Perfect Polo

I've been sewing like crazy this month but completely absent from the blog.  My photo-taking mojo is gone.  It's just been too cold and gray!  Please excuse the bad photos, I just had to post something!!

It's the Perfect Polo pattern made with knit fabric from Girl Charlee.

This was about as much posing as I could get out of Travis.

This is a pattern I can see myself using again and again.  The directions were straightforward, the placket was a bit confusing but came out fine in the end.  This polo would be great in many colors and patterns. 

AND.....A little bird told me that the KCWC Spring 2012 is coming up soon!  Are you on board?

Click on the link below to get the details!

Star Wars Pajamas

I just wanted to quickly post about these pajamas that I made the week between Christmas and New Year.  I love these so much!!  The pattern is the Sweet Dreams Button Up PJ Set from Peek A Boo Pattern Shop.

I love the piping around the neckline and sleeves.  I'd definitely recommend this pattern.  Travis got to choose his own fabric this time.

Here is one of my recent Instagram photos.  

If you love instagram too find me and we'll hook up --  I'm CraftyNHmom on there too. 

Here's a clue as to why he wanted this fabric, Darth Vader.

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!

Quick summer projects

Ah, summer..It's been a very nice summer so far! 
                                We've been getting tons of use out of our pool.  

I haven't been able to sew very much with the heat. 

 Maybe moving my sewing area into the attic wasn't such a good idea!!

Anyway here are a few of the projects I have managed to do!

A Robot sun hat for Travis.

He wears this every day, which is great since this fella sure doesn't need any more freckles.

The pattern is Sunny Day Hat by Tie Dye Diva

Pretending to be a lifeguard and "saving" his brother.

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The other short and easy project I made for Travis were these recycled T-Shirt boxers:

These boxers are so soft, and work well for summer pajamas too!

Pattern for these is the Undercover Bottoms Boxer Briefs.

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Earlier in the spring, I bought all 3 Alabama Chanin books, including the latest, Alabama Studio Sewing + Design, and wow, what eye-candy those books are.  I want to make so many things from those books.  Because I don't need a machine for these projects (or be locked in a sweltering hot room), I made a few things from the book, I'll show you those next!

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.

clothes for the kids

Playing catch-up!  Here are a few of the recent projects for the kids:

Another PBF Tee For Two for Travis.  I love this old school print from this Ebay Store.

Olivia Women's Shoes for Maura.  She loves all things Japanese, so I thought she needed some Japanese style room shoes.

and these Nowhere Man Pants. 

I like the details on this pattern, I wouldn't even guess they were homemade.

and lastly:

Kimono slippers for Travis (which he claims to like but won't wear)

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I still have so much to catch up with!  Next I'll show you some of the goodies I donated to this year's Libary auction.  I also need to show you my newest Peony Dress, Maura's Tova Top, and show you what's different in my sewing area! 

Sewing For Boys Sew Along

I was hoping to have time to join the Sewing For Boys Sew Along, apparently I had forgotten just how fast you can make the Raw Edge Raglan!  

I  was able to whip this one up while Travis was busy watching a few episodes of Avatar: the Last Airbender with Maura, James and Liam.

 I embellished this one with faux layered sleeves (is that what you call it when it looks like two layers of shirts?), then I used this rocket ship applique made from scraps of knit fabrics.  You can find a free template for the rocket ship here, thanks to Ashley of Lil Blue Boo.

I used Heat N Bond Lite for the appliques.  I just drew the shapes on the paper side, ironed it to the t-shirt scraps.  Then cut on the lines, assembled the design on the front of the shirt, then ironed.  Last I used a basic straight machine stitch around all the edges.  This is my favorite method of doing appliques.  They seem to launder very well, which is important!

This is a really versatile pattern with endless possibilities.  

I love the casual raw edge finish too.

This shirt pattern is found in the book Sewing For Boys, along with a ton of other great patterns and ideas.

Here are a few of my earlier versions of this pattern:

original post for these shirts here

and

my St. Patty's Day version is Here

Today was a two-hour delay for schools because of icy roads and I was woken up by Travis waving the rocket ship shirt in my face telling me to put it on him.  I guess it's a winner!

Check out the Flickr Group for the Sew Along!

Mr. Stripey Pajamas

When Travis was a little baby I dressed him in stripes so often he gained the nickname "Mr. Stripey".  

The very last time I sewed anything for him to wear was back in October when I was told by him he didn't want me to make him any "shirts" anymore.  Since then his attitude in general has improved and we noted just the other day, not wanting to jinx the situation, that he's been much more agreeable for the last month or so.  Let's hope it keeps up!

So I made him these striped pajamas.  He likes them so much he doesn't want to take them off!  That's a good sign.

This pattern can be found in Stitch Magazine, which I bought as a back issue. 

 I downloaded the additional add-on of larger sizes (up to 5T) from Fishsticks Designs Blog.  It was a very quick and easy pattern to work with, I highly recommend it!

Snuggling with his brother early in the morning before school.

PBF cozy fall outfit

I've been doing plenty of sewing. I haven't felt much like taking photos! It's been a very rainy autumn in New Hampshire. Not very good for photography, just check out these gloomy photos.



Travis' cozy fall outfit
Details: shirt is Pattern's By Figgy's Tee For Two. Kickin' Back Sweatpants made with a pattern from their new book, Sewing For Boys
Fabric is cut from an Old Navy maxi dress that I snagged on clearance.



He actually told me he didn't want me to make him "shirts" anymore. The little stinker. Too bad I've invested so much in patterns and fabric for him! I'm thinking I will take a break from sewing for him for awhile, though, and sew for those who appreciate it more ( ie. Myself! ...and Maura, James and Liam who have been asking for specific items from me lately).

But first I will post pictures of his completely awesome but ill-fitting Team Rocket sweatshirt, that's next!

Little Military Shirt

Here is a project I've had on my list for awhile.

I used the Heidi and Finn Little Military Shirt pattern.

This shirt is made of olive green ripstop with silver metal buttons.  I love the tabs and buttons on the sleeves, and the "service bars" just make the look.

This pattern was similar to the Bowling Shirt I made for Travis in the spring.  One word of caution on the sizing, both this shirt as well as the Heidi and Finn Urban Hoodie are both "slim fit", ie. run small.  I've learned to make a larger size in these patterns so they can fit longer.

Have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend!



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.   

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: