A matching set (for the young man on the go)

One day at Goodwill, Django reaches out and grabs this insanely blue corduroy printed with red, green, white, and yellow dogs.  I would never have bought it, because even a pre-schooler would be embarassed to be seen in that, right?  Apparently wrong.  Very wrong.  He insisted that we buy it, so home it came.

The fabric was in great condition, fortunately.  When buying corduroy at Goodwill, be sure to open it up and take a look.  The pile gets smooshed sometimes, especially when they use those crazy pants hangers with the locking bar.  It ends up leaving big lines where the pile is just crushed and it's super visible.  You don't want none of that.  But this fabric was mostly fine and there was plenty of it.

These are (surprise) the Little Heartbreaker Pants from Sewing for Boys.  Again.  IDGAF they're awesome.  I would never dress my son in skinnies so this is really the only pants pattern I need for him.  And, as always, such a great pattern.  He's kind of between the 4/5 and 6/7 sizes right now.  I can't remember if these are 6/7 or if they're lengthened 4/5s.  He's got some of both in his wardrobe right now.  

He can be such a little ham for the camera sometimes.  When he's not running away trying to foil my evil plot to take pictures of him to post on the internet, of course.  As you can see, these pants have seen a lot of wear: the zoo, the playground, school, you name it.  No shame, this kid.  I hope he stays that way.

This is just about the only close up I have of this fabric.  It's even worse than you thought, isn't it?  I had sooo much left after making him pants (and really, what boy needs more than one pair of brightly colored dog pants?) I made him a backpack.  Oh. My. God.  It's just too much isn't it?  That's ok, I don't have any pictures of him wearing both at the same time.  Because that is too much.  At least for me.  I don't think I could handle that much.

I used the Toddler Backpack pattern from Made by Rae.  This was actually a Christmas present so it's been a long time since construction.  I seem to recall that it came together with no problems, though.  I really like the size of this backpack.  All the kid backpacks I've seen in stores are huge for him!  Although he's growing so fast, I definitely think he'll need a bigger one for kindergarten (yikes! I still can't believe that's coming up so soon).  

I lined it with some more of the fish sheet.  That thing just keeps going.  It's become a Henry shirt, one or two pairs of boxers, a number of quilt squares in a few different quilts, and there's still more!  Inserting the lining wasn't nearly as difficult as i expected; the instructions are very clear and the technique is a cinch.  I think I even got it on the first try!

You can see it here filled with lots of Christmas schwag.  I did add a pouch with elastic at the top for his water bottle, which was also a Christmas present.  The straps were made with Kona cotton, the piping I bought pre-made because I'm lazy, and the straps are that stuff they use for bag straps.  The pattern calls for it, but I forget what it's called.  Ahh, there it is: nylon strap, often called "webbing."  

The Boy is already growing out of this backpack, but hopefully his lil' sis won't be opposed to inheriting it.  

more zombieeees

So I'm really not sure where the fascination with zombies comes from, but if there are zombies on it it's a win in his book.

I was still working on this when he came into my sewing room and got all excited.  "Zombies!  Zombies!  Hey look: zombies!"  I soon realized he had found his new shirt and decided that it was, what else, a zombie.  I would've gone with just skeleton, but I suppose once it starts walking around it's a zombie?  But do zombies skateboard, I think is the big question here.  

In all honestly I was a bit hesitant about making this shirt.  I thought it was pretty cool when I picked it up at Goodwill, but upon further perusal began to wonder if a boarding skeleton holding a bottle of... something... was moderately inappropriate attire for a four year old.  

Really, that's a debate in and of itself.  What is and isn't appropriate to dress your kids in?  Is dressing them up like a gangster just asking for trouble?  I feel like this shirt is pretty cool looking and innocent enough, but would some say that it's too adult for him?  I don't know.  Well, probably some people would... but some people believe vaccines and electricity are evil so, well, there ya go.

I finally realized why I keep getting puckers along the neckline when I use this pattern.  (Obviously I used the raw edge raglan from Sewing for Boys, as usual.  If it ain't broke don't fix it right?)  The seam allowances included in the pattern are probably 3/8 or 5/8 of an inch and I always sew knits with a 1/4" seam allowance.  Next time I'll cut the neckband accordingly.  Obviously it's too late to help this one but he doesn't seem to care much.

And just for fun some rolling around in the grass pics =)  On Labor Day we went to the Tacoma zoo and saw the sharks and generally a great time was had by all.  Although the grown ups were pretty exhausted by the time we got home!

I did not make baby girl's clothes, but isn't she precious with those little pigtails (squee!!!)  They play together so well.  I'm really impressed at how well the boy protects and plays with his little sister.  It pretty much melts my heart the way he takes care of her.  

