MISSING: ME

OH hey guuuuuuys. 

Although many of you are celebrating the holidays and not paying attention to the fact that I've been missing.. but JUST IN CASE you have wondered I'm suffering severly because the battery in my laptop went poot. I could upload photos to this dinosaur laptop I'm using but there's no photoshop or photo editing software available on the computer and ick, I really dislike putting photos up that are straight out of camera.

Archer's Full Fall/Winter Outfit

Last week I was able to show you guys two pieces that when put together, create an entire outfit for my son Archer. I was able to snap a few photos of him wearing the clothing this last weekend. Granted, he's faster than flash and pretty ornery, so it's the best I could manage. Talk about blurry photos. Yikes. 

Winterized Surfer Slacks with Instructions

Hey guys, I'm here to show you the finished bottoms to Archer's Fall/Winter Outfit. I blogged about the top last week HERE.

The Caroline Party Dress in Deep Blue & Maroon

Well hello.

I've been super duper lucky to have friends in the pattern design world. The best part about it is that they ask you to test, or in this case to pre-test a pattern before they digitize it. &when said pattern designing friend is amazing at what they do, it makes for an especially awesome experience.
To purchase The Caroline Party Dress VISIT HER SHOP (affiliate link).

Here's my take on Hayley from Welcome to the Mouse House's Caroline Party Dress:

Floral Skinny Jeans

So, Tuesday I showed you guys the pink vest & thrifted shirt that made up the top portion of Lily's fall/winter outfit. Today I'm going to show you the killer skinny jeans created to go with them. 

Simple Retro Pink Vest

Moving along with last week's productivity is a few new projects that traveled from my brain, through my fingertips, under the needle of my machine, and here to be shared with you. 

A goal of mine has been to create outfits rather than pieces. That way, they are useable within her wardrobe and I don't stare at her closet thinking WHY oh WHY did I choose that fabric? She has NOTHING to go with it! Same for my son. It's the curse of thinking specific rather than look at the larger picture. 

I may love the fabric for that specific garment but if it doesn't fit into the grand scheme of their wardrobe, what use will it be? So, this week I'll be showing you two pieces that were made to go together to form a fall/winter outfit. 

First up...

Recess Raglan in Green & Black

I thought I'd shock you all by showing you Archer's newest Recess Raglan that is NOT an upcycle. 

Yeah, weird, I know. 

But, that's ok. I still didn't have to purchase anything to make it. All this was in my stash (and much much more yikes!).  One thing I love about raglan tees is that you can highlight a super cute print fabric by only using it for the sleeves. Great for seamstresses who tend to be print shy (like myself). And, it's exactly what I did ...

Sweatshirt Upcycle: A-Symmetrical Jacket

Today I'm sharing yet another upcycle. 

I have a large box overflowing with clothing items that need to be shown some love& this winter they're definitely getting it.

This particular project began it's life as an ill-fitting Hanes sweatshirt that I purchased cheap. I thought it  was comfy until I washed it & it shrunk in length (not width) leaving me this odd oversized crop-top style sweatshirt. Into the box it went. 

Sweater Upcycle: Mittens

Yesterday I showed you my subpar sweater upcycle. 

Boo. 

I was really sad about it the evening I finished, and I sat looking at the scraps of sweater (still not cleaned up, don't judge me). I felt compelled to make something that actually made me feel good. 

Sweater Upcycle: When poor results help you grow.

Good morning (barely) ... 

it's pushing noon here and I'll be heading in to make the kids lunch soon. 

yum yum enchilada's. 

Conscious Living: Wrap Up

Hi guys, I am happy, but also sad to say that this is the wrap up for the Conscious Living Series. 

I had a couple of amazing guest posters and truly enjoyed sharing my journey to a more sustainable, conscious lifestyle with you all. Please visit both Autumn & Jenni's blogs to view some of their posts and thank you so much for joining me here to discuss conscious living. 

Fall Knit Dress in Orange

Conscious Living: DIY Deodorant Tutorial

Hi, folks!  My name is Autumn, and I'm blogging today with The Life of a Compulsive Crafter, but you can normally find me at Cottington's So Crafty.  Mae invited me to talk about conscious living, and I specifically chose to discuss how I make my deodorant. 

Instagram Update

Oh, hello! 

Here's a quick little Instagram update before I run off to make the kids some lunch. 

Happy Birthday Daddy Basic Knit Tee

Last weekend was my husbands birthday. 

A big one too, this year he's

3 0 !

As my blog shows, he's never really benefitted from all the time and effort I put into sewing. 

He's a big reason I get to have free time in order to reach my last minute deadlines (you know the ones that come each week).

KCW Day 3, 4, & 5 : The Jude Jacket in Wool

So here's what's been going on at my place:

KCW Day 3: Big Bad Wolf Felt Mask + Tail

Whew. 

This was by far my least productive day of KCW thus far. 

Kids didn't nap at the same time and we caught up on our sit down lesson during the only real free time I could have had. 

KCW Day 2: Big Bad Wolf Sweatshirt& Pants

Day 2 has wrapped up and I got much more done than I had expected. 

