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Saturday, April 12, 2014

Easter Toddler Bonnet for Kid's Clothes Week

This is my second project for Kid's Clothes Week, a bonnet I saw on the popular blog, Sew Mama Sew. The bonnet is originally by Martha Pullen, you can read more about her and the bonnet featured in the Sew Mama Sew article. They provide 2 sizes for the free tutorial, but I needed one for my toddler. I decided to wing it and after measuring my toddler's head in both directions, I decided to cut my rectangles 16 x 11. I kept the chin ties the same size. She has a 20" head circumference. It turned out great! I had to modify one of the last steps since I was not using bias trim. I had to fold the raw edges in and press before topstitching the long front edge closed.

Overall, I loved this pattern. It is cute and super easy. It pulls together quickly and with great results. It is much faster than the previous bonnet pattern I had been using with a separate pattern piece for the brim. I hope to make this bonnet again in a coordinating fabric for her Easter dress.




Tuesday, April 8, 2014

DIY Princess Anna Hat for Kid's Week

Well I am jumping into Kid's Clothes Week a day late, I was sick all day on Monday. I am taking this week to focus on play clothing projects for my daughter, who has all the clothes she needs. Without any prompting this morning as she was rifling through her hat box by the door, (yeah she has a box just for hats) she told me she needed a "Frozen" hat.

So, I did some searches and found a couple of Princess Anna hats people have made, but none of them were what I really wanted. I always try to use up fabric that I already have before running out to buy more and I already had some purple and white fleece. The idea of Kids Clothes Week is to sew for your children for an hour a day and this project seemed perfect, even more so because my daughter suggested it.

I drafted outer pieces based on images of Princess Anna in her hat and lining pieces about an inch longer at the face framing side so that the white would show when I turned the hat. I added a pretty leftover purple trim around the hat. I ended up unhappy with the way the pointy ear flaps stick outward and look silly so I added a chin strap after I completed the hat. I would take this into account in future revisions of the hat.

There is also elastic inserted in the bottom of the back of the hat to help bring it in and shape properly around the head.


Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Little Explorer Toddler Vest with Babar Lining and Gusset Pockets

I am so excited about the sew-along on Alida Makes! It's called "Calling All Kids". It starts on April 7th, 2014. The theme is non-gender conforming clothing for children. I love this theme. It really is a challenge to find girl's clothing that isn't pink and glittery. That's one of the best things about sewing your own children's clothing, you are in charge from start to finish.

I decided to make something that has been on my radar for quite a while. I had some new fabric featuring Babar and I have always wanted to make the Little Explorer vest from Little Things To Sew by Oliver + S. I decided to make it happen in conjunction with this sew-along.

I am really lucky to have such a great place to explore right in my own backyard. I live on Whidbey Island and we have beach access behind my house where we happened upon some daffodils in the field. It was the perfect setting to show off this cute outfit.

The little explorer spies a patch of daffodils.

Maybe just one?

Okay maybe four...

We must continue the journey.

For more!

Off on another adventure...