the amazing kids clothes week
May 18th, 2010
1. McCall’s vest 2332 and bow tie, 2. Day 1, 3. Tea towel pants, 4. Kids Clothes Challenge, 5. annabelle in ruffle top, 6. Baggy towel pants, 7. 90 minute shirt with pleats, 8. Princess & the Pea Sundress – 2, 9. Goldfish
I was a little unsure about kids clothes week when I first posted about it. There are enough tasks to get done everyday, I didn’t want to add to that list and make mothers out there crazy (or crazier). But I thought maybe we could eek out a little bit of time each day and that wouldn’t be too much to ask. Then blazzam! You took that little bit of time and ran with it. I am floored by the creativity and skill and perseverance of you all.
1. front, 2. Ice Cream Dress, 3. yellow pants . front, 4. kids clothes week challenge :: day 1, 5. sailboat pants – on alice, 6. WIP – polka dot dress, 7. kids’ clothes challenge – y’s shirt, 8. kcwc rainbow leggings, 9. Vintage Dress
There is inspiration in the flickr group to last all summer long. I cut out twice as many patterns as I got to sew last week–and I’m sure I’m not the only one–so the group is sure to keep growing. Looking at all that you’ve made makes me want to sew so much more! The list will never be completely crossed off and I’m ok with that. Thank you so much for doing this challenge with me. I had a blast and my kids were pretty excited too. One of the participants (arg I can’t remember who) said her daughter told her it was like Christmas getting all these new clothes!
I will definitely be doing this again next year. We could beef it up with prizes (most completed projects, most botched projects, most beautiful on a hanger, most beautiful on the actual child…) or we could just keep is as it is. You guys made this challenge successful, so what do you think it should be like next year? Really, I want to know.
May 18th, 2010 at 11:07 am
Keep it simple! You don’t want to make it too involved–otherwise you will end up blogging more than sewing. This year was perfect!
(But maybe another one in the late summer/early fall for warmer weather clothes?)
May 18th, 2010 at 11:17 am
thank you for organizing it! it was really fun and motivating!
May 18th, 2010 at 11:34 am
Prizes are fun, but I agree with Molly that this year was perfect. I had a really great time just challenging myself to sew, sew, sew! Either way, I’m glad you’ll be doing it again next year and I’m sure I’ll back to play again! Thanks again for hosting such a fun challenge!
May 18th, 2010 at 11:54 am
oh my goodness. the cuteness is ridonculous. last week was a bad week for any extras like sewing around here, but all this inspiration is GREAT for future reference. thanks for organizing, meg!
May 18th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
I completely agree with the other girls. Keep it simple. This was perfect. No pressure motivation for getting some cute things sewn! I also think Molly had a great idea to do it “seasonally”. Once in the spring / summer and once in the fall for back to school. Thanks so much for organizing this and hosting such an inspiring place to share what we’ve made!
May 18th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
I loved how you did it. Prizes are always cool, but it might stress everyone out more:). I loved the no pressure part of it! It was so great! Thank you for the challenge! (and for posting my boys in their vests and bow ties!!!). Thanks Meg!
May 18th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
I agree. So much inspiration. I also have more projects to complete and a botched pile that I’m not sure what I’ll do with yet. My bag of scraps is growing too so I’d love a round of scrap project inspiration. Anyone interested?
May 18th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Thank you for organizing it.
It was fun thinking that in the same moment when I was sewing at least 10 other mums were sewing as well :o)
I’ll sure join next year!
May 18th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Lia, yes, scrap projects would be great!
May 18th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Thank you for the challenge! I enjoyed it just like it was because it helped me find time to sew. I would love it if you did one in the fall, too for items for the winter. It was a lot of fun!
May 18th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Fall clothes take more time, so I’m hesitant to do another when it gets cold (though the other hemisphere seemed to keep up with the challenge just fine!), but I could be talked into it.
Also the name is a little bulky. Can anyone think of a better name for the challenge?
Lia and Anja–I thought this was a great scrap skirt:
http://crafterhours.blogspot.com/2010/04/dresden-plate-skirt-tutorial.html
May 18th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
Yeah I enjoyed this challenge so much! And of course, didn’t complete my list but am not giving up yet.
I could be into an autumn/winter blitz as well…
And I also vote for simple. I definitely felt the pull to blog about my creations but not the time since I was so busy sewing. So, the flickr was a great way to compile all the inspiring amazingness in one place.
thank you again Meg!!
zoz
May 18th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
oops I meant “xox” not “zoz” – maybe I’m more tired then I thought!
May 18th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
oh, don’t contest-it-up! Keep it just the way it is so that the focus is on sewing for your (or a favourite) child. Contests tend to be more about the modeling and photography in the end – even this challenge was a “challenge” to get a nice photo with new duds on the kid! Why photograph when you could be making an extra pair of pants or shorts or summer dresses?! There’s my 2 cents!
May 18th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
wowzers i am agog! Meg, you’ve started something wonderful! such amazing creativity out there! i resolve to take part next time.
May 18th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Like the others I thought it was perfect just the way it was. Not only have I seen such great things made by others (and added to my list of things to sew), but also somehow got into the swing of sewing every night. Thank you so much for organizing it.
