Sewing for Boys April Sew-along

When the 'Sewing for Boys' April pattern  was announced, I wasn't sure that I would participate this month - I've already made two pairs of the Treasure Pocket Pants (a pair with Penguins and a pair with Puppies).  So I felt that we were in a good place with Treasure Pocket Pants already.  Then I realized that this was an excellent opportunity to sew something cute for my 3-month-old nephew.

Now, you may be asking, "How did you sew these for your nephew, isn't the smallest pattern size 12-18 months?"  Okay, so maybe you weren't asking that at all, but I'll answer anyway.  These pants are 12-18 months, and I'm thinking they'll fit my nephew next fall/winter.  He's a big baby, so I'm guessing that they'll fit sooner rather than later.  Unfortunately for us, this means that we won't have any cute photos of babies today.

One reason that I made these way-too-big pants was the fact that I already had all of the materials in my stash.  My aunt gave me the tan canvas/denim fabric that I used for the main part of the pants, and I bought the cute owl print at Sew to Speak.  For the record, the owl print is a Tammis Keefe/Michael Miller print - the third Tammis Keefe print that I've bought.  I love them all!

I didn't really do anything special with this pattern.  The waist facing is narrower than the instructions require, and I used a slightly differnt method for attaching the bottom hem facings, but these are really minor changes.  You may also notice that I used the main canvas fabric for the top side panels, while in the past I've used the contrast fabric all the way up the side.  I really like the result either way.

Of course, even though the recipient is out of town, my son couldn't resist the opportunity to have his picture taken.  Comparing this photo to the pictures of him in his puppy pants really makes me realize how badly this boy needs a haircut!  I promise - short hair will be in the very near future.

The REAL reason I bought the Alligator fabric

After making my daughter's alligator skirt, I felt that I absolutely had to work on my blouse in the same fabric.  Luckily, I already had the pattern cut out.

I used Colette's Sorbetto pattern, which was lovely.  The pattern was simple enough that after cutting out my pieces, I just glanced over the instructions then sewed without really referring to the pattern at all. And, because this is a free downloadable pattern, I did something that I never do - I cut right into the pattern after taping the pages together.  No tracing for me!  Tracing can be so tedious, and if I want to sew one in a different size, I'll just download the pattern again (but, because it fits so well, that seems unlikely).

Joanna took this picture - it is important to her that there be a fabric close-up

The most time consuming part was making my own bias tape for the edges - even using the continuous bias tape method, it takes a while.  It's all the pressing involved after everything has been cut.  I had planned to use store-bought bias tape, but it seemed like an unnecessary hassle when I had so much leftover fabric.

Even though I have now officially accomplished my Alligator fabric mission, I don't think we've seen the last of this print - I'm going to make sure every scrap gets put to good use.

Chomp goes the Alligator

A girl can never have too many skirts.  I should know - I have a closet full of them.  And, I'm working on filling Joanna's closet as well.  So, when Joanna said that she wanted a skirt made from the Alligator fabric that I had in my stash, I was happy to oblige.

I suppose it takes the right kind of person, but my daughter and I both really love this fabric.  It's a Tammis Keefe print from Michael Miller that I picked up at Sew to Speak.  I originally bought the fabric to make a blouse for myself, so when Joanna asked for the skirt, I went back to the store and bought more (I still plan to make that blouse!).  

This skirt is made in almost the same way that I made these skirts a couple months ago.  The only difference is that this skirt isn't quite as full - The rectangles that I cut were about 38"x18", instead of 44"x18".  The fact that the skirt wasn't quite as full as last time made it easier to feed the elastic through, I think.  I'm so glad that Joanna likes this style - it's just so easy!

Now for my blouse - I'm planning to use Colette's Sorbetto pattern - I've cut out the pieces, I just have to throw it together!

Upcoming projects

I really meant to work on some sewing projects last night, but this is what I did instead:

• Baked two loaves of beer bread
• Went on a run with my daughter
• Started reading a new book
• Fell asleep early (with the book lying open next to me)

Maybe that's why I love sewing so much - I know that it will be waiting for me when I get back.  When I do get around to working on these projects, these beautiful fabrics will be:

• A top for me 
• New potholders
• A stuffed cat toy
• A skirt for my girl
• And much more! 

Snuggly Quick Change Trousers

My new little nephew Arlo was just born this past month, and we completely adore him already.  Naturally, I decided that the best way to demonstrate my affection was by sewing.  I already made a spotty dinosaur to play with, but I wanted to sew some cute little baby clothes, too.  Inspired by SouleMama's post about Anna Maria Horner's Quick Change Trousers (from Handmade Beginnings), I made a tiny pair for Arlo.  Because he is a rather large baby, I decided to make the 3-6 month size.  As I sewed, I couldn't help but think he would be too big for them - they look so small!  It's amazing how difficult it is to gauge the size of a tiny new baby when you're used to sewing for big kids!  My Joanna is getting ready for sixth grade, braces, and band instruments, so it's difficult to accurately remember those tiny baby sizes.  Josh, my baby, is in Kindergarten already!

Luckily, the cuffs can be rolled up or down to accommodate this growing little guy.  The pants are reversible - one side features puppy-print fabric by Tammis Keefe and the other side is a repurposed men's flannel shirt.  I'm hoping that the flannel feels super soft against his sensitive baby skin.  The Tammis Keefe fabric was leftover from Josh's second pair of Treasure Pocket Pants.  Josh is pretty excited that he and Arlo will have matching trousers!  I'm sure Arlo will grow out of these fairly quickly, but no matter.  I can't wait to make a bigger pair - the pattern is so cute!

I really love the back yoke on this pattern.  In Handmade Beginnings, Anna Maria Horner uses three different fabrics, but I just used the yoke to repeat the fabric that is on the reverse.  The contrast fabric on the baby's bum is super cute!

Unfortunately, my little nephew lives two states away and I haven't met him yet!  I did, however, mail these pants to him.  They're too big for now (don't they look big folded up next to him?), but he'll grow into them soon, I'm sure!

Also, in case you were wondering, he is laying on a Snail quilt that I made for him from Boo Davis's 'Dare to Be Square'.  And the polka dot dinosaur is this one.

Josh's Treasure Pocket Pants Redux

I already wrote about the lovely Treasure Pocket Pants pattern from 'Sewing for Boys'.  I liked them so much I made a second pair.  This time I used some soft, tan corduroy and a Dog print fabric by Tammis Keefe.  Instead of using contrast fabric for the waistband, I used the main fabric, mostly because my piece of Puppy fabric wasn't wide enough to cut one long strip; I would have had to piece it, or have sideways dogs.  Josh is (obviously) pretty happy with them.

 I finished sewing these pants late on Friday night, and I left them on the back of a chair, expecting Josh to see them.  Sure enough, when I came downstairs on Saturday morning, he was wearing his new pants!  Seeing a cute kid in cozy new pants makes this mama very happy.