Sharks, Hoodies, and a New Pattern

I've been doing a lot of testing lately it seems! 

One of my favourites is the Dress Up Hoodie from Mouse House Creations.

This hoodie has so many options.

A basic raglan hoodie and a variety of pattern pieces that you can use to dress up your hoodie. 

Line drawings of pattern pieces included!

I chose to do my final test as a shark for my youngest. 

The hoodie comes together very easily and quickly. 

I used a freezer paper stencil to paint the eyes on the hood and the words 'FEED ME' on the front.

To stabilize the fin, I added some fusible fleece on both pieces before sewing them right sides together.

Another tester came up with the idea to put the teeth on the lining of the hood and I love how that turned out. It's not as costume-y and more of a wear-every-day style which is my style. 

The neat thing about this pattern is that you can use the pattern pieces included and use your creativity to come up with all sorts of creatures/ideas. 

Each hoodie can be made as you want. 

I can see the deer ears being used to make a cow, some have made a fox, angry bird, etc.

 So many ideas!

In the meantime, I need to go feed this hungry little shark! 

You can buy the pattern here for $8.50 for a limited time. (Regular price is $10.50.)

More of Caroline

If you haven't noticed yet, I absolutely love to sew up the Caroline Party Dress as baby gifts. 

It's a quick, easy to sew pattern and so easy to modify as well. 

I made some little mods on this one. 

I added the strip of pink as a layer between the bodice and the skirt and then also added the pink at the bottom to tie it all in. 

(The real reason was not quite enough of the floral fabric to make the right length, but I love how it turned out!) 

Again, because it's for a baby, I added easy to close snaps on the back instead of an invisible zipper. 

Baby Boy Banner

I was way behind in baby gifts. I mean way behind. 

My friend Jess over at Gracious Threads had a baby boy almost a year ago now.

I finally thought of a suitable gift. 

Sad, I know. 

But, what do you make for someone who can sew better than you?! 

When this idea popped in my head, I even asked her what color scheme she likes. 

And, then I chose two sets of fabric from my stash and asked which one she liked better. 

Yeah, I know--it's pretty sad when you have to get their input on a gift. 

I am very pleased with how it turned out. 

And, if it's hanging on the wall, there's less chance she'll inspect the seams. Ha! 

(right Jess?!) ;) 

Grey, Yellow, Green

Every now and then I get an order--usually it's a pretty general order as in 'I need some burp cloths' or, 'I need a rag blanket' or, 'Can you make me some bibs?'

This time, there was a color request included--grey, yellow, and green.  

I really didn't want to order from a US site right now as the CAN $ is rather poor, so I scoured the web for Canadian fabric shops that carried grey, yellow, and green flannelette.

This was the final choice and I ordered the fabric from Funky Monkey Fabrics. 

The backing of the burp cloth is from a towel I bought specifically to cut up for burp cloths as I've had an other order for burp cloths recently.  

The burp cloth pattern is from So Sew Easy.
I love the color scheme, and the fabrics are super soft--they'll be perfect for the baby they're meant for!

Burp Cloths

A new venture for me--burp cloths.

A customer requested burp cloths, so I researched a number of different shapes, fabric combinations, and decided to use So Sew Easy's burp cloth pattern, and a quilting cotton and terry combination.

 

 

The quilting cotton is cute, and the terry is super absorptive for those messy spills.

Plus, the shape of the burp cloths is designed to cover the shoulder as well.

 

I'll make a confession--with all five of my kids, I've never used a burp cloth. Ever.

I always just used the receiving blanket.

 

When I got a mass produced, store bought 'sample' of a burp cloth from my customer, I was not impressed with how it was finished off, and the shape just looked sloppy.

I love a neatly sewn and finished item.

And, I love a neatly sewn and finished item, packaged prettily, so I wrapped a ribbon around the whole stack and sent it off that way.

 

The quilting cottons I mostly got from a Facebook destash site (some are from my stash) and the terry backing is from some towels I bought specifically for the burp cloths.



Little Hunter

Good friends of ours recently had a baby boy--their first boy after two girls, so I knew I wanted to make an outfit.

The only thing was I wanted it to be something a little different than just a plain pair of pants and shirt.

