My Last PR&P Sewalong At Home Entry

It's been fun playing along at home with Project Run and Play.  I pushed myself with the design and details of the Daisy Mae dress.  And I enjoyed being able to sew an entire outfit for my oft neglected son during Boys Week.  I skipped last week's challenge and will not be doing the final week's Special Occasion clothing challenge either.  I'm staying true to my promise of only sewing what my kids' need.  And they definitely don't need any more fancy clothing!


This week is Outerwear week.  The little girls needed another windbreaker type jacket and I just so happened to have a specific pattern in mind.  Plus, I had suitable fabric aging in my stash.


Without further ado...

Lil' Red Riding Jacket

I used an Ottobre Design Pattern (01/05 #10).  The pattern only goes up to a size 98 so I added 2 inches to the sleeves and to the overall length.  Otherwise, I followed the pattern exactly.

The jacket has a hood and is fully lined thus reversible.  There are 2 front pockets on each side and a cute little belt detail on the back of the red side.

The jacket closes with buttons down the front.

The outer fabric is red 2 Ply Taslan which I purchased from The Rain Shed while in Oregon.  

The lining fabric is from Hilco and is a water resistant poplin.  I purchased this from Dots N Stripes and it was a remnant.  I didn't have quite enough fabric to do 2 full sleeves out of it so I improvised and used the Taslan for the upper sleeves.  I wouldn't choose to wear the jacket this side out but my girls might.:)

BK does in fact prefer this side out.

But Miss M is all about the red!

Linked up at:  Sew Country Chick's Sew & Tell Saturday

Knit Sailboat Pants

I bought the top BK is wearing at a consignment store Monday and just had to make a pair of pink pants to go with it. 

I used a heavy cotton interlock from Chez Ami that has hardly any stretch.  And grey buttons to break up the overwhelming pink.

I referenced this handy dandy tutorial while adding length to the cropped pants.   8 inches later (!), BK has a new pair of comfy yet stylish pants.

Clever Charlotte Raven Pants

Mending is not my favorite thing to do. 

Most clothes that need to be mended end up outgrown before they are fixed.  I dearly love the Nightingale Tunic I sewed in 2010 but the zipper broke at some point and the top was tucked into my mending basket.  There it languished until my early January sewing room clean out. 

Luckily, the tunic still fits!

The original matching pants were outgrown by both girls in early 2011.  But I did have just enough leftover dark blue corduroy in my stash to make a new pair of pants. 

Raven Pants from Clever Charlotte

This pair is the same size (4 with 5 length) as the khaki pair I shared previously.  I did do 1/4" seams to allow BK's rounder body a little more room.  She doesn't need the extra length like MG so these pants have a 2" hem.

I placed the pockets (view 2, I believe) on the back and did them with a lining similar to the Oliver + S Sandbox pants' back pockets.

Recognize the lining fabric?

Plenty of room to play in these pants!

Linking up to:  Shwin & Shwin Link Party

Last Week's Sewing

I didn't participate in last week's Project Run & Play  challenge of Sewing through the Decades.  I'm really trying to sew clothes that the kids will wear every day and the only ideas I could come up with were more costume-y.  I do have something up my sleeve for this week though.


On to last week's sewing...

I added a ruffle to a pair of Neat Beat pants (Ottobre Design 06/09 #17) so that they fit M.  I sewed these a few months ago (my mom did the embroidery) but with M's growth spurt they were starting to get a little high water on her.  And they don't look right on B's rounder figure.  I sacrificed a pair of shorts made from the same denim since I had no scraps left. 

I was never really happy with this particular pair of shorts anyways.

Next up, is a simple alteration to a wool coat I bought  from Target for next to nothing.  Thank you clearance racks!  The sleeves were just a little too short for my liking.  I ripped out the stitching holding the lining to the sleeve and dropped the sleeve 1 1/2" and then hand stitched the sleeve and lining back together.  Since this not-so-flattering photo of me, I have fixed the other sleeve.  

Amanda Blouse, Ottobre Design 06/07 #15, size 104

The little girls needed a white blouse to wear under a hand-me-down sweater jumper of K's.  I asked my mom to use her fancy embroidery machine once again to add flowers to the peter pan collar in the colors of the jumper.   

Miss M wore the outfit to church today

Lastly, a pair of Clever Charlotte Raven pants for M.

I made a size 4 with a size 5 length as I'm tired of having MG outgrow her pants within weeks of me making them.  Hopefully, this pair will make it until summer!  I used leftover twill from P's Sandbox Pants and didn't have quite enough left over to make the waistband facing and pocket linings.  A scrap from M's Swingset Tunic from a couple of years ago came in handy for that.

I'm happy with my first pattern from Clever Charlotte.  I have 2 more pairs in queue, one in a dark blue cord and another in a teal cord.  We'll see if I get to them this week!

Kick Flip

This week is Boys Week at Project Run & Play.  I didn't have to think long and hard to come up with an outfit for P.  This one has been on the list to do since early fall!

Top:   I used an Ottobre Design pattern (04/05 #34) for the Hoodie. I made a size 140 but comparing it to other shirts that P wears I ended up adding 2 inches to the overall length. The light colored fabric is a french terry and the darker brown is a merino wool jersey. The pattern does not have a lined hood but I personally prefer having one so I used the merino wool jersey to line it. I also used a fun stitch called the flatlock for the hems and to topstitch where the hood is attached to the shirt. The skater doing a flip kick is from Ottobre Design 01/08. I made it into a freezer paper stencil and used the same paint that I used for M's horse shirt.

