Leggings aren’t just for girls

These days this title definitely rings true, especially for toddlers. Little boys everywhere are running around in leggings and why not I say, they are comfy, cosy and warm all at once and fabric choices are only limited by your imagination if you feel the urge to whip a few pairs up – which I think you should! They are dead easy and super quick and really only require basic sewing skills. Like seriously how cute are they?

 

 

This isn’t a tutorial because why invent the wheel just google “toddler leggings tutorial” and there is an abundance of options for you to choose from. That been said I will give you are couple of pointers about what I did.

• First up I made my pattern by tracing a pair of leggings I borrowed from Master B’s closet (which most tutorials will show you). I made the front crotch shorter and lower (just like most pants patterns) giving them a distinctive front and back as opposed to making the front and back the same. I tend to find this leads to a better overall fit.
• I had just one pattern piece eliminating the side seams.
• I detest hemming knits. I can do it and usually with pretty good results but if I can avoid it I will and so for both pairs I used t-shirts I scored on clearance for like $1 each. By using the existing hem there was only 2 seams to sew and the casing! Wohoooooo!
• I used 1/2” elastic for the waistband if people were curious.
• I used a double needle to sew the casing down so it has a bit of give though a small zig zag works just as well (In fact you can’t see it in these pics but the back of the orange pair are sewn exactly like that after I cracked it with the double needle lol shhhhhh no one will notice)

So why make your own when they are pretty darn cheap? For me the reason is 3 fold – 1) I love making stuff, 2) Store bought are so same same, time to live out the individuality dream (or something crazy like that lol) and 3) Custom fit. This last one is the big one for Master B with his teeny 000 waist! By sewing him some up they fit both in the leg and the waist!

I think he looks pretty spunky and definitely cozy though next time I think Aunty Nomi will change his socks and make more of an effort to tuck in his singlet bahahaha!

 

Kids Clothes Week Wrap Up

Another round of KCW has been and gone and I’m yet to do a post – so here it is! This time round I decided to just do one post to sum up the week. It made it easier to manage and took less time out of what was already a very very hectic week!!! Though this was the summer edition of KCW it’s winter here and dead set freezing so winter clothes it was – ok here we go!

 

This time round there was only 1 recipient, Master B, and only one request  from Master B’s mummy – pants, pants and more pants! Master B’s skinny waist and extra long legs make buying pants that fit hard to come by so Aunty Naomi to the rescue! I only used 2 patterns and in some ways this is kinda a review as it was the first time I had used either (sorta – more on that later). First up I used Peek-a-boo pattern shop’s Skinny Jeans pattern, I found this pattern easy enough to follow though not very polished. The picture tutorial shows no consistency with the jeans being made and was a little higgledy piggledy (I asked my partner for the word I was looking for this is what she came up with bahaha) in how it was constructed. I can tell you now I’m not keen on making another pair any time soon, well at least not with the level of detail I put into this pair (I’m thinking a larger size would probably be easier though)! For the fabric I upcycled a pair of old jeans that were in my reuse pile and used the existing hem saving me 2 rows of topstitching!!!!Top stitching ergghhh, what a pain! However, I digress if they fit Master B happy days and they look just like store bought jeans….kinda…. (albeit with a tiny tiny waist!)

 

 

Next up I made 5 pairs of pants using the one pattern – Dana of MADE’s KID shorts pattern. Hang on I said I made pants didn’t I? Sure did I just added length to the bottom of the shorts and narrowed the inseam slightly and voila an excellent pants pattern! Now I had not specifically used Dana’s pattern before, however I did previously (HERE) resize her 1 size only pants pattern so I was familiar with their construction. Now this pattern I LOVE LOVE LOVE! It is so easy to follow, has excellent sizing and is just down right perfect. Of course when summer comes around Master B will get a wardrobe full of shorts! So here we go 4 pairs of tracksuit pants and 1 pair of kermit pants (you’ll see) coming up!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

With this last pair I tried to get a bit fancy – I lopped off the top 8cm or so of the pattern and used ribbing and tried to make cuffed bottoms. It didn’t really work exactly as planned but hey they still kind look cute!

 

All up this was a solid 7 days of sewing (those pesky jeans took 2 days) for KCW and can’t wait till tomorrow to hand them over to Master B’s mummy. I have to say Master B is going to look pretty fetching in his new pants!

Suit up baby!

