A Hoot and a Holler

Kids Clothing Week

Ok, it's a little late.  Kids Clothing Week was over last week but it seems to have created some momentum for me.  I'm not ready to stop.  

I asked this girl if she would like a something on her dress.  She told me she wanted a baby deer.  Of all things to applique on a dress.  I was ready to hear the word mermaid fly out of her mouth.  Nope.  My oldest daughter informed me that it looks more like a goat and I need to try again.  

She LOVES it.  I didn't use a pattern.  It's a simple pullover style so I didn't have to deal with button holes.  It's going to be 80 degrees today.  I'm off to the park!

 
  

 

Kids Clothes Week Challenge- Day Five!

This is a dress I made for my oldest.  I love this blue on her.  Unfortunately, it was too cold to put it on her for school today so I brought out my handy dandy assistant to model it for me.  

I decided that it looked too much like a night gown so I added the pocket.  Now, it just looks like a night gown with a pocket.

 

I changed the direction of the stripes a few times.  That way I didn't have to try to match them up.

I can't wait for it to warm up a little so she can wear this.  I have another one cut out and ready to be sewn.  This one is going to be a little different.  Stay tuned.
  

 

Kids Clothes Week Challenge- Day Three!

This is the Grand Revival Ruffle Skirt I made last night.  I have made this skirt a few times before and she LOVES it.  It's all about the "twirl factor".  This is an easy pattern that can be done quickly.  I am planning on making another one with stripes.  Unfortunately, this is the only photo that wasn't blurry. 

She insists on wearing these sneakers EVERYDAY!  I would have chosen her sandals.  It certainly  fits her personality.  A skirt with hi tops.  The perfect combination of girly and don't mess with me. 

Kids Clothes Week Challenge- Day Two!

This is what I came up with last night.  I decided not to use a pattern.  This is my idea of the perfect summer baby outfit.  It doesn't get better than a shirred sun top and bloomers.  And I love gingham! And I love this baby!  Cooperating for photo shoots is not her thing these days so I had to give her a tomato to distract her.  

 

 

I had to get a shot of the bloomers.  This was simple to make.  If you have not tried shirring give it a try. I have to warn you.  It's addicting!

I love this challenge!  It is amazing how just committing to one hour will get me so involved in a project that I end up working for three.

Kids Clothes Week Challenge- Day One!

After a week of strep throat and standardized state tests I am really wanting to do something for ME.  Like sew and put some ideas I have had to the test! This challenge that Elsie Marley started is just what I need to get my but in gear! The idea is to spend at least one hour each night sewing your kids wardrobe for summer and see where it takes you. Most of my projects are still in pieces waiting to be sewn.  But hey, it's a start. I did finish one piece yesterday.  I have had this book since February and have not been able to create time to make anything from it.  I love the book.  The patterns are simple.  

 My little models are at school and I couldn't get photos of them in this over the week end but it looks really cute on.  I love the little details.  The pocket and the lace on the shoulders.  Yes, I used pink bias tape (nothing else on hand) but when it's on you cannot see it so who really cares.

 

I decided to add a pleated pocket.  One of the details I love most is the fray at the bottom.  Since it is not hemmed the fray will become more apparent when it's washed a few times.

 



I will be making some capri pants out of the same chambray fabric and frayed hem.  If I can commit to sewing at least one hour each night this week I think I will end up with a few things for all three of my little ladies.  As long as nobody gets sick, Cross your fingers!

Floral and ruffle T-Shirts

I know, I know.  It's not that impressive.  Everyone is making these.  I will tell you what is impressive!  The fact that I carved two minutes of alone time out of my life to make these stinking shirts.  It must be the ages that my girls are at or something but lately I have had no sewing/me time.  That needs to change!  

 

I saw some t-shirts on sale at Old Navy a while back for $5.00 and I bought about ten of them.  They have been just sitting there waiting for me to add a little somethin somethin.  

Two down!  Eight to go!

I love the month of April.  We have two very special birthdays in our family this month (photos soon).   

