Boys in Summer Blog Tour

 

Welcome to my stop on the Boys in Summer Blog Tour!
Having 4 boys, I tend to do a fair bit of sewing for boys, and this was another perfect opportunity to sew up a great boy shirt again.

I used the Discoverer Tee  by Ellie and Mac (affiliate links) and let my son choose the fabric.

He chose pretty basic fabrics--solid cotton lycra knits, but the design of the pattern definitely adds some interest with such basic fabrics. 

I will confess this shirt has been worn and washed before I could grab pictures of it, and I forgot to iron it after the washing. He's pretty thrilled with it and was very eager to wear it. 

I really like this pattern as it's a looser fit and my boys really enjoy that as they do not like tight fitting shirts. Plus as I said before, it's not just a basic tee--it has a cool design element that takes it up a notch.
If you don't have this pattern yet or are looking for a cool boys pattern (even my older boys like this shirt!) be sure to go buy the Discoverer Tee  by Ellie and Mac (affiliate links) 

Looking for more summer boy inspiration? 

Follow along on the Boys in Summer Blog Tour hosted by Made by Little Gents by clicking through the links below. 

  Fri. May 4 Made for Little Gents (Intro to Boys in Summer Blog Tour)

Mon. May 7 Elli & Nels in Stitches 

Tues. May 8 Our Play Palace | Made by Laura! | Beri Bee Designs 

Wed. May 9 Made for Little Gents | Momma Newey's Makes 

Thurs. May 10 Phat Quarters | Dreams & Stitches 

Fri. May 11 Stylin' Stacy | Tenille's Thread

Mon. May 14 Paisley Roots | Fabulous Home Sewn 

Tues. May 15 Seams Like Style | Kathy's Kwilts and More 

Wed. May 16 Sewing with D | Auschick Sews | Seams Sew Lo 

Thurs. May 17 My Sewing Roots | Sewing à la Carte | Middle River Studio 

Fri. May 18 Lunatiek | Needles to Say | Manning The Machine

Suburban Stripes

I think I've fallen in love with bamboo cotton jersey.

It is so soft and the drape is amazing. 

It is perfect for spring or summer tops.

When I saw that Sew Lovely Fabrics had in some bamboo cotton jersey stripes, I knew I needed to try them out. 

I chose to try out the Charcoal Mix & Everglade and I'll admit I ordered a few more to try out on my own as well! 

My son needed a new shirt for Church for Spring/ Summer so I chose to sew up the Suburban Basic Tee from New Horizons Designs. I did do the sleeves a little different--I added enough at the bottom to hem it instead of cuffing it. 

The fabric is available now from Sew Lovely Fabrics so be sure to check it out! 

Get Ready for Spring Blog Tour

Welcome to the 'Ellie and Mac Get Ready for Spring Blog Tour' hosted by 'Seams Sew Lo.'

Spring is around the corner. Or we'd like to think so.
Here in Alberta we can expect frost as late as the May Long Weekend, so it definitely feels like Spring is still a ways a way. But, we can be hopeful for an early spring.
So we're sewing for Spring!
I chose to use the Boy's Sunday Morning Sweats and the Discoverer Tee from Ellie and Mac.

 For the Discoverer Tee, I chose a lightweight jersey knit for the bottom portion and a slightly heavier weight cotton-lycra for the top and sleeves. The pattern comes with a long sleeve and a short sleeve option so you can make this year-round.

The Sunday Morning Sweats are basically shorts over a narrower almost legging-like pant. I only used the shorts part of the pattern for these shorts, but again they could be a good year-round pattern. They have a yoga waistband with no elastic so they're pretty comfy. 

Even though we're having a snow storm today and it's -30C with windchill my son decided to keep wearing this after pictures--he loves a good pair of shorts. 

Shirt fabric is from Girl Charlee (an old print) and Water Tower Textiles (solid).
The fabric for the shorts is from Zenith and Quasar (jegging).

Enjoy 35% off all Ellie and Mac patterns the month of February!

Please visit all the stops on the 'Get Ready for Spring Blog Tour' featuring Ellie and Mac spring sewing patterns, hosted by Seams Sew Lo. 

 Do not forget to enter the giveaway below too! 

