I have been studying myself, AND I work in a primary school with children in Kindergarten!
So this Back to School outfit is for all you fabulous teachers, teachers aides or even school mum’s, volunteers or students out there! Really anyone can wear it and there’s options for all the seasons!!
First I made this funky Sling Bag in the Maxi size! I have a thing for crossbody messenger bags, so that was an easy decision. It has welt pockets in the strap and under the front flap as well as a key loop included. It’s a fabulous size for fitting all your essentials and it’s very comfortable to wear & much easier to make than I expected! #notabagmaker
The strap length was spot on too! You just use the height range chart for choosing the right length for you. The bag fabric is a heavy weight “Mexican Poncho” fabric from Spotlight (not available on their website). I lined it with a smooth blue poly mystery fabric from my stash. I used it for a pop of colour and it also has a nice feel to it as lining. I like that I didnt need any interfacing or special extras other than 2 zips, this means I can make plenty more without needing any special or expensive supplies.
I also made the Groove Dress for Adults! This design is also available as patterns in sizes for children and teens! I made it with contrasting long sleeves, a round neck and a high-low hem. I made it with this gorgeous Khaki Cotton Spandex from Wicked Fabrics. It has great recovery and is a really nice weight. I love Khaki and black together, so I wanted to give this combination a try. This dress is so comfortable, fits perfectly and I got so many comments at work that day!
Tell me… Is it a fail? Should I have stuck to all Khaki? Because you know I can take the sleeves off and replace them… I’d love to hear your opinion!
Don’t mind me getting blown around in the August wind here! I teamed it with tights and boots and I headed straight to work from here!
Now to the exciting part! What’s a blog tour without a discount?
Madeit Patterns are offering 20% off all their patterns
(using the code – btsis)
until the end of August!
That means you can purchase any pattern from their site at 20% off – not just the two you have seen here!
Here are the other bloggers on tour this week with Madeit Patterns!
Be sure and grab some inspiration from them too ❤
idle sunshine 
August 14, 2017 at 10:34 pm
Thank you so much for this Brooke. It’s great to get a back to school look from a teachers point of view. This is usually overlooked but I know one or two teachers who take time to think about what they wear as their back to school outfit as a new school year begins.
I definitely think you should keep the black sleeves. I wasn’t so sure how it was going to look when I saw the fabric but it works and it works well. You look cool and dare I say it, ‘too cool for school’ 😉
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August 15, 2017 at 12:04 am
Thank you! Haha I love that! I was feeling too cool for school when I wore it! Or maybe just cool enough… 😉 Thanks for having me on tour!
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August 14, 2017 at 11:16 pm
You look fabulous!! And don’t you dare remove the black sleeves – they are perfection!
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August 15, 2017 at 12:05 am
Oh thanks Trudy! Ok phew, I was a bit worried. Thanks for setting me straight 😉 ❤
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August 15, 2017 at 1:21 am
Ooh fabulous dress and bag!!
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August 17, 2017 at 12:58 am
Thank you! 🙂
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August 15, 2017 at 2:21 pm
Oh you did so well! I love the dress as is, I won’t change the sleeves!
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August 17, 2017 at 12:59 am
Awesome! Thanks, I needed to hear it from someone else! It’s definitely grown on me ❤
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August 16, 2017 at 3:36 pm
You had the right plan, I now also want a sling for me! Your version is lovely, I will probably steal my daughter’s once in a while for now 😉
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August 17, 2017 at 1:01 am
Haha! Yes I couldn’t sew for my kids, so I had to sew for me! What a shame that was… 😉
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August 16, 2017 at 6:26 pm
You look awesome! I would leave the sleeves alone, they match the dress perfectly.
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August 16, 2017 at 8:13 pm
I would leave the black sleeves! you look amazing!
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August 17, 2017 at 1:02 am
Awesome! Thank you, the concensus is to keep them so I had better leave them as they are! 😉
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