Shorts and Suspenders

Easter is coming so it's clearly time for some super cute sewing. Normally, we would sew an Easter dress, but this year we're thinking a bit outside the box, with some very versatile separates in disguise. I made four pieces that can be recombined well after the chocolate bunnies are gone (because mom ate them to fuel her middle of the night sewing). 

These are the Clover Shorts from Welcome to the Mouse House which I think we can safely say are my favorite little girl shorts. They are so classic and comfy, and those pleats somehow pull the easiest look together. In this case I'm using the pleats as a visual anchor for some super spiffy DIY suspenders (more on that in a bit). These shorts are sewn in light weight denim from Joann.

The t-shirt is the School Bus Tee from Oliver + S made with the cap sleeve. The fabric was a serious find at Fleishman Fabrics (my local fabric shop on 4th street just below Fitzwater). I got it a few weeks ago, so if you live in the neighborhood run, don't walk, to Fleishman's. They sell out of such gems fast. A white tee isn't the flashiest thing to sew, but I know you'll see it mixed in around here in the future.

This collar was made using the Removable Peter Pan Collar tutorial from Danielle Wilson. I modified it so the tie would be in the front rather than the back creating a bit of a Colonel Sanders/Tweedle Dee look (but in a good way I hope). The fabric is from the very last tiny scraps of my Vintage May dress, it Liberty of London Heidi C.

The separates quality of this outfit will come in handy later. Shorts for the park. T-shirt goes with everything. Collar will also look great with our Franklin Dress. Suspenders to mix in to L's wardrobe just for fun.

You'll find my complete suspender tutorial on the Petit a Petit + Family blog today. I promise you, it's easy and all of the hardware is available at Joann, so you still have time to whip up a few pairs before you have to take photos of your kiddos holding easter baskets in front of daffodils!

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DETAILS

Shorts Pattern: Willow and Co. Clover Shorts by Welcome to the Mouse House

Shorts Fabric: Light Weight Denim from Joann

Tee Pattern: School Bus Tee by Oliver + S

Tee Fabric: Cotton Jersey from Fleishman Fabric

Collar Pattern: Removable Peter Pan Collar by Danielle Wilson

Collar Fabric: Liberty London Heidi C from Fancy Tiger Crafts

SweetKM DIY Suspender Tutorial on Petit a Petit + Family

Reversible (sort of) Ole with Hood

I used to think I didn't like to make the same thing twice. I was so wrong. I am a process person. Since I restarted sewing last year, I can't seem to make a one off of anything (some of the seconds don't reach the blog). When I finished the first Ole by Zonen 09, I didn't feel finished. Sure that single garment was stitched, labeled and in heavy rotatoion, but I wasn't finished with Ole. 

The Ole pattern has many different options for pockets and collar, and the fabric combinations are endless. This Ole has a hood, side pockets, snap front, and the lining fabric was chosen to wear the inside as the outside sometimes. After faking my way through the construction of the first one, this one is constructed 100% as specified (okay, I cut the cuff as one piece so it would look more like a classic sweatshirt hoodie), with very satisfying results. You may notice the bottom edge of the button band was a little saggy on the my first version. With the second I used Sharon's sew the corner first method, resulting in a much nicer finish. Note to self: you get good results when you read the instructions. 

PATTERN: Ole by Zonen 09. (More pattern review) My last Ole was a cardigan made with two lighter weight knits, but this design works great with sweatshirt fleece. The combination of a heavy main fabric and a jersey lining takes this from a middle layer, to a full on spring jacket. All we need now is warmer weather.

FABRIC: The lining is cotton jersey from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. Love it, would be perfect for spring (if it ever comes) t-shirts, am annoyed I didn't buy more. The shipping is lightning fast, and the customer service is just as speedy. The sweatshirt fleece is from Girl Charlee. I still have trouble (but am getting better) at anticipating the weight of knits purchased via the interweb. Sometimes I'm disappointed when the package arrives and I realize its not right at all for the planned garment. This sweatshirt knit far exceeded my expectations. So buttery soft, it was almost a shame to line. I bought extra, there may be some Mini Hudson's in J's future.

FIT/SIZE: I sewed a 128 Standard (which is an 8, I think). The Zonen 09 cut tends toward long, lean, and modern. I sized up for longer wear, you can see he has some room to grow in the length.

This design is meant to be completely reversible, and I intended to make it that way, until I realized I could't squeeze the sleeves out of stripes. Some heather gray from my stash makes a nice substitution and isn't all bad on the outside.

Ole 1 and Ole 2 planning some sort of bed-headed conspiracy against the camera lady. 

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Pattern: Ole by Zonen 09
Main Fabric: Sweatshirt Fleece from Girl Charlee
Lining Fabric: Jersey Knit from Raspberry Creek Fabrics

His & Hers Mini Hudson Pants

You may have caught a glimpse of these little numbers in the ol' instagram feed a few weeks ago. His and Hers Mini Hudson Pants by True Bias. Mid-sew I decided pants this cute and comfy should be Christmas gifts, thus the radio silence until now. I doubt my kids would spend their precious computer time catching up on my blog, but...you just never know.

Because I've already given the Mini Hudson Pants the full pattern review treatment (found here), and because my mind is going a thousand mile an hour on other projects (new valentine pins, so many KALs so little time), I'll keep this brief. Mini Hudson Pants Pattern by True Bias. LOVE. Pattern that works for both kids. Double LOVE. So into them that I've made three pairs. Triple LOVE.

SIZE/FIT: For him an 8, for her a 6. I made L (her) a 5 last time and went up a size for extended wear. Honestly, these pants are so speedy to make, I should have stuck with the 5 for a sleeker fit.

FABRIC: The heather gray is a cotton jersey sweater knit (if there is such a thing) from Joann, that I can't quite identify online. I bought it for its sturdy softness, that really lends itself to bottoms. The accents are from various other projects (His here, Hers here).

Yes, that is an unblogged Bimaa on L. It's super cute, and a little matchy, matchy. Meet me back here tomorrow for the details. Until then, let's revel in the visual symmetry of this blog post.