This is a long post and picture heavy because when I started out it was meant to be 3 separate posts, but now that time is running out I’ve decided to combine them all! So here it goes!

 

Every little boy needs a suit that is smart, elegant and classic. Master B’s new suit is all that, with a touch of grandpa’s essence. I made it from grey oxford (or was it chambray?) fabric I had in my stash and lined with it with very little boy friendly Ikea trucks. To be honest the pictures speak for themselves, faux pockets on both the vest and pants with a button closure. I did try a new pants pattern that I have wanted to try, but until Master B’s tries the outfit on I have no idea if I’m happy with the outcome!

   

 

But what suit isn’t complete without a tie or 2?

 

Add them to the vest and you have a totally adorable look! (Hmmm maybe I should have made a shirt too?)

 

So what tie pattern did I use? This ONE from Kinzies Kreations. I found it easy to follow and a simple construction. My favourite was that it was only one piece. I used press studs at the back of the neck strap for quick removal but also so it doesn’t get yanked off every 2 mins by a squirming toddler! A tie tip: use a lightweight interfacing when making ties. On the red check tie I did and it sits so much better! I can see many ties in the coming years for Master B.

 

Oh I never told you about the vest pattern. I basically used the front and back pieces of the Retro Jacket pattern adding 1cm to front pieces and making the neckline straight. Worked really well, so much quicker too than drafting up a new pattern!

 

Don’t you think Master B is going to look rather dashing in his new suit and ties?

 

Retro’s back baby!

Actually I have no idea if retro is or isn’t back, it just worked for this project! Introducing The Retro Jacket. It’s bright, it’s bold, it’s funkadelic; totally hip and happening all the while practical and warm!

This project is probably one of the most ambitious one I have set out to do in a long while. It is quilted, totally lined, has a hood and a zip front closure! Plus the pattern came from one of my Japanese pattern books and nope I don’t speak or read a word of Japanese (actually that is a lie, I can count to 10 and say hello, goodbye and thank you!) So here is an insight.

I treat it like fabric Lego. Find the piece that matches the picture and attach. Next piece and so on and so on. I get pretty excited when I can tick off each step and move onto the next. All up I would say the jacket was actually a rather easy process albeit a lengthy one! How did I make it? Well its lined with red flannelette, to be extra warm and soft for Master B, for extra warmth I used an old (actually it was brand new I just had no use for it) polar fleece blanket as the “batting” layer and the bright blue cotton fabric I got from Ikea last year became the shell. I quilted the polar fleece to the shell in even lines and then added the stripes using bias tape I had made earlier! After all that I just followed the construction pictures above! Result? 1 totally awesome jacket!!!!!!

   

I can’t wait to catch up with Master B and try it on him!!! This is one of my favourite projects ever! Only thing I wish I had done was add a little loop of ribbon at the back between the hood and back panel so Master B’s mummy can hand it on the cook hook (not that I think they have one but still!)

Word of advice on Japanese pattern books – THEY DON”T CONTAIN SEAM ALLOWANCE you must add it yourself – just letting you know!

Sleepy Time PJ’s

As we start to head into autumn the weather starts to cool at night. The problem is it’s still too warm for winter pj’s. Solution? Light weight autumn pj’s.

 

For the top I used the envelope shoulder top pattern I blogged about HERE and for the pants I just enlarged Rae’s tights pattern adding cuffs to the bottom and knee patches! (Yep, boys can wear tights too and still look cool!)

 

 

He just looks so cute, again the top is a tad big in the shoulder’s but I’m thinking I might sew the front and back together in from the shoulder seams and fingers crossed it stays on!

 

 

Envelope Shoulder Top

What boy doesn’t have a a t-shirt or 20 in the cupboard? So what better than to add another to the collection!

 

Today I got out the old Justknits pattern (and I mean old) that I inherited from my Aunty a few years ago and decided to give it a go. Justknits patterns are pretty cool they are just a big sheet of paper where you trace the pattern you need and get sewing and of course they are made for knit fabrics! I still remember going with Mum to the Justknits store as little kid, but it’s not there anymore unfortunately. Anyway I’m rambling…… Envelope shoulder top is what I decided to make and I found a pair of supersoft waffle fabric men’s long johns on clearance at Target for $6 and thought “they would be perfect for a kids top!” (Waffle thermal fabric is like impossible to find in Australia so this was a bargain!) Seriously how cozy do they look??

