Playscale Halloween

Halloween always seems to sneak up on me. I have no excuse. It's the same time every year...

Pris is a little pissed off that she didn't get the epic witch costume I had in mind for her, but this little top and skirt number will have to do. I think it's pretty wicked looking, at any rate.

This top though. I'm super pleased with it. The little waist cut out and peplum are so on trend. I started out with McCalls 7428, view C. Babs was pretty fashion forward in 1964! This view is a dress with a gathered skirt, but I was intrigued by the wrap bodice. It doesn't look like much on the pattern envelope, but it is really interesting. The skirt and bodice don't attach in front, leaving the keyhole opening you see here.

In back, the top has a pretty little v neckline, and is topstitched to the peplum waistband. The peplum is a simple 1/2 circle skirt that I nabbed from one of the other views and shortened to hip length. The only closures on the top are two snaps. One closes the skirt portion and the other the wrap top.

The skirt is Simplicity 4702, my go to pencil skirt pattern for Barbie. I was going to make it maxi length with a thigh high slit, but I think this mini works really well with the top, and my girls will definitely get a lot of use out of a basic black mini.

I hope those of you who celebrate it have a wonderful Halloween. But watch out for witches with shiny apples! Mwahahahahaha!!!

The Bimaa gets expanded!

The Bimaa sweater by LouBee Patterns has been a staple in my kids' wardrobes for a while now.

I know I'm not the only one feeling the Bimaa love. It pretty much dominates Kids Clothes Week in the fall and winter months.

So when Sarah asked for some helpers to refine the pattern and expand the size range, I was all over that party!

And so, Duncan is thrilled to introduce the new and improved, sizes down to 6 month and up to 12 years Bimaa sweater!!

Yes, you read that right - sizes from 6 months to 12 years!! The other changes were minor - the hood shape and size were refined and the pattern tightened up. The soul of the Bimaa that we all love hasn't changed.

Duncan is modelling the size 4 here, and it's an excellent fit on him. I made his hoodie out of some super soft organic cotton jersey from The Seeds of Three. The cuffs are a viscose rib knit. It's very cuddly and Duncan really likes it.

He even likes the hood! He's usually not a hood wearer at all, but he keeps this one on. Pretty sweet.

As an added bonus, the Bimaa pattern is the Friday Fiver over at crafterhours! You can read how to get your Bimaa for $5 here, but only until Saturday at 10am, so hurry! If you've already purchased the Bimaa, Sarah is offering a GIANT discount to get the expanded size range. Just email LouBeeClothingPatterns [!at] gmail.com with your proof of purchase for the discount code.

Pattern Parcel #6: La la la la Ladies!

Hey sewing sistas! You know what makes me want to kick up my heels and dance? New patterns! You, too? Well, have I got a great deal for you!
If you've been following me long at all, you know how much I loooove these pattern parcels. If you haven't already heard about them, pop over to the website (just click the pic above) to get all the info about how this works, and what your donation is doing to help others. It's seriously awesome and worth supporting. The patterns are a huge bonus.

Speaking of the bonus, this would be the Bonus pattern for this parcel! One of the cool elements of Pattern Parcel is that you get to pick your price and how much you want to donate. But to sweeten the deal, if you choose to pay more than $32 for the parcel, you get an extra pattern - the Bluegingerdoll Odette dress!

The Odette has a lovely vintage-inspired shape, with a flared skirt and fitted bodice. A slim waisband accentuates your waist and a cute, optional neckline insert frames the face. The v neckline is modest enough to wear without the insert, and there are three sleeve options, so this dress is very versatile.

I made mine out of a pink pinstripe suiting with white contrast, for a girly menswear inspired look. The dress is fully lined (love that!) with heavy satin, so the flared skirt has plenty of swish!

I made a few alterations for fit. My original FBA left me with giant, pointy darts, so I converted the front bodice to princess seams to conserve the sleek shape. I did a broad back alteration and narrow front shoulder, which is typical for me. In retrospect, I wish I had shortened the bodice a wee bit above the bust. You can see my insert is wrinkling a bit. My muslin didn't, but I didn't muslin the insert. Live and learn.

The fit in back is divine though. I only needed my broad back adjustment for a perfect fit back there. I also added about 3 1/2 inches to the hem. I wanted a below-knee length. I find a slightly longer skirt more practical for my life, and I love how elegant it feels.

