Divided Tote, Divided Socks

I bought Anna's Divided Basket pattern as soon as it was released, I think in February? I immediately printed the pattern pieces and started thinking of fabrics. Then I sewed it up in August. Yup, sounds about right. I didn't really have a purpose for making it, except that the CincinnatiMQG was having a fabric basket challenge thingy that month. Now it has become a holder of kid socks. Mismatched, can never find them where they are supposed to be, kid socks. How lucky am I that I have two kids who wear socks, and this thing is divided into two compartments?? Probably the best reason ever to round it out at two offspring. 

The main fabric is (again) Menagerie by Sarah Watson for Art Gallery. I actually made this project before making the Art Museum vest in the same fabric. And just last week I made a little bag for a CMQG swap with the leftovers. There are still some precious scraps that will be used to the last threads as well. It's just one of those fabrics you can't let sit on the shelf. 

I also used some Joel Dewberry woodgrain for the outside pocket, trimmed with peach Lizzy House Pearl Bracelets. My PB supply is dwindling, probably because I use them in everything. Must fix that problem.

The lining is from Saltwater by Tula Pink. I think I got all three of these main prints at Cool Cottons during my trip to visit Kristin this summer. Didn't really mean for them all to go together to well, but they did. Love it when that happens!

This pattern is fantastic, just like we always expect from Noodlehead patterns. The way the divider in the lining is constructed seems to simple in a way, but it's nothing I would have figured out on my own. It was so fun to see it come together.

But my favorite part turned out to be the handles. I used this burlap-ish ribbon I got on a weekend trip to Columbus at a beautiful shop called On Paper. The store was mostly stationary and specialty gifts, but it also had this amazing little selection of the prettiest trims. For these handles, I just made piping out of the peach PB and sandwiched it between two layers of the cute ribbon. I love the way they look great on both sides and stand up so well. Details, details.

I'm sure I'll be making a couple more Divided Baskets in the near future, as many of my friends are suddenly preggins, and they make great baby gifts you can stuff full of infant accessories. You can get your copy of the pdf pattern instantly right here.

The Retro Romper: review and giveaway

This girl is ready to pounce.

I am enjoying so much all the girly things I've been getting to make her lately. But MAN is she hard to photograph. I think she is just about twice as wild as Hendrix ever was at her age, and definitely twice as clumsy.

So from wild Elsie and me, welcome to my stop on the Peekaboo Pattern Shop blog tour!

This pattern is called the Retro Romper, and it's quickly turning into my favorite little outfit. First I should mention that today only, this pattern is only $5. So if you like it, you should snag it up now... but also read my super helpful and informative review :)

Fabric: 

I used a clearance navy fabric from the shop I work in called Many Eyes Seeing (weird name) and solid white Bella for the trim. My original thinking in choosing the navy was that this would be an outfit for the Fourth, but that did not happen in time. Even so, this little romper is so summery, that even the dark color looks great. It's totally nautical- so hot right now. (Hansel)

Pattern Pieces: 

There are five pattern pieces, and they were clearly marked and easy to print and understand.  (All Peekaboo Patterns are PDF downloads.) The cutting instructions for non-pattern pieces are also clear. 

Pattern instructions:

Everything came together fairly easily. The gathering on the bodice works nicely with the collar and halter straps, which is the design element that really drew me to the pattern. I also love the sweet elastic gathered back.

The instructions themselves are clear enough if you have followed a couple of clothing patterns before. I don't feel like this is something for a first time pattern sewer, just because some little things are taken for granted, but nothing major. If you have just a few clothing projects under your belt, you would be able to follow with no problems. There are also pictures for nearly every little step, which is always helpful.

Changes:
I made the 18 month size for Elsie, which Amy did warn me might be a little long. When I got the main part of the romper done, it was almost to her ankles and just looked odd at that length. I think in the older sizes that shape works really well, because I like the vintage-looking length in the sample photos.  But I decided it wasn't working on Elsie, especially with the darker fabric. So I chopped off a good four or five inches, re-did the crotch and added simple white cuffs. It was a super quick fix, and I ended up LOVING the shortie version on her.

And she loves it too. She can do all her climbing and troublemaking easily and comfortably. See? Look at that cheese:

Giveaway Time! (Do I even DO those things?! Apparently.)

****Giveaway now closed, winner is #45, Rhonda D. Congrats!*****

Amy from Peekaboo Patterns is offering such a great prize package to one of my readers- three patterns from her shop, your choice. What I love about Peekaboo is that there are so many options! Amy has boy stuff, girl stuff, hats, PJs, dresses, jackets, even several swimsuit patterns. Go look around and it will not be hard to find three patterns you will want to try. 

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment here telling me your favorite Peekaboo pattern. 

If you are the sort that likes extra chances to win, one extra chance each for liking the Peekaboo Facebook page and for liking my new Facebook page. Just leave me another comment for each. I'll pick a random winner Friday.

***But don't forget about the $5 romper! If you end up winning, you just get to pick three MORE good ones. And be sure to follow the tour on these other stellar blogs:

Quick Tip: Transferring Pattern Marks

This was a total "duh" moment I had while making Elsie's skirts the other day, so I thought I'd share with you real quick.

I've never had a very precise way of transferring important markings from pattern pieces to the fabric. Then I thought, "Hey I should just hold it up against the window." It worked. I was able to mark exactly where the lines should be on the side panels for perfecto pleats.

I always trace my pattern onto freezer paper, which then sticks to the fabric. But I imagine it would work with other tracing or pattern paper, it would just be a little trickier to hold everything in place. Maybe you could tape the paper to the window.

I should also share that marking tool I'm using is my new-ish favorite after a long search. It's a Bohin refillable chalk pencil. I love it because the chalk is strong and doesn't wipe away too easily, even though it always washes off. It also comes with lots of colors you can stick in the pencil part so that there's always something that will show up on whatever color fabric you are using. I've also used it for marking quilting lines. So anything that helps with quilting and garment sewing is indispensable in my tool belt.




Hope everyone has a fun and productive sewing weekend. And I hope all the projects I've committed to magically complete themselves, so I can get down to designing some more kid's couture meant purely for showing off :)

Grandpa Cardigan and a Coupon Code for YOU

This is my version of the Darling Cardigan by Owly Baby, this month's LTTSA sponsor. It's not perfect, but I kind of love it. It's refashioned from one of Nick's old hoodies that was covered in holes. I somehow managed to cut out the pattern pieces while avoiding the holes and centering the plaid. Bonus. 

This was not my first time working with knit, but it was my first experience with ribbing. I'm a big fan, however I did seem to miscalculate the length of ribbing I needed around the neckline and front. That's why it's a little too stretched looking around the neck area.

But I'm glad to have the experience with ribbing and I know exactly how I would fix the problem next time. Plus it still looks pretty cute when it's on him. ("Mom, go away. I just woke up and I need to watch Barney." ...Yes, sometimes I let him watch Barney. Don't judge me.)

Also, here's a secret- The button placket is completely fake. I've only done button holes on my newer machine, which is still in the shop. I didn't feel like figuring it out on my other machine, so I just faked it. It's easy enough to pull over anyway. I left it at just 3 buttons because I think it looks much more grandpa-ish. Which suits his grumpy post-nap demeanor here just fine.

Next time I try an Owly Baby pattern, it will most certainly be this adorable City Jumper. Those pockets are killing me. And you know how I feel about piping.

Good news! Becky of Owly Baby is not only sharing her patterns as our giveaway prize this month, she's also offering all of my readers a coupon code. For 20% off purchases of individual patterns (not bundles), enter LTLGRAY20 from now until the end of November. Go!