Halloween PJ's Simplicity 9499

So I made Tyler some Haloween PJ bottoms using our graveyard fabric. I used Simplicity 9499 pattern. I traced out the pattern using tracing paper we purchased at DeSerres. It is a good thing I used the tracing paper as this pattern I will use over and over. It is so simple and quick! It took me 1 1/2 hours to make these bottoms and I was going nice and slow.

This time I made sure the graveyard was going in the proper direction. You only make that mistake once, lol! Tyler still asks me why the haunted houses are upside down. Oops.

One good tip is to sew a tag in the back of the pants so when you go to put on the pants, you will know which is the front and which is the back. Kids need a little help sometimes!

And Voila! New PJ pants for Halloween!

Butterick 5510 Infants' Shirt, T-Shirt, Pants and Hat

I chose Butterick's 5510 for Sam's pants and PJ bottoms. There is one piece that is used for the front and bottom. If I used 1.25 meters of fabric I can get a PJ for Tyler and a PJ for Sam. It is super easy and quick. I made the pants with the stripe on it, but omitted the stripe. By luck I placed the pattern on the material in the correct direction, so Sam's haunted houses are in the proper direction. Like he would notice!

It turned out great. It was quick and simple. I like that.

One issue I had was with sewing the elastic for the bottom. The elastic was hard to work with on my machine. But now I know that I should just take out the tray and I will have much more room to work with. I had originally sewed it by hand but it came apart. Once I did it by machine it stayed put.

 The good thing about this pattern is that it can be long and still wearable because of the elastic. The elastic keeps it above the ankle. Always good!
I plan on making the Jeans style pants out of recycled jeans. I have a pair that are too big for me (ok, more than 1 pair) and instead of throwing them away I plan on making Sam a pair of new pants. With Tyler wearing his pants for 2 years in a row we do not have many hand me downs in terms of pants. I can make a lot of pants into shorts or Bermudas! 

Simplicity 9499 Unisex Pajamas

Simplicity 9499 Unisex Pajamas and knit top



This is a great pattern. It has sizes for adults and sizes for children. It has great value. The pants are quick and simple and so is the waistband.
I first did this with Halloween material that was on sale at Fabricville for $1.99/meter. I did a boo boo on Tyler's pants, as the haunted houses are upside down, but now I know how to lay out directional material. We learn best from our errors, n'est pas? Tyler is happy and he thinks I rock.

Now I tried to make another pair for Tyler in flannel and I was super tired and brain dead, and I do not know what I did but I attached all the pieces incorrectly and had finished the pants when I noticed. I undid all the pieces and will attempt it again today. The flannel ones are for PJ day at daycare on Tuesday and he chose the fabric, so I hope I did not goof too badly! I trimmed the crotch area and everything.
So much for wasting my sewing time that Simon helps he have. Another lesson learned, do nt sew when you are dog tired!
Ok, so I went back to it this morning and the only error I did was when I went to assemble the PJ's front to back and sew the side seams, I placed them incorrectly. I do not know how I did it, but I put them together wrong. So I ended up undoing all my seams for nothing, lol.
Oh well, at least I now know how to selvage a project when all goes wrong. 

PJ bottoms Butterick 5572

 I decided to make Simon some nice & comfy pj's. I used Butterick 5572 for the bottoms. It took one evening, a few hours from start to finish. I used Flannelette that was on sale Fabricville for 3.99 a meter. The pattern was super easy to follow. I used size medium, and adjusted for length. I liked how easy the pockets were to make. It builds your sewing confidence. I even added a waistband for the elastic.

Sewing Fall 2012

Ok, so I started my second sewing class at Fabricville. I will be finished my pants tonight, I am so excited. The pants may be too wide for me, we will have to see. It is not a question of the wring size or measurements, just a question of the wrong style. This will have to be something I learn, as I find it hard to pick put a nice pattern and visualize it on me.


I am making Butterick 5682, style E. The pattern itself was quite difficult. Even my seq wing instructor thought it was more complicated that need be. I kept making mistakes, having to rip out my stitches and start again. Having done all that, it really sunk in and I learned something! It is true what they say, you learn in making mistakes!

Because of this, I was able to finish my shorts, Simplicity 2258.  I started the shorts in the summer and never got past the sewing stage. Because I could understand how to position the pants/legs together, I was able to follow the simple instructions. I now need my instructor to finish the seams with her Serger and the cuffs. I found these shorts to be quite bulky on me.But I got them done in one day and they were a great confidence builder.

 I also finished Butterick 5753 Misses Top. I did version B. Once again I bought a pattern that would be WAY TOO bulky on my frame. I'm learning, I'm learning. However, I did finish this in one day and I felt great about completing something with no errors, and having it look like the picture. I can wear it with a belt and vest and still rock it! 
I have some really nice stretchy knit material to match the pants I am making. Seeing as my original choice for the shirt is too bulky, I did not want to waste the material. I bought some cheap fabric from Village des Valuers to do this top.This material is a polyester something, lol. This way I did not waste the pattern, nor my good material.