Dino Daze

My little baby boy (because he'll really always be my baby) has started preschool.  It's actually preschool/summer camp; a short half-day program to test the unfamiliar waters.  He seems to like it so far and so do I, from what I've seen.  Bonus: they do themes for each quarter.  This quarters theme?

DINOSAURS!!!

I swear they couldn't have picked a better topic if they'd called and asked "So what does the boy really like?  What is one thing he is totally obsessed with and never tires of? If he were to donate the largest collection of something to the Smithsonian, what would that something be?"  That's right.  Dinosaurs.

I went to the local fabric store specifically for dinosaur fabric and was pretty disappointed with the limited options.  This desert camo-esque fossil fabric is the best I could come up with.  There was one other fabric I liked that had stripes of cartoon dinosaurs and now I'm wishing I'd grabbed some of it as we'll because, of course, he loves his Dino shorts!

I got a yard and a half to make sure I had enough to get good placement since this print is very large for such a small garment. It was waaaay more than enough.... Now what to do with the excess?  I'm thinking a pair of treasure pocket pants since obviously summer won't last long (today being a cold, effective reminder of this).

I managed to get a big focal dinosaur on each side: a triceratops on one side and T. rex on the other...  I believe.  I don't have them in front of me and I'm no paleontologist so take that for whatever it's worth.  Unfortunately that's about all the thought I gave to pattern placement.  The back looks a little odd with two Dino tails coming right out of the center back seam.

The front is significantly more unfortunate: there are heads coming out of the seam on both sides!  Awkward...  Almost as awkward as this picture :P

I used the kickin' back sweats pattern from Sewing for Boys and just shortened them to be shorts.  I wish I'd shortened them a bit more since they came out rather longish but hubby says it's fine so it shall stay as is.  Remember if you're making this pattern up in a woven fabric it's got to have plenty of ease.  When I made the Boy's knit shorts I pinched out something like four inches (or so!!) but for these I used the full width of the original pattern. I can't remember now if I'm using the 4/5 or the 6/7 but it's the same size I used last year.  

I sewed up the crotch seams first in the French fashion (are French seams really French at all?) and then flat felled the inseam.  This is pretty much my M.O when it comes to this kind of pattern.  For me it's just easier than sewing the legs first then sticking one inside the other.  I do wish these had pockets but I couldn't work out how to add pockets without messing up or covering up the pattern.  With the dinosaurs being centered on the sides I couldn't add side seam pockets or patch pockets and the Boy hasn't quite got the hang of back pockets yet.  Then again what does he need pockets for when he's got me?

Mission dinosaur shorts: accomplished!

Thin mints

In honor of the boy's first Girl Scout cookie season.... No he's not in Girl Scouts, but he's eaten enough Girl Scout cookies this year to qualify as an honorary scout, I'm sure.  These were an emergency project.  Emergency in that the boy really needed new pants (he's outgrown all his old pants in one fell swoop).  Also emergency in the sense that I was in the middle of the epic quilt and really needed a break.  

Exploring

I cut these out one Friday night and sewed them up in a couple of hours the next day, still leaving time for a bit of quilting.  I'm still using the same pattern (Little Heartbreaker pants from Sewing for Boys) but the next size up.  I'm not 100% sure what size they are, I think 4/5 but it might be 6/7.  Mommy brain, what can do man?  

I'll be honest. I know I've used this pattern so many times nobody ever wants to see it again.  But it's just perfect.  Like I have no desire to ever sew other boy pants kinda perfect.  That's real love, man.

The material is this chocolatey brown corduroy from Joann's (for shame, I know... but I bought it ages ago and it's not saving the planet any where it is so....)  I had just tiny little scraps of the green left over from a variety of muslins and quilts.  I made flat bias tape (or non-bias tape as the case may be) and used it along the cuffs:

he is actually sitting still here.  the only word for this is: miracle

Along the waistband, between the pockets and pocket facings:

 ...And to finish the edge on the pockets.  I also used it for all the facings.  And the topstitching is totally the same shade of green!  I wish I had a picture of the inside cuz we're talking major color coordination up in here.  On the outside, though, I think the accents are pretty subtle.  This pretty much ends that green king size sheet.  Finishing a fabric down to the very last little usable scrap is sooo satisfying.

I was fortunate enough to receive some excellent advice from the ladies who wrote the book (no really, they actually wrote the book Sewing for Boys).  Instead of following the directions for the waistband, I attached the waistband facing first.  Then I flipped it over and sewed the outer waistband down from the outside.  It made for a nice easy finish; much neater than my original efforts

Building

 Obviously I've made this pattern enough times before that there's not much else to say about these.  Except that I bought waaaay more fabric than I needed.  I think I bought the amount called for in the pattern, but if so then it's definitely a generous overestimate.  I can't decide if I want to make a skirt out of it or another pair of pants.  He definitely could use more pants.  But then again Me Made May is coming....

