Monarch Butterfly Costume

The Bug requested a butterfly costume for Halloween this year. I thought for sure she would want to be a pink, purple and blue butterfly but she surprised me and requested a Monarch. 

I used the costume at iCandy for inspiration (despite her warnings that it was labor and glue gun intensive).

The wings themselves are made of felt and glued onto a lightweight foam board. The spots are outlined in sequins, black on the front and orange on the back since I ran out of orange and didn't have time to order more. As often happens, I kind of like it and I'm glad I was forced to make it work.

The whole thing is held on by a couple of elastic straps that are sewn onto a piece of felt. I was afraid it would be too heavy and she would object to wearing them but she loves them.

The dress is from the Anywhere Dress pattern.  The fabric is a strange knit. It's like ruffle fabric, but it's not ruffled. I bought it in the remnant section so I don't know the make up of it or the intent. It may even be swimsuit fabric. It's fairly thick though and it has a very fun texture to it.  I added a grey knit band on the bottom just for a little bit of interest. I'm hoping she can wear this dress after Halloween.  I may yet add grey cuffs on the sleeves.  

The leggings are from the Go To Legging pattern. They are so simple and so quick to sew. I made them out of some sweater knit I had in my stash.  I love both of these patterns.

The boots... well those are from Target and they are ALL the Bug.

The orange felt pieces were attached with spray glue so I was working fast. Thus, they aren't perfectly symmetrical.  It bothers me. But not enough to fix it.

Her antennae are simply styrofoam balls covered in glitter and attached to a black headband with pipe cleaners. I love how they kind of droop.

And did you notice Emily? Yes, Emily has her own set of wings. 

This is what happens when I finish a project ahead of schedule. I think of other projects. But I had felt left over. It would have been a shame to let it go to waste, right?

And this? This says it all.

This is why I do what I do.  I love that toothless grin.

~Lindsay

Kids Clothing Week Days 1 & 2

Kids Clothing Week Day One found me sick as a dog, hopped up on cold medicine and going to bed early but not falling asleep until 4 am.  Day Two? Feeling a bit better but still not to be trusted around a sewing machine.  So I glued.

The Bug asked to be a Monarch Butterfly for Halloween this year. Rather than leave well enough alone and just buy the girl some wings, I remembered a tutorial for Monarch wings that I'd seen on iCandy last fall. I couldn't get it out of my head so that's what I worked on last night, gluing all those little puzzle pieces of orange felt onto the black background of the wings.

She was so excited that after ballet and before bed she requested I take a photo and post it to "the facebook".  Dress and leggings are made by mom too.  Anywhere Dress pattern and GoTo Leggings... more details at a later date since those were sewn pre-KCW.

(my apologies for the fuzzy, out of frame photo but you get the gist, right?)

The wings still need sequins. I added a bit last night after the Bug went to bed but have miles to go. 10 yards of orange sequins doesn't go as far as you think it might.

Once the sequins are on, I need to figure out how exactly to work the structure of the wings. I'll glue the felt onto foam core once I've got them all embellished and the foam core will be attached to a back piece. . . it all seems rather complicated but I'm sure it will work out once I actually start doing it. Right?

~Lindsay

The AnnaBelle Jacket

Having faced my fear of sewing swimwear this summer, I thought a sewing challenge was in order for Fall.

I have so many cute jacket patterns but until now I've been scared to try any of them. I am a fan of Peek a Boo Patterns for their ease and the clarity of instructions so I decided the Annabelle Jacket would be my first jacket attempt.

 I am quite pleased with the results and so is the Bug.

Ultimately the ruffle collar is what does me in. The cuteness of it is almost too much.  I kind of want this jacket in my size. Exactly the same, right down to the buttons.

I've never been into the matching Mommy/Daughter look but this jacket. . . well perhaps I could change my tune.

The buttons aren't bad either. The four on the bodice have a sweet etching of a flower. The button tabs on the sleeves are just simple, but that sunshiney yellow just pops.

The fabric on the outside is a very fine wale corduroy in blue jay. It is like buttah . . . it's so soft!  The lining is a lovely Coreopsis print on velveteen by Anna Maria Horner.  I caught these both on sale (Hallelujah!!) but it was still more than I'm used to paying for fabric. 

It's totally worth the splurge though. Outerwear needs to be made of sturdier fabric. This jacket should stand the test of time. (We're hoping to hand it down!) 

I sewed it up in a size 7 hoping it would work this spring as well. It's got just a little room to grow, so hopefully we don't have any crazy growth spurts.

The jacket came together so well. It was a bit more time consuming than what I usually sew but I still was able to finish in a few evenings.  The directions, as I suspected, were very clear and walked me through the parts I was nervous about.  The only issue I had was with my machine not wanting to make the button holes. It kept getting caught up on the bulk of the seams.  Had I placed the button holes differently it probably wouldn't have been an issue. After a couple of botched attempts and maybe a few tears, I finally just opted to sew the buttonhole with a tight zig zag stitch.  It worked and no one but myself will probably ever notice.

An added bonus we just discovered, this jacket lining is finished so nicely that the coat can be reversible. It's not something I'd planned for, so if she opts to wear it this way, she won't have pockets on the outside, just "hidden" secret inside pockets. But I don't think that's a big deal and it doesn't seem to bother the Bug.

She actually kind of prefers the jacket this way. I can't say that I blame her. That print is stunning, isn't it?

I always had so much fun finding unique jackets for her when she was a baby and toddler. Now, I'm thrilled that if I can't find something in the stores that we both like (why are "big girls" clothes so yuck?) I can just sew her something totally unique and "her".  Hooray for another item ticked off the sewing "bucket list"!

~Lindsay

Jeggings. . . and all sorts of awkward photos. . .

The Bug loves jeggings and leggings. She pretty much lives in them in the cooler months. They are worn on their own or under skirts and dresses but rarely a day goes by she isn't wearing them.

So I was thrilled when I saw jegging knit at JoAnn's.  I thought about making a pair of skinny jeans with them, but instead opted for a very simple pair of Go To Leggings.

I'm loving them and so is she. Such a rare combination these days. Isn't her shirt super cute? She fell in love with it at H&M and for $5 I could hardly say no. It's probably a good thing we don't really live close to that store.

I can't explain this child other than she goes completely weird and awkward when I ask to take her photo. She is a mini me. As for the flip flops, it's going to be a sad sad day when they have to be retired for socks and more sturdy shoes. There may be a riot.

The Go To Leggings pattern is awesome, not just because it's well illustrated, clear and put together but also because it has so many options! I chose probably the most simple option for these jeggings but there are plenty of variations to keep me from getting bored with this pattern.

More awkward. . . and she's not even looking at the camera! Be normal girl!! O.k., maybe this IS normal. Sigh. . . That part is TOTALLY her dad's fault.

Another thing I like about this pattern is that it has a HUGE range of sizes--from 12 months to 12 years. As the Bug grows I'm noticing more and more of my favorite patterns only go up to 5T or 6. Since she's in a 6 now, that poses a problem! Either I need to get serious about learning pattern grading or she needs to stop growing! I'm guessing the later isn't going to happen, which is why I'm thrilled when I find a pattern like this one that has larger sizes. Probably by the time she is 12 she will either be sewing for herself (a mom can dream!) or totally disinterested in having me sew anything for her (more likely since we are already headed in that direction).

At any rate, it's a quick simple project with great results. As we head into Fall I see more of these variations becoming wardrobe staples.

~Lindsay

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