Sewing

Spring Sewing

March 28, 2012

'Bike and Scooter' shirt

March is nearly over, Spring has arrived and we have had the most glorious week of warm sunshine here in the UK. It has been a very busy month for me – I managed to sneak in an incredible weekend snowboarding trip with a friend and I have busy with a few other projects that I hope to share with you soon. I’ve really had the sewing bug recently, I only wish I was a bit quicker at it as the list of things I want to make is growing exponentially. I still haven’t made anything for myself but I have got as far as buying a couple of patterns so I’m getting there slowly. In the meantime I’ve been happily sewing clothes for my boys.

'Bike and Scooter' shirt in sun

This is another pattern from the fantastic Sewing for Boys book and was the pattern Stacey chose for the March sew along. I nearly didn’t make it – I couldn’t quite decide on a fabric, nothing from my stash was quite suitable or I didn’t have enough of it and I had just been on a fabric buying spree so couldn’t justify buying more. I was trying to resist using this fabric, which is ‘On The Go’ in Aqua from the Children at Play collection. I actually had it earmarked for a top for me but was the perfect fabric for this shirt and kept calling to me until I relented. I traced the pattern pieces for age 2-3 but added 2″ to the length and could have added more to make the shirt last longer but the rest of the fit is perfect.

Casper bike and scooter shirt collage

I made so many silly mistakes while making this shirt and also spent some extra time matching the fabric repeat for the two front pieces and the pocket. I had to sew the pocket on three times as it was a bit of an afterthought and I kept sewing bits of the shirt together. I also stretched myself with some new techniques – French seams and mitred corners. I’m glad I persevered though and Casper loves his new shirt which he named the ‘Bike and Scooter’ shirt. It is a great addition to his wardrobe, slightly smarter than most of his tops and perfect for the warmer weather.

Rowan monkey tee

I also made this T shirt for Rowan using the ‘crossover tee’ pattern from the book ‘Growing Up Sew Liberated’, another brilliant book for children’s patterns. I ordered the monkey fabric from this shop on Etsy. I sewed almost all of it using my overlocker and it came together really quickly. I even nearly got through it without making a mistake, until the last step anyway. I think I’ll need to make an adjustment for next time I make it as the neck opening is a bit too bit but it’s a great pattern and really easy to get on and off my big headed boys.

Rowan monkey tee collage

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18 Comments

  • Reply Stacey March 30, 2012 at 7:31 am

    Your Easy Linen Shirt came out great! I love that bicycle fabric. I’m so glad you stuck it out through the challenges. I know I have to just walk away and come back another day when things like that happen while I sew.

    • Reply Laura April 1, 2012 at 6:40 pm

      Thanks Stacey, I’m really glad you set this as the March challenge. I know what you mean about coming back another day, sometimes it just makes more sense when you’ve left it for a while.

  • Reply Nicole March 30, 2012 at 9:01 pm

    I love the fabric you chose for the crossover tee. I haven’t made it yet, but it is on my to do list!

    • Reply Laura April 1, 2012 at 6:43 pm

      Thanks Nicole, I chose the fabric as Rowan loves monkeys. I’d definitely recommend the pattern, it’s one of the quickest things I’ve made and would be great for summer PJ tops too.

  • Reply Inder March 30, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    Oooh, the Easy Linen Shirt is on my list of clothes I want to sew for my little boy this summer. I love your bicycle fabric version! I was thinking of going with a solid, but my little boy would probably prefer something printed with vehicles. Hmmm.

    I’ve made the crossover tee as well, and my experience is that the pattern just runs a bit big. You can go a size down and then add wider ribbing at the bottom to increase the length of the shirt if needed. It’s a really cute, versatile pattern.

    Both shirts are really nice! I’m like you – I find sewing for children to be a pleasure, but I get a lot more intimidated and worried when it comes to sewing for myself. I try to break out of my comfort zone and do it occasionally. Right now I’m working on a top for myself, and it has been quite the learning experience but I think it’s going to turn out okay!?

    • Reply Laura April 1, 2012 at 6:53 pm

      Fabric choice is always a dilemma isn’t it. You don’t want to go to all that effort and then they don’t like. Thanks for the great advice for the crossover tee – I didn’t expect it to fit perfectly as Rowan’s only 15 months (although quite solid) and the smallest size is 2T so he’s got plenty of room to grow into. The neckline was still a bit loose on Casper who is 3.5 although the rest of the fit was perfect on him so I think he’ll be getting one soon.

      I’ve seen your top and sounds like it was quite the challenge but it looks fantastic and definitely worth the effort. Makes me inspired to spend some more time on mine.

      • Reply Inder April 9, 2012 at 9:33 pm

        Oh, that’s right – I forgot it only goes down to 2T. Still, it’s good to have clothes they can grow into, huh? Joe is finally fitting his 2T version now that he is solidly a 3T in RTW.

        • Reply Laura April 9, 2012 at 9:42 pm

          Yes, definitely better for something to be too big than too small and Rowan tends to need a larger size although he’s slimmed down since he started walking.

  • Reply marta March 30, 2012 at 11:54 pm

    really cute.
    i only have girls and i feel afraid to sew for boys.
    after seeing your stuff maybe i will give it a try…

    • Reply Laura April 1, 2012 at 9:56 pm

      Thanks Marta. I am sure you will make boys clothes that are as lovely as the clothes you’ve made for your girls.

  • Reply Toni April 1, 2012 at 10:11 am

    Totally in love with the bicycle print! x

    • Reply Laura April 1, 2012 at 9:56 pm

      I love it too, in fact I’ve ordered some more 🙂

  • Reply tina April 1, 2012 at 2:01 pm

    Oh, forget all this sowing stuff. It’s those boys that get me every single time. I can’t stop looking and smiling… yes I love the bicycle and scooter print. I would say that as a Vespa rider:) Hello stranger !

    • Reply Laura April 1, 2012 at 10:16 pm

      Hello Tina! I will have to bring the boys to meet you one of these days. I think you’d look perfect on your Vespa with a scarf in this fabric.

  • Reply Jodi April 2, 2012 at 8:22 pm

    The “bike and scooter shirt” is so adorable, love the fit! And your little guy in his monkey cross-over tee watering the lawn is precious!

    • Reply Laura April 4, 2012 at 10:36 pm

      Thanks Jodi 🙂

  • Reply simple simon April 3, 2012 at 9:12 pm

    These are awesome! I love great boys sewing projects.
    liZ

    • Reply Laura April 6, 2012 at 8:17 pm

      Thanks so much Liz

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