The Norah Dress Pattern Tour

When Hayley from Welcome to the Mouse House asked me to participate in her Norah Dress pattern tour, I was powerless to resist.  That collar!  I have a real weakness for patterns with a vintage vibe, and this one really hit the spot.  Plus, I love any pattern with a classic, simple shape.  This is a dress that will never go out of style.

Of course, the collar is the real show-stopper.  A cinched peter pan with ties?  I die.  When I was cutting the collar pattern piece, the scraps seemed like they would be just the perfect size and shape for a few pockets.  They are a bit tight up top, but Ruby can still get her hands inside, and the first thing she did was start loading them with treasures.  Plus, the pockets were a way for me to add more pink (at her request).

Fabrics used:  main print - Emily Herrick Technicolor in Kryptonite, collar - Essex Yarn Dyed Linen in black, lining - Kona Cotton (not sure of the color).

Ruby approved.

Until our little photo bomber came along.  Oh sure, it was funny at first, but then baby sister tried to steal too much of Ruby's thunder.  "These pictures are just of ME!" she said.

It wouldn't be a photo shoot without a few tears, right?

No tears were shed about the Norah Dress though.  It was a real winner.  I can't wait to sew up more versions for my girls (it works for knits, too!) ... let's just say I plan to copy Simple Simon's perfect yellow Norah tunic pretty much point by point.

Thanks, Hayley, for including me in your first pattern tour!  I'm a fan.  

Make a stop at all the blogs on the pattern tour, so you don't miss any of the wonderful versions of this pattern!

one gigantic Fall 2013 KCW post

Hey ya'll.  I'm back again with a KCW report, and then I'll make myself scarce again for a while.

Behold, my Kids Clothes Week spoils:

If you aren't familiar with Kids Clothes Week, it is a challenge to commit to sewing for your kids for at least one hour a day for a week.  You aren't technically supposed to turn yourself into a one-woman sweatshop like I sometimes do.  I just get caught up in the sewing fever and can't help myself!  :)

Obviously, I spent a lot more than one hour a day sewing.  My house is a wreck and I think I averaged about 4 hours of sleep a night.  But my kids have some great wardrobe basics for fall and "winter" (we don't really do winter here in Santa Barbara), and hopefully they will be warm enough for our holiday travelling.

One way I was able to make so many pieces was to make multiples using the same pattern.  I especially love the Recess Raglan Tee for boys (I think Oscar has like 6 of them), but it is really cute for girls, too.  Hooray for unisex patterns!

If you follow me on instagram (homemadebyjill), you saw that I carved a fox and deer stamp to make my own printed fabric. I used animal images from the Silhouette online store, and a Speedball carving block.  I love how the fox shirt came out, and can't wait to print some deer fabric.  The shorts in the photo below were made with MADE's Kid Shorts pattern, earlier in the fall.

I have been using the Lil Leggings pattern by Lil Blue Boo for years, and I like the no-fuss knit waistband.  I usually add a bunch of length to the pattern because I like a full length legging, instead of capri.

Figgy's Banyan Tee is one of my favorite patterns for boys and girls.  The handkerchief hem is ridiculously cute on the girls pattern, and I just like the overall fit for both.  I altered the pattern a bit to make the cat sweatshirt, and used gold pleather for the details.

You couldn't read about KCW last week without hearing about the Bimaa Sweater, so here is my version of the cowl view.  Pretty sure I sewed that cowl on upside down like a moron, but it still looks cute.  Must get it right the next time (sleeping might help).

I'm kind of dying over this little jacket, The Coco Topcoat pattern from the CaliFaye Collection.  It isn't actually done ... need to finish the sleeves, topstitch, and add buttons ... but it is too cute not to share.  This is for Cora, and she looks so delicious in yellow with her blonde ringlets, I just might die when she puts it on.

Ok, the jeans.  JEANS!  Sorry, still feeling ridiculously proud of these.  I used the Skinny Jean pattern from Peekaboo Pattern Shop, and I can't say enough good things about this pattern.  I was feeling all intimidated, but it was really easy and came together looking so pro!  I like that the fit is a slim jean without being super skinny jeggings, which works really well on Ruby.  I got the stretch denim from the Michael Levine Loft in LA for like two bucks, so these jeans are a bargain, too.  This is a pattern I will be repeating (already have a pair cut for Oscar in khaki).

Made by Rae's Flashback Skinny Tee was thrown into heavy rotation.  I used it for the girl's mermaid Halloween costumes, made a three quarter sleeve top for each of the girls, and used it to draft twinners knit dresses for them as well.  Late into the week, Ruby pulled out this funky floral corduroy that she picked out at JoAnn's, so they became a pair of Parsley crazy pants.

