The end of KCW

I'm always sad to write this post because it's the end of Kids Clothing Week and I love the focus and purpose that comes with participating in this week. This year I managed to finish 5 pieces, I still have 3 in progress (hopefully to be finished this week) and I have a list of new ideas as long as my arm (not sure yet if that is a good thing or a bad thing).

Here are the last few pieces I managed to finish.

The "almost" finished category has the pieces for my little guy. Hopefully I can get those done this week but after a few mis-cuts...I'm taking just a little break to get focused again.

KCW Day 2 - A little dose of spring

I had hoped to get some photo's of this skirt being worn. But other than a brief fashion show over pajamas we just didn't get there today. I had bought this twill fabric with the intent to line a spring jacket with it, thinking the white background stood a chance if it was facing away from the dirt that my daughter always seems to find. In the end I couldn't resist doing something to show it off, and since she loved it too AND it's not pink or purple here's hoping it makes it through at least a couple of wearings!

I used the simple skirt tutorial from MADE. I love the tutorials Dana writes, they were some of the first ones I found when I started sewing 18 months ago and while I haven't had a chance to use many of them yet they have stayed on my to do list for ages.

 
Of course I had to use my little tags again. That's all for today but I have more coming for tomorrow!

KCW Day 1

I'd already started cutting patterns and fabric but last night I had to put all my fabrics together just to get the hilarious "before" shot. Something about having a big pile of fabric, especially when I have a plan for all of it, makes me a little giddy and a little panicky all at once.

On the one hand I love having new pieces I've made go into my kids closets, there is nothing better than seeing them come out in the morning having chosen to wear something homemade (of course there is always the other side of that coin....I'm just choosing to pretend that doesn't happpen this week.) There is also the pressure that comes with having committed to all of these projects and the time it really takes to get from this pile to completed pieces. Either way...off we go!

Day 1, Project1 Complete!

This little dress & diaper cover set are a gift for a little girl we know. I fell in love with the simplicity of this sundress pattern when I found it way back when but this was the first time I've actually sewn it.

I paired it with a diaper cover using this tutorial from Dana at MADE. Because I chose to put the bias tape on the diaper cover (should've just done a ruffle...) the diaper cover took me about 3x longer than the dress. In the end I'm happy with the result, I think it's a cute, versatile summer set that can work as separates and grow with baby. I am looking forward to putting together a dress for my 4 year old soon!

And looking at the little brand & size tags...just makes me happy!

Happy sewing!

KCW Planning

Are you stocking up on fabric for next week's Kids Clothing Week? I happen to have a pretty good stockpile of fabrics already so I'm now at the point of trying to decide what to make, and which fabrics to use. I have also realised my clothing list is pretty girl heavy so I may need to run out and find something suitable for my little guy.

Here is the list I have going so far:

1. Pink & Polka Dot Tunic (my design)
2. Coral & Polka Dot Sundress (my design)
3. Purple Halter
4. Chevron Skirt
5. Boys Spring Poncho
6. Girls Spring Poncho

Other ideas I don't have fabric for.... boys shirt (I really love the one here), unisex hoodie (something like this one), fabric headbands (nothing like a little scrap busting that can also work as loot bag fillers when birthday season arrives next month).

On top of all of this there are 2 tops for me I'd like to finish, plus 2 fantastic patchwork poufs I've been commissioned for based on this one we found on pinterest:

Do you pre-cut all your fabrics and patterns and use the kids clothing week as pure sewing time? Or do you do all your prep as you go? I have to confess that the previous 2 challenges I've really struggled to get all my prep done and usually end up with only one or two pieces completed at the end. I'm really hoping this week to have a good pile of completed projects ready for spring / summer this year so I'm planning to do all the shopping, washing and pattern cutting in advance. This way it becomes an hour of pinning and sewing each day. We'll see how well that works out! :)

I can't wait!

I am so looking forward to this year's kids clothes week. I have been working on some of my own patterns this year and I can't wait to share them this April. Some have already made it into my etsy shop, others are waiting for a more formal debut.

Be sure to stop by the week of April 22 to check them out!

The Soup Rut

I love soup, it's one of the best parts of winter. When it's cold outside and you're chilled it's the perfect meal. And this is what it looks like outside...brrr!

 

Of course, to my dismay, my kids have refused to eat any form of homemade soup or stew until recently. If it didn't come from a can they would take one taste and push it away. That isn't to say they would eat a wide variety of canned soups, they eat 2 varieties, tomato and cream of mushroom. I tried making homemade tomato soup....nope!

So when I happened upon this tomato tortellini soup on pinterest I thought soup may be worth another try. How perfect could it be, with a base of their favourite tomato soup, combined with pasta, their number one choice for dinner any night...it had to work.

Here is how mine turned out.

I didn't stick 100% to the recipe since I didn't have enough cream cheese or the right flavor. Instead I used plain cream cheese with a little cream, plus a sprinkle of cheddar to add more flavor  The kids loved it! Ate it for dinner and left overs the next day. Of course next time I plan to work from a tomato sauce instead of soup....but at least we're on our way out of the soup rut.

Welcome 2013

So I don't feel like I'm in a position to post a 2012 recap at this point. Most of the last year was spent bouncing from project to project, experiencing surprise and disbelief when projects worked out, awe when something was purchased followed by sheer terror that I would now need to build it. Oddly enough the projects have worked out. I start this year much more confident in my sewing skills, more focused in what I want to achieve throughout the year and more committed to this creative path I'm on.

When I started this blog I wasn't really sure what the goal was and when I read past posts I can see this. I'm not experienced at sewing so teaching wasn't a natural fit, I'm shy so 'show and tell' was a struggle, but I was determined to start this blog even before I had a complete picture of the content. What I can do is share how I've learned, where I've learned and who I've learned from. Whenever I start a new project, be it sewing or cooking or home renovations I am compulsive in reviewing as many resources, comparing as many recipes as possible. This is a great skill, but a terrible trait....do you know the saying about a man with a watch knows the time, but a man with two watches is never sure...this is my life.

For 2013 I have a few new goals:

1.) Find a rhythm that works. I've written before about struggling with balance between the kids and sewing and housekeeping, I'll probably write about it again but I really hope to get a little closer to balanced this year. My first step has been defining my product planning for my etsy shop and planning some lesson blocks for the kids. So far it feels in control and I like that.

2.) Keep building my sewing skills. Really this means try shirring. I'm terrified of this, I'm afraid my machine will eat the elastic, the elastic will ruin the fabric....nothing about this strikes me as a good idea, except that I love this look for sundresses. Be brave!

3.) Develop some photography skills. I'm hoping this is kind of a two for one deal, since my favourite subjects are my kids (shocking!) I will have more photos to remember our adventures and I will learn how to work my fancy new camera.

I think for today I'll leave it at that.