Lots of basics.

Still playing lots of catch up here, I need to or else I wont remember the details as I have been slacking with adding size tags- oops!  

I have been really (surprisingly) enjoying making my kids basics.  The Oliver + S School bus tee has been getting so much use lately.

One of Ben's friends posted on facebook about going with his wife to a Taylor Swift concert, but don't worry, he wasn't loosing his indie cred.  He put this on a shirt and posted it.  I loved the graphic, and he was kind enough to share his source.  So I used some transfer paper and Abby picked the color she wanted.  This is one happy chickie, this shirt gets so much wear.  She was excited that it also struck up a conversation between her teacher and student teacher, apparently they both approved.

She measures in to a 10 in this pattern, but I have been making her 12 (as this one is), longer wear isn't a bad thing.

Sammy is wearing an 18 month here, also with his 12 month Lullaby pants from last year, and they are still big enough he will get quite a bit more wear from them.

I had a vision in my head of an outfit for Jack.  Since it was a new to me pattern, I decided to work out the kinks in a smaller size, luckily.  This is the Peekaboo pattern Great Outdoors Vest.  Sigh, it needs work.  The pattern didn't even line up at the front and back bottom, and the instructions aren't great.  Luckily I didn't want a zipper because I would have pulled all my hair out.  The batting I chose was too thick.  It only addresses choosing batting by saying the thicker, the puffier.  Which is true, but it didn't even cross my mind at how hard it would be to feed through my machine, even with a walking foot.  The pockets don't have a placement mark, just general directions of approximately where to place them.

Glad I didn't make my real one the first go.  On the bright side, my new machine takes topstitching thread like a boss.  Here I come Field Trip Cargos!

So for the second one.  This is the fabric I want to make Jack one in, I am going to break my no matching self-imposed rule.

These vests are both a 2t as per what Sam's chest measured.  I evened out the pattern pieces and instead of folding the arm holes under and sewing together like the first one, I used bias tape turned to the inside to finish.  Much better.

I made this one after seeing the post for the monochrome project.  I had this planned already, it just bumped it up my list.  Happily, these are another pair of Lullaby Layette pants from last year.

Another size 18 month with slightly lengthened sleeves, and if you're interested in the faux sleeve look, I did a tutorial for them.

This is a size 7 with 8 length, and quite a bit of length added to the sleeves.  I guess my kids have super long arms?

It is made from the very last bit of fabric that I also used for one of his favorite shirts from a few years back.

Size 7 + length.  I ordered him this minecraft panel and made the mistake of telling him I did.  He asked me every day (literally) for over a month if it had arrived.

I colorblocked the tee as the panel wasn't big enough for the whole front, he chose the shade of blue (and the fact that it was blue) on his own.  He wore it to bed and then to school this morning, I think he may have been a leeetle excited.

 I made Jack a pair of mini hudson pants, size 7 with 8 length.   He still wears his size 6's all the time, but they are getting a little short and tight.  I used french terry that is just dreamy, that was his first remark 'they are so soft, mom!'.  I could live in this stuff.  In fact, I have some things planned for me in other colorways.

And he decided his lion shirt isn't that bad after all.  That's usually his game, he hates things at first, then likes them and eventually loves them.

One more delicious french terry item.  I made Sam a hoodie using the School Bus tee.  I sized up to a 3t width, 18 month length and added cuffs, a hem band and a hood.  I did a tutorial, if you're so inclined.

A Moose shirt.

Way back (haha) when Sam was just about 2 months old I made him these awesome moose pants.  They didn't get worn for long because there just wasn't much stretch in the material and they were kind of a pain to put on him, also that pattern didn't have any measurements to go by, so I was just guessing as to what size I needed to make.  Being itty bitty baby pants take so little material, I had enough left for something else.

So I chose to make the Oliver + S Lullaby Layette Bodysuit, size 12 months.  The material is from girlcharlee, though now it looks like it is gone so I couldn't see the stretch percentage, but trust me- it wasn't a lot.  I used a woven cotton for the placket and neckband.  I really like the way this feels in a knit, plus there is always the benefit of not having to iron it, ha!

I had his awesome new jeans in mind as I made this outfit.  It wasn't crazy to change his clothes halfway through the day because I was so excited to see it on, was it?

Like I said with the pants, he is on the very low end of the 12 month size chart, so I knew it would be a bit big.  As he is laying on the floor the neckline rides up a bit, but it doesn't seem to bug him.  And he is rolling all around the room most times of the day, so I don't can't keep pulling it down.

