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Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The Retro Romper: review and giveaway


This girl is ready to pounce.

I am enjoying so much all the girly things I've been getting to make her lately. But MAN is she hard to photograph. I think she is just about twice as wild as Hendrix ever was at her age, and definitely twice as clumsy.

So from wild Elsie and me, welcome to my stop on the Peekaboo Pattern Shop blog tour!





This pattern is called the Retro Romper, and it's quickly turning into my favorite little outfit. First I should mention that today only, this pattern is only $5. So if you like it, you should snag it up now... but also read my super helpful and informative review :)

Fabric: 
I used a clearance navy fabric from the shop I work in called Many Eyes Seeing (weird name) and solid white Bella for the trim. My original thinking in choosing the navy was that this would be an outfit for the Fourth, but that did not happen in time. Even so, this little romper is so summery, that even the dark color looks great. It's totally nautical- so hot right now. (Hansel)

Pattern Pieces: 
There are five pattern pieces, and they were clearly marked and easy to print and understand.  (All Peekaboo Patterns are PDF downloads.) The cutting instructions for non-pattern pieces are also clear. 

Pattern instructions:
Everything came together fairly easily. The gathering on the bodice works nicely with the collar and halter straps, which is the design element that really drew me to the pattern. I also love the sweet elastic gathered back.

The instructions themselves are clear enough if you have followed a couple of clothing patterns before. I don't feel like this is something for a first time pattern sewer, just because some little things are taken for granted, but nothing major. If you have just a few clothing projects under your belt, you would be able to follow with no problems. There are also pictures for nearly every little step, which is always helpful.




Changes:
I made the 18 month size for Elsie, which Amy did warn me might be a little long. When I got the main part of the romper done, it was almost to her ankles and just looked odd at that length. I think in the older sizes that shape works really well, because I like the vintage-looking length in the sample photos.  But I decided it wasn't working on Elsie, especially with the darker fabric. So I chopped off a good four or five inches, re-did the crotch and added simple white cuffs. It was a super quick fix, and I ended up LOVING the shortie version on her.

And she loves it too. She can do all her climbing and troublemaking easily and comfortably. See? Look at that cheese:





Giveaway Time! (Do I even DO those things?! Apparently.)

****Giveaway now closed, winner is #45, Rhonda D. Congrats!*****


Amy from Peekaboo Patterns is offering such a great prize package to one of my readers- three patterns from her shop, your choice. What I love about Peekaboo is that there are so many options! Amy has boy stuff, girl stuff, hats, PJs, dresses, jackets, even several swimsuit patterns. Go look around and it will not be hard to find three patterns you will want to try. 


To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment here telling me your favorite Peekaboo pattern

If you are the sort that likes extra chances to win, one extra chance each for liking the Peekaboo Facebook page and for liking my new Facebook page. Just leave me another comment for each. I'll pick a random winner Friday.






***But don't forget about the $5 romper! If you end up winning, you just get to pick three MORE good ones. And be sure to follow the tour on these other stellar blogs:



nap time craftersScattered Thoughts of a Crafty MomCrazy Little ProjectsMelly SewsMama Says SewElegance & Elephants2 Little HooligansA Little GraySew a Straight LineLily Bloom StudioShwin & ShwinOccasionally CraftyGirl.InspiredSew Country ChickSumo's Sweet StuffSweetheart HalterEvelyn dressWaikikiSanta MonicaPier 49Bubble ShortsSailor ShortsRetro RomperJack & Jill ShortallsJasmine DressNatalieClaraIsabellaJackieSea BreezeImage Map

82 comments:

  1. Wow - I loved the Jackie Dress but I have to say my new favorite is the Retro Romper! Love the giveaway idea too! lizaahern at gmail.com

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  2. "Liked" your new Facebook page and excited to follow your blog. lizaahern at gmail.com

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  3. "Liked" Peek-A-Boo Patterns on Facebook! lizaahern at gmail.com

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  4. I'm loving the ruffle bum romper! pfilley at aol dot com

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  5. I like your new FB page! pfilley at aol dot com

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  6. I like the peekaboo FB page! pfilley at aol dot com

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  7. I really like the Clara Tiered Ruffle dress!
    rachelguidojackson@gmail.com

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  8. I already like your new fb page!
    rachelguidojackson@gmail.com

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  9. I like the peekaboo patterns fb page.
    rachelguidojackson@gmail.com

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  10. I want to try the sea breeze dress

    Desi
    weeshareblog@gmail.com

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  11. like your FB page- Desiree Glaze

    Desi
    weeshareblog@gmail.com

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  12. like peekaboo patterns FB page- Desiree Glaze

    Desi
    weeshareblog@gmail.com

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  13. She is adorable! GAH!!!

    Oh, yeah- I like the Avery Jacket pattern. :)

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  14. I love the ruffle romper but I especially love your Zoolander reference!