February 3rd: Seams Sew Lo (Intro)

February 4th: Seams Sew Lo

February 5th: Violets and Jewels

February 6th: Threadistry

February 7th: Mama Can Make it

February 8th: My Crazy Crafty Beautiful Life

February 9th: Aurora Designs

February 10th: Flaxfield Sewing

February 11th: Floral and Flannel

February 12th: FABulous Home Sewn

February 13th: Minns Things

February 14th: Our Play Place

February 15th: Tenille's Thread

February 16th: Seams Like Style

February 17th: Hutsepruts

February 18th: Candi Couture Designs

February 19th: My Sewing Roots

February 20th: Manning the Machine

February 21st: Stitched by Jennie

February 22nd: Kathy's Kwilts and More

February 23rd: Sewjourns

February 24th: Mermaid Mama Designs

February 25th: Fee Bricolo

February 26th: Oak Blue Designs

February 27th: Big Fly Notions

February 28th: Sewing Blue

   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sewing Something Sew Lovely

Sew Lovely Fabrics--a brand new fabric shop in Alberta, Canada that offers cotton jersey fabrics that are milled, printed and/or dyed in North America.

The fabrics I used are both bamboo cotton jerseys--chili and charcoal mix. 

(Just to clarify--the bamboo fabrics are from overseas but are part of their sustainability fabrics and pass all required tests.)

First of all, the packaging!
It was like receiving a present, it was so nicely wrapped.

A couple of samples were included--I think I'm in love with the Bamboo Fleece--I may have to try that one out as well.

And, to top it off, candy and a coupon! 

Last but not least, the fabric. 

The bamboo jersey is so soft! 

 I decided to sew up Ellie and Mac's Dicoverer Tee.

My son chose which fabric would go where and his one request for the pattern was that it wasn't too tight--either in the arms or the fit. I think we accomplished that.

This fabric was a dream to work with--I would LOVE to sew myself all the bamboo tops. 

Also, February is Heart Month at Sew Lovely Fabrics: 

Be sure to join the group and follow/like their page!

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.)

Back to School Tour

This post contains affiliate links--they help support my sewing addiction so if you are inspired to buy a pattern because of what you see on my blog, please buy through my links. Thank-you! 

Or, the Not-Back-To-School stop on the tour...

We're not heading back to school as we homeschool, but each fall the kids are in dire need of some new, well fitting, un-torn, un-stained clothes. 

We do often leave the house for swimming lessons, co-ops, and other functions after all. 

So, first up is the Nivalis Dress from Sofilantjes and the Caramel Leggings from Filles a Maman. 

My daughter is thrilled with this outfit! 

I love the style of the Nivalis--I'm a sucker for European style. 

And the Caramel Leggings.

What I love about these is that they are not just plain leggings. 

They actually have design features, and the fit is great.

Next up is the Dax Trousers from Gracious Threads, the Military Messenger Bag from FABulous Home Sewn, and Rascal Raglan from Ottobre 4/2013.

So for this one, the Dax Trousers are such a classic pant style. 

The functioning fly, adjustable waist, and welt pockets make it so you can have play pants with a sturdy denim or you can have Sunday pants with a fancier fabric. 

My son uses the Military Messenger Bag for taking his Bible, pen, notebook, and other 'necessities' to Church. 

It makes a great book bag! 

(You can read more about this pattern and bag here!)

The shirt is a staple in this house. I keep turning back to this pattern for my kids. 

I do put a different cuff on this shirt than is provided in the magazine.

They have you put a cuff on single-layered and then still hem that. I do a folded over cuff so I don't need to hem the sleeves. It makes it a bit of a quicker sew and I prefer the look. 

Be sure to stop by all the other great stops on the tour!

