My daughter LOVES school and is eager to get back to her friends; and that means tons of back-to-school sewing!
Last year I made her mostly dresses and skorts (most of which still fit), so my plan is to round out her elementary school wardrobe with some basic staples: tees, tunics, and leggings!
5oo4 leggings are the best! So the pattern choice was easy: the Shenanigans Skort. Yes! I used the skort pattern to make leggings!
What I love about the Shenanigans:
- Quick, easy sew (with or without the skirt)
- Tons of options:
- three skirt lengths
- three waist rises
- six inseam lengths for shorts/leggings
- a flounce option
- separate skirt option
- separate leggings/shorts option
- skort = skirt + shorts
- two pocket choices
- Gusset piece (for comfort, structure, and breathability) and video tutorial for assembly (so, so easy)
- Â Super cute AND functional.
Since floral leggings seem to be EVERYWHERE, I ordered 2 yards of “Malibu,” which is a lovely brushed poly from Sincerely Rylee. When the shipment arrived my daughter wrapped herself in the fabric,”it’s sooooo soft! Can I have it?” Yes, love; it’s ALL yours! I immediately pulled out my swatch card and ordered a coordinating Ballet Pink cotton Lycra from Peek A Boo Fabric Shop to create the perfect top.
I decided to try a new-to-me 5oo4 pattern for the coordinating top: the Kids’ Easy Tee, Tunic and Dress. Talk about options!? Wow! It truly is a ‘one and done’ pattern (which saves time and money).
What I love about the Kids’ ‘Easy’ pattern:
- Unisex – it’s a great choice for boys and girls
- Quick, easy sew (I didn’t even need the tutorial to assemble the basic tee)
- Tons of options (I really wasn’t kidding – one and done):
- Five bodice styles
- Three neckline options (crew, v-neck, and hoodie)
- Five sleeve lengths
- Three sleeve finishes (hemmed, cuffed, and thumbhole cuffs)
- Pocket options
- Waist tie
- Super cute and functional
The tee-leggings combo is simply perfect for back to school wear – trendy yet functional!
Easy Tee: Size 7, curved hem option, crew neck, with hemmed short sleeves – perfect length for wearing with leggings!
Leggings: Size 7 (with 6 3/4″ added in length – she’s a tall one – although she does have a bit of growing room), full length leggings.
And 5oo4 back to school style doesn’t stop with tees and leggings! There are so many options, especially for the teens in your life!
T-shirt dress for your fashionista teen? Try a Nancy Raglan dress or top paired with a fun Aspen Vest in a trendy, quilted fabric.
Here’s a pretty spring/summer version of the Nancy Raglan I created in the Navy Chey Triblend from So Sew English; and even though I am a few decades past my teen years, I LOVE IT!
Looking for an outer layer for your son? Try a Sierra Fleece Pullover or Redwood Fleece Vest.
There are so many choices and options available; I encourage you to revisit all the patterns at 5outof4 to fill those back to school capsules!
And be sure to leave a comment on this post telling us your favorite back-to-school or fall pattern for an opportunity to WIN a FREE pattern of choice. Giveaway will close and a winner chosen on Friday, August 11, 2017.Â
Happy back-to-school sewing!
Melissa
I think the Womens Aspen Fleece vest would be an awesome fall or back to school pattern. Perfect for when it’s not quite cold enough for a sleeved coat.
Thanks for the write up- I have no idea why I didn’t realize the Easy Tee had a dress option!! (Yes,I am seeing it in the name now…)
I like not having to gather/pleat anything!
I love the Nancy Raglan top! My next pattern will be the zen pants/shorts!
I didn’t realize all the option with that pattern!! It’s next on my list to buy now!
I have 4 kiddos who are greeting ready to go back to school. I love these floral leggings! I see a lot of them in my future. And the Nancy Raglan… perfect for my teen!!
I love the Zen pants and the Shenanigans.
I really want to make a Nancy Raglan sweatshirt, because I want a sweatshirt I can nurse in for the fall!
I haven’t sewn any back to school stuff yet but love things that are universal and can be used through your the kids from 4 year old boy to 7 year old girl to even the almost 11 year old boy.
While this isn’t a wear to school pattern, I love pajama pants. My kids’ bts mom made wardrobes have pajama pants in them and I’m planning some more.
I just started sewing so I don’t have a favorite pattern yet! I am very much looking forward to making my daughter some cute clothes though!
I think I’m finally getting the easy tee! I’ve been trying to decide which pattern and this is a big help! Thanks.
Everything you made looks great! My tween is wearing adult sizes and loves Hallas Agnes shirt. I can see me getting the easy tee soon!
Wow so.many options with the skort. I love patterns like this!
I need to check out the kids Tee you mentioned. I need a good Tshirt pattern for my grandchildren.
The easy tee looks amazing!! ????????
