Charlie – SewSophieLynn

Watcha Wearin January Kids Style

As I was contemplating my second post for the Watcha Wearing January tour I knew I wanted to do it for kids clothes. My closet is probably only about half handmade but my girls are close to 90% (I’ve yet to make jeans for them since I can pick them up for ten bucks and pj’s are about half rtw since they are just too darn cute!). You guys see plenty of cute styled pics like the one above but I wanted to give you guys a glimpse into our reality.

I’d like to share what actually gets worn in our day to day. I never really know what will be a favorite and what will sit on the hanger. I always try to involve my kids when I sew and let them pick out fabrics and patterns and sometimes we hit the jackpot. For pattern tests I usually ask which girl likes the pattern the most. They have such different personalities that I’m getting pretty good at sewing for their own styles. My boys are all about the comfort and I know I can’t go wrong with comfy pants, raglans, and hoodies.

A glimpse into our laundry baskets this week will find:

This velvet Andromeda Top has been worn at least once a week since I made it. She has a matching one for her doll that is too cute too!

The Butterfly Cardigan is a new addition and both girls wear it whenever possible. It’s just such a cozy layering piece!

The Miss Mary Mack (affl. link) from Love Notions is another top that this one wears constantly. I really need to make her a few more. I just love the yoke detail and all the fun options it has.

This outfit of a Jolly Roger Raglan and Boxwood Joggers is his absolute favorite. It’s comfy, warm and in his favorite colors so of course it’s worn as soon as it’s clean.

For a real dose of reality I grabbed pics of my kids if they happened to be in mama made this week. They were usually taken after school or right after they woke up so they are lookin’ good!

Our Sunday looks:

You can find pretty pics and details on these here, here, and here.

After church casual:

Boxwood Joggers and a poncho I knit way before I even had a daughter (this is one of those things that kills me that she loves!).

School looks:

We have a super old Skipper Top, Baby bear joggers, Jolly Roger Raglan with cowl, Blair Top, and Hatteras Hoodie with Mini Hudson Pants.

It was fun to reflect on sewing for my kids and what makes something actually get worn. What are your go-to patterns for your kids? Anything that surprised you that they’ve fallen in love with?

Make sure to stop by all the other stops on the tour this week:

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Sunday, January 22nd: Sewing By Ti , Embrace Everyday

Monday, January 23rd: Sewing By Ti, Tenille’s Thread

Tuesday, January 24th: Robynne & the Bobbin, Harper + Lu

Wednesday, January 25th: Mahlica Designs

Thursday, January 26th: Sew Sophie Lynn, Creative Counselor, Crafty Like a Rox

Friday, January 27th: Everything Your Mama Made and More

Saturday January 28th: Sewingly Michelle, Sewing By Ti, Wild and Wanderful

Make sure you head over to Sewing by Ti to enter two HUGE giveaways!

Project Run and Play: Week Two-I’m an Autumn

Fall in Utah is my absolute favorite! The vibrant leaves, cooler weather and trips to our favorite pumpkin patch are things I look forward to all year.

It was so fun sewing for this week’s Project Run and Play challenge- I’m an Autumn: using the warm colors of Autumn for your primary color palette (red, orange, yellow, and brown). Now admittedly, I’m NOT an autumn and I’m drawn to much cooler colors so this was initially a bit of a challenge for me. I had nothing at all in my stash in those colors so we took a trip to the fabric store (five fabric stores to be exact!).

I had a vision for this dress right from the start and finding the perfect fabric proved to be harder than I thought it would. With our short time frame I knew I had to find it locally and I finally settled on this gorgeous charmeuse from Joann. It has such beautiful drape and worked so well for this maxi.

I used the Lil Luxe Dress from Lil Luxe Collection as the base for this dress. I added the long sleeves and pockets from the Starlight City Dress, also by Lil Luxe Collection. I cinched the sleeves with elastic to create a bit of volume in them. I used the width of the fabric for the skirt portion adding to the drama of this dress.

I raised the back curve a couple of inches. This dress will get worn to church ALOT and I wanted her to feel comfortable in it. And boy does she! She absolutely loves it! She’s all about the maxi dresses and this is her new favorite!

To complete her look I made a luxurious faux fur vest. She’s always wanted one and this was the perfect outfit for it!

I used my go-to t shirt pattern the City Park Tee from Hey June Handmade to start with. I drafted the vest using the bodice pieces with only slight modifications. It’s fully lined in a super soft tweed and closes with a hook and eye at the chest. She’s anxious to wear it with her favorite skinny jeans and boots once the weather stays cooler.

I was so excited to sew for this little guy too! He’s not the easiest to photograph but he’s always a super grateful recipient.

The highlight of his outfit is a vest made using the BBC Vest from Shwin Designs. Flannel and leather are such an amazing combo for fall.

It’s so soft and cozy and will make a great layering piece in his wardrobe. I lined it in cream stretch denim to make it a bit more structured.

The leather details elevate it and I was a little nostalgic digging through my great-grandma’s buttons for this project. These were exactly what I was looking for to finish off this vest.

His pants are Moto Maxx bottoms from Love Notions. I love the details on these and they were so fun to play with.

