Zeke's Comfies

Comfies.  That's what my gramps used to call the cozy clothes you put on when you get home.  

Zeke is ALL about "comfies".  He couldn't care less about style most of the time as long as his clothes are soft and fuzzy.  lol

I made him these sweats for his 8th birthday last month because I wanted him to have some clothes that he loved but that also didn't look trashy.  lol  I think I succeeded.  He LOVES them.

The sweatshirt is the Peek a Boo patterns Classic Sweatshirt (hoodie version).  This is my go-to for sweatshirts.  I sized up for this one so he'll hopefully be able to wear it next year too.  

 The pants are the Domi pants pattern from Sofilantjes.  It has several different length options and two pocket options.  I really like the fit of it and plan to make some for the other kids too.  I used sweatshirt fleece for these but you can also use plain knit and make shorts!

The top stitching is my favorite part of these items!  It just adds the perfect pop of contrast.

(fabrics all from Joanns)

Alpine Shorts and Trousers

Ya'll, Terra's Treasures has done it again!!!  Her newest pattern, the Alpine Shorts and Trousers, are fantastic!!!  Terra is seriously one of my favorite pattern designers.  Her designs are always unique and original, comfy and a step up from the everyday ordinary stuff...plus...they fit!  This pattern starts at 0-3 months and goes all the way up to a 16!!!  There are side seam pockets, patch back pockets and they can be made with the fun diagonal design or as straight shorts or trousers.  Her directions make putting these together a breeze and you can choose to do a plain, flat front or a faux fly.

Want another reason to buy?  Terra even made this pattern with no trim pages!!!!  Call me lazy, but that makes me so excited!  

There's a lot of opportunity for top stitching too which really can takes these up even another level to make a really outstanding finished garment.

My son loves these shorts and I can't wait to make both boys more...and pants for that matter!!!

So have I convinced you you need this pattern yet?  It's on sale for only $6 through Friday!!!

Captain Comfy Jeans to the Rescue!!!!

Judy, from Patterns for Pirates, has done it again!  She's been teasing us with pre-test versions of these jeans that she'd made for her son for what seemed like months and I was DYING to try them because I knew my kids would love them!!!  

(I just adore how you can see tiny bits of Pirate Kitty in some of these photos!)

So, what's so special about the Cpt. Comfy Jeans you ask?  Well let me tell you!  In fact, let's just make a list shall we?  

• basic straight leg pants pattern
• sizes 3 months up through 14
• can be lined
• can be cut on the extended line and rolled so that your kiddos that grow up and not out can wear them longer!
• knit waistband option
• knit and jean waistband option
• faux fly (that means my little dude doesn't need help getting them on and off!)
• belt loop option
• patch or slant pockets

On this first pair I used upcycled jeans, lined them with flannel, cut on the extended hem line and rolled them, did the jean and knit waistbands, and patch pockets.   

(if you're keeping count, that means all I had to pay for was the flannel I lined them with...and technically I just pulled it from my stash so I didn't have to buy anything new for these!)

This was an earlier version.  The final version his unders don't stick out the top at all.  He LOVES these jeans though.  They're soft and warm, the knit waistband is super comfy (and how cute does it look peeking up above the jeans waistband?!?!)  

Moving onto the 2nd pair I made him... again, these are upcycled, lined with flannel, knit and jean waistbands, no belt loops, but this time I did a traditional hem (in fact I kept the existing hem from the jeans I was upcycling!) and slant pockets.  

Judy walks you through everything step by step.  You can make these as simple or as in depth as you want.  I top stitched and lined and did everything but belt loops on both of my pairs so they were a bit more time intensive but I'm really happy with the results...and with the price!  lol

All the other kids have already told me that they want flannel lined jeans too!  (I mean, really, who wouldn't?!!?!?!)  

Oh, and if you buy the pattern by Saturday it's on sale!  $2 off.  It's already sale priced on Craftsy, or you can use the code NEWPATTERN for the $2 off on Etsy (here.)  

It's a Bird, It's a Plane,

no, it's my Crazy Crew in their Superhero sets from EYMM!!!

 Now, if you've been following the blog tour you might remember reading about Clara and her...ahemm...lack of interest in modeling.  Reading that made me chuckle and also gave me a little push to give you a behind the scenes look at the making of EIGHT full (or nearly full) Super Hero sets just days before my blog post was due.  Ya ready?  (also, prepare for picture overload!)

 

First off, let me tell you about my crafty OCD.  I'm pretty sure that's a real thing.  I get these ideas in my head and decide it's going to be totally awesome and from that point on it doesn't really matter what everyone else wants because, let's be honest, the pictures are going to freaking rock!

