Pajama fun

I am a big fan of challenges.  They motivate me to push myself further than I thought I could go, and that can be all that is needed to get me moving in the right direction.

So..in steps the kids clothes week challenge.  It started Sept. 20th-26th, and the goal was to sew one hour a day on a kids' clothing project.  Now, I will say that I had already started some pajamas for my son, but this challenge gave me the push I needed to make the time to finish what I started.

The pajamas I worked on are from Simplicity 2734 (it's so easy). The sizing is for toddlers, and I sewed a size 2.  The top is a V-neck made in a cotton double knit, and the bottom is cotton flannel.

My son picked out both of these fabrics, and I think he did an awesome job!  The knit is from Joanns, and the flannel is a high quality fabric that I received from Fat Quarter Shop, after winning a giveaway on Crafty Gemini's blog a couple of months ago. The flannel is oh-so-soft, and is in a cute teddy bear print.  I didn't know how much of a difference high quality fabric makes--both in your wallet, and in the way the fabric feels and performs.

  

Here is the completed outfit on my little man.  I did make a few alterations, though the next time around I will have to make a few more.  The pants turned out perfect.  He even has a little room to grow!  However, the shirt is a tad short.  It just skims over the top of the pants, and I would like it to be a little bit longer.  The thing is, I added 1.5 inches to the sleeves and the top because my son is so tall.  I didn't realize more length was needed.  I still think it is adorable, though, and the important thing is he likes it!

As far as critiquing this pattern goes, it is a really good one!  I like it because I can use this style for my son now, and my daughter in a few years.  The instructions are super easy, and the results are great.  I must say I had a little difficulty with the V-neck, but if you just use your thread marking as a guide, it is easy.  

I also had some trouble with putting on the sleeves (this was my first time EVER, can you believe that?) but I found an amazing tutorial about sleeves on Threads magazine's Teach Yourself to Sew series.  Basically, I used the flat method to sew each sleeve on, and found an extremely helpful tip from Nancy Zieman to use the erasers on the ends of two pencils to stretch the fabric horizontally as you sew.  That worked wonders!

I absolutely love how ready-to-wear this looks!  

Just for fun I made a pair of shorts out of the same fabric.  I just used a pair of my son's shorts as a guideline for the hem.  In this photo he has on one of his own T-shirts.  This is something he can wear for a short time, as it is starting to get cooler here.

And with that, I completed my kid's clothing week sewing challenge!  Though I am finished with this challenge, I intend to stick with a nightly routine of sewing for at least one hour.  Up next I thought I would try some re-purposing!  That seems to be all the rage right now, and I have plenty of things that can be re-purposed!

Stay sew-filled!

Honored by a fellow blogger

To my surprise, today I found out a fellow blogger, Candice of Sew My Time, awarded me with the beautiful blogger award!!  My first reaction was "What?!?"  Then I immediately thought "How sweet!"

Now, as a recipient of this award, there are two things I must do:

1. Tell 10 things about myself

2. Send the award to 5 other blogs I read.

So, here are 10 things about me (in no particular order)

1. My favorite movie is The Sound of Music.  I could sit and watch it all day!

2. I was born in Nurnberg, Germany, and my mother is German.  Oh yeah, and I speak some German as well, though don't think I will be blogging in German!


3. I have been steadily sewing since February, and never intended to sew garments, but have found myself attracted to this type of sewing more than any other.


4. I was inspired to sew by the Proverbs 31 woman in the bible.  In fact, I am inspired by the Proverbs 31 woman period.  It is admirable the way she takes care of her family, and how much she loves God.


5. I have two beautiful children, one boy, one girl.  After my last pregnancy I lost 40 pounds! Yes, 40 pounds, and it was not easy.


6. My husband of 5 years proposed to me after 4 months of dating!  Now, I would never advocate this way to anyone, but it is the crazy way we ended up together, and are still going strong.


7.  I have always loved to bake.  I usually bake something homemade two-three times a week!


8.  I left the field of nursing after 5 years of dedication in order to stay at home with my children, and I love it! I will never get this time back with them, but I can always return to nursing, so it works out.


9. I do not have a Twitter account.  No, I have not succombed to the popularity of Twitter, but I do have a Facebook account.


10. Last, but not least, I love blogging, and I love the people that take time out of their day to read about my sewing journey.  It is "beautiful" that my passion to create through sewing can be communicated to others, and appreciated as well!  You are all amazing!


I would like to give a special thanks to Candace for this award, and I will "pay it forward" to the following blogs that I love to read:

1. Shannon at Mushywear, who lives in beautiful Hawaii, and always sews amazing things.
2. Toocutedobs at Summerset sewing, who is not only a beautiful blogger, but a beautiful blogger-buddy.
3. Kyle at Vacuuming the lawn, whose blog I find myself on quite frequently.
4. Vanessa at Crafty Gemini, who creates amazing projects and super tutorials. (I know, same name!)
5. Eugenia at Eugenia's (fabulous) World of Fashion, who has an amazing blog, and the sweetest disposition!


There are a couple more I wanted to add, but I will abide by the rules.  Really, there are some really great blogs out there!  I hope you will visit some of the blogs I listed above if you haven't heard of them already.  You will be pleasantly surprised!

Stay tuned for pajamas I am sewing for me son, and...

Stay sew-filled!!

Ugh!

I have been working on Simplicity 2892 for almost two weeks now!! I finally finished it yesterday, after a lot of stops, re-starts, and re-works.  I wish I could say I love the finished product, but this is the first time I DO NOT like what I created!  Actually, it looks ok on the hanger.  But on me...  I almost didn't show you!

I made the same shirt that is on the model shown above.  It's simple and cute, right?  Oh, and it's supposed to be easy (more on that later).  Well, this is what my shirt looks like...

The details are a little fuzzy because of the print, so here is a picture a little closer up.

What a hot mess!  Actually, the inside of the garment looks cleaner than the outside!  That is because the yoke lining is slipstitched down, and it gives it a nice touch.  Take a look...

I am at least proud of myself for sticking it out and finishing the whole garment.  I wanted to just throw it in the trash everytime I picked it up.  But, I told myself I could at least learn what I needed to learn by finishing the shirt.  

This shirt has a lot, and I do mean A LOT of gathering involved.  Some of you may know that gathering is not my strong point, so I took my time and made sure the gathering was evenly spaced.  For the bias tape application on the armholes, I used my same fabric and made the binding myself.  This is the only part of the project I liked.  I will definitely make my own binding for future projects.  The last part of this shirt was slipstitching, which you do by hand.  I didn't mind this part of construction, either, except that I had to adjust my last yoke lining piece because I cut it way too big.  That came back to haunt me when I was sewing the lining down, and it was a touch too small! UGH!

Theoretically, this shirt should be easy.  All of the skills I used a beginner can do.  However, this shirt, while easy, is more time-consuming.  So I would say it is good for an intermediate-advanced beginner.  Trust me, it is way too frustrating for someone who is just learning to sew.

OK, I've stalled long enough. 

Need I say more?

I don't think I will sew this again.  I like what other people who have sewed this pattern came up with, but it is not for me, not a flattering style at all.  

I'm not sure what I will be sewing next, but I HAVE to do something quick and easy to get me back on my game again.  I hope everyone had a lovely labor day weekend, and I look forward to sewing with ease next time.

PS--I am so excited about all of my followers!  I hope you are all finding this blog worthwhile!  Thank you for choosing to follow me, it means a lot!

Stay sew-filled!