Back to School Time!!

This week Lena and Parker started school! Second and 6th grade! They are growing to fast. This mama can't handle it!

Lena changed her mind, as always, and decided to wear a pretty dress that she got from her cousin for the first day of school instead of her awesome mama made (by request!) camo skirt. Parker opted to wear his "epic" batman board shorts that I made earlier in the summer, and a store bough t-shirt. 

Because of the lack of mama made back to school outfits I wanted to still make something for them for school, but what? They already had backpacks all ready to go, so that was out. I am still to scared to mess with the insulating fabric for lunch boxes, so thats out. Shoes? Nope. Well now I'm out of ideas since they don't need jackets.....

In comes Rebecca Page to save my day...again....

She just released a drawstring backpack and pencil case pattern! Woohoo!! 

Now, I know I said they didn't NEED backpacks, but what if I made them for a purpose other than school supplies and books? The backpack pattern looked too tempting to not make it, not gonna lie.

My justification: In winter they can bring their tennis shoes in it since they go to and from school in their snow boots. Yes!!

Well, it has been established that Parker LOVES Batman, so of course I had to go with that theme. I used quilting cotton for both the bag and pencil case, but I added heat transfer vinyl that I cut on my cricut machine for the actual Batman designs.

I went with the medium sized backpacks size they would be used for shoes, and possibly extra gloves and hats. There is a pocket on both the inside and the outside of the bag that would be perfect for those. 

The pencil cases have slots for 5 pencils, a large zipper pouch, and a pocket under the pencil holder. You can load those suckers up!

Lena is in love with all things galaxy at this particular moment, and this glittery galaxy fabric from Joann Fabrics jumped at me screaming her name. 

Since I made all of these from quilting cotton I had to add some interfacing to make them a bit more study. I used medium weight for the backpacks, and lightweight for the pencil cases. My iron got a workout!

Both patterns went together very smoothly, and I can lie, I was a little intimidated by how many pieces were involved. 

My biggest struggle was making buttonholes for the drawstring, but that was only because I had never done it before. I read my sewing machine manual, and tried twice on a scrap piece of fabric with my automatic buttonholer foot, and it was so easy! I can't believe I was so scared of buttonholes before!

I am so glad that I was able to find something to make the kids to bring to school, even if it wasn't clothes!

You can grab the patterns here. I truly recommend checking them out. Who doesn't need a pencil case?!

Arabella Skirt!!

My girls live in dresses and skirts year round, so I am always looking for a new style to make them. Lena likes a skirt with some volume, poofy, as she would say. That is why the Arabella from Rebecca Page screamed Lena to me!

 I am also kind of a sucker for patterns that come in the girl's sizes as well as mine, because I have a tendency to be that mom who makes matchy outfits for everyone. Bonus points for a quick sew, and ability to use fabric that I can find at Joann's so I don't have to wait for fabric mail. Arabella fits all of those criteria!

Lena picked this medium weight 100% cotton camo print for hers. Girl loves all things camo.... She measured in the high range for the women's size small, so I made her the medium. That way she will wear it a while. She wanted knee length, but since the pattern is drafted for the average height of 5'6" it is a touch long since I didn't shorten it, again because I wanted it to last her a while. We opted to finish with a rolled hem, and for no sash, because that might make her camo skirt "too girly." *rolls eyes*

It came together relatively quickly and easily. The worst/most time consuming part was gathering the skirt. Does anyone enjoy gathering really?

Once finished she had to put it to the twirl test, and it passed with flying colors. She decided she wants to wear it for the first day of school next week! WIN!!!

You can check out the full range of options for the Arabella here.

Fairytale Frock

Stitch Upon A Time just released a new dress pattern, the Fairytale Frock!

Just like all of her patterns, this dress is beginner friendly, and a relatively quick sew. 

It comes in sizes XXS-4X. Sleeveless or tulip sleeves, color blocked or not, and even or uneven front hem options. Oh, and the best option? POCKETS!!!

Blame it on a lack of confidence, or body image issues, but I thought that I would for sure look like I was wearing a tent in a swing style dress. I am so glad that I tried though, because I love the look and fit!

I am really looking forward to making more of these dresses. I think that I need a few solid color ones, and at least 23,408 more tie dye ones.

The loose and flowy style is perfect for out super hot Nebraska summers, especially in a cool fabric like rayon/spandex. This particular dress is in a double brushed poly, but it is still nice and cool.

I want to try one in an ITY knit as well, and see how well this pattern can be dressed up!

Go grab your copy of the Fairytale Frock here.