A little bit of sewing...

I've been spending time with my sewing machine again.  The spring weather combined with the deadline of the birthday gift definitely had my creative juices flowing.  First thing up was a pair of pajama shorts for my Buttercup.  I just modified a simple pajama pant pattern by shortening the length substantially and adding seam pockets.  (Hey, Sew Ducky, is there a name for those?)

Anyway, Buttercup picked out a fun animal-themed pattern and I actually remembered to make sure everything was running the same way BEFORE I cut the fabric (not something I always remember!), and worked my "magic" at the sewing machine.  I cheated and found a pocket pattern at Craftiness Is Not Optional, which made it so much easier.

Pockets are the perfect addition!

Buttercup loved the pajamas, declaring that they were cute enough to be seen by all.  She then demonstrated just what she meant for her brother and me.

Oh, that won't be how we wear these at our house.

While I can't help but think she's just too darned cute, you can rest assured they won't be displayed out of the house in that manner.  Not on my watch.


Cute enough to hang out, but
they won't be hanging out!

  As always, I added a little button to the front to distinguish front from back.  The lady at the fabric store wondered why she'd never thought of that...she always sews a little ribbon bow on the front.  My kids aren't "ribbon bow" kids.

This little fishy has the job of telling us the which side is the front.

All joking aside, it is so gratifying to see your family enjoy what you've made for them.  Truly, it really makes me smile when I see them taking in pleasure in the fruit of my labor.  Sure, I could buy stuff for them, but, as we're all discovering, it is just not the same.

Sewing Results...using my Serger

Remember when I told you last week that I made six pairs of pajama pants? Well, I thought you'd like to see some of the results. (Charming's pajama pants are already with him, so I can't show them to you, but these are the other ones!)

I found some absolutely adorable fabric for each of us: Frogs on Camo for Valiant (not too babyish), Silly Monkeys on Aqua for Buttercup (fun without being too girly), and Sheep on Baby Blue for me (something to count when I have insomnia?).

I did a few things differently this time, as I am trying to improve my skills. After seeing a blog post at Prudent Baby on using a serger to do neat things (Jaime even did a video to make sure it was clear!), I decided to try some fancy stuff (fancy for me, the still-a-novice seamstress). First, I used the serger to make a waist band by folding over the waistband and creating a channel for the elastic. (I used the technique she used to make the "finished" hem at the end of her video...my folds were just big enough to create the channel for my elastic.) This is a departure from what I normally do, which is roll my fabric twice, sew the "hem" and then struggle to get the elastic in the channel created by hemming the waist.

For the girl pajamas, I added two openings with my button holer and used grosgrain ribbon for the tie. See? Here are the button holes before I opened them.

Then here is a pair with the ribbon tie at the waist band. Yeah, I know the ribbon won't hold up well, but I thought it was a pretty touch and I can always use the extra fabric I have to sew ties that match...or I can add elastic and sew a bow in place where the button holes are.


Finally, as flannel shrinks so much, I left the legs of the pajama pants unfinished except for a rolled hem stitch. When they've been washed and dried a number of times, I'll go ahead and sew a proper hem. In the meantime, the edges won't fray in the wash and everything still looks neat.

If you're interested, I used McCall's Easy Stitch n Save #3006 for the adult pajama pants (basically all the pants, but Buttercup's) and for Buttercup's I used Simplicity It's So Easy #4039 (sizes 7-16). This is the last time I'll be able to use this pattern for her...does anyone want it? I'll put it in the mail to you if you'd like.

Progress!

I got two Valentine's Day items finished yesterday, so I'm ahead of my self-imposed February 1 deadline.

Buttercup's pajama pants came out super cute, especially with the little tiny bow I added to encourage her to wear them frontwards! (Now, let's just hope I put the bow on the FRONT...I just saw her wearing them and I am beginning to wonder...hmmmm.) Notice that I almost ran out of the thread I was using. I finished in the nick of time. (I keep offering Valiant and Superman some heart pajamas, but so far, they're holding firm in the conviction that they just don't need them!)

Pajama pants are so easy to sew, I encourage anyone who's wanting to start sewing to start with them. They are very forgiving, as you really don't have fit issues and they are instantly gratifying...people are wearing things you made! They've been a terrific way to get better at sewing.

The other thing I finished was the "easy Valentine's wreath" from Little Birdie Secrets. They have a little tutorial if you click on the link, but it was basically like making those tissue paper flowers we used to make in elementary school, except you use fabric and a styrofoam wreath form. It was super easy and it turned out really well. Superman was pleasantly surprised, I think, but I'll let you judge for yourself.

I think it looks really festive on our front door and it was exactly the kind of thing I was looking for, so I'm really pleased.

Now I'm ready to start embellishing some towels and making a ton of Valentine's Cards...and getting much closer to that February 1 deadline...

Valentine's Day will arrive before you know it...

Boys don't really care about Valentine's Day, so it has only been since Buttercup has been old enough to voice an opinion (strongly, I might add), that we've really acknowledge Valentine's Day in our family. Oh, I've always gotten the kids a little present to celebrate the day, but we really haven't done much more. Plus, both Charming and Valiant celebrate their birthdays in February, so trust me, they were interested in those days, not some "kissing" holiday!

Well, along came the girl, and that all changed. So, today I'll be whipping up a pair of pajama pants out of this fabric. Pajama pants are easy peasy and she likes to celebrate each season with an appropriate pair.

Then, later this week, we'll be working on this cool Valentine's Wreath from Little Birdie Secret's...I found the wreath form at Jo-Ann's (Michael's didn't carry it)...unfortunately, Jo-Ann's was packed and so we'll head back later in the week to get the fabric.

Also, I was very brave and I've committed to being part of Little Birdie Secret's Valentine's Card swap? What was I thinking?...I've only made a few hand-made cards in my life. I guess this is one way to make sure I try new things.

This is what I'll be doing today...what about you?