As usual there were many interruptions but my children napped together (WHAA? yes we are all shocked) for a good 2 hours. 

It was bliss. 

KCW Day 1 : Wolf Pants

Booyah. 

Between homeschool, visiting Great Grandma Levina, a meeting with our supervising teacher and many other obstacles... I managed to cut and begin sewing Lily's pants to her Big Bad Wolf costume. 

The french terry knit cotton I'm using is a bit stretchier than expected so I'll need to take them in a little more, but I'm successfully not buying fabric for this costume and that makes me happy. Plus, it's thick & that is key when Trick-Or-Treating in the bitter cold of Iowa fall/winter weather. We always hope that there won't be snow. 

Costumes of Halloween Past

OH HEY! 

Can you guys believe that Halloween is almost here? 

It really creeped up on me this year (no pun intended haha). 

So, until I'm able to share this year's costume with you, I'll take a moment to look back at past Halloween DIY's. 

Instagram Update : A day late and a dollar short

A day late and a dollar short. 

It could be my life theme right now. 

Welp, I'm dealing with it and moving forward the best I can. There has been so many big things happening at our house that I realize there's no good way to keep up with it all. 

Plaid Prepster Pullover

So it seems that with how busy I've been lately that I've solidly been making just {one} garment each week. Honestly, I'm ok with that. It's letting me relax a bit but I still feel like I'm making some progress on the kids fall wardrobe. I have a sneaking suspicion that Lily's Halloween costume is going to be a stress though, since it's quickly approaching and one piece a week just won't cover it. 

Until then, I'm not letting myself focus on that and instead I'm really proud & excited about how my Prepster Pullover turned out. 

Conscious Living Wk. 3: Gardening and Canning

In our house my husband has the green thumb. He enjoys keeping varieties of plants in every room and though I appreciate them, I also have nothing to do with keeping them alive. So when this year our goal was to start a garden (without using any fertilizers/pesticides) and to learn canning basics for said veggies, I was unsure about how well I'd succeed. 

Fall Jumper in Polka Dots

Hi! 

I'm popping in for a quick project created this last week for my daughters fall wardrobe. 

I'm so happy to say that this project cost me all of 

$1.29. 

Conscious Living Wk. 2 Composting

 I hope you guys came back ready to get down and dirty because after over-hauling the basics of our lives and cutting our trash down significantly, we started to see something. 

Something we didn't really like. 

Instagram update (family vacation)

A late night of flying was just what we didnt need. 

Project Run& Play Wk. 3: Mad For Plaid

Hey guys! 

I'm going to make this a quick one as I'm on vacation and enjoying all of the California goodness while catching up on PR&P news. 

Fall Basics: Go To Legging + Recess Raglan

A few weeks ago I purchased a few patterns for Lily's Fall wardrobe. 

I chose the Go-To Leggings because she basically lives in stretch pants during the winter time and my main goal of sewing is to make things that she WANTS to wear and enjoys. 

She LOVES them& has told me so at least three times. 

& then later I purchased The Recess Raglan by See Kate Sew. 

Conscious Living Guest Post by Just Stuff

Bloglovin

Don't laugh. 

I'm trying to include myself in the bloglovin world, but if it may take a few try's. 
I got it guys!

I am officially on bloglovin & I must say I can't believe I haven't taken the leap before now. Finally, I can manage the blogs I follow rather than scrolling through. Next time I'm this falling this far behind the new trends, knock me a good one& tell me to get on it!

Can't wait to go explore all the new blogs I may want to follow.

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3980646/?claim=tdp9y4suscq">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Instagram Update

Happy wednesday! Here's what we've been up to since last week:

Here we are on a morning walk in the new (to us) wagon. 

Project Run& Play Wk. 2 Candy Challenge

Whew. 

Guys, this challenge was so tough for me. I'm a practical clothing maker, which doesn't work so well when "candy" comes to mind. Candy? Clothing? Add that to my tendency to choose neutral or muted colors and you see my problem. 

I actually considered just skipping this week. 

It. Was. SO. Hard. 

So hard that I finished my whole "Mad For Plaid" challenge outfit and only once it was done decided I shouldn't be lame and went back to the drawing board for the Candy Challenge. 

Instagram Update

Here we are watching daddy&grandpa pour the final concrete for the driveway/yard makeover. 

Conscious Living Wk. 1

Today I'm switching things up, I'm branching out, I'm letting you guys into my lives a bit more with a series I've been putting together in my brain called Conscious Living. 

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I had thoughts to call it lots of things, but in the end I wanted it to be clear that I am no expert in conservation, recycling, etc. The goal of this series is to share my families journey to living a life that reflects what we believe to be important for our Earth and future.

The Story:

A few years ago my husband and I started paying a lot more attention to the environment and how we were affecting it. 

1. This is partly because my daughter began LOVING Earth Day& in that week we learned about Earth Day in Homeschool. If you have the chance to read the book "You Are The Earth" by David Suzuki DO IT. 

David Suzuki Foundation/Book Link

 For Earth Day, Lily insisted decorations were needed.

