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

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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!

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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.

Creative Sewing Challenge Update

Dress Pattern: Jospehine by Violette Field Threads
Sewn By: Bethany of Sew-Not-Perfect.blogspot.com

I finally had a opportunity to pick up my entry for the Creative Sewing Challenge sponsored by The French Seam at the Indiana State Fair.  The actual event and judging took place on Sunday, August 10, 2014.   Since I wasn't able to be present for judging, I had no idea that I won second place in the children's apparel category! (my previous post with details about the contest and my entry is here)

The entire experience has been helpful to me.  My goal this year was just to enter a project.   I've never entered a sewing competition or had anyone give me feedback on (let alone judge) a sewing project before.  I haven't been sewing seriously for very long - less than a year, with the exception of random quick projects here and there over the years.  I didn't have the opportunity to make and the project I imagined for The Challenge and, when I turned in this dress, I had very mixed feelings - the main one being nervousness. In the end, entering the Creative Sewing Challenge ended up being very encouraging and boosting my confidence as a budding sewist.

Judging Form from Creative Sewing Challenge

When I picked up my dress, I actually liked it a lot better than I did when I had just finished it.  (To be honest, I sewed it the two nights before I had to turn it in, and was rushed.  That may have had some to do with it!)  Then, when I put it on my daughter I loved it even more!  I hadn't even had the time to put her in it before I turned it in.  Maybe the biggest encouragement was the positive comments from the judge/s.  I honestly didn't know if I was really missing the mark on things.  I generally like what I sew, but what would someone who knew a lot about sewing technique and skill actually think?   Even if the dress had come back without a ribbon or earning placing in the competition, seeing that the judges thought I did a "very good" job in general was really exciting and encouraging!  (And I think it's a very good point about the interfacing.  There was none called for in the pattern, and I think the dress is okay without it, but interfacing would definitely make it better.)

Entering the Creative Sewing Challenge and sewing the Josephine Dress by Violette Field Threads has been a great experience.  This is the first ribbon I remember earning from a fair of any kind and the first time I entered a fair contest on purpose (I vaguely remember a Girl Scout project - very small basket I wove and stained and mildy decorated - possibly being in the Ohio State Fair decades ago?).  I am eager to make my daughter a blouse for the fall using this pattern and I know it will be one I use often.  And, the dreaming and planning for my project for next year's Creative Sewing Challenge has already begun!

Second Place?  How did that happen?!
(Dress Pattern: Jospehine by Violette Field Threads)

Earned second place in the children's apparel
category for the Creative Sewing Challenge
(Dress Pattern: Jospehine by Violette Field Threads)

If you live near or travel through Indianapolis, Indiana, be sure to stop by the fantastic fabric shop, The French Seam.  They have a wonderful, friendly and helpful staff, carry a beautiful selection of quilting and apparel fabrics, and offer a wide-selection of classes each month.  If you aren't sure which project you want to sew next, I highly recommend the Josephine Blouse and Dress pattern from Violette Field Threads (and they have many other great patterns to choose from for girls and women!)  The Whitney Trousers and Molly Jacket are next on my list from them.

Creative Sewing Challenge Project - Violette Field Thread's Jospehine

Violette Field Threads
Josephine Dress with Flutter
Sleeve option.

Update: more pictures and results HERE

I love the sense of accomplishment that comes from meeting a goal.  I tend to set my sights too high and not enjoy that feeling as often as I'd like.  But this week - I met a goal!  I submitted a completed project to a sewing competition I wanted to enter.

My favorite local(ish) fabric shop - The French Seam - sponsors The Creative Sewing Challenge during our State Fair.  This is the second year for the have sponsored the Challenge and I thought it would be really fun to enter.  I had dreams of pattern hacks I would do, or creative touches I would add to my project, but my underlying goal was just to enter.  When it came down to it, finishing a straight-forward project was all I could make time to accomplish.  (even that involved late nights and pictures taken in a fast food parking lot!)  While it would have been fun to add a few other touches, I am really pleased with the finished garment!  I have no dreams of placing (the judging is this coming Sunday), but in my mind I won my own victory by completing a lovely dress and meeting my goal of entering.

Fabric

The theme for this year's challenge is "Inspired By Color" and I immediately knew I wanted to use this cotton lawn fabric from Robert Kaufman, which I already had in my stash.  I tend to like a lot of Robert Kaufman's fabrics (see this project, for example) and particularly liked the small floral pattern with bright blues, orange, pink and green.  This is from the London Calling 3 line (bright floral).

Pattern

pin-tuck rows and ruffles along
button panel on Josephine

The pattern is Violette Field Thread's Josephine using the dress option with flutter sleeves and the ruffle on the button strip.  The pattern was clear and easy to follow, including a diagram to show the best way to lay out the pattern pieces on your fabric.  The pattern has rows of pin-tucks on either side of the center button panel, bias tape on the inside of the collar, and several options to customize the pattern to your preferences (blouse or dress, flutter or longer sleeves, with/out ruffle, with/out sash).

Something New

Although I didn't have time to do some of the things with the pattern I had hoped to do (I originally wanted to turn this into a romper with shorts.  I'd love to make another dress with a full lining.  I had also thought of doing the blouse option with the Whitney pants), I was able to try some new things with the pattern.  It was my first Josephine - and I will definitely make more.  It was also my first Violette Field Threads pattern actually sewn - I own several, but haven't made others yet.  Also, in honor of the sponsor of the Sewing Challenge, and because it was on my Sewing Techniques to Try list, I used french seams for the first time.  I'd read about them, and if you aren't familiar, you can find a good tutorial here.  I found them easy to do, with a very nice finish.

  

Figuring out how to attach the sleeves took me a few minutes, but other than that it went well and I really like the finished look.  I debated back and forth about top-stitching the seams down and around the collar.  The pattern doesn't directly call for it, and I keep going back and forth about whether I wish I'd done it.  Usually, I do top-stitch, but for some reason, I didn't know if I wanted that for this dress.

french seaming on side seam

french seaming on sleeve seam

This week I am looking at everything I have to do to be ready for homeschool to start next week and feeling very overwhelmed.  But I am taking a moment to enjoy one goal that has been accomplished!  Overall, I am really pleased with the dress, and I have enough of the fabric left to make a coordinating outfit for Little Sister so both girls can match next spring and summer.