Moto Jacket Upcycle for Jennuine Design Blog Tour

Jennuine Design has an incredible Moto Jacket pdf sewing pattern for kids and today I'm showing how I used the pattern and a couple thrifted items to upcycle a really sharp-looking moto jacket for my almost-eight year old son.

Disclosure: The links to Jennuine Design in this post are affiliate links.  I received this pattern for free, but there were no strings attached.  (I didn't even have to do this tour - I just wanted to.)  The opinions here are my own.  If they are interesting or helpful to you and you decide to buy the pattern (or any of her others), I'd be so grateful if you'd use my link/s. 

This unisex pattern is perfect for those looking for pdf sewing patterns for tweens, patterns with a wide size range, and sewing patterns for boys.  At the end of this post you can watch a video of my favorite tool for marking fabric (especially for the quilted lining) and read about a couple other tools that were helpful for this project.

If you are stopping by from the Moto Jacket Blog Tour - welcome - please take a look around.  I've blogged about other Jennuine Design patterns: Verona Dress Verona Dress here and Haven Acres Collection here.  If you are a regular here at Sew Not Perfect, be sure to visit the Jennuine Design blog, A Jennuine Life, to see the other blog tour participants and enter the fantastic giveaway Jenn is hosting during the tour!  Imagine Gnats, The Leather Hyde store, Urban Sew, Livie & Luca and more are all part of the giveaway.  Also, Jennuine Design patterns are on sale for 25% off during this tour with code MotoTour - so go shopping!

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1Pattern:3Ways - Deep Sea V Neck with Create 3.5

Another pattern done three ways - today it is the Deep Sea V-Neck by Meriel at Create 3.5.  She used the Deep Sea V-Neck from Patterns for Pirates to create a top, dress and vest for her three children.  I love the modifications she made!

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Animal All-in-One Hooded Scarf

Cats and foxes and dinos - oh my!  Christine at Heidi & Finn has released the new Animal All-in-One Hooded Scarf - another of her versatile pdf patterns that is easy to sew, has tons of options, doesn't require much fabric, and is great for keeping or gifting.  This pattern is so much fun!  Each of my kids wanted (at least) one right away.  The pattern is a great springboard for your own creativity.  With options and pattern pieces for cat, mouse, fox, bunny, pig, bear, and monkey ears - as well as spikes for a dinosaur and fins and teeth for a shark, you can also combine or modify pieces to come up with your
own versions as well.  I created a wolf using the fox ears and shark teeth, and I made a puppy by modifying the bunny ears.  I also learned a new word this past week - I'd never heard of a scoodie - have you?  Now I've not only heard of them, I've sewn four!

Overview:

• Forty-five page pdf pattern and tutorial with photos.  Pattern is sixteen pages for the full pattern with both options (button closure and full scarf) and nine pages for just the button closure and all ear options.
• Fits sizes 6-12m to most adults.
• Option for button/snap closure or full-length scarf.
• Includes interfacing at closure
• Easy sew.  Nothing complicated or unclear.  A serger is optional for this pattern - you can sew the entire pattern on a regular sewing machine.

Review:

• Clear and easy.  Following the instructions given should give you everything you need to sew this up.  No difficult parts.
• I am so glad this pattern includes instructions to add interfacing at the closure.  Its seems many pdf pattern makers sadly skip this step.
• Great way to use up scraps from other projects, and inexpensive project.  You only need 1/2 of the main and 1/2 yard lining fabric even for larger sizes, so you can hit the remnant bin at your local shop and really make this an economical project.
• Works well with a variety of fabrics.  My favorite version that I did used an upcycled sweatshirt for the main fabric and nice fleece for the inside (the Dino).  Its cozy and the thick fabrics give it a good shape and weight.  But I also used a variety of flannels and different fleece and all worked well.
• Sizing seems good.  My 2 year old is in the XS, 5 year old is in the S, and 7 and 9 year olds are in M.  You can easily size down and/or adjust the closure if you want a more or less snug fit.  The hoods will fit them for a long time.
• I do not apply for every pattern test out there.  Even from my favorite designers, I often skip a testing call if its not a good time, or the pattern isn't something I think I'll love.  In this case, I had a two-week old at the time of the testing call and had intended not to apply for any testing until after the new year.  But when I saw this one come though, I had to apply - and I'm so glad I did!  It was easy and fun to sew - and I was able to sew several in one day (which is not common).

