Thursday, April 30, 2015

Upcycled Hoodie

I had recently gone through my kids' wardrobes and handed down the clothes that no longer fit certain children, threw out the raggedy, stained clothing, and stored others.
In the process, I realized that my oldest son had only one sweater left.
One.
And, he wasn't impressed by that fact.
 
 
My husband I had gone through my husband's clothes some time ago and had saved some clothes that I thought could be upcycled.
A grey sweater was one of them.

 
Now, to find the perfect pattern to turn my husband's large sweater into a sweater small enough for a seven year old.
I found something that I could use as a jump-off pattern in one of my Ottobre magazines--pattern #40, issue 4/2013.
The only problem was that he wanted the hoodie all in the same color.
And the pattern pieces would not fit.

 
So, instead of using the hood for the pattern, I carefully seam ripped the hood off the original and re-used it as it was.
It had to be eased into the neckline as it was a bit larger than the neckline.
The pocket was also not in the pattern so I drafted my own for that as well.
(The pattern has in-seam pockets.)

 
He loves it.
It's comfy especially with the super-sized hood!
And, it turned out to be relatively stylish other than the mark you can see where I took the front pocket off the original.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

KCW Day 6--Lazy Days Lounge Pants

Day 6.
In a bid to get some variety in his wardrobe, I made my 3rd son a pair of sweats out of one of my husband's old sweaters.
Actually--out of the sleeves, waistband, and hood. The rest is still salvageable for another project!
 
 
I sewed up Gracious Thread's Lazy Days Lounge Pants in a size 2. 
It's perfect for the weather we're having today--snow.
 
 
The inside of the pockets is a thin knit from one of my old tanks.
I wish I had put that on the front inside part of the pocket, not the back, but I learned a lesson for next time!

 
Even the drawstring is taken from the old hoodie!
 I love a good upcycle.
The waistband from the hoodie became the cuffs and waistband on this.
They are a little narrower than the pattern pieces, but my son didn't need the full width anyway!

 
And, that's it for KCW for me--I'm taking Day 7 off!
 

Friday, April 24, 2015

KCW Day 5--Tree Climber Trousers

 Next up--the Tree Climber Trousers from Go-To Patterns (affiliate link) for my 3 year old son!

 
This little man is just that--little. I made the size 18 months with 2" added to the length.
To make it not sound so bad, I tagged them with a size 2 tag.
The only other modification is that I left off the back flap for the pockets.
 

 
The fabric is a denim-like fabric from our local Fabricland that I bought about a year ago.
I also used it for my diaper bag.
 
He's pretty happy about the pants and I'm pretty happy he has some pants that fit him again.
All of his were getting too short but he definitely could still wear them for width.
I have at least one more pair of pants planned for him--possibly two.
 
 

Thursday, April 23, 2015

KCW Days 2 to 4--Offbeat Oxford and London Pants

Days 2 to 4 !
 
First, I sewed up Terra's Treasures' Offbeat Oxford. (affiliate link)
I love the off-centered, curved placket!
I left off the pocket flap, but otherwise, I followed the pattern exactly.
 
 
Next up was the London Pants from Petite Kids Boutique.
I think this is around the 6th or 7th pair of these that I've sewn.
I love all the details.

 
The only modifications I made on these is I left out the bottom lining and the tab. I also drafted a different pocket for the back instead of the faux tabs.

 
Both fabrics I received from a friend who was clearing out some of her stash.
As soon as my son saw the plaid fabric, he grabbed it and excitedly told me I could make him a Sunday shirt out of it.
How could I resist that?
Of course he needed pants to match, right?
 
Are you sewing along for KCW? What's on your list?
I'm working on some pants for my third son now...

Monday, April 20, 2015

KCW Day 1--Maggie Mae Dress

 
After going through my kids' closets, I realized they all needed clothes.
All. of. them.
My oldest daughter really needed some new ones as a lot of her dresses were just getting too short.
So, she was first on the list.
 
 
I have sewn up a few of these Maggie Mae dresses now. (affiliate link)
And, I still love the pattern!

 
I received the brown fabric from a friend and the other fabric is from the Fat Quarter Shop, a long time ago now.
She is still a size 4 in width but I added at least three inches to the length of the main skirt (not the band) so that she wouldn't grow out of it for a little while at least!

 
Are you sewing along with KCW?
It definitely couldn't have come at a better time for me!

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Photo Contest!

The Bettie's Basket Sales & Promotions Facebook group is currently running a photo contest. If you sew anything from a Bettie designer's pattern, you should show off your hard work and submit a photo in the Facebook group! Besides the bragging right, you also have a chance to win some amazing prizes. Most Liked Photo Members of the Bettie's Basket Sales and Promotions group will vote by "liking" their favorite photos. The one that receives most "likes" will get these great prizes:
  • One $50 gift certificate from Fat Quarter Shop
  • One $35 gift certificate from Fabric Fairy
  • One $25 gift certificate from Gotcha Covered Quilting
  • One copy of "Stylish Home Sewing: 35 Perfect Ways to Make Your Home Beautiful" by Torie Jayne
Designers' Choice The Bettie designers will huddle and vote on their favorite photo. This winner will receive:
  • One $50 gift certificate from Fat Quarter Shop
  • One $25 gift certificate from UnBiased Fabrics
  • One copy of "Pretty Birds: 18 Simple Projects to Sew and Love" by Virginia Lindsay Book (physical book to US winner; ebook for non-US winner)
  • One surprise fabric pack from Once Upon a Yard
Random Draw from Submissions
Anybody who submits a photo will have a chance too. One submission will be randomly selected to receive these great prizes. For each photo you submit, you will get a chance. So the more you submit, the better your chance!
  • One $50 gift certificate from Fat Quarter Shop
  • One $25 gift certificate from Fashionable Fabrics
  • One signed copy of "A Modern Twist: Create Quilts with a Colorful Spin" by Natalie Barnes & Angela Walters
Random Draw from Likers
Even if you haven't sewn from a Bettie designer's pattern (or have no photo to show yet), you will still get a chance to win. One "liker" will be randomly selected to win this prize:
  • One $50 gift certificate from Fat Quarter Shop
Everyday Prizes On each day, 3 or 4 Bettie designers will be featured in the group. If you submit on that day, you will also get a chance to win a pattern from each of the featured designers of the day.

