A pair of pants

Actually two pair...

Both my boys have Easter pants!  I've used these patterns before for them, so I won't gab on about them.  Logan's are from the basic pant from the 01/2009 issue of Ottobre.  There are three different designs that use this base pattern, so you really could mix and match all the pockets, tabs and patches to get a unique look every time.  I went with very simple cargo pockets this time.  The shirt is the star of this ensemble.  For Duncan's pants, I used the Simplicity 3765 pattern that I use for all my baby pants, with cargo pockets placed like Logan's.

Here is a closeup of the wee pair, lightened so you can see the pockets.

I'm so excited to have all of my boy Easter sewing done!  Next up will be Myra's dress, then I think I'll do mine.  I'm in need of some selfish sewing!  After that I should be ready to tackle a real man shirt for Mitch.

Vogue 8603 - SISC #3

Bet y'all thought I had forgotten how to sew, huh?  Duncan's sleep patterns (or lack thereof) are starting to take their toll, but Tuesday night we had our sewing group so I finally got to finish my third Self-Imposed Sewing Club (SISC) project, Vogue 8603.

And I love it!!

I used view D for the front and length, but I  love that peplum in the back,

so I put it in.  Love!!  I keep seeing this pattern pop up on PR and all over the blogosphere, and I can see why it is so popular.  The several views allow for lots of different looks, there are princess seams for a great fit, and if you aren't "sleeping like a baby" like we are around here, it's a quick and easy sew.  The fashion fabric is a tropical weight RPL (rayon/poly/lycra) from Gorgeous Fabrics.  It is completely fabulous - soft with a nice stretch.  The color is a heathered brown that varies from almost black to gold, making it a very versatile color.  Although the polyester content made it a bit resistant to the iron, it sewed beautifully.

It is also lined, although I'd have done that anyway.  Rather than Vogue's method of stitching the facings over the lining/FF unit, I used the Threads quick lining method, where you edgestitch the facings onto the lining and treat them as a unit in construction.  No floppy facings!  The pattern didn't include a lining for the peplum in back, rather it instructed you to leave that section open and slipstitch the lining to the seam allowances around the gathered section.  I didn't like that treatment at all, so I included the gathered section in the lining.  The lining fabric is a floral printed acetate, again from Gorgeous Fabrics.  I think it is too adorable.

Of course, I used an invisible zip and attached my facings and lining by machine, like I did with the Butterick skirt.  I did hem the skirt by hand, but did a serger rolled hem on the lining.  I love my serger!
When I finished cutting out the skirt I had a couple of fat quarter sized pieces left.  It's such great fabric that I just couldn't throw it out.  It turned out to be just enough to make a pair of wee man pants!  I firmly believe one should cultivate a love for finer fabrics early.

The pattern is my stand by Simplicity 3765.

Aren't they perfect with the sweater I knit him?

Next up in the SISC queue is Simplicity 2614 in a green and cream lawn from FFC.  At the rate I'm going, I should have it ready say, by June?

Baby shower!

I've been busy with my holiday sewing, but I got to take a break to make this set for an upcoming first girl!  Her shower was yesterday, so I can share what I made for her with you now.

The pants are my usual Simplicity 3765, with cuffs added for warmth and grow room.  The fabric is the same fleece that I used to make Myra's pink pants.  I appliqued a purchased long sleeved onesie with a simple fleece flower, and knitted some baby mitts out of a soft mohair yarn, then trimmed them with ribbon woven through eyelets knitted into the cuffs.  I hope it keeps this little princess warm and cozy!

Simplicity 3765 again...

I love how quickly baby clothes whip up!  They're little, no closures, no facings - so quick!

This is yet another version of Simplicity 3765, this time made of the scraps of Logan's hoodie.  I love fleece pants, especially cuffed fleece pants for babies.  They're so cozy.  I appliqued a strip of "road" onto a purchased onesie.  It seems with every baby I forget how much I really hate those cheap Gerber onesies.  They are so thin - such a pain to applique and even for summer babies, too thin to wear by themselves.

On the pants, I appliqued some of the vehicles on both back and front of the left leg.  Here's the back!

While I was at it, I did a quick tie onesie to go with the Wee Professor sweater and cords.

My Religion prof in college (despite being in his mid-30s) always sported the bow tie look, so every time I think "college professor" I think of him.  Obviously, my Wee Professor needed a bow tie to wear on those days he's not wearing his silk bubble.

Here is the tie up closer.  I love making tie onesies for little boys.  They're so fun.  You might get tired of looking at them...