Thanks for coming by and checking out my post.  I'd love to hear from you in the comments - which version of this scarf are you going to sew up first?!

You can pick up your own copy of this pattern in the Heidi & Finn etsy shop here.  

You can join the Heidi & Finn Facebook group here

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You can see more pictures below!

Treasure Island Inspired Hawthorn Zip-Up Jacket - Sew Many Books Sew Along

*Voting is open and I'd appreciate your vote - click the heart in the corner of the picture you'd like to vote for - that's it!  Click this link and scroll to the bottom to vote.

I am re-blogging this jacket today.   When I first made it and published my post about it, the inspiration behind it was not so relevant.  But now that Nap Time Creations is hosting the Sew Many Books series, giveaway, and sew along, it's time to bring it back so I can participate!  You can see my original post on this jacket here.

As I've mentioned before, I need to sew practical things.  A special occasion item surely pops up now and then, but I don't have time, money or need to sew things someone won't love and won't be able to wear or use often (and then passed down to younger siblings!).  Even when I make a Halloween costume, it needs to be something that can be worn over multiple years by multiple children.  So, a book inspired outfit from me is going to be practical and not very costume-y (although I love the sweet costumes others create from book characters).  Here I am presenting a bigger-kid version of a book-inspired look.

My oldest son was practically born a reader.  He would sit and listen to books for over an hour and learned to read quite early.  One of my his favorite books is Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.  He has read a couple versions of it and we own both the Disney and Muppet Treasure Island movie versions.  I have sweet memories of sitting with him as he practiced his reading out loud as a five year old using the brown version shown in the picture above.  It also has not been uncommon to find a "black spot" left for a sibling or parent to find on his or her pillow at night.

So, when it came time to test the Hawthorn Zip-Up Sweatshirt by Titchy Threads for Willow & Co., I took inspiration from Treasure Island to create not only a practical jacket, but one that would be stylish and something my son would love.  The Treasure Island pirate theme was perfect!

The jacket really came together with the skull and cross-bone patch and the striped knit fabric that I used for the lining and pockets - a symbol and a fabric pattern you often see in pirate books and on pirate ships.  The Hawthorn pattern is fantastic, and I've been meaning to show pictures of the inside of the jacket as evidence of how well the pattern is written.  It was my first zipper ever and I was so happy with how the whole jacket came together (but you can read all those details at the previous post).

My son absolutely loves this jacket.  He has worn it many times, and it has been through the wash, on the bedroom floor, in the back of the van, etc on multiple occasions.  The pictures of the inside of the jacket not only show the great design of the pattern, but how well it has held up!

I also love the Hawthorn Zip-Up pattern, but I especially love how the inspiration from Treasure Island helps to create an age-appropriate, stylish, and still practical jacket that my son wears every chance he gets.  No black spots handed out for this one!

Please consider taking a minute to Like Sew Not Perfect on Facebook using the icon at the top of the right hand column.  Be sure to stop by and check out the Sew Many Books series at Nap-Time Creations.

Inspector Gadget Inspired Look - Project Run & Play 80's Cartoon Week

Season 10 of Project Run & Play is in full swing now.  This is my first time linking up a project, but not my first time following or voting for the actual contestants.  It's so much fun to see what the contestant design for each theme each week!

The theme for this first week:  1980's Cartoon-Inspired Look.  Specifically, not a costume; a look that uses an 80's cartoon character or theme as its spring board.  I loved the idea and had so many directions I thought about taking - Duck Tales, Mr. T, Inspector Gadget... the list goes on.  I finally settled on Inspector Gadget because my kids still watch that show, and I knew I was making these pants - which would be perfect in blue for Gadget's iconic blue pants.  I will say that my first inclination was to go with Mr. T - my boys love watching the A-Team and I had great ideas for an outfit using Mr. T's "I pity the fool" phrase - but I went with the Gadget route instead.  Imagine Gnats did an amazing job with the I Pity the Fool idea for a teen girl, though.  I love it!

