KCW Day 4: Lined Trousers & a Tee

Knowing I would be super busy Tuesday of this week, I sewed up these pants on Sunday morning to wear that day. It was raining and sleeting all day and these were ready just in the nick of time. I made the tee up Wednesday in about 30 minutes.

The tee is a mash up of McCalls 6785 raglan top/tunic/dress with the CINO Nessie top hemline and swingy shape. The bodice fabric is interlock from the remnant bin at Joann's and the sleeves and neckband are from her big sister's old t-shirt. Comfy, easy, and fast. I didn't have to hem the sleeves since I used the existing hem.

I've made rather a lot of Twisted Trousers already, but one variation I hadn't tried yet was the completely reversible option. I bought the fine wale corduroy and the flannel at Joann's on Friday when I saw the weekend weather forecast. These pants are sooooooo soft and cozy. (Find the pattern here.)

Love those twisting seams and the flannel cuff.

I didn't add any piping because I didn't want to add any extra bulk since they would be lined. I did do pockets on the front and back of the corduroy layer, but nothing extra on the flannel layer. The method of construction is another one of those times when it seems impossible, but if you just follow the directions, when you pull it out at the end, it will result in a beautifully finished pair of pants with no exposed seams anywhere. Sewing magic.

Excuse the wrinkles, she has already worn them before getting pictures.

She now has one pair of jeans, one pair of cords, and this lined pair of cords so I think that will be enough real pants along with 2 pairs of sweatpants (one to be made this week), many pairs of leggings, and 3 or 4 skirts. So as fun as these pants are to make, I'm sticking with my minimalist plans and not making more.

The irony of sewing a minimalist capsule wardrobe for my daughter is that she is more obsessed with clothes than the average child. I'm guessing that for the parent who just goes to the sale at the mall and buys a whole wardrobe at once and puts it in the child's closet, the child doesn't really think about how it got there and just wears it. My child however, sees me planning, and sewing, and photographing and blogging and sees too much importance being put on clothes. She has shown some annoying to me behaviors like showing everyone her knew clothes and asking me if I made her anything knew while she was at school. So I fired her as my model. I will still sew for her and maybe blog some of it, but I'm keeping her out of it for a while. There are far more important things for her to be thinking about, probably me too.

Sew for Elena: Knit Pants & Cardiga

I think Elena's Fall Capsule Wardrobe is complete, but I still have things to show you. Her life is pretty simple so most of her outfits are comfortable knit pieces to mix and match. Upon going through her stuff from last year, I saw that a lot of her tops still fit her so I have focused most of my sewing on everyday pants, a couple of nicer outfits for Church and such, and just a few new tops and cardigans. When paired with a few RTW hand-me-downs, I've created a couple of fun outfits that cost next to nothing.

Today I have 2 upcycles to show you: knit Titchy Threads Twisted Trousers and a Hey June Greenpoint Cardigan. Both are slightly modified, just cuz.

These Twisted Trousers are made from a former maternity t-shirt of mine. I did patch pockets instead and added cuffs to the bottom for a jogger look. They are so soft and comfy that they have quickly become a favorite. The top is a beaded GYCT Tinley Tee upcycle from last year and the totally adorable jacket is a hand-me-down.

I raided the maternity box again for this Greenpoint cardigan. I left off the bottom band so I added 2" to the length and hemmed it. I did just one snap at the center. It was supposed to be a button, but my stupid #%*&% machine balked and ripped a hole in it so I patched it up, reinforced it some more, and did a snap. Grrrrr. Although what I think I actually said was more like this *#@#&!!! Feet were also stomped. A bit of a King's Speech episode. I could be flogged for it in some countries. God Bless the USA.

Touchdown! See my little patch?

She is wearing the same beaded tee and some Carter's leggings from last year. Ready for school.

If you are afraid of sewing with knits, why not try it with some upcycled materials until you feel more certain? Since knits are what we all like to wear day to day, it just makes sense to get comfortable with sewing them. Plus, you can be environmentally friendly (a priority of mine) since you are re-using and reducing (no electricity needed since no ironing needed). 

Have a great weekend. We are having just the most amazing weather this fall so I plan on spending as much of it outdoors as my poor eyes and nose can handle with all my allergies. I'll keep the eye drops and tissues handy.

Shorts & a Halter

This outfit and this post was supposed to be about the shorts, but I think the halter top is stealing the show. So let me just tell you quickly about the shorts (which I LOVE) and then we'll get to the top.