Monday, September 25, 2017

Host: Sprouting JubeJube

Sewing by Ti  *  mahlicadesigns  *  Momma You Can Make It  *  Kutti Couture  *  MoonStar - Wondermirakel  *  Call Ajaire

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Host: Lulu & Celeste

Sew and Tell Project  *  From-a-Box  *  Ronda B. Handmade  *  MeMade  *  House of Estrela  *  My Heart Will Sew On  *  Tales From A Southern Mom

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Host: Sprouting JubeJube

mahlicadesigns  *  Gracious Threads  *  Adventures With Bubba and Bug  *  Elli & Nels  *  Bellevi  *  Little Heart Threads  *  Sewing By Ti  *  Lulu & Celeste

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Host: Lulu & Celeste

Paisley Roots  *  The Crafting Fiend  *  Sewstarly  *  It's Liesel  *  Tales of a Tester  *  Kaleidothought  *  auschick sews

Friday, September 29, 2017

Host: Sprouting JubeJube

SewSophieLynn  *  Sew Haute Blog  *  mahlicadesigns  *  Sew and Tell Project  *  RP Custom Fabrics Blog  *  FABulous Home Sewn  *  Sewing By Ti  *  Phat Quarters

And, check out the amazing sponsors over at Sprouting JubeJube! 

Military Messenger Bag: A New Pattern

(This post contains affiliate links!)

I'm a little late in announcing it here, but if you've been following along on Facebook, you may have seen/heard that there is a new pattern out! 

The Military Messenger Bag. 

And, what is even more exciting is that it is in One Thimble. 

That's right--right now it is exclusively available from One Thimble--either in Issue 15 or as a stand-alone pattern. 

This is the blurb I came up with about it: 

Inspired by my sons' love of anything military, I designed this bag as a book bag for pre-teens and teenagers. However, depending on your fabric choice, it works great for adults as well, as it includes a longer strap option for adults. Both strap options are adjustable.

The main features include the bellow pockets on the front, highlighted by the grommets. Also, the bag is reinforced by webbing that goes all the way around the sides and bottom to make sure that your creation will withstand the rigors of lugging books and other items. 

There are two options included. Option 1 is an asymmetrical flap with one pocket while Option 2 is a symmetrical flap with two pockets. Or, you can leave the pockets off and applique, embroider, or otherwise decorate the flap--the possibilities are endless!

This pattern includes printable pattern pieces and clear instructions with full color pictures. 

Finished size is approximately: 

Height: 12" Width: 10.75" and Depth 2"

Both my boys LOVE their bags! 

They take their Bibles and notebooks to Church in them, and they look pretty cool in the meantime. 

Fabrics used are a brown denim from Canadian National Fabric, and the rest are a camo twill type fabric and two quilting cottons from my stash. 

Hardware is from Emmaline Bags and the webbing from Cleaners Supply. 

Star Wars!

My boys all love Star Wars. 

They make light sabers out of any stick they find, they dress up as Darth Vader or Storm Troopers, and they conquer each other with the 'force pinch.' 

When they saw that there was such a thing as Star Wars fabric there were many requests for some.

It is hard to find in Canada so when I found some on Fabric.com, I asked friends of ours to pick it up for me in the US to save on shipping. 

The boys each picked their own fabric and chose whether to have a t-shirt type shirt or a button-up. 

My youngest wasn't too picky--he was happy with a woven-front raglan.

My oldest wanted patches on his arms to showcase the fabric even more. 

And, my second wanted a button-up. 

The patterns I used were the Rascal Raglan from Ottobre 4/2013 modified to not have sleeve cuffs (I know, I could have made the oldest's a little longer in the sleeves, but I can always add the cuffs yet), and the Offbeat Oxford from New Horizons. 

Dashing Vest in French Terry

I had the opportunity to try out some fabric from Water Tower Textiles, a new Canadian fabric shop. 

Now, so you know, I did receive the fabric for free in exchange for a review, be it good or bad. 

This is my own honest opinion of the fabric. 

One of my sons likes to layer his clothes and will often be wearing two shirts. 

I thought it'd be a good time to sew him a vest so he can layer a little more stylishly.

I chose the Dashing Vest (a FREE! pattern) from Love Notions. (affiliate links)

It's a quick sew in a wide range of sizes: 12 months to 14! 

Snaps make it even faster. 

I debated putting buttons or snaps on it and then finally asked my son what he'd prefer...snaps it was. 

The fabric I used is from Water Tower Textiles.

It's the Blue Ocean French Terry in bamboo with matching ribbing. 

The fabric washes up nice the first wash. I have to see how it holds up to a large number of washings yet, to give it a fair review. 

The ribbing comes in a tube, and I did have to piece the ribbing together in the back to get the right length for the neckline/front for the size 7. 

The French Terry is warm and soft--perfect for a fall day.