My Patterns
The Buttons & Buckles Overall and Shortall
I’m not really allowed to pick a favorite pattern, am I? Okay, I won’t because I do honestly love all of my patterns. This one, though, I think is an absolute baby boy necessity! I love little boys toddling around in overalls. They just look like . . . little boys! Charlie will definitely be wearing these overalls all winter, and since today’s high is still over 100 degrees here in Dallas, I suspect he’ll get plenty of wear out of the shortalls before it cools off, too.
The apples on our backyard tree were ripening while I was working on this pattern last month. Since it’s been so hot and so dry, they were teeny tiny making them perfect Charlie-size. I adore all the pictures that I snapped of him pulling off apples and eating them right off of the tree.
Of course, little girls do look adorable in overalls, too, and baby Katie shows them off beautifully!
The PDF version of the Buttons & Buckles Overall and Shortall is available on Etsy: Fishsticks Designs at Etsy, and the paper pattern is available in my main store: Buttons & Buckles Overall and Shortall.
Inside or Out Pocket Pants in Big Kids Sizes!
A friend called me a few days ago to check in on me. She said, “I haven’t seen you, and you haven’t blogged in weeks!” LOL! I am still here and plugging away! I have a new pattern — well, an old pattern in bigger sizes really — ready to release and I’ll have one more finished up and ready to go early next week. I’m also working on several other patterns that will feature a new fabric line from Michael Miller, and I’m wrapping up my Create Hope Designs pattern. Oh, and it is summer, and we’re trying to squeeze in a little fun in spite of the 100+ degree weather here in Dallas.
On to the Inside or Out Pocket Pants for your big kids! Just in time for back to school, I’ve finished up the Inside or Out Pockets Pants in sizes 5 to 12. Like the smaller sizes, this pattern includes multiple options for pockets on the front, back and sides.
You can buy the pdf version of the IOOP Big Kids in my Etsy store now: Fishsticks Designs at Etsy, and the paper copy of the pattern will be available in my main store on Monday: Fishsticks Designs.
I can’t promise that they’ll have your kids flying off to school like superheroes, but my boys seem to really be enjoying theirs!
The Cozy Wrap Bathrobe–Stitch Fall 2011
Finally, huh? The Stitch Fall 2011 Issue has been on the stands for weeks now, and I’m finally showing off the third project that I have in the magazine: The Cozy Wrap Bathrobe! (Things have been so busy here! More on that later, though.)
I love this robe! It’s designed to grow with your child, so there are just two sizes: toddler and child. It’s sewn with cotton french terry which is a knit, but it’s not very stretchy. Don’t be afraid at all if you don’t have much experience sewing knits! French terry is nice and absorbent without being too heavy, so it’s a perfect choice for wrapping up your little one fresh out of the bathtub. (In case you’re on the hunt for it, you can find that great owl french terry at The Fabric Fairy.)
I sewed up a fall robe for Jamie using the larger of the two sizes, and he’s happy to show it off to you!
You’ll have to pick up the magazine to find the instructions for this one. It’s available online at the Interweave Store (in paper or digital version) or you can find it at your favorite local fabric shop!
Create HOPE Designs
Have you heard about Create H.O.P.E. Designs? The wonderful designers over at Izzy & Ivy are organizing sewists, bloggers, shop owners and designers in an effort to help bring love and comfort to little ones in need on the other side of the world. Four times a year Izzy & Ivy will release a pattern specifically designed for Create H.O.P.E., and 100% of the funds received will go to a different orphan relief organization. How amazing is that?
But it gets better! Other designers are joining in, too! Several are hard at work right now. Each creating a pattern that will only be available at Create H.O.P.E. Designs. You’ll be able to contribute by visiting the website at www.createhopedesigns.com and simply purchasing a pattern. (There’s nothing to buy there yet, but keep watching!)
All of that is so exciting, but what I love most of all, is that the first orphanage chosen to benefit from Create H.O.P.E. is China Little Flower! I know many of my followers and customers know Serena from Notion Supply and the work that she does there well. I have prayed for these little ones and cried tears of joy and sorrow reading her stories.
You can go read even more on Izzy & Ivy’s blog: The Big Reveal. I’m am so honored to get to join with the other designers in creating a new pattern especially for Create H.O.P.E. Designs and China Little Flower. It’s going to be very tiny and very sweet, just like the little ones at China Little Flower who I wish I could snuggle up to and love on in person.
From Baby to Boy in a Flash
One more look at the baby curls . . . I waited as long as I could before taking Charlie for his first haircut. I know from experience that the first haircut changes a little guy’s appearance from baby to little boy in a flash. I brought along my camera to record the moment. I figured maybe if I was busy snapping pictures, I’d be too distracted to cry in public.
