Ottobre Coat for Lil Hoot

I finally finished Lil Hoot's Ottobre coat on Sunday (the last day of KCWC). Well, mostly finished anyway - I didn't have enough buttons but I'll pick those up soon. It is a printed corduroy with a cotton/poly blend for the lining. The bottom skirt is pleated both front and back. There are flap details on the sleeves and a four button closure on the front. I chose to use fabric covered buttons.

Lil Hoot chose this fabric herself - pointing to it clearly of the three choices I gave her.
She also chose the bright green lining.

This was the most challenging project I have taken on to date. With at least 20 pattern pieces and tons of markings on each, it took a long time just to prep the material. I was careful and deliberate and determined not to use my seam ripper. I almost made it - I only had to rip back once and it was a silly, silly mistake. I learned a lot about garment construction and I can't wait to tackle more challenges! Thanks for the inspiration Elsie Marley!

Lady Bug for under $5

An extension of the Lady Bug Tutorial - but how to make it for less than $5.
*Pictures will be posted shortly.

A point regarding materials - check the remnants bin for felt & fleece. You don't need more than half a yard of red fleece for a toddler size lady bug and mere scraps of black felt, or you can get 1 - 12" square for 30 cents, sometimes less. If you don't have elastic scraps on hand, it's cheapest by the yard.

Materials

1/2 yd. red fleece
12" black felt square
1 yd. - 1/2" elastic
12" plate (or circle template)
16" plate (or circle template)
lids/circle templates of various sizes
chalk/marking pen
straight pins
measuring tape
scissors

Follow the Lady Bug Tutorial steps #1-4, skip the zipper installation.

6. Determine the position of your straps. Ideally you can measure the child from armpit to armpit to determine placement. However, if you cannot then I suggest you use a well-fitting article of their clothing and measure from there. I placed the top of the straps approximately 7" apart and 3" from the top of the circle. I placed the lower strap markings 3" below the top markings.

7. Rather than using black mesh, simply make the straps from your red fleece and scraps of elastic. Cut 2 strips - 2"x 10" of red fleece. Sew a tube using a 1/4" seam allowance then flip it right side out.

8. Cut a 7" piece of elastic. (Or measure the child's arms at the shoulder and then add an inch.) Slide the elastic through the tube. Then fold the ends into the tube and stitch shut.

9. Sew straps to back as marked.

10. Place right sides together and sew around the edges. Be sure to leave a hand-size hole through which to turn the case right-side out and then to stuff.

11. Finish as though sewing a pillow - stuff, then slip stitch the opening closed.

Ottobre!

This week has just exploded with Things To Do. Today was the only day Lil Hoot and I have been home all week! So you know that Lady Bug for under $5 that I promised you...I apologize, but she's not ready yet. I will get her to you on Tuesday. I have been plugging away on filling orders and struggling to find time to participate in Kids Clothes Week Challenge. The second pair of pj pants did not go smoothly (teach me to do too much pattern tweaking) so it's on the back burner while I try something new and daring - a coat from Ottobre! Specifically the gray and black dot coat on the upper right.

Only thing that makes me nervous - my copy is in Finnish. It was a gift from a friend in Finland and I LOVE everything in this magazine. So I'm determined to make it regardless of language. And if you all remember...I made this little number for Grace's baby dedication back in the Spring, also from this issue.

KCWC Day One-ish and PJ Pants Giveaway

Last week I took the pledge to participate in Elsie Marley's Kids Clothes Week Challenge. It's pretty straightforward - sew for one hour every day on kid's clothes for one week (7 days). Just because it's straightforward does not make it simple. It sounds simple but after a full day with all its challenges and unplanned issues, finding an hour can be tough. Last night I had some computer issues that took priority, but I didn't shirk my pledge. I did my hour, it just started at 10:30pm - yikes!

Awhile back I did a swap with a friend in Finland and got some fantastic jersey prints to use for Lil' Hoot. I found an awesome One Size Fits Many PJ Pants tutorial over at From An Igloo. Now, Lil' Hoot is much more petite than "Many" so I decided to try out the pattern in its original size before altering it for her small stature. I have been collecting jersey remnants from the half off bins at Jo-Ann's and Hancock Fabrics for just such an occasion.

And this, my friends, is what happens when you sew too far past bed time.
Seams on the outside rather than in. Oops!