It needed something original and fitting.

 

With the last name of 'Hunter' and the dad's moose hunting adventures as inspiration, I came up with a fun freezer paper stencil.

Some fun fonts and a moose head silhouette from Shutterstock and I ended up with this graphic.



The shirt is a pattern from Ottobre (3/2013, Brave Fireman, #9). It originally had short sleeves, but I lengthened them, and omitted the sleeve cuffs.

The pants are from Go-To Patterns--the Tree Climber Trousers. (affiliate link)

I think this is one of my favourite pants patterns--quick to sew up, but the fun topstitching details really make it stand out!

 





 

I think the fabric is a type of suiting--I bought it years ago, and have used it for pants before.

I love the softness of the fabric and how the contrasting topstitching stands out on the fabric.

 

Congrats again G & L!

Lullaby Line Sleep Sacks--Some Baby Gifts!

*Updated to change links!*

(This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, I get a small percentage of the purchase price. Thanks for shopping through these links!!)

A lot of friends have had babies. And, a lot of girls.

I am waaay behind in sewing up baby gifts, so when I had to choose another pattern for the Go-To Brand Ambassador program, I thought I'd hit two birds with one stone.

I'd sew up some fun baby gifts while sewing up a pattern available in the Go-To Patterns shop!

I chose Peek a Boo Pattern's Lullaby Line Sleep Sack available at Peek a Boo Patterns Go To Patterns!

I sewed it up in size 12-24 months, using flannel for the main part and a cotton/lycra for the neck band and arm bands.

I only had two separating zippers that were long enough, otherwise I would have made a couple more!

I let my 16 month old try them out and she had fun pretending she was napping.

The fit is pretty good--the only thing with the fit is that I'm used to sleep sacks that are a bit longer, only because my kids are usually wearing ones that they can 'grow into.'

This pattern has to have the fit spot on so that the footed sleep sacks can be used properly without tripping up the child.

It's a pretty quick sew. The zipper is the most time consuming part!

I think I'd seam finish the front center edges before I inserted the zipper, the next time.

It would provide a cleaner finish, I think.

Again, you can get the pattern in this shop, or here.

Girl's Bundle-Up Bundle

It's Bundle Up! time again!

This time it's a girl's bundle.

 

 I sewed up the Adeline Knit Ruffled Cardigan and the Wide Leg Pants--both of them are in the bundle.
 

For the cardigan, I used a Riley Blake knit, a Girl Charlee knit for the lining, and a simple white woven cotton. It's a bit thinner than quilting cotton.

So the cardigan is fully lined except for the sleeves.

It can be made as a cardigan or dress or top, with or without ruffles.

For the buttons, I used Kamsnaps. I really like how they work for baby clothes.

 



 

 For the pants I used a Premier Prints twill that I had ordered years ago from Fabric.com.

They feature a knit fabric waistband and the main pant can be made in woven or knit with two different pocket options. I opted to go pocket-less as she can't use them yet anyway.

 

You can get these both in the Bundle Up!

 

 

 

Free Leggings Pattern

Dandelions 'n Dungarees has released a new pattern--a FREE Basic Leggings pattern which I had fun testing!

 

 

They include sizes for dolls, both 15" and 18", and all the way from NB to 16!

So, a huge size range.

 

I love that they are a bit longer than the usual ones I use--no riding up the legs.

 

I sewed up the 6m size for my daughter and they are a great fit other than the back rise was a little low but it was adjusted in the final pattern.

I didn't think it would work, but they work pretty decent for cloth diapers as well. That's what she usually wears them with.

 

The fabric is a cotton/spandex from Girl Charlee. (referral link)

 

Ha, and trying to take pictures of a little mover is rather difficult...every time I pointed my camera at her, she'd turn or move...

Now that she's standing too it'll be even harder, I think!

 



Saucy Skirt and Flyaway Ruffle Cardi--a Pattern Test

When I got to test April's newest patterns from Dandelions 'n Dungarees, I was rather excited.

They fit perfectly with my goal of sewing all my kids some fall/winter Sunday clothes.

 

Let me introduce the Saucy Skirt and the Flyaway Ruffle Cardi!

