Crafting Hope with Summer PJ's

I guess I'm kind of on a pajama kick lately, huh?

I've got good reason though.  A few days ago I received an e-mail listing some things that were needed for the county women's shelter. One of those things was summer pajamas for kids.

It just so happened that our June meeting of Crafting Hope is coming up and kids pajamas seemed like a pretty good project for the group.  This pattern was generously donated by Peek a Boo Pattern Shop. It's the Alex and Anna Summer PJ's and this is a size 6.  Fabric used is some pink camo knit I picked up at Vogue in Evanston.  The binding is a heathered grey rib knit that I think I got at Vogue as well.

I sewed this set up as a sample. I always like to have one done for the participants to be able to look at. It also helps me lead people through the steps if I've made the pattern before.

This one is super simple and a really quick sew.  If you are new to sewing with knits this pattern is a great place to start. There is an option to add short sleeves or you can just bind the sleeves like I did. Either option is adorable.

If the Bug's reaction is any indication, they are super comfortable too.

I can't wait to make some more for some very deserving kids.

If you live in the area, Crafting Hope meets on Thursday, June 20th at 6:30 pm at the Nappanee Public Library.  Anyone is welcome to come. All skill levels are invited.  E-mail me and I'll send you details.

If you don't sew but would like to help out, purchased items work just as well!! Here's a list of their current needs, 

• “Summer” pajamas for children: sizes 6-8, 10-12, 14-16
•  Boys underwear size 10-12
•  Women's “summer” sleepwear sizes large, X-large, 2X, and 3X
• Size 8 women's underwear, briefs

The above items can be dropped off at iFiT, 101 East Hively Ave., Elkhart, IN 46517.

(or you can give them to me and I'll see they get dropped off when we take the pj's)

~Lindsay

Pancakes and Pajamas Party Details

The Bug's Birthday party this year had the theme, Pancakes and Pajamas. 

Originally, she requested a sleep over. There was no way I was going to host a sleepover for a bunch of 5 and 6 year olds so we determined that maybe we could just ask everyone to come in their jammies and we'd pretend they'd slept over. She was o.k. with that compromise.

Of course, I made her a special pair of pj's just for the party.
These are made from the Alex and Anna Winter PJ's from Peek a Boo Pattern Shop.
I bought the sparkly knit at JoAnn's back around Christmas time. It was intended for Christmas jammies but I'm glad I changed my mind because it pairs so nicely with the polka dot knit.

(forgive the diamond sticker, that was the Bug's addition, I didn't notice it until later)

Emily needed a pair to coordinate as well--I had that bright idea at 9 pm the night before the party.  I adapted the 18" doll pattern from the Skinny Jeans (also by Peek a Boo) and made a simple dolman tee for the top. The Bug was super surprised and happy to see Emily when she woke up the day of her party.

As guests arrived we had them make cereal necklaces.  

Once everyone got there, we sat down for breakfast.  The menu was pancakes and yogurt parfaits with a whole slew of toppings to pick from.

We had blueberries, strawberries, bananas, walnuts, chocolate chips, granola, coconut, sprinkles and syrup.

Pancakes are one of the Bug's favorite foods. She isn't a fan of traditional birthday cake so this seemed like a good substitute.  I made three batches of pancake batter the night before. It only took about an hour to make all of these before guests arrived.  

If you need to keep pancakes warm, turn your oven on the lowest setting.  Lay the pancakes out flat and in one layer if you can (I had to stack mine). Then cover the stacks with a wet towel to keep the pancakes from getting crispy.  I found this method worked pretty well.

 Fitting six candles in a stack of pancakes is difficult, but it can be done.

While I thought the pancake and parfait topping bar was genius, (I take no credit, I found tons of inspiration for this party on-line) the girls were less than impressed with all of the choices.

For the most part they weren't super adventurous.  I'm not sure if that's just a trait at this age or if they were more excited about presents and playing? But for the most part they were a syrup only bunch. A few tried some strawberries or chocolate chips but that was the extent of it.

Soon it was time for opening presents and games.

I decided we needed at least one party game so I drew up a little girl in a nightgown and we played "Pin the 6 on the pj's".
Going into it, I felt like this idea was totally lame but the girls loved it.

I cut these numbers out of posterboard and then covered them in Washi tape. I love how they are each different and that I found a use form my Washi other than just looking extremely cute displayed in my sewing room.  The different patterns are all actually on the same roll. I believe it was from Target back around Christmas time.

They played a little more and then it was time to head home. The Bug passed out party favors. . . a personalized pillowcase, a book and some markers.

  I found the pillowcases at Wal-Mart. They didn't have enough in any one color. I would have preferred standard white. But instead we went with a mix of colors, white, pink, purple and floral.
The process for making these was simple. I took inventory of all the letters I would need to make 8 pillowcases and then I cut the letters out of double sided fusible web on an Accu-cut die cut machine. It would have cut the fabric too but I wanted to be able to play with fabric scraps and since hauling my scrap bin in to the library to use the die cut machine was out of the question I just cut the webbing. Then I brough the webbing home and applied it to my fabric scraps then cut out the fabric letters by hand using the webbing as my template.  I ironed the letters on and then sewed around each one with a narrow zig zag.  I estimate each one took half an hour start to finish. Not too bad.

And they are super fun! I love that each girl got something special just for them.

All in all it was a super fun party for everyone I think.  My prep ahead of time was minimal and manageable and I didn't have so much organized for them to do during the party that I felt like I couldn't enjoy it. Yes, I think I might be falling into a birthday party groove.

It only took six years.

~Lindsay

UPDATE: My Pinterest idea board HERE

Happy Easter!

I made a set of Easter dresses for a friend's three girls a month or so ago and I've been waiting to share them with you until now. This past Sunday was Easter for those in the Orthodox tradition and these sweet girls had a lovely day for modeling.

