Kindergarten Series with Sewing Like Mad

I first made this for the awesome Sewing for Kindergarten series hosted by Sewing Like Mad, (If you haven't heard of Mie's blog, you definitely need to check it out), but since it's 100% my signature style and it was made within the right time frame, I an also linking it to Project Run and Play.






Mie asked us to answer a few questions. Here we go. 
Is this your first time sending a child to kindergarten? Nope. This is the second time for me. I also have a  third grader. 
Do you feel like crying or celebrating? And what about your child? I am a little sad that she is growing up so fast, but I also know that she is really ready to be in school and will benefit greatly. Ania is super excited. She has been asking to go to school for the last three years. It finally happened. 
What type of school will your child attend? She will be in our local Spanish Immersion school. It's a public school. 
What was your first day of school like? Funny you asked. It was quite traumatic. I was a painfully shy child. I always preferred to play by myself and stay away from other humans as far as possible. My family nicknamed me "the child of the wild." As you can imagine going to school and be surrounded by other children was not something I was looking forward to. I grew up in the Soviet Union, where ceremonies were a huge part of the culture. All first graders (there were no kindergarten) were lined up in front of the school, several rows of boys and girls in brand new uniforms, holding bouquets of flowers for their teachers. Speeches were given, patriotic music played accompanied by the sniffles of adoring parents. At the very end it was customary for the graduating class to walk the new children into their respectful classes. I still remember looking up, and there he was, a giant of a human being smiling and stretching his arm towards me. It seemed to me that his head was touching the sky. I also vividly remember that he had bad acne. And that's when I lost it and started sobbing uncontrollably. I am pretty sure I sobbed for the rest of the day. Eventually, I realized that school was not going away and I needed to become a bit more social to survive. Obviously, I made it. :) 


But enough about me, let's talk about the clothes I made for this happy camper. For the coat I used the Norah dress (affiliate link) by MHC as my base and heavily modified it. This is my third and fourth time (there is a dress underneath the coat) using the pattern ( my other Norahs are here and here). I quite like it, I must say. If you are looking for a basic A-line pattern with sleeve options, get it for sure. :) 

I redrafted the collar, added facings (even to the sleeves, it's quite pretty inside the sleeves :) ) lined it,  added welt pockets, a belt and  sleeve tabs. See the top left picture. This is one of my favorite features - there is a double belt tab. The belt has a belt holder sewn to it that goes through the bottom belt tab. That way you can never lose the belt it stays permanently attached to the coat, yet doesn't look as if it is attached. Brilliant, ha. It wasn't mine idea. the belt and the sleeve tabs came from an old coat of mine that had the same contraption. Many times during the construction I swore that I would never sew with stripes again, but I am so pleased how everything matches nicely. I am quite pleased with the final product.


Here is the inside of the coat. The quilted lining also came from my stash. I finished the bottom with the bias tape and left it unattached to the main body of the coat. It seems like there is more movement to the coat when done this way.


Here is the view from the back. Now let's look at what's underneath the coat.


Yep, I modified another Norah (seems to be a theme here). I made it less A-line and added a casing with elastic in it.  I love love love the fabric. I want it for myself. The name of the fabric is Yokohama Forest. I have no idea who the designer is since I only have a tiny piece of the fabric left with no name on the its salvage.  I bought it here.


I like the simplicity of the dress, I think it suits the fabric well. Ania loves it, she wore it for two days straight. The button is vintage, I had it for a long time waiting for the right dress. :)


Are your children  happy to be back in school? How about you? I miss them, but I am also glad to finally have a little bit more time to myself. It seems so peaceful with just the two at home. :)


I would love to connect with all of you! 

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35 comments

  1. Uh, wow! both the coat and dress are stunning! amazing job!

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  2. Both pieces are amazing! That dress fabric is incredible.

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  3. Olga Oooooooolga I'm dying here....this is absolutely STUNNING!!! Your sewing is PERFECTION or should we say A+ to stay in school language :-)) WOW. The pairing of the coat and dress is so so so beautiful and I can even say what I loved the most. Worth all the trouble for sure!!! Olga for world domination!! Thank you friend!

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  4. Wow Olga! The coat has such pretty details like the button belt and quilted lining. And the stripes are perfect! The whole outfit is perfect! I loved reading about your own kindergarten story.

