Day One: Kids Week Clothing Challenge

It seem miracles do happen! And on Monday morning they came in the form of superhero mum (mine) dropping in especially to grant me two uninterrupted hours of sewing bliss. Thanks mummy, you saved the day! Otherwise, I’m not sure sure I would have made it past the pile of kid debris in the lounge room to even get to my sewing machine. Let alone, get to try out this ‘Comfy Yoga Hoodie Pattern’ by Heidi and Finn. Which, by the way, is just as awesome (and easier) as her Urban Hoodie pattern, for those of you familiar with that lil’ beauty.

When I was in preparation mode on Sunday night I wasn’t so sure about this colour combo. I am not usually drawn to orange, and definately not green and orange. But I didn’t have anything else! So, a bit squeamishly, I stepped out of my colour comfort zone. And I am totally refreshed! Good-bye Blue.

Allright Day Two…its just youuuuuu and me.

07/05/2011

KCWC…a sneaky peak

Boy Makes

Wow ~ This is my first Kids Clothing Week Challenge and I’m so excited! Ideas are running through my head. Questions too. How much can I get done? What do the kids need? Will I sew through the night? Do I have to do housework this week? So, I have a bit of a loose list and I’m setting my own challenge…ONE item per day and ONE post per day. I figure, its my first, so lets go hard or go home. If at the end of the week I’m rocking back and forth in a corner clutching my sewing machine, thats a sacrifice I’m willing to make…

So here’s a little tid-bit, some fabrics I’ve been dying to use and now the perfect occasion. We are approaching winter here down-under and though its pretty mild, Archie needs pyjamas and pants. Hudson needs pants and tops. Archie definately needs a bowtie. And mummy needs uninterrupted sewing time. When not sewing, I will be glued to the KCWC elsie marley FLICKR group.

See you on the other side

02/05/2011

Feeling a little Retro coming on

Boy Makes

A word of advice….if you have a little boy to sew for and haven’t already got your hands on the Oliver and S ‘Sailboat top and pants’ pattern…do so now! It’s quaint, charming and can be as old-world or as modern as you like depending on the fabrics. This time I decided to take a new approach to Archie’s wardrobe and channel his inner ‘indie’ kid (its got to be in there somewhere). Leaving behind the fleuro brights and lurid knits (soooo last week) I took a risk and paired burnt orange corduroy with a mint green, suitably retro, telephone print. I think it paid off…maybe it hurts your eyes?

Hunting around op-shops for men’s ‘cords’ to cut up seems to be my day job at the moment and these trousers I am proud to say, are entirely re-fashioned, buttons and all, from an XL men’s shirt. What a beauty!

Have you ever come across some fabric that you love so much you buy it in bulk so it ‘never’ runs out? This telephone print by Luli Sanchez for Timeless Treasures was my 6-yard-bulk-buy, and I’m pleased to say there are close to 5 left in the stash so that sad sad day is a long way off! These neat square buttons seemed just right for the job and were promptly yanked off another thrifted shirt to be given new life.

MORE BOYS PATTERNS PLEASE OLIVER AND S!!

08/04/2011

A Babble of Bibs

Boy Makes

On a recent hunt for inspiration around blog land, I happened upon a particularly neat bib tutorial by Sew She Sews which I must share. ‘Bibs SCHMIBS!‘ you say? Well, its true: a bib is a bib and it probably won’t blow your socks off, but I love its mod shape and the mock patchwork allows for some seriously playful fabric combos. Clear and easy to navigate for those who still consider themselves in the ‘mostly-beginner-with-moments-of-brilliance’ category!

28/03/2011

Newsboy Hats

Boy Makes

This newsboy hat pattern by Leila and Ben has been skulking around in my stash for too long. Since my over-locker (serger) just stopped working and everthing but completely lined clothes is out of the question, it was the perfect project. Small and managable for this zombie mum.

The pattern comes in size 6-12 months and 2t-5t. However, Archie’s three year old head is big and this is fine in the circumference but a bit shallow. I am wondering whether if I add a centimetre to the bottom of the pattern if this will solve the problem of monsieur big-brain?

It took about 5 minutes to cut the fabric inc. lining and about 20 minutes to sew. The kawaii hedehog fabric is a cotton / linen blend, the denim is an old pair of dad’s jeans and both are lined with a plaid shirt.