Aren't they adorable?

Little sister and middle sister both have dresses made from an adaptation of the Party Dress pattern on The Cottage Home. I added the gathered overlay on the bodice, skirt lining and zippers in the back.

Very similar to the Bug's Easter dress last spring.

Big sister got a slightly different design.  It's the Josie Dress from Jennifer Paganelli's book, Girls' World.

It already had a gathered bodice so no alterations were needed for this pattern other than putting in a skirt lining.

This butterfly fabric is so cute and so springy.  It's very light weight and a bit slippery and stretchy to sew with but it's also surprisingly forgiving.  I bought it from JoAnn's on clearance last spring. I bought all they had around here and then found 4 more yards on eBay so that I'd have plenty for these three dresses.

It was totally worth it.

The Bug still loves to wear her butterfly dress so I hope these little ladies will enjoy theirs for a long time as well!

Happy Easter!

~Lindsay 

Knit Pajamas

So I made the Bug a pair of pajamas for her 6th Birthday party (it's a pajama party).  I'll share them later. But she loved them so much that she begged to wear them to bed and I said no because they are for her birthday party which is still a few weeks away.

And I did what any rational human being would do.

I let her loose in my knit fabric stash and told her I'd make her another pair.

I think it speaks to the quality of the pattern that I cut and sewed these in about an hour and a half.

And she adores them.

The zig zags are a bit much for me but they are pajamas. . . they ought to be fun.

The pattern is one I've had for a while. I was going to make the Bug Christmas pj's out of it but then fell in love with the Sugarplum nightgown.  I'm glad I finally got around to making these.

It's called Alex and Anna Winter PJ's from the Peek-a-boo Pattern Shop. Seems silly to make winter pjs on the verge of summer but you know, with the ac and all, sometimes summer nights are a little chilly. And these are big enough they will still fit next Fall/Winter. 

She wanted a star on the front. It's a little wonky. That's what happens when you freestyle it. But I kind of like it.

She was all about doing a photo shoot.

Until we nearly stepped on this little guy. . .

And then it was all about him.

She reminds me a bit of her bunny hunting Aunt when she was this age.  We told her if she could catch one she could keep it.

Knowing full well she would never catch one.

Her niece is the same way.

Once we started with this it was obvious all concentration and focus was lost.

But it's good to know she loves her pj's.

~Lindsay

Crochet Hook Clutch

A few months ago I made a couple of bags for my friend who crochets. She was in need of something to hold her projects, big and small.  A few weeks ago she mentioned that she could use something to carry her crochet hooks in as well.

So I googled around for tutorials and found one at Little Birdie Secrets that fit the bill.  While I've crocheted before, I am far from experienced and I liked that this pattern had a place for everything AND provided me with measurements for each hook pocket.

 

I am kind of geeked out over the fact that I was able to match my patterns pretty stinking well between the yellow and blue fabric. The inside pockets have room for pretty much every crochet hook imaginable.

It closes with an elastic loop over a vintage navy blue button. I think it's subtle and sweet on this somewhat busy Anna Maria Horner fabric.

There is even a little pocket on the flap for yarn needles. I never would have thought of that. But being a sucker for pockets, it thrilled me that this clutch seemed to have one for pretty much everything.

So there you have it. A crochet hook case for a crafty friend I admire greatly.

It's quite lovely and goes nicely with her other bags.  It was a fun, quick sew that didn't take much fabric so it would make a great gift.  

~Lindsay

Boardwalk skirt for Easter!

My intent was to post this on Friday. That didn't happen and I thought maybe Sunday. Well here we are on Wednesday. . . is anyone still interested in an Easter outfit?

I did this pattern test for Go To Patterns Boardwalk Skirt ages ago. I gave the Bug several fabric choices and she picked the sweet pastel yellow eyelet. She is always surprising me.

The pattern is for a flat front, drawstring waisted, full skirt with a cute little underskirt that adds major twirl factor.  

The pattern test was a little rocky for me. The diagrams were kind of small and not as clear as I'm used to. But all my concerns were addressed and the finished pattern looks to be much more clear. 

I haven't made another skirt from the pattern yet but I can see coming back to this one. I like the extra details that make this a little more special than your basic twirl skirt.

The Bug styled herself for this one. The bluish green shirt was a little much for me so we went with a white shirt for Easter Sunday.  

Emily got a new outfit too.  I couldn't help myself.

And look! The weather was nice enough for outside photos! Hooray!!

~Lindsay

Happy Saint Patricks Day!

 The Bug asked me on Tuesday if I would make her a dress to wear to church on Saint Patricks Day.  I rarely turn down such a request if there is any feasible way but this time I was extra excited because I had two yards of green fabric that I have been dying to make a dress with.  Since it wasn't pink or purple, I didn't think she'd go for it but this was the perfect opportunity.

She was not in the mood for posing. We seriously need warm weather around here. Indoor posing is awkward for all of us.  But you can see things well enough here. The pattern is the ruffle top by Elegance & Elephants (I used the swing dress option) and the fabric is Michael Miller Happy Tones Jemma Floral Lattice in green. Have you ever seen a more perfect fabric? And I love it combined with this pattern.

 The best part for me is the sparkly vintage button in the back. It's like it was just made for this dress.  The Bug was so excited when she saw it. She is such a little magpie.

Again, prolific apologies for less than ideal, fuzzy indoor photos. Last year it was around 78 here on St. Patty's Day. Today it is 38. Come on Spring!

I found this lime green striped ribbon in my stash and held it up to the dress on a whim. I didn't expect to love it but I did. It was a fun way to finish things of.

My little munchkin has been twirling and spinning all day. I think she likes it! The true test will be if she wears it after today.

~Lindsay