kbsd wrap top

koerbs brothers designs wrap top is an amazing top!! so simple to make and so many options available with all the knit fabrics available, either solid color, two colors, a print and a color, its endless, not to mention the pattern as several options, modesty panel, sleeves, sleeveless, dress or as a top, plus it is a very nursing friendly top!! you get to choose, you can purchase your pattern at https://www.etsy.com/shop/KBStitchDesign

work in progress

all done and love it!! 

btw, i did have to include a wee bit of upcycle, look close the back is from a sweater

the inner makings of a pair of shorts

My 12 year old daughter approached me and had asked me to make her a pair of shorts for this coming school year, I decided since she is at an odd size that I would attempt to draft the pattern using her measurements, armed with her measurements I sat down and drafted a pattern, used muslin to make it and it was way too big, so I went back to the graph paper and did it again slower and double checking each line and mark and again used muslin to make the draft pair of shorts and this pair fit her perfectly.

once I had a pattern that I knew worked for her we set out to design the shorts and picked a fabric for them

the last drawing in the pic is what we went with as far as design

work progressing great, pocket detail finished

successfully installed a covered zipper fly

well I completely messed up this last pair by trimming the zipper from the top and forgetting to put a stop point on them so ,somewhere the zipper pull fell off and in the process of trying to undo all the zigzagging the fabric just kept snagging and unraveling, so I had to start over and piece the fabric to make enough for the shorts so you will notice that they have a center front seam on them now

and as I didn't have enough fabric to do a regular waistband I decided to try a bias tape finish and it worked

recycled pajama pants into a romper for toddler

As many of you know I love the challenge of upcycling a garment past its prime into something that can be used once again, well I was given these cookie monster pajama pants that the fabric was rather wore in spots but I was able to have enough fabric to make my son a romper (size 3t).  Instead of cutting all seams apart, i used the sides of the legs as the fold of the fabric and used it for my front and   back of the romper. I used some scrap from another cast off tshirt for the sleeves and collar and even salvaged a snap for the collar opening. all in all it looks cute. Now to take pics of my son wearing the romper.  The pattern for this romper is available http://www.kbstitchdesigns.com/product/wrap-around-romp/

more school clothes

school is approaching so fast!! my kids have outgrown everything from the previous year so new things are in order.  This paris themed outfit is so darling but it could have turned out so bad had I not went with my gut and used the two fabrics my 8yr old had previously wanted

these were the choices my daughter originally wanted together but we kept the paris fabric for this outfit but used a solid pink to pair with it instead of the small print, saved that for another project and as you can see the solid pink was a much better match and my daughter loves the shorts. I also made a top to coordinate with the shorts

start of school clothes for kids

I have discovered with my walking foot with my machine that knit fabrics are not as scary as i use to deem them to be and in fact have scored some really cute knit fabrics lately.  One of my girls loves animal print and this knit sort of resembled zebra print and it had pink in the fabric so a double score for her.  She picked out a really cute open back tank style tunic that instead of the ruffle skirt that it called for on the pattern I lettuce hemmed the shirt.  Super cute, super fun and my daughter loves it

rebel princess, making of rebel girl dress

I absolutely love testing patterns, this pattern was a test for bella sunshine designs (link at bottom of my blog page) and called rebel girl party dress.  I learned a couple new techniques in making this dress. understitching and concealed zipper, though i didn't do a concealed zipper as i don't have a concealed zipper foot (it is on my every growing list of things to purchase).  I love the fun and trendiness this dress is all about and my daughter loves it too, granted will have to wear it over a tank top for school since it does have that open back but this dress is soo cute and i loved the priviledge of making this for my daughter.

adorable!! twirly top

I am completely have baby fever!! So since having another is not an option for me, I am sewing things for other peoples babys and I gotta say there is something so much fun about sewing tiny baby clothes especially frilly stuff!! I absolutely love this pattern I made that I bought through ckc patterns "baby mimis twirly peasant top" it was a very easy project and so stinking cute!! I did change the sash to an adjustable velcro belt instead. I keep finding new patterns to add to my list of ever growing things to make at some point but I can say I did get this one done.

Swimming season is here!!

Well since having my son all my swim tops are too small and tight. Funds being almost as small and tight I drafted a top using elements from 2 different tops that I liked. I had already drafted and made a bodice block so I used that to draft my swimwear. I had never sewn using Lycra fabrics so this was a new experience for me. It was a bit challenging for me to sew but thankfully w using stretch stitch (a must w stretch fabrics) and my walking foot I was able to make me a halter top and it's ready for use for the 4th of July.  Now that I have the hang of making this top I will be making more in different prints.