KCWC - Day 4 - Comfy Knit Dress

This week must seem very redundant. I have used the same fabric and patterns over and over again. I am sorry for that. This summer has been particularly busy for me therefore I am sticking with familiar things for now. I do promise some different stuff this weekend. 

Aren't you proud of me I am using a different fabric than I did the past three day's, whoo hoo! I have made the comfy knit dress by LBG Studios before here. When I made this dress the first time I followed the instructions for a 2 tier dress which does not have pockets. This time I did the 1 tier with pockets. Neither version is overly challenging and take about the same amount of time to do. 

So technically this is different fabric then I have used before. It is the same maker and poka-dot as the 2 tier version I made during spring KCW however it is blue and not pink. What can I say, I am not much of a risk taker. Oh geez, I used the same buttons too! sigh... 

I did stretch myself a little bit. This was the first time I have made pockets in the side seam. I also deviated a little from the pattern instructions and followed this method for hemming knits instead which I found through pinterest on the Sweet 'n' Sassy Girls blog.  

This is the first time I have done this kind of hem and I have to say this method is awesome! I can't see hemming knits any other way now. 

My husband and I agree that this version is not as cute or twirly as the 2 tier but I don't think you can ever have enough knit for kids (or grown-up). I know this dress will get lot of use. I am thinking this would be good with a long sleeve underneath for the colder months.

If you are a sewer and have 2t/3t kid to sew for this pattern is a must. It is available free in the one size on the LBG Studio's website. I think this is a good first time knit project since it only has the one hem (which is the tricky part with knits). So don't let the fabric type hold you back.

Thanks for stopping by the nest!
Darla

KCWC - Day 3 - Shorts

Day 3 went really smooth. It helps that I used the Gathered Pocket Shorts that I have made several times and the Riley Blake fabric that I have sewn my last couple projects with. I have to say I really love both. The fabric, of course, is about the best you can get (without braking the bank) and the shorts pattern I drafted has worked out very well. 

When I drafted the Gathered Pocket Shorts pattern I specifically wanted shorts that had better coverage on Hannah's bottom. I was getting very annoyed with shorts that I would slid down the minute she bent down or squatted. As you can see in the photo above my pattern solved that problem.

When she stands up after squatting they still sit just right on her waist. 

 

I love the detail of the pockets although I don't know how functional they are. Hannah has not yet discovered the fun of pockets. 

The pattern is currently only in a size 2T. I am considering making this pattern in more sizes. Leave me a comment to let me know if this is something you would like me to do.

Thanks for stopping by the nest!
Darla

KCWC - Day 2 - Skirt

Day 2 of KCW went much better than day 1. My kids seem to be feeling better and were generous to their Mommy by letting me get a couple things done. I kept it simple for my next project by making a skirt for my little cousin. 

Fabric look familiar? It's the same one I used for my Day 1 pillowcase dress. I have one other project this week using this fabric. I love the orange and blue together! I have never been a mix patterns girl but I have to say they are really growing on me. 

I didn't use a pattern for this skirt. I just took the waist and length measurements and what fabric I had left from the pillowcase dress project and this is what I ended up with. It came out better then I could imagine. I would have like a little more fullness but I didn't have enough fabric to do that. None-the-less I am happy with how it turned out. 

Please be respectful and do not pin this image.

The best part of this project is this little sweeties smile. She likes her skirt and that's what counts. Isn't she darling?

Please be respectful and do not pin this image.

Come by tomorrow to see my next project.

Thanks for stopping by the nest!
Darla

KCWC - Day 1 - Pillowcase Dress

Had a bit of a rough start to KCW, both of my kids managed to get sick on Sunday and where still recovering on day 1 so Mommy duty took priority. I did manage to get quite a bit accomplished once my husband came home. Thank God for good men.

I have to confess, this is one of three that I made and have been working on for a couple weeks. I did however finish this dress on day 1 so in my mind it kinda counts which under the circumstances it was a feat. I am making them for a family member so her size 7, size 4 & size 18 month daughters can wear them for a family portrait. This is the smallest of the three. 

I have made this pillowcase dress before here. I really like this tutorial by The Mother Huddle. I opted this time to do an elastic with straps instead of the big bow and sash. I recommended against the sash since was a bit of a pain to maintain and not very practical for little ones. The elastic with straps is much more manageable and makes it easier for the kids to dress themselves.

I didn't exactly follow The Mother Huddles tutorial for this neckline. When making the larger dresses The method that was used left a portion of the neckline un-gathered and it bothered me. So I connected the bias tape straps to the elastic   and tacked the straps to the openings so the elastic part doesn't end up peaking out while the girls are wearing them. 

I love all of the detail work on this dress. Now that I have made this dress in 4 different sizes the only thing I found is that it runs a bit large width wise otherwise this is a great tutorial. 

I am really pleased with how these dresses turned out and can't wait to see how the portrait turns out. 

Thanks for stopping by the nest!
Darla

Its all in the preparation

This week I am working on preparation for the kids clothing week that starts next week. I have a couple projects I am trying to wrap up. Then there is all the organizing of my projects I want to complete next week. Even more important I am preparing my house (and family). Kids clothes week is a week of neglected house work and meals (bliss!). I make it sound unproductive but in fact it is extremely productive. This week is a great opportunity to network with other sewers, I learn so much since I don't allow myself to give up on a challenging project and in the end I have really cute and sometimes practical clothes for my kids. My kids are currently enjoying many of the items I made in the spring kcw. They are are holding up really well to regular washing and whatever my kids dole out.