 

This is a super easy project and while I had the luxury of already having a pattern head over HERE and Dana show’s you exactly how to make the same top no pattern purchase needed! Now before I show you the finished product on Master B I have a bit of a confession to show you.

 

Yep, I put the cuffs on the wrong way! Now it has the potential to be a cool way of putting the cuffs on in the future but I would certainly have to make the overlocking smaller and put more care into how it is finished. For now though the solution was to cut them off turn them the right way and reattach, albeit a tad smaller!

 

The result was this cute little top. I added elbow patches and a pocket as with boys clothes it is definitely all about the details!

 

 

Hmmm it would seem the top is a bit big in the shoulders but any luck he will keep growing and it should fit him perfectly with The Urban Pants (they look pretty spunky on don’t you think?) for winter. Lets face it today is only the first day of Autumn so there is plenty of time.

 

I’d also like to point out that while it appears I made them to match, it just happened that way, so bonus!!!! Maroon is the new “it” colour right?? No? I just made that up? Drats! bahahahaha. Ok, I’m signing off now!

The Pixie Hat

Every boy needs a winter cap, so why not make it a pixie hat!

 

Ok, I’ll admit that was pretty lame but it just sounded so cute so I’m running with it! Today I moved away from the machine and got out the old wooden needles and got clicking away to make Master B a beanie. It is super cute and looks even cuter on!

 

For the pixie cap I used THIS awesome pattern from www.debajo-un-boton.com. I knitted the large size with 10ply-ish wool (or around that as the label is long gone and this was a bit of a stash buster) with 7mm needles and it fits perfectly! It is really simple knit and I recommend it to anyone plus it’s free!

 

I also had the luxury of babysitting the lucky recipient today so was actually able to not only try it on his noggin but get a pic as well! It isn’t the best shot as the poor kid is sick as, and he wasn’t keen on keeping it on – to his credit it was over 30°C so it’s not exactly beanie weather, but he still looks uber cute don’t you think? (Thanks Master B’s mummy for letting me use his pic’s on my blog.)

 

The Urban Pants

Celebrate the BOY has started and Master B’s winter wardrobe is on its way. Today I’m sharing with you The Urban Pants! This isn’t really a tutorial or pattern, but more so just a hip and happening pair of toddler pants that just looked so urban, so I gave them a name!

These pants started their life as a pair of size 14 boys shorts purchased for the bargain price of $2 on clearance at kMart! Then using my adapted MADE basic pants pattern I kept as much of the detail bits as I could and converted them into pants (about a size 1)!

 

I love that I managed to save all the pockets and the side seam. A quick list of what I did:

• Cut the short along the back crutch and down the inseam. Opening up the shorts.
• Folded down the waist band allowance on the pattern and lined it with the top of the shorts
• Slightly overlapping the side seams of the front and back of the pattern I traced the pants onto the shorts (I really should have got photo’s of this) and cut them out.
• Basically this left me with only 3 seams to sew – the front, the back and the inseam (of course I also hemmed them)
• That is pretty much it. It was a little fiddly cause of the back pockets. Oh, I also angled the front belt loops and added a 3rd belt loop (it’s covering the rough front seam)

The best thing was they contained adjustable elastic!! So I just shortened it up and now they can be tightened and loosened as required!

 

So happy with how they came out. Master B is going to be rockin these Urban Pants!!!

Boys, Boys, Boys

I can’t express in words how pumped I am about Dana and Rae’s celebrate the BOY series starting Monday – “Hey Master B! Be prepared as everything I make is coming your way!” (not that he will be reading this considering he isn’t quite 1 yet, but hopefully his mummy is!) I know I have been absent of late but I love these challenges and this is perfect timing to get me completely motivated again on the blog front! YAY!!!

So, I have my list of what I want to try and get made and hopefully I can dream up a tutorial or even a pattern to share with you at the same time (if I can get my brain working overtime for you, but no promises). So what’s on my list? Well, I’d rather not say just in case I don’t get anywhere close to all of them made but I promise this – THERE WILL BE TIES (yes plural). What boy’s wardrobe isn’t complete without a few ties? I am going to road test one of the wonderful tie pattern out there in blogland so that won’t be the tutorial or pattern, but hey someone will get a shout out on my blog – will it be your tie pattern I use???

 

Have no idea what I’m yammering on about??? Well go over HERE and HERE and check out all the details!

So to quote Dana, “Okay. Let’s do this thing!”

See you Monday…..ish!!! (Pressure is on!)