8/31/2015

Boys in blue dresses

I recently bought the Caroline dress pattern and decided it was a perfect to make two for my nieces. My brother helped us put in a new tub and drywall in our bathroom and I felt like dresses would be the perfect payment, I'm sure he will agree ;0)

At this point I need to remind you I only have boys and I haven't yet given these dresses to my nieces yet so...two of my very lucky children got to "model" them for me.

 This dude actually loved wearing a dress, lol! I was seriously dying over how cute he was in it! If my husband and I ever have a girl we sure would make a cute one, haha!



 
 This guy made me pay him and promise not to show his face. It was a serious battle to get him in the dress I tell you but he did buy candy and a spider (at the dollar store, I don't pay that good!) and thought they were pretty cool prizes. I don't know why it was such a big deal to me to have a model but it sure was fun (insert evil grin)!!!

The pattern was so easy to follow! I have never done a zipper (aside from these shorts) and Hayley explained how to do it so well I never had one bit of trouble. The sizing seems pretty true to size from what I can tell (I did try it on my boys but I imagine they are similar to girls at this age?).


 The one tiny confusing part, for me, was after you did the collar and attached the full lining the instructions said to under stitch the collar if you wanted it to stay down. There weren't any instructions beyond that so I googled it but the only things I could find were how to under stitch a collar with facing and I couldn't do it with a full lining so I improvised and top-stitched right under the collar only. I think it will have the same affect.

Two dresses that are perfect for my cute girls

Ps. No boys were harmed in the making of this post, haha!


8/27/2015

SewBoy Features for August!!

Its time to see those boy tutorials! I have been doing this for a few years now and if you go to the SewBoy page you will find hundreds of boy tutorials! Its nice to have them all right where I need them when I'm looking for something to make :0)

These are my latest pins in SewBoy on pinterest:
 Images sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Here are the rest of the SewBoy features:
my boys would love this! make a DIY leather deck holder for Pokemon or Magic cards - great gift for tweens!
 These pocket holders for Pokemon (or other collector cards) are such a great idea! My boys are all over their cards and this is a perfect idea, go here for the tutorial.



I'm in love with this real map, kids will absolutely love this and its easy to make-bonus! Go here for the tutorial!

http://www.imagineourlife.com/2012/01/02/2011-quiet-book-pages/
This is a great list of quiet book pages ideas! My boys still love these types of books so you can't go wrong making some for any age :0) Check it out here!




upcycled tshirt shorts
This is a great tutorial on how to upcycle shirts into shorts, check it out!

http://replayground.blogspot.com/2010/02/shirt-cuff-wallet.html 
I LOVE this idea! It looks so easy and I like the look of it so much! go here to see how to make a wallet out of an old shirt sleeve :0)






8/24/2015

Tutorial: Mens button-up shirt to boys

Hello friends! I feel as though I have fallen off the face of the earth the last few weeks, my instagram feed and facebook posts have been lacking lately. Its amazing how much news I gather from those sources and it really feels isolating when I'm not on them much, funny isn't it? I didn't use them my whole life and was fine but now...Anyways I digress, on to the post ;0)

I am going to show you how I resize a mens shirt to fit a boy! I don't know about you but between my husband and brothers I have a lot of shirts I can use to re-purpose for my boys. Which I not only like to do but it also saves money and helps the environment...somehow, I'm sure :0)



 Remeber the shirt I made Broc? Well Here is what I did to resize it and turn it into a boys shirt!
You'll only need a few basics to do this:
Pins
Sewing machine
Your child or whoever you are fitting it to
Thread

 
 First I cut along the side seams of the shirt starting at the hem and go up to through the hem of the sleeves. Then you need to try the shirt on inside out on your child.

I like to start with the shoulder where it meets the sleeve and pin where it fits good. remember to add seam allowance 1/2" is usually a good amount :0) I kind of forgot on this shirt and had to redo it so learn from my mistake ;0)



 Then  following your pins sew along the sleeve/shoulder seam.

 Try it on the shirt and make any adjustments necessary before cutting off the excess fabric and re-fit if needed.