Breakdancing????

 As you can see they have passed the test of usability.  They're good for all your average daily duties of a three-year-old.... and then some =)

Elephant riding mensahib

Once again, I give this pattern an A++

christmas robe

His new clothes modelling face?

Technically this is supposed to be a Christmas present, but I had to get a post up before the end of the month and I just wasn't feeling the empty robe pics.  On the bright side he seems to like it which rather surprised me.

Just give me the cookie!

Despite all the holiday madness which has overtaken my house I'm trying to keep up with the Sewing for Boys sew-along as well as Sew Weekly challenges (why I decided to join the Sew Weekly right before the holidays I can't remember but I am enjoying it so far).

mmm... cookie

This is installation 1 of coordinating Christmas PJs for the whole family (omg I'm so excited to make everyone wear their PJs on Christmas!)  Hopefully I can piece together enough fabric for some matching pants.

that's right, I'm a professional model

This pattern is divine!  Much better than the pattern I used for my robe with well written instructions.  Of course that's exactly what I've come to expect from Sewing for Boys.  If you're at all on the fence about buying this book just do it it's worth it!

I get paid in cookies

The fabric is some sort of flannel I got at the thrift.  It was wonderfully cheap (about 5 yards for $2.50) so I feel like I've already gotten my money's worth.  I'll be even happier if I can eek out those PJ pants though.  I already made a pair of PJ pants for hubby out of this fabric so I really didn't have enough to do the full lining nor did I have any flannel in the stash so I just cut the two front pieces to do a facing.

Umm.. yeah.  I'm really short on fabric at this point so I used that fleece for the bottom front lining pieces.

I machine sewed the side seams of the lining down by stitching in the ditch and they hand sewed it down around the sleeve and collar.  I love the clean finish of the hand stitching.  All in all this robe is a win and I'll make this pattern again whenever I have the occasion.

see my beautiful hand stitching?  that's right: you don't cuz it's invisible!

variations on a theme

This may look awfully familiar.  

How do I escape before it's too late?

Same animal fabric.  Same blue piping.  

That's a huge rat right in the middle of his back.  It's bigger than the zebra WTF?!

Actually it's new blue piping.  I used every last inch of piping I made for the Luka hoodie whereas I used hardly any on these PJs.  Had I read through the pattern first I would have realized that I only needed a little bit.

Who is that dork in the animal PJs?  Oh wait...

He's checking himself out in the mirror before making dinner.  The mirror that's still leaned against the wall in the hallway even though it's been 3 months since we moved.  Yeah, that mirror. 

My little chef

These are the Goodnight Sweetheart PJs from Sewing for Boys.  The fabric is the same thrifted top sheet I used for the last Sewing for Boys sew a long I participated in, back in August.  Much like my last project, these are essentially elephant pajamas.  I'm starting to feel quite monotonous over here.

  I cut out the 4/5 size (ahem, 3 weeks ago) and it is without a doubt way too big.  If I go through with my dastardly plan of making the family matching PJs for Christmas I'll definitely have to trace the smaller size for him. 

Help me!

Of course this is what most of our photo shoot looked like.  I had to bribe him with an ice cream sandwich just to get him in the PJs.  Please don't repeat that, though.

This is where he wonders if it was worth it

Since I have so much piping left over as well as a bit more fabric I'm hopeful they may someday come together to make a backpack.  Then he can wear his PJs, jacket, and backpack all at the same time and I can die happy.  Wait, shoes.  He'll need shoes to match.

Maybe someday I'll succeed in coaxing him back into these and getting better pictures.  I really wanted to see how they looked, though, and opportunity is not a lengthy visitor so I snapped these awful late night photos.  Who knows, maybe someday I won't have to bribe him to wear them?

elephant pajamas

Honestly there's just nothing like a pair of quick PJ pants to make you feel productive.

The pattern is (of course) from Sewing for Boys.  I used the 2/3 size since that's what I already had traced.  However, since I planned to hem them I added some length.  Waaay too much as you can see.  Oh well.  I could always re hem them but I'm not sure when that's likely to happen.

As you can see he's still wearing them just fine.  If the extra length bugs him I just roll them up.  I got this awesome wild animal print at the thrift for a song and there's enough left for....  ah decisions, decisions.  I could make a matching top, perhaps.

He didn't want to try them on at first but I showed him that they have zoo animals on them and he went for it.  Actually I had to bribe him with a cookie as well, but now he wears them without a fight.  He even picks them out sometimes!

Here's a better shot of the print: giraffes, elephants, fish, whales.  He likes to point to the animals and say what they are.  Which, as far as I'm concerned, makes them the most educational pants I've ever sewn ;-)

And of course, how he got in my pajamas I'll never know!

so you think you can sew?