I was just talking about this with a friend last night. I find that handmade clothes are generally better clothes.

• First, which is probably obvious, they fit better since they are tailored to the wearer. 
• The fabric is better then most ready-to-wear clothes. Sure you can buy really poor quality fabric but I find most fabric that you see around is pretty decent, even the inexpensive stuff. 
• Handmade clothes holdup better since the sewer is not producing mass quantities and can spend more time and care on producing a good product. I couldn't tell you how many time I have bought clothes that fall apart after one washing (thank goodness I sew). 

Like all crafting I enjoy admiring my handy work and even more I enjoy the process of making things with my hands. Whats even better about sewing is it has a practical application. We all need clothes don't we? What money I would spend on clothing I spend on supplies and what time I would spend at the mall I spend at my sewing machine. All of this makes me feel good about investing my time in sewing.

I am so excited for kids clothing week I have finished deciding what I am going to make next week. Here is my project list:

1. pillowcase dress (using The Mother Huddle tutorial)
2. 1 pair of gathered pocket shorts
3. 1 pair of bubble pocket shorts (pattern by e&e)
4. a skirt (pattern undetermined, I may just wing it.)
5. a cross over pinafore (draft your own pattern, I am going to use this tutorial from Dee Construction )
6. flutter top (without the flutter by Aesthetic Nest)
7. Comfy Knit Dress (1 tier with pocket version by ibg studios)

And here is my fabric and patterns all ready to go....

As you may have noticed no Sammy this time. My son is not currently in need of anything. This boy has hit the hand-me-down jackpot and now has more clothes then me. On one hand I am tremendously grateful and on the other I am a bit sad, I have really enjoyed making things for him. Maybe after kids clothing week I will have to make him a non-clothing item. I would love to hear of some good ideas on what to make. Leave me a comment with suggestions on non-clothing sewing projects for 3 1/2 year old boys.

My next post will be for first completed KCW project. Come back and check it out.

Thanks for stopping by the nest!

Darla

Kids Clothing Week Challenge - Summer 2013

I am jumping from Shorts-on-the-Line to the Summer Kids Clothes Week. Not a huge stretch from making shorts to making summer clothes.

I was a little hesitant this time around. I have a ton of clothes to make for Hannah for fall and winter and neither of my kids really need any summer clothes. I talked myself into it by reminding myself that she will need clothes for next summer and I also have clothes I need to make for other people that are for this summer. Who said they needed to be for my kids. I am also, going to pace myself. I am still going to try and complete one item each day however I am going to keep the items simple. That should be easy for summer clothes.

Now that I have committed I am actually excited. I felt really good about what I did this past spring and I loved feeling like I was working along side a community of awesome sewers. 

Motivation has found me, I need to go get my projects organized.

Come back and check out what I completed. Thanks for stopping by the nest.

Darla

Poppy Seed Salad Recipe

When My husband and I were getting married my husband's family hosted a recipe wedding shower for me. Best concept ever! Everyone gave me a family favorite recipe along with whatever dried herbs and spices the recipe required. Not only did they provide me with an awesome collection of go to recipes but they stocked my spice cabinet. They even made some of the recipes for us to eat at the shower and they had balloons that were weighted with kitchen tools for me. All-in-all best shower ever!

For the shower, my sister-in-law shared her recipe for this salad. I was thrilled, I had enjoyed it at several family gatherings and it was always fabulous. This recipe was passed on to her from her mother-in-law who had received it many years ago from a friend. No one is quite sure where it originates from. I was just looking over the recipe card and the name provided was "Salad" on one side of the card and "Salad Dressing" on the other. Oh well, I am not sure of the name so I will just call it Poppy Seed Salad since it is loaded in poppy seeds. 

I have made some slight alterations from what has been passed down. The poppy seed originally were just tossed in to the salad. I prefer them to be mixed in to the dressing. I have only had it served to me with romaine lettuce which is great but I really like it with baby spinach. I have also started putting dried cranberries in it which takes it to a whole new level of yummy. The recipe was not given to my sister-in-law as a main course dish but she recommended adding chicken to have a complete meal. I have also added leftover grilled flank steak and that was great too. 

Salad Ingredients gathered

Dressing ingredients gathered

Dressing ingredients (except poppy seeds) poured in to blender cup.

Blend till well combined and sugar and salt are dissolved, about 3 min. It's normal for it to take on a white-ish color. If you don't own an immersion/stick blender any type of blender will do. I love my immersion blender! Fast, easy and little cleanup.

Pour in the poppy seeds and stir. Dressing done!

Layer the salad ingredients. You can toss with the dressing before serving but I prefer to let everyone do their own.

Poppy Seed Salad

Dressing
1 c oil
1/2 c apple cider vinegar
1/4 c sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/4 c poppy seeds

Mix everything except the poppy seed with blender (I use my stick/immersion blender). Stir in the poppy seeds.  

Salad
baby spinach or romaine lettuce
red onion, thinly sliced
canned oriental rice noodles (despite the name these are not wheat free)
sliver almonds
dried cranberries
grilled chicken

Layer ingredients and toss with dressing.

 I hope you and your family love this salad as much as we do. 

Thanks for stopping by the nest!
Darla