The Last Pair of Pajamas for This Winter

Way back when I made these for No. 2, I also cut out a pair for No. 1 but ran out of fabric. I needed another half yard or so for the sleeves and front facing, but wouldn't you know it, my local fabric store didn't have the fabric in stock any longer. This particular fabric store also isn't known for re-stocking items that it considers seasonal -- product moves really fast there. Nevertheless, I kept going back (not particularly for this purpose, but because I'm a frequent shopper) hoping that it would reappear. And one day it did!

The fabric is called Hooty Hoot Kangaroo Jacks by Doohikey for Riley Blake Designs. These were constructed exactly like the previous ones, with the addition of 1/4-inch bias piping. I think my sewing skills are definitely improving, as this pair seemed to come together (mostly) painlessly. I did have to rip out a few stitches while setting in the sleeves, but setting sleeves have always been difficult for me.

The pattern is Indygo Junction's Jack & Jill Jammies, which is on sale right now at Pink Chalk Fabrics.  I really like this pattern, because it's a nice, basic style that you can do a lot with.  Plus the size range is pretty cool, from 4 to 12.  These ones are a size 8, btw.

Oops, I haven't yet learned to pick/cut stray threads before doing photo shoots. You can see a couple on the close-up of the collar (above).  The picture below is actually the pocket detail on the pajama bottoms.  I added a back pocket.  No. 1 is 6 1/2 years old, and it helps him immensely to have a way to tell which is the front and back of the pants!

OK, now that we're done with the winter flannels, I'm moving on to the spring jammies!  I've got my spring wardrobe to work on, too (yeah, right).

The Musical Mail Sack

This is the long pondered, relatively easily executed, and completely anti-climactic mail sack mail sack for No. 1's music books.

It was long pondered because, you know what, it is soooo difficult to make cute things for boys (never mind the Celebrate the Boy month goings on right now). So I wanted a simple style, so I chose Pink Chalk Studio's mail sack pattern.  It was everything everyone said it was -- just an all-out great pattern.  I made the smaller size, which is a great fit for elementary school-aged children, particularly one picky first grader.

I drew the music symbols by hand and traced the mirror images onto a double-sided adhesive backing.  I don't know anything about music (with the exception of teaching myself Jingle Bells this Christmas when we first got our piano), but the symbol above means play with the right hand, and the one below means play with the left hand.

I machine-stitched the applique.  It didn't turn out quite as well as I wanted -- the tension on my machine was off just enough to be annoying.

The interior has a split patch pocket.  With the fabrics, I used a linen and cotton blend for the exterior.  It's really quite a hefty weave but very slippery to work with.  The red gingham is by Robert Kaufman.  Again, I wanted something simple and cute -- but not too cutesy. 

It was easily executed, because the pattern was very simple with great directions.  I'd be hard-pressed to mess this one up.  The only variation was that I added the bias trim to the front yoke.

Finally, I say anti-climactic because after I did my photo shoot in the morning, I had the mail sack all packed and ready to go for the afternoon's piano lesson...Only to find that No. 1 had moved all his music books back to the ugly green, synthetic freebie-tote that he had been using for his books for the last year and a half.  Sigh.

Never Say Never

Another Soul Blossoms Birdie Sling, this with a reversal of the prints from the last time. Each sling gets a little bit better -- my seams finally matched up!

My photos are getting a bit better too (if I do say so myself).

This time I changed up the keychain fob by shortening it and added a pen loop (on the right of the picture below). Pretty cool.

Midwest Modern Bucket Bag

I've had this fabric in my stash for a long time but hadn't been inspired to do anything with it until now.  I combined it with a nice taupe linen/cotton blend I bought at Fabric Depot last week.  I'm really liking how the combination came out with the simple lines of the bucket bag.  This one is destined for a school auction too, but I think I like it better than the gray one I'm carrying now.  Oh well, maybe I'll make another one for myself for spring!

 PS. You might have noticed the pictures in this post are pretty well-lit.  My husband set up a mini photo studio for me in the bedroom, complete with lighting, etc.!

This was really difficult

Wow, I don't think I've made anything this difficult in a very long time.  There were actually a few times when I considered giving up, and I would have, except that I'd already spent so much time trying to figure out the instructions. Also, it's a really cute pattern that I just knew would turn out well (if only I could figure out this bias binding thing).  And, for all the swearing and cussing that took place, it did turn out super cute!!!

I used a khaki colored linen combined with a print I had left over from my Bliss quilt blocks -- which is still not put together, BTW. The green binding is Robert Kaufman, and I gotta say, the colors coordinated real well. I found the pattern on Etsy from a designer named Napkitten.

Zippered Mini Clutch

Here's what I worked on last night. I love the shape of the rounded clutch-type wallets I've been working on recently, but I really wanted something with a zipper. So I modified one of the clutch patterns I had and spent some nights thinking about how best to add the zipper. I gotta say I'm quite pleased with myself right now!

This is pretty small -- only 6.5 inches x 4 inches, but I didn't want it too big. I still like the idea of having it be something you can attach your keys to and throw your credit card and drivers license in.

The flap turned out quite short, so I adjusted for that by adding an elastic loop and a big covered button. I quite like the look!

The Bucket Bag

I'm serious this time -- this is truly my favorite bag! It's another Keyka Lou pattern called the bucket bag, super easy to make and so well drafted. I used a cotton velveteen that I've had for quite some time. I was doubtful I could sew with it, because it was so thick, but it turned out to be much easier than I thought.

The lining is this fun elliptical polka dot from Moma's It's a Hoot line for Moda. I love this fabric. If you could see it in real life, it has a lovely, smooth hand, which I think might be more typical of Japanese produced quilting fabrics, and less of a broadcloth-y feel.

I added a keychain clasp and the zippered pocket. The original pattern has the front patch pocket but no interior pocket. I love the length of the strap hang and the deepness of the bag.