KCW: hide and seek tunic

April 10, 2014April 21, 2014 ~ hungie gungie ~ 19 Comments

Hold up.

Before reading this post, you need to open another tab and play this song because I had it playing in my head on repeat for three days while making this top. By the end of those three days I was singing this one… which will just make you f-ing crazy.

Still, I gotta take inspiration where I get it, and the dress on the cover of this pattern had me thinking about kaftans and boho Krishna-types, and then reminded me of an old top of mine, which reminded me how much I love to upcycle stuff, and you get it….

so here we are.

This lovely pattern is the Hide and Seek dress + tunic. One of three newly released ones from Oliver + S.

If Oliver + S were to design a pattern just for me (HA.), this would be it. I love the shape, the looseness of it all, the gathers just at the center front and back panels, the size of the yoke… I really dig it.

This round of Kids Clothes Week has the optional theme, Mini Me. So, I had fun trying to recreate my old top into something cute for Coco. The yoke is cut from my former shirt- it’s really neat, with a ton of stitching up and down in black, red, blue, yellow, and mint. But the white fabric was so thin and gauze-like, and showing some wear. So I used some lightweight white cotton from the ‘ole stash.

Here’s my former top worn by me a year ago:

(I’m not posing coyly… I’m holding a phone. Important business call (NOT.) before delicious meal. Thanks for the pic Amanda!)

I finished this tunic yesterday afternoon (no jesse spano this week- I’m sticking to the minimum KCW requirements of sewing one hour a day) and we snuck outside in the evening to capture some photos of Corinne in the late sun.

Oh, how I’ve missed you, magic hour!

I neglected to see that on the sleeve pattern piece there is a cutting line for the tunic version, which is a few inches shorter than what you see here. I made the top and then was scratching my head, remembering that the tunic option has short sleeves. I do kind of like the 3/4 length though, but I may end up cutting and re-hemming. We’ll see. Decisions, decisions.

The jade buttons were ripped off (literally) of this skirt that I never wore out of the house. One of those things I could not stand to look at after a while. What a waste of many hours!

The bloomers (what you can see of them anyway) are self-drafted and one of several pairs I made a couple of months ago and am still playing around with the fit.

These ones are made from cotton couture in Mist or as my husband would say, Lime Pudding. I say pistachio.

Coco’s all, “what does the fox say, mama?!”

Hare Krishna y’all.

-Erin

Minions Run Wild

February 4, 2014 ~ hungie gungie ~ 23 Comments

Before I get started, a round of applause for my amazing sister, Erin, for summoning her inner Jessie Spano and pumping out several kid friendly garments during KCW! Bravo! Who knew that sewing with knits would be like crack to her?

My crack is those peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets. Can I get an intervention please?

My KCW week was consumed by this- Minion costumes for Jet’s 7th birthday party!

Jet was dead set on a Despicable Me themed birthday party, a theme that is not widely found in your neighborhood stores (though, I bet it will be by next year). The idea to costume all of the children came from the fact that I really hate coordinating party games. I was all over Pinterest, trying to get ideas, but I just did not feel like decorating soda bottles for minion bowling, or pining the scarf on Gru…

So naturally, sew costumes for all, and let them handle the fun!

Before you declare me out-of-my-gourd, understand that this is not kind of sewing I am proud of. This was balls to the wall sewing with reckless abandon! Most of it was done on the serger with super forgiving fleece- no hemming, no button holes, no elastic, nobody cares!

It was totally fun!

I used the Parsley Pants pattern to draft the bottom portion, and basically attached a rectangular bib. The long straps took the longest to sew because I used two pieces of fabric and sewed them on the regular machine. The yellow T-shirts were 4 for $9 at Jo-Ann, and that is where I bought the fleece too (using coupons of course). The “G” was cut from denim and roughly appliqued.

My plan worked. All the boys were so jazzed about the costumes, that all I had to do was supervise the ensuing madness! That cloud paper was also from Jo-ann’s, and worked well for a photo wall. Ready for some pics?

Pei and I attempted to dress as Gru and Lucy. Yes, I did sew him that scarf. Avery bailed on her Agnes outfit because I couldn’t get her ponytail to “stick straight in the air”. #fouryearoldproblems

A nearly 70 degree day in winter worked to our advantage. After photos, I just pointed them all toward the door and they ran and played their little hearts out! We even moved the eating table and pinata out there!

You better believe we heard lots of “be-do, be-do, be-do”!

By the way, the pinata and glasses were found on Amazon.

Birthday boy!

Little sister!

Little brother!

Make-your-own sundaes!

This was a last-minute paper banner that I let Avery and Jet work on before the party started. We didn’t finish it in time to hang it. Oh well.

The party was a major hit! I really enjoyed seeing how adorable these little boys were in those costumes. And before you ask me what I am going to do to top this next year, here is your answer- Nothing. We will not be doing the party with all the friends thing every year for every kid. Keeping it mellow for the next couple years.

I hope that this will be one of those historical birthdays for Jet.

He is one incredibly worthy 7 year old. I Love you buddy!

