Dress B.

Sigh, still way behind on blogging, worried  I may forget my sizing and notes, but family time comes first.  So, rather than go back and figure out what needs to be journaled, I will start with my most recent make, only a few days old and a few quick snaps yesterday. 

Every year we do family pictures with Ben's family (Sam wore this, this for Iz, and an unblogged hopscotch dress for George), but my family hasn't had them since I was in middle school.  But, we were all together for Christmas so we decided it was finally time.  Because of work schedules we had to take them in the morning and work to find a shady spot, and it turned reaaally cold this week all of  a sudden.  So the kids *looked* cold, hands in pockets and tense poses, but it will do for now.

My mom wanted navy blue and maroon, turns out we didn't have any maroon in our closets, so Georgie got a new dress.

I used Happy Homemade Sew Chic Kids, pattern b: dress with square neckline size 2.  I recently picked the book up, I couldn't pass it up as at the time I was able to get it for under $10.

I was still a little intimidated, even though it is the English version.

I did manage to figure it out, though, a little bit from the diagram and a bit from common sense and what I knew from other similar patterns.  It is her new 'most favorite' dress and I can see these being a nice staple in the summer.  She has actually worn it this way, with no cardi needed during the day, aside from that cold snap.  It's a crazy winter!

The one that fulfilled a promise.

I cut out the front and back of this tunic earlier in the month and meant to find a tutorial to help me figure out how to cut the sleeves so the pattern matched the body, so I set it aside.  Being I measured Abby and cut it in front of her, she knew I was making it.  She kept asking, and asking and asking when I would be finished with it, I kept putting her off.  Last Saturday (or maybe it was the Saturday before that?! I can't remember) we were trying to get her to practice her bike with gears.  She, for some unknown reason, is terrified of it.  I told her 'ride the bike, I'll finish the tunic'.  Well, that didn't happen, she rode but I didn't finish.  Last night we were talking and she said 'you never keep your promises to me!' and brought up the tunic.  Stabbed the knife right in.  Maybe I shouldn't have because she was being a bit of a brat, but I stayed up late and finished this up so she would have it for school the next morning.  

And she is very happy this morning, she even painted her nails and changed her earrings to match.

I used the Oliver + S School Bus Tee size 12, even though she measured in to the 10, I wanted it a little looser fitting as she is all about the comfort.  I lengthened the sleeves, but apparently not enough.  My kids must have really super long arms because I had the same problem with Jack's.

I would have made it a dress, but she isn't in to dresses at the moment, so I lengthened and turned it a-line the legit way with Liesl's tutorial.

I cut front and back each in a single layer to make positive everything would line up, but I didn't ever even look for the tutorial for the sleeves, so I just winged it.  It doesn't look horrible, but I do love seeing other's nail it.  Someday I will figure it out. 

  

She requested this pose, on this rock.

I really should have finished it earlier in the month so she could get more wear out of it, but it will work for January too, right?  Right?... That's what I told her, anyway.

A little sewing.

Oh, these two just crack me up.

I have been working on a few items for a friend and they have just been dying over the "Chwismas reindeews!".  Today when I hung the dresses (more on them in a minute) to snap a few shots of they just lost it when I said for the millionth time that the dresses weren't for them.  Since I managed to overestimate the amount of fabric I needed I ended up with enough to make them each a skirt.  While George wasn't thrilled it wasn't a dress, she loves her new skirt, and I love that these only took an hour.  Score.

I wanted to do an accent color on the skirts, but I wanted to have them ready for a Christmas party tonight which meant having them match any random shirts that happened to be clean.  Elizabeth is making a fashion faux pas, or is she?  I have started seeing brown and black paired together lately.  But, she refuses to wear any other pair of shoes lately, so that's what she gets.

It was pretty cloudy today, so the colors are a little off, but the reds are a pretty 'true' primary red, not too dark or bright and they actually do match perfectly to each other.

I used the Oliver + S School Bus Tee as a base and added the neck ruffle and skirt based of a picture my friend picked out.  These are size 5 and 18 month.

She also wanted a baby gift based on a picture she found.  I used the Lullaby line bodysuit from Peekaboo patterns and the baby go-to leggings, both 3 month.  I was (am) a little worried about the trim because there is absolutely no stretch so I made the head opening slightly bigger.

