elsie marley

inspiring girly details:

1. doily detail, 2. patchwork pocket, 3. Bunny Love Reversible Jumper, 4. all season skirt [ pocket detail ], 5. Reversible Kindergarten Pinafore, 6. cherry jumper, 7. The Reversible Teacup Shift Dress, 8. Ruffle Sleeve Top Detail, 9. Vintage Curtain Cami

My next little montage was going to be about baby clothes, but there were a couple comments about how boy’s clothes are kind of boring to sew and no clothes there for boys are any fun. I think this is a ridiculous stereotype about sewing for boys that needs to be dispelled. Most pants and skirts are just two pieces of fabric sewn together. So see, sewing for girls can be just as lame as sewing for boys can be. It’s the fabric you choose–a fine linen or a super tacky polyester, a bright print or a subdued solid–and the elements you choose to include in the design–a secret pocket, some piping, an embroidered design–that make the clothes interesting and fun to sew whether it’s for a boy or a girl. Just because I can slap a ruffle on it, doesn’t make it better.

inspiring boyish details:

1. Sailor shorts in the shop!, 2. Monkey Birthday Shirt, 3. Yoga pant for my son, 4. boy’s pants, 5. knee pads, 6. cuff and trim detail, 7. Detail of G’s Easter pants, 8. tigertophalf, 9. Kaarna pants, back pockets & topstitching

At first when I was learning to sew, it was just about making a pair of pants or a skirt and have them turn out, but now I try to think about the aesthetic of the clothes I want to make and the details that would work and the ones my kids would like.  One problem a lot of us have with store bought clothes is that they insist on putting monsters or princesses or licenced characters on flipping everything which then my kids see and of course want.  I tend to favor simpler clothing, but I don’t want it to be plain plain and I want my kids to like it. So if I add some rainbow piping (I love piping) or big red buttons or embroider a picture they drew then I’ve made something I like, and that I enjoyed making, and my kids like the clothes and wear them!

tutorials for garment details:

1. pleated pocket tutorial 2. knee pad pants 3. freehand embroidered T-shirts 4. flowered collar tutorial 5. how to insert piping 6. in seam pockets 7. how to make a pleated collar 8. how to sew even topstitching 9. add a ruffled shoulder strap

Okay, I will stop blathering on. I think it’s enough to say it’s the details that make the clothes (even if the clothes don’t make the man, or kid).  These are just a few tutorials out there for some elements you can add to any clothes you make. I think kids love pockets on their clothes and there are a million ways to do a pocket. If you know of any good tutorials for clothing details be sure to link to them in the comments! thanks!

I have to take a break from the kids clothes week programming to show you these quilts. I made these a loooong time back when Kathreen from whip up asked me if I’d contribute to an art quilt book she was putting together.  Of course I said yes, even though the last quilt I made was almost 3 years go. Well, now the book is out and April has been quilt month over at whip up to celebrate.  I haven’t actually seen the real book yet, but I’ve seen all the projects inside and not only are they beautiful, they are made by some of my favorite people too.

I think I heard “art” more than “quilt” when she first asked me and so I made a quilt specifically to hang on the wall (I was thinking more in a frame than with tape at the time, but whatever). I wanted a modern landscape and thought powerlines crisscrossing the sky would make a nice patchwork. I could have made (and you can, if you make it!) the fabrics look like the actual horizon, but I went all arty and actually really like how it came out. The piecing of the little quilt does take some time and I didn’t want people to be put off by that, so I made another quilt with the same design only without any patchwork–a whole cloth quilt.

My favorite part of these quilts is the piped binding. I like how it frames the quilt and is just barely there. I know it’s a little hokey, but I also like how the binding is a little like a wire. These quilts have been gone for a long time and it’s nice to have them home again.  I was just sitting back that whole time while Kathreen was working her patootie off.  She did an amazing amount of work to put this beautiful book together and now I should get my butt to a book store to see it for real.

It’s true there aren’t as many tutorials out there for boys, but don’t let it get you down. Just because boys don’t wear dresses doesn’t mean they can’t be stylish.  My son picked out this outfit to go to school tomorrow: a neon green striped shirt, a blue plaid button down, gingham board shorts and wellies. Blazzam!

inspiring handmade clothes for boys

1. brown trousers, 2. My First Liberty Shirt, 3. Red pants, 4. sleeveless hood, 5. jardinera 2 años, 6. undies-front, 7. dress shirt, 8. leisure world, 9. 90 Minute Shirt

tutorials for boys clothes

1. boy’s shirt refashion 2. slim slacks 3. 90 minute shirt 4. hoodie refashion 5. hip little pants 6. men’s shirt into a boy’s shirt 7.  little boxer briefs 8. vest 9. diy long sleeve tee

A couple of children’s clothes designers I love are jacksprat and Martha from uniform natural (though I don’t think she does kid’s clothes any more). They both stick to a muted palate which really lets the details of the clothes stand out.  That’s not to say your boys should only wear gray, by all means let them wear pink!

