Thanks for your enthusiastic comments about my new Long Boards pattern!
Congratulations to Nicola – you’ve won yourself a copy of the pattern! I’ll email you with further details.
Here’s a look at another pair of Long Boards I’ve made for Oscar. They don’t have the drawstring inserted yet but have been his favourites by far. I’m loving the longer length on those coolish days as they keep him just that little bit warmer too! This fabric was one that I picked up from Spotlight to make a trial version of the shorts – but they worked out awesome first go so didn’t have to visit the “dodgy” pile!
Before you get reading, let me warn you there are a gazillion photos to come…
The children all needed new shorts for Summer. I’m determined to make instead of buy clothes for them when I can from now on. I reckon I have enough fabric to clothe them until they are 18…
So I turned to the quick and easy “2-in-1” shorts from my book. Well, they are quick if you are only making a couple of pairs – I got a little carried away and made THIRTEEN!!!!!!!
It started out as one pair each for my three. Then my sister requested a pair each for her kids for Christmas. And then I decided that while I was at it I would make few more for some other cousins for Christmas. And then to top things off my kids got another pair each. (That makes 13 pairs, by the way.)
I love these shorts because:
1. They are quick and easy (did I already say that?)
2. They are reversible – so really I made 26 pairs…
3. Because they are reversible (lined) you don’t need to neaten any raw edges with an overlocker or zig-zag stitch, making them even faster.
4. They are looong – sitting just under the knee, more boardshort style. So cute.
5. They are comfortable – so the kids tell me.
Before you go out and make any though, let me warn you that you really should use two fabrics you REALLY LOVE. I’ve made the mistake on the first pairs for each of my kids of using a fabric I love and then a fabric I’m not that crazy about on the other side, thinking that the preferred side would be worn most often. Of course, the kids prefer my non-preferred side and I’m forever trying to trick them into wearing the side that I like best!
So, you ready for a fashion parade?
Prints Charming, Rainbow Gardens/Erin McMorris, Weekends, Go Bike in Peach
Michael Miller, Giraffe Garden in Grey/Erin McMorris, Summersault, Pinwheels in Grass
Monaluna, Circa 50, Cars in Orange/Monaluna, Circa 50, Pebbles Lines in Citron
FD Textiles, Little Monsters in Blue/Red
Birch, Circa 60, Ukelele/ Laura Gunn, Magnolia, Textured Plaid in Turquoise
FD Textiles, Little Monsters in Blue/Orange
Prints Charming, Rainbow Gardens/Erin McMorris, Weekends, Go Bike in Peach
Monaluna, Circa 50, Cars in Orange/Monaluna, Circa 50, Pebbles Lines in Citron
Birch, Circa 60, Ukelele/ Laura Gunn, Magnolia, Textured Plaid in Turquoise
FD Textiles, Little Monsters in Blue/Orange
Anna Maria Horner, Innocent Crush, Bubble Burst in Lavender/Saffron Craig, Bird Tree, Bird Spot in Green
Erin McMorris, Weekends, Go Bike in Peach/Michael Miller Spot
Sarah Jane, Children At Play, Rockets in Blue/FD Textiles, Little Monsters in Blue/Red
FD Textiles, Little Monsters in Blue/Orange
FD Textiles, Little Monsters in Blue/Red
FD Textiles, Little Monsters in Blue/Red
Patty Young, Flora & Fauna, Blossoms in Red/Anna Maria Horner, Innocent Crush, Maybe in Indigo
Amy Butler, Midwest Modern II, Honeycomb in Sage, Anna Maria Horner, Innocent Crush, Bubble Burst in Lavender
Michael Miller, Giraffe Garden in Grey/Erin McMorris, Summersault, Pinwheels in Grass
Phew!!! The problem with reversible clothes, is that it is hard to determine which side is the front and which is the back – especially as you can’t include a size tag on the inside, because there isn’t an inside! So I cut a piece of decorative ribbon and sewed it to the back side of each pair of shorts to eliminate saggy crotches and wedgie bottoms!
And now I think shorts sewing is out of my system for a little while…
Thanks ladies for the lovely comments and feedback about my new pattern, The Honey Blouse. The pattern has started hitting shops so you should be able to find one online or near you now. If you’d like to see another version made up, check out Karen’s gorgeous red spotty blouse!
I told you I had a few more Basic Tees to share…here is Tommy is all of his cuteness, wearing his little monkey long-sleeved version.
Lisa at Crafty Mamas threw in this monkey print free with my last order (she looks after me like that!)…I’m still getting used to novelty print knit fabrics – for some reason I can’t see past PJs, but I’ve changed my mind after sewing with a few of them now and think they are great for every day kids clothing too.
Last time he wore the tee, someone asked me if it was Sooki Baby (love that brand!) but I was happy to proudly tell them no, I made it myself 🙂
The tee is cute, but even cuter is watching Tommy make monkey actions and sounds every time he looks at his top! Love it!
#1. Did you know the 2011 Handmade Olympics is happening over at RikRak Studio? The Olympics are divided into eight categories and you can vote for your favourite in each section.
#2. I’m sure you all know that Boy Month starts tomorrow. Dana and Rae have an awesome round-up of boy-friendly crafts to share with us…and I will be joining them on Rae’s blog later on in the month! Stay tuned as there are going to be lots of boy stuff to get making.
