Kids Clothing Week

Hey - It probably feels like I have disappeared since the end of the Project $0 series - I've been sewing up a storm, but a large part of it went off to Quilt Market and I can't share it quite yet...
But I have been sewing for KCW - I just love Kids Clothing Week.  I have been mostly sticking to the one hour each day because this is a busy week for me, but it is amazing how much you can accomplish in that little time.

Over the weekend I whipped up my baby girl's Halloween Costume (this is a modification of the Amelia Peasant Dress by 5 Berries using the tutorial found HERE).

Then On Monday I cut out two Norahs by Mouse House Creations and on Tuesday I sewed them both up (you can see my full review of them HERE)

On Wednesday I cut out some Peek A Boo Skinny Jeans and the Four Seasons Peasant Dress By Foo FOO Threads.  I got the Skinnies all sewn up on Thursday - they look so good on my boy (next time I will increase the rise of the yoke of the back for m boy's bubble butt)

I'm hoping I can sew up the dress today... all in all a successful week I think ;o)

What have you been sewing up for KCW?????

Blank Slate Patter Tour - and my last Upcycle from September

Today I am participating in the Blank Slate Pattern Tour - and you can read my full post HERE.

If the tour had been a week earlier -this would have been my submission to the PR&P signature style ;o)

This is also my final look from Operation Project $0.  The sweater was upcycled from a women's Small wool sweater - I loved figuring out how to adapt the pattern to include the original cuffs, waist, pockets, and button band.  The Jeans are an upcycled pair of old jeans.  The stripes, front pocket linings, and waistband facing are all made from scraps from the curtain panel that I used to line the Bova Jacket.

Operation Project $0: Day 23.. What YOU MADE!

First I just have to say THANK YOU to everyone who has participated and followed along in this year's journey of Operation Project $0.  I have had so much fun not only sharing my own creations, but getting to see all the posts by our guests bloggers and the entries into the flickr group.
Tomorrow I'll be doing a round up of all the things I created this month and how close I came to that elusive $0 goal.

But now here are some of my favorite items that people have entered to the flickr group over the past week!

Beth Being Crafty linked up her adorable matching dolly and girl popover dresses that she made out of a a women's skirt.  I love how she was able to work in the original embroidery.  Great Job!

Amanda H of Araneedesigns submitted this great sweatshirt - I an totally smitten by the colors and how soft and cozy it looks - I wish I knew more about how she made it!!!

With the Holidays quickly approaching, I am a huge fan of this skirt tutorial that Squiggly Twigs e-mailed to me.  Who doesn't have an old Formal dress (prom, bridesmaid, formal ball, etc...) that is just eating space in their closet?  A few easy steps, and voila - a gorgeous twirlable skirt for all the holiday events ahead!

HEre's one more from Beth Being Crafty (I'm just really in love with her blog, her photography and her sewing... you really need to check her out!).  This whole look was $0 and she has a great tutorial for keeping the profesionaly finished top of jeans when you up-cycle them!

Golf of GolfLuna submitted this SWOON-worthy hoodie that she made from the Peek-a-boo Hangout Hoodie using an old shirt as the base.  How adorable is it and her daughter!!!

The extremely talented Vera Luna made up one of my favorite patterns of all time - the Bubble shorts by Elegance and Elephants - using a pair of old lightweight jeans... that red piping just looks so cool!!!

And last  - but certainly not least - my gal Max.... I am gaga over her Poe inspired "Nevermore Dress'.  This features a FREE pattern: The Baby Slip Dress by Suburbia Soup

You can check out my other two features from the Flickr Group HERE and HERE - and make sure to go to the group itself to check out all the awesome sew along projects!!!

Operation Project $0: Day 22, PANTS PANTS PANTS!!!

I legitimately get to say that three times today, as I made three versions of the brand spanking new and just released Rosemary and Thyme Pants by Stitchwerx Designs.  And they all fit into Operation Project $0!
*This pattern will release on Wed, October 9th at an amazing introductory price!!!

I tend to go for classic modern looks for my children - interchangeable pieces that aren't too matchy matchy.  But, as baby girl gets older I am being seriously seduced by the boutique ends of girl clothing - tons of ruffles, coordinating fabrics, a hint of vintage flair.  I'm taking baby steps ;o)

Anyway - the cool thing about these pants is that they can bridge the gap for me between classic modern and boutique.  They come with options for shorts, capris, or pants; a contrasting band, single ruffle, or double ruffle; and TWO pocket options.  Great options from a single pattern!!!  Kim, the genius behind Stitchwerx, made sure to create a great fitting stovepipe pant with a ride that is higher in the back than the front and accommodates diapered bums perfectly.