We went to this great kids’ haircut place called Sharkey’s where Charlie got to sit in a little blue car and watch cartoons. You’d think that would make a little boy really happy, wouldn’t you? Charlie was not impressed. This is what he looked like for most of his clipping session:
The “toons” would hold his interest for a minute or two before he was back to crying and trying to climb out of the chair.
We both survived, though, and I’m happy to say that in spite of Charlie’s tears, mama managed to keep it together. All finished!
Holding on to mama for dear life . . . “Don’t put me back in that thing again!”
We had a “Big Boy Charlie” photo session this morning. I totally think he looks absolutely adorable, but it’s hard to believe that the picture at the top of this post was taken two days before these.
Look! The tongue still works!
Little boys grow up so fast, don’t they? (Oh, and a little aside from the subject of this post: there’s a bit of a sneak peek of a pattern that I’m working on in these pictures. Still a few things to tweak, but I’m planning to have it ready for my testers next week!)
Fishsticks Designs Patterns are Now Available as PDFs!
I am so excited to finally announce that you can purchase Fishsticks Designs sewing patterns in downloadable pdf versions! You can find the new pdf versions on my newly stocked Etsy cart: Fishsticks Designs at Etsy.
In these pdfs, you’ll find the same full-size patterns that are in my paper patterns, just divided into easily pieced parts. You’ll also receive the same thorough, photographed instructions, except that the pdf versions have the instructions in full color!
In celebration of my pdf pattern debut, I’m offering a 35% discount on pdf patterns in my Etsy cart through midnight on Sunday. The discount code is “debut”. If you use the code, you have to promise to leave me feedback since I’m new at Etsy! (Oh, and in case you’re worried, I have no plans to discontinue my paper patterns! I actually have several new patterns in the works as I look forward to Fall Quilt Market in Houston!)
Summer Wardrobe Sewing — The Wrap-up
This whole mama-made summer wardrobe idea got its beginning last October or November, I think, when I received an email from one of the editors at Stitch magazine asking if I had any New Year’s Resolutions that I’d like to share in the Winter 2010/Spring 2011 Issue. It was a bit early to be thinking of resolutions, but I immediately thought of how many times I’d considered sewing a whole season’s wardrobe for at least one of my children. I have all these patterns that I’ve designed myself and really enjoy sewing, and I have a stash of fabric that threatens to overtake my home on occasion—why not give it a try and see how it goes?
My youngest two boys both fall in the size range of the majority of my patterns, so I decided before I started that I’d do summer wardrobes for both of them rather than one or the other. I started the planning back in February with snow still on the ground, but I didn’t actually start sewing until the end of March. Even with all the other things that I had on my list over the last couple of months, I managed to finish before the first official day summer! (We’re totally going to overlook the fact that it’s been over 100 degrees here for a few weeks already.) I am so excited that my little ones will be wearing mama-made clothes every day of the summer!
Yes, yes, I’m moving on to the wrap-up. Each category shows a small photo of each item. After each set of photos, you’ll find links to the posts where I blogged about each item, in case you want a closer look or more details.
Charlie’s 2011 Summer Wardrobe (Size 24 months/2T)
SIX TOPS
Dino Dudes Charlie Tee, Mint Chocolate Zoo Rockin’ the Raglan, Robots Rockin’ the Raglan, Puppies Appliqued Charlie Ringer Tee, Red Zoo Animals Rockin’ the Raglan and Dino Dudes Rockin’ the Raglan.
SIX BOTTOMS
Striped Seersucker Inside or Out Pocket Shorts, Three Pairs of Denim Inside or Out Pocket Shorts, Two Pairs of French Terry AJ Bottoms Shorts
SIX ONE-PIECE OUTFITS
All Austin Lee Rompers: Appliqued and Colorblocked Super Charlie, Upcycled Tree Hugger, Brown & Orange, Blue & Brown, MM Gray & Black Stripe, Vintage Cars
SEVEN PAJAMA SETS
Sweet Pea Tank Set, Bacon & Eggs Comfy Sleep Set (Modified for Summer), Dino Dudes CSS, Tools CSS, Aqua & Green Wee Tot Lap-tee Set (Modified for Summer), Jamie Jumper (from the Wee Tot Collection, Modified for Summer), Howdy Tank Set
Jamie’s 2011 Summer Wardrobe (Size 5T)
TEN TOPS
Football Rockin’ the Raglan, Snakes Rockin’ the Raglan, Groovy Guitars Rockin’ the Raglan, Dino Dudes Charlie Tee Hoodie, Appliqued Super Jamie Charlie Tee, Upcycled Green Lantern Charlie Tee, Appliqued Car Patrick Curved Raglan, Stenciled Dino Charlie Tee, Dinosaur Charlie Tee
TEN BOTTOMS
Inside or Out Pocket Shorts: Striped Seersucker, Dark Denim, Three Pairs of French Terry AJ Bottoms Shorts, Inside or Out Pocket Shorts: Striped Denim, Ninja-tagged Denim, Khaki, Rocket-tagged Denim, Robot-tagged Denim
TEN PAIRS OF UNDIES
Six Pairs of Undercover Bottoms Boxer Briefs, Four Pairs of Little Fishies Undies
SEVEN PAIRS OF PAJAMAS
Appliqued Motorcycle Tank Set, Bacon & Eggs Comfy Sleep Set (Modified for Summer), Tank Sets: Tools, Howdy, Zoo Animals, Green Ooga Booga, Blue Ooga Booga
.