May 18th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Thanks for the challenge Meg. I had a great week sewing, and it’s nice to know my boy won’t be running around in the nude for at least some of winter here in Australia, and that his clothes are handmade with love. I think it should be a twice a year event – just before summer and just before winter. If you decided to offer prizes, I think they should just be random, otherwise you’re creating too much work for yourself, as others have said. Thanks again!
May 18th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
I enjoyed it so much too – and am glad that I’m not the only one who enjoyed the relaxed feel of it enormously. There was no pressure, no keeping track, no onerous time committments and that just made it soooo enjoyable. I’m sure I did more because of it! I’d hate to see a competitive element added in because it was lovely just looking at people’s work without any other motive than just enjoying. Would love love love to have another in 6 months, but certainly every year if you would! Can’t wait to have some time to go back through the group and admire properly.
May 18th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
I agree with everyone – twice a year – keep it simple – amazing inspiration – don’t want to stop now! Thanks so much Meg for giving us all the little push that we needed …. can you do a challenge for getting the housework done ;) ha ha!!
May 18th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
I stunk it up this time. I have projects laying on the ironing board waiting to be finished last week, but 100 other projects kept coming up. Hopefully next time, I’ll be able to carve away the time better.
May 18th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Oh I missed this. What a fantastic idea, I hope to join you next time.
May 18th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
i had a great time.. although the weekend was too busy for me to sew. so i am going to take two more days later to finish. it was a great inspiration and i would love to do one in the fall also!!!!
May 18th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
thank you for doing this – it was so much fun, if a little crazy making for me. but it was inspiring, i got a bunch done, and i can’t wait to do it again!
May 18th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
hey meg! I so wish I could have done some kids stuff this year for your week. I like how you set it up, I think you did a great job of organizing it all and I actually really like that there weren’t any prizes. It makes you feel better about sewing what your kids will really like rather than what you think people would vote for.
May 18th, 2010 at 11:50 pm
I can’t thank you enough for this challenge. It not only got me moving, but also, I had been moaning about the lack of cute boy clothes patterns. Now I have loads of links and ideas!
Nicola
May 19th, 2010 at 1:45 am
Thanks again Meg! It was the best incentive, loved seeing what everyone was up to – as a direct result I a now have several more tangents to run with!!! It’s also motivated me to get more organised and do some sewing for myself – YAY!!! I will be looking forward to the next challenge. Michele x
May 19th, 2010 at 3:20 am
I liked it just the way it was. And I found it a great inspiration. I was not home for a bit over a day and during this time I hand sewed a lined hat for my daughter! I would have never done something like this if it hadn’t been kids clothing week :)
May 19th, 2010 at 6:43 am
i like it just the way it was. i don’t need a prize if feel that i accomplished a lot and that makes me feel good. and i got to see some really cool projects for kids along the way. always a bonus.
May 19th, 2010 at 8:06 am
I loved doing this, even though I cranked out my one piece in one evening. I love the idea of a cold-weather challenge since it will motivate and inspire me to learn how to make something from material other than pillow cases :) Thanks for organizing!
May 19th, 2010 at 8:14 am
who does’nt love prizes, but reading your blog and seeing the beautiful creations that others had made was a prize in itself, what a perfect challenge as is.
May 19th, 2010 at 9:03 am
Yes, please do it again! Maybe not wait until next year?! I had a lot of fun, made a list longer than the time I had (and am still working on it), and got LOADS of inspriation from others! Thank you!!
May 20th, 2010 at 8:43 am
I think the only change for next year is that you should adopt my children during kids clothes challenge week. Would you mind that? :)
The work of all these talented people has been amazing. So inspiring. If only I had countless hours and a working sewing machine!
May 20th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
I had a blast and thought it was perfect this year. Would love this to be a twice-a-year event!
May 20th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
I agree with everyone else- it was great just how it was!
May 21st, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Hi Meg, I sure do need to thank you for organizing this challenge, I thought it was lots of fun, and it helped me get a head start on birthday sewing, so maybe I won’t be up until 1am this Sunday barely finishing my daughters gifts in time. (Except probably I will anyhow, but still, thanks!)
Now I’m going to go see who made that red polka dot dress!
May 21st, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Grr… I’m jealous I didn’t get anything done during the kids week challenge. I was overly abitious AND my sewing skills weren’t what I thought they were… So I’m practicing for the next one!!! I love the Pics posted above… I had a couple of similar items in mind myself.
May 24th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
AH, I just found you…This sounds like such a great challenge. Maybe next time!
Sarah
June 2nd, 2010 at 2:58 pm
oh! i love all of these!
August 26th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
In my opinion everything in the blogland is less fun once there is a contest or like involved.
The way it went just suited me fine (if only I hadn’t been sick at the wrong time -grrrrr)
May I suggest the idea of a seasonal (therefore 4 times a year) kid clothes challenge ?
And… thank you for orgazing this !
August 26th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
okay i read the previous comments… maybe i’m a little too motivated to sew for my daughter !! TWICE a year would be wonderful, i’m up for it :)