 

These shorts are pretty much the same as the last turquoise ones. I used the Titchy Threads Twisted Trousers pattern again but with the racer short modification I learned from Dana at Made. I switched out the pockets for the ones from the Japanese shorts made recently too. Apparently, I am incapable of sewing a pattern as is. ;-P But I'm pretty glad about that. The fabric is the scraps left from one yard of stretch twill from Girl Charlee used to make Twisted Trousers in the full length. The bias trim was pre-made and inherited.  The waist band is white cotton lycra from Joann's (leftover scraps).

The halter began as Butterick 4503, with a couple of changes. First, I cut the back as one straight piece instead of with the split effect. Then, I have no idea what the heck I did wrong, but my straps were not nearly long enough to reach around her neck so I had a Tim Gunn make it work moment, and added a 4" strip. It still bothers me that I don't know why or how that happened. I am trying to force myself to let it go and not pull the pattern pieces back out and see what the heck I did.

I also changed the front by adding another layer and tying it up in the middle for a girly detail. I started out without a clear picture of what I was going for; I just knew I didn't want it plain like in the pattern. I cut that piece on the bias for added detail and just played around with it until I liked it. The fabric is some adorable two tone gingham cotton that I inherited; same with that cute button. Even the pattern and thread were inherited so this top cost NOTHING!

An outfit like this screams "summer" to me. It reminds me of things I wore as a child, but in a modern way. Our summer has gotten off to a slow start with crazy weather. We are now ready for the hot days and for lots of popsicles!

Shorts & a Foxy Tank

Elena still needs more shorts and after the last shorts I made for her, I needed to go back to a TNT pattern. I grabbed my trusty Titchy Threads Twisted Trousers pattern and the fabric scraps left from making Elena's Twisted Capri's (seen here) and whipped up a nice pair.

I was looking for a quick sew, therefore, no pockets. Elena isn't into pockets anyway. The fabric is a stretch bottomweight from Joann's. I changed them up a bit by bias binding the edges (a quilting cotton from Joann's). In a short length, you don't get a lot of seam twisting like you would with pants, but enough to bring the opening a little to the front. I wanted a longer length short for her because she is always all over the floor playing and I want everything covered. I also used more of the matching elastic like I did with the capri's. It is so soft and really holds them snug.

A blurry action shot.

Check out this tutorial from Dana at Made to see how to make racer shorts. It's a super simple modification. I chose this detail for 2 reasons. 1. To add the coordinating fabric for interest. 2. To have "vents" for ease of movement.

If you remember my March Project Run & Play look, then you know that these shorts will match the reversible knot top I made for that. And in keeping with my goal to have not a ton of clothes for Elena but to have everything mix and match, I wanted to use this cute fox fabric from Girl Charlee to make a top.

This top is a mash up of two patterns. If you know me, you can guess one of them. I've only used it 6 or 8 times already in the past year - it's the CINO Nessie, yet again. I combined that with the free Racerback Tank pattern from Crafterhours, with one change to the back. The pattern has 2 pieces for the back - a yoke and then a wider bottom piece to gather on. I cut it as one piece and used the Nessie to gauge how wide to make that. So the PAB pattern was essentially just used for the racerback shape.

She's looking weary in that picture isn't she? She is terrified of bugs and on the lookout for them. She shrieks over the tiniest ant. It's going to be a long summer I think.

And continuing our new photoshoot tradition, we'll end with another selfie. I really like this one.

Spring Essentials to Mix & Match

I am still committed to not purchasing any clothes for Elena with very few exceptions - socks, jeans (which she doesn't like anyway) and winter coats being the main ones, and possibly swim suits. We do have some ready to wear items handed down to us, but the goal is to sew most everything and be smart about it. I strive to make pieces that Elena will like and will wear a lot. I also don't want her to have so many clothes that each hardly gets worn. While I enjoy making them, it feels wasteful to me.

Her spring wardrobe really started with February & March's Project Run & Play outfits. (February 1, February 2, & March) Then I ordered some more fabrics that would fit in with the purple, green, coral, pink, and turquoise that those outfits included. I'm also considering the fact that Elena really likes to pick her own clothes out now, so I want everything to coordinate as much as possible so it's easy. She may still look ridiculous sometimes (I'm cool with that) if she puts some of the prints together, but otherwise, I hope she'll look pretty good no matter what she picks.