I did... and how wrong I was.

Meet the Luka Hoodie, from Sewing for Boys of course.  I probably wouldn't have thought to tackle this pattern if not for Boy oh Boy's sew-a-long.  Not because it's rated as an advanced pattern and I consider myself an adventurous beginner, but just because I didn't love the sample.

Now I don't normally put a lot (or any) stock in those "difficulty ratings" you find on patterns for sewing or knitting or anything really.  After all if you just take things one step at a time nothing is really that hard; it's all variations on the same thing.  That's what makes me an adventurous beginner (I don't consider myself an absolute beginner, but I've only been sewing since April so haven't felt that move to intermediate yet... though this jacket may be that stepping stone haha).

The pattern is written to use two contrasting colors, but not piping. Since I wanted to use one print for the whole jacket I thought I'd use piping to accentuate the cool details: raglan sleeves, pockets.

Of course I've never actually used piping before.  Can you see where this is going?

Yeah.  Not only did I want to use piping but I felt the need to make my own piping.  I feel like the sewing blogosphere gave me the (blatantly untrue) idea that adding (your own homemade) piping is easy.

Maybe that's a lie and I'm just hella cocky.  I'm not sure.  While this jacket has been lovingly dubbed amongst my family as "the jacket that almost killed me" and even though everything that could've gone wrong did, and even though it's got some glaring fuglies that I just can't bear to fix... I'm pretty excited.

It's soft, warm, cuddly, and it looks pretty good.  I made the 4/5 with some extra length for my 3 year old.  I'm glad I went with that size because it fits him bearably this year and maybe it will even see some wear next year.

And he likes it!  He doesn't like anything right now but I put this hoodie on him and you could actually see him start to cry and pull it off but then change his mind.  He hasn't even wanted to wear his store bought jackets for the past year.

His favorite part, of course, is the secret pocket.  Brilliant.  That's what you saw here and yeah, there's a big effing problem with this...

The problem with adding piping to a pattern that doesn't call for it?  You can't follow the same order of construction.  Or even method, in this case.  The top of that pocket should be prettily hidden beneath the top front of the jacket, but instead I had to top stitch it.  Of course, by the time I got to that point I forgot the fact that those diagonals are the other pockets and sewed the whole damn thing down, then had to go back and rip.

The outer fabric is a top sheet with a great animal print I found at the thrift for a whopping $5.  The lining is a penguin print flannel sheet that was also $5.  While I normally wouldn't spend so much on sheets when I have such a wide assortment of fabric already I didn't have anything that was fun, boyish, or flannel in stash.

I only used about half of each sheet, though, so there will be a matching backpack (hopefully).  I also found some self cover buttons for $2 of which I used 3 out of 7.  That brings the total cost of this hoodie to a whopping $6 (only counting half the sheets since I only used half).

Now that it's finished and it's on I don't think that the horrible glaring errors are all that noticeable, but I'd like to share anyway.  I like to think I'm normally less slapdash but I just wanted to finish this project before it killed me.  

Overdramatic much?  Yeah.

A lot of the problems could've been fixed but my lining fabric is too cheap and flimsy to hold up to a stitch ripper.  Some spots I tried to fix ended up with ugly holes.

Self cover buttons are hard and mine are poorly executed so I imagine I'll have some fraying

I added a placket under the buttons to keep the wind out but wasn't thinking too clearly (or planning ahead) and ended up having to cut the lining a little bit to make it functional.  Fortunately there was already a huge hole there between the lining and the outside  (inexplicably?) so I just kinda stitched it all down at the same time...  We'll see if it holds.

The button loops are backwards (just believe me) but I can't see undoing all that stitching

And just a word of advice: when it says make sure the sleeves don't get twisted, take it to heart.  I don't know what I did but I had a big jacket pretzel that was totally impossible to turn right side out.  You know those crazy brain teasers toys?  Like that.  I ended up cutting off the seam and finishing the sleeves like the bottom hem.  I lost some length, but fortunately I had added some length so they're just right.

Rooting around in the secret pocket

Summary:

Fabric: Half of two queen size sheets (so one total?) and one fat quarter for the piping

Notions: 3 self cover buttons

Techniques used: Piping, my God, piping.  And covering buttons

Hours: I think days would be a more accurate assessment: 5 days total, a few hours a day (at most and never uninterrupted).  Let's say 15 hours.  It seems like so many more though. 

Will you make this again? Almost certainly; it's a great pattern.  Piping is not likely to make an appearance though

Total cost: $8 for half of two sheets, half a pack of buttons, and one fat quarter

Final thoughts: I want one of these!  It looks so comfy.