Air-mail Sketchbook Set

With school starting today for all the children I am sharing Prince C's first day of school outfit. Today marked the first day of homeschooling for him and he will start PreK on Monday, well Tuesday with the solar eclipse so we can all watch it as a family together.  The three youngest have been reading up on it and are excited to see the "show" on Monday. With this we start the new school year for Prince C! 

I am finally sewing him a size 4, the last size in this envelope! I started to sew this pattern for him long before her was born. It was one of the first patterns I purchased to sew for him. While the size 4 is roomy it was emotional to to cut and sew this size. 

Well after 50 some Sketchbook tops I can say I have learned a few tricks and no longer need to pull out the pattern's instructions any more. My favorite one is to use a bias to hem the bottom of the shirt. The bias makes it easier finish the hem and is also a great way to add fun fabric to the inside of any of shirts. I like the clean look it gives as well. The shorts are even quicker to sew with a 1/2 hour sewing time now. The Sketchbook shorts are his favorite ones to wear at the moment. He has four but I think we need to make just a few more. 

I really do use much fun fabric for his tops so I deiced this year to make him as many as I can. This was the first one in the Kinder-line for him. I have a Sarah Jane Firefly one cut and waiting as type, plus an Illinois College one in both long sleeve and short sleeve as well. I love the many looks for this pattern as it can be dressed up or down. 

Get  a good look at this face, he is not a baby anymore!! Very Princely though as he has always been. 

He is the most full of life child I have. he is rarely in a bad mood and everyone is a friend for life once he meets you. I know this school year will hold many new things for him. 

He is also my biggest ham too! (He just learned to make duck lips.)

"mmmwwwwaaaaa" Love Prince C!" 

Happy Sewing, 

Sharon 

Peter Rabbit: Piper and Pete Romper

With spring around the corner it is time to start thinking and sewing for the warmer weather that is on it's way! I was very happy and lucky to test This adorable romper pattern from Ellie Inspired last month. I adore the vintage feeling of it, the collar and the back lines are awesome! The button placket is very clever and looks almost hidden. The pattern can be made with shorts or pants and for style for a girls or style for a boy.

The romper is roomy enough for my skinny guy for me to layer this romper for the colder weather still. (he has a T shirt underneath I made him) I made some baby piping for the collar and hand made an applique' of Peter Rabbit to the bodice portion. He and I are big Peter Rabbit fans! He reminds me so much of him too.

This was a size 24 months. The pattern runs from a newborn size to 36 moths so he should be able to wear this style for about another year until potty training starts.

I am not sure who loves this outfit more, me or him.

You can find the pattern over here.

Happy Sewing!!

Sharon 

Olaf Big Sister and Brother Outfits for Winter and a sale!

My two little ones lately love have matching outfits and have requested a few of them....ok Prince C first requested a matching dress like his sister but I found him some patterns that were better for him, lol.  

Both children had seen this amazing smocked insert over on a Face Book smocking stitches group that a wonderful woman shared with the group, the Olaf smocking plate. I have not smocked very much for Prince C so I wanted to it for him. Along with the smocking plate both children really loved the fabric that this gal used as well, Olaf the snowman. It took me a while but luckily my mom found it for me a Wal-Mart. (Jo Ann's now carries in store as well) For Sweet pea's dress I used the Miss Merry Mack dress, the very same dress pattern as her plaid Christmas dress. This one I added pin tucking to the bodice and I fuss cut the blue Olaf fabric to make the baby piping to tie the bodice into the skirt.

I added a sash onto this dress too. (The sash is included in the pattern as well.) That was one of her requests that it have a bog bow in the back. Also not really seen but is the Icing Skirt that is under her dress. It gives the look of one of those gathered pettie skirts but this skirt sews up so much easier and quicker. It has several circle skirts sewn onto a waist band, no gathering what-so-ever in this pattern! It took me about 2 hours to sew. It was pretty much all sewn on my serger, the neatest part of the skirt is that the edges are sewn with fishing line in them! It gives the skirt this lovely curvy edges to it.

You can see the Icing skirt better in this picture of Ellie Inspired. I love how the how the edges of this skirt curl! It can even be worn without and over dress too.

The bodice of her dress has these light blue pin tucks on it. I thought the light blue would look lovely on the white bodice and help tie in the skirt fabric. I fussy cut the Olaf fabric so I had just the blue snowy part od the fabric to use to make the piping for the bodice.

For Prince C outfit I used the Dancer and Dasher Dungarees with the Buttons and Bow body dress shirt. I added in the smocking insert to the overall's. It was my very second time picture smocking, were there is room for improvement I am very happy with it! One of my new sewing/smocking friends helped me with the picture smocking. I plan on making more of them! I really love it. (Now to get my own pleater, hint, hint hubby!!)

