Kids Clothes Week Challenge is crazy yo. The current state of my house resembles the aftermath of a Tasmanian Devil blow-by: toys strewn about, abundantly filled laundry baskets, empty fridge: chaos. But I finished an entire outfit, and if you twist my arm, I’ll tell you that it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, minor flaws and all. No really.
The pants were completed first. Surprise – it’s another pair of Big Butt Baby Pants. I promise to venture beyond this pattern at some point, though probably not until potty training has been nailed. They’re just too perfect for a cloth-diapered bum.
I added fun details such as pockets (using Rae’s tutorial) and bits of ribbon. Overall I’m extremely pleased with the outcome, and super proud that I was able to work with linen, a first for me. I used a sharp needle instead of universal. Linen fabrics: Joann’s Anchor print and ribbon: Bolt
The shirt came together in an afternoon, which floored me. I’ve been too freaked out to try sewing knits before yesterday, but all said and done it was quite painless. And can I tell you how cool it is to make a T-shirt? Like, something that you’re suppose to buy at the store, but you’re like “clip, zip, snip – done!” How cool is that? I used a zig-zag stitch; a suggestion from the Tee for Two pattern, which is what this is. I adore the long length. This tike has a super long torso and is growing like a weed. I used a stretch needle, which I know isn’t necessary, but I think it helped stabilize things.
The applique was super easy; another first for me. I bought a no-sew bond, which was an error on my part originally, but I’m actually looking forward to watching the edges fray a bit. I sewed a tight zig-zag around the fabric, cut it close to the stitching, and then ironed away. I added a striped ribbon as a tab on the side seam for detail. Fancy knit of some sort: Aunt Bea’s Anchor Print: Bolt Ship Print: Joann’s
Are you participating in KCWC this week? What have you made or are currently making? Please do share, I’d love to take a gander.
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15 Responses to “kcwc: a nautical outfit”
I LOVE it! SO cute Kim!
Thank you so much Carrie! I’m so pleased you like it as much as I do.
Saw your pics on the Flickr photostream — such gorgeous blond curls he has! The outfit is really adorable — I love all the detail.
Thank you so much Daph – and for stopping by. It’s always nice to get feedback on the detail. It’s really difficult for me to tone it down sometimes. I love to embellish.
I love this so much, I’m a sucker for a nautical theme
The detail is amazing and I can’t wait to try that t-shirt pattern, I’m so tired of buying t-shirts that become too short overnight. P.S. – Your son wins for best hair EVER!
Carla recently posted..KCWC Day Four
Carla I’m a sucker for a nautical theme as well – anything seashore ready and I’m all over it. Thanks for the super nice comments. The Tee for Two pattern is so, so easy, and I can tell that this size (2/3) is going to last for quite some time. I’m excited to try it again this fall in the long-sleeve version.
This is sooo awesome! He looks so adorable! And isn’t it wonderful to be able to customize the fit for the person you’re making clothes for? I love that. What kind of sewing machine do you use? I have a terrible time sometimes with knits on my Singer … but other times it works just fine.
I finally tried my hand at the BBBP, and I can’t believe how well they fit! I’m totally in love with that pattern and can’t wait to make a bunch more. I’ve made a few other things for KCWC, but I’ve been too busy sewing and cleaning to blog about them!
Thank you!
I use a computerized Kenmore that my husband bought for me, oh gosh, I guess six years ago now, but I only started using it about 11 months ago. I think he bought it at Sears on the cheap. It hasn’t failed me yet, and I think it’s a good model for home sewing that has lots of bells and whistles, but is cheaper than fancy brands. I think it’s toted as a quilting machine and has tons of quilting stitches, though I haven’t used it for that purpose….yet. I’m so glad you tried the BBBP pattern. It definitely has some quirks, but I LOVE IT. I can’t wait to see how yours turned out. Oh, it’s looks like my machine is this one: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02019110000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1.
My mom has a Kenmore that was her very first sewing machine; she’s had it since the 70s and it is like a tank, and it still works beautifully. Your machine looks a lot like the Singer my neighbor loaned to me — she’s a quilter and she had this extra one and thought I might want to play with it. My own Singer is as simple and uncomputerized as they come! It’s not fancy but I’m rather attached to it. I should try using my neighbor’s machine for knits; perhaps it would be less temperamental. I’m sure it has a stretch stitch on it.
Dakota Gal recently posted..Bea’s big butt baby pants
What!?! A stretch stitch? Oh man, I bet mine does as well. I just put a stretch needle in and changed it to a zig-zag, width .5, length 3, as the pattern suggests. Now I have to investigate if my machine has a special stitch for stretch. And yeah, my machine is very much like a tank. I would stoked if it lasted me 30 years. My mom has, huh I think it’s a Singer, and it is OLD and works like a champ. I do remember attempting to sew a hot pink (knit) halter top on it in high school, and it ended disastrously, and I haven’t touched knits since.
Hi! I just found your blog, through the Flickr page for Patterns by Figgy’s. Gah, I love love love this t-shirt, you’re killing me already! Also, your baby’s hair! Adorable! Anyway, I have a soft spot for sailboats, excuse me while I go shamelessly STEAL this design! (Okay, maybe I feel a tiny bit of shame … )
Oh thank you so much! If you end up borrowing the idea, I’d love to see how it turns out!
on September 6th, 2011 at 11:30 pm #
[...] will admit that after finishing the nautical outfit, I lost a bit of steam, but was determined to power through. I abandoned all intelligent sewing [...]
I keep coming back to find this adorable outfit! I’m so pleased you found the tee for two to be easy to make….that’s totally what I was going for!
Karen recently posted..Collaboration with the little one
Wow! Thank you so much – this means a lot. I just loved putting it together and the pattern and tips were invaluable to making my first experience with knits a breeze.