oliver + s cozy winter hoods

This week I worked on a couple of baby hats for two friends who are having babies in the spring. I've had the book, Oliver + S Little Things to Sew for over a year now, and this is the first project I've made from it: Cozy Winter Hood.

I made the extra small (6-12 month) size, which is quite roomy for my little one's head. It fits Morgan with room to grow, and it even fits Marcus - who is four years old! Now, Morgan does have a large noggin, but I think this size will even fit her perfectly next fall when she is around 20 months old (I'm totally making her one of her own!).

With their typical intense dislike for hats, the tie-on feature of this hood is perfect for a toddler. I couldn't wrestle my toddler down to tie that ribbon any tighter during this particularly rough photo shoot.

The hood is pretty darn cute when it is untied, too! The exterior of both hats is corduroy, and the interior is flannel. The boy hat is a little sturdier due to both the corduroy and the flannel (Riley Blake) being a little heftier. But, the girl hat is just as soft and warm - only a little bit floppier.

I decided not to hand stitch the ears upright as the pattern suggests - I liked how charming they looked when the ears were askew. I also did the whole blind stitch deal in the lining on the girl hat, but decided to just turn the boy hat out from the bottom back and topstitch around to close it up. Then I ended up topstitching the girl hat because it looked a little more tailored. One more note - I used Elmer's glue on the ribbon ends to prevent fraying. I know that won't hold up, but fabric glue (as pattern recommends) can be toxic (at least the kind I have is) and don't babies put ribbons in their mouths?

Love, love, love this hood. Super easy and insanely adorable!

:) Shelly

captain america cape

As part of a fundraiser for Marcus' preschool, I donated a custom-made superhero cape. Archie's mom won the cape, and after she conducted a sleuth interview with her son, she told me that his perfect cape would have a Captain America theme with his favorite color, purple, worked into it.

She also suggested a purple satin lining. None of my capes have ever had a satin lining, but I loved it! Marcus told me that the satin was really silky, too.

The cape came together fantastically! The red and white stripe was not quite as wide as I would have liked, but it looked great with the blue and gold, anyways. I included a little purple on the back of the cape to tie the whole thing together. I think the Captain America vibe is definitely there! I sure hope Archie likes his cape. Making capes is probably my favorite sewing project, especially when the kids design them themselves.

I have a few more projects in the works. Hopefully I'll be back soon!

:) Shelly

my three musketeers

Halloween costumes. Man, oh, man... I'm still in disbelief that I actually finished them. It was a long process, and my excitement level was seriously lacking. But, I was quite pleased with how they came out. The three musketeers seemed pretty happy with their costumes, too.

Halloween was tough this year. Morgan and I had a cold, Chris was sick with what we think was the flu, and Charles had a fever. Marcus, of course, was healthy as a horse. We made it to Marcus' preschool party on Halloween eve, but Halloween was a little more subdued. Everyone rallied for a costume photo shoot, though. Footwear was obviously optional.

Charles and Marcus selected this costume pattern when they went shopping with me at JoAnn's. I think it was the swords that really sold them. I bought the boys' hats and swords online. I made the boys' tunics using McCalls pattern 5500. I decided to leave the sleeves off because I knew that the boys would use them a lot in their dress-up play. Plus, I figured white satin sleeves would become a filthy nightmare by the time we went trick-or-treating. I made the belts using a subtle black cotton print and some notions left over from when we were the royal family a few years back.

Apparently this is a musketeer face. Chris and I think it is more reminiscent of Zoolander.

I winged it on Morgan's tunic by using one of her tunic-style tops as a pattern. I made both her tunic and hat while she was sleeping, which is why both items are a little bit tight for her. I'm guessing that next week she'll be too big for them!

Hope you all had a fun Halloween! We still enjoyed ourselves, even through all the sickness. Now I just feel sick from all of the miniature candy bars I've been eating!

:) Shelly

birthday cape for Marcus

Super Marcus turned 3 last week. This poor child has been coveting his brother's superhero cape for the last year now, so I finally made him one of his own.

Marcus chose the theme of his party - a Rainbow Party! I didn't go nuts on the rainbow theme, but I did satisfy him with a Skittles rainbow cake, lots of rainbow colored balloons, and a rainbow pipe cleaner craft. He wore his brother's cape for the entire party (while the one I was making him was sitting upstairs on my sewing table in pieces!).

Marcus went to the fabric store with me to choose his fabrics for his cape. He picked this train flannel from JoAnn's (which I also used a while back for Evan's cape) and some cool roadway flannel for the lining.

