A warm winter dress! Rebecca Page Hoodie Dress/Top

Hi all!  Happy winter!  Today is the coldest we've had so far this year with an air temp of -17 degree F.  The wind child makes it -34F!  When it's this cold outside, you need some warm cozy clothing.  Here's a new pattern, just released yesterday, from Rebecca Page: 

This is very simply named the Hoodie Dress.  I am a Brand Ambassador for Rebecca Page and I was one of the lucky ones to test this pattern prior to release.  In fact, my version is even on their website under the pattern page!

https://rebecca-page.com/product/hoodie-dress/

I used a wonderful fleece I've had in my stash for quite some time from Emma One Sock.  It love how rich the black color is on this.  The black ribbing was also from my stash.  

Rebecca basically holds your hand while you sew showing every single step.  There is also a quick reference sheet you can use if you desire.  That's what I did.  This is such an easy, uncomplicated, yet cute sew!  

If you decide to use the kangaroo pocket, I would definitely stabilize the edges so they don't stretch as you are attaching them to your garment.  For this, I use SewkeysE tape and it works like a dream. 

This mainly goes together on your serger, except for the pocket and the hem on the hoodie.  

I would highly recommend measuring the length of the sleeve prior to sewing.  I know they made adjustments for that after the initial phase, but just to be sure please measure.  Also for reference, I am 5'7".  

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

A coat for Simon...more unselfish sewing

I love making coats.  I've made countless coats for myself and others and purchased this Jalie pattern several years ago in anticipation of making it for Simon, and any other grandchildren, numerous times.

Look at all those details!  It really looks like a high-end Columbia jacket that you'd pay over a hundred bucks for, even for a young child.

Yes, it is big, but he is growing so quickly that it will look much better this spring.  I hope he'll wear it next year as well.  

He helped pick out the fabrics.  His favorite color is orange and he also loves Paw Patrol.  The lining is fleece featuring Paw Patrol.  

It's hard to capture details when an overly tired three year is 'posing' for photos.  

I made this coat based on his measurements which equated to a size G.  Still too large but like I said before, plenty of growing room.  

We traced off the pattern pieces using tissue paper carefully making the grain-lines on everything. 

The details really make this coat fun to create and special looking.  

Here you can see the fleece lining he was so excited about.  

I found most of the hardware, velcro, and zipper at JoAnn's.  The orange snaps were applied using my Kam Snap Pliers.  I really love these snaps.  They are plastic but applied correctly they are very strong and durable.  They also come in so many colors and they matched the orange perfectly!  

Here is a glimpse into the double welt pocket that is hidden with a wide flap.  The pockets are plenty deep for a three year old.  

I really love top-stitching and if you don't like it, this may not be a project for you.  

I wish I could have found orange velcro!  That would have been even cooler!

The pattern calls for 1" elastic but I had 1/2" so I created double the casings and went with it.  The way these casing are created is a very clever feat of sewing engineering!  My only other deviation from the pattern was to leave off another flap that covered one portion of the welt pocket.  I just didn't feel like it was necessary. 

I also love the hood with the peak detail.  It looks very RTW.  

Directions for this coat are very good, as you can tell by looking at it, it takes time to construct.  I used rip-stop nylon from Fabric.com.  The fleece is also from Fabric. com.

I highly recommend this pattern if you are an experienced sewer.  Try it!  I hope you make someone's day, just like I did!

Thanks for reading!
Sue

Simon is 2--my favorite little man! McCalls 6828

Do you have a little one in your life?  I am so lucky that I do!  His name is Simon and he just turned 2 this week!  He is my first grandchild and what fun being a grandma is!  I stumbled across this pattern and the grandma in me screamed, buy it!  So, I did!



This pattern has a choice of three creatures which can be left to your interpretation.  I think they look like a cat, raccoon, and some sort of bear.  Whatever you want to call them, they are just darn cute!

I made view B, which I call a raccoon.

Wow. for you young moms out there, I have forgotten how difficult it is to get a 2 year old to stand still for 5 seconds!  Sorry for the blurry photos but this little man doesn't want to stop moving!  

