growing up sew liberated: crossover top
June 6th, 2011
Meg from Sew Liberated asked if I would kick off the book tour for her new book, Growing Up Sew Liberated. How could I say no to a fellow Meg, especially one as talented as Meg McElwee? I loved her first book, so I knew this one, which is devoted to the littles, would be fantastic too. And it is! Not only is it full of beautiful things to sew, but the projects are organized around a child’s day: waking up, eating, playing inside, going out to play and getting ready for bed.
This shirt I made from the book, the crossover top, is in the “greeting the morning” chapter. It is meant to be a simple top, but is so perfect for jammies that I couldn’t resist. I had some super soft knit squirreled away for something and this was just the something.
This is a very quick and easy project. There was one step that tripped me a up, but I still finished the whole shirt in about an hour and a half. Next time it’ll be under an hour for sure. And there will be a next time, because the boys need summer jammies too. Obviously my heart fabric makes the shirt a little girly, but the pattern itself works for boys as well. And really all the projects in the book are refreshingly unisex.
And quite simple to customize as well. Like these shorts: the pattern was for sleeping johns (what a great name!) but seeing as it’s suddenly 90 degrees here shorts were in order. I added the ribbing detail on the bottom because I had the ribbing out for the shirt–and because it’s cute. Meg has designed clothes and accessories with simple details that are lovely on their own, but also would look fabulous all embellished up!
Many of the projects are just right for gifts as well. We are pretty much past the bib stage in our house, but the all-by-myself bib, which is cleverly based on an envelope style shirt (there’s a pattern for those in the book too!), looks pretty much like the perfect bib. I’m big on giving useful gifts–for babies and older kids–but I want something that is awesome as well as practical. Honestly, pretty much every project in the book fits this description. It’s nice to sew a pretty gift, but unless it’s going to get played with it, it’s not doing anyone any good. A play cape, an art satchel, a sleep sack, a cloth doll, an adjustable messenger bag, I would enjoy making all of them and I know they would all be well received and loved.
Growing up Sew Liberated is a fantastic book, simple as that. Please follow the book tour to see other sneak peeks and beautiful projects from Meg’s new book!
Growing Up Sew Liberated Blog Tour
Join Interweave Books in a celebration of the launch of Meg McElwee’s new book, Growing Up Sew Liberated. The launch kicks off with a 15-day blog tour visiting education blogs, sewing blogs, parenting blogs, personal blogs, eco-living blogs, and some that are simply a combination of all of the above. You’ll meet some extraordinary women, see stunning photography, hear inspirational stories from Meg and many of her friends, and of course learn more about the book. Perhaps you’ll find some new favorite bloggers to follow along the way? Join us each day as we visit with:
6/6 Elsie Marley
6/7 Made By Rae
6/10 Uncommon Grace
6/13 Simple Homeschool
6/14 Burda Style
6/15 Maya Made
6/16 Wise Craft
6/17 JC Handmade
6/20 Frontier Dreams
6/21 Made
How cute!
I hadn’t heard about this book yet, looks great!
I am so excited to get this book!
Oh, they’re adorable! So excited to see the book!
ah, I have been looking forward to this one–thanks for the lovely review and for adding to my “must make” list.
My copy came this weekend and I can safely say I plan to make every single thing in it! I love the jammies you made, that heart fabric is super cute!
so intrigued! I’ll have to get my hands on this!
Looks great! I’m trying not to buy any new books but I’d love this!
I can’t wait to get my hands on this book … love her work!
Looks like a great book! I love the girly heart PJ’s :)
Ooh, those pj’s totally sold me. They look perfect.
Oh I love it! I have been wanting a book like this for a while! And those pjs are so cute that I think I want to make some for my little guy!
Really want to get that book! Is the teepee one of the projects? Your jammies turned out so cute! Love the hearts!
Makes me wistful that mine are no longer littlies.
That is super cute.
I love your jammies. I am wondering what the size range is in the book and cannot find that info anywhere. My kids are 6 & 9 and I think they may be too big for most of these patterns.
laura, yup, unfortunately the biggest size is a 5. But if you are comfortable with it, you could probably size them up pretty easily.
love these! makes me want to sew up something!
Sweet jammies. I love the hearts. Just ordered my copy- primarily for these pj’s! LOVE!
Nice, i can’t wait to snag one.
Love the blog tours, your link to dana made it, (my hero) is the wrong www. address.
[…] of the projects, be sure to check out the Growing Up Sew Liberated book/blog tour, which started at Elsie Marley last week and continues to the middle of next […]
[…] projects, be certain to check out the Growing Up Sew Liberated book/weblog tour, which started at Elsie Marley last week and continues to the middle of next […]
[…] of the projects, be sure to check out the Growing Up Sew Liberated book/blog tour, which started at Elsie Marley last week and continues to the middle of next […]
very cute!
i would love this. x
This looks like an excellent book.