Journey to the Nether (and better reading comprehension)

Normally Custom Fabric marinates in my stash for a bit before I work up the nerve to sew it, but not this print! 

My 9-year-old daughter is shifting away from custom made makes, but she loves Minecraft, so for this print she made an exception. I, of course, had a ton of great ideas for fun, feminine shirts with this print, but all she wanted was a hoodie. So, Max & Meena's Max raglan it was, then.

Fortunately she's got a Minecraft buddy who's a little more flexible on feminine clothing. So for her friend (not pictured), I was able to stick to my original plan and make a CKC Delaney.

Apparently I was overdue for a really big sewing mistake, because while making this top I mistook the "normal back" neckline for the front neckline, and carried that mistake all the way to the finished product. You would *think* that having a too-long neckband would have clued me in to the problem but... having had other issues with other CKC patterns before, you would be wrong. I've used this pattern to modify dresses before, but this was my first time following the instructions as written. I didn't really figure out what happened until I stick the shirt on my daughter to model, and by then it was hours before the party we had planned to gift it at: too late for a remake, sigh.

Ah well, you win some, you lose some. The friend was still happy to receive the gift despite the flaws, and I do still think it's a cute design! Definitely a make-again, but next time I will read the instructions more carefully.

Surprise Snack Hop 'til you Drop

For our first Disney trip, I ordered a ton of fabric and then... didn't actually make anything for the trip. Oops. Over the years, the Disney makes trickled out, but I vowed that the NEXT time we went to Disney, I would be more prepared. So I stashed up. A lot. 

So much, in fact, that when a friend went to Disney, I had extra fabric just waiting for a home! This is another Patterns 4 Pirates Basic Tee, sewn up literally overnight. My friend loves to Snack Hop, so she got a big kick out of the shirt the next morning when she picked her daughter up from a sleepover. 

And I got the satisfaction of a new make, well placed.

Sidekicks Patronus Pajamas

It's not very often that I do a selfish sew, and I'm still on a quest for some patterns that reliably fit and flatter my figure. Pajamas, however, don't need to be flattering. They just need to be comfy! This sidekicks print was a "Round 1" offering from a host that was just starting up, and I was pleased that it came it looking (and feeling!) great. Sometimes there's a learning curve on custom hosting.

For the T-shirt used the Patterns for Pirates Essential Tee, and for the pants I used the Pattern Niche Portlander Pants. The shirt was a quick & easy make. Turning the drawstring on the pants was a bit time consuming - and trying to use my button hole foot on a knit (with interfacing!) to create the eyelets was also an adventure I'm not keen to repeat, but the cuteness of the end product was hard to argue with. I'm long waisted, so I think I'm going to add an inch to seat/front of the pants next time I make it. And this will be a make again, for sure! I just need to work up to trying the same thing with the 3+ yards of fabric it takes to makes pants for myself!

Rescuers Tee

Speaking of once upon a time, I ordered a panel from Japan for my Rescuers-loving (local) nephew at the start of the pandemic. Through fits and starts, it took almost 6 months to get to me. 

But once it got here it made a great tee! I did something I never do: flat-out raided another panel in the 3-panel set for enough "background" print to make the sleeves and back match the front. And it was so worth it. I loved the result.

This tee is made from the Tie Dye Diva Zee's Tee pattern (4T), and I added the ringer sleeves myself to help Wilbur pop. There isn't a lot of Rescuers stuff on the market out there, so this was a well-timed (and well loved!) addition to his closet.

DC Hero Capsule Wardrobe

Once upon a time, I ran into a sale for Stained-Glass DC fabric that I could not resist. I bought a yard and a three-panel set. Then, many years later - like, at least 3 - my SIL indicated a hero theme on her baby registry: Marvel and DC. Suddenly, I had my calling.

Having recently discovered the joy of Grow With Me clothing - and the capsule wardrobes people make with it over on Apple Tree - I was eager to try one myself. Having hoarded this fabric for so long, I resolved that I was going to use it ALL UP for the occasion. What I had not planned on was... how many baby things you can get out of a yard. Especially when accenting with solids.

From the panels, I managed a 6m Onesie (Robin), a 9m Onesie (Superman) and the back of a 3-12m Grow-with-Me Cardigan (Batman). 

From the yardage I got the front and sleeves of the cardigan, a pair of 3-12m Grow-with-me pants, a pair of 3m bummies, and a very adorable 3m hat. This was my first shot at a true capsule wardrobe, and I am pleased at how it turned out. It was gifted at the shower in July, and I can't wait to see it on my nephew!

