Pattern testing for HeidiandFinn-Urban Weekender Coat

I am so excited to share this new pattern with you!! and can't help but start out by telling you that I am totally in love with this new pattern by HeidiandFinn!

I was one of the lucky people selected to test out HeidiandFinn's new Urban Weekender Coat, which will be released this weekend. Their patterns are amazing. I also have their Urban Unisex Hoodie pattern, which is fabulous:

I find their designs to be clean and hip, which is something I am looking to incorporating into my sewing. So far most of the clothes I make are fun and colourful, but I also want something my kids can wear that is a bit more sophisticated. 

Well this design is very sophisticated:

I love and prefer using upcycled materials, but in this case I had a deadline of a week to complete the coat, so I broke my rule and bought new fabric. I found this dark denim in the sale aisle at the fabric store.

The buttons are made from coconut.

and the lining is also from the sale aisle. Bright and colourful on the inside, clean and sophisticated on the outside.

My little model.

Big brother making him laugh.

And we need a serious shot.

                           

Jasper is used to being my model, and I think he was feeling a little left out. He put on his "handsome shirt" and asked that I take photos of him too.

He is so handsome and goofy!

and the goofy shot:)

I was worried when I signed up for this because I wasn't sure I was experienced enough to make a coat, plus my one experience with a zipper left me intimidated. (I made a fleece vest for Rob's dad. The zipper went in fine, but the rest was awful!) But the pattern and tutorial are so easy to follow, and I loved making it. After the kids went to bed on Monday night I started sewing and couldn't stop until I was done, which was around midnight! It was just so exciting and I couldn't wait to see the end result, which I am so ecstatic with. I feel like the real deal after putting this together. A few friends on Facebook asked me to make them one in their size. I'm not sure I'm ready for that, but I do have enough fabric left over to make a coat for Jasper, who really wants one.

Thanks HeidiandFinn for another amazing pattern, and for giving me the opportunity to test it out!

New Patterns!

When I started creating clothing, I was measuring out each piece. every. single. time. I told myself I should really just make some patterns so I wouldn't have to measure each item out, but it never happened, and I know it never will, so I have decided to purchase patterns. Not only does this help me out, but it also helps out the people that create these fantastic patterns. Usually other moms.

Here are the patterns I have purchased so far, and love!

The Sewing for Boys book

I use the patterns from this book regularly. Here are some of the items I have created:

This raglan shirt is a staple for me. I love it.

With the raglan shirt I can also make dresses! Perfect!

Mr. Two face pants! A good pants pattern is important.

And the long sleeve raglan. 

There are many more patterns in the Sewing for Boys book that I still haven't gotten around to. If you are looking for some great boy patterns I highly recommend you get yourself a copy of this fabulous book!

Next I was looking for some fun ruffly patterns for girls. I discovered Lilygiggle on Etsy, and was immediately in love! This amazing designer is a homeschooling mother of four, so I felt an immediate connection! She creates these beautiful patterns to share with others, and says she hopes it will help other moms who want to stay home with the children! How generous, and caring. I am very grateful for her generosity.

She has a few boy patterns in her shop, as well as a some patterns for women. If you are looking for some fun patterns Lilygiggle is a great place to start!

Here are a few samples of items I have made using Lilygiggle patterns:

Bubble skirt tunic

Ruffle pants

 Next I decided to take a leap and purchase a pattern from HeidiandFinn. At this point I was completely converted to using patterns. This pattern has been FANTASTIC! I love it! I discovered HeidiandFinn a year ago, but I was still determined to make my own patterns at this point. I am so glad I rediscovered this shop on Etsy, because this pattern is a nice addition to my collection.

I decided to go with the Urban Unisex Hoodie:

This pattern motivated me to learn how to make button holes on my sewing machine, as well as sew buttons. I was intimidated by both of these tasks, but it turns out it is easier than I thought. 

I have a couple of pattern books that I have favorited in my Etsy shop that I am on the fence about. The patterns look amazing, which is why I want to jump in and purchase the books, but they are in Japanese, soooo, maybe I won't know how to put them together. I'm pretty confident that I will, but I'm going to hold off for a little longer. Give myself more time to work with the patterns I have. 

Here are the books, but don't buy them, because I'm going to soon! Both these books I found in the Etsy shop Pomadour's Craft Cafe

Pochee Special Boy

Japanese Craft Book

How about you? Do you have any favourite patterns?

Supplies

I love ordering supplies online. Mostly because I like receiving a package in the mail. It always feels like a surprise!

I placed my first order from Pick Your Plum, for sewing supplies of course. This deal was at the beginning of April and it arrived last week, and I was so excited. I ripped the envelope open to admire my new supplies.

Here is what I ordered:

Thread (which I go through amazingly fast!) and buttons.

Now that I have some buttons, I was motivated to learn how to make button holes, and sew buttons on my sewing machine.

Good thing I purchased this pattern recently from HeidiandFinn on Etsy.

I adore this pattern! Of course I had to try out both sets of buttons, so I made two hoodies. I'm happy with the turn out. 

What is your favourite item/s to order online?

Florescent Hoodies

My two littles just finished up their skating lessons with the Sooke Skating Club. For the end of year performance they had an 80's theme, which meant lots of bright colours. We were asked to dress the boys in a bright top with black pants and leg warmers.

What is brighter then florescent? I decided to make the boys florescent hoodies, because I have a huge stash of florescent sweat pant material given to me by my mother in law. It has been sitting in my fabric closet for a couple of years, and I have been itching to use it. 

I was helping Jai with geometry and was inspired to try some geometry out in my sewing project. The first pattern didn't work out so well. It was too wide and long for Jas, and slightly too small for Jai.

Here is the back.

So I decided to take the hoodie apart and use the raglan tee pattern from the Sewing for Boys book (I love this book by the way), and it worked out perfectly. I just added a hoody.

Here is the back.

And then I made one for Jude. Here they are on show day. Jude is focused on the puddles, and resisting the temptation to splash in them with his holey shoes.

And he notices me with the camera.

Blurry shots of the boys. People kept standing right in front of them, or walking past, so I couldn't get a good shot, but just so you have an idea of their cuteness:)

More Boy Sewing

I have been making more of an effort to focus on creating more boy clothing. There is just so much out there for girls, that I thought it was time to change my focus. I will still be creating girl clothing, because I have a huge stash of fabric that would probably be more desirable for girls. Not that I like to put a label on items being for girls or boys, but, you know what I mean.

I made this rainbow shirt for Jas. 

He was loving this forced smile :)

A pumpkin long sleeve for my little pumpkin.

Long Sleeve Raglan

This long sleeve was inspired by halloween. Purple and Green stripes, with a solid green back.

Subway Map Long Sleeve

This shirt you may remember from a previous post in the summer. I found this shirt on one of my Win Your Discount Wednesday trips.

Mouse and the Moon

This shirt is just so adorable. It was meant for a little guy. I added stripy sleeves for a bit of fun. 

Stripy Pants

These pants are just so fun! I love bright colours and stripes for boys! The cuffs I decided to make dark to hide dirt.

The long sleeve raglans have been made using the pattern in Sewing for Boys.

I have more long sleeves in the works, hoodies and pants of course, but I hope to make some rompers in the near future as well as trying out some jackets.