If those dresses and skirts didn't put you in the Christmas mood, I bet my utterly adorable baby will, ha!  Time for a million (or so it seems) Christmas parties!

Fall baby.

I have been sewing quite a bit, but not blogging.  Do you ever get that way?  I have always maintained I blog as my journal, to remember what I changed or kept or what I thought of the pattern, the sweet comments from people are just a bonus.  I am getting behind on my journal, but sometimes cute little kids get in the way of what I want to do, ha!  

So, first up of things sewn but not blogged, an outfit for our family pictures for Sam.  

I used the Charlie Sweatshirt, a free six month sized pattern.  I hemmed and hawed and struggled with what I wanted to make for him, nothing seemed quite right.  I saw this pattern two days before I needed it and printed it immediately.  The fit was spot on, I was thrilled.

Knowing I was going to pair the shirt with his orange jeans I topstitched the elbow pads (what's the technical word?) with the same orange thread I used for the pants.

This knit was awful, when I ironed it it stuck to my machine! What?! I've never had that happen.

The pants are the Small Fry Skinny Jeans size 6 months, but modified a bit.  I made them once before for Sam and absolutely loved them.  So much so, that I cut out a stack of them and have been slowly working on them.  I could never be a sweatshop worker.  I finished up all but Abby's, so at least I am close.  Jack's don't fit at all, sadly, even though he measures in to the size smaller than what I made.  Anyway, so I decided to skip the flat felled seams on the inside of the leg and took a smaller seam allowance on the sides and when sewing the back legs together to give him a little more room since my kids are apparently giants and not really made for skinny jeans.

I chose the half fly with topstitching.  I skipped the belt loops, but kept all the fun stuff like the coin pocket and lots of topstitching.

I even topstitched the back pockets, even though they totally blend in.  I couldn't help myself... I am only a little crazy, most days.

I super duper love the pants pattern and highly recommend it.  I need to sew the button hole on for the twins pants and finish up Abby's, they are all getting antsy for them!  That's what I get for showing them what's in the pipe line;)

P.S. his shoes are the moccs I made for him here.

A pair of Carousel Dresses.

Have y'all seen the new Oliver and S fall patterns?  I was sort of on the fence about them, I mean I knew I would buy them eventually, but then I saw this dress and was completely sold, and had to rip it off compliment it.  

This is the Carousel Dress, I measured the girls and they both fit in to the size 3T in chest and length, I normally have to lengthen for them.

I had planned to use Elizabeth's for family pictures later this month, but it kind of doesn't photograph very well.  I likely will still use it because I am sort of pressed for time.

I really enjoyed this dress, it was quite quick and a very easy sew.  I thought the pockets were really neat, they are slightly bigger than the side panels so that the stand out a bit.

Not that you can really tell, but I cut the pockets on the bias to give it a little interest and break up the stripes a bit.

Then there is Ms. George, she absolutely loves purple.  I saw this pin and loved it, but still wanted to keep the pockets as they are both obsessed with pockets lately.  I am a little worried it is a little too loud, or too many colors, but she just loves this dress so much and kept asking when I would be done.

I call that a pretty satisfying sew, when they are antsy for you to finish then you know they like it.

I really love how the back is with the sleeve bands and hem, that would even be a fun color block idea, front, pockets, sleeves, neckband one color then sleeve bands and hem another.

All in all, I really liked this pattern.  My only struggle was with the back facing, it is rounded and I couldn't get it to iron evenly to topstitch, luckily it is on the inside so I am the only one who knows (well, and now all of you).

Trousers for the little man.

Little man is in desperate need of some pants, especially something church appropriate.   When he was littler we took him in just a onesie or a romper, but now that he is a little bigger and it is getting colder I figured it was as good a time as any to make him a proper pair. 

Ah, aren't they (and he) just so cute?   This is the Oliver and S Art Museum Trousers size 6 month.  They fit well around him but are pretty long, like roll up 3 times long.  I am considering shortening them just a bit because I wonder if he will size out in width before length, but I will probably be lazy and just roll them lots, haha.  

He is also wearing his almost outgrown modified Layette top.

I had made the pattern once before and struggled with the welt pockets, I was determined to do them right this go 'round, I think the first time it was a combination of me being in a hurry, past midnight and a too heavyish material.

