KCW Day 4: Heidi & Finn Summer Maxi Dress

 
It's Day 4 of KCW and I finished this top based on the Heidi & Finn Summer Maxi Dress.  The blue is a knit tshirt that I upcycled.  I actually made this top to match a skirt currently in testing.  S really needs more solid knit tops.

I kept the bodice section of the pattern, but changed up the skirt portion; obviously it is much shorter, and I used the lower part of the tshirt, gathered to fit in the front only.  I added the butterfly applique to tie it in further with the skirt.

  I also changed the back to a button and loop instead of a tie closure.  I like that little bit of orange peaking out from the back placket. 

KCW Days 2 and 3: Some Leggins, a couple of swimsuits and a leotard

Days 2 and 3 were spent making some practical things that S really needed like a month ago.  But better late than never, right?

First up are some capri leggings, a soon-to-be released FREE pattern by E + M Patterns.   These were all knits/ spandex found in my stash, mostly leftovers from dance costumes.  I particularly love those faux leather leggings on the far right. 

The pink swimsuit and black leotard were made from the same pattern by Ellie Inspired.  These literally took so little time, an hour at most.  And the fit is perfect!

Finally, I turned Filles a Maman's latest pattern, the Elisa halter top into a swimsuit tankini!  The bottoms are from the Jalie mix 'n match bikini pattern.  I love the fit of both pieces.  Maybe soon I will post some modeled pictures and show you the other two Elisa tops that I've made.

The girls are in art camp this week, so I have lots of sewing time on my hands.  We will see what else I can accomplish this week!

KCW Day 1: The Marina Romper

Day 1 of KCW and I finished this little jumpsuit.  This is the Marina Romper, by Calie Faye Collection.  Originally this was meant for the 4 year old, but after trying it on, she refused to take pictures.  So here it is on her big sister.  It's a little short on the torso, but otherwise fits S pretty nicely. 

Their dad says the romper looks like a clown outfit.  I sorta think he has a point.  But aside from that, I quite like this outfit.  The pattern calls for wovens, but I made mine in a soft cotton knit, and it worked beautifully. 

So Day 1 of KCW is in the books! 

Fall 2013 KCW: Stripes and Flowers Bimaa Sweater

A super-quick sew this morning while the kids were in school,   this is the Bimaa Sweater by LouBee Clothing.  Be warned though, this sweater is slim-fitting to the point of tight.  I made a size 5, since that was what S measured on the size chart.  Next time I will size up to a 6 for sure.

The floral knit is a thin, t-shirt knit and might be too thin for the cowl; it's a little too droopy in my opinion. 

But S loves it and so do I.  Cute and quick, what more can you ask from a pattern?

S is in desperate need of some pants.  I can't decide whether to go the quick route and make a few pairs of leggings, or spend a little extra time and make her a pair of peekaboo skinny jeans.

Fall KCW 2013 day 1: Brownie Goose and the Mean Princess knit dress

I am so behind on blogging my creations.  Technically, These dresses were finished in early October, but I'm still gonna count it as part of KCW.  I followed the directions for Amy's (of Brownie-Goose) sewalong almost to the t.  The only thing that is different is that I cut the normal waist instead of the drop waist.  The dresses are a mash-up of the lazy susan by Brownie-Goose for the bodice and the Taylor Dress by the Mean Princess for the paperbag skirt. 

  I had a little bit of trouble with the ruffles on the neck staying upright.  Someone suggested on the B-G fb page that a little bit of elastic would hold up the ruffles, which worked like  a charm.  Although the ruffles were a bit of a PIA, I love how these dresses turned out and the 50's ladylike vibe.

    

By the way, S's leggings are the Fancypants Leggings by Titchy Threads, the best-fitting leggings out there, in my opinion.

So hopefully I will post again tomorrow!

Summer KCW: Origami Skirt and Nelle Dress

The last day of  the first ever summer KCW snuck up on me.  There's big changes with this season's KCW, a new interactive website, which I tried out for the first time today, and 2 additional seasonal challenges.  I'm not really sure if the old Elsie Marley flickr pool is still in use or not, but I kinda miss the blog links on people's projects.  Hopefully this feature will be added with the next challeng.

So anyway, I was pretty busy with a couple of selfish sewing projects, but I did manage to complete 2 items for S.  First up is the Origami Skirt by a new designer, Rabbit Rabbit Creations.

 

I absolutely love this skirt, so much so that I made the adult version for myself, in exactly the same fabric and everything, but more on that later.   It's a pretty simple A-line skirt with a flat front and elasticized back.  The peek-a-boo pleats just off center, though, is what makes this skirt truly unique.

 

So onto my next project: the Nelle Dress by Brownie-Goose.  This was my first Brownie-Goose pattern, and let me tell you, it will not be my last.  I loved the simplicity of this little dress. 

 

So that's it for Summer 2013 KCW!  Now to explore the website some more and see what other people have posted.

Spring KCW 2013: Skater Dress

Ok folks, my last finished project for KCW: the Skater Dress  from Kitschy Coo.

I made a size 5/6 and it is obviously way too big.  So we will save this for next summer; definitely sizing down is a good idea.  On the other hand, the pattern is super easy with very clear instructions.
 
Honestly, with these knit dresses, most of the time I don't even read the directions anymore, but this time I did.  She gives some good tips on sewing with knits and walks you through hemming with double and single needles on a regular sewing machine, and even has instructions for coverstitches.

