Animal Bathrobes: Gifts for Kids

...Because it is important for stuffed animals to be comfortable as well.

Maybe you saw my post over on Facebook regarding a bathrobe I made for a giraffe? 

After I saw the free bathrobe pattern on Pinterest from It's Always Autumn, I knew I had to make bathrobes as Christmas gifts for my boys (or their animals?) 

I got to work soon after that and made two adorable robes. This pattern was so fast to sew. 

Painted Herringbone-Patterned Canvas...2 Ways.

I bought these two square canvases at a thrift store probably a year and a half ago. They had baby-themed seahorses and other items on them. 

I painted over them with white primer and then did a herringbone pattern. The first pattern was intended for the kitchen. But I thought it was too 80's-esque. At least, my husband thought it was very 80's. So I painted over it. So the blue one, seen here, does not exist. 

Then, I went with green. And with four rows. And yes, it's probably just as 80's-themed! But somehow I like it better. I just need to hang it somewhere. 

I followed the instructions from this project.

And I'm sure it's hard to tell which you like better, since it isn't hanging on the wall yet, but what is your opinion? Which color scheme is better? 

Even if I decide I dislike the green pattern as well, I've only spent a few dollars on the project. And I could probably re-repaint the canvases again. 

Toddler Slippers...Updated.

The littlest guy needed some slippers for wearing around the house. 

I used the method and pattern from this tutorial for making the toes and just added my normal elastic back (seen here and here) 

New Flannel PJ's for Growing Kid.

*I realize I took these pictures in the bathroom.*

 And by the way, that toilet somehow becamee unbolted from the floor last week. Not sure how. But my dad helped me fix it. (Thanks, Dad.) I've never heard of anyone else having this problem with their toilet. I think one of the three boys probably dismantled the toilet. They take apart an awful lot of things. 

The PJs were made with the same pattern I used last year to make my two oldest boys' Christmas PJs. But I had to enlarge the pattern....and not just extend the arms and legs (which I did) but more importantly, increase the neck diameter, collar size, and the rise on the PJ pants. 

Gardening, Sunglasses, Flowers, and Sewing.

Here's what I've been doing all summer. Not sewing as much, but I've been GARDENING. 

How have we never grown sunflowers before this summer? They are amazing. And so simple to grow. In fact, my four year old planted some on accident around the garden. 

Living Room Updates (New Pillows!!)

A few months ago, my husband and I rearranged our living room. We really just moved the couch away from the wall and moved the coffee table out, replacing it with an ottoman. (I wish it were the type of ottoman with storage inside, but it isn't.) I wanted to make new pillows and covers to replace these pillows which I made two years ago. 

Zanzibar Tank Testing & Review

I was able to test a new pattern (almost two months ago, just getting around to blogging about it now!) I tested the Zanzibar Shores Tank by Mama Quail Patterns and it turned out really well! The pattern uniquely combines knit and woven fabrics. 

A Skirt and Two Pairs of PJ Shorts

 I made myself this skirt awhile back. I've only worn it a handful of times. I used some whitish knit fabric and stamped it with circles (made with a toilet paper roll). 

It is a self-drafted yoga waist skirt. 

It is such an odd photo;my 6 year-old took it. 

KCW Day 1: Houndstooth Fleece Pullover--Yes, in June.

 The Varsity Neck Pullover by Peek-A-Boo Patterns is a pattern I sewed once before and loved how easy it was. My son has worn the navy version with elbow patches I sewed last fall several times and seems to like it. It's worn well, always a plus. 

So I purchased some houndstooth fabric at JoAnn Fabric a few weeks ago and wanted to make another version. But this time I drafted a hood. And added a front pocket. 

It turned out very nicely. I crossed over the hood in the front. 

Knockoff Shorts using Coastal Craze Baggies Pattern

I love the clothing that Boden and Hanna Andersson sell and this season, I specifically liked the baggy striped shorts shown here and here by both retailers. But I can't bring myself to pay >$30 for a pair of shorts my kids might ruin. 

I up cycled some polo shirts for three of these pairs of shorts. Inexpensive and fun. 

This is my favorite pair--I love how they turned out. The stripes matched up well. I used the side seams and bottom hems of the polo shirt, so it cut down on sewing. It also made the shorts a little on the roomy side and long for my slim six year old. 

Striped PJ's. Knockoff for fall.

I saw Hanna Andersson's long john PJ's in a catalog and thought they were so cute. The price wasn't so cute, so I remembered I had some striped fabric in my stash that I had bought with the intention of making PJ shorts (similar to these.)