This week (and maybe into next week) I’ll post tutorials for boys and girls clothes that I’ve found around the internets and some inspiring photos of handmade clothes as well. If you have a tutorial or image you particularly love, please link to it in your comment, but try to stay on topic (girl’s tutorials in the girls clothes post, etc) so we can use these posts as a reference while we are frantically sewing late at night.

inspiring handmade clothes

1. Ice cream dress, View A, 2. flower girl dress, 3. i made my first children’s top, 4. more scraps, 5. broek voor Nuncita, 6. apron skirt no.7, 7. Lemon Floral Milkmaid Skirt, 8. Oriental Blossom Sun Dress, 9. shirt from frock pattern

fantastic tutorials for girls

1. seaside stripes 2. lazy days skirt 3. peek-a-boo skirt 4. little girl leggings 5. peasant top 6. repurposed skirt and leggings 7. twirly skirt 8. girls dress from men’s shirt 9. ruffle sleeve top

Also, there are a lot of very lovely free patterns from fabric designer nani iro. I can’t link directly to them and the site is in Japanese, but click here and have a look around. I know these are all super summery, so here is one wintery project for those down under.  And don’t worry, boys are next.

the buttons:

Feel free to copy and paste these on your blog (click on the picture and it will take you to the link to use).

the rules:

Okay, there are no rules, but it sounds less wishy washy than guidelines or suggestions. Really there is only one thing you have to do if you want to participate in kids clothes week: sew.  Sew one hour each day the second week of May.  You should probably be sewing clothes for your kids, since it’s kids clothes week, but I think accessories are close enough. You don’t have to start a new project or buy new material, you could just finish those pants that have been waiting for cuffs or the sundress you started last summer that still needs buttons. The point is just to work a little each day and see what you have to show for it at the end of the week. There aren’t any prizes, but you can post photos of your finished work in the elsie marley flickr group and we will all oooo and ahhhh over them. And that’s better than a cheap trophy, right?

the players:

kim,   tracy,   melanie,  mon ami,  annri,  terry,  kristin,  mary jo,   andreae,  karen, jess,  annika,  morgan,   kristin,   jen f,   amanda,  karin,   frekled hen,  angie k, shauna, cookcleancraft, staci,  rochelle,  leslie,  fiona,  stephanie,  april,  kyrie, anna,  jennifer,  tessa,  sandra,  britt,  andrea,  monique,  stephanie,  kate,  heather,  samlamb, trula,  rebecca,  crafty tammie, nanette, melissa q.,  pamela, beth,  roxy,  heather,  anja,  suzanne,  many a mickle,  elisabeth, candace,  mojavi,  suzann,  georgi,  ellie,  sophie,  erika,  hillary,  gabrielle,  kiona,  zenzhetty,  jules,  ellen,  islay,  kari,  addie,  jenny,  jennifer,  stephanie,  kari,  tara,  louise,  laura,  deven,  mrspilkington,  wanett,  rachel,  erin,  lisa,  cheryl,  beth,  sarah,  dottycookie,  casey,  michelle,  sarah,  belly,  jacqui,  beth lemon,  odessa, lia,  mama urchin,  kimbery,  rachel,  robyn,  sarah,  laurel,  katherine,  hillary,  kathleen,  ginerva,  jennifer, kayanna,  shisomama, shannon, nancy, tami,  audrey,  becky,  brooke,  stacy,  mama-pan,  rhea,  amy,  mary,  angela,  courtney,  chrissy,  kathi,  natalie,  kirsten, jenna, beki,  imene,  chantal,  sarah,  barbara,  kelly,  gail,  christine,  ingrid,  jerri,  claudia,  melody,  grace, isa marie, sabra , commonplaceiris, grace, wendy, lisa, marina, kristi, ellen, marlena,  courtney, caroline, kara, valeria, shanee, jackie, robyn, heather, helen, katherine, the artful parent,  two pockets, wendy, michele, rachel, emily, jessica, courtney, susan, tanya, shael, emily, ash, emmy, michelle, natasha, michele, lexie, sara, kim, jillian, heather, miktha, connie, huana, abbie,  helen, andrea, susannah, sandra, zuri, julie, uk lass in us, tlbor, jill, katie, melanie, christie, cat, jenny, sony, lynn, frikadel, ruth, eva,  julie, tangerine dreams, rebecca, cheryl, elana, emily, rebecca, corina, anna, robyn, carrie, becky, paige, kerry, renee, cassis, pati, erin, lizzy,  kendra, ane, lucy, tracey, josie, nichole, samantha, meg, andrea, megan, stephani, briana, natalie, cheryl, heather, rhianno, valerie, sascha, mandy, tanja, naomi, chantal, lily, nicola, stephanie,

to see all the posts from kids clothes week click here!

Soozs had a fantastic post last week about learning to sew. Among other things, she talks about how frustrating it is, but how with every mistake you make you are learning how to do something and how not to do something.  I remember screaming at the sewing machine when I first learned how to sew and there are still moments when I find myself swearing at the machine, or the fabric, or myself. Learning anything is frustrating as hell (just ask my 4 year old) but I think sewing has taught me to be patient with myself. So yesterday, when I was trying to make french macarons and failing miserably I went back to her post and read it again.

