By Brienne

Seersucker Skinnies plus Kid Shorts

 

Here's phase three of what I finished up last week for the summer 2014 round of Kids Clothes Week. 

I had made a few pairs of shorts already for the boy but he reminded me that he didn't like to wear shorts and that he wanted pants that were lightweight for wearing in summer and fall.  So, seersucker Small Fry Skinny Jeans it was. 
 The pattern calls for using wovens with a bit of stretch. I used this snappy little seersucker print that I got from Miss Matatabi, which was a bit of a cheat - the seersucker does "stretch" a bit more than some wovens but there's no lycra or anything in it. I cut these pants out two sizes bigger than the ones that I made last winter and phew! He has grown. I hope he'll wear them because I think that they are darling and he likes them but they are a bit snug (because I chose not to use the right fabric). 

I also whipped out a second pair of Dana Made It's Kid Shorts. This time, I made my own bias tape using one of Sarah Watson's Arcadia Prints for Cloud Nine. I kind of felt like a loser buying another shorts pattern when we can only wear them for such a teensy amount of time around here (as you can see, we are needing heavy sweaters still) but I'm glad that I did because the fit is spectacular, worth every penny to me. I hate having to fuss around to get the fit to work. 

 I was pleased with how both projects turned out. I'll be using both patterns again. I'm plotting a pair of skinny jeans in a denim-looking knit for fall and maybe another woven pair too with some width added. 

 

How did it go for you?

Kids Clothes Week: Days Two and Three

These guys and I had the very good fortune this past weekend to have a grandmother visiting from out-of-town who was eager to entertain her grandkids off-site. My own mom is always eager to have the grandkids and she picked up the slack the minute my mother-in-law pulled out of town. This equalled  long blocks of time for me in the sewing room and even with the paint plus crayon mishap that I had early in the week, I've really been able to kick out some new clothes for these growing kids. 

First, a second school bus tee. Nothing fancy here except this fabric. I'm really just going for it this time with the good stuff. I'm confident at this point that the kids will wear the handmades until they are threadbare and I might as well enjoy the quarterly marathon-sewing that gets them back into clothes that fit. This good stuff is, perhaps, the most squishy, beautiful fabric that I've ever sewn with. It's from Simplifi. I added two inches to the tee and I drafted a quick pocket. I tarted the whole thing up with a little rainbow tab made from foldover elastic that I've had for ages.  

The shorts are Dana Made It's Shorts pattern, released last summer. The fit is great, they are a no brainer - which is just what I was looking for. I think that using poly/blend bias tape from the big box store is a mistake. He's not complaining but boy, it felt so crispy and uncomfortable. I'll make my own the next time around. The sewing is super quick and satisfying. 

 I made a Flashback Tee for her, (of course). I used the ruffle sleeves from the Geranium pattern and I really like the effect except that the sleeves like to flip up and over, exposing the seam. I have to figure out how to get them to stay down. Any ideas???

The skirt is my fourth make from Happy Homemade. I am totally smitten with this little skirt and with the fabric. Will definitely make this one again.   

Usually, at the midpoint, I start to repeat the patterns that I liked that worked best but there's still a couple of things that I want to try, namely a swimsuit, the wide-leg pants from Happy Homemade and a second pair of Kudzu's. I just downloaded an audio version Prodigal Summer (an old favorite book of mine) and the kids are hooked on the Mouse and the Motorcyle  and Toys Go Out (also in audio-versions) so I think that I can continue the marathon if need be:)

How is the sewing going for you?

Kids Clothes Week: Day One

Happy Kids Clothes Week! Are you sewing along?

I don't have any super-specifec goals this time around, although my kids are desperately in need of clothes. My daughter emerged from her room this morning in a tee shirt with only one arm still attached, a skirt that I made for her just last spring but that is now  way too short and knit shorts from two years ago - way past their prime.

For me, this time, it really has to be about the basics - several versions of them. Shorts, leggings and tees will be the name of the game, I think. At one point, I thought that I'd be able to sew for the fall during this KCW too - but I can see that that is not going to happen. I'm thinking of this as a primer.

These are my second run at the shorts with the faux fly and pockets from Happy Homemade. Last time, I wasn't thrilled with the fit of the shorts. This time, I made the shorts SANS SEAM ALLOWANCE. If you're familiar with the book, you know that when you trace a pattern, you have to add a seam allowance. It really doesn't take much extra time - especially when you're used to printing, taping and tracing patterns before cutting fabric. Just the same, it was a treat to go without adding the seam allowances this time around. The fit is way better and I feel really good about the sewing. Matching up the stripes on the shorts was a wee bit finicky but I am addicted to stripes so, I'm used to it. The fabric is from Moda, it's called Color Me Happy and I picked it up at Hannah Johnson Fabrics. 

 Next, I whipped out a School Bus Tee using this Nani Iro Double Knit from Miss Matatabi. It was the first time that I had sewn with the double knit and what a dream! The print is so vibrant in person, even though I'm drawn mostly to grey and brown, I think that I need one of these for fall. In fact, I think that all of us will be sporting these in long sleeved versions to insulate us in style over the winter. Love, love! It sews up very nicely too, although it does seem to shrink and grow a whole bunch. I'm interested to see how it wears. 

