Recent Upcycling

 I took some old t shirts that I just couldn't part with and made them into some t's for the little guy.

 You would think I may be getting tired of the raglan tee, but it's the total opposite. I love how quickly they come together. The pattern I have is getting a little snug so I need to trace the next size up.

On totally unrelated news my computer crashed two weeks ago and I'm making the switch to Mac. Any help/advice would be appreciated. I haven't used Mac since college and that was a very, very long time ago. The only problem I see with making the switch is that Rocco's BrailleNote is only PC compatible. The guy at the Apple store told me there is a program I can purchase to run Windows on the Mac when I need to interface with his BrailleNote. Any experience with that? I'd love to hear from you all before I make my final decision (but I'm pretty dead set on making the switch :)

So hip it hurts!

My child will not wear a jacket. I don't care how cold it is he refuses. We have only been able to get him to wear a jacket when going to the park because he understands the concept of "you will not get to play unless you wear this torture device". 

{Vinny wearing his first Reversible Zip Hoodie by Kitschy Coo}

Chef took this picture on his phone a few weeks ago when he took the boys to the park. Remember this jacket? As you can see from the photo it doesn't really fit too well anymore. I considered making another in the exact same fabric. That is how much I love this jacket.

It's not quite exactly the same :)

The best part is the lining

I used an old t-shirt of Vinny's (size 12-18 months) that I think I bought at Target when they had a lot of cute licensed tee's. I was bummed when he outgrew it, but I set it aside knowing I would find a use for the shirt. I cut out the image and straight stitched it to the jacket lining back panel before construction. Oh, and that lining....It's my Moby Wrap! It's a heavy weight knit (interlock?) with enough stretch to be cozy and enough stability that it sewed up pretty much like a woven.

I used the faux piping technique like I have in the past and it turned out great. I just wish I had ordered a reversible zip online because the jacket looks so cute both ways. Of course I don't know how it looks on because I don't feel like going to the park today!

A little recycling

Rocco finally outgrew this t-shirt...

 It's one of my favorites and I couldn't bear to see it go...

Now it's a long sleeve shirt for his little brother.

Addictions... the "good" kinds

I, like many of you, have quite the love affair going with Pinterest. If you haven't yet visited... maybe that's a good thing. I'm actually not a seriously prolific Pinterester, but I really, really love that damn thing. My bookmarks folder was getting out of control and honestly not very inspiring.

Another thing I seriously love is the iPhone photo app Instagram. I find myself taking lot's more photos out and about than I used to just because you can change the look dramatically with the filters.

{I use this filter a lot. I think it's called Nashville}

Anyhoo, this post actually contains some sewing if that's why you come here. Yesterday during nap time I made this raglan tee (from Ottobre, issue #?) I used an old girls t-shirt for the sleeves, a white baby rib for the body, cuff and neckband... and... do you see it? A Heather Ross VW Van applique. Oh how it pains me to even cut the smallest amount from this fabric. I really only have less than 1/4 yard of this great fabric. If you want to see a better picture of the fabric and an amazing set of garments made with it, visit this post by Rae.

My goal this week is to make a bunch of long and short sleeve raglan tees for this Summer. They are quick to make and oh so cute. Of course I'll need to throw in a few 90 minute shirts. My favorite.

KCWC

So yesterday I made the Pixie Hat from a thrifted cashmere sweater. I wish I had taken a photo of the sweater before I cut it all up. It was a men's XL sweater so there is a lot to work with. I cut off both sleeves, created and inseam and used the mock turtleneck as a waistband. I used twill tape as a tag even though the front and the back are identical. I just like having tags in clothes. So there it is. Maybe tomorrow I can revisit the Pixie Hat and try to make one that fits. I have a pile of wool sweaters that I bought to make longies (diaper covers) out of. It's just one more project added to the list.

Pixie Hat

KCWC

 I am so motivated to sew these days but I can NOT seem to find the time. Slightly frustrating considering it's one of my favorite inspiration weeks... KCWC (Elsie Marley's Kids Clothes Week Challenge). It's so much fun to see what everyone is creating and to post about what I am creating. I have a zillion projects (what's new) in mind, but I'll be lucky to get a few little things done this week. 

I was inspired so much by the adorable brown hat that Meg posted that I just had to try making one. I made it out of a thrifted cashmere sweater (pants hopefully soon to follow). It's sooooooooooo dreamy and soft. I lurve the knit. It fits like shit but that's what I get for designing something from scratch for the baby while the baby is sleeping. It was very quick to make, but the cashmere was wriggly and I had a hard time sewing the bias trim on. For the next hat I'll try using a rib knit.

