Katydid Hack – Add a Cap Sleeve

I really, really love this Katydid dress pattern from Rachel at ImagineGnats.  There are so many possibilities! As I mentioned in my previous post, the first thing I decided to do was to add cap sleeves.  As if it wasn’t already cute enough!  Cap sleeves are just about the easiest little “hack”, even for a beginner.  And just look how cute they are: For this tutorial you’ll need a 12-ish inch plate, a marking pen … Continue reading

The Katydid Dress by ImagineGnats

Gratuitous kid picture time:   It’s been a while since I posted any pictures of the kiddos and Erica has grown so much! I know that’s what kids do, but seriously, enough is enough. She is so full of joy and whining and adventurousness and “No’s”, we can barely keep up. Last night I whipped up this cute little dress – the Katydid from Imagine Gnats.  When I say whipped, I mean WHIPPED.  This dress … Continue reading

Halloween in December

For Halloween this year Caleb decided to be Ash Ketchum from Pokémon XY. Specifically XY. Queue the sewing machine in 3……….2……….1………… For each of the seasons of Pokémon, Ash wears basically the same colors, but the clothes vary slightly.  It’s pretty easy to find an Ash costume for the original series of Pokémon, but XY is newer, less iconic, and therefore more difficult to find. Scratch that, it’s IMPOSSIBLE to find.  Not that I have … Continue reading

And the bunny ran away with the spoon

Back when I first found out I was pregnant with a little girl, I started thinking about all of the clothes that I was going to make for her over the years. I sorted out patterns, started collecting fabrics, and put aside special buttons and trims. Now I have a baby and a stack of fabrics and patterns as tall as she is, but I don’t want to make anything because “she’ll just grow out … Continue reading

Nintendo DS Carry Case (a project from the summer)

Over the summer my friend sent me a tutorial for a Nintendo DS & DSi carrycase from Christine at From an Igloo and asked if I wouldn’t mind whipping one up for her son. Being a Lego enthusiast like my own kiddo, I used yet more of that brilliant Lego fabric I picked up from Spoonflower for C’s birthday party.  The inside and the strap are solid blue cotton and I found in my button … Continue reading

Can you lend a hand?

Have you heard of Kickstarter? If you haven’t, you need to check it out.  It’s where folks like us can support other folks like us by backing their projects and helping them to get off the ground. I bring this up now because I was directed to a Kickstarter for Sara at Sew Sweetness that I really want to see backed – Sara designs beautiful handbag patterns that are available for free, but she would like to start designing … Continue reading

Little Boy’s Wallet

A few weeks ago my little boy asked me to make him a wallet. I (bad mommy) promptly forgot! Today he reminded me when he found his Lego Official Builder Licence (which the kids received as birthday party favors last weekend) and wanted a special place to put it.  I had a little time on my hands and decided to get right down to business.  I chose to use the Basic Boy’s Wallet tutorial from Noodlehead.  I liked the accordion … Continue reading

Easy 2-hour Sundress

Jenny sent me an e-mail on Thursday asking if I might, perchance, be able to whip-up a sundress for the completely ADORABLE little Anika. It seems that they are having family portraits done and her family chose black, grey & light blue as the colors.  Since the clothes were supposed to be predominantly black or grey, they were having some trouble finding a sundress. Now, how could I say no to that?  Having my own little … Continue reading

Pattern Review: McCall’s Pattern 5214

Cross posted from patternreview.com Pattern Description: (from the pattern envelope) MENS’, CHILDREN’S AND BOYS’ MUSKETEER AND PRINCE COSTUMES: Tunic-length, lined doublet has collar, long sleeves and cuff variations; doublets A, B have belts and cap sleeves; doublets B, C have contrast sleeve and cuff; doublet C has contrast collar; loose fitting, pullover, lined tabard has mock sleeves, applique and back opening slit; cape E has contrast lining; all garments have purchased trim; doublets A, B … Continue reading

Like Father, Like Son

I wanted to make a tie for Caleb for the wedding and then I thought to myself, why not make one for Bill as well? I’ve had this nifty Alexander Henry dragon print lying around for ages, and I thought it would make a nice tie. I like the scalloped design in the background. I already reviewed the Burda Osman Tie pattern I used for Bill’s tie in my post Holiday Gifts: Necktie.  I went … Continue reading