KCWC Wrap Up

WOW - I was feeling 100% burned out going into the past week.  I just wasn't feeling the sewing bug and I was starting to get down on myself.

The first couple days I sewed for the allotted time just trying to force myself to get the Project Run and Play look done - I am happy with that outfit, but it just didn't feel inspiring to make.  Once I had that done, I really started LOOKING at the KCWC flicker group.... ok, these women are phenomenal.  I saw so many inspiring things and realized that most of the looks (for little girls) that I love best come from Oliver and S patterns - so if you are looking for Christmas gifts for me ... ;op
I was inspired by an adorable faux fur vest that Kate from See Kate Sew made - like 'stop the presses I must make that NOW' inspired.  Baby girl chews on EVERYTHING she wears, so I figured I would start with a shorter/softer fur - and I knew that I had the perfect thing.  I have a piece of faux lamb that I use as a basket filler when photographing newborns - but it has always been a bit big, so I just cut off enough for the little vest... of course then I had to go back and make a second one because the first didn't have enough wiggle/growing room.
Once I made those, I was chomping at the bit to sew something else.  I was just given a piece of pink corduroy by a friend (who had actually been given the fabric by my mom - silly crazy world).  And I knew it had to be a coat.  I have no coat pattern - and no cute coat in the right size to create a pattern off of....hmmmmmm.  BUT I did have a re-sized vest pattern that I knew fit baby girl (thanks to Kate!!!), so I adapted it:  changed the neckline, added more fullness to the body to give more of an A-line, and drafted sleeves to fit the arm hole opening (let me just say drafting sleeves without a french/armscy ruler is no fun). And last, I added the ruffle - I didn't go all the way around like the inspiration, I thought that might be a bit much for this age/stage (almost 6 months).
The one sad moment in making the coat was the realization that the best lining fabric I had was my final project for my patterning/draping class in college (a 19th century Jane Auten-esque dress that I got an A+++++++ on, yep that grade exists - at least in my head).  I could have used something else, but the stripe was the perfect color.
Then of course baby girl needed just a simple little grey knit dress (using the same pattern as the sweet as pie dress) - I just added 3/4 sleeves to it.

So here is what I made in ONE week: (I did sew way more than 1hr per day this weekend - and during the week ;op)

Mix and Match Hoodies

 Sweet as Pie

(J.Crew version $69.50, Mine - free)

Whew - I think I am taking the week off after that!!!!

Sweet As Pie

This week's challenge at Project Run and Play is Fall holiday wear.    At first I was not super inspired for this week's challenge, then I remembered an old sweater of my husbands (that he HATES).  It is a gorgeous burnt orange, zips up the front, and is made of a super stretchy and comfy knit - I wore it many a time during my two pregnancies.

The color reminds me of pumpkin pie - so I'm serving pumpkin pie three ways! (sorry, only one got done for this week, but I'll show you the boys' asap - they are getting sweaters and pants made with the same orange sweater and navy&cream knits).

To me Thanksgiving is a day where you dress up - but you still want to be comfy, you need room in your clothes for all that great food.  And honestly, you are going to be sitting around or playing most of the day -so clothes that don't get rumpled and are easy to move in are a must!

First, a helping of baby girl:

I drafted a pattern for a simple drop waist jumper.  I set the zipper off to the side to keep it more modern and intentional. The front was interesting because I needed to cut it in one piece because of the zipper (the pattern I have created is two separate pieces - I can't wait to make this again out of an easier to use knit)- but I wanted the front to have pleating. ~Why oh why do I get these crazy ideas in my head that just serve to make life more complicated ;op  The back I cut all in one. I trimmed it with navy jersey (From an XL jersey dress), and added navy jersey flowers with pearl-escent buttons it keep it feminine.  I added leggings made of the same fabric and a hair band with another flower - 'cause every little girl needs hair accessories!

The pictures of her in it are horrible to the point of hilarity, but I just didn't have time for a 'real' photoshoot.  Since this outfit is for Thanksgiving (6 weeks away)  I cut it a bit long  - she grows taller by the minute!

 'Hi, look at me in my pretty dress'

That HAIR - I just can't help but giggle!!!

Mix and Match Hoodies

 I think these were two of my favorite things I have sewn for my boys.  They are also my first items I have made while participating in this fall's KCWC.