These pants are already be worn on a regular basis in our house and are perfect for fall and spring - only time will tell how those ruffles hold up in winter snow ;op

I am so happy that I was able to test this pattern! Free Pattern = $0

The White pair are made from a polyester skirt that was handed down to me and the grey bands are leftover scraps from a quilt my mom made for my niece.  Materials: $0

The Grey pair were once a pair of maternity pants, since I never plan on being pregnant again, lets cut those babies up!!! I really love the look of the double ruffle.  Materials: $0

The Brown pair were another maternity pant throw away, I love the fabric on these!  I used scraps from another outfit I made for baby girl to line the pockets. These have the single ruffle.  Materials: $0
***The Brown pair were from the second round of testing after Kim reworked the rise and fit, the proportions are spot on in the final version!***

*poor baby girl was soooooo sick when I was trying to take these pictures

I did have to use elastic I bought at the store(I can occasionally salvage elastic from old things, but I didn't have any on hand for these)  - but all three pairs took less than one spool of $2.00 elastic... so we'll say maybe $1.50 worth of elastic.

$1.50 total for THREE pairs of pants - I'll take it ;o)

You still have time to enter your own $0 creations to the Flickr Group - there are so many GREAT projects over there, so make sure you go check them out!!!  I'll be highlighting some of my favorites tomorrow!

Operation Project $0: Day 21 COATS COATS COATS!!!!

OK, maybe that should only be two 'COATS' since I have only managed to sew up 2 this month.  But I sewed up TWO coats this month - boooYAW!  And both of these beauties fit into my month-long sewing for as close to $0 as possible - a little endeavor I've named Operation Project $0.

The first is the newly released Elenora Tea Coat PDF Pattern by Amelie&Henri.  I think this coat is adorable!!!  I was able to test this pattern which means FREE pattern - check.  The brick red outer fabric is an old sheet that my husband somehow managed to wear a hole through with his feet. (Seriously, who does that????  A huge hole in an Egyptian cotton sheet caused only by his toes?!?!?  Whatever, it resulted in this coat - so he is forgiven ;op)  The lining and sash are from leftover fabric from a quilt I started over 5 years ago.  I am NOT a quilter... I love clothing because I can see immediate results... quilting takes FOREVER.  My least favorite part about sewing is cutting - and quilting is ALL about cutting.  So I spent weeks designing a quilt, cutting all the itty bitty triangles and squares and sewing some of the mid sized triangles together and then put it all in a show box - and there is will probably remain until the end of time.
Back to the adorable-ness that is the Elenora Tea Coat - Soooo cute, zero smackers- done and done!

Anyway - this coat is perfect for fall... the bodice is lined so your little one will get some added warmth for the crisp fall days that are upon us.  The little button details and the sash add great style.  You could easily pair this with a leather or skinny belt for a different look.  No matter what -  you'll have a mini fashionista on your hands ;o)

This is my favorite shot!!!!

Into The Woods.... (I know, I know, I just can't help myself ;op)

The second coat is the Bova Coat by Apple and Fig. (You can read my pattern review HERE)

This one is for B, who needs much more of a wardrobe this year than A.  He has always been bigger - but this summer he shot up a couple inches and has kept his broad shoulders and muscular frame, placing him solidly in the 3-4 size range - except not for pants.... He just can't wear store bought pants anymore unless they are stretchy.  He needs a 3 for height, but he is only 2 and still in a diaper, and has a bubble butt - 3's are made for potty trained Boys who have slimmed down or are just built like bean polls.  Good thing mama can sew for him!  You'll get a gimps of his rocking jeans that I made him in these photos - but I'll tell you all about them later on (yeah, they are $0 too).
The outer layer of my Bova is a blue wool that my sister sent me last year when I started this whole idea.  It is left over from her diaper/soaker making days and I was ecstatic when it showed up on my door step out of the blue.  The lining is actually left over fabric from the curtain panels my mom used to make the boys fitted sheets for their nursery when they were first born.  $0 amazing Fall coat for my little man - YES PLEASE!!!!