Mermaids!  My friend Sonja and I picked up the sequin fabric on a LA garment district run early in the year and have been talking up the mermaid Halloween costume to our girls ever since.  We made two pink and two blue mermaids this week, and if I can keep it together for another two days, they will hopefully get some mermaid headpieces for the big night.  Because how cute would it be if Cora had a little octopus perched on her headband?  Really cute, I tell you.

The skirt is a really simple tube skirt with a knit waistband, knit lining, and chiffon ruffle.  Nothing fancy about the construction, but those sequins will take you a long way.

In other news, these girlies are kind of precious in twin outfits.  Hasn't happened since Easter, 2012.

Phew, still with me?  Obviously, Ruby was the big winner this week, but there was a little bit for everyone. Oscar was the recient of a lot of un-blogged back-to-school sewing in September, and Cora has more hand-me-downs than a girl could ever wear, so they are all set.

I'm really grateful for KCW because it lights a fire under my sewing machine and makes me plow through my unhealthy fabric stash a bit (which is still overflowing, despite taking a bit of a hit last week).  Fabrics for these projects came from Girl Charlee, Fabric.com, upcycled clothes, and random stash.

Hope you all have a Happy Halloween!  xoxo

Signature Dress by Go To Patterns

I love a versatile sewing pattern, and the Signature Dress by Go To Patterns might just be my new favorite.  It is the first pattern that Andrea, of The Train To Crazy, has released in her new shop, and with 3 lengths, 7 sleeve options, 4 styles of pockets, and many other design options, there are literally hundreds of ways to customize your perfect dress.

For Ruby's dress, I choose the maxi length, a flutter sleeve, a shirred waist, and inset pockets.  She is on the robust side, so I cut the 3T size in the 2T length, and the fit is just perfect.  The Signature Dress comes in sizes 12 months to 12 years(!), so I know I'll be using this pattern for a long time to come.

This is the first long dress in Ruby's wardrobe, and she really loves it - apparently anything in this length qualifies as a "princess dress."  At first I was a little apprehensive about sewing a maxi dress for a two year old who spends 75% of her waking hours falling down, but she ran around in the dress all day yesterday and it didn't cause any problems.  Hooray!

She especially loves those pockets - especially when I stuff them with a few jelly beans as a photo bribe (not that they work particularly well ... do you notice a theme of back turned, head down shots in this post?  I really need to find a more cooperative model).

Get your pattern HERE.

This post is part of the Go To Patterns blog tour.  Click on the blogs below to see other variations on this pattern:




Keep up with Go To Patterns on Facebook.

Whimsy Couture Pattern Review and Giveaway

I love a good retro-feel pattern, so I was excited to try the Criss-Cross Tunic pattern by Whimsy Couture.

It is an excellent pattern - simple to print and piece together, and the instructions were easy to follow.  I love that the tunic is fully reversible.

The gingham/seahorse print tunic is for Cora and the flower/polka dot tunic is for Ruby and I was really pleased with the fit on both sizes.  I added some pockets to Ruby's shirt and she liked it so much it was worn two days in a row!  It looks cute on its own, or with a shirt underneath.

Whimsy Couture has a huge pattern selection, with everything from simple pieces like tunics, rompers and bloomers, to sweet ruffly dresses.  Something for everyone!  If you'd like to win a 3-pack of patterns of your choice:

•  "like" Whimsy Couture on facebook, and then leave a comment on this post by midnight, Friday, May 25th.
• One entry per person, please.
• Contact information must be provided (if you do not have a public blog/profile, please leave your email address in your comment)
• This giveaway is available to U.S. and international friends (yay!)

Can't wait to start sewing?  Use the code TAKEOFF50 for 50% off your order in the online store through Friday. 

Book Review and Giveaway: Handmade Beginnings by Anna Maria Horner

I was so happy to receive a review copy of Anna Maria Horner's new book, Handmade Beginnings:  24 Sewing Projects to Welcome Baby.  It couldn't have arrived in a more timely manner!  As my regular readers know, I am expecting baby #2 in just seven short weeks, and while I certainly don't need any help adding to my ever-growing project list, this book is nothing short of inspiring.

First of all, Anna Maria Horner must be some sort of motherhood goddess, because she wrote this book while she was pregnant with her sixth child (my hero).   In the introduction, Anna talks about how all the sewing (her form of nurturing), was so beneficial to her pregnancy.  I especially liked when she said:

" ... sewing while expecting has kept me healthy and centered on what matters - more joyful than not."

I find that true for myself as well.  All of the projects I've been working on for Ruby keep my mind on the excitement of a new baby, and away from worrying about all the potential "what ifs."  Plus, I like the late night sewing sessions, just the two of us, when I can feel all of her little wiggles (and sometimes backflips).

Anyway, back to the book!  It really is a wonderful collection of projects that includes the whole family in getting ready for baby - there are sewing projects for mama, baby, dad, siblings, the home ... she just about covers it all.  Can you tell I like this book?  The projects are clever, the instructions are clear, and the photography is to-die for.