I used to make these cookies a lot when I worked in a bakery, but I had a professional oven and vats of ingredients and a huuuge dishwasher at my disposal.  I have none of that here.  My oven is very old and very crappy. These cookies are ridiculously delicate and difficult to make–they even have their own verb in french that describes the way you mix the batter.  So my day was spent failing (and eating my failures–sugar high! sugar high!).  But thanks to Soozs’ pep talk, I ended up with a few good batches.

And after a few more failures I now have a lovely platter of french macarons to take to a baby shower tonight.

Do go over to Soozs’ blog and read her post on learning to sew, even if you learned a long time ago.  And if you’ve joined the Kid Clothes Challenge (and yay there are so many of you already!) or are thinking about it jump over to this post about sewing for your kids on Indietutes because it’s pretty good too.  Now I’m going to see if there are any failures for me to snack on.

One of the most popular post here on elsie marley is kid clothes week. I was inspired by this post from Soulemama where Amanda sewed one garment a night for a week for her daughter’s summer wardrobe. The goal I set for myself was just one hour a night (or day) spent in my studio working on summer clothes for my kids. It’s the getting started part that’s always been hard for me, so after that first hour was over I usually stayed another and by the end of the week I had a bunch of clothes for my kids. The momentum actually lasted for the next week and the one after too (I hoped it would continue through the summer, but evening cocktails on the deck killed it, oh well).

Now for the Challenge!

On the second week of May (May 10-17) I challenge you to spend an hour each day working on clothes for your kid’s–or kids’–summer wardrobe.  This challenge is great for those new to sewing and seasoned seamstresses alike–we all have trouble getting off the couch (or off the computer). Summer clothes are super easy and don’t take much time or fabric, so you might have a whole wardrobe by the time the week is up! edit to add: Sorry I didn’t mean to leave you southern hemisphere folks out–fall clothes are cute and easy too! You have three weeks to daydream about what to make and then after a lovely Mother’s Day where your children are beautiful and well behaved and give you very cute presents, you can sew some shorts or skirts or dresses or tank tops with some of that ridiculously cute fabric you have been saving.

If you are interested in playing along (sewing along?) just leave a comment or drop me an email. I will write up a big list of participants and their blogs–though, of course, you don’t need a blog to play along. I’ll try to make a button too, so you can show everyone you are in the kid clothes week challenge. From now until the second week in May I will post some tutorials for kid’s clothes that I’ve used or that I really like. So what do you think, sound good? Are you in?

I need some help. I dyed this piece of fabric to make a curtain for our bathroom window, but my husband vetoed it. It wasn’t the fabric that he didn’t like, he didn’t want a curtain at all.  We did put up frosted plastic (or whatever you call it) for privacy, but I am paranoid that my neighbors can see me. So now I have probably a little over a yard of this ombre-ish fabric and don’t know what to make. Do you have any good ideas? Or patterns that would work?

I picked up this fabric from the sale bin (5 bucks!) yesterday because I really like the pattern, but I’m not super crazy for the colors. I thought maybe I could bleach it or overdye it or both. Do you think that would work? What color dye would look good over it? It’s just so weirdly christmasy. What do you think?

Some friends of mine started a fabulous kid’s consignment sale here in Madison a few years ago called Half Pint.  They have children and jobs and husbands and thought hey let’s have a business too! I really don’t know how they do it, but they do and twice a year to boot. It get’s bigger every year and I’m so happy for their success.  And happy to get a bunch of  fantastic kid’s clothes and toys on the cheap.

I’ve had some great finds at Half Pint (pink high tops, green sneakers, red white & blue speedos) but this little rocker takes the cake. It’s called a teeter tot. And though I can’t tell if it’s actually old, or just faking it I love the look of it–much more than the exersaucer at least.  The baby likes it a little (I really need to make a little seat belt so he stops sliding out) and the big kids love it. They sqeeeeeze in and play baby.  While I’d like to think I’ll pass it down to my kid’s kids I’m guessing it will end up back at Half Pint. If you are local and want to find out about their next sale, and other kid’s stuff too, head over to their blog.

Before easter we went to a fantastic birthday party for a 2 year old. A two year old who loves hot dogs and balloons more than anything, so of course the party had lots of balloons and hot dogs. awesome!  I had plans to make this shirt weeks before the party, but of course I ended up doing it the night before.  I was inspired by this picture I found on flickr:

I just used freezer paper and paint and it was done. I tried to make the bun a little less 2 dimensional, but I’m no artist so it only kind of worked. It’s good to know that freezer paper prints don’t have to just be blocks of color–you can art it up all you want.

A few people have emailed me to ask what the hell is freezer paper anyway. And because I’m lazy and waaay behind on replying to email (sorry) I will just tell you all here: it’s like butcher paper, where one side is paper and the other is plasticy. The plasticy side can be ironed onto fabric and then peeled off making it perfect for a ton of projects. I even use it to make patterns so I can just iron the patterns on and skip pinning. The kind I have is made by Reynolds and it’s right next to the tin foil in my grocery store.  There is a whole group on flickr devoted to freezer paper stencils and there are some pretty awesome ones there.