Did I mention that the pattern includes pockets?? Pocketses, precious. They are a must for me. And these are well-placed and roomy. Perfect for keys, my phone, Lego minifigs, Barbie shoes and Matchbox cars. #momlyfe, y'all.
Now that I've sewn up the Odette, there are a few more in this parcel I have my eye on. Seriously, you guys, this is a great group of patterns. Head on over and get them now, while you can name your own price and support a great cause.

Cole's Creations Spirit Jacket, boy version

Over the weekend, Fall made its presence known here in Tennessee. And Duncan has outgrown all his jackets.

Fortunately, the Cole's Creations Spirit Jacket is a crazy fast sew, and I was able to make his a nice cozy one, just in time for the cold snap!

The fabrics are fleece, with interlock for the collar, waistband and cuffs. I also underlined the sleeves with tricot to make them nice and slippery so the jacket would be easy to take on and off. The tricot adds some wind resistance too, so that's a nice bonus.

I made a size 4. and it is a perfect fit, but there is definitely no grow room. Fortunately, it'll be easy enough to whip up another once he outgrows this one. I do love the way the waistband holds the jacket snug at the waist. Very cozy!

It is nice and comfy for play, and he can do the snaps himself, which is really nice. I used red capped snaps from SewBaby.

It even kept him cozy in the rain! And don't let that forlorn look fool you. He threw an unholy fit when we made him come inside.

Ottobre 06/2010-15

This cute face. How do I ever sew for anyone else?? Sadly, Duncan's wardrobe needs are simple, and he does have a lot of Logan hand-me-downs.

But he doesn't have much in the way of long sleeve shirts, which gives me an excuse to sew my favorite pattern with my favorite fabrics.

I mean, seriously. Those hipster frogs are killing me. I got them from Kitschy Coo, of course. The solid green is from Hobby Lobby. It cannot compare at all to the Lillestoff frogs in quality, but it is the right color.

The pattern is from the 06/2010 issue of Ottobre. I have made it at least a half dozen times, and I will make it many more. I love the seaming. Such a nice flattering curve to the raglan seam! And I love the slim, modern fit. It's pretty much the holy grail of shirt patterns and I will cry when my kids outgrow the size range.

But before that happens, I'm going to make it a bunch more times.

Because this face, y'all.

Monthly Roundup: September 2014

September was a very productive month for me sewing-wise, but I didn't get much blogging in. In the early part of the month I was pattern testing and keeping things under wraps, then I sewed some basics that I just didn't feel like blogging. How many raglan sleeve nightgowns do you really want to read about anyway? I got out of the groove of taking pictures and writing, and it's been hard to get back. I will though. I have some fun things to show you.

For September, I sewed:
1) LouBee Hosh Pants x3 for Myra
2) Kitschy Coo Dolman Tee for Myra
3) Kitschy Coo Comino Cap top x2 for me
4) Kwik Sew 526 PJ pants for me
5) Plunging neckline dress for Barbie
6) Cole's Creations Neverland Shirt X2 for Myra
7) Ottobre 04/2013-12 tee shirt for Myra
8) Simplicity 4719 tee shirt for Barbie
9) Urban Vita coatdress for Barbie
10) Ottobre 06/2009-36 nightgown X3 for Myra
11) Ottobre 06/2010-15 raglan tee x2 for Duncan and Emma
12) Ottobre 06/2012-13 leggings x3 for Emma
13) Ottobre 04/2014-16 tee shirt for Emma
14) Ottobre 0/2013-12 tee shirt for Emma
15) LouBee Hosh Pants for Duncan

That totals up to 24 garments and 23.5 yards sewn. I made a lot of basics, like PJs and tee shirts. Fall has started to make an appearance and the kids are all in need of basics. I also stocked up on mid-weight knits and stretch bottom weights for some more fall sewing for the kids and for me. I added 40.5 yards of fabric, which puts be at a total for the year of 140.25 yards sewn and 111.5 yards purchased.

It was a fun, colorful month! I got to sew for Myra and for my sweet niece. They both love pink and bright colors. I didn't do much sewing for Barbie and her friends, which I plan to rectify soon.

The most exciting part of my month was the addition of my new sewing machine! She's up and running well, and I've been stitching with her. She's an absolute dream to sew with, and so quiet! I love her so.