At first Charlie was very envious of Marcus' cape (my cape making skills have improved over the past 3.5 years!), but I quickly reminded him that he has not one, not two, but THREE superhero capes! This seemed to please him and he quit complaining.

Marcus' favorite part of his cape is the big M on the back. On his actual birthday he wore his cape on his scooter ride to pick up Charlie from school. It was the cutest thing, and I was enjoying it way too much to stop to take a photo of it. You'll just have to believe me.

Here's that roadway flannel from JoAnn's. I am cursing myself for not buying more when it was on super sale just before Christmas. I think I'm just too engrossed in all things pink.

:) Shelly

goodbye, for now

I hope that you all had a wonderful Halloween. Ours was very fun, and the boys loved their costumes. 

I made Charlie's Batman costume using the McCall's 5952 pattern. I've found that this shiny polyester material works really well for making these jumpsuit-type costumes. Charlie's 3T Spider-Man costume is still going strong, and it has survived many washings. I added the cape and belt to this costume to make it complete. I made Marcus' costume using MADE's Frontier Vest pattern and some scissor-treatment on an old pair of jeans. I fashioned the dreadlocks-bandana (aka: pirate hair) from my own imagination using ric-rac and a pre-fab black bandana. This was the first year that Marcus was really into his costume, so I have the feeling I'll have to step-it-up for next year. I guess I'll be starting in June!

So, this is it. Sorry for this lame-o post as my last one for a while. I'll probably be back, but not before I'm settled in with Baby #3. Wish me luck! Hopefully I'll manage to sew a little bit more before my wee one is born!

Thanks for reading!

:) Shelly

batman, pirate, and preparing to say goodbye

After a few late-night sewing sessions, I finally have some progress to show off on my boys' Halloween costumes. We have a very fun Halloween party to attend this Sunday, so I'm working with a tight deadline here! I think I might just make it though (hope, hope...).

Last week I sewed up Marcus' pirate vest using MADE's Frontier Vest pattern. I also created a "Jack Sparrow" bandana/wig (even though Marcus really doesn't know who Jack Sparrow actually is - except through the world of Lego). On Saturday night, I whipped together Charlie's Batman cape while  Chris cleaned up his office space across from my sewing machine. That was a hot date, let me tell you!

 

Last night I finished Charlie's Batman hood. When the boys woke up this morning, Charlie asked me with urgency if he could see the hood (he already had a sneak-peek at the cape). Marcus asked for his costume, too. So, here they are at 7:00 am, all dressed up. I was dying of laughter when I put the bandana on Marcus - he looks like Bob Marley!

Charlie is getting good at Karate, huh?! Tonight the babe-in-utero and I will be burning the midnight oil upstairs in front of the sewing machine.  I have to make some serious progress on Charlie's Batsuit in order to have everything hemmed and ready for Sunday's party. I will post more info on the pattern and material I used when I post next.

Speaking of posting next... I think that my next post will be my last for a while. As you've probably noticed, my sewing and posting has really thinned out in the last few months. Sure, we've been really busy with the move, the pregnancy, yadda-yadda. However, I think I'm just in need of a long hiatus. I am so impressed with the sewing/crafting bloggers who have 2+ kids and still manage to churn out new and exciting projects and posts, sometimes daily! It is incredible... but it is definitely not me. I'm super tired and have actually kind of enjoyed my absence from blogging these past few months. To me, that means I need a break! Thanks to everyone who reads this blog - it has been fun to write it. :)

For those of you who know me well and just can't live without my written word (ha!), I plan to spend a little more time on my family blog, especially with the new baby coming. And, I'll definitely leave this blog up for the links, etc. (sorry I never got super into making tutorials!).

So, anyways, next time - the final Halloween costumes! I think I'm wearing an oldie this year - should I be a Care Bear or a Queen (both will accommodate my growing belly)?

:) Shelly

pirate hooks

Sewing around here should actually be renamed slowing. I've managed to cut out all of the pieces to make the two bags for the Bo M. Karlsson auction in August... but that's about it. I'm hoping to light a fire under my sloth-like self this week. In the meantime, I thought you might enjoy a craft (this word is used loosely) that Charlie and I worked on while Marcus was napping the other day. Pirate hooks!

Marcus was very pleased with his surprise new pirate accessory. These hooks continue to provide hours of fun with only minutes to make! If we stick with a pirate-theme birthday party for Charlie this year, I think I might use black cups and silver pipecleaners to make these for the craft.

Hook How-To

1. Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil and roll it into a thin strip.