You can't tell by the photos but the baby hates wearing hats. What you can't see in this photo is Chef holding both his hands. Nice huh? We're great parents. As soon as Chef let go he took the hat off. I would show a picture but he ripped it off so fast my camera wasn't prepared for such lightening speed.

I stitched a cute vintage button on le hat which will have to be le removed since the hat doesn't fit and he'll never wear it. If I make a hat that finally fits I'll upload the pattern piece. It should be easy to size up or down. It's a great way to use old sweaters.

Upcycling

                                                    ................Before...............................................After............................

 I traced a romper that I have for the baby, but I definitely prefer using a pattern. I like the predictability. Having said that, these turned out peachy.

With the double layer of rib knit along the crotch the snaps were a little hard to attach and I'm worried that they may pop out if I tug to hard during diaper changes. (I haven't used snaps too often but I am eyeing some pretty cowboy pearl style snaps at Etsy for a future cowboy shirt for the baby). Overall I'm pleased as punch by these cuties. 

(Of course the idea is inspired by Dana from MADE. She is so darn creative)

Weekend Sewing

One of Chefs favorite shirts finally bit the dust. His loss, my gain. I love this fabric. He's owned the shirt for most of our marriage so the fabric is super soft from years of laundering. It actually reminds me of the feel of Heather Ross Mendocino line of fabric. I kept the front panel pocket and just cut the pattern around it. I like that the pocket is a little oversized for babywear. And yes, another Easy Fit Pant. What can I say? They are easy and they fit. I actually modified the pant a bit by cutting four pattern pieces instead of two pieces on the fold. So the pant has an inseam and side seams. I had to do this due to the nature of the upcycle.

Mr. Man

Vinny is starting to move a bit more. Today he used his Radio Flyer walker for the first time. It was mostly a lot of falling down but he sure had fun. I took some pictures to post because he's wearing those cute pants I made and a tie applique onesie that I made from a tutorial on Crap I've Made. 

Kids Clothes Week:Day Three

This morning Luca wanted to wear her new Frida Top. Yay! I didn't even drop any subtle hints in her direction. She did ask me to make her the kerchief as pictured on the pattern cover. Damn you, you pretty pattern cover. Luckily this is truly a very quick sew. I made it this a.m. before she went to school.

and since the outfit I made yesterday (see further below) was put away until baby gets older (turns out much older, those pants were huge!), I wanted to make something for tonight. I had a very small window to do any sewing this afternoon. Nap time around here can be so hit-and-miss. This 90 minute shirt (I know, please don't send me to rehab) turned out adorable and I used the same stripe knit as in the lounging pants that are pictured in my flickr so I have an instant outfit. I could have sworn I blogged about these pants but I can't find it anywhere. Anyhoo... here is the top.

I used a not so old men's t-shirt from Target. Could those stripes match any better? It's like they were made to go together. I just wish I had enough of that knit for some stripey pants, or dacks if you live down under.

Easy Fit Pant Upcycle

Remember a while back when I bought some shirts and sweaters and the Goodwill? Recognize this top?

Wait, maybe I didn't even photograph it for that post. Luckily I'm too lazy to link to my previous post. 

I made these adorable pants from that shirt and I am so excited because I finally found a pant pattern that I like. I used the Easy Fit Pants from You Can Make This. It's a super simple design by The Scientific Seamstress. I like that it's a downloadable PDF so you get instant satisfaction for your purchase (I'm clearly too lazy to trace one of probably a dozen similar pants in Ottobre). I can use this pattern for all the kids so it is really worth the purchase. The pattern consists of one piece for the front and back (no difference in front rise and back rise) which I am not usually a fan of, but it works out fine for this wide leg design. It has a long rise which is great for cloth diapers. I'm definitely going to make a couple for Luca... kind of gaucho style pants. 

The best thing is that they are super comfy for this little crawler.

  {On a side note}

During the photoshoot Vinny was channeling his inner Squiggy.

Simple Upcycling Project

Remember the black cashmere sweater that I cut the sleeves off of? here are the cute lounging pants I made. There are a few drawbacks to these pants. First of all I have to tell you they are the softest, most cozy little pants a baby could ever put his little bum into. That softness doesn't work too well when you are an 8 month old on the verge of learning to crawl. He was slipping and sliding around the floor during this photoshoot which leads me to the next problem. He became a Swiffer Sweeper. It wouldn't matter much if our darn cat and dog had black fur. Can you picture it now? Luckily I took a photo of the pants before I put him in them(yes, there are already little hairs everywhere). Side note: The t-shirt was a baby gift from The Chefs former boss and let me tell you how happy he is that it finally fits the little guy. It says METALLIKID with two electric guitars. I think it's safe to say I married Metallica's number one fan. Just had to mention in case you read this babe ;)

 I didn't notice the strange placement of the pants crotch against the wood door until just now. Creepy I know, but I'm not re-taking the photo.

