Stuff this YEAR.

Things here are busy. Homeschooling. Getting through everyday life. Making meals. Getting laundry done. Going grocery shopping. I have fit in more sewing than last year at this time. I just don't have time to take photos or blog. 

A few new bibs for the littlest guy...

Sewing. Growing.

Haven't been doing tons of sewing lately. But here and there, I have finished some things! Mostly shorts (this pattern, of course! Affiliate link.) Coastal craze baggies for the win. 

Two Pat-a-Cake Rompers and One Shirt Hack

I used the free 6 month size pattern found here to make these cute little rompers for our littlest guy.  You can purchase all sizes using this affiliate link to Peek-A-Boo Patterns. It was a little bit tricky, first time I'd ever done a collar or snap placket, but the instructions were exactly what I needed to complete the project! I highly recommend Amy's patterns!

Sharing Three Projects.

I have had a very few minutes to sew since having this little guy. I did make him this changing pad! The old one had zero elastic stretch left. I made it with some remnants I had on hand. 

Footed Newborn Pants, Bandana Bibs, Baby Leggings

I used the tutorial from here to make these newborn sized baby pants (from an old t-shirt). And I had to make a matching bandana bib, too! Our new baby will need new bibs, some were completely worn out and terribly stained!

Projects Lately.

I haven't felt like doing much lately! I have been sewing on and off. 

We're expecting a new baby end of January/early February (hopefully not that late). I have done a few projects over the course of the past few months, but most of my time has been devoted to homeschooling my boys (we are on WEEK 9 already, the year is flying), stuff around the house (does the laundry never end?), and just trying to keep up with everyday stuff. 

I did make two new pillow covers for our couch. I don't know that the men in my house appreciate them. The front two longer pillows are new. I covered two pillows my mom had given me. My husband knows not to comment on how the fabrics don't match. I'm not sure I like them. But for now, they are fine. 

Two Little Baby Outfits.

I really love making handmade baby clothing. I used two patterns, one is free, for this outfit. The shirt was made using the Varsity Cowl Neck from Peek a Boo Pattern Shop (affiliate link). The leggings are the free baby Go-To Leggings Pattern from Go To Patterns. 

I purchased the deer print fabric from Peek A Boo pattern's fabric shop as well. It is Birch Organic. 

Self-Drafted 'Drapey' Gathered-Front Top with Curved Hem

I ordered the July KnitFix from Girl Charlee. I received six fun fabrics, several of which I like very much and can't settle on what to do with. (Guess I should show a photo.) I was happy with the assortment and they sent me two fabrics I had requested specifically, based on their promo photos! 

This was one of the surprise fabrics that wasn't my absolute favorite--it isn't something I would have ever chosen for myself. But that made it easy to cut into and make a self-drafted shirt that actually fits! 

Yoked Day Camp T-Shirt

I made this shirt for my 5 year-old's birthday. I had ordered this Organic Birch Bear Fabric from Peek-A-Boo pattern shop, but I only ordered 1/2 yard. It wasn't quite enough to make the front of the shirt. So I hacked the free Day Camp T-Shirt pattern to add a yoked front. 

I also made the pattern longer. The yoked front just involved slicing the pattern at the point I wanted and adding 1/2" of seam allowance to both pieces. The back is solid navy from Girl Charlee fabrics.

Fire Truck PJs

I started making these PJs for my newly-turned-seven year-old son in anticipation he could wear them in the fall. Well, this summer he's pretty much stopped wearing PJs at all. I'm hoping he will make an exception when it gets chillier. 

Short Sleeved Lane Raglan and Double Needle Discussion

I am still finishing up a few Lane Raglan shirts. I have mentioned before that I really love this pattern. 

I purchased both the striped and the gold dot fabric at Hobby Lobby. I had a small amount of the gold dot fabric left after making this Lane Raglan. 

Travel Phase

A lot of Instagram posts have been about #memademay this month. The goal is to wear handmade clothing every day of May. The past years, I've not had enough handmade clothing to begin to wear one piece every day. I've also not really liked what I've made.

This year is different. I've worn a handmade item every day! I can't believe it. They've all been the recent Lane Raglan shirts I've shared, plus two that haven't been photographed yet. I'm still fooling with the neckline on one of them.

