review on Sandi Henderson patterns

Hi I was wondering if anyone has used Sandi Hendersons patterns? are they well writen? good pics ?  does it have the pattern you cut out? thanks

 
nobody to help me?

There was a thread here last week about her patterns...I think it was titled Portabellapixie Patterns. 

I have bought her Claire pattern.  It comes with a nice colored instruction booklet and paper pattern pieces.  There were a few errors, but overall I really like it.  It's simple and really cute!  I chose Claire because I was looking for a knot dress.  This one has a knot jumper, peasant dress with or without apron and peasant top. One pattern uses an elastic neckline - my fave- and two others use smocking.  Smocking was new to me, but it came with good instructions and it turned out well.  It's expensive compared to what I usually buy, but with 4 patterns in one that I can use as baby grows, I think it was well worth it.  Hope this helps

I like the Gracie pattern--especially that you get multiple patterns in one booklet. I found it easy to follow and LOVE how it came out. I plan to make again.

Here is my Gracie dress:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/michellereneedesigns/3387873160/

I really like the Claire pattern, as well.  There are a few minor typos, but compared to patterns I've purchased lately through the "major" companies - this one was incredibly well written, illustrated, and explained.  Good tutorials on making your own bias-binding, shirring, and gathering.  I'll gladly pay the extra for an "indie" pattern - I emailed Sandi to request that she size some patterns into the tweens (they stop at girls' 8, which is still fantastic compared to many that stop at 4T) and she responded in a quick and friendly fashion.

I bought the Claire pattern when it first came out, but am just now getting around to using it.  I am cutting out a new Easter dress for my daughter now and will follow up with my review after I've sewn it.  So far so good, and I am encouraged by others who have made this and been happy with the results.

Hi there.  I have used the Market bags pattern multiple times and I absolutely adore it.  It comes with the pattern pieces and great instructions.  She even adds a gathering tutorial and a piping tutorial in the back. It is a very innovative way to make a bag, the result is gorgeous, but it didn't take too long to make.   I don't know if you are more interested in the clothing patterns, but if you want to see pics of the gathered bag check out my blog: http://havingitall-maggie.blogspot.com/

I have finished the Easter Dress I was making from the Claire pattern and am happy with the pattern and the finished product.  There were a few errors in the pattern, but nothing major that you couldn't easily recognize as wrong.  Like others have said, I like that you get many options within each pattern.  The steps and drawings are detailed and easy to follow.  I made the round apron dress and have also made the peasant top.  One change I made to the round apron dress pattern was to add a couple of inches to the length of the bodice pieces.  My daughter is tall and older (7 yrs old) and I didn't want the apron part to hit so high on her...reminds me of a maternity dress!  If I make it again I would narrow the ties by about 3/4 inch.  They are so wide it is hard to make a cute bow in the back.  Overall I really like the pattern.
see photos of the dress here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/partridgepeartree/3450958336/

I have found a couple of errors in the ruffle pants and the gracie dress patterns. I do like the finished product although I have found her sizes to be a on the small side. I had trouble getting the tiered top of the gracie pattern on my 11 month old daughter even though I made the 12 to 18 month size. The pattern says to go by the chest measurements, but they are not included in the size guide. The ruffle pants were very difficult to get over baby thighs plus a diaper.

I've made the Gracie dress - I found a few mistakes in the instructions and on pattern pieces.  I wouldn't recommend it for a first-time sewer but an advanced beginner could probably figure it out.  I also found the pattern ran a little small - especially in length.  I would recommend measuring the height of the pattern pieces (less seam allowance) and adding them up before you start cutting to see if you're happy with the finished length (there are no finished measurements on patterns).  And if you're making it for someone that is not skinny-average (like my chunky 2 year old), then you'll probably want to measure the width before you start cutting too.

I made the tiered round-neck dress and added an extra tier to get the length I wanted.  My daughter is average in size and it fit her perfect - and she loved how full the skirt was.  Before she even tried it on, she asked if she could twirl in it. 

I made the Gracie jumper and found that the dots needed, to know how to gather the front to the neckline, are missing from the pattern.  I was able to guess where they should be based on her photos.  I didn't realize when I bought the pattern that it was reversible, so it's not a very cool top for the heat of summer.  I have found an easier top that's similar in look elsewhere and will make that one from now on.  I had also added yo-yo's to the back of the buttons on the reverse side because I didn't like the way it hung with the buttons on the opposite side.  You can see what I mean here...

www.flickr.com/photos/tadacreations/3542673608/

I've also made the petal knot dress found in the Claire pattern.  I found this to run small, but it was super easy to make.  It's now my preferred standard jumper bodice.  Just make sure to measure the pattern pieces and subtract your seam allowance to get the finished chest measurement and allow 2-3 inches for ease.  The bodice isn't very tall so it slips on and off easily without needing to button up the back.  You can easily add more width to the sides when cutting out the pattern if you need a larger size. I did find the top of the bodice to be a bit wide on narrow shoulders.  You can see what I mean here...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tadacreations/3542695852/in/photostream/

My model is a size 3T/4T and I made a size 5 width but adjusted it to have the top of the bodice only be as wide as a size 4.  I sewed my buttons (because I made my own straps) up a little higher than I normally would.  If it was lower it would be falling off of her narrow shoulders.  The first dress I made with this pattern, I did make the knot straps, but found that the knots kept falling through the button holes.  I forgot to add a little interfacing where the buttons wholes are, that would have probably helped.  You can see that one here...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tadacreations/3541916437/in/photostream/

I would like to make the Gracie dress (tiered top with gathered straps) but I am wondering if this is hard to get on.  I've thought  about cutting the back in two pieces and adding buttons to the back.  Has anyone tried this or how it this dress to get on.

Thanks!
Erica

Since I don't own this pattern and can't find pattern specifics, you might want to re-post your question here: http://sewmamasew.com/forum/index.php?topic=1338.0 which is a thread specially on the Gracie pattern.  Someone may be able to help. 

I made the Gracie top with the gathered sleeves. The first one was too tight, but I adjusted the second one. This top is impossible to get on over the head, but I did have luck getting it on from the bottom. I think I also used 1/4" seam allowance attaching the gathered sleeve to give a little extra room. You can see the finished product at sweeterthancupcakes.blogspot.com.