No worries - I'm Queen of the Seam Ripper. The cuffs are fixed and the pants are finished! And, since I don't have a little boy to go with these pants - I'm giving them away! *Sizing - the length can be easily altered but is currently ~ 23" waist to bottom of the cuff. The waist is currently at 20" but I can easily take it in for your child. It's VERY stretchy.

Mandatory Entry - Visit Mama Hoot Designs, and choose a favorite item, leave 1 comment telling me which item you chose.

Increase your odds with additional entries:

3 Entries - Blog about this giveaway, leave 3 comments and the link to your blog post

1 Entry - Follow my Blog (current follower is also eligible), leave 1 comment with you user ID or name

This Giveaway is open to residents of the United States and APO/FPO addresses. The giveaway will end on Friday, October 1 at 11:59pm PST. Each entry is assigned a # and the winning # will be drawn by random.org and announced on this blog as well as emailed.

Lady Bug Costume/Backpack Tutorial

Lil' Hoot LOVES purses, diaper bags, back packs, lunch bags - anything with a handle. I went to sew up her Halloween costume - a lady bug - and discovered it could easily be made into a pillow-style "back pack" as well. In honor of Elsie Marley's Kid Clothes Challenge Week, I share with you my process. The measurements I use gave me a 12-24M size. You can certainly enlarge it for an older toddler and if you need any help doing so, just email me.



Tune in for a $5 version of the Lady Bug costume and a Giveaway.

Materials

1/2 yd. red fleece
12" black felt square
1/3 yd. sew-in interfacing
1 yd. - 1" black mesh
2 - 1" black strap adjusters
10" zipper
12" plate (or circle template)
16" plate (or circle template)
lids/circle templates of various sizes
chalk/marking pen
straight pins
measuring tape
scissors

1. Using circle templates (I use plates) and chalk, mark two circles on the red fleece and cut.

2. Take the 16" circle, fold it in half. Stitch 1/4" away from the folded edge. Open sewn circle. This seam creates the divided wings of the lady bug.

3. Creating the black dots. I wanted dots of different sizes so I simply looked around the house and chose lids that were the sizes I wanted. Trace the lids (or other circle templates) on the felt and cut.

4. Arrange, pin and sew on black felt dots. Sew close to the outer edge of the circle.

Tip for sewing circles.
Go slowly and stop with the needle down to raise, turn and position the circle as you sew. Keep your eye on the outer edge and stop to turn the curves rather than pulling the fleece, which will stretch if pulled.

5. Install zipper. I used the tutorial found on the Sew Mama Sew blog - Zippered Pocket Tutorial.

6. Determine the position of your straps. Ideally you can measure the child from armpit to armpit to determine placement. However, if you cannot then I suggest you use a well-fitting article of their clothing and measure from there. I placed the top of the straps approximately 7" apart and 3" from the top of the circle. I placed the lower strap markings 3" below the top markings.

7. Make straps. Overcast all cut ends of the black mesh. Slip the black mesh through the strap adjuster as shown. I do not cut the opposite end until after I complete step #8.

8. Fold over the end 1/2" and stitch closed as shown.

9. Cut the black mesh approximately 1" from folded, sewn seam. Overcast the raw edge with a zig zag stitch. Fold over 1/2" and sew closed.

10. Pin the strap in place as shown on the bottom marking. Be sure to place sew-in interfacing underneath before sewing. Sew strap to fleece, double stitch for added strength.

11. Cut two 13" lengths of black mesh. Overcast the raw edge with a zig zag stitch. Fold one end up by 1/2", the other end under by 1/2" and sew each end closed.


12. Place top strap on top marking with the folded edge facing down.

13. Pin the top strap in place and sew. Be sure to place sew-in interfacing underneath before sewing. Sew strap to fleece, double stitch for added strength.

14. Feed strap through the strap adjuster as shown. Fold strap end under 1/2" and sew closed to enclose raw edge.

15. Repeat steps 7-14 (except #11) for the second strap.

16. Open the zipper slightly (so you can pull the piece through once sewn together.) Place completed 12" circle on top of 16" circle, centers aligned, right sides facing.

17. Pin in place starting with the 4 "corners". I designed the top larger than the bottom on purpose, which means that it will take some scrunching and stretching to fit to the lower.


18. Pins are your friend! Just keep pinning and stretching the fleece to fit, it will create a domed shape and more room for stuffing once completed.