I might add some sort of embelishment to this dress.  Maybe some machine embroidery?

All in all, this KCW has been the most productive yet.  There were two days when I didn't do my hour, but more than made up on those other days when I did 4 to 5 hours.  I stuck with very simple and easy projects that I knew would get a lot of wear, and concentrated my effort and energy on replenishing S's wardrobe.  I made a total number of 7 items: 2 pairs of leggings, 1 pair of shorts, 2 dresses, and 2 tops.

Come back tomorrow when I will show you some stuff I've made for B!  One of which includes pattern testing for Heidi & Finn...

Spring KCW 2013: E & E's Bubble Shorts

 Day 3 of KCW brings us to the Bubble Pocket Shorts, the latest from Elephants & Elegance Patterns.  To go along with yesteday's Ruffle Top Tunic, I chose a buttery yellow linen blend that I found as a remnant at JoAnn's.  I love browsing in the remnant and red tag area of JoAnn's; sometimes I can score some beautiful fabric for a steal. 
  
 The top is tucked in so that you can see the cute bow detail at the waist.    

I honestly can't wait to see the next E & E pattern release.  Wouldn't this outfit look so cute with a fedora hat instead of the gigantic flower:)?

Spring 2013 KCW: GoTo Anywhere Dress and Leggings

It's that time of the year again: the Kid's Clothes Week Challenge, otherwise known as KCW.  As with years past, I have no specific plans;  I'm a fly-by-my-seat kind of sewer anyway, and this week is no exception. 

This outfit is the Anywhere Dress and GoTo Leggings designed by Andrea Pannell of The Train To Crazy. 

 

The leggings have the peekaboo hole and bow in the back; a detail that I just love and I think  really completes the outfit.  I chose the elbow sleeve option with cuffs for the dress.  S is wearing a size 5 and it fits her perfectly. 

Both patterns sewed up really quick, a couple of hours per piece from start to finish.  The leggings would have gone even faster without the peekaboo detail. 

 

PS: Sorry about the blurry pics; my model was not in a cooperative mood that day.

Fall KCWC: Days 2 & 3: Butterfly Tweed Sunday Brunch Jacket

I've made this jacket before, back in the spring.  S soon grew out of it; the sleeves are now almost elbow length.  So this time around, I made a size 5.  It's now available as a digital pattern on the oliver & s website. 

It's a little big on her, but I expect she will grow into it soon.  One end of the selvage on this wool tweed has embroidery and butterflies, I used that end for the bottom of the jacket.  I think it softens this rather grown-up gray. 

The whole outfit together reminds me a bit of a Maoist uniform.

Fall KCWC 2012!!!! Day 1: Sunday Brunch Skirt

 

The first day of KCWC went pretty well.  This skirt was constructed in a little bit under two hours and was a breeze to make.  The pattern is the Oliver & S Sunday Brunch.  I made this skirt in size 4, and although it fits pretty well now, I can tell that she will outgrow it soon.

I love the pockets and the slight a-line.  And what about the little kick pleat in the back? 

 

 

   The fabric is a wool tweed that I've had in my stash for years now.  Next up on my list is a matching jacket.

 

KCWC: Days 3, 4 & 5: O & S Badminton Skort

It's already Day 6 of Esie Marley's KCWC.  Where did the time go? I took an unintentional mid-week break on Day 4.  No good excuse really; just got caught up watching some new HBO shows.  Have you heard of Girls?  Hilarious.

I did, however manage to cut out and sew the new Oliver & S pattern Badminton Skort.

I love the pretty scallop hem and the narrow, but still roomy silhouette.   Plus it's got built-in shorts!  So I started sewing this on Day 3 and only had the waist, shorts, and skirt to put together.  It took me another couple of hours to complete the skort last night.  That last step of putting the 3 pieces together?  Well, let's just say I got really friendly with my seam ripper.

Here's the whole outfit together.  O&S 2+2 Blouse and Badminton Skort.   

B wanted to get into the shot too.  Love those 2 little girls.

KCWC Day 2: Oliver & S 2+2 Blouse

 i really buckled down last night and finished this top.  the construction of the placket is just genius. 
 
i love this fabric so much.   from afar the fabric looks like plain polka-dots.

 but when you get closer you can see little birds and kitty faces peeking out.

Spring KCWC Day 1

We've had two straight sunny days here in Portland.  The days were spent outside.

Playing in fields of tulips...

and making messy ice-cream faces.

The first two pictures were taken at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn.  The colors are pretty amazing this time of the year.  And  although it gets pretty crowded, it's still worth the drive to see the rows and rows of colorful tulips.  

And now onto sewing news...

I'm gonna cheat a little and call this the product of day 1 of KCWC.  This skirt (plus 3 duplicates) was actually sewn up and completed Sunday night.  I had every intention of sewing last night after the kids went to sleep.  But then I fell asleep while putting B down for bedtime, and next thing I knew it was already 9:30pm.  I fought to stay awake for another half hour and then decided to just call it a day and went to bed.  The sunshine and being outdoors makes for a great night's sleep. 

B's friend is having a Yo Gabba Gabba themed birthday party.  I made the birthday girl, her sister, S and B each a skirt out of a this wild yo gabba print. 

I already have an Oliver & S 2 plus 2 shirt all cut up.  Hopefully tonight will be a bit more productive and I will have something to show for Day 2.