I also decided to bind the waistband lining this time, I love the look, but am cringing at my crooked tag, oops!  I didn't notice until there was lots of unpicking if I decided to fix it so I left it.  Also, I did one of the pockets wrong on the inside.  Meh, it looks great on the outside.

I also did the  belt loops this time.  Kid's never gonna wear a belt (or use pockets) but it completes the look.

Gah, baby toes get me every time.

Seriously, I felt like a rockstar this time when I completed the pockets.  Liesl's instructions are just amazeballs, you should get the pattern just for them.

The fabric is awesome too.  It's Robert Kaufman Chambray Union in Indigo Herringbone, it's buttery soft but still feels like it will hold up for pants, well at least for Sam, not sure about for Jack.   Though, he does want a pair of them now too, he has worn the first pair at least twice a week (more if they're clean).  Sadly they got a hole in the knee, it's small enough that he still wears them, but it's getting bigger.  But I am not too sad, 9 month of wear at two to three times a week isn't too bad at all!

I am debating on an Art Museum Vest too, but do I do the same material?  If not, then what?  I am so not fashion smart.  

Book inspired.

This season's Kid's Clothes Week theme was Storybook, I hadn't planned to sew anything based on the theme, but then Ben put a riddle on the fridge for Abby and I to try and solve.  Hate to say it, but I had no idea, ha!  But when he told us what it was he also mentioned I should put it on a shirt, so I did!

I used the Oliver + S School bus tee, a straight size 6.  He was at school so I couldn't measure the length of the longs sleeves, though I don't think I would have because his height was on the low end of the chart for a 6, but apparently he must have really long arms.  The sleeves ended up about 3 inches too short, so I showed him how to push them up to make it look like it was maybe meant to be that way.

He is wearing his Art Museum Trousers from February.  These are probably his most worn pair of pants- ever.  They are still just long enough, but he was playing with a friend the other day and got a small hole in them under the knee, in a spot that can't be fixed.  But, being he has had a solid 9 months of wear from them I can't really complain, I only wish I could remember where I bought the fabric to get some more because it is oh so soft and has held up really well.

So, have you figured out the riddle?  One fifth, two fifth, red fifth blue fifth.  Jack was pretty excited to see it when he got home today, he wanted to read the book but we have managed to misplace it (not a big surprise),  Abby was pretty jealous.

The Frozen crew.

The twinsies decided really early on they just *had* to be Elsa + Anna for Halloween, like I am sure many, many other girls will also be.  They couldn't be talked out of it and insisted Jack be Olaf, well, Jack wasn't interested so Sam stepped up and took one for the team.  

Since I didn't want to be like every other under 10yo girl, I decided to do more of an 'inspired by' set of costumes. 

He looks thrilled, right? HA! He really doesn't mind the costume, he just didn't like them holding him.

I used the free tutorial/pattern for Olaf found on the Peek-a-boo pattern blog, it was super easy to follow.

I bought a hat and hand sewed the face on.  The eyes are felt, the nose is fleece and the hair is pipe cleaners.

Under his costume is his football onesie.  It's looking like it will be a warm one, but if it gets too cold I have a pair of pants to add.

Next, my little Anna.  How lucky am I that they each picked one and didn't fight over Elsa.

True story, I have never seen Frozen.  I had to google the characters, ha!  The kids watch it at their grandparent's house, but I am thinking we might need to get it for Christmas.

The dress was inspired by this one in the O+S flickr group.

The dress is the Oliver + S Fairy Tale Dress, size 4 minus the darts.  The sleeves are from the Library Dress, the skirt was lengthened with added width and the front was painted on.

For the cape I used the School Bus Tee as a base.

She loves it soooo much.  It was a little tricky because she didn't want to stand still once she realized it had a great twirl factor.

I tried a new brand of paint this time and am really hoping it holds up, I can see this one getting a lot of wear, they wore them for most of the afternoon though I made them take the dresses off to eat.  We have 4 Halloween parties starting Friday, hopefully nothing too bad happens to them before Halloween!

On to Elsa, though if you only say 'Elsa' to George she corrects you and says she's 'Elsa the snow queen'.

I was inspired by this one in the flickr group.

I used the Oliver + S Hide + Seek dress, size 3 with length.

