Kids Sewing Week KSW

I posted jeans for buddy boy earlier this week.  Surprise, the 3T jammies aren't fitting either.  If only I had a photo of his little confident belly poking out under a risen Mickey Mouse or Elmo shirt hemline.

The goal was to make two of these during naptime, so I was on high speed.  So, learning curve went hyperdrive...

I took time to add something to the front of each becuase I'm pretty confident he won't wear anything without a specific reason... like a sport or character that he likes being on he shirt...  I obviously didn't use any type of interfacing... just went to town with the triple stitch.

Also, I din't pin the first sleeve and was short like 3/4 of an inch at the end... lesson learned the next few were easier.

Last, the pattern gave the measurements for the neck binding and the cuffs... and didn't indicate stretch except in the pattern after it was folded and sewed.  This froze me for like 20 minutes thinking through how the piece would look, which way it would be folded, then where it would be sewn, and which way the stretch would need to go.  I figured it out correctly, eventually.

Finally, I don't know why the neckline topstich was so difficult... but seriously, it caused me problems.   I bombed through it... I figure he's only wearing these at night anyway...

Overall, success... His belly will be covered.

Kids Sewing Week (KSW) and REFASHION city!

My son is getting tall.  My very sweet Mother-In-Law usually shops a lot for my kids... it's what she likes to do, but I've been itching to sew for them... so, now that my two year old is short on pants and we had a Polar Vortex couple of days, a little got done! :)

Using the Clean Slate Pants pattern by Melly Sews, I cut up a few pairs of my old jeans and refashioned them into jeans for my buddy boy.  He's got mostly 2T in his closet, and I made these in 4T... glad I did the leap up.. they fit to a T! :)

Excellent pattern - they look great, and I adjusted for my learning along the way...

In the first pair, I didn't make any pockets or a fly.  I just cut and pieced the pants together.  I have to say I LOVE where the seam in the leg appears on his back, and the jean fabric these are made of is SO SOFT!  I originally bought them for $2 at a garage sale, and they got a hole in the crotch, so I couldn't wear them any more... glad he's getting some life out of them.

Then, I was on a roll... and kid needed jeans, so I sewed the pattern again...
This time with a darker jeans where the zipper had broken, and I wanted to learn how to make pockets...
Blue and orange flannel was just the right answer.  Blue and orange are my favorite colors for buddy boy.  he's got bright blue eyes and orangey blonde hair, so these are perfect for his wardrobe.

Learning Curve
#1.  Photographing still objects is way easier than two year old moving targets
#2.  Maybe if I did it again, I'd make sure the pocket that is visible is jean... for support purposes rather than looks... I LOVE how they look
#3.  There is DRAMA in sewing!  The last string of thread from the spool was making its way through the machine as I sewed the last hem!  Whew!
#4.   While I love how the wide leg seams look when they're made into waistband, they create HUGE thickness that is hard for the sewing machine to take, so if I want to use those in the future, I might attach it to some thinner material for the back of the waistband.

Next Plans...  I've got the patterns for Tree Climber Trousers... !!!  Also, his belly button is visible in more than half his jammas...

and I read a great post on undies and refashioning knit clothing... Jammies to undies for my daughter?  Yes, please... just need some elastic...

Penelope Peplum Top

So, I did it... a few weeks ago...

I sewed the Penelope Peplum Top... pattern from See Kate Sew (http://seekatesew.com/) .  I made the top for my little one... she's also got a pattern available for adults with three different skirt and sleeve lengths.  I opted for the 3/4 length top... I tried to make full length sleeves, but was not thinking about the shape of the given pattern right when I cut, so they ended up being the perscribed length.  My daughter is a long bodied girl, so I added two or so inches to the body of the top... glad that I did.  It's a great length for feeling like she's wearing a dress... hangs just to the bottom of her butt in stretch pants.

I used purple fabric from JoAnne's... two different prints... although in my shot, it looks gray...

The sew was fun... who doesn't love a full skirt... even if it's not really one?  And, my daughter loves to twirl in it.  It's a winner.  I bought more knit with plans to make more!

Learning Curve:
1.  Singer needles do not work well in my machine
2.  When the thread breaks over and over, maybe it's because your stretch needle is for very fine thread...
3.  Also thread the side winder correctly to make sure the bobbin works properly
4.  I've never done a top facing before... good deal!  that works SLICK.
5.  Top stitch gathers... with my poor tension due to a bad needle choice and old thread, they're already coming out after one day of wear... whoops!
6.  Amazon Prime Movies are great companions for long sewing projects with lots of frustration.. when you're watching a good movie, extra work doesn't matter so much!!!

Littllest Thistle Finish Along Quarter 1

The Littlest Thistle is hosting a Quarterly Finish Along!

Perfect... a fun incentive to get some quilting in :) I can't wait...

My goal for this quarter is to finish my Block of the Week Mystery Kit from Sew Lux Fabrics.

I have now finished all of the blocks, so I just need to put them together...

My flying geese turned into:

The final mystery block was this sewing machine that I can't seem to flip the picture of... oh well.  You get the idea...

And all together, my stack looks like:

So, my goal is to assemble this little quilt, and quilt-er up!

I haven't decided HOW to quilt it yet... I'm really itching to get good at FMQ, but I am always to scared I'm going to wreck something to keep working on it...

Since this ended up being sewing-themed, so I can't really use it anywhere in my house except my sewing room, maybe I'll be brave... although that matchstick quilting sure ends up looking COOL... I might like to give that a try... ???

We'll see...

Second Goal:  I've bought a Pippa Peplum Pattern to participate in the see kate sew sew-along.  I have the fabric picked too... some various purple prints from JoAnne's... for my daughter.

