Operation Incognito - Sewing for School

Our school has a really awesome fundraiser each winter!  It goes like this...

Each class has a theme such as "Let's Go to the Movies" or "Let's Build Something", and each child brings in one or more items for that theme basket.  The baskets are wrapped in clear cellophane and raffled off at the Winter Festival.  This is a great fundraiser because each item is donated and all of the money made from raffle tickets goes to our school and directly benefits the kids.

My preschooler's class theme this year is "Let's Dress Up".  I specifically wanted to donate an item that was fun for girls or boys, since we all know boys sometimes get jipped in the dress up department.

I found this sewing pattern at just the right moment!

Get yours here on Craftsy!

It also comes with instructions for a yellow felt envelope to keep it all in, but I had only smaller felt pieces and I also wanted to position them so they will all be on display in the theme basket.

Travis really wants to win one of the baskets this year, he's saving up his money for tickets!

perfect beach outfit for Travis

I made a few things for Travis last week with my free patterns, and I'm totally in love with this outfit.

It is the Charlie Tunic from Made By Rae and Boys Cargo Shorts pattern from Little Lizard King. 

The shirt is made in a super light "linen-look" from JoAnn fabrics with seersucker at the placket.  This is great for keeping Travis covered at the beach, his skin is so fair!  The fabric is really thin and cool.

The cargo shorts are made from striped seersucker, a classic for stylish little fellas.

Both patterns were a breeze to whip up, the perfect relaxing summer night project.   

KCWC - Day 5 - Skivs

Here is what else I made for Kids Clothes Week Challenge...

Skivvys.  Or, as my dad would say, Skivs.

These are mostly made from scraps.  I used the undercover boxer pattern from Fish Sticks Designs and also their FREE tank pattern from the Fishsticks Blog.

I made both versions in the pattern.  First the "regular" boxers with the fly.  He kept putting his hand it and telling me it was a pocket.  Next I decided to make the training pants version which makes more sense for him anyway.  They're nice and soft! 

Pardon the gloomy photos, we haven't seen the sun in New Hampshire in about a week I think!

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In other news, I just learned of a new sewing challenge I want to be part of!  This is just what I had in mind.  I have a bunch of skirt and dress projects ready to go!  Check it out!

I also have a dress planned for my daughter's 8th grade graduation and the fabric from Superbuzzy finally arrived today.  I hope it gets done in time!

spring KCWC - little Lebowski bowling shirt

Here's a project that's been in my mind for quite awhile, that I made for Travis this week. 
It's time again for the Kid's Clothing Week Challenge.

A sweet bowling shirt!

Here's the back:

I had to get a little Big Lebowski reference on this shirt, it goes without saying

...The Dude Abides.

The pattern I used is the Scientific Seamstress Bowling Shirt.  It's a great pattern to have, very detailed and specific, with plenty of photos/diagrams.  This shirt took probably around 2 1/2 hours total to sew.  I'm very impressed with my new machine's ability to make perfect buttonholes.  This was the first try!

The graphics on the back were made using my Silhouette Machine.  Then I just ironed everything on.  I also have a name patch I made for the front that I forgot to attach until now!  I don't want to sound like an advertiser for the Silhouette, but I never cease to be amazed at how fun it is.  I think the best part is that since I have a $10 monthly subscription to the online store I get to download 25 designs per month and they come out with new designs every single day. 

So that's all I've gotten done so far this week for the KCWC sewing about an hour a day.  I'm okay with that since that was a bit more complex than my usual kid's clothing projects.  For the next project, I'm going super simple with a shirt for my 9 year old boy.

Urban Hoodie for spring

I finally got around to making a new Urban Hoodie for Travis to replace this one I made in the fall that is now too small.

I really love stripes, can you tell? 

This time I made passable buttonholes (and didn't cheat by using vel-cro). 

 

pattern: Heidi and Finn

fabric:  outside knit stripe from Annie's Second Hand Chic on Etsy (similar one here)

inside ivory interlock knit from JoAnn

"He's All Boy" Blanket

Travis has a special affinity for soft fuzzy things.  At the sewing store he wants to spend hours in the minky aisle.  Whenever he pets soft things, he has to suck his thumb at the same time.  It's pretty cute.

When I saw this blanket tutorial on This Mama Makes Stuff during Celebrate The Boy 2011, I knew I found a great idea for Travis' upcoming birthday. 

Here's my version:

    I used black minky (the swirly type) because, well, that's the only type they had that day, so I decided to make it work.  Considering the dragging around it will have to take, black might be a smart choice.

This was a very quick/easy project, it took only a few hours!

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And because I'm such a sucker, I let him have it early...

Future Pilot Shirt

Liam wants to be a pilot when he grows up and loves playing Flight Simulator almost every day.  I've never seen a kid who loves planes more.  He's always asking to go by the airport so he can watch the planes land.

I made him this shirt using the All the Rage Raglans pattern by the Scientific Seamstress.  I am so impressed with this t-shirt pattern.  It contains so much helpful information for every detail of construction!  I even found a new way to attach the neckline so it wouldn't stretch out of shape.  It was worth buying the pattern for that tip alone.  The neckband has been frustrating to me in the past.  It's got a much larger boxier fit than the shirts for travis, but I really love both patterns because they offer very different styles of raglans.

