Sewing for Boys – Page 10

Euro Swimshorts for my baby

As we prepared to leave on a week vacation to paradise, I did what any normal mom would do and whipped up much needed new swimsuits for the family.

I’ll have a couple more posts this week to share some warm weather sewing but first up is the little guy.

I love those first glimpses of little knees and bellies after months of bundling up. My boys usually wear rash guards in the sun so these cute belly pics in the early morning kinda make me giggle.

As I was cutting suits for the girls I was using Peek-a-boo Pattern Shop’s Santa Monica Sweetheart Tankini. It has the cutest little boyshorts that I knew with a bit of tweaking would be perfect for my boy.

I added a touch to the back rise and fully lined them. I finished them with wide bands on the legs to add a little length. I think these were a half hour project but looked so hip and cute out on the beach.

Nothing groundbreaking but so darling on his tiny body.

Love that lil’ toosh!

And he grabbed them day after day… a win in my book.

Editing these pics in the middle of a snowstorm sure makes me want to go back! Who’s with me?!!!

Club Aztec Greenstyle Hudson Hoodie

You don’t see much of this kid on here because 1- he’s too cool for mom-made’s usually and 2- he’s super picky about his clothes, period.

He received this hoodie for Christmas and immediately wanted me to replicate it because he loved it so much. I gladly accepted his challenge!

Good thing I knew where to get some awesome Aztec french terry!

I picked up some solid charcoal french terry to go along with it- all from Raspberry Creek Fabrics.

I used Greenstyle’s Hudson Hooded T-shirt in size XS. Another reason I never sew for this kid is because he’s right in between boys and men’s sizes which makes it difficult to find patterns that fit. This pattern has a great size range (chest measurements from 34″-53″)!

I lined the hood in Aztec and added a drawstring and casing but otherwise followed the pattern. The fit is great but we’ll change a few things next time for his preferences (picky, picky kid!).

I’m loving the final coloring of the Aztec. The red is actually a deep burgundy and the colors are so vibrant.

And yes, he is wearing shorts in below freezing weather. Are all boys like that?!! I promise you he has a closet full of pants and you don’t need to send them our way 😉

Club Line 2 for the Boys

The boys in my house have been loving the new Club line from Raspberry Creek Fabrics, too!

I seriously can’t get over how versatile these prints are!!

So far they’ve gotten things made with the Club aztec and buffalo check but I think stripes are in their future too.

Charlie was the first up. He got a comfy new pair of Mini Hudson Pants out of buffalo check french terry.

He always grabs sports pants when he dresses himself and I love that these have a bit more style.

This time he got a 3t with a 4t length for the perfect fit!

Next up, Alex requested a tee like Tanner got out of the first Club line.

I used the Jalie Men’s/Boys T-shirt again. I like the slim fit but next time I’ll need to lengthen the sleeves. Too short for his taste even if mom thinks it looks great.

I used the Club aztec in cotton lycra and solid white and charcoal cotton lycra from Raspberry Creek also.

I think it’s a win and he loves it paired with his new joggers out of this french terry. I used Gracious Threads Lazy Day Lounge Pants for him since he’s sized out of the Mini Hudsons (they both go to size 10 but the LDLP was a few inches longer). We modified the pockets to be like the Hudsons.

Finally, Charlie got another Samson Sweater from Love Notions (affl. link).

I did a simple version with a lined hood and added length. I used this french terry combined with the aztec.

This is a first round aztec strike off and the colors have changed a bit since. The red in the print now is deeper and is a great match for the burgundy in the shop.

I love, love these prints on my boys and Tanner has already requested a hoodie with the aztec. I love that they let me sew for them and have even been spending a lot of time in the sewing room with me this winter break. My big boys both made their own pj pants and love to help pair and cut fabrics.

I’m also loving any excuse to get pictures of these two together. Charlie is such a mini Alex and it’s so fun to see them together. Best friends one minute and bugging each other the next 😉

Sew Straight and Gather’s Metro Pullover

Terri at Sew Straight and Gather has got another brilliant pattern for you. I have an addiction to making sweatshirts and consider myself quite the hoodie connoisseur so when I say you need this pattern you better hop right on that!

There are two patterns- one for kids and one for women/men. A pattern for the whole family is always going to get a lot of use in my house.

Each pattern comes with a hooded version or a cowl neck. I made a couple of each just because I couldn’t stop. Seriously, I want to see you make just one…

This cutie got the first one off the sewing machine. I just adore his little face peeking out of that hood. I love the unique hood and the fit of this sweatshirt.

