kids clothes week challenge

Elsie Marley has her KCWC (Kids Clothes Week Challenge) on again. I'm trying to decide if I can commit to doing it or not. Perhaps it'll be the perfect boost to getting something done. 

I've been playing on Pinterest these past few days, and have started a board filled with inspiration for clothing for the little ones.  There are some very very pretty things over there, do have a look. Lots of girly things, of course. So, I am on the search for some boyish things too.

When I got the Weekender pattern, I also bought the Little Splashes pattern as well. I plan on making it into a dressing gown for each kid, as well as a raincoat - in this wet, cold Wintry weather we've been having these will be worn lots. I've yet to get fabric for both those projects. Do you know how hard it is to find boy fabric that isn't babyish or grey/car/guns/etc? Especially in laminated oilcloth and flannel fabrics. 

Both kids also need some more warm long pants + tops, for our just.about.on.us Winter cold. They've both suddenly gained a  lot of extra  length in their legs. Ari particularly has grown out of his pants; while Mishi's dresses are just much shorter (and look very cute over colourful tights). I found some stretch cottons at the op-shop last week, that would be good for making into tights for them both. {Am currently having conversations about how boys actually can wear tights if they want, and it's not just for girls!}. I may also aim for another nighty like this one I made last year, that's still being worn even right now as I'm typing. And these pants look like they'd be worn quite a bit by my boy - they're very similar to some I made a few years ago for one or other of the kids.

Seeing as how the challenge is to encourage about an hour of sewing each day, I know that realistically this is even more than I can make in a week. So, really, it's no use planning or listing more, is it? The kids will be back at school and (3 days per week) preschool by the time the challenge starts; which makes it much easier to know I'll have time on my own with fabric and a sewing machine. I'll cut out the patterns / fabric in the evening on our kitchen table, then up to my dads once the school drop off is done (and the second coffee of the day!) to sit and sew for a while.

Are you joining the challenge as well? I'd love to see what you've got planned, and how you progress throughout the week.

the night-dress

So, of the whole week's challenge, I guess I was the only one to slip after day two. {Remember day one was where I didn't actually do any sewing; tidied the room up instead - which really means shuffling fabric from pile to pile}.

I just realised that I haven't even shown you the completed night dress. The one and only item of clothing made during the whole challenge week. Oh well, I suppose one is better than none. More than I thought would end up happening. 

Of course, being called a night dress doesn't mean she actually wears it as a night dress. She currently has it on right now, in the middle of the day. At least she's wearing it. She often puts it on after her night time shower, but takes it off before she hops into bed. 

Anyway, here it is. Being modeled in all it's glory. Night time photos, sorry about lighting. But lovely enough anyway. 

Notes on the sewing and pattern:: I do really like this dress. It's a bit big for her, I used the size 100cm (she measures at 96cm, so I guess those 4cm do make a big difference). But it's the style of dress that doesn't matter if it's too big. Very easy for her to slip on - forwards, backwards, doesn't matter. 

I really like the neckline features - little pintucks at the front, with contrast bias binding. And an elasticated neckline around the back. The sleeves are a great length (maybe not for real Winter warmth, but would be perfect for a Spring / Summer dress) and shape. 

And for someone scared of learning how to properly inset sleeves - these ones are so easy to sew in. 

Even though the pattern is written entirely in Japanese, it really is super easy to follow.

I'll be making some more of these, for sure. I think next time I'll put a scrunch on elastic across the back section, to pull it slightly in at the waist. Or even narrow out the dress so it's not as roomy.

*She had just washed her hair - still drying. And for some reason started laughing crazily, happily. And the kids all posed for me, without any silly faces.

my first Japanese pattern sewing - Happy Homemade Vol 2

It's day two of the challenge. Yesterday was spent tidying my sewing room - a very important job, I tell you, after the market rush. Still need to finish up arranging the little play corner for Mishi. So no sewing. 

But today, some lovely sewing time. So close to a finished item - I will have to show it to you tomorrow, as it still needs the bottom and sleeves hemmed. I was hoping she could wear it for bed tonight - perhaps I'll sneak back downstairs after dinner, while Sam showers them and stitch up the last few bits. Or perhaps she could wear it to bed unhemmed. Would that be so terrible. I think not. 