Those are our 3 new pieces I'm showing you today. The pants are the Titchy Threads Twisted Trousers again. I like the 5-pocket styling options with the simplicity of a knit, pull-on waistband. I used floral stretch twill from Girl Charlee.  These are the 2T again, with 2 inches added to the length (at the lengthen line mid thigh). I didn't use any piping this time but added a bit of coral ribbon to the front pockets and back yoke. Elena hates them. She actually cried and begged for leggings. They aren't really that heavy so I'm hoping she'll try them again when she is in a better mood and not being such a threen. They fit her very well.

Next up is the Sofilantjes Otium Sweater in it's most basic version in size 2. I used scraps of green sweater knit left from her big sister's sweater 2 winters ago so they can sort of be twinsies if big sis will allow it. The fabric is from Joann's and has held up great on Olivia's sweater. Being so close to Lake Erie, we'll warm up slowly in the spring and still need sweaters in the morning and evening until early June. It's neutral enough to be versatile.

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As you can see here, she can bend down perfectly easily so hopefully she will accept these pants even though they aren't leggings.

And finally, Elena's favorite new piece - the heathered lilac peplum tee. I used the GYCT Designs Tinley Tee in 3T that I've used several times before. I shortened it and made up the difference with a ruffled flounce that is twice the width of the bottom of the tee. The puffy, gathered sleeves and a skirt are so girly and just what this princess loves. It looks allright with the floral pants, but not as great as I'd expected. A darker purple might have been even better I suppose, but I also bought this same cotton/spandex from Girl Charlee in coral so there will be other tees. Elena prefers this top with some leggings.

I'll be back next week during Kids Clothes Week. I'm planning on a pair of shorts and a tee at the very least, but possibly more. Will you be participating and if so, how are you incorporating the Wild Things theme? I'm not sure how wild I want to get yet, even though I've seen so many inspiring posts.

PRP March - Reversible Knot Top

A quick look through Elena's closet reveals that she already has 8 everyday dresses, 3 fancy dresses, and 4 twirly skirts for this spring/summer. So even though I had two absolutely perfect, coordinating prints that I wanted to use to make Jess's Knot Dress, my OPD (obsessively practical disorder) wouldn't allow me to do that. Judging by Elena's appetite, we're heading for a growth spurt so I'll save those fabrics for a dress version later this summer. For now, we have a fully reversible knot top and some capri pants for this month's Project Run & Play challenge.

Both fabrics for the top are quilting cottons from Joann's. The floral one is a premium quilting cotton and has more weight to it. The geometric one is lightweight, and unfortunately, Elena doesn't like it much. Sad face. To make it fully reversible, I sewed the side seams of the outer and inner and then placed one inside the other. I sewed around the entire top edges first. After trimming and turning and topstitching that part, I worked on the ruffle and hem.

I cut a strip 2.5" high and double the width of the hem for the ruffle. I sewed it into a loop and pressed it in half lengthwise before I gathered it and basted it to the outer piece. Then I pulled the lining all the way up and over matching the side seams and pinning my way around. It makes a funky looking donut like thing. I left a 3" opening and sewed all the rest of the way around. After trimming the seam allowance and turning it, I closed the opening by topstitching once all the way around. But it doesn't make Elena love the other side any better. She would only flip it over for a few seconds so I didn't get many pictures of that.

As you can see, I made some edits to the design. Besides making a top instead of dress, I also skipped the back opening and knot. Elena is just so narrow I a) didn't think she'd need it and b) thought it would overwhelm her slim body. I like it simple like this, but the ruffle is still a nod to the skirt.

Pants have been a sewing struggle for me. I've tried some of the blogland favorites and haven't had much luck. Without naming names, they are always too big, even when I make ridiculously small sizes. I have found a great pattern here in the Titchy Threads Twisted Trousers. I made a 2T out of some stretch denim bottomweight from Joann's. There is a shorten/lengthen line mid-thigh so I took out 3 inches there to make capri's and still have the seams twist all the way to front and center. It makes a very cool affect when highlighted with piping.

 My error was in not adjusting the length of the rise for her typically 4T height. I will do that next time. So you can see her underpants popping out in the above picture. Instead of doing a knit casing with the elastic inside, I found matching elastic at Joann's and just used it straight. It is so soft and comfortable. Just look at all that cool piping. And below is one of the rare pictures of the reverse side of the top.

 Look at the flexibility in that ankle. Anyone else thinking I have a little dancer or gymnast here?