April Vacation week (formerly known as Kids Clothes Week Challenge)

It's already over, but I did participate in Elsie Marley's Kids Clothes Week Challenge again.  I didn't have as much time as in the past because my kids were ALL HOME for that week.  The schools should know not to schedule April vacation during a sew-along.  Geez.

So with my one hour a day in my sewing studio, here is what I made:

Patterns used: Charlie Tee and Sailboat Pants

These pants are so cute I want to make them in every color.

I also worked on a skirt for Maura, which, as of now, has been devoured by her room.  Will it ever be seen again so I can photograph her in it?  Time will tell.

another summer project finished

I'm still slowly checking projects off my summer to-do list. This is a gift for my friend, Sharon. She gave me one of her old, sentimental T shirts to remake into something else.

So I immediately thought of the Little Blue Boo pieced tunic pattern

This pattern was very basic and breeze to work with. I had a little trouble finding stretchy enough fabric for the bust area. I wound up cutting up one of my dresses!
It was worth it.. I love this top!

Off to finish up some more projects!
---------
Next up: summer pj's for Maura and me (done)
Working on: Little military shirt for Travis

leprechaun outfit with reverse applique tutorial

Just had to make our mischevious little resident leprechaun a new outfit for St. Patrick's day.

The shirt is another Tee for Two, a pattern that I've gotten quite a bit of use out of lately!  My other versions are here.  I love making basic knit t-shirts, so easy and fast! Then I can embellish them too. For this shirt I made shamrock reverse appliques and then used my Silhouette (iron on heat transfer) to make the words. Bonus: these fabrics were both from the old shirt pile.

I added the reverse appliques like this:

trace the design onto the knit (t-shirt) fabric

pin contrasting knit fabric scrap to the underside of your design.  Be sure it covers the whole traced design with room to spare.

Sew on your drawn shape on the right side of the shirt.

Now trim about 1/8" on the inside of your stitching.  This is the fun part!

A super simple way to embellish a shirt!  This also washes very well since t-shirt fabric will roll slightly on the edges in the wash but won't fray.

I've also used reverse applique to highlight a design on the shirt:

And last but not least, I made these pants following Dana's flat front kid pants tutorial .

I added some pockets on the front and back.  He actually LIKES these pants. 






Instant Leprechaun!

**Update:  I'm so excited and honored that Shelly and Karen of Pattern's by Figgy's posted my mini-tutorial on their website, and they added a downloadable shamrock template so you can make your own!

Linking up here:

freezer paper stenciling - I heart you

When I don't have much time, freezer paper stenciling is such a great quick craft fix.  (I learned it here: freezer paper stenciling tutorial) It also saves me money! I've been sewing more for my family this year than ever and I love it when I make things that I would normally buy for the kids. Like this Totoro shirt! Maura's been wanting one for awhile and on ebay they're like $17 + shipping . Here I've made one for about $3. This is made with one of those cheap Jersey's T-shirts that are on sale everywhere.   The greatest thing about this method of stenciling is how well they wash (using tulip soft fabric paint)!  I'm so glad to have found something that works on shirts that can stand up to repeated washings.

Don't you love Totoro?!

Right now I am also working on a skirt from the book Sew Serendipity.  I am making the skirt on the cover.  I totally did not need another sewing book, but this one I couldn't resist!!  It comes with full-sized patterns to save me time.  I'll show off the skirt when it's finished.