Third Goal:  My 5 year old plays a little sea animal that makes an appearance in our MS's production of Little Mermaid Junior.  I'll be outfitting her in something... she's thinking PINK DOLPHIN.  I'm thinking peplum top, stretch pants, padded tail train skirt, and arm fins?

Fourth:  I'm participating in a BOM sew-along class from Piles of Fabric.    Technically, I haven't chosen the fabric yet, so I'm sort of jumping the gun on the Littlest Thistle rules, but January is choosing colors and fabric, so I"m on.  My goal is to keep up with that... to have Jan and Feb done by March. :)

When I started writing this, I didn't think I had much to write about... I guess I did!  Lotsa sewing ahead...
Sounds great!

Lovely Year Of Finishes - January

I'm linking into the Lovely Year of Finishes with Fiber of All Sorts and Bittersweet Designs...
http://fiberofallsorts.blogspot.com/2014/01/january-lovely-year-of-finishes-goal.html

SewMes January Goal:
Finish my Mystery Quilt Kit blocks...

In October/November, I got a Mystery Quilt Block of the Week kit from Sew Lux Fabrics.  I made the first two weeks lickety split.  Then, in November, I started holiday sewing.

Time to finish up my kit!

Here's what I have done so far:
Some stars and flying geese...

Next, flying geese turn into starts, then I piece together a cute little sewing machine.

I'm only supposed to set one goal... but, if I finish that, I'd like to assemble the top as well ;)

I need something CUTE to cover an unsightly ex-window in my sewing room... motivation to progress!
Plus, the colors are so bright and snappy...

Link Up

Time for more LINK UP! :) ... WITH ...
Skip to My Lou Made By You Monday

I've been obsessed with sewing for the last few months.  I had a HUGE list of projects to finish for Christmas, and I sort of just started with the most pressing, what I had materials for, what I was most excited to do, and worked on from there...

Here's my Holiday 2013 Sewing List

Bookmarks for Grandpa in custom shapes - check
Coffee Cozies for man and woman - check
Purse for woman exchange  - Instead, I found a really cool pouch made of all zipper at a local shop... very worth the cross off.
New stockings for the kiddos - check.  See more below!
Apron for daughter - check.  Later than Christmas, but a fun project and she helped design it.
Superhero cape for son - still on the list...
Three NICU donation snuggle flannel blankets - check
Juliet Capalet for daughter - check!  She didn't wear it at Christmas but loves to play in it.
Berkshire Blazer for son - check!  SO ADORABLE, but a little too small for him... still a fun project and a good Etsy sell or donation to someone.

I'm pretty sure a few more items were nixed, but since I can't remember them now, I guess they weren't that important!

Pictures to share :)

If I were a pro blogger, I would have taken pictures of the inspiration stocking from the magazine cover, and my daughter's drawings that led the design of these.  Also, she picked the colors for her bunny including the dazzling sparkly black eyes... :)

He never wore this but it is SO CUTE.  I hope someone will!

Liv loves to play in this capelet.  It's a full skirt on her shoulders, and in the velour and soft courderoy, it swings so beautifully!

Liv wanted a cupcake apron.  She picked the main print, and I picked the accent fabrics and invented the pattern.  I wanted ruffles... If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't gather the skirt.  Since you're sewists, I should also mention that this is all double-sided... two layers on the bib and the skirt so that it feels heavy and will wash and wear well.

I have pictures of the bookmarks and blankets, but those are on my ipod still... I'll have to fuss to get them here... so that just leaves a reason to come back and post a little more later :)!

Thanks for stopping in!
Sarah

Saturday Sewing

Saturday Sewing WIP Updates... and Holiday Gift Beginnings!

I love this time of year - imagining the kiddos at Christmas and thinking through all of the happy home things that make the holidays special is just a fun treat!

The Winter Wonderland set is on its way... Are you familiar with "See Kate Sew" and "Pattern Anthology"?  AMAZING CLOTHES and beautiful things each and every post.  The last few weeks, various bloggers have been showcasing clothes made from the patterns, and I decided to outfit my kids in it for Christmas if possible... beats shopping!  For Dayne, the Berkshire Blazer and Tree Climber Trousers.  Liv will get a Capulet, a dress... with long sleeves... so I'll have to alter something.  Probably high hopes, but there's still plenty of time to dream.



And now... project updates

T-shirt dress... bought thread for top stitching yesterday! :)  Now, affix flower, add stem and leaves, and top stitch cuffs and neck.  Last, hem.

Block of the Week... cut my srtips, little blocks, and the put together 16 little flying geese.  The block isn't done yet!

Holiday Gift Sewing is on the way!

My husband's grandpa is chair-bound, can't really talk anymore, and spends a lot of time watching TV and reading.  For him,  I thought some fabric book marks... 

I cut strips thinking plain rectangles...

but then I realized... SHAPES would be way cooler.  This brown fabric screamed "necktie," so why not oblige?

Next, I made a lighthouse (reminded me of a wood one he made for the lake), bat (huge Twins fan), antique wood plane (his hobby was antique tools), and a house (he owned a home-building business) and I intend to add the names of his kids and grandkids... probably fabric marker mostly and a little quilting.

Here's my fabric poker...  It was from a kids' scraping art kit.  I stole it!  HA HA!

Here they are waiting for stitching... and one with the quilting done

Last, I'm making quilts to give to a NICU Unit.  I'll look up the blogger I'm planning to send them to later... but I was hoarding enough cozy flannel to make three to fit the beds...  So far, I cut them, sewed around the edge, turned them, and ironed them.  They need a personal touch before they go anywhere... that's the next job...

Happy Holiday Crafting!!!