So, my crafty OCD set in and I decided that the kids all having coordinating satin capes with one side being "their" color and one side being black was going to be A.MAZE.ING.  AMAZING.  (With four kids we do a lot of color coding and it goes like this Kessa's color is purple, Zeke's is orange, Grace's is pink and Zane's is green.)

Next, you need to understand that going to the fabric store consists of an hour drive one way for me, and it's in the same town as Sam's Club so if I'm making the drive I have to stop there too.  So, last Thursday we went on a field trip with Grace and Zane's pre school to a pumpkin patch (goodbye morning!) and then I decide it would be a good idea to make that hour drive and hit up Joann's and Sam's.  We get to Joann's...we find the satin...purple - check.  pink - check.  green - check.  orange - no.  No orange.  BAH!  So now my Crafty OCD is freaking out and I don't have a back up plan.  Kessa is saying she wants a Frozen cape (that's NOT happening today..) and everyone else is asking for something crazy and it's naptime and I'm tired and I HAVE to get fabric for these because they have to be done ASAP.

And then it dawned on me.  These pictures are going to be fine no matter what we make the capes out of.  The kids are going to wear them and love them, and honestly...they're FOR them...not me.  Soo...I made a deal with the Crafty OCD that was going crazy and said, "Here's what we're going to do.  We'll use quilter's cotton in their colors for the back and they can all pick their own lining."  And we did.  And (as you can see) it works.  lol  

The kids all picked flannel for the lining fabric of their capes and last night Zeke had his on and was watching TV when he realized if he turned it around and wore it backwards it doubled as a cozy blanket!  lol!  That made him love it even more.

Ok, so let's talk about this pattern, because, honestly, there are TONS of free patterns out there right?  Why buy this one?  Well the instructions are great and having the pattern for everything together, all in one place, makes it WAY easier IMO.  The pattern includes sizing for 15-18" dolls all the way through size 10.  There are three different mask shapes to choose from and tons of applique patterns and letters and the cuffs are super cute too.  Oh, and the belts!  No worries if you don't have a kid around to try it on because measurements are included.

So, here's what I think about buying it, sure, you could probably figure out something and make your own, but with the code HEROSET you can get the whole kit and kaboodle for $2.97 instead of $4.95.  That's a $3 well spent in my book.  I always try to weigh costs vs. my time spent and in this case $3 makes my life so much easier than spending hours finding the right sizes or making my own or trying to guess which would be best or what length to make something and on and on.

 (Kessa always makes getting good shots so easy.  She's turned into quite the natural in front of the camera.)

The girls both love having matching outfits with their dolls so that being included rocks too!  

Obviously Pirate Kitty couldn't be left out of the fun either so I printed the doll size mask at 60% and it fit him pretty well.  I just free handed the cape for him by looking at the others and then drawing it smaller.  

(Laser Cat??!?!)

And some more "behind the scenes" shots just for laughs.  

The kids have been wearing these close to non-stop since I finished them up.  I think it's safe to say that they approve!

So, be sure and use the code HEROSET for 40% off through 11:59pm PDT on 10/21/2014 and if you need some more inspiration check out these other blogs on the tour!

Bigg Stitches, Little Stitches

Friends Stitched Together

Just Another Sewing Mama

Lulu & Celeste

This & That & Craft

Just Joshin'

Sale Alert!!!

Ok, so I don't usually post about sales and whatnot unless it's a new pattern I just tested and it just happens to be on sale.  Today though, I'm going to change that.  You see, Terra (Terra's Treasures) is having a Back to School Sale and it ends today.  So, why am I sharing about this one?  Because I flat out LOVE Terra's patterns.  A LOT.  As in, this is going to be a VERY photo heavy post and it's not even close to all that I've made with her patterns!  This post isn't sponsored or endorsed by Terra and I'm not an affiliate or anything.  I just big pink puffy heart love her and her patterns.    So, if you see something you can't live without you can use the code BACKTOSCHOOL for 30% (end today, 8/15).

(Kenzington Trousers) 

 Moving on!  These are the Kenzington trousers.  In this pattern Terra taught me how to make and use piping and it's super easy and I love it!!  Seriously, how cute are those back pockets?!?!  Kessa is wearing less dresses and more pants lately so I see more of these in our future this fall.  (And that front yoke?  So cute!)  It's really the details that make Terra's patterns stand out from the crowd IMO.

(Mayfair dress, top, and spats) 

The Mayfair has so many options and the finished product is amazing.  I LOVE the lace overlay and using a sheer for the sleeves?  *swoon*  (Obviously you don't HAVE to use a sheer for the sleeves)

And those spats?!?!  Seriously!!!  Above and beyond in the cuteness factor!

