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...

War Pants

My little soldiers needed new pants.

War pants to be exact.

 

 

 

Yes, they are quite thrilled.

And, I love the fact that they are so excited about these pants and that they look decent--not like little beggars anymore with their pants that have holes in them.

 One of them had even torn a big hole in his Sunday pants.

 

The pattern is from Petite Kids Boutique--the London Pants, again. (Yes, I love this pattern!)

 

Instead of putting lining fabric in the legs and making the hem able to be rolled up, I just hemmed them normally. My boys are not such big fans of having their pants rolled up. Especially not 'war' pants.

 

The fabric is from Fabric.com and it is a camo twill. I love it though it is a little stiff. But, that will wear off once it is washed a number of times.

Lots of pockets for storing treasures...one little helper already filled them up with pickling cucumbers to bring them in the house.

 

Actually, I had cut the fabric out, both the outer and lining, when my husband said, 'Tractors? That just does not go with army pants.'

My reply, 'Well, it's what I have on hand and you won't even notice.'

 

The next morning, my sons saw the two piles of pieces and both of them said, 'Tractor fabric with army pants?! I don't want that!'

Then the oldest very tactfully said, 'Well, I guess you already cut it.'

So, yes--the lining in the pockets and the waistband are John Deere tractor fabric that my MIL found at the thrift store.

You can't even tell.

And, my very particular boys are satisfied--so satisfied that I didn't even have a chance to photograph them unworn.



 



Another London Pants

My kids are growing faster than I can keep up with--especially in the area of pants. They seem to wear out so fast! Thankfully spring is a little slow in coming here--I have to finish up some spring sewing.

But, I have one out of the way--last week already but I'm a little slow in posting and have done no sewing since--nothing.

I have to get going!

 

But, here is the newest pair of London Pants--a pattern from Petite Kids Boutique:

 

 

I made a size 6 and instead of adding the tabs to turn it up and lining the bottom inside with the lining fabric, I cut the actual pieces longer and hemmed them with a good sized hem. That way I can take it out if he stays as skinny as he is next year.

As you can see, he should be able to wear that shirt next year too. And, maybe the year after... Yes, I know it's a bit big on him--I may have to go and check out the 2nd hand store to find another one, but until I do, he'll be wearing this.

 

Instead of the contrasting flap on the back, I added some self-drafted pockets.

 

And, these pants have now been dubbed, 'My new sailing pants!' All because of those anchor buttons on the side pockets. I thought they'd be a hit, but now he says he'll be sailing every Sunday at Church.

 

The fabrics I used are a chocolate colored linen from Fabric.com that I bought a number of years ago.

The lining gecko fabric is Meadow Friends by Deb Strain for Moda fabric from the Fat Quarter Shop that I bought quite a while ago as well.

The tag is a piece of twill tape that I wrote on with fabric markers.

 

Oh, and that tab of lining fabric on the leg? My son requested that he have some of the lining fabric on the outside so he could see it while sitting in the van on the way to Church.

 

 

And, he is not a very willing model. Hence the lack of pictures with it on him.

 

I'll probably make quite a few more of these as the kids grow out of or wear out of other pants!

 

 

Bella Blouse

I recently got to test another pattern from Petite Kids Boutique!

I really enjoy testing patterns and Wong's patterns are lovely.

The pattern I tested?

The Bella Blouse:

 



Picture from Petite Kids Boutique



 

I made two of them:

 

 

The first one--the orange one, is a modified Bella. The width for the size 3 that I made is 15" instead of 17" and the arms' width is 9.5" instead of 14". Plus, the neckband is cut at 32" instead of 38" plus the extra cut off after pinning it to the bodice.

To make up for the narrower sleeves, I cut the ruffles down to 13" instead of 19" and I did not make the casing or add the elastic as required in the pattern.

The second one--the pink/brown one, also a size 3, is the true Bella pattern. No modifications what-so-ever.

 

The orange fabric is from the Fat Quarter Shop. It's Betz White fabric and it is organic. The first time I've used organic fabric and one of the first times I've used orange. I like the change.

 

The pink/brown fabric is from Walmart. Yep, it's not as nice to work with as the nice stuff from the FQS but it does the trick.

I wasn't planning on doing two in less than a week but I'm glad they're done--they look really cute and modern.

The only problem I've found is that my daughter isn't fond of the elastic in the sleeves on the original Bella blouse--she prefers wearing the orange one for that reason.

 

 

Oh, and try taking pictures of a two-and-a-half year old when she is having fun with her brothers. Sigh....

London Pants for Boys

I gave the London Pants pattern from Petite Kids Boutique another whirl--for my 3 year old son.

 

 

I used a corduroy fabric that I got at the second hand store and a very neat fabric--Off to the Rescue Hydrants in Blue by Becky Taunton for Newcastle Fabrics. I bought that from the Fat Quarter Shop. But, it looks like it is sold out now.

 

 

I like the flat front on the waist--it makes the pants look less babyish. And the elastic in the back is always a good idea for quick bathroom trips!

 

I made some minor modifications to the pattern--I left off the tab and left out the lining. Instead, I just hemmed the cuffs. This son of mine does not generally enjoy having his pants rolled up--it would have been a waste of fabric on my part!

 

And, if you're looking for the London Pants pattern giveaway, go here.



London Pants and Giveaway!

I'm super excited about this! I've got a great giveaway lined up for you! 

 

 I was recently able to test a pattern for Petite Kids Boutique--the London Pants.

 

 

 

 This pattern is for both girls and boys from size 12m to 8y and has so many neat little details that it was a blast to make!

 

 

I made a size 2 for my daughter. (And, I'm working on a size 3 for one of my boys.)

 

 

The brown fabric is from the second hand store--it's, I think a type of twill-ish fabric. I have no idea what it actually is. Ha, I had thought I had grabbed my linen only to find that it was still on the bottom of the stack, un-cut. And, the contrast fabric is a quilting cotton I received from a friend. I'm not sure where it's from or what it's called but it's cute.

 

The cute star buttons come out of bag of mixed buttons from Walmart.

 

It fits great--no adjusting needed at all and that is pretty good for my skinny girl! Plus, she'll be able to wear them for years lengthwise--just unroll the cuff.

I'd highly recommend this pattern for anyone with skinny kids.

And, now for the awesome giveaway!

 

Wong from Petite Kids Boutique has agreed to give away a copy of the London Pants pattern! It is brand new--just up for sale!  

 

 

To enter, be or become a follower of my blog and leave a comment telling me your favourite pattern in the Petite Kids Boutique shop!

The giveaway will close on the 12th of October.
**Giveaway now closed**

 

Little Missy Bolero

This past week I tested a pattern for Petite Kids Boutique. It's the Little Missy Bolero and I really like it! It's relatively easy to sew up, and there's no hemming! The bodice is fully lined but the sleeves aren't, and I really like that, especially with my fabric choices. A couple of weeks ago, I had bought an old 'curtain' at the second hand store. It was 80" long and 28" wide after I had picked apart the seams. And, that cost me all of $3.99. A steal I'd say for such pretty fabric! The lining fabric I used is some white cotton from Walmart. It seems a little more off-white now that I use it with such a white eyelet than it did when I used it for the Henry Shirt. I know, white isn't always very practical, but it is so pretty that I cannot help myself but use white.

The fit is just right--I made a size 2T for my 2-year old and it fits like a glove. She was needing a bolero for this particular sundress especially since it has spaghetti straps and is therefore not really modest. And, I want my little girl to be modest.

The back comes down to about mid-back and doesn't stick out or do anything funny.

And, I love the sleeves. They are so girly and cute.

A great pattern, and a quick sew!