Entering a New Groove

In the middle of spring vacation, my sewing took a drastic turn as a the US found itself in the middle of a global pandemic. With 2 kids out of school, I had more time to sew, but a lot less brainpower to devote to the art. 

Also, suddenly my to-do list was abandoned in favor of an overwhelming need for masks. I missed the first wave of donations to medical professionals, but when the CDC recommended cloth face coverings for everyone, I had lots of friends and family to sew for. 

The good news is, masks are a major stash-buster if you're a quilter on hiatus. I rounded up some fabric from the Kaliedescope dresses, my trip to Houston, and various other fandoms with the intent to mass-produce some fun masks. 

But, I also tried to keep it light with non-pandemic-supplies too - here's a care package from a friend that includes masks for herself, her husband, and her kids, but also a fun Emperor's New Groove Raglan.

the Emperor's New Groove is, I feel, one of the more overlooked Disney movies. And an adult raglan is a a great statshbuster. So it was a win-win for her and for me - she got some masks to keep her community healthy, and a fun shirt to lighten the mood. 

And I got the satisfaction that with all the stress going on, I wasn't *entirely* off my groove.

An Awesome Dad (or My little Brony)

It's literally been years now, but the set of sisters who received my Be Awesome Peasant Dress set are still into My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. So into it, in fact, that their Dad (who is an avid RPGer) has gotten them into Role-Playing Games by adapting Amazing Tales RPG For Kids to star Twilight Sparkle and her friends. 

The adaptation was successful enough with his own kids (and ours!) that he volunteered to run a game at SoonerCon this year. Sadly, SoonerCon was canceled by the Pandemic, but not before I found this "Brony" Fabric, which I clearly had to buy for him. As is my usual, I went for the Cole's Creations Jerry Raglan, and the sleeve Fabric is from Purpleseamstress.

Sadly, with social distancing in force this present is still hanging in my closet waiting to be given, but there's always next year!

Power Ranger Tee

I've been searching for Power Ranger fabric for a REALLY long time - my son is obsessed! So when I saw this "Morphin' Time" print, even though it was from an unfamiliar customs place, I took the chance.

Turnaround was quick and quality was fine, although the scale was a little smaller than I'd anticipated. Quickly, I went about the business of sewing something up for my son.

Whenever I make something for my daughter, I sketch a couple of ideas out on Ellie and Mac Coloring pages (which are free!) and let my daughter pick. My son is getting old enough that I think he deserves input as well. And as it tuns out, my go-to Zee's Tee by Tie Dye Diva has some pocket & color block options, and the basic  Max & Meena's Max Raglan is easy to sketch so... here's his menu of designs.

And here's the one he chose:

This was fun and quick to whip up, so hopefully he'll get lots of future use out of it!

Plumber Polo

Having been around the block a few times in the custom fabric world, I don't lose my mind at *every* Mario print - especially not the ones from overseas hosts - but one look at this rainbow lovely, and I knew I had fallen. I bought this for my son and my nephew, but it's my nephew who's been growing out of his clothes like crazy.

This is another iteration of the Brindille & Twig Polo Romper. There's not a "polo line" per se on the pattern - I just measured my nephew and hemmed accordingly - and I ignored the size chart entirely. Instead, stuck my ruler directly on the pattern, and planned for an inch or two of ease around the chest area. I must admit, B&T patterns have driven me crazy in the past, but with those workarounds I was incredibly pleased with the result.

I can't believe how fast time goes - my nephew just started walking - but I'm glad that at every stage, I'm able to supply him with a fun custom bit of clothing (or two).

 

Baby Romper Doo doo do

What do you do when the one who taught your son "Baby Shark" announces she's pregnant? Make her a Baby Shark Romper, of course! My son's Preschool teacher recently let us know that she was expecting, and she was also his teacher in the 2-year-old room where he learned that little ditty, so... turnabout is fair play, says I. 

I'd been sitting on this main fabric for a while (as in, since my kids got into the song), and it paired nicely with several PurpleSeamstress solids I had on hand. Ultimately I chose lime green on either a hunch or a whim. 

For the pattern I re-used the Brindille & Twig Polo Romper. Its methods for creating the placket are starting to grow on me, and for a yet-unborn child, its unhelpful RTW size chart isn't so critical. I made this in the 3 month size, and figured the baby will just wear it when he gets to wear it. 

And I hope he will wear it! I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out, with Daddy Shark swimming across the placket and the lime green collar popping against the turquoise/bright blue ocean. Now when the song comes up, this "baby shark" will have an outfit for the occasion!

Bayou Cardi

I'm always hung up when it comes to doing my own selfish sews - I don't think I ever figured out how to dress my "mom bod" post kids, and so investing time and beautiful fabric in a wardrobe item that might not be flattering (or comfortable!) is a genuine concern. I should probably get in the habit of making muslins, but my sewing time is already so precious that I hate to spend time dithering on something I'm not excited to wear.

That said, earlier this year I did talk myself into taking the plunge on a pattern I'd been eyeballing for a long while - the Halla Essie. I'm very pear-shaped - so the circle skirt appealed, and a cardigan doesn't *have* to be flattering if it is comfortable.

I'd been hoarding 2 yards of this lovely "Bayou Flowers" print from Firefliez Fabrics for over a year, and it was time to start enjoying it on my person rather than on my shelf!

I'll admit I underestimated how labor-intensive the Essie would be, with the cuffs and the circle skirt. I always forget how long it takes just to cut out the individual parts of adult patterns. But, once I figured out the options, the Cardigan came together pretty nicely. Halla patterns have so many options, so well defined, and I adore that their patterns come with pre-printed rulers that help with grading. Here was the final result:

I do like the silhouette on me, but I sized down rather than up in the bust area, and I wish I'd gone up instead. Plus, my loving husband - who, make no mistake is 100% supportive of me and my sewing - took one look at my Essie hanging up and said in confusion, "...you made a Hugh Hefner Robe?"

So of course, now I can't un-see it. Styling it has been a bit of a challenge as a result - especially since I made it right as weather started warming up for us - but hopefully I will figure something out. At the very least, it was a good stash buster, and a chance to work with a really lovely print!

Gotta Catch More Fluff!

Shortly after my nephew W was born, I sewed him a blanket made from "fluff," a super-soft and fuzzy fabric imported from Japan. As fate would have it (and not unsurprisingly, if you've ever handled it) my SILs loves that blanket not just for its looks, but also because it contains what she calls "magical properties" that help my nephew fall asleep.

Therefore, when I got the chance to order some fluff again - and in another fandom my SIL loves - I jumped on it. It took about 4 months for this beauty to make it FROM Japan to my sewing room, but it was absolutely worth it. Normally my projects linger before I work up to them, but I cut this blanket out the same weekend I picked it up from the post office.

I also ordered some coordinating fabric: the intent is for this to eventually be a set. But when you have a baby who depends on that ONE thing to get to sleep, a backup for the new mom takes priority.

So, Auntie RLQ to the rescue!!! Legendary Lullabye is still clearly Baby W's favorite, but now he (and my SIL!) have a plan B when it's in the wash.