Here is a close up of the Olaf. I was so happy that he really looked like Olaf when I was done! Yes, it is the little things that make me happy. :-)

For his shirt I used fold over elastic for e leg openings. It made sewing this a bit quicker and I love the way it fits on him and the way it stays tucked in his pants as well!

I cannot wait to see what these two little ones request next time!

For this week the Miss Merry Mack dress and Icing skirt are paired together for a great sale on Crasty at 25% off! You can find them here.

Happy sewing!!

Sharon

My Little Sailor Boy and Last Day on Big pattern Sale!

This was a "I couldn't help myself" outfits. I seen this shirt like this on Flicker through a friend and had to make one for my baby boy too! I adore the Out to sea fabric line and I really couldn't help myself into making this outfit. The only problem was I needed the just the right dress shirt pattern. You see the original one had this awesome collar stand in a different fabric other than the white. (I used a different fabric for mine though) So when I was tested the Charlie's Camp Shirt I kept thinking how this pattern is the one I needed for Caspian's shirt! I was right too!

This shirt is a size 1. The only mods I made to this pattern was to cut the bottom of the shirt out straight instead of the "curved" bottom edge. I took the lowest point, where the button placket is, and drew/cut a straight line from there. Easy peasy mod if I say so.

The pants are from Oliver + S Sail Boat pattern. I cut out a size 18-24 months for him so they are longer in the legs (he wears the 6-12 month size still form 3 summers ago!) but this way they will fit maybe just as long as all his other pairs. That and they will cover more leg this fall to keep him warmer.

These pants have this awesome front with four working button holes/buttons on them. The back has elastic casing for ease of dressing. On all of his pants I used the button hole elastic so I have been able to get even more wear out of all them.  Caspian's Sail Boat pants are the most worn pants I have made him, three years in row for first three pairs! (Yes it does help that he is my skinny bean pole, you are what you eat I guess) They have held up very well.

 

Here is the other favorite part of this shirt of mine, the back pleats! I did move the back pleats out about 1 1/2" to outer sides on this one so it didn't interfere with the birds in the sky on the print. I think it looks super cute on him....but I am him mama. ; )

Since the pictures make the print hard to see I thought I would share these with you gals. The details photos! I love, love this fabric for this shirt so much!

The back, see the birds now?! Its like this fabric was made for this pattern!

and the awesome collar stand! Have I told you how much I love this pattern?!?

If you are thinking of ordering any of these pattern of Ellie Inspired, they are all PDF's and are still on sale for the rest of today until Midnight. She is even including a free tote bag pattern with every purchase too, so go check out her shop!!

Ellie Inspired

Happy Sewing!

Sharon

Anchors Away Romper!

I tend to sew mostly with O+S patterns but this time I tried a Peek-a-boo pattern shop Anchors Away Romper. I have been on the look out for a vintage sailor suit pattern when I stumbled acrossed this one. It's not a real vintage pattern but it was what I was looking for and it only cost my $4 so what would I be out if I didn't care for it? (It was on sale a few weeks back)

It's a fairly easy pattern to sew, the hardest part was trying to cut button holes through the elastic in waist band. It took a few tries before it worked out. (here is a great hint, make sure your seam ripper is very shard. ;) ) I did make one mistake and sewn the collar with a 1/2" seam allowance instead of the 1/4" it called for. I will have to make him up one more just to try it again.

I did make a few wee mods to this pattern. I sewn the sleeves more like that of a vintage baby boy dress shirt, as in I turned the sleeves up instead of to the inside, to make a "cuff" and did the same with the button placket to give it more a Sketchbook shirt look to it. I did also sew the collar on different too. I sewn the collar main and lining on at the same time and finished the raw seam allowance with a bias and hand stitched it on. I just love the way this finish looks.

I did make my own bias for the white strips too, next time I think I will make them thinner....or I will use ribbon.

I do love the look of this on Caspian. I adore the vintage look on him.

You know I had to get a picture of him and Sweet pea together, I think I will frame this picture. My they are growing so fast!

This is one of my favorites photos, lately C had been really looking up Jacob. He had to have big brother hold his hand while walking back to the house, I couldn't resist and took this photograph. It sure makes me smile. : )

Happy Sewing!

Sharon

Better Late Than Never!