Bob's Burger and some Fuzzy Future Rulers

When I'm *not* looking, I can always find tons of fabric I do not need. But once I start looking...

This spring, we received a very exciting announcement; my husband's brother (one of seven) and his wife were expecting! Out of an abundance of caution, they waited until pretty far along in the pregnancy to make it public. Which was great for the excitement - soon! soon! But also... cut into my shopping window. Plus, when it comes to blankets, I've become very picky. 

Fortunately, after a few canceled orders and some late-night trawling of my most dangerous territory - the B/S/Ts, I found a Cotton Lycra Bob's Burger Panel (originally intended for a shirt) and a Single-Minky Game of Thrones Blanket. Neither of these were a "magic blanket" (aka, made of Double Minky), but in a pinch, they would do for my GoT loving BIL and his Bob's Burger-loving family! I backed the CL Bob's Burger Panel with a fleece from Joann's, and "Future Ruler" was toddler topper set so that provided its own backing. They were a shower gift when we went up to visit during the summer, and I think they will be well loved.

Pride Rock Bowling Raglan

One of my favorite fabric shops has started a yearly "Blank-a-Palooza" where they sell toddler toppers, ostensibly to be made into blankets for Christmas gifts. But, they don't limit themselves to the traditional blanket bases (Minky, Double Minky) for the event. And while browsing, a thought occurred to me - what IS a toddler topper, if not a panel-plus-fat-half rapport by a different name?

This particular artwork caught my for my brother, who never can have enough handmade Disney shirts in my opinion. I picked up a blanket topper in CL, and the picture panel was almost perfectly sized to make a men's raglan. It took me a while to find the perfect shade of maroon for the sleeves, but finally I did and then we were off to the races. 

This garment is, as usual, made from the Cole's Creations Jerry Raglan. I used the panel for the front and the backing for, well, the back. This a quick, fun sew - and quite the stashbuster when you're sewing in a men's size 42 as I was.

According to my mom this shirt was a big success, and now my brother has another Disney raglan to go out on the town (or lounge around home) in!

Proof that a blanket panel turned into a shirt can smell - or look - just as sweet!

A Tradition Broken

One of my most honored Christmas Traditions for... the past decade, as it turns out, is to *dream* about finishing my Christmas Traditions quilt but then... not actually do it. This quilt sprang to a start in 2011 when I sent my sewing machine in for service, and then caved on the fabric for this pattern in a Best Quilts for Christmas Magazine. 

I pieced it in 2013 and 2014, and I don't even *know* when I started quilting it... but I do know my Mom has been on me to try out her Handi-Quilter for a couple of years, and I have resisted. This year, however, when we were packing for that June trip I discovered I had extra space in my checked luggage and so, in true last-minute fashion I caved and I brought it. Yes, I submitted my massive multi-year quilting effort to the whims of Airport Luggage Personnel. Twice, even. Fortunately for me, United Airlines brought me and my bags out AND home safe.

I'd already done maybe 2/3 of the quilting on my regular machine at home, but the idea of finishing it in one sitting proved too appealing to resist. I'd never worked with a "Medium-Arm" machine, but it does seem like a practical way to marry the spaciousness of a long-arm with the freedom of free-motion quilting. All I had left to do was the outer third. I used my mom's technique of putting dry-eras marker on sheet protectors to "try out" my design, and I settled for loops and squiggles.

Here I am working the quilt. The handi-quilter is definitely nice to work with: it's got lots of space and good speed control. There was definitely a learning curve on threading it - I'm glad Mom was there to help with that - but overall it went WAY faster than quilting on a traditional machine, and with a lot less wrestling of the fabric. Here's my mom's account of the adventure.

It only took me a few hours (well, maybe four or so) to finish on the Handi-Quilter. Below, you can see my final design:

Next up is binding this creation; and this year, I'm actually optimistic that I will have it done by Christmas! Wish me luck...

Runaway Railway Or the Triumphant Return Home

I've been trying to do at least one shirt a year for my Dad. I don't always succeed - the Peekaboo Yukon is pretty labor-intensive and it can be hard to fit it in. But every shirt I have made him he has worn enthusiastically, to all his most favorite events, and reliably reports back any compliments he receives with pride. So, I have lots of incentive to keep him smartly dressed :-)

He's a big Potter, Disney, and Train fain, so past years have been Harry Potter, Harry Potter, and Christmas Trains. But a Christmas shirt can only be worn so often! So when I saw this Classic Mickey Train Cartoon Print, I knew what I had to do. 