Last week, I posted a review of the pants, but all along I had them in mind for this Gadget-inspired look.  The pants use the Pants with Adjustable Waistband pattern from Lily Bird Studio.  I love the versatility of the pants, the adjustable waistband, and the finished front with true zip fly and belt loops.  You can read more about how long they took to sew, the other features, and see more pictures at this post.  Lily Bird Studio is offering 15% purchases in her online shop now through Sept. 20 using the code SNPLBS10.  Be sure to check out her other patterns for pants, tops, and patterns!

Since practicality and versatility are essential in our home and my sewing budget (both for time and for money) is indeed limited, the outfit is finished with a grey cardigan and white dress shirt we already owned.  I would have loved to sew a grey Berkshire Blazer from Blank Slate Patterns, but the boys are already well-equipped in that department, so time, money and energy had to go into other things!

Be sure to check out the outfits submitted by the Project Run & Play contestants and vote for your favorites.  You can also check out the link-up outfits submitted by other play-at-homers (like me) here.

Please consider taking a moment to like Sew-Not-Perfect on Facebook using the link at the top of the right hand column.  I'd sew appreciate it!

Ava Dress & Pants with Adjustable Waistband from Lily Bird Studio

Versatile, practical pdf patterns are a necessity at my home.  I love the occasional pattern that is just-for-fun, but with so many kids, I benefit most from patterns that are practical and easy to adapt from kid to kid.  The Ava dress and Pants with Adjustable Waistband are two (of many) patterns from Lily Bird Studio that fit that bill.  I recently sewed both patterns for my kids.  You can read about the patterns here and see the pictures, then use the discount code a the bottom of this post to buy the patterns and make your own!

Ava Dress

The Ava Dress offers a sweet and classic A-line with pin-tucks at the neckline.  The pattern includes sizes newborn to 24 months and the option of making the dress reversible. A sweet line of buttons (or snaps, if you prefer) makes the back of the dress both adorable and easy to put on.  The pattern is an easy, straight-forward sew and would be a great project for a beginner, or a quick sew as a gift.  I also love how lovely this dress looks in all types of fabric from cotton to corduroy.

Pants with Adjustable Waistband

Lily Bird Studio's Pants with Adjustable Waistband have a relaxed, easy, comfortable fit.  My boys exclaimed how nice the pants felt and fit when they tried them on!  The pattern sizing ranges from 12 months to 5 years, but I love that with the adjustable waistband and adding a bit of length to the pant leg, I am able to have the pants fit both my big 5 year old and skinny 7 year old (see my post to come for Project Run & Play to see the pants in action on my older son).

The Pants with Adjustable Waistband took me about 4 1/2 hours to sew (not including assembling the pattern or cutting out fabric).  The directions were pretty clear and easy to follow.  I like that the pattern includes a contrast fabric for the inside waistband, top of the back pockets, and inside front faux pockets.  Although the front pockets are not full pockets, they would be easy to modify if you know how to make a full front pant pocket.  The hidden elastic in the waistband is identical to the adjustable elastic and buttons you find on many ready-to-wear pants with adjustable waistbands.   I also appreciate the front fly/zipper guard.  Yes, you do need to insert a zipper on these pants, but this was only my second zipper and it went pretty well.  The real zipper, stitching on the front fly, belt loops, and top stitching called for in the pattern make these pants look far more professional than just an elastic waistband or faux fly.

The only changes I made when sewing this pattern were to add about 1 1/2" to the length, so that I could use them for both boys.  I used a blind hem to hem the pant leg (the pattern calls for a regular straight stitch).  I also used a serger for most of the inside seams, while the pattern tutorial assumes you are not using a serger and gives instructions to zig-zag stitch to finish the internal seams. 

Cecilia at Lily Bird Studio is offering a 15% discount on patterns purchased from her website through Saturday, September 13, 2014.  Use code: SNPLBS15  Please note that this code is good on the website, but not in etsy shop.  Also, be sure to check out Lily Bird Studio on Facebook and the recent review of the beautiful Juliette's Dress at Pattern Revolution.  You can also enter the giveaway for a three-pack of patterns from Lily Bird Studios at Pattern Revolution that runs through September 13. 2014.

