I mentioned in my last post that I'm a little over sewing pink dresses - I think this is the last one I'm going to make for quite a while.  In terms of my KCWC challenge, this dress was a complete failure.  I bought the material to make it and not only did I not use a japanese pattern I bought a pattern too.  Argh...

On the upside - I love the finished product!  I bought the Blank Slate Basics  Pristine Swing Dress from Melly Sews and really like  how it came together - simple, simple, simple but with a lovely finish. It's definitely a pattern that I will pull out and use again.

It has a pieced yoke - hello pink!

and a pretty nifty back placket....

This is the 'quick we need to take a photo before we run out the door to kindergarten' photo.

Despite the fact that I broke all the rules I set myself for KCWC my kids' wardrobes are looking a lot healthier and enjoyed sewing for them.

I think I might put away kids clothing patterns for a while though - I've a few other project on my mind.  How about you?

Day 3 of KCWC and I am cheating already.  I'm only supposed to be using Japanese patterns but when I came across some gorgeous oatmeal and navy striped knit I knew I had to make it up using the Sailboat Top by O and S.

Martin's turning 3 tomorrow and we are celebrating with a pirate party. This shirt is a little more Breton than pirate but it's definitely wearable.  

I do love O and S patterns. They sew up so beautifully and the finished product  is always spot on.  I top stitched using  triple stitch and a dark thread (always risky).  It's a little wonky but hey... it adds character.

In the interest of keeping things even I am sewing for Lizzy tomorrow.  I've got to say I am not feeling super inspired.   I'm a bit over sewing pink dresses.  If only she'd wear something else! Any ideas?

PS  - Happy Birthday Martin!  How are you three already my gorgeous boy?

So my take on KCWC is similar to Caroline's - no new fabric and no new patterns. But I have decided to give my Ottobre magazines a work out. I can only say I wish I was half as organised as Karen when it comes to my Ottobre Magazines. I did have a good giggle thinking about her fabulous system, when I was sitting on my sewing room floor with all my patterns scattered around me swearing (just a little!!)  while I searched madly for the pattern sheets I needed. I had Spring 2009 pattern sheets A and B in one hand and the Autumn 2009 C and D in the other, when what I needed was Summer 2009 sheets A and B. I would like to pretend that one day I will have my patterns organised beautifully but if I am honest with myself, being able to find my sewing machine and ironing board under a pile of projects is going to be as good as it gets for me. Karen if you ever come to visit, you will not be allowed to enter my sewing room!!!!

I am glad to say  that I did eventually find the patterns I needed. It would be pretty depressing to get through KCWC where the only achievement, having invested an hour a day for a whole week, was finding the right pattern sheets!

So the first project is some shorts for Will. The linen was a gift from a friend when she de-stashed prior to moving overseas, so these pants cost me nothing.

They are called Bert Bermudas and they are in the Summer 2009 Ottobre Magazine.
I am only just working out that sewing for boys is so different to sewing for girls. Boys clothes are often not about fabulous fabric choices (although there are always exceptions to the rule) but rather about the details. Lots of pockets, lots of belt loops and lots of top stitching. I tried out a fancy "quilting" stitch on my machine and although I am happy with the look of the top stitching, I don't think I would use it again. It is a pain in the *!#! to rip out if you make a mistake. I almost wasted today's hour of sewing taking out one of the side seams where the top stitching went a little wild.

Here are the shorts in action:

I can't take credit for the T shirt but this one is one of mine. This was day 2, the Tiku T shirt with boat neck from Ottobre Spring 2009:

It is made from a man's polo shirt - I love not having to hem anything!!
I sort of like it. I am not sure about the boat neck.

It looks pretty good here but the default position is off the shoulder and I am not sure that is the best look for a little boy!! Maybe I jut should have made one size smaller??

So for the next 2 days - I have stripey T shirts planned for Madeleine and Pip.
Why all the stripes??
Martin's turning 3 this week and he's having a pirate party!!!

Yo ho me hearties!!!!!!

I've been tracing patterns, trying to interpret Japanese and sewing up a storm  here.  I'm trying to keep things simple and wearable.  While I loved sewing for Project Run and Play, I don't think that Lizzy has worn any of the things we made for her.  

Needless to say neither of my items are earth shattering, but they are comfortable and wearable. 

For Mart, some simple shorts with deep side pockets (so he can carry around all the random stuff he collects instead of offloading it on me!) and some cute little patch pockets because, well, they're just cute. I really like the fact that they have narrower legs.

I love, love, love the print  I used in these shorts.  It's a collection of post marks and addresses. It's a light furnishing weight, but I'm fairly sure it will soften up in the wash.

I feel really limited with what I can sew for Lizzy.  In order for her to wear something it needs to be a dress, pink and soft and unstructured.  It doesn't leave me with a whole lot of scope!

This dress was super easy.  It's got a square neck, fluttery sleeves and a high yoke.  Simple, bright, comfy and a hit with Lizzy.  (phew!)

Both of these projects came from Happy Homemade Kids volume 2. And guess, what?  It's just been released in English!

How's KCWC going for you?

It seems like everyone has signed up for Elsie Marley's KCWC and I'm no exception.  I definitely need some motivation, the weather is warming up and Lizzy and Martin have both grown so much over the winter that they need some new clothes. (desperately!)

My challenge is to take all of my patterns  and inspiration out of my sizeable stash of Japanese pattern books.  I'm passionate about them but definitely don't use them enough.  I am forever buying patterns when in reality I have enough to keep me going in my Japanese pattern books till my kids move out.

While at times the patterns can be  little confusing (hello hiragana!), there are lots of amazing resources out there to help you out.  Last year I blogged about them here.

Why do I love these books so much?

• Their aesthetic is beautifully simple  ( I don't think I've ever seen a diamonte in a Japanese pattern book...)
• They sew up  beautifully ( as long as you don't forget to add seam allowances!)
• There as many gorgeous patterns for boys as there are for girls
• The patterns are timeless - they aren't caught up in the latest trend or fashion and they are just as suitable for a ten year old as a three year old
• The books contain lots of basic shapes - They make a perfect blank slate for your own designs and inspirations
• While the books seem expensive, they all contain at least 8 patterns in multiple sizes.  When you look at it like that, they're a bargain!

So - the sewing challenge has been set.  Seven days of sewing, all Japanese patterns and no fabric buying.  Easy....

Are you sewing along with KCWC?  What are you plans?  Do you use Japanese patterns? I'd love to hear all about it!