Baby Hats: Crocheted and Sewn

I love making baby hats. We had a short road trip last weekend, so I crocheted about five hats in the car. 

Then I added some little fabric scraps with serged edges to the hats to finish them off. 

I sewed four knit hats, too. Two have flowers and two are just plain (recycled t-shirts).

I've completed several projects for my oldest son and a few for myself--just need to get some presentable photos. 

Coastal Craze Baggies as PJ Shorts!

I am getting used to a new computer. I now have a MAC. It's nice, but I can't use Windows LiveWriter to write blog posts. So I just haven't blogged. I've been busy, though. Lots of planting seeds and watching the grow. We put in our garden today. 

I have made some clothing, though! A lot of things. I just need to photograph them. I made some PJ shorts out of flannel for my little boy using the (affiliate link) Coastal Craze Baggies pattern from Peek-A-Boo patterns. I love this pattern. I love the pockets. My son loves the pockets. 

Blue and Gray Striped Maxi Skirt

I made this skirt a few weeks months ago.  I had this fabric in mind for making my boys some really cute shorts (with the same pattern I used last year for some super cute shorts). But then, I decided my kids had enough clothing and don’t really love to wear things I have made for them. And the fabric is my favorite color of blue.

Bibs and Baby Hats

Just a quick few projects I've been working on the past weeks...I have a few items of clothing that I've made but failed to photograph and share. (It is a little harder lately to get photos of items I've made for myself.) I'm sure I'll get around to sharing them...eventually. I've been altering clothing, too.

But now I present...bibs. Little toddler guys need bibs that cover a large surface area and can't be easily removed. The bibs we have are embarrassingly stained. So our littlest guy needed a few new ones. So I grabbed some scraps and made him a few new bibs (same pattern from here and here.)



Easter is coming...I have a few bunny bibs for sale in my Etsy shop. They are machine-appliqued with bunnies. So cute. Hop on over to check them out.

Sweatshirt Skirt with Pockets

I made this skirt for myself.
The fabric is sweatshirt fleece and it was a remnant (saved some $$!)



I originally used it for something else and ended up ripping the initial item apart and re-making it into a skirt! Do you ever do things like that? I’ve done it before….sometimes things just don’t work out.

Recess Raglan Shirts–in Triplicate.

Ta-Da!


Look what I’ve made…

Fox Hat and Blankets.

First up: a fox hat I made! It matches a blanket I made to donate to a local hospital.
This hat was made using my pattern which is available in my etsy shop.

KCW: Upcycled Red Polo Shirt

I could spend hours upcycling clothing. And admiring the upcycled projects of others. (Check out my archives of repurposed clothing and other items.)

Yesterday, I was inspired by the polo shirt recycle found here.

KCW: Flannel Lined Pants!

It’s Kid’s Clothing Week! That means it is time to sew for my boys. Oh, wait. I usually sew for them anyhow. (And I'd had this project cut out for awhile.)

I made some super fun pants for my oldest! They are LOOOONG. Which is great. Because he is TALLLLL. And skinny. So they should fit next year, too.

Furry Hoodie Vest {Aztec Hooded Vest Pattern}

I have been a pattern tester twice for See Kate Sew. I tested her hooded vest pattern a few years ago. And even though they’ve grown a lot, my boys still wear the vests I made for them. I guess vests fit forever.

Crocheted Hats

I've gotten some crazy amounts of time for sewing the past few days. (At least, crazy amounts for me, anyway!) My husband has been working on a big project for our basement, so that has left several evenings free as he's been at my dad's wood shop.

However, I have very little to show for my sewing! I'm working on developing a pattern for myself and have been "Trial-and-Error" sewing. Meaning I sew up a garment, it doesn't fit, I take it apart, adjust, sew it again, rip it apart...you get the idea! Seems crazy.

The stars aligned and my little toddler slept all afternoon on Saturday, my oldest was at a friend's house, and the middle guy was with my husband working in the basement. So that meant lots of Trial-and-Error time for mommy! The project is coming along. I'm also working on putting pockets in garments.

Just a few more hats to share. I made these hats for our church to donate to the local hospital. (Other hats I've made found here, here, and here.)

Handmade Sleepwear for my Boys.

Seems like everyone who sews makes sleepwear for their kiddos at Christmas. I opted to make some, too. But I didn’t use  Christmas theme fabric since I sort of dislike seeing Christmas theme PJ’s in April.

Handmade Running Shirt with Thumbhole Sleeves

I love running. I also love tennis. I don’t get to play tennis much but I do get to run. It’s a quick way to get outside and exercise. (I have a treadmill, but I don’t like to use it unless the weather is really extreme.)