(Metropolitan Pants, Capris, and Shorts) 

Terra isn't just about girl patterns though.  She has some AMAZING boy and unisex ones too!  These are probably my son's favorite pair of jeans ever.  I upcycled them from some of my husband's old ones.  These pants were my first time doing welt pockets and Terra makes it so easy!!!  

More Metropolitan pants and a Streamline tee too.  These were upcycled from a pair of men's dress pants and they're perfect for church and dressy occasions but still fun with the Star Wars flannel on the pockets.

The Streamline tee is my go-to raglan pattern.  The fit isn't big and boxy  like some patterns, the length isn't too short and it's a breeze to whip up.

 (Monkey Leggings)

The Monkey leggings are so cute for littles!  You can make faces on the bum, just use a different fabric, or throw in a t-shirt panel for fun.  I think these are an ADORABLE surprise worn under little dresses or skirts.  Grace wears hers to bed a lot too because they're so comfy.  

 (Streamline tee and Suburban Basics tee)

If I want a shirt with set in sleeves instead of raglan I always grab the Suburban Basics tee.  It has short sleeves and long faux layered sleeves (LOVE that look!!) and like all Terra's patterns it's got great instructions and a great fit!  Another fast sew too which is always a plus!

 Streamline Tee and Metropolitan Pants

(Suburban Basics tee)

And there are still more patterns that I've made but haven't talked about and even more than I haven't made yet!!!  Be sure to go check them all out!!!  The above is a collage of just SOME of the photos on my phone of clothes I've made with Terra's patterns.  Sooo...are you sold yet?  If not come back in a few days and you'll be able to see her newest pattern that will be released with the Boy Bundle Up...it's EPIC!!!!!  

We've Got Spirit Yes We Do!

Last week was crazy busy for me.  Sunday my oldest turned 8, Wednesday my 3rd turned 5, Thursday - Saturday the whole family went to on a mini-vacation, Saturday was my husband and I's 11th anniversary and I had several pattern tests and custom orders to finish.  With all that on my plate I almost bowed out of testing Cole's Creations new Spirit Jacket.  

I'm SOOO glad I didn't!!!  This jacket is amazing!  It's so trendy and stylish right now and it's FAST.  I mean, like I'm pretty confident I'll be able to make them start to finish in less than an hour (including cutting!) at this point.  I have plans to do color-coded ones for all my kids as soon I can get the backs embroidered!  

(please tell me I'm not the only one with kids that do this all day every day?!?!  lol)  Anyway, the pattern is totally unisex, can be made with or without pockets (and the way the pockets are put in is really cool!) and comes in sizes 1/2 - 16!!!  You can use a variety of fabrics, including (but not limited to) flannel backed satin, faux leather, fleece, sweatshirt fleece, pointe and much more!  I used some gray sweatshirt scraps for the body of Zeke's jacket and I cut up one of my husband's OOOOOLLLLDDDD sweatshirts for the sleeves.  The bands are actually cotton lycra (ribbing is recommended, but the lycra worked ok.  I just HAD to have stripes  lol)

Oh, and if you're making one for a girl (or a boy with a doll), just a little heads up, Cole's Creations has matching 15" and 18" doll patterns for ALL their patterns.  You can find the matching Dolly Spirit Jacket here.  

Dance Pants

So this week is Kids Clothing Week which is ALWAYS fun, but I don't have time to do it full on this week.  PLUS it's themed now (this season's is Kid Art) and I really don't have time to mess with being even more creative.  That said, I have whipped up two pairs of comfy pants for Kessa and Zane so far.  

Cole's Creations has released a new dance pants pattern and it's SUPER SUPER fast and easy!!!  (My favorite kind! lol)  Now, my kids aren't dancers and these aren't ones that they'll probably be wearing out and about much but they're PERFECT for us for home and jammies and stuff.

They come in size 1-16!!!  That's a great size range and several of the skinnier mommas even made them for themselves.  You can get the Swag Dance Pants on sale for just $4.50 right now!!!

I used a heavier sweatshirt knit for Kessa's pants (the pattern recommends using a mid-weight knit so it doesn't hang quite like it should but they're super comfy!)

And I used a thermal/waffle knit for Zane's.  He LOVES anything with skull and crossbones or "pirates" on them so these were perfect.  

I don't try to get pictures of them together all the frequently, and as you can tell from the blurry pictures, it proved to be a bit challenging.  And then Zane decided he was done and that was that.  lol.  He just said, "I'm done now."  and walked off.  Well ok then.  

And because I know how much she'll love me for this one day...an outtake!  ;)