19. Stitch around the circle. Flip right side out, check your seams. If everything looks good, stitch around the circle a second time for added strength.

20. Flip right sides out, stuff with a pillow form, make your own circle pillow, or let your child stuff it how he/she chooses! Pair with black pants and shirt for a Halloween outfit. Tune in next week for a $5 version of the Lady Bug costume and how to make an antenna headband.

3-2-1 Blast Off!

Finally! I completed my first ever Rocket Ship Growth Chart! It started from a simple idea, sparked by some fabulous fabric from Michael Miller that became this shirt.


So I toyed with the idea for a bit, for months actually. I wanted a chart that could be easily transferred, stored and shipped - fabric. I wanted a chart that could capture everything - 1' to 6' tall. I wanted the Rocket Ship to move (but not get lost or eaten) - velcro and ribbon. After that it was just a matter of detail, which I am still tweaking. It has been quite a process, hours upon hours of digitizing the embroideries, tweaking them, stitching it out, marking the scale, testing fabric markers, ironing, photographing, photographing again (and again and again). This Rocket Ship will go to its new home soon, but the item is up in my shop and available for purchase.

Loose Ends

Right now, most of my energy is going toward taking care of this unhappy fellow. Hoot Dog isn't feeling so good. He has seasonal allergies that attack him in the fall. Last year was mild and didn't require a trip to the vet, so I was hoping that our move meant that his allergies wouldn't flare up here in Missouri. I was wrong. He's back scratching, nibbling and generally causing himself harm. We have an appointment at a specialty clinic this afternoon (since long term use of the steroids given at most local clinics cause kidney failure and other horrible side effects).

Until then, I'm trimming threads and doing final construction on this Rocket Ship growth chart.

It's only my second growth chart, but I am close to working out most of the kinks. So don't judge me until it's completely, but here it is about 75% complete.





And a few sets of fabric letters. This project needed some tweaking as well but I finally found a combination that works for me. The top fabric is a designer cotton that coordinates to the letter (B for blueberries, C for cupcakes, L for lion, etc.). The back is a coordinating fleece or flannel so it will stick to a felt or flannel quiet board or book. And sandwiched in between is a layer of flannel (in this case an upcycled bed sheet). With the multiple lines of stitching this gives the letters a bit of stiffness but still keeps them soft. I chose to trim the edges with pinking shears because I think it looks neat and minimizes the fraying, which is still an intentional part of the project but I like a slightly frayed look over complete chaos.

Quilting for the First Time

I'd never had much desire to quilt until recently. Most of my exposure has been to traditional quilting, which I admire and appreciate but it just doesn't fit my design aesthetic. Recently though my mind has been changing - modern fabrics in traditional quilts, traditional fabrics in modern quilts, quilting as art and art as quilting - the options are endless.

I am in love with this Color Wheel Quilt from Purl.


And a friend of mine just introduced me to this wonderful quilt from Tweedle Dee Designs on her Cut to Pieces blog:

Where Bluebirds Fly

There is even a very beautiful story behind this quilt - despair and hope and ultimately God's blessing and provision, which Angela was kind enough to share with us all. I have had visions of a few wall hangings for Lil Hoot's room and for play but nothing so beautiful as this quilt! Talk about inspiration!

So, at the urging of my online group of Ravelry Moms, I joined their Quilting Bee and took the plunge into the world of quilting. September is our first month and after catching the excitement from the other Moms, I did my first square this weekend. Here's my part of the quilt:


It's part of the Star Quilt-Along Week found on Crazy Mom Quilts. If you haven't stopped by her blog, I encourage you to do so. There is some awesome information for quilters on her site, but she is also more than just quilts and has a whole list of awesome tutorials.

So here I am, joining the world of quilters in a very cautious fashion, thankful for all the wonderful bloggers out there who make learning quilting more accessible than ever before!

And now, I'm off to work on a super-fun project that I will hopefully unviel soon!

Quiet Books

The theme of my creative life at the moment - quiet books. It's a labor of love. Each page starts from an idea, then there's some research, then a line drawing and then I digitize it into an embroidery. I have started primarily with animals and this week I added the following to my "zoo":

A Newt

A Rhino

A Hippo

An Elephant

Lil Hoot and I have also been busy in the kitchen this week. Last night we made a new dish - calzones filled with cheese and kale and a smidgen of marinara sauce. SO YUMMY!