Fun Sewing

Just a quick post to show the outfits I made the kids for Easter.

Ally's dress and panties were made with a cute green cotton fabric with pink bunnies on it. As soon as I seen it in Jo-Anns I knew it would be perfect for this little outfit.

The pattern is from the book: Cute Clothes For Kids by Rob Merrett

Love this book it has some really cute patterns in it. Most of the patterns are for little girls with a few of them for boys.

Kameron's vest pattern also came out of the same book.

His shirt is from simplicity 1923

All pleased with his Easter Basket

I love this pic of the two of them!

Thanks for stopping by

I love to wear knit tops in the summer they are quick to make, easy to wear and they don't wrinkle.What's not to love! I just order some bright coloured yummy rayon blend knits on Fabric.com :) Every now and then I will find a knit I like at Jo-Ann's or Hancock fabrics. I found this blue stripe rayon blend knit at Jo-Ann's a few weeks ago and I knew to buy it up as they always seem to sell out of cute knits really fast. Let me tell you this fabric is sooo soft! It's a joy to wear
Here's the review.

Pattern review for McCalls 6203 Now Out Of Print

Pattern Description:
Fitted, pullover tunics A, B, C, D have scooped neckline and dolman, below elbow sleeves with band; tunic A has self-fabric flower; tunic B has purchased jewel stones that form applique; tunic C has contrast bands; tunics A, B, C have double layer neckbands with unfinished edges; tunic D has attached drape.
Pattern Sizing:
I made a small on top grading to a medium at the hips
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Very easy a beginner could easily make this top.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked that it had very few pattern pieces and it went together very quick.
Fabric Used:
A rayon blend knit that I picked up at jo-ann fabrics
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I did not do the unfinished neck line.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would make another one if the right fabric came along.
Conclusion:
This pattern is now out of print but if you already have it I would recommend it. You can make this top up in a couple of hours!

Thanks for stopping by. I'm off to finish up Easter outfits for the kids

Rocket Boy

My grand- son wanted me to sew something for him. So we went through my patterns and he picked a shirt pattern. He then picked this cute rocket fabric out of my cotton stash.
 McCalls 6099

Pattern Description:
CHILDREN'S AND BOYS' SHIRT, TANK TOP, PULL-ON CROPPED PANTS, PULL-ON SHORTS AND HEADWRAP: Shirt has front button closure, front pocket, short sleeves and side vents; tank top has scoop neckline and stitched hems; pull-on cropped pants or shorts have side seam pockets and elasticized waist; headwrap is also included.
Pattern Sizing:
I made the size 3-4 Shirt
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Very easy  I think a beginner would be able to follow them.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Disliked that the shirt was a bit boxy.
Fabric Used:
Cotton

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
The shirt was very wide so I had to take it in about an inch on both side seams.  Also I used a solid yellow cotton for the under collar as I did not have enough of the rocket fabric.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Not sure I would sew this one again.
Conclusion:
My grand-son loves his new rocket shirt!

Also got in a little more knitting. Another cardi for my Grand-Daughter.

McCalls released new patterns. Here is a few of my favs.

 Love this dress! Wish I could find the fabric the model is wearing. McCalls 6559

 Cute tops McCalls 6562

 Really like the design the model is wearing. McCalls 6565

And of course this for my Grand- Daughter McCalls 6539

I have not gotten in my sewing room at all this week I hoping to this weekend. I have a few patterns and fabric all ready to go. Now all I need is the time :)

Thanks for stopping by.

Spring, knits & Knitting

 I'm so excited that spring is here! Even tho we did'nt have much of a winter here in Kentucky. Still it's so nice to see the  the daffodils shooting up and the trees starting to bloom. Seeing some colour outside has had me digging in my fabric stash this past week for linens and other summer fabrics. So I've been sewing up a storm in my little sewing area.

Here is the review for a little knit top I made about three weeks ago.

Butterick 5495

Pattern Description:
Loose fitting top with front drape gathered into loop, dropped shoulder, seam details and stitched hems. I made version c
Pattern Sizing:
8-14 I made a 10 grading to a 12 at the hips.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Love the shape of this top. Very flattering with the gathers in the front. This top works well for bigger bust ladies ( I'm a 38c). I also like that the length is that little bit longer that some of the other knit tops I've make before.

Fabric Used:
Knit that found on the red-tag sale table at Jo-Ann fabrics for $3 a yard  Cost me about $5 bucks to make this top!
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
None
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I will sew it again maybe in a solid colour next time.
Conclusion:
Great little knit top that you can make up in an afternoon.

I'll leave you with a picture of my Grand-daughter ( who is sitting with me as I type this and trying to tap the keys on my laptop :) wearing a the cardi I knit for her.

Thanks for stopping by.

Vogue 1261 Tunic

It's been over a month since my last post! I have managed to squeeze in some sewing this past month.

Here is the pattern review for Vogue 1261

Pattern Description:
From the pattern envelope: Close fitting. Double needle stitching. A,B: Armhole seams on outside; self binding; ribbon on back; unfinished edges will show. C: neck binding.
I made B
Pattern Sizing:xsm-med
 I used a small
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow?
I did not use them.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love  shape of the hem line and that the tunic is close fitting.
Fabric Used:
Jersey that I found on the clearance table at Jo-ann fabrics.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Doubled the fabric on the collar so you would not see the back side of the fabric and cut the back on the fold so there is no back seam.

 Also I did not do the exposed seams.
 I thought about leaving the hem raw but in the end decided to use a twin needle to hem it .
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes I also made view A in a cotton knit.

Conclusion:
Love this pattern quick and easy to make.

Cables In Green

Thought I would share a little more knitting with you. I knitted this little top down ( you all know how I love top down knitting) cardigan a few months back. It's a Wendy Bernard design from  Custom Knits

I have knitted three knits out of this book I love it that much!

I have been in my sewing room this past week and have make a couple or knit tops I'll do a review of them soon.

Thanks for stopping by

Sew Serendipity Book Review

Let me just start of by saying that I'm a sewing, knitting and crafting book junky. I'm always on amazon searching through the new releases in the craft and hobbies section. I have purchased quit a few books this past year. Some of them where a bit of a let down and where returned to amazon.

One that I kept was sew serendipity by Kate whitt.

Now usually I would not go for this style of  clothing but I was drawn to how pretty the book was. It has wonderful pictures of the garments with cute hand drawn illusions for the step by step sewing instructions.

 Also the book is spiral bound which is a plus because it lays flat.

I have sewn up a couple of version of one of the skirt patterns in the book and have been very pleased with the end result.

I love how Kate has you do a lot of top stitching which gives the finished garment more of professional look to it.

 I also love that you can can use different fabrics other than cotton I sewed this one up in linen .

There is also a few dress patterns.

Some tops.

A jacket and coat.

I love the style of the coat. If I make this I will have to draft a lining as the pattern does not include one.

Wonderful book with well drafted patterns. My only dislike is that the jacket and coat does not include a lining.