I made the pants using just the two sleeves and a strip from the bottom of the sweater for the waistband.  I still have enough sweater left to use in some diaper covers. This was a quick, rewarding and fun repurposing project. It took longer to put black thread on my overlock and straight stitch than it did to sew these pants. I think I'll applique something on the bum, but let's see if I ever get around to it.

Oh Yeah Baby... It's Top Number Three

Last night the Chef was in Portland on business so instead of watching something from the DVR, like we do every night, I had some free time to sew. After the kidlets were asleep I finished top #3 for the Spring Top Week Challenge. This is definitely a first for me. Hello! Three tops for ME?!? Can this be? Rae, is that what you mean by selfish sewing? I may begin to like this concept. Okay so I exaggerate about three tops because we all know that Whackado hardly counts. I rarely finish projects so this is a whole new Sascha. There are really about 10 half finished on my cutting table. For reals yo!

For instance. I may just post this crazy item I sewed up last night to show you how bizarre home crafting can get. I took a beautiful black cashmere sweater (with a teeny moth hole) and made something for the babes. I know, don't remind me it's Spring and cashmere on babies is so last year. I'll just give you a teaser.

Also, I need to photograph the latest top for moi. On me or the dress form? What do ya think? If it be the dummy I'll be able to post it later tonight. If me, who knows when chef will be willing to take a pic in "just the right light babe". He so doesn't get it.

A Ruffle-icious gift for a Baby Girl

I made these little pants for a soon to be born baby girl. I figured this cute little pant should be my first entry into Disney's Ruffle Your Stuff contest. Yes, I am still "working" on finishing the bigger project I posted about here and here. Apparently in my world "working" on a project means actually doing anything but that project.

These pants are made from the same Ottobre pattern that I've been obsessing on lately. I was too lazy to re-draft a smaller size so she'll have to wait quite a few months to wear them. I literally used scraps from an old t-shirt that I had used to make a Lil Blue Boo dress for Luca a few months back. I almost threw the scraps out, but like most other things that involve cleaning around here,  they just hung around in a pile. It's quite amazing what you can do with mere scraps! These pants were super quick and easy to make. Since the pattern already has a center panel it was easy to stitch on some rows of ruffles before stitching the pants together. If I make these again I'll line the center panel so the horizontal stitch lines don't show on the inside of the pant. Just a nicer finishing detail. I'll also lower the overall rise of the pant and widen the leg, but since this baby will be a cloth diaper wearer it's good to have extra length through the rise. European babies must be longer and skinnier because this pattern almost looks like tights on my munchkin (yes I did try them on Vinny, and no, I did not manage too get a photo). I have some more of the t-shirt fabric to make a little fabric hat with a flower detail. Luckily she's not due for another month because I need to get back to my original ruffle project before the contest ends!

Purposeful Repurposing

...and Updated Upcycling...

Remember these knit t-shirts I picked up at the Goodwill last week?

Well... I used patterns from Ottobre Design issue 1/2009 to make some cute shirts and pants.

I'm not totally happy with the fit of the pants so I'm going to have to work on the pattern a bit. Pattern alterations are not exactly my strong suit. I think the center panel needs to be in more of a "V" shape like Dana's lounging pants from MADE.

 I like that these pants have a long rise which accommodates cloth diapers. I even shortened the rise a bit, but will shorten it about 1 more inch on my next try. I also made the front rise lower than the back which worked out nicely. I wanted a bit of a flare leg and widened the pattern a bit, but not enough.

The outside cover stitch look actually started as a mistake but it looked super cute and I made it a part of the design. When attaching the center panel I accidentally had the serged edge on the outside of the pants. Instead of unpicking (a task I hate so much I've been known to abandon a project never to return to it) I left the serge stitching on the outside and top stitched the seam down. It gives it a bit of a lap seam look. Almost like a cover stitch. In the photo of the red and white striped pants it looks wavy but it actually lays quite nicely on the baby's bum.

Since these are so quick to make and comfy I'm thinking the baby will be wearing this style for the next three years. It's also fun to repurpose old smelly clothes into cute cuddly baby wear.