Nitty Gritty Details

Pants:  I used the Oliver + S Sandbox Pants pattern in a size 8 (the biggest size).  I added lots of length and did 1/4" seams instead of 1/2".  They are made from a cotton twill.  I used the leftover red sailboat print from the Explorer Vest I made for my nephew for the waistband and pocket linings.  Knees always wear out in pants (that is if they're not outgrown first) so I reinforced them with another layer of fabric.  I had planned on doing a flat fell seam on the outside of the pants but since I was doing 1/4" seams my seams were too narrow.  Instead, I did a faux flat fell.

The pants should hold up to P riding his Ripstick...

and playing basketball!

Linked up to the following Linky Parties:

Shwin & Shwin Link Party

Hello Horsey!

I usually don't have much luck finding really nice fabric at the 2 local chain fabric stores.  But for some reason, this fall Hancock Fabrics value aisle was very good to me. 

Not only did I find the knit print that I used for myself but I got some cream colored baby rib knit that's super soft.  The bolt said it was 100% cotton but it's so soft and drapes so nice that I think there's a bit of rayon in it. 

The shirt is Ottobre Design 01/03 #16 in a size 98 with 2 inches add to the bottom and sleeve hems for my fast growing girl.  Those pants are from 6 weeks ago.  You heard me right, 6 weeks ago those pants were brand new and fit fine, even a little on the long side.  Now they, along with almost all of MG's other pants are becoming too short.  Seriously kid, stop growing so fast! 

The horse head is from this pin.  I used the freezer paper to make the stencil.  2 coats of fabric paint later and a little felt and ribbon, I ended up with a winner:

I'll leave you with a bit of horse show ribbon trivia for you...

First place in the US and Australia is a blue ribbon but in Canada and Britain it's a red ribbon which is traditionally 2nd place in the US and AUS.

eta:  Uta over at little el is doing a Fabric Embellishment-Along if you're interested in participating.  I'll be joining in as I have a stencil planned for a top for P.

Knit Top for Me

One of my goals for 2012 is to sew for myself more.  Ideally, I'd like to sew at least one item a month.  My first project (check off January!) is a knit top.

I used the basic tee pattern from Sew U: Home Stretch by Wendy Mullin.  I was trying to make it similar to a favorite knit Roxy top I have but I think I was a little off on my proportions.  The yellow knit band could be a little higher and the bottom panel needs to be more of an A line and longer.

Note:  I haven't hemmed the sleeves yet.:)

I made a medium but ended up taking in the sides quite a bit in the bodice.  Next time I use this pattern, I'll trace the small and see how that fits. 

The print is a good quality interlock that I got at Hancock Fabric's in their "value" aisle.  I think I paid a $1.99 a yard so it was definitely a bargain.  I'd intended to make K another tunic like this one from 2008:

But she hadn't seemed too enthralled with the busy print.  The fabric has been draped over a chair in my sewing room for at least a month and as I was cleaning up recently, I realized that it would look nice as a shirt under a turquoise cardigan I had.  Sorry K, no more tunic for you.

And the icing on the cake...I have matching flats too!

Linked up to The Train To Crazy:  Make It Wear It Thursdays

"Daisy Mae" Dress

Since the first season of Project Run & Play, I've been reading along with interest.  It's been fun to see how each contestant interprets the weekly theme.  There have been many beautiful designs showcased. 

This time around, PR&P has an At Home Sew Along contest.  Week 1 is a pattern remix challenge using the Junebug Dress pattern/tutorial.   I'm playing along this week since I've had the Junebug Dress on my to-sew list since the tutorial was first shared last summer. 

Here's my pattern remix:

The Details:

Scalloped Bodice with golden yellow piping and daisy buttons

Petal Sleeves

Scalloped Hem accented with Daisy Buttons

Puff sleeves and a FULL skirt

The dress is a midnight blue cotton/lycra poplin.  I made the piping from a yellow floral quilting cotton and narrow cord.  The bodice has been resized from a 2T/3T to approximately a 5.  I used Ottobre Design 01/10 #15 (Vaahtokarkki blouse) to resize the bodice and for the basis of my sleeves.  I redrew the sleeve shape so that the front and back were the same and added length.  For the petal detail on the sleeve hems, I used a tutorial from No Big Dill.  I drew the scallops along the angled part of the bodice flap pattern.

For the dress skirt I used the full width of my fabric...all 50" of it.  That means the circumference of the hem minus seam allowances is 98".  Perfect for dancing!

BK is wearing a petticoat under the skirt to help accent the fullness. 

Here's a picture of what the dress looks like minus the petticoat...

I much prefer the full look.  Of course, that's coming from a girl who wore a hoop skirt under her wedding dress.:)




I used a tutorial from the Coletterie for the scalloped hem. 

Wonders of Wonders, the Green Bay Packer Cheesehead coordinates perfectly!

Go Pack, Go!

All kidding aside, BK loves the dress.  This morning she begged to wear her blue dress and was quite put out when I made her wait until after breakfast.  After posing for pictures earlier in the day, she's still wearing it.  Gotta love that!