The first project to catch my eye was the Baby-in-the-Hood Jacket:

Isn't that baby just delicious?!!  The jacket is gorgeous, too ... I had to make one.   Here is my first attempt:

This was one of the more complicated baby projects, but the instructions were so clearly written, it was easy to follow.  I picked fabric that was neutral but still playful and really like how the jacket turned out.  When I compare it to the jacket in the book's photos though, I can't help but think I need to make a second jacket in bold, vibrant colors.  Yes, a second jacket is definitely on the to-do list.  A girl needs options!

I have fabric cut for about 4 other projects from the book, but another one I wanted to specifically mention is the Nesting Cubes:

So cute!  You can try it out as well, because this project is available as a free pattern download here. 

In addition, Wiley Publishing is running a drawing for 1 SINGER® Confidence™ 7470 sewing machine, 5 yards of Anna Maria Horner fabric, and a copy of the book Handmade Beginnings: 24 Sewing Projects to Welcome Baby.  Just click here to enter.


Finally, you can read more about the book (and find more book giveaways) on Anna Maria's blog tour. Here's the schedule:

May 3      Craft

May 4      Indie Fixx

May 5      Sew Mama Sew

May 6      Pink Chalk Studio

May 10    Wise Craft

May 14    House on Hill Road

May 16    The Purl Bee

May 18    All Buttoned Up

May 19    Alabama Chanin Journal

May 20    Homemade by Jill

May 21    True Up

May 22    Oh, Fransson!

May 23    Prudent Baby

May 24    Sew Liberated

May 25    Handmade by Alissa

May 26    Hazelnuts

May 27    Petite Purls


This giveaway is now CLOSED.  Thanks for entering!

Peekaboo Bonnet

Last night I didn't get any sewing done for KCWC, so I am going to cheat and show you Ruby's bonnet today.

It was made with the Peekaboo Bonnet pattern at Made by Rae.  The large brim provides awesome sun coverage for your little one's face, and as a bonus, is completely reversible!  It got rave reviews from the mamas in my playgroup this morning.

parsley pants!

Yay!  It's Kid Clothes Week!  Have you caught the sewing bug?  Have you seen the new blog?

If you're new to the challenge, Kid's Clothes Week is a seasonal sewing challenge where you dedicate one hour a day to sewing for your kids.  Of course, you're not limited to an hour, but if you spend at least that much time everyday for a week, you can accomplish some great things.

I'm a big cheat and started prepping patterns, cutting fabric, and sewing clothes about two week ago.  I just couldn't wait!  First up, I made these linen Parsley Pants for Oscar.  The Parsley Pants pattern should be released any second now at Made by Rae, and I have to tell you ... it is great.  There are lots of options, the fit is nice, and the sewing is SIMPLE.  Love it.

I believe Oscar's exact review was, "Mom, can  you make me 100 pairs of these comfy pants so I don't have to wait for them in the wash?"  I'd call that a sweet success.

More to come!  I know I have been a real inconsistent blogger the past few months (more on that next week), but I hope to post every day during Kids Clothes Week.  So come back soon!

Prairie Rose Pattern Tour

Hello, long, lost blogging friends!  I hope some of you are still out there reading, because I've got a whole bunch of recent projects to share with you, starting with ... the Prairie Rose Set from Wee Muses.

When Annelise of Aesthetic Nest asked me to join her tour, I took one look at the Prairie Rose Set and knew Ruby would love it.  What little girl wouldn't?  It is an entire collection of clothes patterns dominated by ruffles.  :)

For Cora, I sewed up the maxi skirt, but more on that in a minute.  Ruby received a modified blouse and pant.

For the blouse, I left off the ruffle and elastic casing on the sleeves.  I also made the pants sans ruffle, added a pin tuck down the front and back of each leg, and narrowed the leg quite a bit.  (photo above is the slimmer version, photo below (in boots) is the full-width leg).  Even having omitted so many ruffles, this is a very fun and feminine look.

I can't tell you how much prancing and preening went on when I pulled this outfit out.  Ruby could not stand still.

I made this floral maxi skirt for Cora (and the coral flashback skinny tee to coordinate), but she absolutely rejected it.  Two year olds are impossible.  Grrr.

I got little smiles for these photos only because she was so pleased with herself for not keeping the skirt on.
What a stink-face.

Ruby, who had been eyeing those flowers from the start, decided she could make it work, and quickly adopted the skirt.  "It's ok if its not so long, mama."

Twirling promptly commenced.

So I guess that makes Ruby the big winner.  She always gets ALL the clothes.  (But I sure hope Cora softens her heart about that skirt, because ... SWOON!)

The Prairie Rose set is a fully collection that includes a blouse, dress, skirt, and pants for sizes 18 months - 8 years.   If your little girl loves ruffles, this one is a crowd-pleaser (unless she is two, and then I make no promises).

Thanks, Annelise, for letting me participate in your pattern tour!