I made this pattern so that I can make hooded sweatshirts for the boys, but the materials I chose for this first draft lend themselves perfectly to be worn with or without something underneath.  I tend to like muted colors and neutrals -but WOW do I love this pop of color mixed with grey (my favorite neutral at the moment!!!)

I used an XL men's polo shirt and two women's M tops to make these.

My original plan was to add kangaroo pockets - and I may add them later, but honestly - I love these just the way they are.

There is something about the way the hoods fit that reminds me of Monty Python's Holy Grail - but I'm cool with that.

And I think my boys loved their hoods - as they gleefully ran around all day with pointing at their hoods saying "Hat, hathathathat..."
*I apologize for the terribleness of these pics - my point and shoot decided to hate me, and I didn't want to lug out the real deal ;op

'Brave, brave sir Robin ran away, he ran away...'

Anything that they don't want to take off, I deem a success!

Operation Project $0 Round Up

So it is officially over - Operation Project $0 that is, not my sewing ;o)

I am so glad that I was able to place this challenge on myself and accomplish so much over the course of the last 2 months.  I essentially went from not sewing much of anything (other than fixing a hem or a button) for the last 5 years - to attempting to sew an entire wardrobe for my little men.

Here is what I finnished:

1 - 4 Made 90min shirts
2 - 2 shirts of my own design
3 - 2 pairs of  Khakis
4 - 1 pair of lined wool pants
5 - 1 pair of plaid dress pants
6 - 2 hoodies
7 - 1 sweater 
8 - 1 hat
9 - 1 bow tie
10- 1 blazer

11 - 1 hooded fall jacket



So, since the launching point of this personal challenge was to save money lets see approximately what I saved by making these articles of clothing myself. (I'm using Old Navy for general price points - other stores or boutiques could be much higher)

Long sleeve T shirts: about $9
                                         x6
                                        = $54

Khakis: $15
             x2
            = $30

Wool Pants: $25 (they didn't have wool pants, so this was the only lined comparable)

Plaid Dress Pants: $15

Hoodies:  $13
                x2
               = $26

Sweater:  $15

Hat: $13

Bow Tie:  $17  (ok, ON doesn't carry separate ties online, so I used ties.com for the price comparison)

Blazer: $35 (that is for a basic uniform blazer)

Hooded Fall Jacket:  $40 (the closest comparable was in the boy's section)

GRAND TOTAL:

$270

I am so thankful to every friend and family member who has supported me through this endeavor.  I started with this tiny stash of upcycle-able clothes that served no good on their former state, and now I have 17 pieces of clothing for my boys AND a huge stash of donated clothes that keeps pouring in.  I'll take pictures at some point this week to show you all!!!  I can't believe the outpouring of encouragement I have received.

Stay tuned for round two in February 2013 - there will probably be a larger amount of sewing for baby girl, but I won't be leaving out the boys! 

This week I am participating in KCWC (Kids Clothing Week Challenge).  Essentially it is a group of people committing to sew for their kids one hour each day this week (sew, pattern, cut fabric, design, etc....).  This is great for me since I seem to have days that I don't 'feel' like working on anything and other days where I want to sew for hours an hours to finish something - consistency keeps my skills up and projects moving forward.

Let's hear it for the boys...

Yep, it is Boys week over at project run and play!  WOHOOO!!!

So here is my submission:

100% upcycled outfits for twin boys -
I was inspired to create these shirts by a men's fashion image I found.  I'm not a huge fan of pockets on t's so I nixed that and just went with the button detail and a long sleeve style.
Both shirts are made from old Men's T's.

(Inspiration )

(My Version)

The Khakis are both out of one pair of my husbands old khakis(that he shrank out of during my pregnancies - how unfair is that ;op).  One pair has cuffs and patch pockets and the other pair have a hand sewn blind hem, welt pockets in the back, and small slash pockets in the front.

More pictures of the outfits at play:

And the Jacket:

Also 100% upcycled.

-The outer hood is an old sweater

- The outer shell of the jacket is an old pair of  my capris

- The lining is a men's dress shirt

-The collar, cuffs, and hood lining are made from my wedding aisle runner (yep I made an aisle runner out of brown knit fabric so that it would match all the other decor.) 

 the jacket has two front pockets, one has a tab and the other has a zipper

It was raining during our little shoot - so within minutes they were damp and dirty.  But that is the point, right - they are little boys and these are their REAL clothes.  They will play in the dirt, run in the rain, and sometimes pick a pretty flower for mama.

