Kwik Sew 3506 - Sewing for my Husband

Sewing for my husband, Mike, something I have not done in probably 15 years.   Back then it was 1/4 zip polar fleece pullovers.  This time he wanted a western style shirt and I agreed with a condition.

Christmas Pajamas

Last year I decided to start a new tradition, Christmas Pajamas for the grands.  Right now there are grandsons so the youngest two - ages 1 and 3 are getting these cute Santa on a horse.  The fabric came from Fabric Fairy

This exact fabric looks sold out but they have some other cute prints.  The pattern came from

 Kwik Sew Sewing For Toddlers.  When I started this tradition last year, I included a book with the pajamas.  I am going with one of my daughters' favorite authors, Jan Brett.  The loved the story and the illustrations.  This year it is The Hat

One of our girls is engaged to a nice young man and he has an 8 year old boy.  I made him a pair of flannel pj pants from Kwik Sew Sewing for Children and the flannel is from Joann's

That makes all my Christmas sewing complete!  

Kwik Sew 4154

Remember when it was time to transition from a college student wardrobe to a professional wardrobe?  Well, that time is now for Kaitlyn, as she will be student teaching next semester.  One day Kaitlyn asked about some of the clothes I made and one thing led to another and now she is getting some mom-made garments.

Christmas Pajamas

When I look at these cute Christmas pajamas, they just bring a big smile to my face and these words pop into my head "the children were nestled all snug in their bed" (from the Twas the Night Before Christmas).  I decided to start a tradition of making Christmas pajamas for the little people (aka grands)  in my life.

Kwik Sew 2895 - Confetti Tweed

I have been eyeing this gorgeous Mood Fabrics' Confetti Cotton-Blend Tweed for about three months and in March I just knew I really needed it for spring.  My accumulation of fabric is going better than my making of garments lately but that is okay, I need some for a rainy day, right?  After this fabric arrived at my doorstep, I had time to touch, feel and admire it.  With such admiration, I needed to find a pattern.  I used to always have the patterns first and then had trouble finding the right fabric.  It is much easier to find the pattern after the fabric, at least for me.  I say that but with this instance, I changed my mind at least twice.

Kwik Sew 3026 - Popover Style Blouse

Lately I have been drawn to these popover shirts at JCrew and JCrew factory
but I have to be careful with this style that they are not too full.

Toddler Shirt

How did he grow this quickly?  All of a sudden the little guy's 12 month clothes are too tight around his belly.  I told his mom, daughter Erin, that I would make him a couple of shirts.  So while the red thread was on the serger, I pulled out some red fabrics.

Now for the pattern, just a simple long sleeve t-shirt.  I automatically went for the  Sewing for Babies book and the largest size was 12-18 months.  I thought that might be too small, so I pulled out Kwik Sew's Sewing for Toddlers.  Now that makes me a bit sad, already on the Toddler book?

If you are not familiar with these Kwik Sew books, don't let the awful cover deter you.  The patterns are wonderful basics and the fit is perfect.  A good bargain when you factor in all the patterns and design options included in the book.

I traced a 1T and went to work.  The first fabric is from a box of fabric given to me by a friend of my mom's.  A stripe knit perfect for a boy and navy ribbing from stash.

Sitting so nicely for a picture.

A side view on the next shirt/

A happy little walker but the shirt is a bit short,  I added 1" to the length on the next shirt.

I just had to show this face, it was so funny.  Meredith snapped the picture at just the right time.  I believe he is not happy with me.

Here is the other shirt, I made him.  I used a red knit, with some leftover stripe from this onsie and a label for the front. He wore it the other day but I think it was about 3 minutes and he had graham cracker on the front.  So this picture will have to do.

Little guy, his mom and dad will be moving out in 2-3 weeks, their house is almost complete.  I know we will miss his sweet little face to greet us each morning but I am sure his parents are ready for their own space once again.   Me?  I have some painting plans in the house and plan on spending lots of time in the sewing room.  After all, I need to keep him in shirts!

Kwik Sew 2966- Mood Fabric Instagram Purchase

This blouse started way back in May when Mood Fabrics posted this lovely Nanette Lepore fabric in Instagram.  I called right away to order the fabric and it has been sitting in my sewing room just waiting for me to sew it into a garment.

One thing that surprised me when I received the fabric, it is had cut out sections in the fabric.  Here is the picture with my lining fabric behind it.

I knew I would have to line this fabric and found a quilting cotton that matched reasonably well.


I decided to used Kwik Sew 2966 from my pattern collection using View B (the white one in picture).  Now this blouse is short, I added 1-1/2" to the blouse and I will only be able to wear it with skirts and pants that have a higher rise.  Think above the navel.


Here is the blouse on me with a ponte black skirt.  I did safety pin the blouse at the center front wrap and will be adding a snap to this part.

Sewing for the Little Guy

I have been doing a little sewing for my grandson, I was just waiting on my serger to get back.  The first one is Kwik Sew 3811 again for a cute onsie

I little label for the sleeve - squirt!

Here is the entire onsie.



Next up a a request from him mom (yes, my daughter!), a sleeper with a zipper.  I had purchased Kwik Sew 1037 on eBay a few years ago and this is just what she wanted

He is wearing 6 months to 9 months sizes depending on the RTW brand.  My choice on this sleeper is 3-6 mos or 6-12 months, I selected the larger size.