Is he cute or what?  

Can you believe I made this based on his measurements?  I would say it runs a little large!  

I'm okay with large because I think/know it will fit next year as well!

He really didn't know what to make of the buttons and do you see the blue foot, leg, and hand?  Uncle Andrew thought it was a good idea to let him use a marker, unsupervised...he doesn't have any kids of his own yet!  

It's almost like he is modeling on a runway with this pose!  

And this one!

Off and running!

Sewing is pretty straightforward.  I made some changes based on my little fella.  He is one hot little kid, so I omitted the lining which would have made two layers of fleece.  He would have just melted in it!

I made this out of gray and off-white fleece.  I think they were from Fabric Mart and Hancock's?  The blue and black cotton were scraps from my stash.  Buttons were from JoAnn's.

Based on his measurements, I made a size three.  It appears there is plenty of ease, so if it's a little big, that will give him some growing room.

The instructions were good and with this very basic pattern, no head scratching moments at all!

I really love to applique and use to do it all the time when my own four kiddos were small and now that Simon is around, I have rediscovered my love for it!

Isn't that tail too much fun?  I only appliqued one side of it and I can't wait to see what he thinks of it!  He hasn't discovered it yet, so I think it will be fun when he does!

For the hood and sleeves, both called for the lining and since I omitted it, I choose to attach bands to finish off the seams.

I also made a huge boo-boo and sewed the face on incorrectly to the hood--how on earth did I manage that?  So I ended up cutting off the stitched applique from the ruined hood and stitching it to a newly cut and correct hod by securing it at the outside edges with a narrow zig-zag.

Grandma-ing is so much fun and if you have a little person in your life, I hope you'll make some fun little garments for him/her!

Thanks for reading!
Sue

My missing Mojo...and a fleece jacket!

So, I haven't been around much...life and apathy are interfering with my sewing and I feel like my mojo has gone for a trip but is ready to come home, know what I mean?

I've wanted to make a fleece jacket for quite a while and had two patterns, both equally cute, to choose from.

 

See what I mean?  I really like both of them so it was hard to finally decide on one and the winner was....Kwik Sew 3813!  I had to make it with the pockets on the front and the ability to color block!

 So here is a description from the back of the envelope: Slightly fitted jacket and vest have collar, front zipper with zipper shield, left breast welt pocket with zipper, front and back princess seams with lower front pockets in seams, back yoke, and casing with elastic at bottom edge.  Upper front, yoke, and collar have contrast fabric overlay...etc.

I made a medium and love the fit!  It is exactly what I wanted, for a fleece jacket, slightly fitted.  The fleece I used for this was from my stash and I am 99% certain I purchased it from Fabric Mart.  I had the zippers and lining in my stash so it was super easy to put together and even better to wear as it cost me less than $10!

With Kwik Sew instructions, they are usually very good and this time was no exception.  The directions are even in color!  Yahoo!  This was very helpful when stitching the welt pocket and even though I have made many welt pockets, I like having the pink stitching lines show up as a guide on the directions.

My only deviations from the pattern as written were to make my usual 1/2" swayback adjustment and use a silky print for the inside pocket lining at the left breast, right upper front and back yoke.  It made it less bulky to sew and gives a little unexpected surprise when you see it peeking out at the neckline area.  I had the zipper I used on the upper welt pocket and thought it would make a cute little design detail, so I left it exposed.

I love the idea of being able to put my cell phone there when I am out running so there's no need to worry about it bouncing out!  I also decided to eliminate the zipper shield but will try a version with it as I think it is a great idea!

The only thing to be aware of is that the seam allowances are only 1/4".  I always read patterns for SA if they are not obvious so I don't drastically alter the fit.

This is so comfortable!  I just love the yellow and blue one pictured above that I have to make it! Also, that is my Alma mater's colors--so it is a must do!

Casings for this are awesome--the sleeve and lower hem are strips that are sewn on, the elastic is inserted into an opening and then stitched shut.

I had zero difficulties with anything on this pattern!  I hope to make the cute little vest as well!

Thanks so much for reading!
Sue