Saturday, July 26, 2014

bathing suits!

 i am a bit picky when it comes to buying bathing suits for my girls, between the fabric quality and the various cuts, each year it's tough to find a winner.  so, i grabbed this pattern, had the girls pick out the fabric they liked and went to it!



a little about the sewing....when it comes to knits i use my serger as much as possible since it usually speeds up the sewing process and allows for a sturdy, stretchy seam so that's what i used for most of this project.  but, my main machine is a vintage green Singer that only has a straight stitch so when a pattern calls for a zig zag or stretch stitch, like when you need to add elastic to your project, i just make sure i have a jersey ballpoint needle, lengthen my stitch length, and reduce my tension and it's all good.  when it came time to put in the elastic on these suits i was nervous my usual technique might not work on them or hold up to the serious stretching suits undergo....have you ever seen wicked excited kids get ready for the beach?!?!  these suits have been used at least 10 times (we live less than a minutes drive to the beach!) in the ocean and all seams and elastics are still going strong.  also, i have to say, suits are definitely cost effective. these suits only cost me $10 each, that includes shipping, plus a few hours of time...less than if i'd gone swimsuit shopping, so win-win!

what the kids say about their first mama-made suits....we like the high neck and racer back so the straps don't fall or twist and the arm openings don't chafe when you're doing your strokes cause that's no good when you're at the beach!


we like the coverage of the bottoms, cause well, that's nice when you just want to think about swimming, snorkeling, splashing, crab hunting and castle building! (fyi: both of the bottoms options on this pattern offer great, full coverage)


we like the side panel cause it's fun to be able to mix it up a bit!


i didn't sew these for kids clothes week but as the theme is kid art and the girls helped design their suits i thought i'd share it this week.

also, this lovely in her sunny day swim shorts.....


this guy in his sunny day crab shorts ready to hunt for crabs....


and this cutie ;)


yeah, it was a good day.




Thursday, July 24, 2014

kcw: sunny days for J in action

i love this kid and he loves his new shorts and tank and couldn't wait to give them a test ride.  for his orange tank i upcycled an old men's t-shirt and used the free tank pattern from fishsticks designs in a size 4.


the shorts are a colorful collection of construction vehicles on quilting cotton.  again i used the free sunny day shorts pattern in a size 4.



and i leave you with an action shot!






Wednesday, July 23, 2014

kcw: sunny days shorts for L

this pattern has been my go to shorts pattern this summer.  i love that it is for boys and girls, has sizes 6m-size 12, and is free at oliver + s!  miss L desperately needed new shorts and she even had a helping hand in the design cause boy does this kid love art! :)


the fit is great, nice and relaxed for summer fun.  I sewed up a size 12 even though she is usually a 10.  in patterns made with wovens i tend to size up to make sure there is enough give for my busy girl!


the fabric is kaffe fassett shot cotton i picked up in portsmouth, NH about 4 years ago, in a lovely shimmery plum.  lightweight and soft!  L did a little sketch art on the pockets with sharpies to make them truly hers and one of a kind!



for her second pair i upcycled a cotton robe from my fabric stash.  a summery blue and white pinstripe.


this time i did nice big patch pockets cut on the bias with an elastic at the top so all her treasures stay safe and secure inside!



Monday, July 21, 2014

kids clothes week: summer edition

yahoo! happy to be able to sew along with this summer kcw and the kids are happy to get a few new clothing bits for the summer.  so far some pj's, hats and tops have been completed.

i used the tumble tee pattern from imagine gnats for the tops (which happens to be on sale right now and goes from 6m-size 10!) and the runaround shorts from fishsticks designs for the bottoms (which goes from 12m-size 12!)....super fast and super comfy!  fabric is from girl charlee.


i thought i would try to do some fancy photo shoot with the kids and their new clothes and then I saw them all outside loving summer time and went with it. :)

my nine year old enjoying her smoothie pop while sporting her reversible Oliver and S bucket hat (free pattern) in the organic cotton lotus pond line (lily pond and blue diamonds), that i got here and her tumble tee in blue calico from the briar rose fabric line.  i extended the brim on these hats 1 inch for a more feminine look.



my 7 year old in her reversible bucket hat with lotus pond meadow white and lily pond, i love those little snails!!  Also from the briar rose collection, lilac strawberries, another tumble tee!  The tumble tee is 2 pieces that I serge together and then hem the neckline and arms and leave the bottom hem to roll, love that!




Melissa

Sunday, July 6, 2014

scoop top for me!

So I wear this shirt all the time.  it's the free scoop top pattern by skirtastop.  I used an organic cotton jersey from organiccottonplus.com, arctic paisley.  it is such a quick sew with only 2 pieces and a neckline and optional pocket. no sleeves to set in.  since i made it in a jersey i didn't hem the sleeves or the bottom so after i washed and dried it the hem curled up and the sleeves curled in like it hemmed itself! and that's just lovely for a casual shirt :)  
Since I am currently a nursing mama I am not really a S/M as this pattern is made to be but it is definitely flexible and the length is lovely over the mama tum tum. ;)



This picture was taken at my 4 year old's birthday party during the water balloon relay race, hence my excitement. My generous and talented sister in law took all the pictures capturing the day's celebration with so many beautiful candid shots.

Melissa