4/30/2015

Sew Boy April 2015


Are you ready for another Sew Boy? First off here are a few of my latest pins on Pinterest:

Psstt. I have a whole page dedicated to SewBoy posts and each tutorial is listed with a picture for easier finding!


Now on the the other neat boy things I found this month!

 
I found another felt campfire set that is amazing! I love this idea so much, go here for the free pattern and tutorial!



Felt Valentine Play Set
Isn't this the cutest little felt mailbox?! There is a free pattern and tutorial for the mailbox and the letters! My boys have been learning about writing letters and would love a little mailbox to "send" their letters to each other :0)


Boys and belts are pretty great things! Especially when the belt looks this cool, check out the tutorial here!

 Make a cardigan from a tee shirt pattern || Shwin&Shwin

I fell in love love with this sweet cardigan for boys! When I saw that you could make this out of any T-shirt pattern I was thrilled! Its perfect fore the spring weather or cool summer nights, check out the tutorial here.


All About Boys: Free Pattern Edition (Featuring: Basic Tee & Sunny Day Shorts)
This whole outfit is made with free patterns! Can you believe how cute it is? Go here for the deets.

Happy boy sewing and crafting and have a great Day!



Ps. Peek-a-boo pattern shop has a sale on this pattern today only! Be sure to check it out!

Today only get the new Twist & Shout Dress & Tank for 15% off!

Get ready for summer fun with the Twist & Shout! Pattern includes 3 back variations and 3 skirt options!

Sizes 3 mos. - 12 years
Twist and Shout

4/27/2015

Flashback times 2! ~with fitting tips~

Here are my last contributions to Kid's Clothes Week! I had quite a few things on my list but you know how life goes and I only had time to finish a portion of that list ;-)
~Pattern details and tips are at the end of the post.~

We've had a rough week with our boys this week there was lots of fighting, lots of teasing and lots of yelling but photos like this really helps me remember the good moments too. Like when Broc helped Carter with his math homework without being asked or when Preston watched Parker while I finished up dinner or when Carter shared his Popcorn Friday treats on the way home from school (he hates sharing). These boys are good kids, yes, we have bad moments but they really are some of the best boys!


Even with all of that contention Broc was a great helper this week especially during this brief photo shoot. He did a great job getting Parker to hold still by holding his hands so my poor excuse for a camera wouldn't make everything blurry ;-)

I used the Flashback Skinny Tee for both boys. 
Parker was straight up a size 12 months it fits spot on and I think it may stay that way through the summer.

For Broc his chest measurements fell perfectly in the 7/8 size range (his chest is 26" and the 7/8 calls for 26.5") and the length was falling in the 11/12 range, however, after looking at his shirts and at online photos I decided to do a 9/10 (the chest for 9/10 is 28.75") with a half inch added in length. I am so glad I listened to my instincts! If this shirt were any tighter I don't think it would have had the fit I wanted for my boys. As is the pattern is made to be the exact measurement of the chest and with going up a size it gave the shirt 1.5" inches in ease when finished, which I think is perfect!  I hope this info will help someone figuring out the fit of this pattern since I could not find any information anywhere about it.


4/24/2015

Ultimate Free patterns for girls list

 I am now releasing my Ultimate Free patterns for girls list!

I debated about doing this for a long time (as I want this blog to be focused on boy things) but ultimately I decided I wanted this list available for others to use. I will not be doing this page in images like the boy page (well I guess never say never ;-) I've been doing a bit more sewing for my nieces and I want to do more. I have created this list for my personal use but you are welcome to use it as well.

 Here is a small sampling of the things I have created with the patterns on the list.
Currently there are over 100 patterns listed for girls from dresses to shoes and I have a big list I will be adding to the page over time so check back often to see more.

I hope you enjoy this list and share it with anyone you think will enjoy it!