 

It is always to get things done late than never. This was suppose to be Prince C's Christmas outfit. I got a great start on it but was not able to finish on time. The good news it's done and I didn't pick out "Christmasy" colors so he can wear it all winter long! Both pattern are Oliver + S, both are my favorite patterns for him too. (the most used as well)

 

The Tea Party suit is a size 12-18 months made into pants with a button leg close instead of the snaps. This works so much better than the snaps, they never ever come undone! So important with an active baby or toddler. ; )

 

 

I also added an inch to top of the pants/body suit part as well to allow room for him to grow.

 

(wasn't he just the cutest little baby!!)

 

His fox Tea party would still fit him if I just did this when I sewn them. I hope to have time to make him a new pair this winter.

Oh yes, the fabric for these are a pant suiting I found Hancock's this past spring. I have made Mr. W and Mr. G both pairs of the sketchbook out this same fabric and have a pair cut out for Mr. J as well.

 

 

The shirt is made out of left over fabric form Sweet pea's winter red wool coat. It flannel fabric form Moda Wool and Needle line. It's so think and soft, I love to pet it and so does Prince C. It makes such a lovely shirt for him.

 

I also made piping for the Tea party suit, I love thin piping on this suit between bodice for my wee little boy.

 

The shirt is the sketchbook pattern made into a onesie shirt. This is great for little ones, now his shirt does not come untucked ever! It's fairly easy to do. I used a bias on the hem and used snaps to keep it all closed between the legs. I will make a tutorial on this a week or two as soon as my other sewing on list is done.

 

Out side there is a bunch of snow and I have four kids wanting to go out and play,

Happy Sewing!!

 

Sharon

A Nature Walk for Prince C

 

This New Year I promise myself to sew at least once from every pattern I have bought! Yes, each and every one of them! Oh know this is a very tall order for me. The first one on the list in Oliver + S Nature walk set. Believe it or not I bought (the bigger size) this pattern in my first batch of O+S. I planed on making it for my older boys-like over three year ago. Then when I knew baby #5 was a boy I had to buy the smaller one before they disappeared.  Sad is it not?!?  

 

Well sad no more! I sewn my first one! I made the 12-18 months size for Prince C. He wears almost everything in the 12-18 months range but the sketchbook and Sailboat bottoms he is still a 6-12months. So I thought, this should fit!

I should have known better it didn't. I should have measured. While the top fits fabulous the bottoms are tight. They do go on but I really need to make the next size up, well the waist line needs to be the next size up, the fit in the legs and length is perfect other than that. (excuse the shirt sticking out of the bottom, it's a 24m size shirt and is big on him, it's from my lovely sister. : ) I know he'll grow into it)

 

On plus side, he loves it, pants and all! He keeps rubbing the pants, I guess he is a fleece baby.

 

Now the pattern it's self is wonderful! I should have known. ; ) Everything came together nicely and this over all fairly quick to sew as well. I did do most of the sewing for the top on my serger. This is another "Why did I not sew this sooner"! I think I will see a few more bottoms for Prince C in these, and maybe a pair or two for Sweet pea. She seems to like this too and was disappointed when she found out they were not hers.

 

Poor little lass, I have not sewn for her in ages. (the dolly doesn't count as she has no clue mommy made it) She has been wanting a new dress and I have been enjoying sewing for my boys. Maybe one more dress then back to my little Prince, he really does need some new things.

 

So what are you ladies New Years sewing resolutions?

 

Sharon

Prince C's Halloween Costume!

 

Mommy had a little lamb who's fleece was white as snow...

 

everywhere that mommy went, her lamb was sure to go. : )

 

This little nursery rhyme was playing through my head as I was sewing along. He is going as a little just not mommy's little lamb. Sweet pea is going as Little Bo Peep and he is her little lamb. I picked his costume out and she requested to dress along with him. How cute is she?!? : ) 

 

The fabric is from a lovely, oh so soft blanket from Better Homes and Gardens. My mom and I seen it in the store, it has little swirls of softness and the blanket was fully lined, score!

 

I used all Oliver + S patterns for this costume this year. The shirt is sail boat, I used hook and loop tape instead of buttons, easier for dressing & easier from sewing! The pants are the sleep over pattern, fully lined with an added tail. The tail wags when he waddles. It is too cute, I wish I could take a video and show you it in action. The hat is from The Little Things To Sew book. All of it came together very quickly, well it would have been quickly if I would not have tried it on him after each step in sewing it. ; )

 

The great news is he loves the pants and fabric. As he is still wearing this and he is still sleeping. I think it's a magic sleeping costume.

The bad news, he does not care for the shirt and totally hates, hates the hat! We are all trying to get are little prince to wear it so maybe he'll cave in before Halloween, just maybe...I hope.

 

Next up some black LTTS mittens for him then onto to Sweet pea's Little Bo Peep!

 

Happy Sewing!

 

Sharon