This is my third review for a pattern from the Sewing for Boys book, which comes with 24 patterns with actual pattern pages, so I figure this qualifies as a pattern.  Many of the reviews I saw on Amazon were for people just excited that there was a boys sewing book (totally get that) but it seemed like they hadn't actually tried the patterns.  So I figured reviewing the ones I tried would help other moms of boys out there.  Anyway, this review is for the Good Night Sweetheart Pajamas pattern and I would consider my clothing making abilities more on the advanced side.

My son is normally a size 3 on bottoms & a size 4 on tops.  I made the top in a size 4/5 and the bottoms in a 2/3.  And here is what happened.

 

Eh hem.  So as you can see, it is “a tad” on the big side.  My husband and I were giggling putting him in these tonight but really, the sizing on the patterns in this book is frustrating.  A 2/3 vs. a 4/5 in little kids sizes can be some pretty big differences, so if there is another version, I REALLY hope they break out the sizing a little more.  I highly recommend trying any of this book’s patterns on cheap fabric first.  So I think my next set is going to be making the top in a 2/3 and the pants again in a 2/3 but shortening the length a couple inches & maybe even take in the side a little bit.  I grant that my son has short legs, but he is filling out almost all of his 3T pants these days and these PJ pants are clearly at least 2” too long. I’ll save him this pair for a year and a half from now maybe.  

Anyway, the pattern itself is cute.  The instructions were easy to follow & I had no mishaps, although I think they could have had some more useful diagrams in there.  And I think the yardage requirements are about half a yard short and there were no fabric layouts provided.  I don’t know that I like the front facing without interfacing, but no biggie.  I was apprehensive about the piping but it was easy too. I do really wish the authors included a summer version of PJ’s in their book, but I think the pattern selection is slanted more toward the northern half of the country.  I live in the south & it is just too hot & humid to wear pants & long sleeves in the summer.

Whenever I do a swap, I have so much fun brainstorming, I usually end up biting off a little more than I probably should with the confined timeframe.  Such was the case with the Chocoholics Unanimous Round 4 swap.  The guidelines were for a medium, 2 smalls, and of course chocolate.  My medium ended up being more like an extra-large in terms of time (doh) but I wanted to keep it after I finished it, so I figure I did a good job.  My partner katcal has graciously agreed to let me use her photos so I present the embroidered ribbon pillow o’ chocolate…



I got the ribbon pillow idea from the tutorial here and then thought about how to make it chocolate-y.  I found a free pattern after a search on the internet (I have been Googling like crazy to find it with no luck so please let me know if you’ve seen it and I’ll be happy to give credit), and thought it would make a cute pillow center.  What took me so long is that I decided I didn’t like the look of the plain aida cloth on the non-stitched portions, so I cross stitched the entire "empty" background in white.  Insane, yes.    Insanity here:



I then framed the cross stitch piece with fabric and wove ribbons around the whole thing.  I top stitched the ribbon around the cross stitched piece so there would be no slippage.  And with that bit done, I otherwise followed the ribbon pillow tute.  

I have been meaning to make myself one – just haven’t gotten to it yet.  That’s the thing with swaps – you get so caught up in them that you don’t get your own sewing done.  

Here is a basic (random) layout of mine:



I think I am going to add another row of 6 squares to make it a bit wider...but I am debating whether to just sew it together as is or look for a yellow, blue, and white fabric to frame all the squares in.  It will be a lap quilt, but I like those on the bigger side.   

[Group 1]

Post your FQ's here!

Original swap thread



Orange = Sent
Blue = Sent & Received

Group 1
A2K
hayleylujah
littlehajerika
Nolansmomster

Group 2
A2K
Nolansmomster
Artmomto5
Smmarrt

I started this quilt when I was pregnant & didn't yet know I was having a boy, so I was going for a unisex color palette.  Anyway, the pattern was from Moda Bake Shop.  I couldn't get the letters to print correctly, so I did my own.

I figured I would review all three patterns at the same time since they came out of the same Ottobre magazine (3/2010) & I made them to be worn together for Easter.  This was my first time sewing from Ottobre patterns, although I am a big fan of the boys selection of patterns.  If you have sewn with Ottobre before, then you know that the instructions require a basic level of clothing construction knowledge...so I wouldn't recommend them to beginners unless you have a more experienced sewer to help you.  It also is all in metric & requires you to add seam allowances when cutting out pieces & some of the verbiage was a little weird so I figure the translation is done by a non-American.  My sewing experience is more on the advanced side.  Anyway...



The Jodhpur pants I made out of a stretch denim since I didn't care for the linen/linen chambray selection at my fabric store.  They have a zipper fly, but the back has an elastic bit in the waistband.  I found that the measurements for the elastic piece were off, so I would highly recommend fitting this to your own child.  Granted the pants were a bit big on my son anyway (I made a size too big with the hope that he could wear them next winter since it is almost shorts weather now here in the south).  However, even then, the elastic didn't have much stretch once I'd put it in - it was almost flat.  I also found the zipper fly instructions a bit confusing.  And although there were instructions for attaching the belt loops, there did not appear to be pattern pieces for them.  In terms of fit, they were about right but they look a little full in the hips.

The vest went together easily & was nothing different than any other vest pattern I've done.  I did add 2" though because my son is long waisted & it looked fairly short in the magazine.  And I've never done ties that small (I mean it is for a toddler, after all) & I had a bit of trouble manipulating pieces that small.  

The shirt was great.  I've never done a male button up shirt before just because they sell them all over the place.  The instructions were easy & I had no problems with it.  I was glad my machine has an automatic button holer - my old one didn't & the vest & shirt would have been SUCH a hassle.

When I was a little girl, I always got a new dress for Easter.  Now that I have a son, I wanted him to have a special outfit for Easter.  I always see lots of girls outfits on here so I thought I'd put this up to inspire the other moms of boys.     The sewing options out there for boys can be a bit limited. 



The shirt, vest, and pants were all from the Summer 2010 issue of Ottobre magazine.  The shirt is blue & white striped seersucker.  The vest is linen & the pants are a brown stretch denim.

So my dad likes to sleep in nightshirts...the kind I can picture Ben Franklin wearing.  My sister & I have teased him over the years for it, but it's kind of his thing.  As you can imagine, they are not always that easy to find in stores.  He also wears a lot of Hawaiian shirts - it's kind of his thing too.  Anyway, I have made him a few nightshirts for him in the past with fishing or train novelty prints (his interests).  But after he went to visit my sister a couple weeks ago and she complained about him dragging her around to look for Hawaiian shirts, I had an inspiration.  I would make him a Hawaiian nightshirt!  So here it is (McCall's M6231).



My husband is modeling it & he didn't want his face in a pic of him wearing a "dress" so don't mind that.  

   

I am annoyed with myself. I got one person's color preference mixed up with another person's blocks. Grr

You are not the only one! My mistake is that I made up a block and finished two before I realized that no one had requested it

Oh well- Looks like I get some new pillows for the couch!

Well at least I'm not the only one.    They're not really my color scheme so I may offer them up to my remaining partners.  Anyone?  They are the basket weave and double spinwheels in happy colors.  

I'm taking a mini break to finish this...



...my son's Easter outfit.  The pants are this weekend.  And then I'm debating a hat.  And then back to quilt squares!

Today I received from Koalascout.  She sent a FQ from each person's list and then 1 extra FQ, along with some extras (hot chocolate & drinks mixes).  The sock monkeys are "mine" since I asked for toddler boy friendly fabric.     They are all super cute, though.