{Don't you love the details of these end papers - so sweet}

This is the first time I've actually made anything from one of my many Japanese craft books. I normally just spend time looking and oogling over the delicious styling. With thanks to the challenge, I've changed all that. And let me tell you - I cannot read a single character, but it is all so clear and easy.

I would suggest for a complete beginner perhaps it's a few steps too hard, but for anyone that has a basic understanding of sewing and pattern construction then you'll have no issues at all. The diagrams are so clear and concise, easy to understand and interpret. At one stage I double checked myself as the front + back did look almost similar. So, I looked at the characters in the book and the patterns sheet, and just like reading a puzzle it made perfect sense. 

{Jacqui has a great little tutorial for using Japanese pattern books}

I used regular baking paper for tracing the pattern. As I don't have Swedish Tracing Paper (which I hear of often, while around blogland, and just found available here).

The fabric is a lovely and soft, though not too thick, flannelette. It has little flowers and red dots. 

The pattern is from one of the books on this pile the other day. "Happy Homemade Vol 2 Everyday Clothes for Kids". It is such an excellent book - with both girl + boy patterns that are versatile and practical and super cute. The thing I really love about Japanese pattern books is the styling - of course, don't you too! The clean lines mean that imagining the designs in other fabrics is really easy, and adding extra details would be very doable as well. 

These is dress 'E' (on the left below), which I am making as a nightie.  It has little pintucks (you remember my love of), and binding details at the neckline. The real challenge now is if Miss Fusspot will actually wear it for longer than 3 seconds. So far she seems to like it.

There are so many sweet little pieces in here that I want to make for both my kids (ummm..... for me too - have a look at this purple ruffle top).

 ***I've also just found someone else who is using this book for the challenge.

sewing clothes week

I've seen a bit of a theme, these past weeks, of people getting ready for Elsie Marley's Kids Clothes Week. I didn't get my name on the list in time; but I've decided that I'm going to try and join in anyway. 

The loose "rules" are to spend at least one hour each day, this week, on sewing clothes for kids. It doesn't have to be new fabric or patterns or projects - can be things like repairing or finishing long-overdue WIPs.

I'm really glad to have this basic structure to follow. Because I sew for my business, I've long been putting off my kids' requests for something for them. I keep saying not this week, not now, after the market darling. Well, it's after the market now (until the next one!), so I'm promising at least 1 - 2 new items for each kid this week. 

Last week Mishi looked through some pattern books, to see what she would like best. Of course lovely dresses are always on her list, but i think she also needs some little shorts or undies or something (always a battle to get her to cover her nether regions when we go out!). And Ari needs some nice pants and shorts - most of his wardrobe is made up of hand-me-downs in beige and grey. 

The red riding hood cape will be finished - still haven't chosen a lining fabric, though. 

I'll work out a making list as I go, I think. I don't want to stress myself out, or plan more than I know I will achieve. Life keeps getting in the way!

** The little torn scraps of paper are for her to use as bookmarks for the clothes she likes best. It was a fantastic way to keep her entertained for a good long time, while I got some other work done. 

** Books in the pile are: Seams To Me; Sewing Clothes Kids Love; Sew Liberated; and a few Japanese ones that I bought from Kinokuniya last year, and are currently in my downstairs sewing room (I can't recall their names / ISBN, so no linking as I'm too lazy to walk all the way down and then back up..... ha. That's lazy, ha! I'll link to let you know, once I use them - as some very good patterns).

** Fabrics are the cherry miniwale cord for Red Riding Hood Cape, some blue+white stripes I've had in my stash forever, which Mishi always pulls out {best sew her something with it, hey!}, Kokka Ballerinas, and Michael Miller Flower Fairies. {Sylve + I used to love the flower fairy stories when we were girls, and these are beautiful representations, some with glitter}. (Both were bought on sale at my local-ish quilting shop, unfortunately there was too much end-of-long-day-tired-whinging the second time we went and tried to get some more on-sale fabric for Ari).