Hawthorn Zip-Up Sweatshirt by Titchy Threads for Willow & Co.

It's time to start saving your pdf pattern pennies! (if you have a budget for your pdf pattern purchases)


Willow & Co, a pattern collective, is releasing their Spring and Summer line, Wanderlust: a glamping collection, on Tuesday, April 22.  Here is a peek at one piece from the collection, the Hawthorn Zip-Up Sweatshirt by Laura at Titchy Threads and Craftstorming.  I was so excited to be in the tester group for this pattern and I am thrilled with the result!










Pattern Options and Features
The Hawthorn Zip-Up Sweatshirt can be made for boys or girls in a variety of fabrics from medium interlock, to sweatshirt, to fleece, with a contrast knit fabric for collar and zip facings, and a rib knit for sleeve cuffs.  Options include full- or half-zip, regular or split side seam, with or without pockets.  Sizing ranges from 6-12 months to 12 years.


Further details: 

• Pattern pieces vary for each age by color AND line style, so they can be printed in color or black and white. 
• Option to turn off all except one size using pdf layers.  This means you can print only the size or sizes you plan to use.
• Detailed pattern pieces including notches for lining up pieces, adding pockets, etc.  This is often not found on pdf patterns. 
• Pattern pieces are well laid out, and assembly does not result in one giant mass of paper to cut, but rather nicely sized, well-portioned pieces.
• PDF document featuring very detailed tutorial with color pictures of every step. 
• Size chart, finished measurements chart, fabric requirements and supplies list.
• Cheat Sheet at the end for when you need a basic reminder of what comes next instead of following the whole tutorial (for those who are very experienced sewists or have made the garment multiple times).
• Prints on both Letter and A4 paper
• Metric and imperial measurements included throughout

Personal Review
This pattern took thought, time, and attention - and I think the final product reflects the effort put forth.  It wasn't difficult.  I consider myself an advanced beginner, maybe?  It was my FIRST TIME EVER putting in a zipper.  I think it looks fantastic.  It was also my first time doing these kinds of facings, first time putting in pockets, and first time using twill tape.  I won't pretend I didn't use my seam ripper a time or two, but Laura's instructions walked me right through and taking the time and attention to do it right resulted in an awesome finished sweatshirt/jacket.  It looks so well made and it has everything to do with Laura's well-drafted pattern, her detailed instructions, and her involvement and responsiveness to the testers during the testing process.  She quickly responded to feedback, suggestions, and questions and made excellent adjustments to the pattern to make it just right.

My version is the half-zip, split side seam with pockets.  I do not have a huge stash of fabric to choose from (especially knit), so I had to go to my local JoAnn's to look for fabric.  I really wasn't excited about what they had for boys and actually went looking two or three times before settling on the grey/red double layer fleece.  I was inspired by the pirate skull iron-on decal I found, and went from there, using a zipper and thread that matched the red under layer of fleece and the red in the decal.  The contrast fabric that lines the collar, the zipper facing, and pockets is repurposed from a shirt.  I thought the black and grey stripes not only coordinated nicely, but echoed the pirate theme.  I did learn that the fabric had too much stretch for pockets, and they stretched below the hemline.  I fixed this later by sewing the pockets into the seam on the hem.  Laura also recommend in the tutorial now using a fabric with no more than 30% stretch for the pockets. Twill tape options are pretty limited at JoAnns.  Its cheap and only comes in black or white.  When you buy this pattern, check out the etsy shop Laura recommended for twill tape for a great selection on twill tape.

I have two other boys asking when I will make them their own sweatshirt.  Heading in to summer, this will probably wait until fall, unless I can find some lighter sweatshirt knit that I like for boys.  But I know that this pattern is one I will go back to for my own family and for gifts.  It's one of those excellent, well-drafted patterns with clear instructions and beautiful results that I am so glad to have in my collection!

This is my little man's favorite shot, so he wanted me to include it!

Thanks for reading the whole post!  I'd love your comments, new likes for Sew-Not-Prefect on Facebook, and new followers on bloglovin'.  Please stop back again soon!

