Bundle Up Boy Tour

I have been keeping a secret.

A BIG secret.

I'm on the Bundle Up Boys blog tour for 

Pattern Revolution!

I was so excited when I got that Email that my coworkers thought that I had won the lottery or something ((the sewing lottery of course ha!)) I was that excited. I saw some snippets of what the bundle was going to be all about this time around on the Pattern Revolution Facebook page and knew that I was going to buy WHATEVER the bundle could offer me. Anyone who sews for boys can tell you it can be so hard to sew for boys sometimes when the patterns all seam basically the same. I know that Pattern Revolution has some awesome designers and whatever they could come up with for this bundle would be new, fabulous, awesome and cool.

For the tour we got to pick which patterns we wanted to sew! It was a tough decision but I knew that I was on a time crunch because of a planned vacation to the beach the weekend following the notification. That wasn't going to stop me;l I had to say YES!!!! I looked at the patterns that they were offering (and they are ALL cool) and figured out how much time I had to spare and what could be sewn up in my time frame. I opted to go for the Fishsticks Honor Roll Henley and EYYM's Zander hoodie.


I picked to sew up the awesome Honor Roll Raglan Henley by Fishsticks Designs first. I love this pattern, you can do color blocking, mixing patterns, use 3 different fabrics on the front if you wanted. It is a great way to use up that small square of that favorite knit for the front bottom of the henley. This pattern also includes a short sleeve as well!


I made this top for my Nephew who is 5 and I sewed up a size 6 in the long sleeved version. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get pictures of him in his new henley but luckily for me my 5 year old nephew and 4 year old son wear the exact same size!





For this top I used some woodland animal knit fabric from JoAnn's I had left over from last year. I hear that they have this knit back in though for this fall. It is paired with some blue knit that I got at a second hand sale for the Salvation Army. I got quite a few yards of it for just a couple of dollars!

The tip that Fishsticks gives about starch spraying your knits before sewing will seriously change your life. Why have I never done this before???






My little man is also wearing the Nowhere man pants that I blogged about here.


























For my next pattern I decided to do the EYYM (Everything Your Mama Made) Zander Hoodie and Vest.

I love, love, love this pattern and so does my son. He has worn it half a dozen times already and always gets compliments on it!  The lovely Kymy came up with a pattern that is a modern take on the classic zip hoodie featuring asymmetrical zipper and front pockets. It is fully lined pattern which will keep my little guy snug as a bug. I am already planning on a second Zander but with long sleeves; on the hunt now for some thrifted sweatshirt fleece like Olga from olga-kidapproved used! You MUST see her version, so cute!!

For my Zander vest I opted to use a fleece from JoAnns (of course) and another Salvation Army knit fabric find. I cut the pattern out all kinds of crazy to put the pattern of the fleece on the same angle as the zipper but I figured with the fleece, being off grain would not make much difference.

Kymy has also thoughtfully included detailed instructions to her pattern that shows up close how to stitch the lining/shell/band. If you have never stitched a fully lined jacket you just need to follow the instructions/images. Just know that it might look crazy in the middle but it WILL WORK! AND it will be amazeballs.







I sincerely hope that you will check out everyone else's amazing work. Some fantastic sewist's got in on this tour and put out some great pieces that I know you will fall in love with!

 20th Boy, Oh Boy, Sew Like My Mom, Sew a Straight Line

21st Made By Sara, Friends Stitched Together, Max California

22nd Just Joshin, Kid Approved, Gracious Threads

23rd Mimi's Mom, Feather's Flights, Once Upon a Sewing Machine

24th Handmade Boy, Made By Momma, Bee Quilted Beauties

25th Handcrafted By Red, The Crazy Tailor, Kelly Hogaboom

26th Mae&K, Get Your Crap Together, Lady and the Gents

27th Paisley Roots, The Berry Bunch, Knot Sew Normal, 

 BabyFish Designs, Rebekah Sews, Lady and the Gents

28th Swoodson Says, Petit a Petit, Kelly Hogaboom

29th Beaza & Llama, Shaffer Sisters, Fabulous Home Sewn

If you would like to buy these great patterns from the Pattern Revolution Bundle Up or check out the  other patterns ((which I am SO buying)) go to the Pattern Revolution Bundle Up sale site.