Whew! That was a lot of sewing! Now on to other projects . . . maybe something for my bigger kids? Maybe, a couple of skirts for Skirt Week at crafterhours? You’ll have to check back in tomorrow!
A Big Texas Howdy . . . the Rest of the Story
I had great plans for this blog post. I tossed around which item I wanted to use as the finale to my Summer Wardrobe sewing and eventually decided that since we do live in Texas and my boys are big fans of cowboys, I’d go with the D&G Howdy PJs. I had this whole cute photo shoot idea planned out with both boys playing around the rocking horse, the rocking horse I borrowed for a photo shoot ages ago, the one that’s still sitting in my living room even though I said I’d only need it a day or two . . . I digress. (I really am going to return your rocking horse, Kelli!) We dressed the boys in their new jammies right after we’d cleaned up from dinner, and I grabbed the camera.
As is fairly normal, the whole family joined in to help with pictures. Usually when we take pictures of both little ones together, I crawl around on the floor with the camera while Ray or Samantha grabs Charlie, plops him down in place and reminds Jamie to stay put where he is. Then I snap as many pictures as I can before Charlie runs out of the photo frame. Most of the pictures look like this:
or this:
Lately, Jamie’s decided that he should “pose” for the camera, so we often have several like this one:
and this one:
Sometimes there’s dancing on the furniture:
Frequently, there’s an argument over something. Tonight Jamie let Charlie wear his cowboy boots.
Unfortunately, Charlie was not happy when it was time to give the boots back to Jamie.
I do occasionally lose my patience a bit with all this. Tonight, though, I laughed until I cried. Really, they’re kids, doing what kids were designed to do. I just went with it. 76 pictures later, the one at the very top of this post is the only one that I thought, “What a nice picture!” The rest, though, they’re the ones that are real life around here, and they’re the ones that years from now, I’ll look back at and laugh again. And that, as Paul Harvey always said, is the rest of the story. (You totally just said that like Paul Harvey in your head, didn’t you?)
Oh, and lest I forget, I finished both boys’ summer wardrobes! I’ll be back with a recap of everything sometime tomorrow.
Finally, for the record, this is the easiest way to get one- and four-year-old boys to pose in their mama-made pjs:
Shorts-a-palooza!
Nine pairs of shorts, and they’re all done! These may be a bit . . . um . . . boring? We tend towards the utilitarian when it comes to bottoms around here. We almost always grab a tee and jean shorts when dressing the little ones (and ourselves, for that matter), so it just made sense to stick with denim for the majority of these.
I wrapped up Jamie’s shorts’ list with four pairs of Inside or Out Pocket Shorts, three denim, one khaki, all with outside main pockets and cargo pockets on the sides. I added a Night Owl’s Menagerie tag to each pair for a little splash of fun.
Charlie got three pairs of denim IOP Shorts, one with outside main pockets and two with inside pockets. His have tags from my favorite online sewing board. I also added two pairs of unhemmed french terry AJ Bottoms Shorts to finish up Charlie’s list. (Those are exactly the same as the ones I did for Jamie during the Kids Clothing Week Challenge.)
Love the back pockets on these!
Shorts are finished, tops are done, rompers all checked off and undies are sewn. Only one pair of pjs is left on each list.
Romping Around In Vintage Cars
This vintage car print is one of my very favorites. Charlie had a coverall made from the same fabric this past winter, and people asked me all the time where I got it. I loved telling them, “Oh, I made it!” I just had to sew up a romper using it again for the summer. I wonder if it’ll get the same amount of attention.
I modified the Austin Lee Romper slightly by substituting the ringer tee sleeves from the Charlie Tee. The little extra splash of color is perfect!
Charlie’s summer rompers are all done! All that’s left on his list now are shorts and one pair of jammies.
