The First Japanese Pattern Sewing Week!

Sunday, November 22, 2015

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Welcome to the very end of the First Japanese Pattern Sewing Week!

There's a lot of good things on Facebook (and a lot of crazy nut-job things too...) but one thing that is great is like-minded, or at least like-sewing-minded folks coming together.  It's kind of a beautiful thing.

Definitely (if you haven't already) check out these blogs for some seriously amazing creations - all made from a wide variety of Japanese patterns....and, yes, mostly written in Japanese!



In a Manner of Sewing  |  Conversas de Hermanas  |  Pequenos e Verdes  |  Climbing the Willow
Bartracks and Singletrack  |  S is for Sewing  |  Sew Happy  |  Mamacosesola
Fairies, Bubbles & Co.  |  Sewing Like Mad  |  As it Seams  |  Sewing For Mini Me
La Folie Sewing Booth  |  Just Add Fabric  |  Blogless Anna  |  Sweeter Than Cupcakes  |  Needle and Ted
Miss Castelinhos  |  Made by Toya  |  Lil Luxe Collection  |  House of Estrela
Patty Made It  |  Paisley Roots  |  Rita Pirolita  |  Call Ajaire
So-cal Sewing Mom  |  Kiwi Crafty Chemist  |  Sew Shelly Sew  |  Made by Sara

Here's my creation:


I love the clean lines of Japanese patterns.  I only own 4 - 3 children's clothing, and 1 dog clothing generously gifted to me from the brains behind Bartacks and Singletrack.  I actually intended to make a dog outfit for my small pup, but I ran out of pattern tracing paper.  So, poor Sadie has to go without...for now.










I used the Pintuck Smock pattern from Happy Homemade Sew Chic Kids. Yes, it's translated into English.  I feel a bit like a cheat.  I made a long sleeve version which is what is shown on the dress version of the pattern.  I used the size 120 for my tall, skinny-ish 6 year old.  For the top, I used fabric from my shop - a lawn from Kokka.  Lawn really is a great choice for this pattern, in my opinion.  Being cheap with my fabric, I actually couldn't squeeze in the pattern pieces with a seam allowance for the hem, so I thought I'd add some lace.  Turns out, my kid really, really likes lace.  She squealed when she saw the back pockets on the shorts.

For the shorts, I used another pattern from Sew Chic Kids - Shorts with Back Pockets.  I really didn't even read the directions for these, as they are pretty simple shorts.  I made a size 110 in these as I wasn't sure if the kid would go for the long fairly oversized shorts.  Turns out she fits perfectly in the 110 and she was very happy with the shorts.  Next time, I think I"ll combine the pockets on the Knee Length Shorts pattern with this pattern as my child really likes both front and back pockets.  The fabric on the shorts is from the shop also - Denim Chambray Dobby from Robert Kaufman. 

Stuff I messed up on- I did the pintucks the wrong way.  I think they're supposed to stick out on the front side, not the back.  I didn't cut the front neck facing strip on the bias so it doesn't lay very well.  And, next time I make this top, I will use a plain fabric just so the sweet details show up better.

And, last but not least, there's a giveaway!

- One pack of 2 two Japanese Sewing books from Tuttle Publishing
- One pack of 2 two Japanese Sewing books from Tuttle Publishing
- A $40 fabric voucher from Urban Sew 




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Word Up It's Word Girl!

Sunday, November 1, 2015

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I guess I like Halloween sewing.

Here's a few photos from the past few Halloweens....






Ok, so I didn't make the first one....but it's so cute I had to include it!  The only year that we didn't do trick or treat was when Julia was two...she was sick that year, sadly.

I could dig through my photo archives and find photos of my older kids....I recall a dalmatian, a bumblebee, and Humpty Dumpty.  Maybe I'll find photos of those in my spare time.

But, this year, Julia decided quite early who she wanted to be, and I knew it would be really easy - Word Girl from PBS Kids.  I actually love that show, so I was totally on board.




Here's the details:

I used Catalina knit from Robert Kaufman - I seriously love it!  It's 100% cotton and a great weight - perfect for this project.  The belt is Kraft-Tex paper fabric (which we sell in the shop) with a large grommet glued on.  The cape design was a great suggestion from Shelley at Bartacks and Singletrack to use the patter for the baby bib from Little Things to Sew by Liesl Gibson - worked perfectly!

