Star Wars Cargos

I decided to do a mash-up, to turn one of my favorite patterns (the Way Cool Shorts) into some cargo pants.  I tried to walk the fine line between making them amazingly cool for my five year old, without making them into....clown pants.  I'm not sure that I succeeded BUT my target audience (Lil G) was ecstatic about the final product.

I used used a pair of Lil G's pants as a template and extended the leg line of the shorts, to make the pattern.  I used some insights from this blog, including having the front of the pants have three leg panels, and adding double lines of stitching.  I decided to put as many different types of pockets on here as possible, with a grand total of seven pockets, in five different styles.  I eyeballed the upper pockets, and outlined them with a double line of stitching, just as an accent.

The waist is elastic, with a faux zipper. There is also a faux belt buckle but my photographer didn't get a picture of that!

 One side pocket is zippered.  I used the dimensions from the cargo pocket in the Way Cool Shorts pattern, and inserted a zipper.  Then, I sewed it with a double fold, so that it expands outward from the pant leg.

The bottom pocket was inspired from the Sycamore Shorts pattern from Sew Like My Mom.  I added some extra stitching around it so that it was more in keeping with the cargo pants.

On the other leg, I put on a regular cargo pocket, secured with Velcro.  I trimmed the flap so that it was more streamlined.

For the hem, I did a double folded one inch hem, so that I can unpick and get more wear out of the pants, when Lil G gets taller.  I did use a double stitch line again, in order to tie it in (again), with the rest of the pants.

 The back pockets are Lil G's favorites on the entire pair of pants.  They are traditional cargo pockets, complete with flap, secured with a contrast button.  The are sewed with a double fold, to help maximize the stuffability factor.  Perfect for treasures!
Overall, I love the way the pants turned out.  I wish that the back pockets were matching, instead of contrast but, due to the limited amount of corduroy, contrast it was!

The best part about all the Star Wars fabric is that it....wait for it....glows in the dark.  Enough said. Lil G is super excited for his new pants.

And now, some excited photos of a happy boy.  With light saber.

Very Hungry Caterpillar

This is a TRIPLE post! Wah-hat?  She must be crazy?!?!
Well, that's probably true but not really the point.

This is an outfit that I made a few months ago, for little Miss Smunchie's second birthday.  She had a Very Hungry Caterpillar themed party, complete with an appliqued tunic and cropped pants.

For the tunic, I used the Open Back Baby Dress, by Tie Dye Diva.  I added homemade piping around the edge, which I feel really helps to add to the festiveness of the outfit.  The dress is also reversible, with the Very Hungry Caterpillar appliqued on one side, and the Butterfly on the other.  Smunchie LOVES that she can pick which character she wants to wear.

 The pants are made with coordinating Hungry Caterpillar dot fabric, using the Tie Dye Diva Snazzy Pants pattern.  I added the optional ruffles for the cuffs and on the pockets.

Sidenote-  How cute is Smunchie?  She's looking for her pockets.  They elude her while she is seated.

Overall, both patterns are easy to sew and well written.  The pants are quite slim (hard to get over a cloth diaper) but work well nonetheless, provided that you use the measurements.  I think both patterns produce a crisp, professional result.

The outfit works really well for running, too.  Always a plus.  

Below, you can see a close up of the caterpillar applique.  I appliqued with a tight zigzag stitch, in white to match the background.

Wait a second....didn't I say that there were THREE patterns?  Well, the final review is actually for a tutorial, not a pattern.  Lil G wanted a matching bow tie for Smunchie's party....so, a Hungry Caterpillar bow tie it is!  I used this tutorial.  While it worked fine, I am going to continue playing with the pattern to achieve a "fuller" tie.

Little Red Riding Hood

The Fawn Lily, by Willow and Co.  What can I say? I love this pattern.  I have made three different versions of this dress/tunic and each time I love how it turns out AND I love sewing it.

This time, I used some fabric from my stash- The Little Red Riding Hood by Riley Blake.  This was my first time working with a border print.  I was fun to work with, though, I wish that it had been a double border, since I wasn't able continue the print around to the back of the dress.  I also felt that the end dress is a wee bit too long, and, clearly, with it having the border, I cannot hem it any shorter.

 The sleeves. I adore the sleeves on this pattern.  They are difficult to sew but I love that at the end of sewing them, you basically pull a dress out of the sleeve!  It's like a sewing magic trick.





















