Colorful.

 

The temperatures dropped here suddenly, making me realize I am NOT prepared, ha!  The big kids are alright for now, most of Abby's pants from last winter still fit as do a few cardigans and Jack was the recipient of some recent pant sewing and had some hoodies from last year that fit.  But the twins?  Nothing.  This cardi Izzy is wearing is an 18m, which would pass for George, but not for her.  Though it is kind of cute as a 3/4 sleeve.  

 

 

By now you all know I am drawn to bright, bold colors and patterns, right?  I have an idea that I am crazy excited about involving these mustard pants, a pair of plum ones, a couple of Puppet Show tunics and some cardigans from a yet to be determined pattern.  Because I love to coordinate the twins, not identical clothing. 

So, perhaps you are wondering which pattern I have made?  That would be the Clever Charlotte Raven Pants, size 2T which happens to be the smallest size but still too big for both the girls.  Silly big on Georgia, actually.  Too bad I already cut the purple pair out... meh. 

I chose pocket one, it has a box pleat in the middle and two (regular?) pleats on either side of the box pleat.  Super cute.  I have made this pattern twice before, only as shorts and for Abby (here and here) and she wears them all.the.time.  So there was no question in my mind I would be making the pattern again come fall.

This time though I followed the instructions to a T rather than put them together the Oliver + S way.  I kind of scratched my head for a minute (only because I couldn't visualize it, not the pattern's fault), but I rather enjoyed the way they instruct you to put them all together .  

I used some pretty scrap flower material for the waistband and pocket facings and a linen for the main pant.

I am not disappointed they are too big, it just means longer wear, right?? I am only worried about the hem getting walked on and destroyed, so maybe I will just need to roll it up until they grow a bit.

I can't even describe how happy I am about these pants.  I love the shape of them, and they look comfy and easy to move in.  Perfect for an always exploring and very mischievous toddler.

She seems to approve also.

Neon.

I saw a call from Peek-a-boo patterns asking for a second round of testers for her new top,  I volunteered because I thought the shirt was adorable, and I was chosen! :)  I have had this neon pink knit in my stash for a while now, and Abby has been begging me to make something for her with it, but I never knew what to make.  This shirt seemed just right.

 



 

It is called Rosalie  ( I will update with the link when it is available ** it is now here **) and I sewed the size 6.  I wish I had added some length, but she was at school when I was sewing it, so it was too late.  I didn't hem it though so I could add a band to the bottom if needed. 

She is also wearing another pair of Raven shorts (more on those below).

The pattern calls for jersey that curls and oh boy did this one curl!   I really like the gathered sleeves, and I have never done a neckband like this- yay for learning something new:)

So I made these Raven Shorts a few days after the original pair but never blogged them (and even have another pair in denim that I cut at the same time and still haven't sewn). 

I used some Joel Dewberry that is pretty much my favorite fabric, I have previously used it here, here and here. 

And the coordinating print for the waistband. 

So the specifics, these are made from the Clever Charlotte Raven Pants pattern, shortened to knee length.  Size 6, pocket number three.  She is also finally regularly wearing her hopscotch top from over a year ago.  It was made before I understood how to properly measure and adjust patterns so it has been too big until recently. 

Raven shorts.

It's spring here, yay! So that means Abby has been wanting to wear shorts to school, time to get sewing!  She has one or two pairs that still fit from last year, but when she wore one of them the kids teased her and told her she was against dress code because they were too short and she was going to be sent home, she came home crying.  She was at a different school last year and their only policies were no tank tops and no flip flops, apparently this school your shorts can't go above your finger tips with your arms straight down to your side.  Whatever, I seriously doubt they would send her home, but she doesn't want to get teased again. 

 

 

Okay, back story over, let's get to the pattern.  I used the Clever Charlotte Raven pants and shortened them to just above her knees.  I let her pick the color of them (a blue-green twill) since she was home last week on spring break and making requests.  I was trying to get her to go with gray or denim so they would match things already in her closet but she wasn't interested in that.  I "can just make her another shirt, right?" (That is her exact quote)

 



 

So, I had zero control over this outfit.  I tried to get her not to even wear them today since it was a bit chilly this morning but she insisted- in fact, she entertained the twins in their bedroom while I hemmed them since that was the last thing that needed to be done on them.   And honestly, anytime she will actually wear her Ice cream top I don't argue, she has only worn it handful of times since I made it in October. 

These are a size 6- for my notes:) I chose pocket number three, and lined them and the waistband with some scraps from the twins Geranium top, but I forgot to get a picture of that since we were in a hurry to get her off to school.  Aren't those pintucks down the front great?? That is what made me look at the pattern in the first place.  Well that, and also Cindy and Nicole's awesome versions.  They have an adjustable waist and  I thought the way CC instructs you to make the channel for the button elastic was pretty cool.  They are a really quick sew and I can see them being a staple.  I will for sure be making them in the fall as pants.

I am thinking of making them a little shorter next time, definitely in a easy to match color and maybe try a different pocket... I dunno though, I really like this one. 

A raven hoodie for my beauty.

Flickr is a dangerous place for my budget.  I saw many beautiful Raven sets by Clever Charlotte popping up in my stream for a while and I finally bit the bullet when Cindy (the enabler ;) ) mentioned there was a short sale on the patterns a while back I snagged the Raven and Finch.  FINALLY got around to making one of them this week! While it should have been the Finch as it is a summer outfit, I went with the Raven hoodie.  You see, school goes back in less than a month and Abby needs new clothes! So my intent was to make the hoodie and pants, but that hasn't happened yet.  I have been distracted with a pile of pajamas for the twins, they are first in the need to make pile.

I went with a six and the length called for in the pattern, though I was really debating the length. I wish I had lengthened it so it would last a bit longer, but live and learn.

She absolutely cracks me up, the whole time I was making it she kept asking "So, do you promise it can be flipped around?" "It really can go either way?" Yes, dear.  But she just wasn't convinced until it was all made up and I flipped it around for her.  But now she can't decide which side she likes the most, ha!

I used a deep purple linen and a lavendar, baby blue, light brown and white striped homespun.  I have the homespun in another color way and it was intended for the twins, but I saw this combo and it was fate.  I have to admit, I wasn't a fan of the hoodie when I saw it on the package or even made sitting on my sewing table, but once she put it on I was head over heels!  I can't decide if I will be making more this fall, it just depends I guess on how much she wears this one.

The plan is to finish the outfit by making the pants in a dark blue denim and perhaps a white long sleeved hopscotch top. She is going to be one styling 2nd grader!