Aaah! So adorable with the pants.

Oh how I love this little boy with his bright, inquisitive eyes.

Lullaby pants.

Sammy recently, and suddenly, outgrew all of his 6 month pants, so I stopped at a few stores in town to pick up a few pairs of the next size.  Much to my surprise, there were absolutely zero pairs of 12 month pants!  In fact, they were putting out the shorts and swimsuits.  I know it is a really mild winter, but come on!  So I started on Sam's mid season wardrobe as he will be needing tops also.

These were completely inspired by skirtastop's pair.  I love the look of jeans on a baby, but they can be very uncomfortable with a big tummy.

They are the Lullaby Layette Pants in a nice, soft denim.  In fact, I wish I could remember where I bought it from because it is glorious and a dream to work with.

I made the size 12 month, as my giant 6 month old measured in to that size in height and weight.  I shortened the elastic an inch shorter than the suggested length in the instructions based on my first pair (later in the post) were a little big.

I used two spools of thread through one needle to make the topstitching pop a bit more, and I topstitched each seam, the inseam is also but you'll just have to trust me on that.

These were my first pair.  They are made from a flannel herringbone, nice and warm.

He could still use a couple pairs of pants, and definitely more tops, so I know what I will be doing this week- ha!

Blues.

Ever since I made Sam's first collared Lullaby Bodysuit with a collar I have been thinking about making another one, and even though I have three Geraniums cut out waiting for me (2 for the twins, 1 for a gift) this jumped the queue.  Late night nursing sessions let me brainstorm exactly what I wanted, and I am excited to say it turned out just like I had imagined!  Don't you just love it when that happens? 

I made the size 3 months in a so soft shirting.  I wanted roll up sleeves so I added two inches to them, I still need to go back and tack them to keep them rolled.  I wanted something like the Sketchbook Shirt, so I extended the placket all the way to the hem and added the collar again.

On the back I made a box pleat on the right side of the fabric, it kind of blends in.  I also added two rows of topstitching to the collar and the hem.

I pretty much love it on him.

Jeans.

Duuude!  I totally just made legit jeans, and I am so excited! 

And obviously so is Sam, ha! 

Back in March I bought the Small Fry Skinny Jeans (I remember it was March because we were on our first ever beach vacation, random, I know).  I bought both sizes ranges and mental noted I wanted to make them for the fall, I figured I would make a small size before tackling Abby or Jack's size.  So I made the size 3-6 month for Sam, with a half fly and lots of topstitching.  I actually used the waistband with the topstitching option, but I was so fed up with the topstitching thread by the time I got to the waistband I just did my own thing.  Which is also why I used a snap instead of a legit jean button, I had no desire to make a button hole with that thread, also the reason I left off the button loops.  My machine is such a diva.

The fit is awesome.  Seriously, this pattern is so great.  I did struggle a bit with the half fly instructions, but I figured it out and it will be much easier next time.  (I already have a red pair cut for him!) 

P.S. he is wearing his Layette Bodysuit I made before he was born.

See that ugly stitching on the inside?  That isn't even the half of it.  *Sigh*.  My machine seriously hated the thread, even with a longer stitch and a denim needle.  

But look at that adorable little coin pocket, and fully functioning front and back pockets... not that he will be needing them, ha!  Details are my favorite part.

I am not thrilled with the back vertical stitching, but I had no desire to unpick it for a third time and I was sick of my machine getting jammed.  I figure since he is laying on his back for 90% of the day no one will even notice (hopefully). 

They are plenty long, long enough that I should probably roll them up, but I am glad because I forgot to check if I needed to add length like I usually do for my crazy tall kids.  

It's a great pattern, I would definitely recommend it.  

Blessed.

Oh.my.gosh.  I am dying right now.  

So, in our church we have a tradition that the Father (or sometimes Grandfather) gives a new baby a special blessing during our Sacrament meeting.  Traditionally babies wear all white, but I kind of wanted to go against that.  Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the tradition, the other four kids wore complete white, but for some reason I couldn't get this out of my head.  I actually was picturing a brown or gray linen, but I couldn't find the "right" one, so I went with an ivory linen for the bottoms.  If I had more time I am sure I could have found something online, but I had less than a week to figure something out... but I am in love. 

Side note, but I pretty much learned to sew because I wanted to make the twins blessing dresses.  I taught myself while I was pregnant with them and even figured out how to size down and adjust a pattern in just a few short months.  If you are interested, there is a picture on Flickr as it was pre-blogging days.  Sewing satin and ruffle fabric wasn't easy or fun in the early days, ha! 