Simplicity 3765

What happened to Katie?? I know it's been a while (for me) since I posted something I've sewn.  It's not that I haven't been sewing, I've just been making scrubs and I find them a bit boring (after the 4th identical set), so I didn't think they were blogworthy.  Mitch likes them, though.  I did finally make the Wee Professor his pants!

The pattern is Simplicity 3765, now OOP.  While I generally prefer Ottobre over the big 4, particularly for baby clothes, I've made this pattern so many times, I think it has become a winner.  I actually find that in the baby sizes Simplicity has the most reasonable size range. Yes, they sew up 2 sizes larger than published, but since the Simplicity patterns are graded down to what they call an XXS, you can actually sew for a newborn. Just know that the XXS will actually fit like a 0-3 month in RTW.

Here they are with the sweater that I made to match.  The pants are made of a pincord from Hancock.  It's fairly lightweight, so I'm hoping the pants will be wearable through several seasons.  The pattern is designed to be shorts, so I made them in a size XS and lengthened them to the size S length line while cutting.  I used a pair of pants that Logan wore when he was a baby for the elastic length (13 inches, in case you're wondering) in the waistline.  I waffled back and forth about the topstitching, and in the end am glad I put it on.  I think it's cute and gives the pants some character.

I've also been knitting quite a bit.  All that time spent in the OBs waiting room adds up...  Since I want this blog to remain about my sewing, I probably won't be posting all that much more about my knitting projects unless I make something super cool.  If you are interested in what I'm knitting, you can follow me on Ravelry. My profile is here.  If you aren't already a Raveler, you should be!!  Seriously, if you knit, you NEED to be on Ravelry.  Go sign up for a free membership.  They won't spam you, and you'll have access to the amazing collection of knitting patterns, many of which are free.

Simplicity 3765 - boy style

My friend Beth was blessed with a sweet little baby boy last week!  This is their fifth little angel, so they decided to wait to find out the gender of the baby.  Beth didn't want a shower - she has a lot of stuff already!  So, I waited until he came to sew for him.  I know she didn't really need anything, but I love the sew baby clothes, and she has been such a good friend to me, I wanted to do something.

I made another pair of cuffed fleece pants and appliquéd a long sleeve onesie with a tie appliqué.  I hope it keeps him snug and cozy (and stylish!).

Simplicity 3765

I made some sweet little baby pants last week, but they were a baby shower gift, so I couldn't show them to you until now!  I have really gotten a lot of mileage out of this pattern!  I made the little baby dress for Myra twice, both were in the pre-blog days - but here they are!

Without the front contrast band (which is basically just a facing that you turn to the outside and topstitch) this is a VERY simple dress.
The pants are my favorite part of this pattern.  They are a one-piece style, but with a slight flare at the hem.  Not so much to be girlie - just enough to give them a nice shape.
I used them to make the pants in this Cars themed baby ensemble.  For my friend Miya, who is expecting their first in a few weeks, I made two versions.  The first is in the small size in fleece for this sweet winter princess.

I added foldover cuffs to the bottom to keep out the cold breezes.  I also embellished a little onesie with a princess crown to match.
For the second pair, I used the next size up for some spring/summer wear.

I made them out of lighweight cotton, lengthened the leg and gathered it with clear elastic to form a ruffle.  This onesie got a purse applique.

I love all of the ways you can dress up this simple pair of pants!  This is likely to become my go-to baby shower gift.  I think it took less time and trouble to make these two sets than it would have to get my kids dressed, pack them into the car, drive to Target, fight them in the baby department, find something that I kinda like that everyone else has and drive back home after fighting my two kids into their carseats.  As a bonus, little Hana will be the only tot with these stylin' duds!

Cars!!

A good friend of mine, who also has a son Logan's age, is expecting their second child, another boy! Yay! I decided on a Disney Cars theme for the little guy, partly as an excuse to include something for his big brother. Kyle LOVES Cars, but then, what 3 year old boy doesn't?

Here is the entire ensemble. I know - that's a lot of Lightning McQueen there!

In parts - an appliqued onesie with pants,

The pant is Simplicity 3765 with the band added.

a bib,

The bib pattern is from Nested.

and blanket for the baby.

The blanket pattern comes from the baby blanket e-book at YCMT.

Myra really wanted this blanket!And a button down shirt for Kyle from my usual shirt pattern. I cut out a matching one for Logan, but haven't sewn it up yet. I'll get around to it...