4/22/2015

Kid's clothes week: 3 shirts, 1 mishap

Parker is feeling much better now and no one else is sick so it must be my lucky week!
 I managed to do 3 shirts for one for Broc, Preston and Parker, I even painted them! Although as you will soon see I had a major bump in my finishing the shirts :-/

 First up is Preston's I am very happy with how this freezer stencil turned out! I think he'll like it too. The only thing about freezer stenciling is I never know what to put on the shirt! I'm not one of those people who can come up with ultra cool sayings, even so, I'm pretty happy with this one :0)

 Then there's Parkers I LOVE this shirt soooo much! I should have probably done them all like this but then I hate matchy-matchy clothes on my boys, ya know? I think he'll be wearing it a lot this summer ;-)


 Here is where the trouble started... Maybe I shouldn't share my mishaps but I like to keep it real here on my blog. You see that weird sun/spider/sea-plant thingy? I mean really how could you miss it?! Anyways I had just finished the bike and was so pleased because it looked way good and then it happened. I dropped some fabric paint on it, grrrrr, so naturally I thought well maybe I can wipe it off....and that was a disaster! It just spread the paint everywhere and now it had smears all over! Thus I made a design out of the smears and mess. I don't know if looks cool or bad but it is what it is and I can't change it.


 On a good note the bike part looks awesome, right? And Broc is so easy going I know he'll wear it and think its cool, lol!


 This is how it was supposed to look with all three shirts looking perfect...

aannd this is what they really look like. Oh well! Three days down and a few more to go!

The pattern I used is the Flashback Skinny Tee

4/20/2015

Free patterns for kids clothes week

I have 6 shirts all cut out to sew but Parker boy has been throwing up so I guess I'll get some time to sew tonight when the boys are sleeping. Something always happens during kids clothes week without fail but I'm going to sew something (i hope) by the end of the week!


In honor of this week here are 6 new Free boy patterns for you to sew up for your boys!




Sew an on trend pair of slim boys sweatpants with this FREE sewing pattern from Melly Sews and Blank Slate Patterns 
First is Mellys new slim sweats pattern! I love her patterns and this one is sure to be great too and its free can't beat that ;0)

 http://cdn2.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20140125/thmb52e39e3d4782a.jpg
Next are these adorable pants that go up to a size 14 kids! its in another language but looks like it has great instructions!


Brindle and twig have this trendy hoodie that is super cute goes up to a size 6!


http://cdn3.bigcommerce.com/s-m91f4azz/products/326/images/1685/IMG_1503__98004.1406729833.800.1000.jpg?c=2
Peek-a-boo patterns has a whole set, shirt and shorts for 2T-5T for FREE!


 http://cdn.craftsy.com/upload/2484755/pattern/91131/full_3908_91131_Easy30minutestshirt_1.jpg
Need something quick? here is a 30  minute shirt pattern just for you!


reversible shorts
With all the summer activities sometimes your boy just wants to wear comfy mesh shorts, give him what he wants with this free pattern!


And I'll be back tomorrow with something to share...hopefully no one else gets sick (crossing fingers)!

4/17/2015

Friday finds

I thought I would share 6 random things I have found, use or enjoy. I love when other blogs do this and I have found some really great stuff that way so hopefully you'll enjoy it as well!

 First off this post contains affiliate links but all products are ones I use or have in my wish list waiting (wanting) to buy and therefore all the opinions expressed are my own.


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71VHSF7FAVL._UY535_.jpg
 Since Parker started walking I decided that he really needed shoes and I was pleased to find that Amazon had some cute inexpensive options. These shoes were perfect with flexible soles, different colors ( I bought the blue and the brown options) and they stay on his feet! Bonus they are only 4.99 (with $2 shipping) I love them so much!

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61S1hJ2%2Bh9L._SL1000_.jpg
In case you haven't noticed I love dolls! I really love them. When my husband and I were thinking about starting our family all I wanted was a girl so I could buy her dolls, play with her and make dolls clothes for our dollies, sigh.  
But I have boys and despite my best efforts none of them have ever wanted a doll ;-) I do regular research on dolls and while I think American girl dolls are top notch I have to admit that I plan on buying this doll someday. The Adora brand gets pretty good reviews on all their 18" dolls and seem like they are better quality than the Walmart or Target ones and are more than half the price of American girl dolls so... Someday....