I think I bought it mid-2020, but the real excitement came in May 2021. It was then that - with my parents vaccinated against the Coronavirus and the kids out of school - we were able to book a trip out to see my parents: the first time I'd seen my dad in person since our Multi-Family Disney Trip in September of 2019.

So - wanting to make a big splash on this much-anticipated vacation - I burned the midnight oil HARD for this creation. I started 2 weeks before the trip (usually I plan on three for a Yukon) and literally, I was finishing it up and sewing the buttons on the night before we got on the plane. Fortunately, I did have a backup in that my mom is a sewist and I could have used her machine, but... that would have spoiled the surprise (and the enjoyment of my own machine) just a bit.

I still have yet to get a collar stand on the Yukon so perfect you can button it, but my Dad is retired so he does not care. He loves all the shirts I make him anyway, and I think he looks pretty good in them. Here he is modeling my post-pandemic creation for him with pride: 

And showing off both shirt and maker with great enthusiasm:

I'm pretty sure that mostly, he was just happy to see me, and my husband, and the grandkids. But it certainly did not HURT that while we were there he got to look this dashing for all to see. He even wore it to the airport as he bade us goodbye.

And let me tell you, he was a good-looking man and it was hard to leave!

A Few Sus Hoodies

My daughter has slowly been gravitating away from custom makes (sigh...), but she's a huge fan of Impostor. My son is crazy about it too, so when this fabric came, I jumped in so quickly I forgot to take pictures. My son is very much a hoodie man, so that was an easy pattern choice. I had all sorts of visions of a CKC Delaney (bow back version) or a Girls' Fun Puffed Sleeve Tee for my daughter, but alas, she declared she wanted a hoodie too. Well, OK. 

 

The Max and Meena Max Raglan with hood is my go-to pattern for hoodies these days, and it does not disappoint. They were quick to make and my kids had a blast with the photo shoot. 

The kids may be getting pretty good at ferreting out impostors (or being them), but I think it's Mommy who won the day with these. 

Disney Trip... do the Princess whip!

I'm a huge Disney fan, but the truth is, living in the midwest we don't get to go the "Kingdom of Mouse" nearly as often as I would like to. I accumulate a lot of vacation fabric, but then in the throes of vacation planning, I don't get to sew nearly as much as I would like. However, when my *friends* go to Disney Land or Disney World...

In March, a friend booked a last-minute trip to the Magic Kingdom. Her daughter was aged three, the perfect size for a little scrap busting. So, on a lark I made a copy of the Happiest Dress (Details in the linked post) with leftover scraps.

And when that was done, I still had time for another. So I tried a new, more princess-y look based on the  SLPCo Isla, and using scraps left over from a shower gift for my husband's coworker.  

To create this look I started with the Isla Bodice and added an inch to the bodice height, then added 1/2" to the sleeve length. This was mostly so the double skirt would not have to be so long, but also because the wearer is long-waisted. Then for the bottom I cut out two circle skirts - a plain one that was regular length (minus one inch to compensate for bodice height) and one that I mathed out to be 1/3 of the first skirt's length. This "golden ratio" keeps the skirts looking proportionate.

Putting it all together, I had a big, "fluffy" dress that took a little while to hem, but otherwise was pretty darn quick. It was a huge hit at the park, and even though my family wasn't going, my friend got to give this lovely princess fabric the "park tour."

Sonic Boo-ty

After the Pac-man Pants of Christmas, I was eager to try the Apple Tree Bunny Bottoms again, this time with the most visually appealing option set rather than the fastest. So with the scraps from the Sonic Cardigan I created these little cuties

I had worried that the drawstring would be hard, but it turns out it was just a faux drawstring that, while not functional, looks pretty good and only took minutes to construct. The pockets were also a nice feature, and although my timing was off in making pants right as the weather warmed up. But these went to my local nephew, so perhaps I will see them again as the fall weather cools off. That's one perk of Grow-with-me apparel: it works for multiple years. 

This is the Wardrobe

My husband is a serious Star Wars enthusiast, and so when "The Mandalorian" premiered on Disney+, of course we had to watch. And when "Grogu" (AkA "Baby Yoda") appeared on the screen my kids were hooked. So when I saw a baby Yoda print-and-panel-set on offer, I just *had* to take the plunge.