Oh! And the most exciting news! I figured out the PJ's pattern! I put together the back, inside seams and shoulders! Yippee! I figured it out. This sewing class has really catapulted my sewing knowledge. I do understand the instructions for the zipper, but I do not want to waste all my hard work. I am going to bring it to my class tonight and ask Pauline if I am doing it correctly. I am sooo happy!

Newlook 6525 PJ's for Sam

So I bought the material and the pattern for this PJ when Tyler was born and never did it. The material is a cute dark blue pattern with footballs on it. Now I am adventurous to actually do it!

I have chosen pattern "A" to try first. I am not doing it in a fleece but in a cotton. 

Today I cut out my pattern, ironed the material and the pattern and laid it out and pinned it in place. Tomorrow I will double check my work before cutting, and cut it out. Maybe I will start to sew tomorrow.

Day 2

I cut out all the pieces and transfered my markings to them

Day 3

I assembled the pieces and started to sew. I am on step 2 and confused. I am not sure I put the pieces together properly. Ughhhh....

I think I did it wrong. I am not sure how the pieces fit together. I may have to abandon this project as it may be too advanced for me at this time. 

Ok, deap breath. I think piece #3 was placed just above the fold line and it should not have been cut on the fold line directly, leaving me with 2 mirrored pieces and not just one. The diagram is so confusing that I will call New Look tomorrow.

November 10th

I AM DONE!!!!!!!!!! I added the non slip grippers for his feet and lined it with the same material as the PJ's. I used the Large so I will try it on Sam after Breakfast and see if it is too big. If it is I will make the next in Medium.

What happened to my favorite pastime?

Ok, so we L-O-V-E camping. We did not go last year as I was SUPER pregnant with major complications. We went this year for the 1st time. My Mom, the SUPERMOM, took the boys for 24 hours so we could set up and enjoy a night of camping alone.
So, here is how it started:
-Simon's car battery died, had to buy boosters
-We get there, starts to thunder. Severe and extreme thunderstorms
-I get the Gastro, standing in said thunderstorms sick as a dog
-The 2nd night I take baby and sleep at mom's, too sick
-3rd night we go back home as Simon now has the gastro
-We are booked until Sunday, we are heading back...Maybe.
Ssam has yet to sleep in a tent :(
-Oh, did I forget to mention the water in Oka is contaminated? There is a boil water advisory. Ugh...

What happened?????

So, besides the nasty stuff.. When it is not raining it is nice and cool, great camping weather, we saw deer walking in the parking lot and Simon had a fire.

McCalls 5825 Apron sewing project

So I started today to sew McCalls's 5825 Apron, D.

I first washed and dried my fabric. I chose a 100% pink and white polka dot fabric. Good thing I washed it first as it dried all funny. It took a long time for me to line up the fabric properly! This is my first solo project, so I want to go slowly and do it properly!
There are some pieces that need to be cut twice. What I did was I traced the pattern onto paper and cut out a second piece. I did not feel confident that I could line up the pieces properly on my fabric otherwise. All the pieces were FINALLY lined up properly with the grain and pinned in place. Then.... I CUT!
That concludes my day 1 project.

Day 2

Bias tape is not easy! I had to Google videos of how to install bias tape. I will head out to Fabricville at noon to buy wider bias tape. That might make it easier to work with. One video says that I should iron it to stay in place on the curves. I hope it works.
I SWORE on my first attempt! I was pretty discouraged as this was step one on my instructions. The videos make it look so easy to install the tape, but my fingers don't work as well. We will see if wider tape is easier to work with for newbies! Wish me luck!

So I went to Fabricville and bought extra wide double bias tape. I had regular double bias tape and the pattern calls for wide. No wonder I had trouble. I chose extra wide because I was having trouble manipulating the regular size tape and extra wide would ensure I could sew it on!
I watched a YouTube video that showed how to install the bias tape. This made it easier to understand what I was doing and why. You can check out the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUVCeYBUQ64.
I was able to do the 2 pockets in under 30 minutes (I think, I was not looking at the time). 

 The pockets are not EXCELLENT, but hey, it's my first attempt. The only problem is I looked at my pattern and I need more bias tape. The tape has to go all the way around my apron. OOPS. Looks like another trip to Fabricville is needed.

Once I figured out how to use the bias tape, ZOOM! I finished my apron today. I had a bit of trouble with the bias tape on the top. I figured it out and the next time I use bias I will do a much better job. The tie strings were WAY too long for me. I had used size Medium for the pattern and chose SMALL for the tie strings around my neck. I had to make a second hole even smaller. I am only 5'2 so all my clothes are made petite.
I used the button hole maker on my sewing machine for the first time. I tried it out on a scrap piece first. It was super easy! Here is a picture of my finished apron. Don't mind the circles under my eyes as Sam has been waking up in the middle of the night from teething and it is 10:30 pm!

Sewing project

I just finished my first sewing class at Fabricville. I made 2 skirts. I am very proud of myself for finishing not one but 2 skirts. The first one was during the class, and the second one I made the same skirt on my own at home!
We used pattern Simplicity 2286. I chose view B, with pockets. I made it from cotton. This was part of a 3 week, 6 class sewing course.

Tyler is not impressed with his gift!

Ok, so you want me to do what exactly with this?