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  5. That is a beautiful outfit!!! I love the coat, both timeless and fun! And the dress is to die for.
    It was fun reading your own story. I just sent off child #4 to Kindergarten this year. 2 more until my last one and I think I will have a harder time then she will.

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  6. That coat is darling!! Love the inside and I love all the colors!

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  7. I love love LOVE that coat! It is absolutely perfect Olga! {swooning...} And the dress is also amazing... I loved reading your first day of school story. :)

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  8. this is so amazing! I cannot decide which one I like more, the coat or the dress. The look is so perfectly stylish ad lady-like! Anya's modeling definitely matches the high standard of the outfit too :) As you could have predicted, I absolutely love the details and the stripes and the dress pattern and all the rest too :) (ah, one more.. and the photogprahy!)

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  9. Amazing how you made such a beautiful coat modifying a dress pattern! And that dress...I want it for myself too :) I remember seeing that fabric somewhere before, but did not see it could be turned into such a beautiful dress. I really love what you have created!

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  10. Wow! I totally want this outfit for me! Beautiful job! I wish my kindergartener was in Spanish immersion school.

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  11. So awesome! I love the coat. You did such an amazing job with it. And jeez, that dress fabric is gorgeous.
    Your pictures are looking great too. I love how you caught Anya's reflection in the door. :)

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  12. awww, love that combo!! fun AND classic!

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  13. Olga this is all so gorgeous!!! The coat is fabulous, I Love it so much!! And that dress, I want that fabric! Just an AMAZING outfit!!

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  14. Olga, the jacket is insane! That's it. I am driving up to you (remember I'm in Iowa now :) and we are going fabric shopping together. Or maybe you will just let me shop your stash?

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    1. Okay...THAT"S IT....if you two are meeting up, then I'm coming too!!! :-))

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  15. Olga, the coat & dress are fabulous!

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  16. Ugh, my phone is not cooperating with commenting. Anyway, loved the story and that you were a wild child. Like wild in the woods away from humans. Ha. And again, this is amazing!!!

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  17. wow. just wow. simply amazing! that coat is a work of art!

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  18. What a beautiful ensemble! I would happily wear both pieces too.

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  19. Olga, what a wonderful demonstration of how one pattern can be used to make different garments. Love both the jacket and the dress, but can I admit I am in love with that jacket? My daughter is a bit like you as a kid. We are looking for a small school for her. I am sure she will also survive ;) Oh the first shool bell - the memories ;)

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  20. Olga, this is an amazing outfit!!! let's start with the coat, I'm amazed that you had a wonderful vision to transform the original pattern to made this awesome coat. I love the line, the fabric, the details...is so chic! wow. Now with the dress, it is s lovely and feminine. Your daughter looks very elegant in that outfit. Here kids go to school when they are 4 (now is called reception). Miss VI is almost 4, but her birthday is in October, then she is too young to going to school get this year. Then we have one more year together.

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  21. just gorgeous!! I love that you made the coat from a dress pattern. I did something similar last year for my son... pinned! Emily@nap-timecreations.com

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  22. Wow Olga! That is so gorgeous! Really skilled sewing on the coat, everything looks so neat! And the dress is fantastic - I'd seen that fabric before and swooned over it. Also loved reading about your childhood memories too..

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  23. That coat is truly amazing!! I love the belt details and the quilted lining.

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  24. Everything is amazing! The best fabric choices!

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  25. Ohhhhh, the "Norah Jacket"!!! WOW, WOW, WOW!!

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  26. I love this Norah Jacket!! I have yet to sew a Norah even though I adore the pattern (and own it!) but now it'll be next on my list for sure :)

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  27. I remember looking at this when you first posted it--that dress fabric is so lovely, and I am always in awe of a cool handmade coat! So professional.

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  28. Amazing coat, Olga! Beautiful job matching the stripes, and I love the quilted lining hemmed with bias tape. Great idea.

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  29. Olga, I 100% love the coat & dress. Yes, pat yourself on the back, it's amazing! http://xoxograndma.blogspot.com/

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  30. Olga, this is beautiful! I love the coat--I have a weakness for stripes:)...and I love that the outfit is blue/green/yellow and not pink:) . This definitely caught my eye in the link-up...great job!!

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  31. Amazing outfit! I won't one - for me! The coat is stunning - modern yet classic, it's just a shame that children grow so quickly!

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