The cape is just a 1 yard piece of fabric sewn to a ribbon, heat sealed on the bottom with selvages left on to not need to seal them.

There is currently glitter all.over.my.house.

I did french seams throughout, though this fabric was a beast to press.  No matter the heat setting I couldn't get it to hold, not the best choice for french seams.

She is very happy with it and declared 'My dreams came true when you made me my Elsa the snow queen dress!'.  That makes it all worth it, right?

They spent the afternoon playing out scenes and singing all the songs, each only singing their characters lines, of course.

Happy Halloween!

Are you ready for some football?

We are! 

I have been meaning to make this for Sam for a few months now (oops!), and finally had the excuse to bump it to the top as it will be used under Sam's Halloween costume.  I am knee deep in Halloween this week, but there is an end in sight. We have an annual Halloween party this Friday, since I could see I wasn't going to make it in time I bought Jack's costume, much to his dismay.  He really wanted me to make it, but once he tried the RTW one on he was happy.

So, the onesie.  The pattern is the Peek-a-boo pattern Lullaby Line bodysuit with a bit of fleece applique.  I super over bought for his costume, so I used the fleece instead of a white knit, we'll see how it washes up.  I went based off his weight, which put him in the 9 month.  I thought that seemed really big being he is only just wearing 6 month RTW, but this fits pretty well which makes me wonder if it runs small.

I used some girlcharlee knit, I have had better luck with their solid knits than the printed, a lot of the prints seem to fade fast.  I still need to make him a pair of brown pants but my serger decided to act up and come unthreaded and no matter how hard I try or how many different ways I do it I can't seem to make it work.  I can rethread it, but once I try to sew it all goes down the crapper.  Sigh.

Next, I need to finish up the sleeve for Elizabeth's costume and make the cape, then I can finally clean my house, ha!

Procrastinating.

Do you ever avoid sewing things you "have" to sew?  I do, all.the.time.  It is a really bad habit.  I should be finishing this stack of skinny jeans or Halloween costumes but instead I made an outfit for Sam, that he doesn't even really fit in yet (both items are 6m).  Once I get an idea in my head I will obsess over it until I do it (unless I have to do it^^).  

I see all over pinterest little boys in leggings, and I wanted to see how I felt about them on Sam so I made a pair of O+S Playtime leggings.  I decided to do a fabric that wasn't decidedly boy, so that if I hated the look I could pass them on to a little girl.  I don't *hate* them, but I am still undecided.  Let me back up, though, this all started when I wanted to figure out how to alter the Lil' Papoose Moccasins to look more like the super out of my budget moccasins that are popular now.  So I picked up some pleather to try out before I invest in some legit leather and played around until I got it, then I made a pair for my nephew too, who unlike Sam, actually wears shoes.  And if I went that far, why not make a shirt too?  I used the School bus Tee for that.

I never thought I would be one to make shoes, but I can see these becoming a new addiction, and a new go-to baby gift.  I made one 0-3 size first and it was a little tight, as was sort of expected being he is 3 months now and has fabulously chubby everything.  So then I made the 3-6 and there is plenty of room.  I know making shoes for someone who doesn't come close to needing them is a little ridiculous, but what is life without a little whimsy?

I made the leggings in a 12m width around the legs, but 6m in the waist thinking it would be a little looser, but again- super chubby everything.  They are growing on me.

The shirt doesn't fit yet, but I figured it probably wouldn't.  I need to stop my brain from wanting to make 2 or 3 more right this minute.  But this little grumpy guy is helping me stay away from the machine too much.  He goes through spurts, a few days he will be so happy and can be left in the swing or on a blanket and other days he needs to be constantly held.  Sigh, guess I should finish my "have to" pile the next time he has a good day.

Itty bitty Sketchbook set.

I had a baby shower to attend this weekend, so a tiny outfit was begging to be sewn.  Don't mention that I knew about this shower for close to a month and was literally finishing up 30 minutes before it started, that's just how I  roll.  

I don't know her very well, but her mother was Ben's aunt for a little while and her brother is Ben's best friend, so I for sure wanted to make her something.  But without knowing her style it was kind of hard to choose, in the end I went with a classic little boy look and something I would dress my boys in.  In fact, I almost wanted to keep it for Sam, ha! 

