LTTSA: The Final Link-Up!

This is a bit sad isn't it? But not too bad, because I know we've all made some new friends thru this little sew-along and we'll keep the fun going in other ways. And I promise that I will soon work on updating the Little Things to Sew Along page on my blog so that it links to all our old posts. That way it's here for people's reference. For instance, summer hat time is coming again and you might want to make bucket hats with no hand stitching. Or you might want to make a backpack for your preschooler in the fall and need guidance on the zipper.

Anyway, onto the vests and other pretty projects!

I didn't even need to tell Hendrix that this was the way to model a vest. He just said, "Hey, what you looking for? You've seen my watches? I've got sunglasses too... very good price." What a worldly two year old.

You may notice that my buttons are not at all spaced evenly. Blurg. I made the bottom button hole first, then I went to do the middle one and my buttonhole foot would not move over the thick pocket layers. I tried and failed many times. So there was nothing else to do but move the top two buttons up some so they weren't aligned with the pockets. Hopefully you don't make the same mistake if you make the vest. I also kind of regret using crunchy pre-made binding on the armholes. I should have made something a bit more fun. No biggie though.

Can't wait to see your final projects for the sew-along!

Remember, link up by next Saturday and you could win your own copy of Growing Up Sew Liberated.

(P.S. I'm soooooo sorry that this link party won't have thumbnail pictures. My inlinkz account expired and I didn't want to renew since this is the last one. I know, cheap. Please make sure you visit other's links even though you can't see a pretty preview of it! It's actually kind of fun and mysterious this way... No? Ok, you're right. Sorry.)

LTTSA: Making Bellows Pockets

Let me just say first off- If you are making the vest this month and still hee-hawing about whether to do the bellows or not, just do it! Yes, this took extra time, but to me it's totally what makes this vest explorer-ish. I love the way mine came out and they really aren't hard to do. I'm sure Hendrix will like wearing it when I convince him it's just like Diego's vest. "SAY BELLOWS! SAY IT LOUDER! EVERYBODY SCREAM!" Most stressful kid's show ever. 

So first, you press one long edge of the bellows to the wrong side by a 1/2 inch, then pin the other raw edge to the pocket, right sides together. Clip into the bellows piece on the curved parts and stretch it to fit, just like we did on the bucket hats so long ago.

Here's what the front of your pocket will look like after you sew that seam and press. I found it easiest to press the seam allowance towards the bellows.

Now turn the pocket back the the wrong side and hem the top as instructed. You'll notice the the first fold you made is still there, but the rest of the bellows piece is not folded into the hem. The diagrams in the book are actually really clear for all these steps, but real fabric pictures help a little too.

 Then you are going to topstitch the seam around the pocket and bellows. It's easiest to do it with the bellows on the top. Take it nice and slow around the curves so you can get the extra fabric out of the way without getting any puckers.

I didn't take a picture of this step, but then you are just going to pin and topstitch the other long side of the bellows (still folded under) to the vest where you transferred the marks from the pattern.

Lastly, add bar tacks (a tight zig zig stitch) on both sides of the hem so that the top lays flat and doesn't hang open. I haven't done it yet in this picture, just pointing out what the sides will look like. 

My front pockets are all bellowed up and just need flaps. I'm so happy to have learned a new type of pocket because I LOVE pockets. Who doesn't?


Link party for your explorer vests and other projects from Little Things will begin on the last day of the month and you will have a week from then to add yours. Remember, you could win the wonderful book, Growing Up Sew Liberated.





Also, I wanted to let you guys know I was interviewed this week over on Krista's awesome blog, Thar She Sews. It's all about the stuff you care about- fabric and sewing. Check it out right here.

LTTSA: Explorer Vest Part 1 and Important NEWS!

First off, you sew-alongers are waiting very patiently for a winner...

It's #8 Grandma G! I'm so happy she won because she has participated almost every month, if not all of them! I'll be emailing you about which fantastic Figgy's Pattern you would like.

Moving on to March's sew-along, I've actually got my fabrics cut out in the first half of the month- I'm not a loser! I'm using khaki corduroy leftover from these pants and Echino prints for the pockets. I think those really fit the whole explorer thing. I'm using that brown stripe for lining, just haven't cut those pieces yet. (Ok, so maybe I'm a little loser-y.) I plan on doing the bellow pockets because I want to learn how, so I'll throw up some pictures of the process for you next week.




Now, originally I had planned on also making the cape this month and then people could do either. They still can, but I will only be making the vest. Also, this will be the last month of the sew along :(

But it's not because I don't love sewing along with you guys! I actually have a really good excuse. I'm going to be competing in this season of Project Run & Play! Yes, it came as a BIG shock to me too :) I'll have to post more on my feelings about this whole business another time soon, but I wanted to make sure everyone knew this would be the last month of the sew along because this contest is going to take A LOT of sewing and blogging energy, so there is no way I'll be able to lead a little quilt-along too (even if I don't last very long!)  So if you have been putting off joining, do it now!!

This month's prize will be a gift just from me to show my gratitude for you guys being so enthusiastic about this with me. I'm getting the random winner a brand new copy of Growing Up Sew Liberated! It's a fantastic book and I think anyone who loves Little Things To Sew will really enjoy this one.


So are you guys making the vest this month? Who are you making is for and what are you using?