I used Raspberry Creek Fabrics french terry in solid charcoal and oatmeal. The combo is neutral and the charcoal stripe hood lining just ties is all together.

Payton’s was next and sewed up in a flash. She picked out this anti-pill fleece from Joann’s and it worked just lovely for this pattern.

She got the cross-over cowl version. It’s nice and big which makes it so cozy and cute!

The girls and ladies version have this darling pleat detail in the back. It gives it a little more flow and adds just that little something extra.

There is a curved hem or a banded bottom option. Payton got the curved hem. I loved her version so much I headed to the fabric store the next day so that I could make one in my size!

I wasn’t signed up to test Sophie’s size but just loved this pattern so much I knew she needed her own too! She got a cowl with a banded bottom out of Joann’s fleece.

My first version was a beautiful eggplant french terry (from Raspberry Creek) hoodie version.

I’ve had this lightweight mustard/cream stripe in my stash and it was absolutely perfect with this eggplant. I used it to line both the hood and the pocket.

I love the slim fit of this sweatshirt- not too baggy, not too tight!

I whipped up my cowl microfleece version in about a half hour after making the others. Seriously, the cutest, quickest sew ever. It is so cozy and I dreaded taking it off!

I think we’ve found a new favorite pattern. The big boys are feeling left out so we might need to whip up a few more real soon!

Terri’s patterns are so clearly written and I love her clean, crisp layout. She offers lots of tips and her tutorials make sewing a breeze even if you’re just a beginner to sewing.

Terri has graciously offered both patterns for $4 each or $8 (CAD, so us Americans will save even more!) for the bundle for a limited time. Are you doing last minute Christmas sewing? Or finished up and need a little selfish sew? I’d waste no time and grab this pattern TODAY! Pick up the kids version here or the ladies/mens here but really you should just get them both– you won’t regret it!

Love Notions Samson Sweater

I love a pattern that can be used for all my kids. If you haven’t noticed, I’m kinda obesessed with making sweatshirts too. The Samson Sweater from Love Notions just feeds both of those needs (yes, sewing sweatshirts is a NEED for me).

With a crewneck, hood, and jacket option this pattern will get lots of use around these parts.

Charlie got a crew neck with a flannel front and french terry back and arms. Another combo I can’t get enough of. Both fabrics are from Raspberry Creek Fabric.

He said it was so cozy and didn’t want to take it off. He may or may not be going on day two with it on…

Payton got a hood version out of Girl Charlee knitfix floral french terry and a stripe french terry from Girl Charlee as well. The hood and band is oatmeal french terry from Raspberry Creek that matched perfectly!

I made her a size 8 and Charlie a 4 with the banded bottom. As with most patterns, I will have to lengthen it in the future (that’s what they get for being so darn tall and skinny!).

These two have such a cute relationship. They are usually giggling away together and having a blast. It’s always fun to see the baby of the family grow up and start having real relationships with their siblings. It was fun to capture some of that.

Love Notions is having a great Black Friday sale and you can pick up this pattern (and the dozen others you’ve been eyeing) for 40% off with code thanksgiving15. Here’s my affiliate link if you need anything 😉

Love Notions Pattern Shop

Gracious Threads New Look Blog Tour

I’m super excited to be on my first blog tour today. Jess at Gracious Threads has a new storefront with a whole new look and feel to her website and blog. To celebrate I’ve joined with other bloggers to showcase a ‘New Look” for us.

I had a hard time picking which kid needed a new look until I realized this boy has already started creating his own fresh look the past few months. He started middle school this year and it’s been fun to see his wardrobe go from comfy sport pants and tees to skinny jeans and button-up shirts.

He is just barely hitting a size 12 and I knew the Jasper Jogger pattern would be a great choice. We headed over to Pinterest for some inspiration before we started.

These are made with grey stretch denim from Joann’s. I used the wrong side of the fabric for the main pants because it felt more lived-in and less dressy. I used the right side as contrast on all the pockets and waistband.

This is the one bum shot I was allowed 😉 I made a couple alterations to the pattern to get the right fit for my skinny guy. I tapered the waist and hips about an inch and cut off three inches from the length. I added a drawstring and grommets to the waistband too.

We headed to his school one night to get some pics and loved our little shoot. He brought a buddy along because what is middle school without your best friends?!!