How to Enter

There are two ways to enter.
  1. From now until April 15th, post a photo of your creation made from any of the Bettie designers’ patterns to the “Bettie’s Basket Photo Contest” album in the "Bettie's Basket Sales & Promotion" Facebook group. Be sure to put both the designer and pattern names in the description. (Yes, you can submit multiple entries!)
  2. Even if you haven't sewn any of the Betties' patterns yet, you can still win by voting for your favorite photos. Go to the "Bettie's Basket Photo Contest Album" and "like" your favorite photos. You will get a chance to win the "Random Draw from Likers" prize.

Who Are the Bettie Designers?

Swhetty Bettie Designers We are a group of independent designers. You can read more about the group at the Swhetty Bettie's Blog. Here's the list of designers who are part of this group:
  • Addiek
  • aha customs
  • AimerLae & Finn
  • Air Born Quilts
  • Azurerocket Design Studio
  • Bella sunshine designs
  • Bellamie Boo Couture
  • Boda Baby
  • Boho Banjo Art to Wear
  • CateCreates
  • Dandelions n' Dungarees
  • EYMM
  • FABulous Home Sewn
  • Filles à Maman
  • Genniewren Designs
  • Ginger House Designs
  • Gray days designs
  • Gracious Threads
  • Golden Rippy
  • GYCT Designs
  • The Happy Little Ladybug
  • Honeydew Kisses Patterns
  • Itch To Stitch
  • Jo-Anne Anderson Studio
  • Jocole Patterns
  • Jubilee Junction Patterns
  • Just Bananas Over Soft Toys
  • Kelly J Designs
  • Koda Baby
  • Laela Jeyne Patterns
  • Little Lizard King
  • Lizzie Fran Designs
  • MadeIt Patterns
  • Mandy K Design
  • Max & Meena
  • MCM Studio Designs
  • Momma Quail Patterns
  • Mo's Pattern Shop
  • Muffin Head Patterns
  • My Taylor Made
  • OUSM Designs
  • PiePie Designs
  • Raine Design Patterns
  • Ruby and Jack Patterns
  • Rose & Lee Designs
  • SassHenri Designs
  • Seaside Notions
  • Serger Pepper
  • Sew Jereli
  • Sew Pandi
  • Sew Straight Pattern Co.
  • Sewing Geeks Pattern
  • ShannonMac Designs
  • Sofilantjes
  • Stitchwerx Designs
  • Stitch and Whimsy
  • Staight Stitch Designs
  • Striped Swallow Designs
  • Stubbornly Crafty
  • Swoodson Says
  • the Happy Ladybug
  • Terras Treasures
  • Whimsy Couture
  • Zuzzy Patterns
So if you made something from patterns from these designers, definitely join us at the Bettie's Basket group. This contest is made possible by these sponsors. Be sure to check them out! Fat Quarter Shop Fabric Fairy UnBiased Fabrics Gotcha Covered Quilting  Fashionable Fabrics Once Upon a Yard Pretty Birds: 18 Simple Projects to Sew and Love by Virginia Lindsay Stylish Home Sewing: 35 Perfect Ways to Make Your Home Beautiful by Torie Jayne A Modern Twist: Create Quilts with a Colorful Spin by Natalie Barnes & Angela Walters  

On-the-Go Chalkboard Notebooks

I've had an idea to make the kids a coloring/drawing folder for long trips.
When I saw the chalkboard fabric over at Canadian National Fabric, I knew I had to give it a try!
 
 
As I started to browse their awesome selection of wovens, the Wild Horses collection from Michael Miller popped out at me.
The colors would go beautifully with the black of the chalkboard fabric.
And, to add to my certainty, it came in a 'boy' color and a 'girl' color.

 
Matching solids were soon found--Art Gallery's Pure Elements in Pansy and Fresh Water.
For the record, I had chosen Verve Violet as a match, but she was kind enough to send me a better match along with it!

 
So I started making them, assembly-line style.

 
A snap pocket for the chalk.
(Yes, I know...that pocket flap sticks out a little more than intended...the drawbacks of doing assembly line style on a pattern/tutorial-in-progress!)
A pocket for the cloth.

 
And we were all set to go.

 
They definitely met with approval and had to be thoroughly tested out.

 
The chalkboard fabric is not listed at Canadian National Fabric anymore but it is still available by request if you contact her!
 
 
 
 
 


Monday, April 6, 2015

Kitchen Gifts

Friends of ours were recently married, so I thought I'd make the wedding gift.
 
 
It's a pretty basic set, and it's the first time I used Insul-brite which I bought from Stay Home Fabrics.
The other fabrics are from Canadian National Fabrics.  
They are from the Country Touch line.
 
For the apron pattern, I traced my apron and 'made' a pattern that way.
The oven mitts are a free pattern from YouCanMakeThis.com
 
A gift for myself was that my dishwasher was finally ripped out after never using it in over 7 years.
And, we put some shelving in to hide store the kids' crayons and coloring books, school books, and some other stuff.
A curtain was in order to keep things looking tidy.
 
 
Again I used some fabric from the Country Touch line.
It fits in quite good with my kitchen!