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  15. You don't need to enter me, since I have no kiddos to speak of, but I had to tell you how freaking adorable Elsie's romper is. Also, I love that you threw in a Hansel quote. <3

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  16. She's just adorable Jessica! I always love a romper too :)

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  17. i like the natalie. The Navy is great, i made my lass an all in one but in a light fabric, within minutes the bum was brown (she sat in mud!). The navy will not show up bum dirt!

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  18. How can I possibly choose a single favourite .. actualy, the Evelyn Dress and Swing Top is pretty adorable.

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  19. I just liked Peek-a-Boo. How could I not!? I definitely want to keep up with them!

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  20. Elsie is rocking that romper! Too cute :) My favorite is the jack and jill shortalls. Stuff like that's perfect for FL weather

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  21. So hard to choose a particular favourite from Peekaboo - I wanna make so many of them. Today, I think you have decided me in favour of the Retro Romper. I have a 20 mo who will look adorable in it when summer comes round to the southern hemisphere again.

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  22. Seriously cute or what?????? I love the retro romper!

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  23. I just started following you on your Facebook page.

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  24. I love the retro romper, but going back to look at some more.

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  25. I like the peek-a-boo Facebook page.

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  26. This is one of the patterns I like so much already. My favorite pattern however, is the Ruffle Bum Romper.

    You did a great job on the one you've made although I'm not sure I could have fixed it the way you have done. Thank you for showing us.

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  27. I already 'like' Peek A Boo Pattern Shop on Facebook.

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  28. Everything looks great, but I especially love the Clara Tiered Twirl Dress!

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  29. I have used several of her patterns and really like them. She helped me get over my fear of sewing swimsuits. I love the la jolla pattern

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  30. I love the pier 49 pants pattern. Gonna have a grandson next month, my FIRST grandbaby!
    n.rider@yahoo.com

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  31. I've been eyeing her swimsuit patterns. The problem is picking which one to get.

    rebekahricker (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  32. I like her fb page.

    rebekahricker (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  33. I like your fb page.

    rebekahricker (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  34. This romper is adorable, but I also just saw the Coney Island Tankini. With a matching bathing cap?!?! I mean, does it get any cuter???

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  35. Oh my, your little one is adorable! (romper is cut too!)
    ~Jamie

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  36. I love the Retro Romper. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  37. I like peek-a-boo patterns on FB.

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  38. The patterns are gorgeous; is so hard to pick just one. My favorite is "Bubble Shorts" for girls. Thanks for the opportunity!

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  39. ruffle bum romper is the cutest, also the retro romper. I just love the one piece outfits on babies, they are so classic.

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  40. My favorite is the Annie petal dress!

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  41. I like Peek-a-Boo Patterns on FB.

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  42. I like Peek-A-Boo Patterns on FB

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  43. My favorite Peek-A-Boo pattern is the Isabella dress!

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  44. The Retro Romper is now my absolute favourite pattern. Gorgeous!

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  45. My favourite pattern is the Bubble Shorts

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  46. I already like Peek a Boo on Facebook

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  47. I now like you on Facebook and look forward to reading your updates!

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  48. I love the Olivia and Oliver pea coat. Thanks for the deal! Love her patterns!

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  49. I like Peek-a-Boo Patterns on Facebook!

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  50. I liked your page on the book. Thanks for having me!

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  51. The rompers are too cute! Love the one you made for Elsie and her smile is adorable. nlczerw(at)gmail(dot)com

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  52. I like the Natalie Dress
    ashepherdashby@gmail.com

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  53. I'm a fan of Peek-a-boo patterns on Facebook
    Alice Shepherd-Ashby
    ashepherdashby@gmail.com

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  54. I'm a fan of your page on FB
    Alice Shepherd-Ashby
    ashepherdashby@gmail.com

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  55. Follow Peekaboo Pattern on FB.

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  56. The patterns are all darling! I like the Evelyn Dress and Swing Top. Thanks for the give away!

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  57. I love he Retro Romper, too!

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  58. Oh my goodness, that romper on her is just too adorable! Love it! There are so many adorable girl patterns, but since I sew only for boys I'd have to go with the overalls, the romper, or the bermuda shorts! Vanessa@DesignsBySessa.com

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  59. I like peekaboo patterns on fb!

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  60. I liked your cute new FB page! :)

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  61. jessica, elsie is adorable! i want her to marry henry! lets do an arranged marriage! love the romper! she looks adorable in it!

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  62. why are rompers so dang adorable? elsie is the cutest!!

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  63. Such cute stuff - those little bitty shoes just slay me. But I'd have to go with the Lucy dress as my favorite.

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  64. So cute - fav pattern:ruffle bottom romper - just tooo cute!

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  65. Oooh my goodness, the last picture of her-so adorable!!!
    My favorites are the Jasmine dress and ruffle bottom romper.

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  66. Well, the Retro Romper is hard to beat, but I see lots of other patterns that I would love to make for my nieces. My girls are too old for these cute outfits ... sad.

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