The pattern also has the option for in-seam pockets, which I added, since Smunchie "needs a-pockets".  The pockets are a perfect size for tiny toddler hands.
The pattern has two bodice options- cross over and button.  Truthfully, I bought the pattern SURE that I would use the cross over yoke again and again.  While it is adorable, the button yoke is fun(ctional) and cute as well.

The bodice is simple to sew and the option for piping really makes it pop.  I opted to do the contrast on the back of the dress, to help tie in the red from the mushrooms.  The pattern has options for a pleated, a-line or ruffled skirt.  I opted for the pleated skirt, to add some flare while still making the border the star of the show.









And now, the true test.  Does the dress work well for play?  IT DOES!  Winner for the two year old!

Dinosaur Drawers

It's not all about the girls!  Though it can be a challenge, it is possible to sew for little boys too.  Lil G is happy to request and model outfits, as long as he gets to help pick out the fabrics.  He gladly requested dinosaur shorts, to be made out of the fabric that was used for his dinosaur tie (from his dinosaur birthday party).

These shorts are brought to you by Way Cool Cargo Shorts, by Tie Dye Diva.  They are a pretty basic short pattern, but they are really great for everyday play shorts for a rough and tumble boy.

For this pair of shorts, I mashed up two different fabrics, to make stripe down the side.  It would be great if I could say that it was for asthetics, but truthfully, I only had a finite amount of dinosaur fabric left over from other projects.

One of the fun "punches" from the pattern is the cargo pocket.  It is fun and functional but, for me, it is hard to accomplish.  You'll notice that I had to zigzag stitch the top of the flap.  For the life of me, I cannot seem to accomplish hiding the seam the way that the pattern instructs!  I'm sure it will just take more practice but it is a challenge for this mama.  Luckily, Lil G doesn't seem to mind the change-up.

 Overall, the pattern is well-written and easy to follow.  The different pockets are fun and the fit is impecable.  The only challenge is the flap on the cargo pocket, which may become easier with time.

Dachshund Dress

I found this amazing "fabric" at Old Navy about 6 months ago.  I say "fabric" because it was actually a knit shirt, found on the clearance rack.  I snapped it up because it was adorable, with tiny little dachsunds running all around on a grey background.  I threw it into my fabric bin and waited for a perfect pattern for which to use it.  Well, I found it, in the Blue Ribbon Winner by Little Lizard King.  A perfect combination of woven and knit, it was a great way for me to challenge....me!  I decided to make this dress using only fabric that I already had in my stash.  I am happy to say that I am pleased with the result, as is little Miss Smunchie!


This was my first real forray into the world of knits.  Knits have always frightened me.  They're stretchy and intimidating.  I'm happy to say that this pattern made the work fairly easy.  I did "cheat" and use the cuffs from the long sleeved shirt as the short sleeves on the dress but hey!  It was already hemmed all nice and neat.  It seemed a waste to not use them.


The collar was a bit of a challenge.  Truth be told, I got this dress done up all nice and pretty, only to find that I hadn't made the collar stretchy enough to fit over Smunchie's head!
After the second go around, I got it fixed but the collar does seem to "roll" a bit.  I have read that this a problem with the technique in the pattern, so I'll have to keep experimenting to find the right method.

The sash is woven, as are the tie backs.  I like the bow in the back but I think that for an everyday play dress (is there any other kind of dress when it's for a two-year old?), my next Blue Ribbon will have a knit band.







I opted to forgo a ruffle on this dress.  I like a cleaner look on dresses, so the bottom band was good compromise.  I love that this pattern includes options for all kinds of dresses (bottom band, ruffle, no bottom accent, different sashes, three sleeve lengths).   In the future, I will likely lengthen the dress a little more so that it hits below the knee farther.  But, I can't blame the pattern for that.  I cut out pieces when my model was asleep.

The pattern also includes pieces for an appliqued pocket.  But, again, I prefer a cleaner look.  So, I mashed up the pockets from the Fawn Lily Dress, from Willow and Co, in order to make simple in-seam pockets.  Smunchie doesn't feel a dress is complete without pockets and I am happy to oblige. What does a two-year old keep in her pockets, you may ask? Well, band-aids, of course.

All in all, this pattern is a winner in my book.  The options make it easy to customize and I think it will become a wardrobe staple. It's a great dress for running, jumping and in general, a great dress for just being two.