Slouchy Cardigan

I'm not a fan of Fall. Mostly not because of anything Fall ever did to me, just because she is the predecessor to all that is evil in weather conditions... Winter.

However, I cannot deny there is a chill in the air here lately, especially in the mornings.

The Bug is not a fan of jackets but cardigans on the other hand. . . she loves. Go figure.

Please, someone, if you understand this child and her whims. . . help this Momma out!

At any rate, it's given me an excuse to try out some patterns I have on hand. This one, the Slouchy Cardigan by Heidi & Finn I purchased as soon as it was available. I tried to get in on the pattern test even, I wanted it that much.

This little cardigan is so stylish and so easy to wear. Despite the sullen look on her face, she loves this.  She's worn it nearly every day since I made it.

I want one for myself.

I made it out of a fairly thin sweater knit from my stash. I ordered it from fabric.com back in August and it looks like they are no longer carrying it. Bummer! The color of it is absolutely perfect. It's the Bug's favorite shade at the moment so it goes with all of her favorite outfits. (Including this $5 butterfly dress from H&M.... cute AND cheap!)

The back drapes just perfectly over her cute little bum and she kind of resembles the most adorable little old granny (in the best possible way) when she wears it.

This cardigan was not difficult to sew but it wasn't really a beginner project either. The lightweight of the knit I chose certainly added to the difficulty, as did my tendency to race ahead without reading the instructions just ASSUMING I know what's next. Yep. I made it harder than it needed to be. But it still turned out smashingly so I'm declaring it foolproof. 

Finally, I got a smile out of her. It took a gummy candy bribe but I got a smile out of her. We do what we have to do.

I suppose I can live with a little bit of Fall if it means we can enjoy this sweet little cardigan.  Just a little bit though. You hear that Old Man Winter? None of that frost or ice or the "s" word just yet. In fact, could you take this year off?

No?

Ah well...

~Lindsay

Penny Peplum Jacket Pattern Test

I was thrilled at the opportunity to test the new Penny Peplum Jacket Pattern for Peek a Boo Patterns.

I love Peek a Boo Patterns. They are such simple, classic clothes... the practical items every kid needs in their wardrobe. The instructions are always clear and step by step photos help clarify even more if you have questions.

 Part of the reason I was so excited to pattern test is that I'd just gotten some new knits from Girl Charlee. Have you heard of them? They have an amazing selection of cute, unique knits (which can be so hard to find in stores).  This bunny print was an instant favorite of mine. The Bug wasn't sold on it so I only ordered a yard which meant I had to make do for this pattern which calls for 1 1/4 yard for the size 6. I threw in this grey stripe I found on clearance at JoAnns as a cute accent.

I've been sewing with knits more and more lately. Chalk it up to a kiddo who pretty much lives in tee shirts and leggings.  You don't have to have a serger to sew knit you know. I don't. Sure, I covet one, but the basic stretch stitch on my machine does just fine.

I love the back view of this jacket with the hood lining poking out and cute little peplum skirt. It dresses up an otherwise basic little jacket.

This is her thinker pose.

Actually it's more like, "When the heck is Mom going to be done taking pictures of me? I am so sick of this."

I am a little less fond of the front view.  I think it has to do with the choice of the striped fabric for the button placket. It's a bit jarring to me.  I unfortunately didn't have enough of the rabbit fabric to make the placket in, but I think that would have been better.

I do love the grey buttons though.

I had to go to JoAnn's for buttons for the first time in a long time. Grandma's button jar is awesome but when it comes to finding four identical buttons of a certain size?? Well, that would just be an exercise in frustration.

Can you believe we found fallen leaves on our photo shoot? Enough to toss in the air? I'm not sure I can handle the thought of Fall's approach. . . even less so, brrr..., Winter! But I suppose the Bug is ready for cooler temps now that she has this sweet little jacket.

