Sunday, September 29, 2013

Fun and Dapper Boy

Pin It I have not done a lot of sewing along with PR&P because I have been so busy with Sew Cool for the Tween Scene.  I have been so excited about this new endevour and there have been so many positive responses.  But, I have two other children and I happen to love sewing for my  little boy.

At five, he has a very defined style.  He has opinions about the clothes, the fabric, and even the details down to the buttons.  Of course then, for signature style week I had to make him something.


That something was a flannel button up shirt and a fedora hat.


The shirt is a BurdaStyle pattern; #152.  It is a fully detailed dress shirt with collar band and plackets at the cuff.


The yoke is lined too.


I used a flannel with little owls and red/orange circles for the primary fabric.  And as an accent, I used a flannel hounds-tooth that picked up on the lesser used colors in the pattern.


For the hat, I used Elegance and Elephant's new fedora hat pattern.  The shape on this pattern is just perfect.  But, I have to say buyer beware.  You really need to measure your kid's head first and pick the size based on that measurement.  I used the largest size for my rather skinny headed 5 year old.

The pattern is also a bit finicky, so if you are a beginner, take it slow.


Eli loves this fun and dapper style.  He has now made requests for hats matching several other shirts.


How does your child's style merge with yours?


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Monday, September 23, 2013

silly little crochet whale

Pin It I have been doing some more silly crocheting.  This time I made a whale out of some scrap blues.  I found the pattern on Ravelry and it is free so go here to get it.  The pattern is super easy and even the most beginner hooker (one who crochets) could whip one of these guys out in an afternoon.  It actually also comes with a pattern for a little sailor hat and life ring.  But I did not have the white yarn to do those.

amigurumi whale
First, you construct the body of the whale and then skinny it off into a funny shaped end.  And then you stuff it and close it off.

amigurumi whale

Next, you make the little tail fin pieces.

amigurumi whale

Then  I simply had to attach the tail pieces to the end and embroider the eyes.

amigurumi whale
So what to do with a crocheted whale?  Have a silly photo shoot!  I got out some of the kids' bath toys and had some fun taking pictures.

Isa loved it and plays with it regularly.  I think this would be a cute gift topper for baby shower gifts.  Or, crochet it in white for your literature lover ...

amigurumi whale

Any silly crocheting going on out there?


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Monday, September 16, 2013

cotton candy study hall jacket

Pin It Oh Project Run and Play, how I love your sew alongs!  Yes, it is that time a year again.  Well actually they have decided to have shorter and more frequent seasons.  So now, it will start to compete with my regularly scheduled sewing.  But that is fine.  I may not do every sew along, but I will have fun with the ones I do play with.

This is the second week actually, (the first week I made something for my oldest daughter and posted it HERE) and the theme is candy.  So, I went with cotton candy as my inspiration.  I thought of that while  we were at the Alaska State Fair.
Alaska State Fair: cotton candy

And how to interpret fluffy, sweet goodness to a fall outfit?  Pink Fleece!

Go to Patterns: Study Hall Jacket

I used the Go to Patterns, Study Hall Jacket that I bought as part of a Pattern Anthology collection.   The pattern calls for a lining, but I did not line it because I wanted the soft fleece to be equally cuddly on the inside.
Go to Patterns: Study Hall Jacket

And I used the welt pocket options on the front pockets and a small zipper pocket on the arm.  Isa loved the pockets and had her hands in them where ever she went.  She also LOVED having the hood up.  It was not that chilly outside, but she insisted.
Go to Patterns: Study Hall Jacket

I made one for both girls.  But Abi's is a bit different.  She has zippers on all her pockets.
I top-stitched all the seems.  (Better pictures of Abi's and a full pattern review can be found HERE.)This created a neat appearance on the inside and out; especially since I only lined the hood.

Go to Patterns: Study Hall Jacket

I placed a small embroidery on each of the front of the jacket where you would usually see a brand symbol.  Isa received a flower and Abi received a skull to coordinate with her skull hood lining.

Go to Patterns: Study Hall Jacket

The sleeves are raglan style and there is a collar option if you do not want a hood.  However, this little girl loved her hood. I probably should have sized up on the hood since she has such a large head.  Though I skipped lining the jacket, I did line the hood.  That way the fleece would not create a static cling issue.

Go to Patterns: Study Hall Jacket

I think this jacket will be great on its own before it gets too cold.  But also, I think they can wear it under their winter coats as an additional layer or in the house when they are a bit chilly.

Go to Patterns: Study Hall Jacket



Go to Patterns: Study Hall JacketGo to Patterns: Study Hall Jacket

Do you make jackets as part of your sewing projects? Are you making Fall or Winter jackets? 


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Sunday, September 8, 2013

last minute early Halloween

Pin It  Have you ever had those weekends where you have plans?  And then a child says "Mom, I need X tomorrow!"

I had one of those this weekend.  I was working hard on a project and making pretty good progress.  I was just sure that I would have it done before I had go back and work this Monday.  But, the above senario occured.

In the Anchorage, AK they have a traditional early trick-or-treat. It started when a dying boy asked to have Halloween early so he would not miss it. Now, several neighborhoods do it with in conjunction with fundraiser for other sick children. A great idea since late October is quite cold.

trick-or-treat

And the husband and I thought we were being so proactive in order to meet the early costume deadline.  We bought a Ironman costume for Eli, had a couple hand-me-down options for Isa, and Abi was going to wear her medieval costume from last year.  But, somehow, this week a tornado hit Abi's room and she could not find her costume.

Fall Queen/Fair

So, Saturday night, I was going through my random costume scraps from past homemade costumes and other random fabrics trying to figure out something.  She was Fall.  It was kinda a fair/queen/season.  Who knew that some lame, tule and green fleece could look so good?

Fall and Winter

And it worked out perfect as her friend just happened to be winter, so they trick-or-treated together!

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