I am obviously obsessed with the Oliver + S Lullaby Layette Bodysuit, so that was a no-brainer that I would use it somehow in this outfit.  But I wanted something more, something special.  A while back someone (I think Sarvi?) mentioned how darling it would look with a collar, I definitely agreed and had been thinking about how to make that happen.  Well, guess what?  This was the kick in the pants I needed to get it figured out.

I used the basic shape of the Sketchbook collar, but made some adjustments being the bodysuit is a size 3 month and the smallest Sketchbook is 6 month, plus the necklines are different sizes.  I used a crisp white shirting poplin and the collar is almost too stiff even though I used a really light interfacing.  Oh well.  It could still use some adjusting, but I am pretty happy with it.

The suspender shorts, aren't they completely adorable?! They are from here.  I can't vouch for the instructions because I didn't like they way you were instructed to put them together, so I did my own thing... Also, the waistband was 1/2" too big and the pattern calls for 3/4" elastic but I could only get 1/2" to fit, which was annoying.  But oh my gosh aren't they cute?!

And for the bow tie I just used rectangles and my memory from when I had made one for Jack earlier in the year.

The shoes are completely impractical and silly, but (shall I say it again?) adorable!!

So Mr. Sam is ready for his first big shindig (tradition is also to serve a luncheon after the meeting) and I am just so happy with how this all turned out!

Blue + Green.

The fates aligned again today, Ben took the 4 oldest swimming this afternoon and then volunteered to make dinner (husband of the year), and Sam took a decent sized nap.  Decent enough that I was able to finish the outfit I had been slowly working on for the last three days.  Everything takes forever these days, but I'm not complaining.  

I totally love his other bodysuits and wanted a quick and easy project, so I again went with the Oliver + S Lullaby Layette Bodysuit.  Someday I will make the other pieces in the set... This one is a 3 month, he is currently one month old (tomorrow) and weighs 12 pounds and is close to 22", so he needed the length.  All my kids are giants though, so I wasn't surprised he was a tall one.

I tried print mixing with the applique, not quite sure if I dig it, but what's done is done.

Speaking of what's done is done, I totally screwed up on this one...

So I used this ever so soft and lightweight shirting, but the downside (other than it shifting like crazy while sewing) is that I couldn't really differentiate the right side from wrong side.  Well, I got sewing and not thinking and managed to sew the back of the bodysuit on wrong side out, so the pleat shows on the back.  Which would have been fine if I had flattened the pleat in the middle like I was thinking of doing rather than pressing it to one side like instructed.  So it looks a little weird, but there is a dang good chance I will be the only one who notices, oh, and Ben being I told him.  Normally I would have pulled out the seam ripper, but I had already sewn + serged the shoulder seams and completely sewn on the binding before I realized my mistake, so I said screw it.

It is amazing how fast their little faces change.  He is starting to look so different to me, his hair is lightening up and he is starting to get cheeks and thunder thighs.  Also, he is so much more alert and has even smiled a time or two.

But not today, he isn't a fan of the momarazzi.

Meet Sam.

Sam was born 6/26/14, he is 3 weeks old today! 

He was a little chunker, 9lbs3oz and 21" and was born at 39 weeks exactly.  Kinda glad I didn't go longer, ha!



We are surviving, hoping I am past the worst part (but isn't there a growth spurt around 3 weeks?).  Luckily the kids are out of school so the older two can help with the twins and that means I can usually sneak a shower in before the twins go down for a nap in the afternoon.



He nurses like a champ and is growing perfectly, in fact, at his 1 week appt (actually at 11 days) he had just regained his birth weight and when I went in the next week (at 18 days) he had shot up to 10lbs6oz!  That was 1lb3oz in a week!



Luckily he hearts his pacifier because if he is awake and doesn't have something in his mouth he is angry.  Very angry.  Ha!  But we sure love him.


Being he is my last little one, I am trying to take life slowly and soak up every little moment.



P.S. taking your own newborn photos is exhausting!  I have done it before for friends and family so I thought it wouldn't be a big deal to do my own, but it is so nice to have someone to pass the baby to while you are setting up a shot or to calm the babe down.  So I didn't get very many (not nearly as many as I had planned in my head) but I got some that I love, so that's what counts, right?

Remember this little outfit?  He wore this one home from the hospital, and this is him at one day old.  

And this one?  It is pretty much my favorite thing to put him in, he gets compliments every time he wears it out of the house.  He was a day shy of 2 weeks here. 

