Ninjago llyod Costume of a Little Boy's Dreams!

 My little six year son wanted to this Ninja here from Ninjago. His name is Llyod. If you ask him he will tell you he wants to be Llyod more than anything for Halloween. (Yes, I did have to ask the first time who in the world is Lloyd??) He didn't think that I could pull off the costume he wanted at first. Well he isn't douting any more!

 Doesn't he look to be in full Ninja mode here? ;)

 

I used Oliver + S pattern Sleepover Pajamas for his costume. It worked out very nicely for this too. I used all flannel fabric for the main part to make it nice and warm for a chilly night of candy collecting. My thinking is that he can used these for pj's after Halloween as well.

 I made what seems a ton of shiny gold things to sew on this ninja outfit everywhere. It very pretty to sew. It sparkled in the light of my sewing machine.  hehehehe But aside from joking this thing took what seemed like forever to sew. It was started on Sunday and I just finished very late last.

 It was totally worth it too! I had fun making this costume as much as he loves.

 

I made a simple belt and made the pattern for the shoulder plates and the hood. It was not not as hard as I thought it would be. Just a ton of sewing. I am glad to be done!

No time for me to rest either. I am on to the next costume for my 8 year boy. Until then...

 

 

Happy sewing!!

 

Sharon




A Periwinkle Pint Size Plus a mini tutorial

 I am not crazy for (or even really like)  Halloween but this year Sweet pea requested her very first costume. This has made a big different this year for me. Well all the big kiddos requested mama made costumes this year. (yippy!!) After watching hours, yes hours, of Secret of the wings previews she decided she wanted to be "the winter fairy for Christmas". I am sure she meant Halloween. I hope.

 I didn't make her just like Periwinkles but as close as I could. I did want shoulder straps so this would be a very appropriate toddler clothes, nothing falling off. The craft store had feathers just like the ones on her dress but they were $4 each I would need seven. So after a quick run through the store I found in the hair accessorise department I found a strip of white feathers sewn together for $3, perfect! (it is a costume after all)

 I went to my must trusted Oliver + S patterns to make the top and bottoms for outfit. I just love these patterns! I used the Tea Party dress for her top, size 2T and the Sail boat pants for her bottoms.

 For the top I made the yoke just as is in the pattern but I used a shiny silver thread for the top stitching on the yoke. For the bottom "leaves" I traced the pattern pieces first.

 I then marked on the center panel 1/2" up on the fold side then marked 5" up on the other side. I then drew a strait line between these two marks. I then made a more "leaf" line (the purple line) for a cutting mark.

 

On the side panel I marked 5" up on the inside and then 1/2" on the outside. I made a straight line between the two then made a more leaf line, in purple, for cutting.  

 I cut out four center pattern pieces and 8 outer pattern pieces. I made the skirt fully lined. It made it easier to make the leaves out of the skirt panels.

 I then sewn together all the outter panels together the main and the lining ones as well. I them pressed them all open. Next I top stitched the silver viens of the leaves on all the outer leaves pattern pieces.

 I then sewn all the "leaves" together with the main and lining ones. To attach the skirt I sewn them as in Nicole's tutorail fora lined Tea party dres found here. This way I was able to keep the leave edges as was. i sewn them with a 1/2" hem and was sure to trim the leave points and where the leaves meet very well. I did top stitch the hem after I turned and presses the leave edges too.

 

 

To finish the dress, I cut the feather strip in half then even placed it on either side of the dress. I was very lucky beacuse it was just the right length of feathers I needed for the top.

 For the pants I top stitched the silver leaf viens as well before finish sewing the pants together, then fished the hem with a leaf stitch design. I used elastic on the inside of the pants sean to give the pants bottom a more leaf shape. All the buttons are snowflakes, perfect match. :)

 I had the most fun sewing this and I am having even more fun watching her"flying"around the house playing fairies.

 Right now she is watching the Secrect of the Fairies and dressed to matched. I think I did well by her. What more could a mommy ask?

 I love my little snow fairy!

Happy Sewing!!

 

Sharon

Periwinkle Fairy Costume Preview

A bit of a preview of what I am working on, costumes for fall fun. Sweet pea wanted to be the new winter fairy from Tinkerbell's movie Periwinkle. While her outfit is very pretty I wanted a bit more "top" to the top.I used Oliver + S patterns for this with some mods to them. Easy peasy!

 I used kona Cotton fabric in a light pretty blue and stitched all the leave veins with shiny silver thread for a frosted look. It's very hard to the here but the pants and the dress both have been made with the "leaves". When I take action shots of this you'll be able to see them better.

 Here is the back of the top, yep feathers the whole way around. I used eye and hooks for the feather strip (found at Hobby Lobby) so that I can take them off for washing. I am sure with my toddler that it will need washing!

To finish the top and the pants off I used snowflake buttons. (you can see better here the silver thread stitching) Sweet pea is very happy with her costume and she flew  ran around the house. Next I am making her an under shirt for the chilly evening's we are having here. One down four to go!

 

 

Happy Sewing!!

 

Sharon

After School Fun!

 With the cold weather coming and chilly morning we are already having I had to make Sweet pea some new pants and tops. I have wanted to make the Oliver + S After School pattern forever for her. (I bought it last year) I am sorry that I didn't make it before now.