~Caroline

KCW: The End

February 2, 2014February 18, 2014 ~ hungie gungie ~ 25 Comments

Like I said the other day, I’m feeling super-charged this week. Kind of like Jessie Spano on the Saved by the Bell when she was on speed for 72 hours straight… (“I’m so excited, I’m so excited, I’m… so…. scared!”)

Only, I’m not high on speed.

I’m high on knits.

(and if you know the episode I’m talking about, let’s be best friends.)

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So, I’m back with a couple of outfits for the kid who needs them the most. Ellery is growing out of pretty much everything.

Above is yet another Flashback tee. Yup, still addicted. I modified it to be A-line, and also cut it about 3-4 inches longer.

Then.

The Geranium hijacked the Flashback.

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I used the ruffle sleeve pattern piece from my beloved Geranium pattern (zigzag’d the edges with gold thread) and basted it to the curve at the top of the sleeve, and then continued on as usual. The fabric is Cotton Couture in Cinnamon and it’s really a neat neutral, but still interesting, color. I like the contrast of it with the eggplant jersey (from Joann) and the greige (grey-beige y’all)sleeves- repurposed from a top of my own.

The leggings are made with the same brushed knit I showed you the other day. They are so cozy. I’ve been calling them her Polar Vortex leggings. Oh, and in true Ellery style, she slept in them last night- which is always a good sign, right?

I used the Oliver + S Playtime Leggings digital pattern, and I’m in love!

Now. Do yourself a favor: buy this pattern.

(It’s now being offered as an individual pattern, so you gotta check it out!)

I cut a size 6 for Ellery, and I would say they are a pretty perfect fit, though I’m not sure it’s the perfect legging fabric. It didn’t seem to bounce back quite as well as I’d like, but still totally wearable (and sleep-able!). And hey, if these end up as pajama bottoms…it’s okay because I’ll probably be spooning her whenever she wears them.

Moving on to outfit number 2.

Remember the other day how I said I’d be taking care of Ellery’s high-water leggings with the worn-out knees?

I think these are a pretty great solution. What do you think?

Things really started clicking as this pair came together. Great stretchy fabric, not to thin. And concise, straightforward directions that Oliver + S fans have always raved about. Sewing is fun. Sewing leggings is the most fun.

Oh, and can I mention how FAST they are to sew? I started this pair at 2:15 one day (I distinctly remember looking at the clock) and by 2:35 when I walked down the driveway to get Ellery off the bus, all I had left to do was pull the elastic through the casing and sew it shut. Boom. Leggings.

With heart knee patches!

Here’s a quick look at my patch placement in case you’re interested:

(My heart patch is about 3″ wide at the widest part, and about 3 1/2″ long. The point is about 7 3/4″ up from the bottom edge, and about 1 1/2″ to the left of that edge on the right. I fiddled around with an old pair of my daughters leggings to get an idea of where they should go, but maybe this could be helpful if you’re making a size 6 as well. note: I cut my pattern a tad longer – maybe 3/8″, though I think it’s plenty long as it is.)

The knee patches are 2 layers of red cotton knit just stuck on there and top-stitched. We have thrown out several pairs of fairly new pairs of store-bought leggings (I’m talking to you, Old Navy) because of holes in the knees. Just thin fabric I guess. Or maybe she plays too hard.

For the tee, “I took a little help from the store”, (as Rachael Ray would say with her pre-shredded carrots) and bought one from Target. I then thought of a fun V-day saying, then I googled it to see if I was clever enough to have invented it (no, I’m not), and freezer paper stenctiled away with some gold, red, and black fabric paint.

I printed the I’M WITH on my computer and traced it, but tried my best to free-hand the Cupid and arrow.

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Oh, hey! Cupid’s awake!

I think the only way for me to participate in KCW (and what I did this time around) is to plan ahead, cut out fabric, set aside patterns in the days before, so all I have to do is sew. It’s just too much of a disorganized mess if I go between cutting to sewing to cleaning up… etc.

I hope you all had fun sewing along for KCW, and if you didn’t, well… there’s always the Springtime!

-Erin

**Oliver + S kindly supplied me with the Playtime Leggings pattern. Several patterns are not being offered as single PDFs. You can check them out in their shop!**

kcw day five: flashback dress

January 31, 2014January 31, 2014 ~ hungie gungie ~ 11 Comments

There are plenty of times (like weeks at a time) that I don’t feel inspired to make anything, or my kids don’t need anything, or I just have no creative juices. But I’m feeling super-charged this week and I think it’s because I’m conquering my fears about sewing with knits. And it’s mostly because I have too- since it’s all my kids want to wear.

Caroline commented on my flashback tee for Coco the other day, “Congratulations, you are now a Flashback addict.”

Yup. I am.

I made this late at night, and could’ve been way more precise about sewing it all, but I wasn’t. Basically, I cut the shirt off a couple of inches under the arm pit and added a nice big gathered rectangle (I stitched that to the bodice by using zigzag stitch and then I serged it). There is some definite wonkiness (at the gathered seam, and the hem), but Ell loves it!

(a-hem. This photo shoot was a DOOZY.)