In the interest of full disclosure, these photos were taken in 80 degree temperatures. There may be leaves on the ground but Summer isn't going down without a fight! God bless you Summer! I love you for that.

Also, I mentioned the Bug wasn't a fan of the bunnies? Well, she doesn't like them any more now that they are sewn into a cute jacket. I thought she might but I should have known better.  I had to bribe her with the Golden Arches to get these photos and the jacket has been sent off to a friend whose daughters will love and wear it as it deserves to be loved and worn.

Fabric choices aside, The Penny Peplum Jacket is a cute addition to your child's Fall wardrobe. It is well worth picking up a copy of the pattern.  Just make sure and let your kiddo pick their own fabric.

~Lindsay

The Anywhere Dress

The Bug looked through my PDF patterns last week and settled on The Anywhere Dress to be made for her school photo dress. Then we flipped through the knit at Girl Charlee and she picked a couple that she liked. 

I'd be lying if I told you I agreed with her pattern and fabric choices. Go ahead and say it, I am a fool. I know it. I am hanging my head in shame.

The girl has a good eye for design and she knows what she likes. Whether I initially agree or not, I am learning that if i want her to wear the things that I make for her, I need to listen to her input. This dress is a case in point.

It's not that I didn't like the pattern or fabric (I wouldn't have purchased them it if that were the case) it's just that I thought a dress for school photos should have a little more pizazz. I know, I know . . . I'm a fool. . . this dress is not lacking in pizazz just because it's a simple style.

The dress went together well and was a really fast sew. I cut and sewed it all in a couple of hours over Labor Day weekend (amid constant interruption and distraction).  The fabric is a very light weight knit which made things a little harder, but not too bad. Ideally I'd have used a knit with a bit more substance. 

I really like the way the neckline on this dress is finished with a facing and not a binding. It was a really simple way to finish it and I think it looks quite professional.  The pattern warns that top stitching might cause the neckline to stretch but thankfully, mine didn't.

The three quarter length sleeves are finished with a simple cuff.  With as lightweight as this knit is, I probably should have just hemmed the sleeve but I really like the finished look of the cuff and I'm probably the only one who sees the stripe from the underside of the cuff showing through.

In the end, I really like this dress.  I don't know if that will translate to being more willing to follow the Bug's direction in the future or not.  It's such a difficult balance since sometimes I feel like too much outside input takes the fun and creativity out of a project for me.  But in the end, it's more fun to see the things I've sewn be worn and loved really.  And if I'm itching to do it my way, I have a brand new niece who has a few years before she develops her own fashion sense! Hooray for babies!

~Lindsay

Swimming Suit

It's not like the Bug needed a swimsuit.

Well, she kind of did. She needed one to take to daycamp with her. One she could easily put on herself--her other suit has a halter top and she can't tie that herself--and one that could stay in her backpack and just go back and forth with her every day. So there's my justification.

In actuality, I was looking for a challenge. I wanted to attempt something I've never sewn before. And guess what? It's no where near as difficult as you might think. I shouldn't have waited so long to try it.

I was just going to wing it and trace an existing suit to make my pattern. But I was a little nervous about that, so I bit the bullet and bought the LaJolla One Piece Swimsuit pattern from Peek a Boo Patterns.  What can I say, I'm a sucker for a coupon code! And I really love Peek a Boo Patterns, they are one of my go to PDF pattern companies.

It was kind of tough to choose, there are a lot of swim suit options at Peek a Boo. Ultimately though, I'm all about the modesty of a one piece. As long as I have that control, I'm going to exercise it. And this one had the sew in straps with no tie which makes putting it on easy peasy for her. Also, it's kind of a blank slate. I can see lots of potential tweaking and making this pattern my own.

Like all Peek a Boo patterns I've tried my hand at, this one was well put together with clear and easy to follow instructions that are well photographed. The pattern instructions make things so easy I really felt foolish for waiting so long to give swimsuit sewing a whirl.