Of course the panel set had *three* panels and I only have two children, so... just for fun we brought our local cousin in on the action as well. 

My daughter insisted on a long-sleeved shirt (a "regular" one, sigh...), so for her we used the Girls' Fun tee, one of my favorite patterns ever. My son got a MegaMax Raglan (I usually size up one from RTW size) and my nephew got a t-shirt based on Zee's Tee from Tie Dye Diva (I usually lengthen the sleeves a bit to make it more masculine for boys). 

I did have to go to the dreaded B/S/Ts(Buy/Sell/Trades) for the Yellow sleeve fabric, but it was totally worth it. Because for three go-to quick-sew projects, I got three very happy kids!!!

Fireflies for my Little Niece

After completing the Cardigan in my last post, I was on to what I *really* wanted to use this fabric for - a fun set for my newborn niece in California. I've long been in love with the SLPCo Hampton for a while, and despite the scale, this fabric just *looked* like it wanted to be a fun baby set. I picked up the SLPCo Sarah Anne Leggings to complete the outfit.

The Fireflies and the Rainbow Watercolor were from Kammie Lou Lou, and the magenta sparkles were from Wanderlust. On the Hampton (top), I did stray from the written pattern when it came to the cuffs on the sleeves, because when I followed the directions the looked WAAAY to tiny - and even my modified, 1" bigger cuffs were still an adventure to work through on my machine. The 3-6m Sarah Anne leggings went together easily and looked cute, even if they did seem a bit big to go with the 3-6m top from the same pattern maker. Fortunately, it did not matter, because the shorties from last year's Care Bear set fit when the top did! So my niece had rainbow shorts to go with her outfit either way. 

And I got cure pics of her to coo over from my SIL. definitely a win!

Firefly Cardi

This firefly fabric is an oldie but goodie - and it's become ubiquitous in the custom fabric world. That said, it's also one of my first custom fabric purchases; because I loved it so much, I held onto it for 4 years without ever really working up the nerve to cut into it. 

That all changed when my newest niece was born, but that's actually a story for another post. You see, I'd bought this fabric for a selfish sew for me, and if I was going to get two things out of it... well, the big things needed to be cut out first. So it was time to take the plunge.

After much debate, for the pattern I chose a Halla Cozy Wrap Cardigan... the open-front version. I liked the silhouette, and although I don't wear my Essie Much, I do like the way Halla patterns are drafted, with rulers to help with sizing and grading.

Both Fabric and Coordinate came from Kammie Lou Lou (My favorite shop). 

I remain a little surprised at how long these adult patterns to take - to cut out and to sew up, but this time I was much happier with the result. I chose the open version, and found that while custom CL was a bit warm for spring, fall was the perfect time to wear this creation. 

Clearly, I need to try this again!

2020 Completions

Well, 2020 was the year of the pandemic, I think the pandemic plus general learning/increases in speed led to my most productive sewing year ever, even if you don't count all the masks. And oh, were there a lot of masks. But also, plenty of other fun things. It was a year where ambitious projects took a backseat to comfort sewing - and the year my daughter started to lose interest in custom fabrics, sigh - but I did still get a lot done. 

So without further reminiscing, here are my completions from 2020:

Gotta Catch More Fluff (link)

Completed: Jan 2020

My second foray into Double-Sided Minky, after the first was a raging success.

Bayou Cardi (link)

Completed: Jan 2020

Pattern: Halla Essie Cardigan

A selfish sew.

Baby Romper Doo Do Doo Doo Doo (link)

Completed: Feb 2020

Pattern: Brindille & Twig Baby Polo Romper

My Son outgrew this fabric before I cut into it, but it was perfect for one of his teachers who was having a baby.

Plumber Polo (link)

Completed: Feb 2020

Pattern: Brindille & Twig Baby Polo Romper Modified

More fun for my local Nephew, with fabric imported from Japan!

Power Ranger Tee (link)

Completed: Feb 2020

Pattern: Tie Dye Diva Zee's Tee

A fun one-off for my Power-Ranger-Loving son

My Little Brony (link)

Completed: April 2020

Pattern: Cole's Creations Men's Raglan

A fun con shirt for a Brony Friend!

Entering a New Groove (link)

Completed: April 2020

Pattern: Hey June Lane Relaxed-fit Raglan (modified)

Masks and a fun shirt for an old friend.