This rib knit was pretty stretchy and even though I cut a size 5 for my kid, it really started to stretch out by the time she got home from school when I snapped these pictures. The gray baby rib is from Joann and it’s awesome- great stretch recovery (like all my new lingo?). It’s great for necklines and cuffs.

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The coral floral (hehe) fabric is from fabric.com, but I can’t seem to find it there anymore. I got it for $3.49/yard and I am willing to take my chances on cheap knit from an online store. I am not one of those “have to see it/feel it in the store” type of people. There is excitement in a little risky fabric shopping! I did make sure it was mostly cotton, with a little lycra, and I think that’s a good little rule to go buy when buying for basic shirts/dresses.

Girl is growing like a weed. Those high-waters and worn-out knees are being taken care of tomorrow, fyi.

Stayed tuned.

-Erin

KCW day three: linen apron top

January 29, 2014January 29, 2014 ~ hungie gungie ~ 10 Comments

I’ll keep it short and simple today since I have a sick baby to tend to (well, she’s five… but aren’t they always babies when they’re sick? I mean in like a sweet, helpless, cuddly way of course!). We also had a snow day today so we’ve been cooped up inside making a mess of the place.

Here’s a top that I’ve made a couple times before, so it was fairly quick for me to put together with the pattern already cut out in Coco’s size. The most time consuming part was making the bias tape, which I needed about 3 yards of.

This is a bit large on Corinne, but she’s pretty slim. I’m sure she’ll be able to wear it over a shirt and leggings for an entire year.

I call that a win!

Pattern: Butterick B5019

Fabric: Yarn-dyed Essex in red

Size: 2

As always, thanks for stopping by our blog! Happy Sewing…

-Erin

KCW day two: parsley pants for the boy

January 28, 2014January 28, 2014 ~ hungie gungie ~ 19 Comments

The great thing about KCW (for me anyway) is that it inspires me to finish a project that I either threw aside in a fit of frustration, or that needs some more attention or tweaking. Take these parsley pants for example.

I made them two weeks ago, and Grant wore them once, but complained that the waist was too tight, and that they were too long. He was on the verge of rejecting them forever… and almost about to give me this gnarly look if I didn’t do something about it:

So I spent about 30 minutes yesterday opening up some seams and adjusting the elastic length to make them a bit roomier.

And I fixed the hem by bringing them up about 3/4″.

And now he’s happy about wearing them. And it makes me happy to make stuff for him- he’s always really sweet about it and appreciative. He’s a gem.

How I obtained that fabric is sort of a funny story… I had seen 2 posts by sewing extraordinaire Sanae. This great tunic, and these adorable baby shoes– both made in the same ticking fabric. Then about a week later, my friend Ann called me and asked if I wanted any blue ticking fabric. She had some from a home décor project and had some leftover. I remembered Sanae’s posts and decided that she made it cool, so of course I said sure!

So Ann dropped it off one day.

TEN YARDS PEOPLE.

I was like, “Ann, did you forget to recover your SOFA??”

An entire roll of blue ticking fabric sits next to my sewing table.

Anyone want some free fabric? No, really… anyone?

Leave your yardage requests in the comments. I’ll have it shipped out faster than it would take to wait in the cutting line at Joann’s on coupon extravaganza day!

**update! I’ve actually had some interest in this fabric (including a local friend who I’ve promised some to as well)… glad to unload it on you guys so we can deck our kids out in some home dec! haha… thanks gals for participating in my sorta-giveaway!**

🙂

-Erin

KCW day one: flashback skinny tee

January 27, 2014January 27, 2014 ~ hungie gungie ~ 14 Comments

Another KCW is upon us (or as Caroline refers to it, “Neglect Your Household Week”), and I am jumping right in. My plan this week is to sew things I know my kids will wear. Comfy, practical stuff. I spent a few hours this weekend cutting fabric and setting aside patterns. You know, gathering my Mise en Place.

Up first is a flashback tee for Corinne in some incredibly soft brushed knit, size 2T.

GRANT PHOTOBOMB! (he reeeeally wanted to take a “bwog” photo too. hehe.)

GREAT pattern. This would be the first time making this pattern using yardage… the past couple of times I sort of cheated by using my husband’s old shirts and keeping the existing hems. This time around, I put it all together with the serger, and then switched to my sewing machine with a walking foot and zigzag stitch to hem the bottom and to attach the neckband (which came out hella perfect if you don’t mind me sayin’). I might break out my twin needle sometime this week, but I do like that walking foot/zigzag combo. So what if it isn’t totally profesh!?

Also, I would like an entire wardrobe made out of this fabric. It’s fabulous stuff, I tell you.

See you tomorrow!

Erin

(p.s. Caroline is busy this week making NINE little minion outfits for Jet’s Despicable Me-themed Birthday party this week! Good Mama right there…)

HUNGIE GUNGIE

–not your momma's goulash–

KCW

KCW: hide and seek tunic

Minions Run Wild

KCW: The End

kcw day five: flashback dress

KCW day three: linen apron top

KCW day two: parsley pants for the boy

KCW day one: flashback skinny tee