 It such a fun pattern to sew with too. The top comes together very quickly and the pants have these ever so cute ruffle on the front and back.I just love the ruffles on these pants! I also made this pattern for baby C too. The pattern works great for girls and boys both so big bonus!

 I love those tiny back pockets too.

The pants fit  really well, the top is a bit big not bad.  It nice and roomy for play time. I did leave the pants a bit long. My though is that I know she is tall and she will still keep growing so these will fit longer than a second. The pattern was easy to follow too. Everything I have come to love about the Oliver + S patterns. You can never go wrong with them!

 All the fabric is from my grandma. She found it at Joann's. The top fabric and brown pants are all left overs from the teddy bear jumper I made her the other day.  Even the tiny pink buttons are from my grandma. :)

 

So what do you think, does Sweet pea likes her new clothes? ;)

Happy Sewing!

 

 

Sharon



The Corduroy Bear Jumper

 This little jumper was from Sweet pea's Great-grandma. My grandma went into Joanne's for me last week on a corduroy hunt and seen a dress made up for display there . My grandma thought it was so cute and bought everything we needed to make it. (thanks grandma!!.) She was right too. it's so cute! 

 The pattern is Simplicity 0313. It was very easy to make and instructions was just as easy too. It only took my about 1 1/2 to make form start to finish. The corduroy is nice and warm and the teddy bears make it the perfect jumper for Sweet pea.

Sweet pea carried around the buttons with her for a few days until I was able to make her jumper so she was super glad mommy got around to finishing it. ;)

I did change the pockets though. I used the jumprope dress pockets from Oliver + S on this one. I thought they would look better and give me a chance to add a bit more teddy bears onto her dress.

 

 

My grandma also sent some beautiful purple corduroy that will be made up into pants tonight. I can't wait to get them done! Then onto a super exciting fairy costume for Sweet pea!! (I think I am more excited about this costume than she is!)

 

 

 

Have a great weekend!

 

 

Sharon

The Little Red Fox Playsuit

 I don't know why but with prince C I just love little foxes. He has a few store bought outfits with foxes and one very special stuffed fox we gave him on his birth day. I not sure if it's the fluffy tail or those cute little pointy ears but I love those little foxes. I knew I had to make my little guy a fox play suit for him for winter. I knew I wanted to use the Oliver + S Tea Party pattern for this. (This pattern is great for girls and boys both!) I did make some changes though.

 The original pattern the front and back have a top yoke with two lower pants panels but I changed it to only have two front panels instead so the yoke was with the leg panels. I also made the length into pants from the shorts length. Finally I made a button placket for the leg closer from the snap tape that the pattern calls for. I love the look of the buttons! For the button plackets I used the Oliver + S Sketchbook button placket for the shirt, I just made the length longer and evenly spaced the button holes.

 I used corduroy for the whole play suit, including the applique and fabric covered buttons. I found the applique pattern over here at Skirt as Top blog. She has a great blog too, check it out! 

 Here is a closer look at the leg closers. I edge stitched on both sides of the button plackets. To make for neat edges on the short edge I kept the placket length over a 1/2" and pressed it under before I folded over the button placket to top stitch it. It took care of those the raw edges quit nicely.

To date this is my favorite outfit I have sewn for my little prince. I have a few must needed pants for Sweet pea to make then onto a fox play dress for her too. I hope it turns out as nicely as this one has.

 

Happy Sewing!!

 

Sharon

Ruffles and Pink Sailor Girl

 I love the Sailboat pattern from Oliver + S . I have made two tops for baby C and three bottoms. However, I wanted to make it a bit more girly for my little girl. This is what I came up with.

 I added flutter sleeves over the regular sleeve patten. I made the under sleeve in a white knit fabric so it's warm for colder weather. I also added a ruffle around the whole bottom. Sweet pea loves all the ruffles on the top! I used Sarah Jane Studios Out to Sea fabric for the top. Sweet pea calls it the "Pink Lemon-aid shirt".

 I made a 3T size for top and bottoms hoping that they fit all winter long. (Maybe a bit longer would be even nicer!) There is plenty of growing room too.

 The pants are the Ben & Mia pants from The Lily Bird Studio. I bought this pattern for my baby boy but it works wonderful for Sweet pea too. I am going to have to make my 6 year son a pair too. I love the fit of these. Very roomy for lots of running and climbing that this crazy girl does. These were so easy to make too. Lots of color picture to guide you through making them.

 Her pants are in a charcoal corduroy. These a have bit of stretch in them so it worked great for pants for her and oh so soft is the fabric to the touch!

 I always have a bit of stretching going on when I hem my knits so this time I iron on a bit of interfacing where I knew I would be stitching the hem before hand and had no stretching this time at all. :) It's about time too. ;)

 Here is a closer look at the pants, it has some great belt loops on these. I used buttons that my grandma sent.  (thanks grandma!) She sent this big bag of them. Sweet pea had a lot of fun searching through the buttons. She even slept with a little pink one all night long. :) The back of the pants I made heart pockets for girly, girl too. She loves these the most about the the pants.

I am so happy to finish a whole outfit. Lately I have been making a top here and another pants here but never the whole outfit. Maybe I can finish all the outfits I started this week....maybe.

 

 

 

 

 

Sharon