In my endless fabric search I was trying to find soft, comfortable khaki twill. Everything I found was stiff and not what I had in mind so I headed to my hubby’s closet. I stole his beloved well worn khakis and they worked like a dream! I did diamond quilting on the knees and lined them with flannel from the vest. Comfortable, warm pants will be well loved this fall.

I did triple stitching on the waistband and slightly cropped them to be more like the joggers his big brothers are so fond of. This little man wants to be exactly like them so he loves his new cool pants!

His tee is an ode to another fall staple- long days at the soccer fields! This little guy is so excited to be on his first soccer team after spending much of his life watching all his siblings play. He’s definitely got the soccer thing down and this tee is a winner.

I used the Made for Mermaids Rowan Raglan and slimmed it down to fit better under his vest. I love this pattern and all the options it comes with. He loves hoods so I’ll be adding them whenever I can.

These two are just loving their new looks!

Make sure to head over to Project Run and Play to see the other competitors looks and to vote for your favorite! We hope you like our Autumn look as much as we do!

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MBJM Hang Ten Boardies

I’ve said it before but this kid is meant to live on the beach. He would be my little surfer boy in a heartbeat.

Instead we live in a mountain valley and the local sand volleyball court is as close to the beach as we get.

When Sarah at Made By Jack’s Mum asked for testers for her new surf themed line, I was all over that.

The Hang Ten Boardies are the first pattern in the line.

This pattern is chuck full of options and will be perfect in board short fabric come summer. There’s options for color blocking, pockets, piping trim, full elastic or flat front waist, and different length and hem choices.

I did the bias bound curved hem and front tie option with the flat front and elastic back. Classic and cool.

I usually dread taking pictures of this busy guy but he was AWESOME this shoot. I can’t get enough of these pics.

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Use code ‘mbjmteamsurf’ to get 20% off all patterns until Sunday. If you buy the pattern this weekend you get a bonus v-neck t-shirt pattern FREE! What are you waiting for?!!

It’s currently snowing in our neck of the woods, so I’ll leave you with this pic while I dream of summer…

Kids Clothes Week Part One

It’s that time of year again… Kids Clothes Week. A week of devoting one hour a day to sewing for your kiddos. And yes, around here every week is kids clothes week.

But for this one week it’s great to know that you’re sewing along with other moms all around the world.

I’ve been busy this week with more pattern tests that I’ll share with you next week. I did get in a few quick sews that I’ve been dying to try.

First up is the Pistachio Tee by Sew Like My Mom. This pattern has so, so many fun options and it’s been on my to-sew list since it came out.

I did a simple short sleeve version and used this fab Superhero fabric my cute sister sent to me. There are options in the pattern for long sleeves, multiple elbow patches, colorblocking, and a cute peplum.

This little guy was under the weather and did NOT want his picture taken. This picture just cracks me up!!

Big sis has been wanting to recreate her favorite ready-to-wear dolman top. The La Bella Top (affl. link) from Love Notions was absolutely perfect for it.

Her first version we did a simple three quarter sleeve top version and doubled the bottom band width. It’s exactly what she was hoping for and just had to wear it that night to a family gathering.

I love this girl’s style and her fabric choices and accessories! Totally how I’d wear it!

On her second version we used Raspberry Creek Fabrics Navy Club dots to compliment a jersey knit from RCF also.

I love this version so much! It’s so fun and casual.

I’m hoping to knock out a couple more things before the week ends. Any excuse to sew, right?! Are you sewing along?

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?!!!

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

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.

Raspberry Creek Club Fabrics

So friends are great, right? Then friends that have a fabric store in their basement are even better. The moment I met Diana I knew we’d be great friends. We have kids the same ages, she is amazingly talented in so many ways, and we shared a love of sewing that you just don’t find much these days. I’m so excited to get to work for her a little bit and to help spread the word about her next adventure- her custom knit line, Club Fabrics.

I had so much fun sewing up strike offs and trying to include all my kids, because of course they love the fabric as much as I do!

Little Charlie loved his Me Matey Muscle tank by Patterns for Pirates. He thought it showcased his huge biceps, I thought it showcased his beautiful farmer tan (wink, wink). The fabric is 95% cotton, 5% spandex, so it’s so soft and has excellent recovery, perfect for just about everything but especially nice on sweet toddler skin.

I whipped up the free Slouchy Beanie Hat from Heidi and Finn and all the kids were fighting to get their hands on it. I think the boys will end up sharing it, unless Charlie hides it and keeps it for himself.

Tanner has been begging me to recreate his favorite t-shirt he got for back to school. I was nervous as heck to sew for him, teenagers are pickyyyyy! We both are so happy with the final tee though and he’s even asked for a few more. Phew!

Not too shabby, right?! I used Jalie’s Men’s and Boy’s t-shirt pattern and I’m excited to have it in my pattern stash. One pattern that fits my toddler and my hubby?! That’s a winner for sure!

Club fabrics are now in the shop. All but the floral are ready to ship! We just learned that the floral will be available in french terry, too! Floral french terry?!!! Swoon!!! And if french terry is what you’re looking for Raspberry Creek Fabrics is THE place to be.

Tag: Charlie