  Now pin up the sides starting at the sleeve and down to the hem. Pin it so it fits a little loose, making sure to sew along your pin line.

Sorry I don't have a picture of this step.
Now hem the bottom of the shirt so it is the right length, try it on and cut where needed. Be sure to add an inch to whatever length you deiced. Now fold over half an inch, iron, fold another 1/2" iron then sew. Try the shirt on and see if it fits and if you need to shorten the sleeves, sometimes you don't need to but check it to be sure.

Put the shirt on and look at how nicely it fits!


Linking: tatertotsandjello,

8/10/2015

Uniform for Carter

I'm back! We decided to take a Summer break and now I have so much to share and do! 
One thing I meant to share much sooner was this uniform I made Carter, he turned 8 this Spring and with that he also started cub-scouts, hence he was in need of a uniform.

Carter needed a uniform to participate in many of the badges to pass them off and, as much as I hate to say this part because it sounds like I am playing a pity party, we didn't have the money to spend on a uniform. I have been looking for a used one high and low for a year but simply haven't found one! So in desperation I decided to make him one.


I am going to share all the details of making it so if are in the same situation (with any type of uniform) you too can make your own!



To start I looked very closely at what I needed to do according to pictures online and at the other boys uniforms. I found that this pattern (affiliate link) was a great match to the type of shirt I needed. Also I had made it already and so it was easy to do. Alternatively my button-up shirt tutorial would have also been a perfect match and you can make it exactly the size you need.

For the pattern I used I made it 2-3 sizes bigger since I need it to fit for 3 years. I also made the hem straight instead of on a curve. I lengthened the sleeves and made cuffs for the hem. For the pockets I made two instead of one and made a mock flap by sewing a triangle shape and sewed it on top with a button but I didn't make it a working button, too many button-holes, lol!
For them name of his organization (above the pocket) I actually was able to use an existing shirts tag even though the shirt itself was no longer usable I was able to salvage that.

By going to the site where our uniforms are sold I was able to see if they sold any patches that are required and they did! Luckily though I did have some extra from Broc so I didn't actually need to buy them ;0)



I reinforced all the seams since I want this shirt to last. I then sewed on all the patches he needed.

It was a process but I love how it turned out and it when he is through it will become a keepsake that will mean more since I made it!


I love this silly boy of mine! 
That's everything I did! If you have any questions feel free to ask by email or in the comments :0)

*I read a lot of info on doing this myself I didn't want to be in trouble for copyright issues and as far as I could tell it was fine as long as it is used for only that particular organization, if you are wanting to make your own for a different one you will need to check their policy's.*



8/05/2015

More free patterns!

Long time no see! We have been out of town for the last week and a half for reunions and my Grandmas funeral. It was the first time in year that we have left our home town and was very much needed! My Grandmas funeral was actually a really nice service and was a beautiful tribute to her life. She was 94 and ready to see my Grandpa and her son (my Dad) again so it was a rather happy family gathering with memories shared and family visiting.
Since coming back we have finished our bathroom (minus painting it) and started painting other rooms and are moving kids around to get more space, in other words I haven't sewn much (ok at all) but I do have a couple things to show starting next week that I didn't get around to sharing before we left so hang in there!

In the meantime here a a few patterns from My Free Patterns for Boys page: (9) Name: 'Sewing : Sycamore Shorts
 Sycamore shorts size 12 months to 8 years looks like an easy great pattern for all ages! Its free but you do need to register with Craftsy (also free).



Children's t-shirt
 My friend Bryanna has a free T-shirt pattern in size 4T (you can buy other sizes here) it is a great fit and so comfy looking!

MitwachshoseTitel
 I'm really excited about this pattern! It goes up to a size 14/16 and looks amazing! Its in another language (dutch maybe?) but looks easy to follow.  Click on the image before the digital book thing to download pattern.
   (9) Name: 'Sewing : Boys Summer Short Sleeve T-Shirt
 Nap-time creations just added a new Shirt pattern for sizes 18 months to 10 years so its sure to be a classic!



For those with babies here is a onesie pattern with long sleeves for cool nights or summer sun!