I added a tab, so the zipper pull doesn't rub his cute little chin.

It is a cute sleeper but unfortunately, he won't be able to wear it until he is much older.  It is huge!  I am off to make one more with a few inches of length removed.

Kwik Sew 3145

Time for some sewing for my grandson, he is getting so big and growing out of everything.  I used Kwik Sew 3145

source Kwiksew.com

I used this fabric from The Fabric Fairy  it is 100% poly microfiber recommended for board shorts, jackets, swim trunks and jacket linings.  I thought it would be great for a summer pair of bib overalls, nice a cool but some protection from the sun.

I used the 3-6 month size and the pattern went together so smoothly.

I use to make lots of bib overalls for the twins from the time they were 3 until about 7.  I knew the steps and was familiar with the construction but working with plaid was a new one.


I decided to cut out the main pattern pieces, matching the side seams.  I also remembered something from the Great British Sewing Bee, May stated how important it was to keep the pattern the same down the center front.  I tried to do this with the bib, the waistband and the pants

I have a marking pen which when ironed disappears, found it at my local  quilt shop, Material Girl Quilt Shop, this came in quite handy to help me with the plaid matching.  Once I was ready for a pocket piece, I placed that pocket pattern piece on the pants and marked the plaid pattern.

Then I take that pattern piece, move it over to my fabric, line up the markings and cut out the pocket.  After that, put the iron on the pattern piece and the lines disappear.

Here is the pocket during construction:

Next was following the pattern instructions, excellent, thank you Kwik Sew

Back view:

Back pockets, a bit hard to see, I omitted the plier pocket.

Now the front.  The label is 13 years old at least.  I was on this sewing list called Sew4Kids through quiltropolis and someone shared the link to this site in Australia, Lamington Labels.  I bought several of these cute labels.  Always thought it made the clothes look more RTW. I cannot find them online and wish I could.  Anyone know a source for something like this?

Pockets, side snaps

 The inside snaps, once again the KAM press is awesome!

 Had to put another label in these:

One thing make sure the straps measure 1-1/4" so the buckles will fit.  I had to do some unsewing as my straps were too wide for the buckles.

I did have to put some fabric behind the buttons for the buckles.  The fabric was just too thin and needed some thickness to support the buckles.

The little guy is growing like crazy, so I told Erin to put him in these quick, I want him to have a few wearings before they are too small.

Here is the little guy in the cars onsie - his mom said make the next size if you do more

A Little Onsie with Cars

I have been working on my next Mood Sewing Network garment and had some of the stripe knit leftover.  It is a nice aqua and white stripe knit and I thought it would look cute on my little grandson.  I added some red binding and a car embroidery to make it look more "boy"!  Plus the aqua looks great with his blue eyes.

I used Kwik Sew 3811, which I made here but this time with one change.  Grandson is very long in the torso, so I added 3/4" to the length.

Here are a few close-up shots of the little onsie

I used one of my new labels, after all a little boy can't have "girls in the garden" labels!

I really enjoy my KAM press, it makes putting in snaps so very easy!

These little clothes just don't take long to make and they are just so cute!

Flashback Friday - First Day of Kindergarten

I find this Flashback very appropriate, on Sunday, Meredith and Kaitlyn (my twins and the babies of the family) are graduating from high school.  Yes, I am a bit teary-eyed as I type this.

Today's post features their first day of school outfits for kindergarten.  They helped me design them, selecting the style, embroideries and embroidery placement.

Kaitlyn is wearing the dress and Meredith is in the swing top and biker-style shorts.  Fabric is all from Needle Nook Fabric, I remember making these outfits like it was yesterday!

You can tell they had the "school theme" going on.  Kaitlyn wanted the flower in the middle of the dress with the school related items around it.  Meredith wanted the school house in the middle and buses running along the bottom.  

The pattern is Kwik Sew 2625 (now discontinued)  and I made this so many times for these two.  Kaitlyns' dress is the top lengthened a few inches.

I have quite a few of their garments I made over the years but unfortunately I don't have these little outfits.

Flashback Friday - Father and Daughter Golf Shirts

This picture makes my heart melt, my face smile and my eyes get a little teary.  It is such a cute picture with such wonderful memories

This was July 2000, the twins were 5-1/2 and we belonged to a local golf course.  Paige our oldest loved to golf, as did my husband (what am I saying he still loves to golf).  We would go to the course on Sunday evenings as a family and play at least 6 holes.  Mike cut down putters for all the girls when they were young so everyone had their own club and it was just the right size.  That was the only time they were allowed to hit, so when we reached the green off they would run with the ball and club.  The girls would hit and count the strokes until the ball was in the hole.

The fabric came from Needle Nook Fabric after a weekend trip to Wichita.  We took the whole family on a mini-trip just so I could shop at Anne's store.  I brought home some great goodies, one of them this stripe knit for matching golf shirts.  In addition to fabric shopping, we went to the zoo, the Science museum and Cow Town (historical venue).

For the twins' shirts, I used Kwik Sew Sewing for Toddlers

and for my husband's shirt Kwik Sew 1882

In, fact, I found my review for this pattern on Pattern Review

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Grandson note, he spent two nights in the hospital the first of the week with RSV, yesterday afternoon he finally seemed to be getting better.  So not much sewing here, I spent my evenings at the hospital loving on the little guy.