 

 

I really like how it turned out. Instead of the knit fabric ruffles that were shown in the tutorial, I gave it a try with some ready made eyelet lace that I got from a friend.

 

 

The body of the Cardi I made with a nice ponte knit from Girl Charlee (referral link).

It's left over from my husband's Newcastle Cardigan.

 

The finishing of the neckline looks so professional with some bias tape.

And, I love the look of the one button closure.

 

For the skirt, I used some of the left over cotton-spandex fabric from my Color Block Dress which is also from Girl Charlee.  

It has options for a single layered skirt, a double layered skirt and a double layered skirt with a super cute tie.

I couldn't resist the tie.

 

To finish off the look, I whipped up a pair comfy ponte knit version of Go-To Leggings. (affiliate link)



And, a Sunday outfit for my youngest daughter.

 



 

Yep.

All ready for Church.

 

 

Hop over and get the bundle for $9 for a limited time.

Or get the skirt or the cardi separately for $5 each.

Pattern Parcel # 5 The Asymmetrical Drape Top

(This post contains affiliate links.)

 



 

And....some sewing for my 3.5 month old.

What?! She's already that old--yep, time flies just a little too fast!

 

 

I was quite excited when I saw that the Pattern Parcel had a pattern that could be sewn up for babies.

My older daughter is getting quite the wardrobe already, so it was nice to be able to sew something up for my youngest.

 

The pattern I used is the EYMM Asymmetrical Drape Top which is part of the Pattern Parcel.

And, the fabric is a Heather Ross knit that I scored an 'end of the bolt' from Fabric.com.

I love how it turned out, and I have to say my little girl looks rather cute in it.

 

Does anyone else find it super hard to photograph babies?!

 

The Pattern Parcel ends soon, so make sure to hop on over and buy your parcel of patterns!

 

Here is some additional info about the Pattern Parcel--how it works, what's included, and a bonus pattern:

How Pattern Parcel Works:

Here at Perfect Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers. It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too. So, we allow customers to show their support in naming their own price for each Parcel.  We also encourage customers to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. Together we've raised over $11,000 for classrooms in need!

 

Lily Knit Blazer by Peek-a-Boo Patterns

Everyday Yoga Pant for Girls by Greenstyle

Asymmetrical Drape Top by EYMM

Playhouse Dress by Fishstick Designs

Mimi Dress and Shirt by Filles a Maman

BONUS PATTERN: Sunki Dress by Figgy’s

 

 

Bonus Pattern:

Choose a price of $28 or greater for Parcel #5 and you will automatically also be sent the Bonus Pattern! The Bonus Pattern for this Parcel is the Sunki Dress by Figgy's. Fun pockets, a stylish silhouette, plus make it in knit or woven. Double bonus! The pattern includes both size runs, so you get 18 months through a 16 tween sizing.

There have been some amazing outfits sewn this tour and there are still more to come as well! Make sure to pop by each one to see what they've sewn.   Parcel #5 Inspiration Tour Schedule:

Friday, September 19 Pienkel || Cookin' and Craftin'

Saturday, September 20 Sew Busy Lizzy || The Life Of A Compulsive Crafter

Sunday, September 21 Keep Calm and Carrion || Felt With Love Designs

Monday, September 22 Radiant Home Studio || Sewing Sober

Tuesday, September 23 Sew Fishsticks || La Pantigana || Amanda Rose

Wednesday,September 24 Shawnta Sews || Sprouting JubeJube || Knot Sew Normal

Thursday, September 25 Make It Perfect || Mimi's Mom || Climbing the Willow

Friday, September 26 Needle and Ted || Our Family Four

Saturday, September 27 Froo & Boo

Sunday, September 28 Stitches by Laura || Vicky Myers creations

Monday, September 29 Cookin' and Craftin' || The Crazy Tailor

Tuesday, September 30 mama says sew || FABulous Home Sewn || The Inspired Wren

Wednesday, October 1 lady and the gents || That's-Sew-Kari || Sewing Sober

Thursday,October 2 Gracious Threads || Blogs Like A Mother || SewsNBows

Friday, October 3 sew chibi || Lulu & Celeste || Made by Sara