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71e%2B4r0HhNL._SL1500_.jpg
Much like Dolls I LOVE and research sewing machines constantly; in fact my dream is to someday own a sewing machine shop with good quality, well priced machines. I have a whole page dedicated to my many different sewing machines I've used over the years. 
This Singer machine is one of my latest finds! I am actually really excited about it and really, really want to buy it! It gets Excellent reviews everywhere I have looked and has an unbelievable perks for such a well priced machine! I normally steer everyone away from Singers (I usually only like the vintage ones from the 1970's) but this machine seems to be an exception and I would very much like to buy it for my... ahem, collection :0) 

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/711U77992tL._SL1200_.jpg
You guys I am SO , so in love with this crib! I cannot believe it took til my fourth baby to find it! The size is mini but I love that it looks like a normal sized crib and that I can put baskets underneath. We have been using it for 15 months now and I will never go back to a regular crib again, I love this size so much! I can move it from room to room without folding it and even when I need to fold it, it is so. easy. Ok enough about the crib ;-)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RuLJtnXwL.jpg
Parker is constantly getting ear infections and this has made our life so much easier! I can tell now if he has one for sure before taking him to the doctor it is saving us some serious $$. We've tried two other brands but this one was the best. While I'm at it I might as well recommend this ear syringe cause he gets some really big wax chunks in his ears (I don't know why) but it has also saved us from doctor visits, $$ and more infections. 

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81xTfDqhf9L._SL1500_.jpg
You might think I'm crazy but this game is seriously  SO FUN! My family and I have been playing it non-stop at get togethers and having a blast! We love card games (heck, any game) and this made our approval list of favorites!

Well I hope you all found some good stuff here and I'll see next time!

4/14/2015

Tutorial Tuesday: Adjustable Waistband

It is Tuesday which means I am going to share a tutorial, also known as Tutorial Tuesday!

For today's tutorial I am going to show you how to make an adjustable waistband for shorts or pants that do not have one. It is very easy and anyone can do it; even if you can only sew straight lines you can do this!

*This post contains affiliate links to amazon*

What you'll need:
Elastic, either button-hole or knit 
Sewing machine and thread

First off we will be putting the bias tape and elastic from pocket or side seam on one side to the other pocket or side seam on the other side. so start by measuring from side to side and cut your bias tape accordingly, making sure to add about 1" extra.

Fold the ends under like so so the raw edge will not be out; or don't because when using bias tape it will not fray much because of the way it is cut, its completely up to you ;0)


Take your bias-tape and pin on the inside of the waistband, starting at the pocket or side seam (it doesn't really matter) all around the back side to the other side. You'll want to center it on the waistband as best you can.



Now if your shorts/pants have belt loops and you want to be able to use them, unpick the seam at the top of the waistband.

Then fold back and pin out of the way.

We will be sewing right on the edge of the bias tape.

Sew all along one side of the biastape and then sew the other side making sure to leave the ends open.




 
Now if you did not buy or have button-hole elastic we will go ahead and make some!
You will need Knit elastic to do this. The way it is weaved will make it so it will not unravel.

Taking your seam ripper cut, in between the lines, little button holes. I did mine about 3/8" long and did them about a 1/2" apart. do this all along the length of your elastic. It should be measured 2-3" longer than the bias tape you measured earlier.

Place a safety pin in one end and thread through the casing you made from the bias-tape.
Add a button at each end of the casing (about 1/2" away from the end of the bais-tape) and pull the elastic button-holes on the buttons! Use them just like you would sore bought adjustable pants!
*If you want to stabilize the elastic so it doesn't get pulled out, sew one seam in the middle through the elastic so it will stay in place.*

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Now you can add an adjustable waist in minutes to any pair of pants and it will look professional!