Project Run & Play Challenge 1: The Popover Sundress Flip

First I'll discuss the changes I've made to the original pattern:

1. Took the top of the bodice off& redrafted a scoop neck bodice with button closures

2. I  cut the front with extra fabric to gather & create the more billowy front

3. Lined the inside to make it possible for the sheer outer layer

Instagram update

I dont always have time to blog a full post, so i'm going to begin filling some free space with ig photos of life, homeschooling, sewing etc! I hope you enjoy. 

Sewing up coastal cargos

Train ride at the local zoo

Nautical Themed Baby Shower Gift

Good Morning! 

I have been putting together a care package for a close friend of mine who is due with her baby boy in October. 

She's got a gorgeous little girl who's nursery/room was Nautical themed. She'd like to keep what she has for this baby but needed a few items to compliment the room, especially more crib sheets. 

I went out to the fabric store and found this awesome sea& boat print that I really liked, but the bolt was too short for the required 45" that it needed for the width of the mattress. 

So I pulled out some elementary math skills and added contrasting panels to all four sides that would tuck underneath the mattress as the "pockets."  The fabric I purchased had a bit of stretch so I utilized it & made sure the direction of the stretch matched how the panels would be pulled over the mattress. 

With the remaining fabric I made a three pocket zipper pouch that she can use to carry baby items like extra cloth diapers and shells, diaper rash cream, etc. 

I made it a 10x10 square and sewed a pocket to either side of the lining. 

I even added one of my new little "Mae&Co." labels. 

I love them! 

If you are in need of a lovely handmade babyshower item look no further. 

You don't have to worry about the gender & they are USEFUL (a big plus!). 

Baby Shower Patterns & Tutorials

Here I've put together a range of FREE items that would make great baby shower gifts. 

For the crib sheets I used this tutorial by Dana at MADE . 

Diaper Cover pattern& tutorial also by Dana at Made.  

Fabric Ball Pattern & Tutorial  by The Pearl Bee

Upcycled Baby Bibs by A Little Tipsy

Pacifier Clip Tutorial by The Creamery

Pattern Tour: Hanami Dress By Straight Grain

Hey!


Thanks for stopping by to check out the new dress pattern created by Straight Grain.

Saffron Twirl Dress by Zafarani Designs; mini flip

Good morning!! 

I have been quiet for SUCH a long time because my computer has been in the shop being fixed (sad face). No, it's not fixed but I found a dinosaur computer of my husbands (probably from the late 80's) and decided I can't live without access to a computer ANY LONGER. Talk about first world problems. I feel lost and uninspired when I can't check in on what everyone is doing& can't download or print my pdf patterns. AAAAGH! 

They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, well technologically this rang true for me. 

I missssssed you guys! 

SO, without further adieu, my version of the Saffron Twirl Dress! <--click to view her Etsy page!

(minus the cool edits since ye old dinosaur has no editing programs)

I was super lucky to pattern test this BEAUTIFUL dress. It rocks a v neck front with a stunning open back that makes it great for special occasions. 

The sash comes in two sizes, a shorter& longer length. I used the long length for the big bow look. 

To emphasize the gorgeous flow from neckline to back, I added a ribbon detail to the edge. 

Fashion Design Illustration

Hey! 

I'm going to share some sketches of fashion illustrations with you today. In my free time I enjoying creating in different ways... whether it be writing, drawing, embroidery, photography etc. My pass-times are endless, seriously. 

Here's a past sketch I made for my son's mad hatter outfit created for him to wear at my daughter Alice in Wonderland Birthday Party. 

This is another one that was featured on the KCW challenge last spring. 

The Red Dress (in pink) by KikoiPatterns

Hello! 

The Polka Dot Dress by Kikoi in Floral

If you have kids you surely have seen the book series "If you give a mouse a cookie..." The same author also writes "If you give a moose a muffin..." and the list goes on... 

This morning felt like the mom version of this story& I decided to call it "If you ask your mom a question..." 

Why ? 

(you may be asking yourself, or not, but lets pretend you are)

Let me tell you! The conversation started like this...

Lily: "Mom, can I put my polly pockets in the basement so Archer won't get them?"

Me: "Well, I really don't want you to keep putting toys into the basement. What you SHOULD do is clean out your cabinet and get rid of toys you don't use so you can put your polly pockets in there." 

So the story goes... "If you clean out your cabinet, you will need to find space for the art supplies that are overtaking the cabinet." 

Which of course led me to reorganize the art supplies in my hallway closet. That led me to clean out the WHOLE hallway closet that was overtaken by unused shoes. I needed to put those shoes into the garage sale bags. Of course that meant getting rubber bands to keep the pairs together. 

The rubber bands were in my silverware drawer that, upon further digging, was a big mess. So I cleaned that drawer out too. 

In the end, I have three de-cluttered spaces but sheesh! If you would have told me that from the 

get-go, I would have just stuck the polly pockets in the basement. 

lol 

Now, on to my post!

Today I'm sharing a super cute dress called "The Polkadot Dress" sold by Kikoi on her etsy site. 

I was lucky enough to get the heads up for a deal she was running. Pin the polka dot dress onto your pinterest board& she would send you the pattern for free. 

uhhh? Yep. 

So last week I received her dress pattern& sewed it up asap.