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.  

Cricket Top

 

Kessa has been reading the original Winnie the Pooh books and has fallen a bit in love with little Piglet.  One of my upcycle buddies was kind enough to get me a shirt for her and we turned it into this cute little number for summer!  

 

Now that she's getting a big older she's not liking dresses all the time but she still wants me to make her things.  The Cricket top from FooFoo Threads was right up her ally!   It has several different options included a neck ruffle and a bottom ruffle. 

One fun thing about this is that while the bodice needs to be made of knit you can use woven for the bindings and the drawstrings and even for the ruffles if you do them. 

(she's been watching the Odd Life Of Timothy Green.  Great movie!  ;) )

I did find that the length of the shirt without the ruffle was QUITE short, especially if you're planning on using the draw strings to ruche up the sides.  I think the finished length of a size 6 without the ruffle was something like 14".  That's way too short for my taste so I just lengthened it before I ever cut it. 

Also, according to the measurement chart I should have made Kessa about a size 3.  She wasn't home and after checking finished measurements I went with a 6 anyway.  Normally I go by the measurement chart because I know she's small but in this case I'm glad I did the 6. 

The chest on the 6 is a little wide.  The pattern tells you when to try it on your child and how to adjust that if it needs to be done but since Kessa wasn't home I just went with it.  Next time I'll still make the 6 but I'll take the arm holes/upper bodice in slightly so the binding doesn't run on her armpits.

Overall I think this is a great pattern.  It's fairly quick sew and the results are super cute for summer.  I just highly suggest that you check measurements...especially length...before cutting. 

Oh!  And one last thing...the pattern doesn't include it but I think I'm going to make some with just normal ruching on the sides with some elastic...I know some of my customers' children won't like the ties hanging down at their sides.

I plan to make the ruffled version soon for the shop or Grace.  There's also an adorable dress version (I bought this bundle pack with both the shirt and the dress and I think I might use the dress for Grace's Easter dress...if I actually get around to making them that is!  lol )

Deep Sea V-Neck

Have you discovered Patterns for Pirates yet?  If you haven't you need to get over to her shop and check out her patterns!  

Judy is super great to work with and she's coming out with some super fun boy/unisex patterns!  We're in the middle of testing some basketball shorts and a FREE (yes I said FREE!!!) muscle tank pattern right now so be on the lookout for those!  But today I'm going to share my Deep Sea V-Neck Tee.  I was excited when Judy messaged me and ask me to test because I've got 2 boys, and while I love sewing for them, lets be honest, they just get the shaft sometimes.

This was my first ever time to sew a V-neck and I have to say, it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be!  It was actually...dare I say it...sort of easy!  Judy holds your hand through the entire pattern and gives you THREE different options for how to sew in the V-neck.  How's that for choices?!?!  

The Deep Sea V-Neck has a more vintage fit than some shirts so it's not boxy and all and I love the fit of it on my skinny boy.  

I did the most simple version of the top with standard hems on the bottom and the short sleeves but the pattern also has long sleeves with or without cuffs and roll up sleeves with button tabs or button tabs you can put on the shoulds as well as a pocket options!  Again, how's that for choices?!?!  

Zeke wasn't sure he liked it when I showed him the shirt to begin with because "it didn't have a picture on it."  Guess that's what I get for always upcycling character shirts!  lol.  This one was upcycled from an old polo and I happen to love it...and by the end of the photoshoot Zeke decided he did too because it was so comfortable!!!  

Monkey Leggings

 

When Terra posted the call for testers for the Monkey Leggings I'll be honest, I hesitated.  I think they're SUPER cute on babies (and they do only go up to a size 5T) but I just wasn't sure about them for older kids.  Zane wear's a 3T but he's out of diapers and I'm not sold on them for boys if they're not in diapers still.  After I hesitated for a few seconds though I signed up anyway!  I mean...Terra's Treasures patterns are ALWAYS awesome and even if they weren't something I thought she'd be wearing out of the house they'd be great for some fun lounge wear or even for wearing under dresses! 

 

And that bum panel....be still my upcycle loving heart!!!  *swoon*

 

Now, if you've been around long at all you won't be surprised to see that when I gave Grace a choice she picked Toy Story for her bum panel.  I cut out the pattern and got to work.  Seriously a fast sew!  Like...15 minutes flat fast sew probably.  There is a tapered fit and a "straight" leg fit.  They're both more fitted like leggings though.  This pattern has three pieces and BAM!  Done. 

We grabbed Jessie and went out for some photos... and the more photos I took...

The more I changed my mind about this pattern on older girls!  I love it!!!  I think it's totally adorable and fun for playing.  No restricted movement here!

 

The pattern has both full length and capri cut lines as well.  

Grace and Jessie both approve and I see more of these in our future!

Thanks for another great pattern Terra!  

Oh, and if you don't sew but want your own pair...keep an eye on facebook tomorrow because I think I'll be listing some Ready to Ship ones! 

And one last one lest you think she really doesn't have any eyes... ;)

Handmade Everyday

As I was getting the kids all ready for rest time today I smiled noting some of their much loved and well worn mama-made clothing and it got me thinking.

We always post all these pretty polished pictures when we first make something...but what does our every-day look like?  I thought it might be fun to start posting some "keeping it real" everyday handmade kind of posts occasionally.

I snapped these pictures with my iPhone like 10 minutes ago so you'll pardon the quality but can I just say...welcome to our real life.  :)  

Zanebot getting ready to fall asleep with his MUCH loved kitty (that we affectionately call Pirate Kitty because he lost an eye long ago because he's so loved.)

Zane is wearing jeans from Crazy 8 and the Suburban Basics Tee from Terra's Treasures (inside out because he's 2 and wanted to do it himself.)  

Hi!!!  I'm next!  This is me in all my practically no makeup and hair in a bun SAHM glory.  ;)  The t-shirt I picked up at a yard sale, jeans from Maurices and the Swoon Patterns Scarf Neck Cardi (I LOVE this thing.  Like...a LOT.  I made the sleeves extra long and added thumb-holes too which makes me love it even  more.)  

Zeke is hanging out in his top bunk playing with his Transformers and he's sporting a Star Wars tee (picked up at a consignment shop...but maybe originally from Gap?) and some Metropolitan Pants (Terra's Treasures) that were upcycled from a pair of his dad's old jeans!  He wears this pants a LOT.  I'm not sure if it's the waistband (flat front, elastic back) or if the denim is just so worn they're more comfy but he loves them...and getting him in anything besides "swishy" pants or sweats is usually a battle so I consider this a huge win!  Oh, and up there in the upper left corner you can see part of his Pajama Eater that I made him for Christmas too.



Pickle is wearing a Toy Story shirt from Old Navy and some pants from Terra's Treasures that I can't show you yet because they're still in testing (but they're sooo cute!!!  Eep! )



And last but not least Miss Kessa has on some leggings made with the Jocole Ruffle Leggings Pattern.  She's also wearing a consignment store tulle skirt and Wonder Woman costume.  Earlier today she did have on a skirt from Funktional Threads...but every superhero needs a good petti skirt right?  lol!  (oh, and I just noticed, that amazing quilt she's laying on... made by my mom!

So, what do you think?  Should we make this a weekly thing and keep doing it?  What are you and your wearing today?