I recently tested the Berlin Tee from Tony K Patterns for my teen son and I plan on making plenty more of the options for him for back to school. It has a very modern asymmetrical hoodie with thumbhole sleeves I can’t wait to try.
My 7 year old would love the shenanigans skort and we would approve of her wearing it. She’s very tall and very skinny. Most rtw shorts/skirts are way too short. This will be perfect!
Raglans. All about the Nancy Raglan for fall
I think we’d get a lot of use out of the easy tee pattern here. I just wish I had more ME time before school starts to get a bunch made!
Love the Kids’ Easy Tee, Tunic and Dress pattern. Thanks very much for the information!
I love the Sierra fleece pullover for my boys. It’s a great layering piece for them say school.
The kid’s easy tee tunic and dress looks awesome. Love the variety it has.
It would have to bee the Kids’ Easy Tee and Tunic/Dress for me. My daughter has to wear dresses or skirts to school, and I could do a lot with this versatile pattern.
I would love to make the shenanigans skort for my granddaughters! (and me too)
Great job! Love the shenanigan skort
Kids’ Easy Tee, Tunic and Dress looks so cute! I follow 5 out of 4 and I hadn’t noticed that pattern before, thanks!
Easy Tee
I love how you added in patterns for the guys! Personally I love all the Raglans!
I did not realize how many options these patterns have!! Easy Tee is definitely on my list now!!
Cute!!! I think I need the Shenanigans Skort for myself! Hahaha Ok, fine, and for my twin girls, starting PreK!
Definitely Nancy Raglan!
My babies are grown so I really miss back to school shopping but adding to our wardrobes for the changing season is always in fashion, Right?
I LOVE the Nancy Raglan dress in those fabrics, and especially I love the longer short sleeves!
So many options with these patterns! Shenanigans skort is on my list!
Your daughter and her outfit is so cute! I also love the Shenanigans!
We homeschool so I don’t worry too much about back to school clothes! But I love the shenanigans for cute modest skirts for my girls.
I really want to try the Women’s Weekender Tunic!
My 13 year old would love the Nancy Raglan dress! I could even male it school colors for her uniform, though I am sure she’d prefer superheroes or Harry Potter!
I want them all ! New sewer for my 2 granddaughters.
I love the floral leggings. The fabric caught my eye.
Thanks for all the ideas, love them all! The Nancy Raglan looks so comfy <3
I’d like to try the K2 or the weekender.
No back to school clothes but I could see some easy tees for me.
The Nancy for layering! !!
I’d like the Women’s Easy Tee and I love that they have such a wide range of sizes!
I love the Shenanigans Skort!
We are coming out of Winter…slowly but surely here in NZ and kids have school unifom…so I am slightly out of sync….but I have just measured up Miss 5 and digging through my stash to try out the Shenanigans skort. I am loving the idea of it, and think it will be great Spring/summer staple for active play
Love the Nancy Raglan
Love the Shenanagins for my granddaughter to wear to school.
So hard choosing just one!
I’ll say the shenanigans skort, as it’s perfect for BTS.
great patterns you chose! I love seeing each finished piece!!
I forgot to include my favorite piece: Nancy Raglan. I’m addicted to the baseball style shirts!
Love the Nancy Raglan but those legging are adorable too!
I think Sewing Granny(that is me) and the grandtwins all need Nancy Raglan tops and dresses in a fall wardrobe!
Love the Shenanigans Skort!
Loving the Nancy Raglan!
As soon as I saw the Easy dress I thought of my 10yo. I showed it to her and she immediately proclaimed, “That is AWESOME!”
I’m excited to make more of the Zen Pants as we get into cooler months! What an awesome write up!
Love the Easy Tee and leggings combo!!! My granddaughters have already put in their requests☺
Unfortunately in the UK most kids have to wear uniform so we don’t have the chance to sew fun stuff! I will be making my daughter 3 black skirts for back to school!! Having said that the kids easy tee and dress is a Fab pattern! Love that it has so many options in one pattern plus the size range means I can get the same pattern for my 13 yr old daughter and my 2 yr old god-daughter!
I love the nancy raglan! I need this pattern to whip up some back to sub teaching this year.
I love the Nancy Raglan pattern. It is one of Mt favery go to patterns for casual tops that can be changed up in so many ways.
I love that Nancy raglan! Especially in that floral print! I’m obsessed with florals! My husband would love the Sierra Fleece pullover in a camo print, he’s obsessed with camo!!
Love all the mix and match options…thanks for so many ideas and inspiration!
These are super cute. My daughter has been asking for me to sew her skirts. This pattern would be perfect!
The adventure or shenanigans skort Is my favorite. Stylish skirt look yet you can still run around as though you’re in regular shorts. Perfect for school but also for everyday.
Very excited by new 5 oo4 patterns. Can’t wait until I feel better to make them.