  

Spring Sewing

  Don't get me wrong.  There is no spring action going on here in Brooklyn quite yet.  It is still very much a winter situation.  I always get jealous when I read other blogs this time of year.  I turn green with envy reading about how "spring is in the air" and "I just needed a light cardigan" when I left the house.  The worst one is "I see blossoms popping up".  There is still snow on the ground.  Old, gross, brown snow with week old trash mixed in it.  Yum!  What do I do to get me through the last bit of winter?  First, start by forcing some Paperwhite bulbs.  I do this every year after the holidays.  They smell great!  They last FOREVER and kids LOVE to watch them come to life.  I love the squeals and daily updates. "Mommy, this one has creepy roots".  "I see green sprouts".  "This one wins!  It popped the first flower!".  By the end of the six weeks each bulb had been given a name and had a personality of it's own.  They are sturdy flowers that do not need much more than water and light.  The sad part is that they don't live forever and eventually they have to go.

 Another cure for the winter blues is to start sewing Spring Wardrobes for the girls.  Notice the fussy, flowery, bright fabric I chose for this shirt?  Yep, I actually chose that.  I chose it because it's Febuary.  I chose it because it's for a kid.  I chose it because it's going to get me through the rest of the winter.  I know, in a few months it will probably make me want to puke but for now, it's making me happy.  I used my own pattern for this one.  I am just starting to make clothes without using a store bought  pattern and it's quite fun. 

I added shirring to the neckline, sleeves,

and waist.

It was a simple, quick project that I finished in one night.  Given the lack of "time" I get to myself these short projects are perfect for me.

So, There you have it.  My two favorite ways to endure the end of winter.

Oh, and by the way, don't ignore your baby while working on a project.

 

I had a feeling things were just a little too quiet!

Fall Sweater Refashion

I decided to add a ruffle to an old sweater this week.  Can you guess where I got my inspiration?  This is a beautiful tree we pass each morning on our way to school.  I LOVE the gold leaves every fall.  The smelly Ginko berries that fall from it... not so much.  

It was simple.  I saw a similar one  in Anthropology a while back. I wanted it so bad but I couldn't convince myself to buy it.  I couldn't buy it because I knew it would be so easy to make myself.

Before

After!  Simple and cute!  I cut into an old T-shirt that is the same beautiful gold I am seeing every morning!  Every year I am in awe when the leaves change.  Fall  colors are so amazing!

We didn't get color like this in the North West where I grew up.  Everything was green, and stayed green all year.  Not a bad thing, just different.

 

I made the ruffle go all the way around the hood of the sweater and all the way back down the other side.  I love it.  It looks cute on.  Your going to have to take my word for it.  If I were to show you I would have to rely on the photography skills of an 8 year old.
 

There is lot's to do this week.  We are starting our "project Night" where my kids and I will make Christmas gifts for their friends and family one night a week.  I will post a few of our latest masterpieces soon.  
Happy Monday!

Play Clothes: Part Five

I have been sewing so much for her older sisters that I feel guilty for not making much for Alice.  She deserves some handmade love.  I love this fabric.  I found it in the fabric district last year on sale.  I thought it was perfect for a little shirred sun dress.

The photo doesn't show the dress very well.  This girl cannot stop kicking her feet and putting them in her mouth long enough to get a good shot.

This shirt was made from Simplicity 4206.  I think I have this pattern memorized at this point. 

This poor baby cannot get a nap this summer with her sisters around.  I wonder if there is a way to turn letting her sleep into a "fun" game for her sisters.  Any suggestions? They don't want to do anything these days unless it's "fun".  I'm off to try to get them to clean up their room.  Wish me luck.

Play Clothes- Part Four

We have spent most of our summer in the park here in Brooklyn.  Hitting the playgrounds, the zoo, the carousel, the Botanical Gardens etc.  I am exhausted but we really are enjoying our summer.  This is a little sun shirt and shorts I made up last night.  I have always wanted to try an inverted pleat.  The shirt is suppose to be gathered instead.  I'm quite happy with how it turned out.  They both could use some more shorts, shirts, and skirts.  OK, maybe they don't really "need" them but I really want to make them.  I have now idea how these clothes are getting done with a new baby.  I think the key for me now is to stick to simple patterns that can be finished in one evening.  Anything more complicated than that just wont get finished.

This was going to be a bubble dress but we decided to lose the bubble part.  I had a feeling she would not like the elastic.  I ended up cutting it out.  I bought the fabric (which I love) at Brooklyn Merchantile. 

I'm off to make a few pair of shorts for the girls.  I think little miss Alice could use some handmade clothes from mom too:)