Making Boy Clothes A Bit More Girly

Once I knew that my daughter was expecting, I started collecting all the patterns.  She did not find out what she was having until the handed her the baby.  So - I had to buy infant, boys and girls patterns.   I remembered how Melizza of Pincushions and Treats dressed her son up in the cutest little button down shirts ever.

Not wanting a good pattern to go to waste - last Christmas I made Eleanor a tunic using McCalls 6016 and left overs from #flannelpantsfactory.  But - I didn't want her shirts to look too boyish.  So, for her Christmas tunic, I lengthened the body 3" at the lengthen/shorten line and because it was a flannel shirt, I extended the sleeves to be full length.    Oh - and once it was done, I zig zaged some elastic at the waist on the inside to pull it in a bit and make it a little bit more feminine.

Krystle says she loved this shirt and she wore it quite a bit, until the cuffs got too small.  I then cut the sleeves short and rehemed them and she wore it until it didn't fit.

I also made her some pale pink wool leggings to go with this camping tunic.  This flannel was left over from my SIL's flannel Christmas pants.  I think this was a fun way to dress her up in flannel and keep her warm. 

All pictures were taken in January 2018 while we were on a family vacation.  Eleanor wasn't quite walking yet and she'll turn 1 right after we get home. 

Shirt Inspo

Many of you know that I make JB shirts.  I started making them years ago using the now out of print McCall's 4399.  A quick search shows a very similar current McCall's pattern.

I just want to say - I'm bored.  I'm bored with this pattern.  The only way to really jazz it up is with fabric - and using a contrast pocket and under collar.  A quick count in his closet shows that I have now sewn this pattern up twenty-one (21!!) times!  And all but 3 of those have been made in the last 15 months or so.  I've gotten pretty good at matching the pattern across the placket - I guess the next thing to do is match the pattern all the way around?  And the sleeves?  I would say 95% of the time you can't find the pocket, I've gotten pretty good at that matching.

But, what I really want to sew is shirts like these jazzy little numbers:

Look at those fun details!  Contrasting fabric on the cuffs, button bands, collar stands and under collars.  

But you might have noticed one thing.  Those are all tailored button down shirts.  JB is NOT a buttoned down guy and while I could make shirts like for him - it would be a waste of my time and fabric.  I'm better off leaving those fun details for me.  So - what do I do?  I find a new shirt pattern that has a few places to play.  

For the flag shirt, I started with New Look D0966 (6197)

This was a great jumping off point for adding a little of interest to my sewing projects.  The New Look pattern has a back faced yoke and separate front facing piece, but it's still only a one piece collar.  I am still on the lookout for a men's pattern with a collar stand.  

Also, while cutting this one out, I decided to make E a matching tunic.  More on both shirts coming in a future post - I need more photos and want to get this one posted.  

But - while we wait talk to me.  Do you sew for anyone else?  Do you do it because you like it or because they do?  Do you ever get bored with the garments you are making?  How do you keep it interesting and exciting?

The Cutest Little Project Bag

If you read the last post, you know that I was contacted by The Sewciety and asked if I'd like to receive one of their first subscription boxes. 

I was honored to receive the box.  I did an 'opening' reveal on my IG stories and have it saved to my profile. 

The box itself is sturdy and has quotes on it.  It is suggest that you keep the box for project storage.  It would make a neat pile if you have more than one.  I plan to keep mine and put the supplies I need for an upcoming quilting class (who am I?!) into it. 

While I have every plan in the book to make the little top that was included with the box - my sewing time is so limited these days.  So, I made the little wristlet.  It was everything a quick project should be - quick, fun, easy and adorable! 

Once I trimmed the selvedges off the fabrics, I was ready to start.  I would say, the only thing I don't love about this project is the placement of the strap.  I wish it curved around one of the ends.  I tried doing that, but with the stabilizer, it really didn't want to. 

As you can see I used the lining fabric for the outside of the strap.  Just to add a little fun contrast. 

I will say, I had a little bit of trouble with the zipper insertion - but that was all me.  The instructions were clear - I just thought I knew better.

Again - super easy sew and I would make it again.  I love how the bag opens wide!  That both fabrics coordinate.  This project would be a great stash buster and make cute little gifts. 

I love that everything I needed to make this little wristlet pouch was included in my Sewciety box.  I would absolutely subscribe and get more boxes.

Inside of the pouch - see how wide it opens up?  I love it!  Did you get a Sewciety box?  What are your thoughts?