2. Poke two holes into the bottom of a paper cup.

3. Insert the foil strip into one hole in the paper cup and bring it back up through the other. Adjust length so that you have one long end and one short end.

4. Twist the short end onto the long end.

5. Shape the long end into a hook.

6. Say Aaaarghhh!

Marcus can make a mean pirate face.

As can Charlie!

The best things about these hooks are: 1) They are cheep and easy to make 2) They won't make a scratch on the skin if they accidentally hit someone.

I'll sew something soon!

:) Shelly

the priest and the puncher

Whoa. It's been a long time. Sorry about the extended absence. We were in Chicago for a couple of weeks celebrating a very special occasion. My brother, Chris, became a Catholic priest on May 21st in Rockford, IL! One of my seamstress projects upon my arrival in Chicago was to alter my brother's alb (which was an extremely anxiety-producing task). All I did was remove the black satin lining from underneath the lace cuff, but I did this TWO DAYS before his ordination! I was so nervous! My brother wasn't, though - he was a total natural, and he will make an excellent priest. Congrats, Fr. Chris!

Here are me and my brother with my husband (also Chris) and my dad just after the ordination ceremony.
I wish I had a whole-family photo because my lovely mom and sweet sister (and her hubby) are missing from this one.
But, check out my handiwork - a nice, clean seam rip!

 The other project I worked on while I was at my parents' house in Chicago was Charlie's costume for his school play. He was The Puncher. According to Charlie, The Puncher does not punch - he instead has arms that transform into a storm trooper and has a hose that shoots peanut butter and arrows.

 Of course, I did not get this information from Charlie until after we had planned his whole costume out over pancakes one morning. I sewed most of his costume using pattern pieces from his Spider-Man costume (circa Halloween 2009) using McCall's M4951.

 Charlie did sew the mask himself, though.

 He was very pleased with the mask, but not very fond of wearing it - even after I cut the eye holes bigger.

He simply adored his boots, though. He chose all of the fabric himself. The black and white fabric is Alexander Henry Baddana. The rest is from JoAnn's.

 He also chose an iron-on patch for the belt.

 There he is with Bad Guy Mummy and most of his pre-k buddies. I can't believe he is done with preschool! Kindergarten, I hope you are ready for The Puncher!

:) Shelly

pirate vest

Exciting! Check out my capes on this cool photography blog here.

On Thursday night I managed to finish Charlie's pirate vest for Easter. My late-night sewing buddy, Anna, made one, too. We used the Frontier Vest pattern from MADE, and they fit our slim little four year-olds perfectly!

This fleece-panted pirate sported his vest all over town on Friday (yes, Friday... because I couldn't wait until Easter to give it to him). Many strangers received a friendly ARRRRGHH! along the streets from Charlie.

Don't look too closely at my bias tape job - it was getting really late when I finished the vest. Sloppy, sloppy! There was quite a few, "Oh well, it is only a costume" remarks from both me and Anna. I put in some handy pockets to hold a pirate's booty, but I should have also included a sword loop like Anna did - Charlie actually looked for one when he tried on the vest.

I reminded him that he has not one, but two, pirate belts for his sword and scabbard. And just look at the color coordination of the pirate vest and cross-body pirate belt that Charlie and I made! You would have thought we actually planned that!

The pirate hats actually came from the Easter bunny. He left both of the boys some treats in upturned pirate hats in the garage. The Easter bunny discovered a bounty of pirate goodies at Archie McPhee this year.

Self-named Pirate Pescado (left) and Pirate Stink Beard (right) enjoy a mean breakfast of toast and jam with strawberries. Please note that Marcus is not wearing his tool belt - he's not a fan of it. Oh, well. You win some, you lose some.

Hope everyone had a fun Easter and/or Passover holiday!

:) Shelly

toolbelt for Marcus

I am slowly getting things ready for Easter baskets this Sunday. Last week I sewed up this cute little flame toolbelt for Marcus. He is forever putting tools into his (and my) pockets, so I thought he would like his own belt.

Marcus is a lover of fire. Kind of scary. The fabric is Alexander Henry (I also used it for this superhero cape). I used this toolbelt tutorial from Make It and Love It.

Charlie also has a toolbelt like this that he made himself. It has been out of commission for a while because it was torn during some serious construction play, but I finally got around to fixing it up.

This Thursday I will be fashioning a pirate vest for Charlie. I am hoping that it turns out because I only have one night for sewing before Easter Sunday. Crossing my bunny ears!

:) Shelly

another pirate belt

Last week Charlie asked me if we could sew him up a new pirate belt. He was really enjoying the pirate belt that he sewed himself, but felt that a cross-body belt would better hold his sword and scabbard.