Costumes Gone By

Halloween costumes, in my opinion, are just fun to make.  My earliest sewing projects often consisted of what I like to affectionately call hack-costumes. Definitely not perfect.  Nothing fancy, no pattern, no technical skills involved, but they fit the time and purpose.  We don't enter costume contests or compete in our neighborhood for best costume.  It's a no pressure, just-for-fun endeavor. Here are two of my favorites from years gone by.

Favorite.costumes.ever.  I made these cowboy costumes in 2008.  I remember I calculated my cost at just over $12 total, with enough leftover for a cowgirl costume one day!  They were even featured in a local newspaper article about frugal Halloween costumes.  They were worn 2-3 times by these boys, plus I have another son who has worn them once or twice - for Halloween.  That doesn't consider the countless hours of at-home play time.  

I made a rough pattern out of paper bag (grocery size) for each boy by tracing a shirt and pair of pants that fit each kid.  The vests are three pieces - one back piece cut on the fold, and two front pieces that are mirror images.  Then I just sewed a seam up the sides and at the shoulders.  No finished edges, for the sake of time and to keep with a rough-hewn cowboy look.  For the pockets, I sewed on the fringe, then (don't tell) I just used stitch witchery to attach the pockets with an iron.  I wouldn't hesitate to sew them on now, but I was using a troublesome machine back then, and even more limited on time.  For the chaps, each leg is one pice.  The fold is on the inner side of the leg, with the seam where the fringe is attached on the outer leg.  Again, no hem or finished edges.  The fabric doesn't fray, and I was going for a quick costume.  Quick.  Not perfect.  The chaps attach with loops made out of the vest fabric and a button.  If you look closely at my older son's left leg, near the vest, you can see the loop.  I just cut strips the length that I needed, hand-sewed a button on top of the strip end (with strip pointing up away from pant) on top of the chap.  Then I cut a button hole in the other end of each strip, so that the strip goes up from the chap, through a belt loop on the jeans, and back down to the chap, where the button would go through the hole and hold in place.  This was all long before tutorials were on my radar, so I don't have pictures of everything. If anyone reading this is ever interested in details and more pictures, just ask.

I actually made my own reversible bandannas also, but must not have had them finished when we went to our friend's barn to take these photos.  The boys have always gotten tons of compliments wearing these, and I have the BEST memories of their cowboy years.  My oldest son spent at least two years of his childhood as a cowboy-  everyday he was out riding the range, battling cattle rustlers, and working in the chuck wagon.  He would even introduce himself as Slim Cooley, his cowboy name borrowed from Magic Treehouse Ghost Town at Sundown.

Another nostalgic costume was a super-cheap, super-quick, definitely not perfect, yet incredibly well-suited-for-the-occasion Dalmatian costume.

My little Dalmatian was less than a month old at the time.  I had purchased a great Gap Firefighter Costume off eBay for my older son, and at the last minute decided to dress up the littler guy.  I grapped a one-piece outfit that fit and bought a bit of flannel Dalmatian spot fabric at JoAnns.  I cut two identical pieces using the outfit as a guide, then trimmed what looked good for a neckline and put in seams at the sides (wrist to ankle and wrist to shoulder). Then I cut a large slit about halfway down the back, to give room to get him in to it.  Seriously, I did this all in about 1/2 an hour.  I had thoughts of zippers or buttons.  I had thought I would at least hem the arm and leg holes.  With a three-week-old, the time for that never came, but the costume worked great and has been re-used by friends.  I made the hat by cutting two dog ear shapes from black felt and hand stitching them onto the cap we were given at the hospital when he was born.  I think this was a $2 project at most.

I enjoy costumes because they can take the pressure off having a perfect, well-finished garment.  Don't get me wrong.  At this stage in my sewing hobby, I have a lot of appreciation for and satisfaction from a well-made garment.  I don't know that I would make these costumes the same way if I were to do them now.  But there is something about the simplicity, the memory of making-it-work and just git-er-done that I am glad for.  Without projects like this that boosted my confidence in tackling a sewing project and having something fun to show for it, I don't know if I would enjoy sewing the way I do now. And I am so thankful for the sweet memories.