Nowhere Man Pant Pattern Review

Let me just start out saying how FABULOUS this pattern is.



It's fabulous.



It is a straight forward classic pant pattern that sews up in a jif. Cute pockets and the tab detail at the waistband I think it is just adorable!








Pattern Description: 
The Pants have a relaxed fit, two front pockets and two back pockets and optional button tab belt loops. They feature a flat front and elastic fit back to easily customize the fit for your little guy. The pattern also includes the option for adding a 5th pocket, faux fly or back yoke option, for lots of customization. 
(taken straight from Shwin Designs pattern description)


Pattern Sizing:
12m-10 years


Were the instructions easy to follow?
Very easy. There was nothing that was tricky I thought. I think anyone could tackle this pant pattern. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like that it gives you the instructions for a faux fly option but you don't have to use it, I opted to leave his flat front.

Fabric Used:
Dove Grey 21 wale corduroy. Isn't there just something about sewing corduroy that screams "Back-To-School" and Fall?

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I did not alter these at all, usually I add length for my tall boy but on these I just single folded the hem and it was perfect. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I actually already did sew these again. I made my nephew and son the exact same pair at the same time. It is great when the kids fit in the same size so I can just whiz through two 
pairs at once!
I think that if I sewed them again I would add a little length to the elastic back. Even though my boy is skinny but I feel like it was too snug/bunchy on him. 

If you think you need this pattern in your life you can buy them HERE at Shwin Designs.

**Let the record show; this was not a sponsored post**
HAHA

I purchased the pattern on my own and actually had meant to sew them the season before last? of Kids Clothes Week, see my blogpost here. Funny thing, now that I look at my plans, I still need to make the kid some pj pants too!!

Mulberry Tunic

So I bought a few pieces of the Wanderlust patterns from Willow & Co. Patterns.

My first pattern that I made up was the 

Mulberry Tunic

I loved the look of it :

 Many options (long/short sleeve, hood, inseam pockets or not, easy to color-block)

Not constrictive to wear-perfect for those hot summer days!

Big size range-from 18 mo- 12 years!

Anyhow here is my version

I decided to color/print block it. 

H picked out the comic book print at JoAnn's and I knew just what to make with it!

Also used Kona for the solid.

 (I don't remember the exact name for the yellow sorry!)

This pattern does come with a piece to put on a pocket on the left chest. 

I left it off so that it wouldn't obstruct the comic book print.

Just look at those inseam pockets!

Her instructions for this are perfect and easy to follow!

(he **might** be fishing for the skittles I put in his pocket...)

I love the little tab and green buttons.

Betcha didn't even notice all the green buttons on the front are DIFFERENT. 

Ha-Made ya look! 

I did not have enough of any one button so I just picked 5 that were the same size.

I think he's up to something with this look...

I (or course) bought a couple of other patterns from the Wanderlust line 

and will be making those up in the future so keep an eye out!

Finally!

So I finally got the new camera a B-E-A-utiful Cannon Rebel T3.

I only read o--about 1/2 the Cannon for dummies book

 (and twice I fell asleep reading it) 

before starting to snap some pictures.

Here is the first pictures of something that I did for the KCW.

I did a Kitchy Coo Reversible Zippy Hoodie.

A shot of the back. This is a weird knit fabric that I got on Etsy.

 It felt nothing like I thought it would be when I 

ordered it but it works well here. 

( I purposely had the hood alternate stripes HaHa) 

I just love this picture of him!

Here is a shot of the reverse. This is a readily available purple knit from JoAnn's. As I've said before purple is this little man's favorite color!

One garment done...now I just have to get the others photographed!

If we're lucky it might just be before the next KCW starts!!

And So It Begins...KCW!!

No time to talk.

 

Hello.



 

 

Good bye.

 

I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!

It is time to start manic sewing. I've got some patterns/fabric cut and ready to go.
Still have a few patterns that are traced but fabric not cut.

It think it is fun to really challenge myself and see how much I can get done.
Unfortunately, the weather here stinks and photo's will be a problem.
I refuse to let me child stand outside without a coat on just for a few good pictures. He gets sick enough on his own without my help.
We may have to venture out to the library for some pictures!