At Last a Selfish Sew (link)

Completed: May 2020

Pattern: Halla Amanda

Another one of my first-purchased, long-hoarded customs turned into a shirt for me!

Peplum... Go! (link)

Completed: May 2020

Pattern: modified SBPP Girls Fun Tee

Fun gift for my daughter's best friend.

Thankful in Summer (link)

Completed: May 2020

Pattern: SLPCo Hamption w/ Isla back

Ostensibly a first-day-of-summer-camp shirt for my daughter, but she chose a fall print!

Leopard Kyra (link)

Completed: May 2020

Pattern: SLPCo Kyra

A versatile next try on a summer camp shirt for my daughter.

Baby Nephew (Doo Doo Do Doo Doo) (link)

Completed: May 2020

Pattern: Peekaboo Lullabye Line Bodysuit

For a non-local Nephew.

Gotta Catch Some Cousins (link)

Completed: May 2020

Pattern: Tie Dye Diva Zee's Tee and PeekaBoo Tide Pool Tank

A shirt for my Pokemon loving nephew that turned into a set when my son took an interest in the fabric.

Seeing Green 1 (link)

Completed: June 2020

Pattern: Peekaboo Tide Pool Tank plus Ruffle Tutorial

A green shirt when my daughter was assigned to the green group at camp

Seeing Green 2 (link)

Completed: June 2020

Pattern: SLPCo Cami

A second green shirt whipped up with leftover scraps from the first!

Muscle shirt Mania 1 (link)

Completed: June 2020

Pattern: Peekaboo Tide Pool Tank

Because the Tide Pool Tank is fast, and why should Sister have all the fun?

Muscle Shirt Mania 1 (link)

Completed: July 2020

Pattern: Peekaboo Tide Pool Tank

A late night 4th of July sew because in shopping for green scraps I found some blue ones I could not resist!

Back to School Droids (link)

Completed: August 2020

Pattern: SBPP Girls Fun Tee Modified

A back to school outfit inspired by the Inky Bluebird.

Have The Courage II (link)

Completed: August 2020

Pattern: PeekaBoo Lullabye Line Bodysuit

A shower gift for my nephew in Colorado

A Hot Shot Rescue Bot Hoodie (link)

Completed: August 2020

Pattern: Max & Meena Max Raglan

For My Son

Care Bear Siblings (link)

Completed: Sept 2020

Pattern: SLPCO Isla/Adelyn mashups + Max & Meena Max Raglan

A 4-sibling set to celebrate the birth of my Brother's 4th child

It Has Pockets 1 (link)

Completed: September 2020

Pattern:  SLPCo Zoe

Couldn't resist a top with Pockets for my daughter!

It Has Pockets 2 (link) 

Completed: September 2020

Pattern:  SLPCo 

First one came out a little small so I tried again. This time with her favorite LOLs

Oh Baby Princess (link) 

Completed: October 2020

Pattern:  SLPCo Isla

A shower gift for a coworker of my husband's

A Jolly Holiday (link) 

Completed: November 2020

Pattern:  Cole's Creations Men's Raglan

A Christmas gift for my Mary Poppins loving brother!

Miraculous Pair (link) 

Completed: November 2020

Pattern:  Peekaboo Bonnie Knot Top

A best-friends set for my daughter and her BFF!

Christmas Blankets for my Fellow 80s kids (link) 

Completed: November 2020

After feeling the Luxe Minky blankets I gave to my nephews, I just had to give some to my friends for Christmas!

Sewing's a Rainbow (link) 

Completed: November 2020

Pattern:  SLPCo Isla

A sister set for a friend's girls

Merry Mogwai to Me (link)

Completed: December 2020

Pattern: Peekaboo Varsity Cowl Neck

A handmade Christmas outfit for my local nephew

A Sonic Cardigan for Christmas (link forthcoming) 

Completed: December 2020

Pattern:  Apple Tree Grow with Me Classic Cardigan

A Christmas Gift for my local nephew

Pac Man Pants (link forthcoming) 

Completed: December 2020

Pattern:  AppeTree Bunny Bottoms

A last-minute Christmas challenge while my nephew's pants were in the wash

Stats:

Garments: 36

Woven vs knit: 36 vs 0 (!)
Kids vs Adults: 31 vs 5
Garment Sets: 5
Baby sets w/ Blanket: 2
Other projects: 6 (blankets)

WiPs without any progress in 2020: Star Wars II, Christmas Traditions. Quilting is shelved while there are so many fun outfits to be made!