KCWC - Days 6 and 7....and, Success!

For the last of KCWC, I made a jacket from a pattern I had downloaded from Etsy, from Dear My Kids.  This was the first time I tried one of their patterns, and it won't be the last because I now own 6 of their patterns....

The pattern came together well, but there were a couple of spots I didn't get.  For example, the back isn't cut on the fold, rather pieced together so there's a seam down the middle.  The pleat then is sewn about an inch from the seam.  To me, unless there's something I'm missing, it would look so much better without the middle seam.  So, that's what I'll do next time.  And, I couldn't figure out for the life of me how to attach the sleeves at the hem when turning the jacket right-side-out after sewing the lining.  Other than that, the pattern went together beautifully.  I thought I'd have more issues with the curved yoke, but it fit perfectly and looks really nice.  I have another jacket planned with this same pattern in a light blue corduroy lined with some of my hoarded Cape Ann fabric.

Here's the jacket:

It's a size 4, which turned out HUGE!  I was thinking that I should make it big, because I want her to wear it for a while, but I'm thinking she could wear this til she's in kindergarten!  I'll definitely sew a 3 (if not a 2) next time.

The fabric is a Kokka canvas, or so they call it.  Canvas, to me, is hard and scratchy, but this is not.  I washed it and line dried it, per the manufacturer's instructions, and it's really soft and comfortable.  It's just not heavyweight.  The lining is shot cotton.  It's a pretty lightweight jacket, but definitely good for an outer layer.

Here's all the things I made this week....I'm pretty damned pleased with myself!!

KCWC - An Early Start

I'm really ready to go and get a good start on my fall sewing.  I've been organizing, and planning for a couple of weeks.  Since I never know during the week when I'll get time to sew, I started today.  I sewed both this morning, and during afternoon nap time.  I managed to make a really cute outfit:

I used the Class Picnic top from Oliver + S, plus the music class skirt.  I made the top this morning, and since it was the third one I'd made, I had no problems with the sewing.  What I did have, however, was problems with the cutting.  I really can't explain what I did, but I did have a plan with the fabric, which is a Nani Iro double gauze.  I planned to cut the top yoke, and the top of the sleeves from the predominantly white part, and have the more orange part at the bottom of the sleeve and the front/back.  What I did, somehow, and I really don't know how, was I used the bottom pattern piece twice, didn't cut any sleeves, and then when I figured out what I did, I cut the sleeve upside down from what I had intended.  Yeah.

Regardless of my errors, I still love the top.  The fabric is just so soft.  It really is just a joy to sew with.  And, this top works great with the fabric...as it's kind of a loose fitting, flow-y top.

I then, during afternoon nap time - about two hours - made my first music class skirt.  I used orange corduroy from Freespirit.  The pattern is really clever how it's put together and it has pockets on the sides which my daughter really liked.

My daughter woke up from her nap and actually volunteered to put on the outfit and take some photos....which explains the hair-do!

Since lately picture taking has been like pulling teeth, I didn't want to worry about her hair.....

This reminds me of the semi-pouty models you see in magazines......anyways, I'm really happy I was able to fully complete an entire outfit today - and one my kid actually likes!

Prelude to KCWC

I (along with a bunch of really talented and inspired sewists) are participating in the upcoming Kids Clothes Week Challenge on the Elsie Marley blog.  Toward that end, I'm trying to finish up some sewing I've begun, but not totally completed.

Here is my last UFO - a Family Reunion dress from, of course, Oliver + S patterns.  It was another pattern I had purchased, but hadn't gotten to yet.  No reason why, because every time I see one in the O+S forums, I absolutely love it.

This is made from a Kokka medium weight cotton.  It has a really nice drape; not too lightweight, so Julia can wear it in the fall, with a yet-to-be-made lightweight jacket.  The piping is some Kaffe Fasset shot cotton that I had leftover from another project.  I made it in exactly a 3T, no modifications.  I'd say it fits pretty true to size as Julia will be 3 in about a month.

Julia got new sparkly shoes yesterday, so she was ready to walk across the street and model her new dress with the new shoes.

Yeah, not exactly my taste in shoes, but I've got to let her express herself!

I had Julia help sew the buttons down the back, so here's a picture to memorialize her first sewing project:

I absolutely love this pattern; as with the Playdate pattern, I find that it is a beautiful frame to a child's face; I wonder if that was what Liesl was thinking when she designed this pattern...

I'm also taking pictures to make calendars for Christmas gifts for the grandparents, so here's my artsy shot for the day:

 

Now, on to planning, shopping, and organizing for KCWC!!!

KCWC - Day 2 - A Really Lazy Day Skirt

So, day 2.   A long day at work, but I knew exactly what I was going to sew tonight.  The easiest pattern ever - Oliver + S free download, Lazy Days Skirt.

Here it is:

The fabric is a fabric that will be stocked (at some point!) in my fledgling on-line fabric shop.  When I saw it while shopping for Japanese import fabric, it called my name.  It called my daughter's name also because as soon as she saw it, she said "I have that!"  It's called Koboyashi Quiet Cats.  It's a heavier weight, and a dream to sew. 

I love the Lazy Days Skirt.  I think that maybe the ribbon hem gives it some weight at the bottom, and helps with the twirl factor.  I literally made this in like 45 minutes, start to finish.  I think that may have even included pictures.

A cute skirt, with just a few inches of some - in my opinion - very cool, very unique fabric....what could be better than that!

KCWC - Day 1

I put these dates in my phone, so I'd remember to carve out time to sew each day.  I've been looking forward to this week, and have a bunch of things cut out and ready to go.  That's not cheating, is it??!!

I started with a pattern I had downloaded - "Kate's Dress" by Lily Bird Studios.  I purchased it here:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheLilyBirdStudio#.

I had no idea how the sizing ran, so I made a size three for my tall-ish 2 year old - who will be 2.5 in about three weeks.  The dress went together without a hitch.  Although I've been sewing for a bazillion years, this was my first time with piping.  I put my zipper foot on my machine, and was pleased at how it came out.  I used the string that we use to tie up poultry inside the piping - no idea what other people do, but it worked just fine.  In retrospect, since I've never used piping before, I'm sure it would have come out better if I had used the other view included with the pattern, which has a much larger rounded yoke, with no corners to try to turn.

The sizing may be a bit on the small size, and I'm toying with the idea of either chopping if off and making a tunic to wear with leggings, or adding a ruffle and making it longer.  I think it's kind of a funky length right now.....

I do like the back now that I step back and look at it better, but as I was sewing it, I was thinking I may do a placket back if I try the pattern again.  I like it better since I'm happy with my buttons.  I'm kind of a button-perfectionist...

The sleeves are absolutely adorable to me, which is why I think a ruffle at the bottom may just make this the perfect, totally easy dress!

Fabric is from Riley Blake - purchased with absolutely no plan in mind!