Also don't forget to enter the 100th post giveaway
HERE



Washing, Ironing and Pattern Tracing

So I'm still in full Kids Clothes Week prep work stages

I prefer to spend that hour (or more) a day ACTUALLY sewing.

 

 

 

 

 

So I got washed like 20 yard of fabric and got it all ironed.

 

((Blech! Who else hates ironing as much as I do??))

 

Then I got all my patterns traced off the paper hard copies and put them with the fabrics.
 

  

Which looks a little like this laid out all across the china cabinet:

 

 

 

 

 

Obviously some things are coming in multiples.

The Lazy Days pajamas are going to be 4 sets,

2 of the Nowhere man pants

and 2 skinny jeans.

The rest are just one of each.

I now just have to cut out the individual pattern pieces.
If I get everything prepped I should be able to get a lot of actual sewing done that week.

A reminder to anyone doing the KCW-
Don't forget your notions!
If you prep early you know in advance if you need more elastic, buttons or snaps
 and can have those supplies on hand.

Wouldn't want that precious hour being wasted by a trip to the store.

 

 

 

 



Post Christmas Mayhem and Preparing for KCW!

So in the end of the Christmas craziness I made 9...no 10 pairs of the hanging dishtowels I posted about in the last post for a lot of different people. They were a great easy gift that I think was very useful for the recipients.







We took the little man to the Trolley Museum for a trolley ride with Santa.

 

Safe to say he loved it. They had a large train table and a large lego town display. He had cookies and hot chocolate after seeing Santa.

The trolley itself was just amazing, all restored and had wicker/woven seats and polished brass and wood everywhere. Very cool.

How about the guy in the last picture photo-bombing??

 

 

Now who is getting ready for KCW (KidsClothesWeek) at the end of the month?

I know I'll never get everything done I hope (wishes and dreams, amiright?) but I have high hopes.

Im getting ready now by prewashing all my fabrics. I'm pretty sure my serger was smoking by the end of serging over 20 yards of fabric. I need to get that thing actually serviced I think. I've never done it before so I don't even know where to take it!

 

I've picked out I think 6-7 patterns too. I know on my list is the recess raglan, another pair of skinny jeans, hipster Henley, nowhere man pants, multiple lazy day pajamas sets, the reversible zippy hoodie pattern and maybe if I get to it some more flannel pajama pants for my little mans Cabbage Patch doll. I made my own pattern for those and with scraps from his lazy days they are pretty

easy to whip up. What is on your list? What are you planning on doing? 

KCW Days 4-7

Sewing for an hour a day really is not TOO much of a stretch. As long as you don't mind letting the laundry and dishes pile up. Not to mention the threads and scraps on the floor and everywhere else, including the shower?

 

The hard part is trying to blog about it at the same time! So I'm just going to share everything that I got done in the second half of the week in one post.

 

 

Project #4

 

 

Sleepy time robe

From Melly Sews (Free pattern by the way!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marvel character flannel from JoAnn's. It has Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Wolverine.

 

 Yummy donuts:)

 

Project #5

 

Sleeping Bag

Pattern from Crazy Little Projects (Free Tutorial)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both the inner and outer fabrics are also JoAnn's. I was lucky enough to find two coordinating fabrics in the red tag section when they were an additional 50% off! This pattern takes 3 yards of each fabric plus batting.

 



 

 

 

 

Project # 6

 

Fox Mask

Also a free printable pattern from IlliStyle.com

 

 

 

 

I'm sure your all familiar with the "What Did The Fox Say" video by now:

 



 

 

 

Well he is obsessed with it and I knew I had to hunt down a mask template for him!

 

 

 



Project # 7

 

Well he is modeling this with his fox mask but it is a basic vest made with faux fur.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I made the vest using the same sleepy time robe pattern sans sleeves and removing some of the length. The vest is actually part of his Halloween costume; he is going to be a viking with a great horned helmet.

 

 

 

 

Kids Clothes Week Day #3

Another day down!

 



 

For today is the infamous purple pants. I knew that I wanted to make the

Skinny Jeans by Peek-a-boo pattern shop so I went over to the JoAnn's and went to the denim aisle.