Patterns used:

Playtime leggings from Oliver + S
School Bus t-shirt from Oliver + S
Cozy Winter Hood from Little Things to Sew
Messy Kid Bib from Little Things to Sew

A super easy costume! 

A Four Corners Butterfly....

Sunday, September 27, 2015

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You know how sometimes a particular fabric screams at you, demands to be made into a certain pattern RIGHT NOW?  Or is that only me?

Have you seen the new fabric line Four Corners by Simple Simon?  It's their first fabric line for Riley Blake, and we sell it in our shop.  Well, I was cutting some of this fabric for an order....a seriously bold print (right up my alley), black and white (also right up my alley) with gold metallic accents (right up Julia's alley)....so Julia saw me cutting this and asked me what I could make her from this fabric.

Lying on my table waiting to be used was the Butterfly Blouse and Skirt pattern from Oliver + S.  Yes, that would work!

So, while I still should be sewing school uniforms as my child really only has two complete outfits, I decided to join in with the Oliver + S Monochrome Challenge...even though the gold probably really doesn't count....





The skirt is a size 5.  I wanted a short cropped top and was looking at the Oliver + S Lunchbox pattern....but I knew I'd never make culottes.  So, I remembered the old standy - the Sailboat Top.  I made it in black ponte de Roma double knit from my shop.  I shortened it into a crop top and used snaps for the shoulder closures.   I used a size 6 to get the boxy look I was going for.

To get more use out of this adorable top, I decided to use some old gymnastics leotard fabric leftover from my leotard sewing days.....I used the Playtime leggings pattern from Oliver + S also.  I only have this pattern up to a size 4 and realistically should invest in the size 5.  This is a pattern I've gotten a TON of use out of if only for the leggings.  So these leggings are a size 4 with about 4 inches added to the length.









These have a kind of Peg Bundy vibe especially with the zebra print clogs.....I've stopped using elastic at the waist of this legging pattern and lower the waist by about 2 inches at the front and add ribbing.  Works perfectly.

Thanks for reading!!

Anyone For Origami?

Saturday, September 5, 2015

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I'm delighted to have the opportunity to participate in the world-wide fashion show being put on by Madeit Patterns to introduce their Fold 2 Collection.

Here's what they have to say about this collection:


Inspired by the Japanese art of origami our new collection brings you a fresh and modern range of patterns for stylish and adventurous kids.
Each piece incorporates unique detail; clever folds, beautiful pleats and concealed pockets.
We don’t think kids should save clothes for special occasions, we think they should look good everyday.


I chose to combine the Playsuit Top from the Supplement pattern with the Pocket Fold Skirt.  I asked my child to model, and model she did!








 Ok, so that's a lot of pictures!  As the inspiration was origami, I used  Urban Threads' Origami Crane to add detail to the center placket of the top.  All fabrics are from Robert Kaufman - white shirting, the plaid accents, and the lightweight denim skirt.

But, here's a sad note....my sewing machine died while making this outfit!  Luckily, I had - actually, Santa had - gifted Julia a Janome Hello Kitty machine last Christmas....so, this outfit was sewn on a Hello Kitty machine!  It worked great actually....I highly recommend it both as a kid's learning machine, and as an emergency backup!

The top was a quick sew, but the skirt definitely takes a bit of thought....the pattern directions are very clear, and the result is really impressive.  All seams are finished, the facings bound in contrast bias....very nice touches!

Definitely check out their patterns.....and giveaways on Instragram through tomorrow!

20% OFF Madeit patterns I hope you are as excited I am, here is the complete list of shows to keep your eye open for...

Monday 31 August

Kid Approved Girl Like the Sea Huisje Boompje Boefjes Our Chez Nous

Tuesday 1 September

Kimme Sew Crazy Pienkel East and Eden Chi Chi Romeo and Me

Wednesday 2 September

Neil and Nikki In a manner of Sewing Glitter + Wit Creative Needles and Threads As it Seams

thursday 3 September

Climbing the Willow Fliegfederfrei Fairies and Bubbles Co Sew Thrifty

Friday 4 September

Just Add Fabric So-Cal Sewing Mom Sansahash Miss Castelinhos Sewing Sober

Saturday 5 September

Made by Toya My Cosy Co Paisley Roots Diorella Fruits de Mère

Sunday 6 September

Round Up and Reviews: Needle and Ted Climbing the Willow Swoodson says

My Favorite Oliver + S Pattern....