I made the Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt + Shorts in a gray bottom weight (denim, I think...) and a plaid seersucker-ish material.  I pretty much ironed the crap out of the shirt so it lost it's seersucker look and I didn't have time to throw it in the wash like I normally would before giving it away (I usually like to wash baby items in dreft so they are ready to wear), but I thought the material would work well since it didn't necessarily need to be ironed, most new moms probably don't want a gift that needs to be ironed, right?

I love the fun and subtle details in boys clothing.   I cut the placket and pocket on the bias, added a bit of bias tape to the pocket and snaps- because snaps on baby clothing are the bomb diggity.  So much easier than buttons when they want to be wiggly.

I loved making this shirt.  The yoke construction at first left me scratching my head, but once I figured it out I felt like a rock star! I can't wait to make this one again.

Ugh, my iron job sucked and I was trying to sneak a few pics in as quickly as possible.

I tried out my piping foot that I have had for forever, I probably shouldn't have used it on a gift for my first go.  The right side is a little too narrow.

I didn't have a matching gray thread, just lighter or darker, so we are going to pretend it was a design feature rather than my procrastination and laziness that led to this look.  I used my stretch stitch to get a more defined look since I hate topstitching thread but love the look.

Hopefully she liked it!  I had to leave before the gift opening as Sam was fussy.  And now I can't wait for Sam to fit the 6 month range!!  

A Washi.

I knocked out two more projects for Selfish Sewing Week, though technically one was finished up today, so after the "official" week, but I still gonna count it because I am a rebel.  And it kind of wasn't totally my fault.  You see, I broke my no night sewing rule Friday night because I had made a Washi muslin earlier in the day and was dying to cut in to my good fabric.  My machine started acting up and making a weird noise but I soldiered on anyways, well... That was a bad idea.  My machine totally jammed and Ben actually had to break the needle to get my dress out of the machine. So Saturday morning my machine went to the man with the magic fixing skills. 

My sewing closet was a sad, sorry sight so I ripped it apart to clean it as Ben took my machine to town.  The guy was super awesome and got it fixed within a few hours (how's that for service?!).  I couldn't sew, though, because between Sam and putting my closet back together there just wasn't any time.  So, today I finished. 

I have had this pattern for forever, as soon as it was released in paper form I bought it up, and it sat and sat.  Now that the baby is no longer in my belly I figured it was time to try it out, so I grabbed up some random fabric in my stash and researched.  I noticed a lot of gals with, ahem, bigger chests found they needed to lower the bodice.  I first made the bodice without lowering, but adding a FBA, and it was too high, so this was my second attempt.  For reference, I added 1 1/2".  I like the fit, but I am not sure I would wear this print as it isn't really my style, but it is a nearly finished shirt- maybe I should just finish and try it out!  

So here is my "real" one.  Side note, have y'all ever felt the Art Gallery prints?  They are amazeballs!  Seriously, such a great feel and a great drape for a quilting cotton.  The lady at my local shop said they are a Pima cotton and 600 thread count.  I used one of their prints for Iz's Library Dress and just loved it, so I knew it would work well for this top.

I added 2" to the length, though I forgot to add it to my front pattern piece when I traced it so I forgot to add it on this one, hence the band at the bottom of the top going side to side instead of up and down.  I think I want to add a bit more length next time to be able to wear it with leggings.

I did a FBA using the method in the Weekend Getaway since it worked so well and was so easy when I made it last.  I can not for the life of me get the darts to not point, it is really driving me crazy. I also had that problem on the muslin.

I felt like a rockstar when I steamed the shirring lines and they shrunk right up, definitely worth the half hour it took to figure out the setting for my machine.  

   

 I used the Tova sleeves as I have seen others do.   They barely needed to be eased in, but when I used a 1/2" SA I found that it restricted my movement too much and made the top pretty much unwearable.  I unpicked (including the serged seams, that was a beast) and used 1/4" instead.  It is still a little tight, but not unwearable.

I think I need me a good kid sewing fix, they are so much easier, ha!  No muslins (for the most part) and no weird body issues that need to be taken in to account.  Plus I have a few baby gifts to make, one for a shower this weekend and one for a birth I missed making for due to Sam being itty bitty and no sewing time.  But, I have caught the bug and will start adding myself to the rotation.