A few weeks before he was born I slowly worked on some essentials.  I never managed to blog them (or the 4 maternity tees I made either), so here they are now.

A nursing cover.  I looked at a bunch of different tutorials online and combined my favorite parts about them, nothing special, but it works great.  I have only used it once at church this week, but it did the job great.

I made these single layer receiving blankets by making them square (either 42x42 or 44x44), rounding the corners and doing a rolled hem on the serger.  They are really nice to have.  I did end up splurging on a set of Aiden + Anias blankets (which I totally love and recommend, definitely worth the $), but he spits up a crazy amount and these get plenty of use too as there are always a few in the laundry.

Then some burp cloths.  Not just some, like 18, I think.  They were crazy tedious, but I am so glad I made them, we go through so many!  I just used some flannel on one side and chenille on the other.

I have managed a bit of sewing here and there, turns out school starts in less than a month! AAAAGH!  So even though it takes me a week for one item worked on in 5 minute spurts, it has been nice to sort of feel creative again.  I did manage a whole swimsuit for Abby yesterday though (she and Jack are headed to Lake Powell as I type), but more on that later, someone's starting to stir...

KCWC day 2.

I got lucky today, not only was I in the mood to sew, but the house wasn't completely wrecked to the point I would feel guilty sewing and Jack decided it would be fun to play with the twins after school and before nap time- that doesn't happen often. 

So after yesterday's bodysuit I knew I wanted more, like lots more.  If you haven't noticed, once I find a pattern I love I become a bit obsessive.  Just getting my money's worth, right?  

So I remembered I had this really soft plaid that I thought last year I would make some shorts for Jack with, but I was afraid how they would hold up for my rowdy five year old, perfect for this project!

I again made the bodysuit from the Lullaby Layette Set, this time in a 3 month size.  The one yesterday is the only newborn or 0-3 month thing I will be making (unless the knit onesies I already have cut are 0-3... I can't remember!), like I said before, I make 'em big, maybe I will be pleasantly surprised with a small babe but I doubt it.

I was torn though, he is due just before the 4th of July so unless I go over this would have been perfect!  I am not usually one to make special outfits for the holidays, but this would have been adorbs.

For fun I thought I would add a pocket cut on the bias.  I used the pocket included in the pattern intended for the pants, I made the size 0-3 month pocket as I didn't want it too big.  Ben always jokes about the reason for infant clothing with pockets, but I think it is totally cute.

I have been holding on to this print for far too long because I was unsure what to use it for.  Still, I am undecided, but what's done is done.

I used the yardage the other day to take my nephew's monthly progression pictures and last night it clicked that this would probably work.  I remembered the ships being a little closer together, but I went with it anyways.

I wasn't quite sure how to place the ships, especially on the sleeves.

Not too bad for a few days of sewing, though I think it may be time to switch to another pattern before I end up with ten of these, ha!

Bodysuit.

This has been cut out for a week now, and the applique done for the last few days, but I haven't had the time nor felt up to sewing (oh the horror!).  But I got the itch today, finally.  

This is from the Lullaby Layette Set by the always amazeballs Oliver + S.  It was amazing timing, this set coming out, like it was meant to be!  I was so happy when I learned that just in time for me to sew for my new little bub Liesl would be releasing a baby line, I really wish some of her boy patterns were smaller than 6m like a few of the girl ones.

At first I was a little nervous that it would be too "poofy" for a little boy, but a friend who tested the pattern assured me it was perfect for a little boy too.

This is the 0-3m size, though I didn't have that tag so I used a newborn one instead.  As with all O+S the instructions are perfect and everything comes together with ease.  I can see many more of these in my future, so long as my mojo comes back.

P.S. hemming the sleeves on this size was a beast, make sure you follow her instructions to a T for this part!

I was unsure of what fabric to use, nothing in my stash seemed right.  So although unpractical for a newborn who will be releasing all kinds of bodily fluids, I went with white, because I always have that in my stash and this particular fabric is very light weight (and slightly see through, oops).  With him being a summer baby the light weight will be perfect, I think, although the fabric really hated my iron no matter how I ironed it I always ended up with creases.

I wanted something more than just a plain white onesie, so I added a little paper airplane.  I stitched it down on my machine then added a little bit of embroidery thread for the tail and used a little scrap of interfacing underneath to keep the threads and knots away from his sweet, fresh skin.

Jack has requested a shirt just like his baby brother's, and while I am not one for matchy-matchy I think I may just add a little applique plane on his next shirt, he is sooo excited for a little brother.