The theme for this season’s KCW is STORYBOOK. I have a lot of favorite kids’ books, but this one is my favorite favorite. It’s fun to read, which is a must when it comes to kid’s books. I hate slogging through poorly written bleh books (I’m looking at you Berenstain Bears). But I Can Fly is wonderfully written, which is not a big surprise seeing that it’s by the great children’s book author, Ruth Krauss. She’s written some fantastic books. A Hole is to Dig is really good too: random and perfectly kid. (more…)

Sorry I’ve been away from this space for a while. Preparing for KCW and entertaining my children during spring break ate up all my time. But haHA! I started my sewing early this KCW, so I’ve got outfit #1 all sewn up and ready. But why are there 3 stylish ladies up there? For this KCW, Dorie and I decided that we should have a theme: MINI ME. The theme is optional, of course, and you can interpret it however you like.

I looked in my closet for inspiration and found none. My clothes are rather basic: gray, gray, gray, and sometimes navy. But I like to dream about wearing stylish clothes, so I looked to my pinterest clothes board for inspiration. I picked these three images: a Merimekko dress, a J. Crew (I think) ensemble, and a Madwell outfit. The dress is inspiration for my daughter’s easter dress and the other two outfits I mixed and matched for my sons’ easter outfits.

This is my youngest’s outfit. Originally I was going to sew the shirt with  black and white gingham just like the picture, but then I liked the grid print (like in the Madwell outfit) with this outfit better. (more…)

When Stacey asked me to be a part of her Scandinavian style series, I jumped at the chance. But what is Scandiavian style? I don’t think I could have summed it up better than Mie, who is Scandinavian herself. She said Scandianavian style is clean lines and cool vibes.

And I have to add, bold prints! I have always admired how those northerly folk embrace the crazy and make it look so natural. It’s not easy to mix and match bold patterns. But I think my daughter pulled off polka dots and flowers quite well.

let’s start with the pants:

PATTERN: the skinny pants pattern is from Happy Homemade vol 5 (did you hear vol 2 is out in English?! post on that awesomesauce coming soon). I made this pattern in orange a few years ago for my middle son.

FABRIC: this floral fabric is amazing. It’s cotton with some spandex in it, not a lot, but enough to give it some weight and some give. I was hoarding it for myself, but it was too perfect for these pants and I had to cut into it.

SEWING: I muddled around with the pattern a lot trying to make sure the pants would be skinny, but not skin tight. I would actually like them to be skinnier than they are, but maybe this way they will fit until the spring. 

now for the jacket:

PATTERN: the nituna jacket pattern from Figgy’s

FABRIC: I think it is quilting cotton, which I don’t sew with very often, but the polka dot pattern was just so right.  I lined it with soft, gray fleece.

SEWING: the sewing went well until I got to the welt pockets. I usually like the super concise style of the directions in Figgy’s patterns, but I could not for the life of me figure out what they wanted me to do. The internet was, oddly, not that much help either. After much frustration, I forged my own way, which involved a fair amount of jamming through the machine and seeing what happened.

Except for my welt pocket meltdown, this outfit was a joy to sew. Polka dots have a way of making you smile. And how could crazy flower pants not make you happy? I think those Scandinavians might be on to something.

See all of the Scandinavian Sewing Series on Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy.

Here it is day 4 of KCW and finally I have something for you. This outfit was actually finished on day 2, but I had to wait for the sun to come out to get some decent shots. And sheesh the sun sets early these days.

Enough small talk, let’s get to it!

THE PATTERN: Jacob Pants by Zonen 09. I’ve gushed about this pattern maker before, but I hadn’t sewn up one of Sharon’s patterns until now. I have to say these pants live up to [my] hype. The pattern has lots and lots of pictures, which is wonderful if you are a visual learner like me. There are also some lovely little details: the pin tucks, of course, and tiny butt darts :)

THE FABRIC: Stamped by Ellen Luckett Baker. I scored the last bit of this triangle print when sew mama sew was clearing out their fabric store. When I saw these bad boys, I knew I had to make some triangle pants of my own.

