A Few Projects

One of my favorite things to do is sew, especially clothes for the kids. Right before I left Austin I made a whole slew of these baby pants. I just couldn't resist - the pattern is so awesome (the Quick Change Trousers from Anna Maria Horner's book Handmade Beginnings), they're reversible, and there are so many great fabrics out there!

It all started with these awesome pants, which I made for my friend Cassie's new baby. I loved those pants. (This picture is showing the back, by the way. The front doesn't have that swatch of contrasting fabric at the top.)

Then I made these pants for Elinor. We call them the fiesta pants.

Jake wears them occasionally.

Then I made these "Republican" pants for my friend Reianna's baby.

And these Chinese dragon pants for Jacob, which he still wears pretty regularly. Doesn't he look like some sort of Polynesian warrior here?

And these "artsy" pants for my friend Jessie's baby. I love, love, love the print on these pants. The only problem is, they're pretty gender neutral, which is not great for a tiny baby.

 Around this same time I made a pair of super-duper girly pants with a metallic pink polka-dot fabric and a grey/pink bicycle fabric for my friend Kristine's baby. I should probably ask her for a picture of those, since I loved them so much!

Since we've come to Boulder I've done a teensy bit of sewing too. I made Emily and Elinor some matching cat shorts out of some wild Japanese import fabric. The cool thing about that is that I was the one that imported it! I dragged my mom and sister to a fabric store while we were in Japan and spent some time perusing.

The pictures are pretty horrible, but the girls are in bed now and I don't have better ones. These shorts are a Favorite Little Things pattern called Little Smarty Pants and it's great. The pattern has sizes 1-14, can be for boys or girls, and has a capri option as well. I've had some trouble finding shorts that are a good length and easy to pull on and off for the kids (the girls especially), and these are the perfect solution. Em currently has three different pairs of these in her drawer.
The girls love the shorts, and love that they can match each other when they wear them!

 I also made a couple more Playdate Dresses (by Oliver+S). Goodness, I love that pattern!

I love the soft colors of this one.

I did try to take pictures of Elinor wearing the thing, but she was obviously not cooperating.

The buttons might be my favorite thing. Aren't they awesome? Also notice the happy bees on the yoke!

Elinor was, for some reason, much more willing to model this dress. Actually, I did have to chase her around the playground a bit to get a shot, but at least you can see the dress!

The floral fabric was designed by an Austin-ite named Nancy Mims and it is one of my favorites ever. I also used it on Em's treasure bag.

Just one more shot of that silly girl!

Here's a skirt I made for Emily. It's another Favorite Little Things pattern and this is one of Emily's favorite things to wear. I'm sad that the fabric doesn't hold pleats as well as I wanted it to, but Emily doesn't seem to mind.

And finally, a ruffle skirt I made for Em over a couple of evenings this week. I used a tutorial off danamadeit.com and it worked out wonderfully!

I have a few more projects I'm itching to get started on. First up: something for the boys! Jake will also need his baby quilt eventually. And you know, I wish that Elinor didn't have so many dresses because I'm pretty sure a three-year-old girl is just about the funnest thing ever to make clothes for!

And here are a few crazy pictures of the kids, just to round out the post.

Elinor making herself comfortable at Joseph's advisor's house this evening (wearing her cat shorts!).

Mario Superman army cadet Caleb. And, just so you know, we were going through a closet at the time this picture was taken. Don't judge!