*Oh and my husband gave me the best compliment on this one...
Hubs:  'these clothes you are making look like they came out of a period movie set...'
Me: 'ummmmm, ok?'
Hubs: 'No, they are really cool... not like the Elmo stuff you can get at Target... you can't find the things you are making in stores here.'
Me:  (melted pool of adoration)

We don't have a whole lot of options for shopping here in PA, and while I know I could find things on-line, the price tags and our budget don't coincide.  I'm one of those moms who just doesn't like the 'character' stuff... and I know one day soon their begging will veto my style... but until then, I get to have fun ;o)

Keep adding those images to the Flickr Group - I'll do a round up on Wednesday!!!!

Operation Project $0: Day 20 with Frances Suzanne

Well today is out last day of Guest posters for Operation Project $0 - but never fear, I'll be doing round ups and sharing some more of my own creations next week!!!  So don't run away, come back.  And make sure to upload your own $0 inspired looks to the Flickr Group so that I can feature you and your work next week!

Today I have get to have a big smile on my face as I introduce to you Ashley and Emily of FrancesSuzanne.  I just love these girls.  I love their sewing ability and their attention to detail,  and that fact that they spend all this time sewing for their sweet nieces... it just makes my heart smile.  I was lucky enough to meet this dynamic duo through sewing along with Project Run and Play - these are girls who sew inspirational pieces and somehow humbly (and honestly) never turn to pride or boasting about how awesomely amazing they are.  I knew when I asked them to join in that they were not upcyclers... I also knew that they are pretty strict rule followers... and I was so happy when they signed up for the last day, because I KNEW they would close us out with a great outfit sewn for exactly $0.   So take it away Ashley and Emily.... I'm so happy you are here!

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Hi everyone!! We are Ashley {frances} and Emily {suzanne}, and we blog over at Frances Suzanne about the clothes we make for our nieces. When Suzanne asked us to be a part of Operation: Project $0, we were excited....but scared....

 Could we sew an outfit for ZERO DOLLARS?? 

That was the challenge, if we so chose to accept it....

Was it possible?? Absolutely!

But, the probability of achieving it wasn't in our favor on this one....

Our track record doesn't bode well for being the most frugal / inventive with materials we have on hand. Still, we'd like to think we are improving in this area of our sewing, and definitely see the benefits for doing so. So, let's get down to it....did we or did we not succeed in sewing a garment for a whopping $0??

Starting with the patterns used:  See Kate Sew, Kaleidoscope Top: SURPRISE!! That's what we found waiting in our inbox one afternoon. Kate, of See Kate Sew, had gifted her Ruffle 2013 Guest Post friends with a complimentary pattern {the Kaleidoscope Top} for contributing to her series. What an honor to participate, as well as an awesome surprise to follow. 

COST= $0

Oliver and S, Playtime Leggings: We had the opportunity to sew and blog about this pattern a few weeks ago, to kickoff the Fall Pattern Release of Oliver and S. It was our first time to sew with knits, and obviously it wasn't too, too scary....because here we go again!

COST = $0

Then, onto the fabrics of choice: See Kate Sew, Kaleidoscope Top: Sally, of Daisy Chain Creations, gifted Ashley some knits a while back - as a "thank you" for helping in a graphic design project she was working on. PERFECT!! Couldn't have chosen a more perfect print ourselves....

COST = $0

Oliver and S, Playtime Leggings: Time to raid the closets on this one.....and found just what we were looking for in dear ole' dad's closet: a navy t-shirt given to him by a vendor years ago. Perfect size, perfect style. And, as an added bonus, we were able to keep the shirt hemline as the leggings hemline. SCORE!

COST = $0

Shockingly....we DID succeed in the challenge, and would gladly accept a similar challenge in the future. WHOOP, WHOOP!! Let's hear it for an outfit that cost us ZERO DOLLARS!!!

This challenge definitely pushed us to look at what we had available {and there were several options when you just look}, and use resources {ie: patterns AND fabric} on hand to complete it without heading to the fabric store in the middle of a project.

So, thank you Suzanne {and Operation: Project $0 "company"}! You gave us just the push needed to sew a practical, fun outfit for a very active niece...

And, if you happened to miss the other frugal bloggers in this series, 

check them out and be inspired!!  There's some pretty fantastic creations showcased....