Mermaids and Surf

What do you do when you see a custom fabric that you know would be perfect for both kids?

You buy it, of course, and make something with it!

I couldn't pass up the mermaids and surfing fabric from Peek-A-Boo (patterns and fabric shop). The dress is a little big, but she will grow into it.

I just love these shorts for my boy. They look so very comfortable.

And he loves a muscle tee, which works perfectly with a beach theme.



I think they are ready for some sun, sand, and surf!

I really need to fix that pucker in her top... :/

Oxford Sunglasses Dress

Oh, how I love a dress that looks like a shirt. I used the Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop oxford shirt pattern to make this cute dress. I added some features like button tabs on the sleeves, belt loops for a waist belt, and pockets. The belt is a little long, and I plan to shorten it a little.

Pockets are a necessity for any dress! I love the colorful sunglasses on this print. It screams summer fun! And maybe a trip to the beach.

Summer will be on the way and that makes me happy!

P.S. Yes, I know I have been away for quite a while. Who knew life would be so busy with both kids in school?! I am going to try my best to get back on track and continue logging the things I make on here.

Hope you have a great day!



Fuzzy Monster Oxford

This fabric is just adorable. These little colorful fuzzy monsters tossed around waiting for someone to take a closer look. Ha! So, naturally I make them into an oxford shirt for my son.

Aww! So handsome. There is nothing like a little boy in a button up shirt.

They're so fuzzy! 
Who says oxfords need to be plain, or boring? Nope. Pick out some super fun fabric and get to sewing. The results will be absolutely adorable.

Super Words Oxford

The things I do for my kids. I make them things. Love them. Take care of them. Teach them things. Prepare them for a lifetime of decision making. And what do I get in return? Hugs, smiles, and a full heart. Well, the last thing will come when they are completely grown up, I hope, and enter the world on their own as upstanding members of society. For right now, I'll take the hugs and smiles all day long!

I made my boy an oxford shirt fitting for his love of super heroes.

Nothing brings a smile to a boys face like super heroes, and comic books. When I saw this fabric with super hero comic books words on it, how could I not buy it and make something for the boy? He's so handsome.

This was one of my first attempts at making an oxford shirt, so it is far from perfect. But that is ok. That is what trying new things is all about. Making mistakes and improving on them the next time.

Super kid!

Oh, the busyness of life. Loving every minute of it. Hope you are staying dry and warm. The rain is never ending in the south, but we might see some sunshine over the next couple of days. *fingers crossed*

Super Hero Oxford

First post of many to come, since I took an unplanned break from blogging. It's going to be interesting to see how I get myself back into the routine of writing and posting. 

Here we go!

First up is a shirt I made for my son over the summer. I love this super hero boys fabric from Anne Kelle. Love the girl line, too. So cute! Most boy fabrics I find are too juvenile for kids above toddler age, but this fabric is perfect for all boy ages: baby, toddler, and kids.

Look at how big he is getting! Stop growing, son! :)

Super cute super heroes for a super cute boy!

I used the Classic Oxford pattern from Peek A Boo pattern shop. I've made a few oxfords, and while they look daunting, after the first one it gets easier. Amy does a great job of writing out the steps in an easy to follow fashion. Maybe one day I will tackle the long sleeve version. 

A Boy and his Stuffed Puppy: Matching PJ's

My son has this stuffed dog. He LOVES this toy. He got it from someone, I want to say between the ages of 18 months and 2 years old. When we asked him what he was going to name the toy he said, "Woof woof". And the name has stuck ever since. 

One day he asked me to make Woof woof some pajamas, because he wanted them to match at bedtime. Aww, how cute.

So I got to work. I had the perfect fabric, and the perfect pattern to make the boy and stuffed toy matching pajamas. I used the Monster's Rock fabric from the winter pj's, cut out the smallest baby size pattern for the puppy, and a larger size for the boy for growing room. Alex and Anna summer PJ's to the rescue from the Peek-A-Boo pattern shop.

When I finished the pj's the boy was asleep so I quietly went into his room and took out Woof woof and put his pajamas on him and put him back in bed with his boy. The boy was all smiles when he woke up, not the happiest to know that Woof woof left his room though. The next night he asked what he was going to wear to bed and I mentioned the matching set of summer pj's and I got the biggest smile out of that boy. He raced to put on his pj's that night instead of being his usual pokey self. A refreshing change from the usual bedtime routine.

They look so cute together!

The Long Dresses

As much as my girl loves a dress, she will ask for a dress that goes all the way down to the floor, you know, like princesses dresses do. Well, ok, I can do that. So I did.

Neither of these dresses sport the best sewing job. Practice is definitely needed in this area. A happy girl is a happy girl either way.