Monday, August 31, 2015

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I'm over on the Oliver + S blog today talking about my favorite Oliver + S pattern.  It sure was hard to choose!

Here's a few more pictures of what I created....










The leggings are the Oliver + S Playtime leggings - made in a size 4 with about 5 extra inches in length because I don't have the bigger size....

Thanks for stopping by.....more sewing soon - plus some very boring school uniforms!

A Bedford in Double Gauze...

Sunday, July 12, 2015

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I have been sorely neglecting this little blog lately....I have been sewing, but not doing such a great job of documenting.

I have lost a bit of my sew-jo - at least for right now.  Julia will be going to a public school next year (kindergarten - finally!) and they wear uniforms.  Navy blue, white.  The end.  Nothing else.  I went to my local shop and bought some white blouse fabric, and a bunch of navy in various substrates - very nice, but boring nonetheless.

I recall when I sewed for my older children, school uniforms really became the demise of my sewing.  Once they wear school uniforms, and are involved in sports, really all they wear are athletic wear and uniforms.  For a while, I sewed my older daughter's gymnastics leotards.  Then, I took about a 10 year sewing hiatus.....

Anyways, I've been working slowly on a super-cute top for the past couple of weeks.  It wasn't difficult; I just get interrupted and side-tracked very easily.  The top is the Bedford Top from Brooklyn Patterns.  This is their second pattern release - previously, they opened up shop with one pattern - the Franklin Dress.  I bought that pattern as a result of the many cute ones on their blog tour...but haven't had a chance to sew it yet. 

The Bedford Dress and Top has an amazing back - even my daughter said to me that she loves the back and that the people who made it did a really good job on the pattern.  Now that's a serious compliment!



This is a size 4 with 6 length.  Seriously, this back!

The pattern is drafted very well - line drawings, not photos in the instructions.  I'm personally huge on line drawings and not a big fan of photos in instructions - but that's just my personal preference.  I spent a good deal of time putting in the zipper.  I actually hand-basted it in because I wanted to get it just right.  When you have a bold feature, you want to make sure it's not wonky!

I actually intended to make the dress, but due to a cutting error/fabric miserly mistake, I ended up with the top.  The fabric is a Kokka double gauze from my shop - it's really Julia's favorite fabric substrate. 




How goofy is the child??

Ok, just a couple more photos.....



There will be more sewing soon - and I hope it's not all navy blue and white!

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day Spring 2015!!

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

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*****The giveaway is now closed - thanks to all who entered!******


Thanks for stopping by!

Here's the scoop of what I'm giving away - a $40 gift card to my shop!



Yes, I not only sew most of my 5 year old's clothes, but I also have an on-line fabric shop, Urban Sew.

These are all items I made with fabric from my shop....if I only had more time to sew!!

We carry quilting cottons, garment fabric including linen and double gauze, Japanese fabric like Kokka and Yuwa, and knits - something for everyone!

Use the Rafflecopter below to enter my giveaway - the only thing you must do is the blog comment, the rest are optional for additional entries.  Good luck, and have fun with all the giveaways!

***Please click on the Rafflecopter hyperlink below for the additional entries; for some reason, the widget doesn't always show up!***


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tula Pink meets Oliver and S for Kids Clothes Week

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

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In the next late-blog post that should have been written last week....

Here is an ADORABLE skirt that has already been worn twice since I made it -


This skirt - the Oliver + S Hula Hoop Skirt.  It's reversible.  It's girly, but not frilly.  It has a drop waist, and a flounce that shows off the underside accent fabric.  Enough said?


Once I figured out where the notches go, it took me no time whatsoever to put this together.  Since I made this one, I slapped together another one that is waiting patiently to get photographed....

The fabric is quilting cotton from Tula Pink's Elizabeth line from my shop.  I love using a bold print for a skirt; it doesn't overpower the kid and you can be as funky as you like.  And, I seriously love some funky prints....obviously!!


And, yes, you can dance in it!!