I'd love to show you a photo of my little guy in his snappy new duds but this morning as we attempted a couple of snapshots, there was an incident involving a paintbrush full of latex paint and, well, I think that I'll share some photos soon but they are stained permanently it seems:( These photos were taken pre-paint:)

How is the sewing going for you this week?

Joining Frontier Dreams today over here. 

Kids Clothes Week: Warm-Up Lap

I wish that I was a planner in a conventional way. Charts, graphs and homemaking lists inspire me. Recipes, parenting literature and dog-rearing websites are comforting to me. In the end, though, the best way that I progress is through experience. 

With Kids Clothes Week  beginnning on Monday, I have been trying to prepare by beginning a bit - just like I did last winter.

The artwork that I used for the equality tee and for the elephant is from Maya Made's book, Reinvention. Both are made using old clothing of my husband's and mine. I used the same neon pink paint, which I love. For the elephant tee, I monkeyed up the size a bit, cut out three different freezer paper stencils and then just eyeballed the placement on the tee. I wish that I had put them up a bit higher, because I would have liked to have hemmed it. Also, the paint looks decidedly red on the greenish background and it took many, many coats. In the future, I'll opt for a lighter color. See - learning! Listing... 

How are you getting ready for the summer KCW?

 

 

 

Senna Tote

My mom's birthday magically coincided last week with the release of Willow and Co's latest pattern, the Senna Tote. My mom is a teacher and can always make use of a good, sturdy book bag. Plus, she taught me to sew and I wanted to gift her this year with something special, sophisticated and handmade. 

It has a curved, zippered front, a snapped stash pocket in both the front and the back plus a roomy divided pocket inside. 

I made it using this lovely linen fabric from Miss Matatabi. It was tough to cut into. I love the print so. And I think that it would make a great pair of pants for one or both of my littles. 

I made the bottom out of leather that I got from here. And, in the end, decided to add a zipper tassel ala Trine of Groovy Baby and Mama. It is such a snappy little detail and we have lots of these little wooden beads rolling around the house. I hope she doesn't mind my capitalizing on her cleverness!

The pattern for the tote was well written and I was able to get through the steps without incident. Next time, I think that I'll grade up to a 1/2" seam allowance because I need the wiggle room. The instructions called for clipping into the curved seam allowance by the  zipper, that would have made it lay flatter especially with all of the layers but my sewing was a bit sloppy there so I didn't have the space for it. 

I think that the shape and all of the pockets are brilliant. And it's nice and big, which I dig. It will work great for mom as a book bag. And I hope to make one for myself too. I'm dreaming of one in waxed canvas -plenty of room to stash my sweater knitting plus snacks and a change of clothes for the kids. 

Heading on over to see what the Frontier Dreams readers are making today. What are you working on?

Happy Homemade Shorts

I am still studying the Happy Homemade book. And these are the shorts. 

I'm not head over heels for this pattern. But that may be because I have a hard time following directions... The book said to add a 3/8" seam allowance, but I decided to add 1/2". Also, my son measured between two sizes and so, I went up a size. Forgetting that I like things to have a modern fit - not too baggy. The pockets didn't line up correctly, again - could be the way that I traced things. But, I dunno. It was just fussy. 

I forgot to add the faux fly. The pockets are a good feature. I used fabric leftover from the STYLO sewing. Once they were all sewn up, I hacked off an additional inch or so from the inseam - they were just way too wide. Now I think that they are good, though. And my little guy loves them so, win!

Lilac Livie Sweater

I know, those aren't lilacs. They are lupines. We spent the morning chasing the season's last lupines. And we found them. Still handsome and in their prime near the cool lake shore. I think that we'll go to them again tomorrow. 

I officially finished a version of Maddermade's Livie Sweater over the weekend. I had to pry it away from my sweet girl while she slept because, as I mentioned last week, she was already wearing it with only one sleeve - its unwoven ends trailing behind her like kite strings. 

I'm really excited about this pattern. I adore it's modern shape, it's unique technique for raglan shaping, it's long garter cuffs. This will most definitely not be the last Livie that I knit. I'm plotting a scrap cardi in stripes to follow this one up. I may size up next time but I'm really happy with how this one fits. My Ravelry notes are here. The antler button was made by my Grandpa. 

I talked about Miss Dandelion Doe, her doll, over here. And about her shirt here. 

In the spirit of keeping up with the Small Things readers and knitters, this week I finished listening to Behind the Beautiful Forevers. 

The book wasn't at all what I expected. The writing is spare in comparision to other books that I have read about India, which seem to go to great pains to describe the beauty of the culture and countryside. In her own words, Katherine Boo found slumdwellers to be "neither mythic or pathetic [and] certainly not passive. They improvis[ed], often ingeniously, in pursuit of the new economic possibilities of the twenty-first century (249)."