The only thing I would change about the pattern is the top. I'd like it to come up a bit further on the Bug's chest. It wasn't immodest or anything I just felt it was a bit low for my taste and it would be more interesting with a bit more shape there. The leg rouching was a cute touch. I left off the bows at the hip, I just didn't think they added anything to this suit.

The fabric is swimsuit fabric I found on the clearance rack at JoAnn's. Super cute polka dots, you can't go wrong. And since it takes so little fabric to make a swimsuit she just might get another suit in the same fabric next summer!  The whole thing is lined as well, with swim lining also purchased at JoAnn's.  I didn't find the fabric difficult to sew at all. It was most definitely easier to sew than some of the tissue weight knits I've sewn with. It was comparable to any other knit really and having the lining there with it help tone down the slip factor.

The Bug loves it. She loves a halter style more. . . I think it makes her feel more grown up. . . but she really likes that this is easy to slip on and I think she's a little proud that her Momma made it.  This won't be my last swimsuit sewn. I'll be coming back to this pattern again and again I think.

~Lindsay

Sheet Skirt

I can't remember when I made this skirt. It's been at least a year ago, maybe two. It's been in the Bug's drawer but she hasn't given it a second look until for some reason a few days ago she came downstairs wearing it and it's been in constant, almost every other day, rotation since.  She pairs it with the most random shirts and I kind of love it.

It's a simple elastic casing waistband which I created to have a slight paper bag effect.

The fabric is a vintage sheet I picked up at a thrift store somewhere. It has the softest most amazing feel to it.  I went the super easy route and used the wide sheet hem as the skirt hem. Hooray for easy!!  I felt like the sheet on it's own was cute but a little blah so I put this band of wide ribbon around the bottom. I wasn't sure about it at first but now I am in love.  It adds just the right amount of "quirk".

I used the full width of the sheet which makes it extra spectacularly spinny--which I'm sure is the reason she loves it.

I'm glad this skirt is finally getting some air time with her. It's such a nice breezy summer skirt. It should fit for awhile yet, which is the glory of a simple elastic waist... just so she doesn't go getting too tall. . .

~Lindsay

3rd KCW Finish. . . The jury is still out. . .

 Bolstered a bit by the apparent success of the "simple" shorts I went back into the sewing room to attempt a third pair, with adapted "smaller" pockets.  The fabric is a green and white striped upholstery weight fabric that I bought from fabric.com to make a bag out of. I did make the bag but I had a good amount of fabric left over.

I really like this pair of shorts too. I like that the pocket stripes are opposite the shorts stripes. If I look at them too long on my computer screen my eyes go all buggy but I promise it's not that way in person.

 I was super thrilled when I looked at this up close photo and saw how nicely my stripes matched up at the crotch seam! Go me!! Perhaps that will detract your eyes from the fact that the stripes on the left pocket are a bit wonky and not so horizontal?

Look! These stripes match nicely too! (Have you forgotten the crooked pocket lines yet? No? Come on!)

While these shorts did not receive a resounding hurrah! They were not immediately rejected, which sometimes is the best I can hope for. She says she will wear them "someday" but not today which is why you have photos of the shorts on the grass.  We do what we can. Today was not a day to push with her.

And my KCW sewing momentum has died down. It's been a long day. I miss my husband. I don't feel like sewing. So I'm cutting myself a break tonight. Back at it tomorrow perhaps.

Good night all!

~Lindsay

2nd KCW Finish

After the disappointment of my first shorts attempt being rejected by the Bug, I went back at it and made the simplest pair of shorts imaginable thinking she'd see the light and realize pockets are a good thing.

These are a very basic, flat front with elastic back pair of shorts. I made them out of a cute little retro quilting cotton I had in my stash.  Again, made from the Kids Shorts pattern from Dana.

She put them on immediately and wouldn't take them off. She loves them sans pockets. Of course she does. I don't hate them. I'm just disappointed she loves them because they are so plain. Oh well. She is the one wearing them after all.

~Lindsay