In the meantime, here is a striped long sleeve version I made at the beginning of the month. I didn't think I'd get a chance to wear it much till fall, but it's been cold and I've worn it frequently. I've been attending baseball or t-ball games and practices many evenings.

Fire Truck Print PJ Shorts and Shirt

My kids don't wear clothing that I pick out for them. They prefer hand me downs from friends who are older. However, I still like to make them PJ's because I know they will wear them. I usually make pjs for the oldest child and then they are handed down, but I decided to make some for the middle son a few weeks ago. I got this fabric at Hobby Lobby and knew it would be perfect for my boys! 

This is the pattern called Coastal Craze Baggies, which is one of my favorites. I have made it often! See here, here and here. 

Anchor Print Lane Raglan

I apparently can't stop making Lane Raglan shirts right now. I got out my summer-isn clothing a few days ago and I opted to get rid of some clothing that I am not loving (usually because of the fit) and have plans to make a few other clothing items for my summer wardrobe. 

I purchased this anchor print fabric from Girl Charlee. If you purchase fabric using that link, I will receive a store credit. So please, use my link. 

Gold Dot Hooded Lane Raglan. And Meet the Chickens.

So I purchased this gold dot fabric at Hobby Lobby awhile back. And I wanted to make something fun for myself. 

I made another Hey June Handmade Lane Raglan top. I decided to make the hooded version so I could use a fun quilting cotton print I purchased (also from Hobby Lobby) that has gold dots as well. I used this quilting cotton for the hood's lining. 

Lane Raglan with Curved Hem.

I love the Lane Raglan Pattern. I made the XS without any modifications on this (I wish I would have added one inch to the length, though, I forgot). 

I used fabric from Girl Charlee. I had never ordered from them before. I was hesitant to order fabric without touching it first, but I looked at the weight, % stretch, and fabric content. I stuck with mostly medium weight fabrics with 30-40% stretch made of cotton/lycra blends. I dislike working with rayon.

I really loved all the fabrics I purchased! They don't seem to curl while sewing, don't get stuck in my feed dog (the teeth on the sewing machine), and are very soft. 

Recess Raglan PJ Shirts with Camping Theme Stencils

For Easter, I made my oldest son some PJ shirts to go with his up cycled PJ shorts I made awhile back. The problem my very tall son is having with PJs is that the shirts become too short very fast. It's probably a combination of shrinking fabric and a growing boy. Because of this, I wanted to make him some. 

I used the Recess Raglan shirt pattern (I've used it in the past for several other projects) with longish short sleeves and a banded sleeve. I made the size 5 but added several inches to the bottom. Normally, I would buy a size 8 in ready to wear clothing for him but this shirt seems to fit him with the added length. 

Striped Shorts....Made from Polo Shirts!

These shorts started out as thrift store polo shirts. They were in great shape (men's size XL) and only $2 each. They are the perfect size to turn into size 6 or 7 boys' Coastal Craze Baggies. (affiliate link)

I had purchased the polo shirts last year with the intention of making more PJ shorts (I made a bunch last summer, see here, here, here, here, and even made them into pants here). 

I completed these several months ago, but hadn't gotten a photo. I made the waist a little larger since using the pre-existing seams on the shirt eliminates the seam allowance. I used the existing hems on the polo shirts which left cute little vents at the leg openings. It also made them a little longer for my long-legged boys. 

Only one pair has pockets. It was simple to eliminate the pockets from the pattern. I recommend this pattern if you are looking for a fun and easy pattern for kids' shorts. I also highly recommend using existing knit t-shirts or polo shirts as a fabric source! They are less expensive and available in so many fun colors.

Lane Raglan Colorblock Shirt

I made another Lane Raglan shirt this past week! I had been given a Hobby Lobby gift card for my birthday, which I used to purchase ivory knit fabric with tiny gold triangles.

Lane Raglan Hoodie

 I purchased the Lane Raglan Pattern from Adrianna over at Hey June Handmade a few months ago (maybe a year ago?) and it took me awhile to sew it up for myself. I normally don't use ready-made patterns, but I decided if I am going to sew for myself, I should start using actual patterns, since some of my attempts with self-drafted patterns haven't turned out so well.