It was funny because Charlie didn't really want to sew any part of it this time around - he only wanted to design! He ordered a waist belt with a cross-body belt attached. Then he suggested we add a pocket to hold his "treasures" (those would be Connect Four game pieces). Charlie sat next to me at my machine during the entire project, monitoring my handiwork for quality assurance.

Charlie actually has an eye patch, but prefers to use his hand.

Apparently, this pirate belt design is more ergonomically correct for scabbard/sword carrying. The belt totally reminds me of a crossing-guard belt! I was having elementary school safety patrol leader flashbacks!

The pocket ended up being Charlie's favorite feature of the belt.

Arrggg... thar's me eye patch, matey!

:) Shelly

super zip!

This past weekend we went to a birthday party for Charlie's friend, Max (also known as his own speedy superhero, Super Zip!). Of course, I felt it my duty to fashion Super Zip with a superhero cape.

Please note that Super Zip actually carries a ray gun, not a sword. Charlie was improvising here. Being my super sneaky self, I casually asked Max about Super Zip one day last week at preschool. He informed me that Super Zip has a red cape with pockets, then he zoomed off to play with some balloons. Hmmm....pockets?

I checked with Callie, Max's mom, who confirmed that the pockets are probably to stash superhero things in, not to warm his hands in. So I added some patch pockets near the corners of the cape on the lining side. I made them fairly commodious, but probably not ample enough for his ray gun, which Callie described as being adult size that blows smoke rings. Whoa, I have to see this!

I just have to add this photo that was taken on Saturday at the Emerald City Comicon. Chris and I have been to Comicon before (Chris collects comics), but never with the kids. It was pretty amazing and a little bit crazy. Charlie was totally impressed. I loved that he chose to wear his own superhero cape (and that blasted sword, of course) when he has a Spider-Man costume and a Buzz Lightyear costume at home. Looks like Charlie is his own kind of superhero, kind of like Max.

:) Shelly

transportation cape

Last night I finished the last of the custom-order superhero capes.

This is the second cape I made for a friend's two sons (check out the first construction-themed one here). She asked for a "very BOY cape." I wanted to make this cape different from the first, but not too different... I didn't want there to be a superior cape since the boys would be sharing them. Both capes have "B"s on them for the boys' last name.

I really like how this cape came out. It was fun to make a larger version of the little green truck in the print. I wish I had found this print long ago when I was making the crib bedding for Charlie (but then again, we didn't know if he was boy or girl until he was born).

Little did we know we were having "Super Boy!" Charlie chose to model this cape pirate-style, complete with eye-patch and spyglass. I went back and forth about the trim color for this cape: red vs. navy. But, in the end, I thought red might look to Christmas-y with the green lining of the cape. I think I made the right choice.

So, here's where I sum up my experience making and selling custom-made superhero capes. It was really fun, but it kind of stressed me out too much. Maybe it was because of the holidays and the fact that six orders came in pretty much all at once. Or, maybe it is just the whole deadline thing in general. I don't know. What I did figure out is that I won't be opening an Etsy shop anytime soon. Sewing is my relaxing hobby, and trying to make a business out of it took the relaxing (and the hobby) right out of it. I've decided that I will still make custom capes for friends and acquaintances who would like to order one... but I'm going to keep it super informal. That's me: Super Informal Girl. My cape is just invisible, you see.

:) Shelly

flaming arrow cape

Please forgive my blurry pictures. I was having some trouble with my camera yesterday and didn't realize these were so blurry until I uploaded them today (after already delivering the cape to its new owner). Anyways, here is Elliot's flaming arrow superhero cape!

Elliot is Violet's sister (whose cape I made a few weeks ago). Now, I've never met Elliot, but I totally want to! He designed this cape himself! His mom sent me an email describing his cape design: On the inside it would be black, and on the outside it would be blue with a big fire starting on the bottom coming up and a big orange arrow outlined in black in the middle. She specified later that the arrow should be pointing upwards.

I think I nailed it! I found this Alexander Henry flame fabric and thought *perrrrfect!*.

The inside is black with very a tiny, subtle dark grey circle pattern.

Charlie and his buddy, Charlie B., took turns modeling the cape for me, but all photos came out blurry. ARGHHH! That stinky little Marcus was playing with my camera settings so I'm totally blaming him. You like Charlie's shoes? Ha! He is one clumsy superhero in those!

One more cape coming this week, then I plan to make a superhero cape for Marcus for his big 2nd birthday! I guess I just can't stop!

:) Shelly