KCW - Day 7 - Go Bold or Go Home!

So, I absolutely didn't finish all that I had planned for KCW, but I definitely consider it a success.

I made one complete outfit (hopscotch skirt and top), a volcano costume, and today, I finished up a new pattern from Oliver + S - their Playtime pattern.

So, I can't even describe how much I like this pattern.  I used some extraordinarily bold fabric - from Zen Chic's Comma line from Moda.  I loved this fabric the first time I saw in, in fact, I have a couple of requests from the men in my house wanting shirts made from this line.

This is the tunic version, which matched perfectly from some leggings that I purchased.  Yes, occasionally, I do purchase clothes, but not too often.  I made this in a size 3 with 4 length, after actually measuring my kid and realizing that she still measures within the 2 for width, but is in the size 5 length-wise.  I think this size fits perfectly.  The dress version moved up rapidly on my to-do list....

I just love the topstitched details.  Seriously love.

The cut of the tunic is perfect for the budding ballet dancer's moves....

Yes, she likes it!!

KCW - what day is it??

So, I guess this is officially day 6 of Kids Clothes Week.  Somehow, a few days went past with NO sewing whatsoever.....

I jumped back in the saddle this morning after a failed attempt to go to work....oh, so sad, the freeway was closed, so I couldn't get on anywhere, and traffic was totally backed up....so, I made the command decision to turn around and spend some time at home! Good decision, I think!

I had completed a Oliver + S hopscotch earlier this week, and this morning was able to complete the matching top, and get some modeled shots from my fairly cooperative kid...I added a bit of lace between the neck binding and the top - I really like the look and will do it again, but next time will do a better job!!

I made a size 4 in both pieces....next time, I'm going to make a size 5 maybe in the top, and a size 3 in the skirt.  She's got a TON of room to grow in this skirt, in fact, she's now wearing the skirt below that is a size 2 - my goodness, she looks like such a baby in this picture!!!!!:

I'm still cranking away, hoping to complete one more thing by the end of KCW....we'll see!!!!

KCW - Day 3 - The Volcano!!!

My kid is obsessed with volcanoes.  We watch youtube videos of eruptions, we read books about them.  We talk about them.  And talk, and talk, and talk.

When I asked Julia what she wanted to be for Halloween, she wanted to be a princess.  I asked her again - and again I got "princess".  So, I kept asking until I got an answer that I liked!  Finally, she said, "how about a volcano costume?"  I immediately went to work....

I made this using the Oliver + S Bubble Dress pattern.  I used some very old black corduroy for the body, I used two pillowcases to cut the lining.  I lined the body with fleece.  All these things were from my stash.  I had some random gray coarse fabric that I used for the lava.

Julia and I worked together to paint the flame/lava running down the volcano.  Anytime I involve her in the process, it makes her that much more excited to wear what we've made.

I made a flame-crown out of several layers of fabric and used Wonder Under to stick them together.  There's also a layer of heavy interfacing between the layers that I had left over from some handbag making.

When the costume was almost put together, we decided that it needed more body.  I put a hoop made out of wire coat hangers in the bottom, but still it needed more body.  I tore the bubble hem apart, and stuck a bunch of bubble wrap we had lying around up inside the body.  It totally did the trick!

I'm so happy I was able to put this together for my daughter - who will NOT be the same as every fairy princess trick-or-treating this year!  Hopefully, she won't be in years of therapy as a result!!

I wonder if we'll see any other little volcanoes running around this Halloween!!

So, that's what I finished off on day 3 of Kids Clothes Week!!!

KCW - Fall 2013 - Days 1 and 2....And The Plan

I love Kids Clothes Week!

This time, it came at a very tough time for me.  I knew in advance that I was going to be working a minimum of 60 hours this week.  And, planning a birthday party.  And attend two birthday parties.

I decided that this week will be devoted to those already cut out projects sitting on my sewing table.  And a Halloween costume.

On my table, I have:

Two Oliver + S Hopscotch skirts
Two Oliver + S Hopscotch shirts
One Oliver + S Apple Picking Dress
One Oliver + S Sunday Brunch Jacket
One Clever Charlotte Chickadee Skirt
One in-process Volcano Costume

I worked yesterday and today on the first Hopscotch skirt - it's made from a linen cotton blend from Westminster fabric....I made a size 4, which I think will be worn for a very long time...

I actually brought the whole thing to work today, and sat in my car at lunchtime and sewed on the buttons...

Don't you just love these pockets?  And, ignore the blue marking pen.....

I should have modeled photos tomorrow - and hopefully, more to show!

The Madeline Dress

So, I just stepped back and thought about this - I've tested patterns for pattern designers in Belgium, Portugal, and Australia.  How cool is this internet-world?

I got an email recently from Marina who has an Etsy shop - Wink Handmade.  Her patterns are well-written, well-thought out, and as a bonus, she lets you sell products made from her pattern if you happen to have a shop.  She wanted me to test her upcoming pattern - The Madeline Dress.  Since my kid is a dress-lover, I jumped at the chance....

The pattern is really sweet.  An adorable Peter Pan collar - what a great frame for a little girl's face!  I decided to add flat piping around the collar and the pocket flaps.  I'm not a huge expert on flat piping, but it certainly worked out well.

I made this is a straight size 4.  Marina (based on the testers) added a couple of inches to each size.  I thought it was a bit short, so I added a hem band, which actually brought together the colors and didn't look like an "add-on" at all.

I think when I make this pattern again - and I will! - I'll use a size 3 and the length of a size 5.   The fabric is a random, unknown fabric I bought for about $2/yard.  I've had it for a while, waiting for the perfect project.  I just loved the way this turned out - thanks to Marina and Wink Handmade!