She now has two knit, long dresses perfect for the warmer weather. I have one happy, happy girl.

Happiness in a dress.

Bathing Suit Pattern Tester: Bahama Mama

Yep, you read that right. 

To be chosen as a pattern tester is astonishing to say the least, but to then have the pattern be for a bathing suit? What was I thinking, right? Swimsuit fabric...photo shoot...in the suit? Never done that before....Crazy!

I was sort of thinking that I wouldn't be chosen, because I have entered tests before and hadn't gotten picked, so I just kind of put it out of my mind and went on with my day. Lo and behold I checked my email the next morning and discovered that I was indeed chosen as a pattern tester! Shock and amazement all around!! Oh, I wanted to share it with everybody. But I had work to do.

The pattern is the Bahama Mama color block tankini and boy shorts from Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop. I tested the xxs size. (Stop hating. I'm naturally thin, and don't work at it. We are all beautiful and different. The way we are supposed to be.) I'm even in the lineup for photos on the website under each pattern. I'm famous, y'all! :) Not really, but I do feel a little bit special.

I went to Hancock Fabrics to get the swimsuit material because it was close to where I was working that day, and JoAnn's didn't have anything for adults.

never did use the nude for the lining, I used black instead.

I wasn't thrilled with the fabric I chose, but it wasn't for a kid, and the pattern reminded me of water so I bought it.

Then, I got to work cutting out the pattern, and the fabric, and getting everything ready for sewing.

all the pieces!

I used my serger for most of this project. I had never really done that before. I had zero issues with using the serger to sew swimsuit fabric.

I loved how it came together. I love that it is something for me since I sew so much for the kids. I loved the print even more as the project went along.

The final result....an awesome bathing suit that I made...for me!

I had my son take the photos since I couldn't find a friend who had a half hour to help me on the one nice day we were going to have the week I needed to do photos. 

He did a pretty good job with little direction from me. The ladies in the test group were impressed and said that their husbands could use some lessons (especially if my hubs had been the one behind the camera). Way to go, Son!

yes, I have an outie. :)

great coverage

I love the fit of this suit and the pattern was easy to follow. Never sewed with swim fabric? No worries. I hadn't either, really. I had no issues at all with my fabric and my machines. Everything went very smoothly.

My husband thought I did a good job on this project, but did say that it didn't show enough skin. Heehee. Sorry, sweetie.

If I ever get a chance to make myself another suit, I think I will go up a size in the top to make it easier to put on and take off. It's like you almost have to be a contortionist to get in to and out of those things.

The bottoms are fully lined. The top is lined as well, and has a shelf bra. My swim fabric was a nice quality (thick/dark) so I probably could have left out the lining and just used the shelf bra. I might do that next time as well. And maybe lengthen the shorts a bit. I am just long all over and a bit more coverage would be ok with me. The suit was very comfortable to wear and walk around in. No riding up or plumbers cleavage. 

If you are looking for a great bathing suit pattern, this is it! Sizes range from xxs-xxxl. You can mix and match your sizes to get the best fit for you.

Sew yourself a suit! You won't regret it. Promise.

Fox and owl racerback dress

I took a short break to do some family things. All in good fun, of course.

Today I have a knit dress I made for my girl. I generally don't sew with knit fabric because it seemed tricky, but I haven't really had any issues with it at all, and my ability to make things for my kids has increased. If only the time to make things would also increase.

This is the Rio Racerback tank and dress pattern from Peek-A-Boo pattern shop. The neckline is a bit funky, but that is a sewing error on my part. I forgot to gather that part, but it's ok, the dress still works.

I love this fox and owl print fabric. So cute for this dress.

It's perfect for warm weather, if we ever get any for an extended period of time. This is a great play dress and it looks and feels so comfy on her. She is ready to play!

Monster Jam-mies

I have been wanting to use this Peek-A-Boo pattern for while now. I got some inspiration from the Facebook group in terms of fabric. People kept posting photos of things they were making with this completely adorable Monster Jam fabric from JoAnn's. I just had to get it. I knew my boy would love it.

I made him some Alex and Anna winter PJ's. I used the size 7 pattern size so that he would have some growing room.

Awesome! I used some purple rib knit for the cuffs. There is no purple in the fabric but the color works anyway. They look so comfy.

The fit is great is also. He looks cute from the front and the back. The best part is that he loves them as well.

The totally loves the rock 'n roll theme of the fabric. He's a rock star!

I have a raglan tee pattern that I am also going to make him using this fabric. I just need to sew it up.
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And I did just that...

Not the greatest neckline, but whatever. I love the color blocking as well. My son loves these new things that he can wear. He has worn the pj's several times already. And that makes me happy.