I love the casual look of these pants but he loves how comfortable they are too.

Ready for the best part? To celebrate head on over to the new Gracious Threads Shop and use code ‘ANEWLOOK’ to get 40% off all patterns (offer good from November 16-29)! See how excited he is…

Make sure to check out the other great looks on the tour from some amazing bloggers.

Nov 16 – Handmade Boy * From A Box * Inspinration * Blessed X 5

Nov 17 – Sew Starly * Sewing by Ti * Climbing the Willow * Kopy Kat Kidz

Nov 18 – Rebel and Malice * Willow and Stitch * Tales of a Tester

Nov 19 – Sew Happily Ever After* Lulu and Celeste * Sew Sophie Lynn

Nov 20 – Handcrafted by Red * Just Add Fabric * Made by Sara

Nov 21 – Create Three Point Five * Lacasa Cactus * The Wholesome Mama

Kids Clothes Week- Fall 2015

My favorite time of year in the virtual sewing world is Kids Clothes Week. It’s a week of inspiration and motivation to build my kids wardrobes.

This KCW I’ll be out of the country and so sad to not be sewing along with everyone. Before I left, I couldn’t help myself and whipped up a few things for Charlie.

He asked me the other day to please make him something so he could have a photo shoot. I was flattered until I realized he was in it for the prize I give the kids when they ‘model’ for me. I sewed up a couple of Recess Raglan‘s and two pair of Mini Hudson’s.

I’d been crushing big time on this darling Birch knit from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. It is so soft and lovely and I’m kinda jealous of this shirt.

I made up a second raglan, this time using this solid white and the Club diamonds. We are loving Where the Wild Things Are and this vinyl from Sew Fancy iron-on vinyl is just darling!

This boy is all about comfy pants so Mini Hudson Pants are so perfect for him. A little more stylish than his running pants but still so cozy, especially out of french terry.

He got one pair out of light grey french terry with charcoal accents and a second all charcoal pair. On the darker pair I added moto-inspired knee patches and I really, really like the look.

He also got a cheater tee made from an Old Navy raglan with another cute vinyl added.

Anyone who has ever attempted to photograph a 3-year-old know just how many pictures were taken to get these that were semi-blog worthy. He’s such a busy guy!

Are you joining in on Kids Clothes Week? I wish I was sewing along with everyone but I’m off enjoying the adventure of a lifetime.

Hey June Hatteras Hoodie X3

I’ve been pattern testing a lot lately and while I enjoy it, I’ve gotten more selective on what projects I’ll undertake and sign up for. I rarely will sew anything that takes more than a couple of hours- I try my hardest to sew only during naptime and I hate leaving unfinished projects. That said, there are still certain designers I jump at the chance to test for and Adrianna of Hey June is one of them. Her latest pattern is really three patterns in one and it is fantastic!

I made view C in a size 12 for my eleven-year-old. We both love, love this hoodie. He picked out the french terry and it was perfect for this pattern. I sew a ton but there are still so many techniques that I’ve never done (meaning I’ve avoided them as long as possible ). This was my first zippered jacket and Adrianna walks you through it beautifully and the finish on the inside is so profesh!

I proudly held up the finished sweatshirt to my husband and said, “You’ve got to see this!” To which he said. “Oh yeah, I saw that. I totally thought you bought that so I didn’t say anything.” I’ll take that as “that-sweatshirt-is-incredibly-well-made-and-looks-like-a-million-bucks” and all the glory goes to Adrianna’s impeccable finishing techniques that make the inside as clean and pretty as the outside.

Sophie got view A in a size 7 out of yummy sweater knit from LA. It’s got a touch of my favorite knock-off Liberty print as the facing. With Sophie, I’ve decided that if I would wear it then she would love it too. She is my mini-me in so many ways and I love that we share almost the exact taste in clothes. I’ll live it up while I can.

I love this picture I caught of the two of them- totally their personalities. Alex is always a crack-up and Soph has got this model thing down.

After the two I tested I couldn’t wait to recreate a hoodie I’d seen on Pinterest.

My version-

I used view A and sized up two sizes for ease, leaving off the bands. I used a mystery gauzy-linen that had some give to it and it was exactly what I was going for.

It just reminds me so much of growing up in Southern California. It’s made for bonfires at the beach and cool summer nights. This one is my favorite and I want it in my size so badly! We’re twisting Adrianna’s arm to get a ladies version out pronto!

Category: Sewing for Boys