THE SEWING: The sewing went very smoothly. The directions, as I said, are very clear and very customizable. I went with a faux fly and because I couldn’t find buttonhole elastic, just regular sewn in elastic. I added piping starting at the pocket edge and continuing down the side. I totally stole this idea from someone, but can’t remember who.[edited to add: I stole it from sew bidoo] I didn’t have any cording, so I folded a bit of yellow fabric (from this old kcw project) in half and inserted it between the layers. It’s not the same width all the way down, but it’ll do. I’m actually kind of bummed the yellow matches so well–it sort of disappears into the print.

THE PATTERN: tried and true Flashback Tee by Rae.

THE FABRIC: My youngest only goes half days to school, so he gets stuck running all the errands with me. We end up at the fabric store quite a bit. He spotted this green jersey there one day and proceeded to carry the bolt around the whole store.

THE SEWING: The sewing went well. I made a few changes. First I drafted some shoulder patches (has the fashion world come up with a clever name for these yet?).  They were a bit more fidley than I imagined, but worked out well in the end. I love, love how they look. I also finished the neckline a bit differently: sewing the binding to the wrong side of the neckline and then folding it over and stitching it down.

It’s hard to see, but I also sewed a little star as the tag in the back. I’ll try to take some better pictures, because I’m quite in love with this bit too. Super successful project–he won’t even take it off!

I can be kind of a tightwad. I can’t help it–it’s in my midwestern blood to pinch pennies. But maybe you already knew that, seeing as I make my kids’ clothes (and toys and sheets). And I learned to make all those thing from free tutorials on the internet.

This little red flag pops up in my head when I see a price tag on a pattern or tutorial and my stubborn, Midwestern self thinks, “Well, I could do that.” So I won’t buy the pattern, but instead try to make the garment using what I already know and maybe a poorly lit you tube video or two.

Results vary. Sometimes I’m wildly successful: the garment fits, the details are just right, only a few mistakes are visible. A success like that produces a sewer’s high. I am a genius! I will never buy clothes again! I am completely self sufficient!

Other times, it all goes to hell.  I don’t think I need to elaborate.

It has taken me a long time to realize that patterns are there to guide you through the entire process. Maybe I should revise that statement: well written patterns guide you through the entire process.

Some of the commercial pattern makers out there tend to throw you to the wolves.  But all the indie pattern designers that have been popping up lately genuinely want to teach you how to make the lovely garment they designed.

It’s taken me a year, but when I see an awesome pattern for sale I don’t immediately think, “pshaw, I could do that.” Instead I try to think, “Give the lady a little money, she just wants to show you how to sew better.”

So who taught me to make these awesome pants?  Complete with lined pockets, tuxedo stripe, button tabs, cargo pockets, functioning zipper fly –let me say that a little louder, Functioning Zipper Fly!   Melissa from Melly Sews and Blank Slate Patterns, that’s who.

She and three other designers have come together to give you a group of spring patterns called The Sun & Surf Collection.  All the patterns are adorable and perfect for spring sewing. The collection is only for sale until March 24!

So give the nice ladies your money, because they just want to teach you how to make awesome clothes!

Sun & Surf at Sew a Straight Line | Sun & Surf at It’s Always Autumn | Sun & Surf at Elsie Marley | Sun & Surf at A Girl and a Glue Gun | Sun & Surf at Mama Says Sew | Sun & Surf at Girl, Inspired | Sun & Surf at Groovybaby and Mama | Sun & Surf at The Cottage Home | Sun & Surf at Craftiness is Not Optional | Sun & Surf at Skirtastop | Sun & Surf at Straight Grain | Sun & Surf at Me Sew Crazy | Sun & Surf at Delia Creates | Sun & Surf at Max California