I asked the little guy what denim he wanted and he said "Purple!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know I should not be surprised, it is his favorite color after all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

--AND-- He can totally rock it!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Kids Clothes Week Day#2

Day #2

 

For today I decided to work on the Greenpoint Cardigan by Hey June.

 

Another fabulous pattern that I got from the SewFab pattern bundle that I almost did not buy. I literally waited until the last morning...at 5:30am. I'm so glad I did though because 3 of the things I'm making this week for sure came from the bundle.

 

Anyhow here it is!

 

 



Kids Clothes Week Day#1

So we meet again...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day #1

First up is my version of the Bimaa sweater by LouBee Clothing

 

I'm sure you have seen it all over the blog-o-sphere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my version I have added a short sleeve and alternated the green and grey striped fabrics on the hood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I did a bad-ace job on the stripe matching on the inside of the sleeve but the front of the hood where you can actually SEE it I did a umm 

... less than stellar job. Hahaa

 

 

 

This is a great pattern and easy to put together.

I would highly recommend it although this is probably the only version I would sew for my boy.

 

 

 

 The cowl version is totally rockin' and I need to find a girl to sew it for! 

 

 

 

 

Kids Clothes Week Fall 2013

It's that time of year again...

 

and this time I'm better prepared and

 **hopefully**

I'm being more realistic than the last go-round.

 

Last time I had high hopes and thought I could get ALOT more done than was actually possible working my day job and being a mom AND getting a lot of sewing in as well.

 

This time I have hopes of making just 4 things; and I've already prewashed my fabrics and I've already measured the monster and traced my patterns onto exam table paper (like at the Dr's office).

 

My plans are to make the:

 Greenpoint Cardigan by Hey June

Bimaa hoodie by LouBee clothing

Sleepy Robe by Melly Sews

Skinny Jeans by Peek-a-Boo Pattern shop

 

Can ya guess I totally caved and bought the SewFab pattern bundle??

Also FYI- the Melly Sews Sleepy robe is a free download!



The Dinosaur Vest

 When your little man asks you to make something specific...

you do it. 

 (He probably won't be asking me forever)

 



Pattern Description: Children's and Boys' shirt, vest and pants. Shirt has long sleeves, side vents and patch pocket; vest has front zipper closure, patch pockets; pants have elastic waist casing, side seam pockets, cargo pockets and optional elastic at ankle.

Pattern Sizing:Children's sizes XS (3-4) S (5-6) and Boys M (7-8) L (10-12) XL (14-16)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?It looks exactly like the pattern envelope with the exception of my zipper.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Incredibly so.


What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
This pattern was very fast to start to finish which I liked. There really was nothing that I disliked.


Fabric Used:I used some remnant bin fleece from Joann's. The little man picked it out and asked me to make him something with it. I was happy to oblige of course. The little man is very opinionated and even picked out his zipper.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I omitted the front facing and did an exposed zipper.


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?This is so very easy to sew and was very fast. It just takes an afternoon even with the little ones buggin' ya every thirty seconds. I already have plans for a sweatshirt one. 


The little guy loves it! As soon as he put it on he picked up his arms and said 

"RRAWRR"

Simplicity 1923 Review

Pattern Description: This is a toddler's shirt with a stand collar, button front, and cuffed sleeves with a button tab. As well as a 3 button vest

Pattern Sizing:
Size 1/2, 1, 2, 3, 4

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes. It was fabulous:)

Were the instructions easy to follow?
 Very. The only hesitation was on the step where you sew up the sides of the vest and lining together.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I loved the the cuffed sleeve and collar with the vest. It is dressy casual. I did not like the finishing on the sleeve though; if you unroll it there is not a actual cuff there. Just a regular hem.

Fabric Used:
 Cotton on vest (inside and out, I made it reversible) as well as a thrifted heavy weight cotton IKEA sheet for the white shirt.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Adjusted the pattern slightly to for the collar. I thought it was a little too large and stood up to high so I trimmed it down some.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes I would if the occasion arose. My little man is wearing a 4 now so probably not for him but he has a cousin who is just a couple months old right now and could wear in the future.

I made this outfit for my little man to wear to my brother's wedding last month. It is a casual outdoor wedding and this was perfect for the weather and feel of the wedding.

Here are some shots of my little guy wearing it-