Operation: Project $0... coming to an end

Ok - so I know my deadline was officially October 1st, and that was yesterday.  But since I made the rules, I can change them.  Project Run and Play is doing 'Boy Week', so I am allowing myself to finish up a few projects this week to still be included in Project $0.  And I mean really - I should have just given myself 2 full months from the start!

This Friday I 'should' have some great pictures posted of my favorite two looks I've made over the last two months.  And then next week I will have a round up of everything I've accomplished.  So keep an eye out!!!

Yes the one blazer is as close to TWO suits as I got, but I knew that was a stretch from the beginning.   I do have the material to make a second blazer for B, so that will get done at some point.   A will get a coordinating look to B's Andre 3000 look.  And I am sure I will be making more bow ties and hats through the cooler months.

As of now it looks like this will be my final list of accomplishments - not bad for my first fore into challenging myself to do a whole season's collection.
 6 shirts
4 pairs of pants
2 hoodies
1 sweater
1 hat
1 bow tie
1 blazer

1 hooded fall jacket

There is still time to enter your own creations in the flikr group - I would love to have one or two bloggers who participated do a guest post about their own adventures in upcycling here on my blog!

Thanks for joining me and encouraging me along the way!!!

A Wondering: All I have in you, is more than enough

It is Magic Monday Again - but this one has a little twist, showing the struggle and how we've adapted.  I've been smacked upside the head a great deal recently with two concepts:  The first is enjoying the little things - finding joy, happiness & excitement in the mundane everyday.  The second is the thought that my truest joy isn't on this earth - and to try to find the ultimate fulfillment just through experiences would be a colossal waste of my time.  These two elements may seem counter intuitive, but really can fit together in the crazy existence that I call LIFE.
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There are times I feel like there are so many things that I am giving up or missing out on.  It is hard to look through old pictures of my overseas travels and not wish I could go back, or go somewhere new.  I miss date nights with my hubby and wish that we could somehow get to NY and see Wicked (something I've been dreaming of since it won its Tonys in 2004).  I can no longer hang out with friends at the drop of a hat or volunteer for things that take day light time commitments.
In less than two years, my life has drasticaly transformed.

Here's the thing though, there may be things I miss or that I pass on today, but with a slight shift in perspective I recognize that what I have is more than enough.

I wont be using my passport any day soon, but I did get to go to the Outer Banks with the amazing Winter clan in September.  I get to show my boys a variety of wonders in our own back yard on a daily basis.  And soon the kids will be old enough that we will get to go on mini day adventures to places like the Pittsburgh Zoo or the Baltimore Aquarium.  Sooner than I can imagine, these baby days will be past and perchance that passport will emerge to whisk me away to an overseas photography conference, or a girls getaway, or a romantic re-connection with dear hubs.  My border hopping days are not over, just on hold for a short time.

Date nights are few and far between - I realize that alone time between a couple is essential to the health of the marriage and family, but beyond the logistical COST of a date night plus babysitters the sheer exhaustion that envelopes my life after 7pm is ridiculous!  So, we have started family date nights.  We use the rewards points from our credit card to get gift cards to restaurants.  We go as a family which is wonderful for three reasons: 1 - I don't have to cook or plan a meal, 2 - the boys learn how to behave while out to eat, and 3 - it is just fun to be somewhere new and watch the boys study and enjoy their new surroundings.  Do we have in depth conversations, no.  Are their fancy outfits and come hither high heels, no.  But, we laugh, we eat, and we leave a mess for someone else to clean up ;o)  Once the boys are in bed, Hubs and I watch a movie and cuddle baby girl.  All in all a great date night!

Although I can no longer on a general basis hang out with friends (without pre-planning) - it doesn't stop them from occasionally kidnapping me after 7pm for a yogurt date or showing up at my house - frozen coffee in hand - for a work meeting.  We have also simply redefined 'hang out' time into the guise of playdates or a quick lunch out with the kids (where we try to scare whatever restaurant we walk  into with the fact that the children outnumber the adults ;op).

Habitat for Humanity and big missions endeavors may be out for right now, but I've gotten hubs to agree to serve with me in the church nursery once a month.  And soon I'll be watching our little ones offer to rake the neighbors' leaves - just as three little guys showed up on our lawn Sunday afternoon.

Life is DRASTICALLY different, and then not all that different at all.  I have to give up my desire to control each situation and shift how I define an experience... but in the end, All I have is more than enough.

(This is a link to the song: Enough, by Chris Tomlin)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHEm-b4IRYk