The airplane graphic was actually from this free font which I downloaded and printed out, then traced and cut out of freezer paper.  I used silver fabric paint in the freezer paper stencil and white fabric paint for the words.  My favorite tutorial for stenciling is here on Made.

And here is one more Christmas gift I forgot to post earlier.  This is Koji which I made using a pattern from the book Wee Wonderfuls by Hillary Lang  Liam loves him!

Have a great weekend!

Celebrating The Boy - Tees For Two

I'm finally shaking off the winter blues and getting into some spring sewing.  This year Dana and Rae are hosting another Celebrate The Boy series, which happens to be my very favorite blog series of ALL TIME.  Just like last year, I can't wait to check my computer each day to see what cool boy ideas they and their guests have.  It always gets me motivated to sew more.

I made these two Tee For Two (patterns by figgy's) shirts for Travis for spring!

  This one is made from a women's shirt (Walmart clearance) and some green interlock knit.

This Oswald shirt is my favorite!  Travis is all about Oswald.  We watch that show daily.  I just wish they made more than one season!!  Henry the penguin is my favorite (his voice is actually Squiggy from Laverne & Shirley!).  Travis loves the dog Weenie.  

I really enjoyed sewing this pattern.  It was so quick to make and fun to design the appliques.  This is the before photo:

The appliques were both made with leftover t-shirt scraps.  I used Heat N Bond Lite.  I just draw my shapes on the paper side, then iron it onto my scraps.  Next I cut on the drawn line, fuse to fabric and stitch around the shapes on my project.  Very easy!  

These t-shirt scrap appliques won't fray, so no worries when stitching them on.  Just a plain straight or narrow zig zag stitch is fine.

All we need now is some spring weather.  It's about 10 degrees here in New Hampshire as I type this!

    

Look out ladies! Little (reversible) menswear

Yes, I realize I'm late in finishing and posting this week's gift for the handmade holiday challenge.  But look what I was doing!

Making a reversible outfit!

I was asked to be a pattern tester for Little Lizard King Patterns newest reversible vest pattern.  This was such an easy, fun pattern to sew.  Perfect for dressing up over the holidays.  I knew I wanted to try it with menswear fabrics. 

The pants I made to match are also reversible.  One side is flannel suiting, the other is brown plaid.  All fabrics are from JoAnn's.  I made the pants reversible by making 2 pairs of pants, and sewing them wrong sides together, folding under the edges to meet.  Then I inserted elastic for the waistband.  The patch pockets are made using this tutorial found on MADE.

This will be so cute for Thanksgiving.  I'm not sure which side I like best.  All he needs now is a scali cap to complete this outfit I think.

I just found this pattern Etsy that would look so cute with this.  I can't believe it's reversible too!  I like that it comes in a wide range of sizes.  I think I have to get that one.







I promised him a lolipop for modeling!

UPDATE: This pattern is now available at Little Lizard King's Etsy shop!  I'll have to tell Travis that he had a brief modeling career!



DMK Pea Coat for tiny T.

I had hoped to have this coat done earlier in the fall, but having it done by Thanksgiving is OK.  This is made with the DMK Trendy Unisex Pea Coat pattern.  Just now looking at the pattern online, I just realized I forgot to attach the wristbands.  Will do!

 Here is my favorite shot, he can't read so I can get away with this!

The outside is pinwale corduroy, the inside lining is this great Alexander Henry dragon print.  I added a little pocket inside for his "guys".

I just love it when I find good sewing patterns for boys!

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I need to find something cool to make for his oldest brother.  It's more challenging to make something he will wear in a men's size!

linking up here for cool stuff for Guys:

animal pajamas

Again with the pajamas, I know!  But that's what he needed.  I also had this animal fabric laying around since 2005 and needed to do something with it or get rid of it. 

The shirt is freezer paper stenciled on a 90 minute shirt both ideas I found from Dana at MADE.  I know now I will never ever get tired of making the 90 minute shirt.  I can get one done in about 60 minutes now, and the color combos are endless!

I've had a little less time this week, Travis is now in a toddler bed.  Some of the time he lays right down and goes to sleep, other times he runs out of bed, and I put him back, and this pattern goes on until he passes out from exhaustion!  He's one determined little bugger.

Here he is helping take the crib apart with his toy drill.

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linking up to this today:

 

Right now I've got a few sewing projects going on.  When Travis goes in for his nap I'm not sure what to work on!  I'm thinking of making some gifts for the kids to put away for Christmas.  I'll have to work on those secretly.  For Maura I've been meaning to make Clucky the Chook, so that's in the works.  I'm thinking Travis would like some quilted letters, so I started on those too.  I'll post the pictures as I complete them.  It may be a little while because I just ordered even more new patterns and I'm having idea overload at the moment.  See you soon!

Some new hats

With the cooler weather now here, I whipped up a few hats today!

Maura requested a (what else?) Totoro hat...shocking I know!  When looking for ideas, I found this great example that inspired me on Craftster.  She thinks it's the best hat she's ever had!

Liam's skate hat I made from a thrifted sweatshirt.  I used the graphic on the shirt as a patch on the front and back.  I found good directions on making this recycled hat on the Creative Maven blog, instructions here.

 Linking here: