Satya Romper from Jennuine Design Disguised for Fall {Kids Clothes Week}

The theme for this season's Kids Clothes Week is Disguise, so while I work on some actual disguises for my kids, I thought it would also be a perfect time to disguise one of my favorite summery patterns for the fall season.  I sewed a pair of baby leg warmers and modified this Satya romper from Jennuine Design* that I made during testing.  I originally made them as regular hemmed shorts, but this week I decided to add the elastic just because I love that look on baby legs!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links indicated with *.  I was a tester for this pattern and I am a Pattern Brand Representative this year for Jennuine Design.  Being a design rep has no requirements, but means I get a free copy of each pattern she releases in 2015.  But I'm still glad to test when I can because I really enjoy working with Jenn and think her patterns are really well written and designed.  Her pdf patterns are available on her site, but will also be available as paper patterns and in stores soon!  During Kids Clothes Week you can use code DISGUISE in her shop* to save 20% on your purchase.

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Alice in Wonderland Sunsuit for Kids Clothes Week

While the proper name for this style garment is under debate, there is no debate that this is a cute one!   Depending on your age and geographic location, this garment might be called a sunsuit, playsuit, romper, or other.

It's my first finished project for Kid's Clothes Week summer season.  This is the first season I've been able to sew along every day.  With five kids at home all year - I was so excited to find out three would be gone all week in the morning to VBS.  I've spent the mornings sewing with only two kids at home.  The theme is traveling so with this project we are traveling with Alice to Wonderland.  

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Peppermint Swirl Birthday Dress - Kids Clothes Week

I've been waiting for nearly a year to make the Peppermint Swirl Dress from Candy Castle Patterns.  I wanted my daughter to be old enough to actually fit it for a while and be able to twirl in it. Today, I gave her this dress to wear for her second birthday.  It was so much fun to make and I'm so glad its been Kid's Clothes Week to give me the extra incentive and sewing time to make sure I got it done!

The theme this time for Kid's Clothes Week is Storybook.  This dress in partly inspired by one of our favorite storybooks: Mary Englebreit's Mother Goose book.  It was given to my oldest son by his Nana and it has been read nearly to shreds these last nine years.  The spirit of the Peppermint Swirl Dress, the whimsy of the fabric, as well as the color palette all connect well with Mary Englebreit's illustrations in Mother Goose.

In case you've been thinking about making your own Peppermint Swirl Dress, here are a few of my thoughts (but remember I already said this is my first one, so these are just my thoughts.  I am by no

Photo from Amazon.com

means an expert.  If you are looking for an expert, join the Candy Castle Patterns Group on Facebook - several women there have made many of these dresses and are very helpful!)  One other note - my dress is the size 2 bodice with a size 18 month skirt.

1).  It was not that difficult.  I've sewn other patterns by Rebecca at CCP and I find them very clear and thorough.  This one was no exception.

2).  Cutting the flounces wasn't that bad.  I cut three layers at a time using my rotary cutter and using canned food to hold the pattern piece in place.  I think it helped that the day I cut flounces, that was the only goal I had.  I wasn't trying to get everything cut and sew in the same day.  In fact, I did cutting of the skirt one day, serged the skirt flounces another day, and then decided to go ahead and make the dress version instead of just the skirt - so I did the cutting and sewing of the bodice on a third day.  It was manageable and kept it enjoyable.  I only get short pockets of sewing time, so for someone who has extended hours to sew, this wouldn't be necessary.

3).  Yes, I used a serger, and I'm glad I did.  You don't need one, but it sure was nice.  I also used the rolled hem option and I will confess I did it twice.  The first round I missed the skirt in a couple places, so I went back and did a whole new rolled hem and cut the first one off with the serger blade as I went.  I do like the appearance of the bias tape hem (especially the really beautiful lace edged bias tape), but the rolled hem was a quick option.

4).  I am still planning to put on a sash/belt.  I got it in my mind that I wanted a particular fabric for the sash and when I went to the fabric shop, they had sold the last of the bolt the day before.  So now I am back to square one.  Maybe I'll find a ribbon or make a toddler sized belt from from trim.

If you've been thinking of making a Peppermint Swirl Dress, but are afraid to try, you should do it.  It was fun,  I enjoyed it and look forward to making more.  And did you know there is a pattern for a matching doll dress?   Or a tutorial for a skirt only version?  And a women's version?   I've been considering making the doll sized version as a skirt for our new baby girl due in a few weeks... we'll see what I have time (and enough fabric) for!

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Sewing Storm

I don't often accomplish all the sewing I set out to do - but for once I did accomplish my three sewing goals.  Here is a brief overview of each project:

Raglan T-Shirt
Laura at Titchy Threads/Craftstorming gave me the chance to pattern test this shirt and I really enjoyed sewing it.  The full pattern with additional features and options will be released early next year - I highly recommend that you keep an eye out for it!  The instructions were clear and I really appreciated the little details, suggestions, tips, and skills that she incorporated that took this from a simple T-shirt to a really well-made shirt.  I tested the size 8 for my smaller 9 year old and the fit was great.  I like that it has a slimmer cut to it - it's not too tight but also isn't sloppy looking.  I chose these fabrics because red is one of his favorite colors and his dad has a raglan shirt made with these same colors.

I made this also as part of Kids Clothes Week.  The theme is Storybook and I don't know that this shirt is really storybook inspired, but my son is an avid reader and I'm certain he'll read plenty of books wearing this shirt.  He also thought Benny from The Boxcar Children Series probably wore shirts like this!

Peppermint Swirl - a good start
I am making a Peppermint Swirl Dress (pattern from Candy Castle Patterns) for my daughter's 2nd birthday this week and my goal was to get all the flounces sewn together.  With my new serger it was a breeze, although you don't need a serger to do it.  I'd been planning to make just a skirt, but I've now decided to go ahead with the full dress version, so stay tuned!  I'll finish it up during Kid's Clothes Week this week.

New Boppy Cover 
I've had the same Boppy and cover since my first child's baby shower - over nine years ago.  I've wanted to buy a new one but could never bring myself to pay the money for one of the kind I like, and often I didn't love the fabric patterns that much anyway.  So, I decided to do my own DIY Boppy cover - creating my pattern from my old Boppy cover and a seam gauge - and I am so happy with the result.  It has a medallion print flannel on one side and pink minky dot fabric on the other - complete with zipper for easy removal for washing (or changing).  With minky fabric and flannels on sale at JoAnn's this week, I think I might even make another!  I've debated posting a Boppy cover tutorial with my pattern, and maybe I will.  There are quite a few out there in Pinterest/Google world, but in the meantime if anyone is curious about my pattern just use the contact form or leave a comment and I'm glad to share!

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Mommy and Me Piko Tops from EYMM

What is there not to love about a stylish, quick sewing project for both mom and daughter?  This is one of those great patterns that probably takes more time to assemble the pattern and cut the fabric than it does to sew it.  Kymy at Everything Your Mama Made and More designed these tops and I had the opportunity to be part of the tester group for both the girl's and women's versions.  You can purchase the pattern here, including a bundle for both the girl's and women's version.

The pattern is for lightweight knits and has options for a hi-low hem, sidetail hem, or regular hem, and the sleeves can be short, 3/4, or long.  For my first shirts, I used the short sleeve version with hi-low hem.  Kymy's instructions are clear, with lots of hints for first time knit users.  She gives instructions for sewing with or without a serger and with or without a double needle.  I used a double needle on my, as I usually like the finish it provides, but I had trouble with tunneling on my fabric.  I will be going back and adjusting the pressure on my presser foot to see if that eliminates this trouble.

I appreciate that the top is cute and comfy for both me and my daughter and that I was able to sew both tops in one morning.  I already had my daughter's fabric cut, but I printed, taped, cut, cut the fabric for myself and sewed both tops in one morning.  I might try a size down next time.  I usually wear and sew a medium, and the fit is fine on this top, but I am interested to see how a size down would look as well.

If you are looking for an easy stylish top for yourself or daughter (or both), you have to check out Kymy's Piko tops at Everything Your Mama Made & More!