It was important to the author not to sensationalize experiences that would be shocking to Westerners. She focused on the economy in the Annawadi slum during the period before and after America's recession. Because the book's focus was narrow and because the author chose not to decorate the narrative with metaphors, readers will, I think, come away from the book with an academically influenced understanding of the economics of this particular slum. 

It is an important read, though not an easy one. It is redundant-seeming at times but not because the author is artless, the style of the book reflects Mumbai's culture which is complex and layered. 

What are you reading and knitting on?

Made for Kids Month

 In June, Made by Rae plus Liesl of Oliver and S  issued a challenge to parents-of-kids-who-wear-handmades to get em' out, to get the kids wearing em' and to share photos. There were a number of ways to get in on the fun. I chose to go with Instagram, my new true love. 

It wasn't hard to play along, my kids are almost always in their handmades anyway but it was unique for me to be encouraged to abandon the styling before snapping photos. It was fun to see what the kids chose to wear each day. I took the opportunity to clear out things that were outgrown and store-bought things that we'd been given but that I didn't love. I pledged to let them wear whatever they wanted, so long as it suited the weather. And I loved capturing the kids doing the things that they love in combinations that they chose. 

I'm carrying on the free-spiritedness of Made for Kids Month today by sharing these candid, less than perfect photos. Bear with me:)

The sweaters and stocking caps were still out in full force in June. And I love how the photos demonstrate the hardiness of the handknits! In the photo on the far left, my kids had asked if they could run through the sprinkler (or well, bike through the sprinkler). It wasn't much over 40 degrees that day so at first I said no. My daughter knows that wool keeps the wet out for awhile. She reminded me that she was dressed all in wool and proceeded gleefully through the sprinkler in her sweater and hat (plus tutu obvs). More on her Wee Ambrosia sweater here. In the photo next to that, though it's difficult to see, my girl is showing how truly durable her handmades are. She's tree climbing in a Flashback Tee, her knitted Bulle Dress, a pair of Parsley Pants and a simple skirt in a Nani Iro print:) These were just a few of the highlights. There was plenty of Go-To Leggings being worn and these guys pretty much wear a Bimaa every day. Kudzus too! The Kudzus that I made for STYLO mag are in heavy rotation.

Here's Eero in his Bimma plus Figgy's Seraphic Pants from last winter. 
 For the most part, the kids (especially my daughter) chose combinations that were unusual... But I did swoon over her choices for our town's summer solstice festival (another sub-forty degree June day). Her paisley Geranium is one of my favorite garments. I made it last winter with an extra flouncy skirt for the holiday season. She added her Pixie Cap and her brother's Button Placket Sweater plus a shawl that I made for myself last winter. 

With July's KCW quickly approaching, it's a good time to review what's been worn the most this season. We're in need of some more leggings, t shirts and shorts around here. And I've been sticking my toe into the swimwear sewing pool too...

What are you going to make next?

Joining Frontier Dreams today for KCCO. 

Lucky

To celebrate the season with the long days we are running through the wet woods. We are building with the stones on the beach. We are eating all things fried and sweet. We are not weeding our garden. 

At night, I've been fretting about the jungled garden. About all of the fresh, homemade meals that I did not make. About the time that they'll spend away from me come fall. 

But our ordinary scattered, summer ramblings are extraordinarily joyful. I am lucky. 

Our romp on the beach early this week was unexpectedly chilly. So, when my daughter asked if she could use the sweater that I was knitting, in the spirit of this summer of no structure, I agreed. I tore the yarn that would tangle it and looped up the ends so that they wouldn't slow her down. Can you spy the circulars still dangling from the half finished sleeve?

Earlier in the month, I had the good fortune of winning a giveaway on the Gypsy Forest blog. It included Heather Ross's new book and a precious little bundle of her fabrics.

I'm hoping to finish up my daughter's Livie Sweater and to begin this book. Have you read it?

Joining Small Things readers today over here:)

Blue Bamboo Briar

This post could also be titled "One Trick Pony." I have made a million Briars - like these two, or this pink one. It's true. Like the Flashback Tee pattern, it's my go-to sew when I don't have much time, fabric or energy for sewing. It's a fun, quick project and it always reminds me of why I like to sew for myself. 

Megan Nielsen's patterns are written with the beginner in mind. Plus, she has a whole complement of tutorials with pictures on her blog to help you every step of the way. Can you hear me, local lady friends, who are wanting to get sewing?

This time around I used a bamboo knit from my favorite St. Paul brick and mortar, Treadle. I love a bamboo knit. They are unbelievably soft, stretchy and non-pilling. I've been using it for kids clothes for years and garments made with it have long outlasted the others. You can see a bit of it in purple that I used for cuffs, sleeves and neckbands here. It doesn't curl up on you when you're sewing with it so it's really easy to work with. I would say that it behaves similarly to an interlock knit but I think that it's stretchier. 

I sized up the pattern this time because I wanted the top to be cozy and to slip on over dresses. I added leather elbow patches and cuffs to the sleeves (the pattern calls for folding over and stitching the hems down with a double needle). I left the chest pocket off. 

Have you sewn with bamboo? Have you sewn a briar? Leave a link if you like, I'd love to see it.