kcwc spring 2012: day four
April 26th, 2012
Sometimes getting a good photo of the clothes is twice as hard as actually sewing the clothes. She loves the clothes–I think this outfit will be worn all summer long—but hates being in front of the camera. There were many, many crabby faces before I got this smile.
the pattern: This wide leg pants pattern comes from the Japanese sewing book Happy Homemade Vol. 2. It is pattern letter o. I’ve had a few questions about this book and Japanese sewing books in general, so I thought maybe I’d do a few reviews after kcwc wraps up.
the fabric: Aqua linen from Joann’s.
the sewing: I’ve made these pants so many times before I could sew them in my sleep. Actually, I made these exact pants in orange linen last summer for my daughter and she wore them at every opportunity. Who can blame her? Wearing linen pants feels so good in the summertime.
the pattern: tee for two pattern by figgy’s. I think this pattern might be out of print, but there is a version in the book Sewing for Boys.
the fabric: Nani Iro knit called Pocho. I would buy every bit of fabric Naomi Ito designs if I could. The knit fabric is just as lovely as her double gauze: super soft, a little waffle-y, and the print is perfect.
the sewing: The tee for two pattern calls for all your seams to be on the outside. I wanted a cleaner look, so I sewed everything with right sides facing. I always have trouble with hemming knits, but this time I used mother’s little helper: steam-a-seam. I kind of fell in love with the stuff. It’s double sided, fusible, a little bit stretchy, and only 1/4 inch wide. Stretch knits and shifty fabrics can be tamed with this stuff. The arm hems turned out perfect because of it. Though, I did feel like I was cheating a bit.
Today’s picks from the flickr pool are brought to you by the amazing stripe and the crazy polka dot:
1. polky dots
4. more stripey jersey jim jams
LOVE the top and pants-the aqua color is gorgeous and the tee looks so comfy! How does Steam a Seam hold up in the wash? I don’t use it much. :)
I just have to say “thank you!” for getting me out of bed last night at 11PM when I realized I haven’t done my one hour sewing for KCWC. I’ve had my boy’s summer shirt fabric all cut up, it just needed me to get up my A** and start sewing! And I did! Don’t know how many clothes I’ll get done by the end of the week, but the challenge made me get up and keep up my promise to do it. Thanks!!!
good for you! I do believe I would have stayed in bed :)
Looks great!! I love linen – does it wear well on kids? So far I’ve tended to use heavier weights for kids bottoms – twill, denim, fleece…
Bonnie over at Fishticks Designs had a great set of articles on sewing with knits here: http://fishsticksdesigns.com/blog/knit-knowledge-introduction-overview/
She uses a spray starch to stabilize the hem before sewing, then uses a twin needle and wooly nylon (or equivalent) in the bobbin to stitch the hem.
Megan Nielsen’s patterns advise using steam-a-seam tape as well – I did that once, but used too heavy of tape, and the hem was not stretchy at all.
I just have to say how much I love those pants! They look terrific! I want to drop everything and make them! Thanks so much for persevering with the photos – it was worth it!
so cute, the pants and the shirt look so cozy and adorable! I am so thankful I can sew because Emily is super tiny and nothing fits her. I can wait to take pictures of her in the pants I made her that actually fit! wohoo for kcwc!
ooo ooo ooo!
i’ve been stitching up pants by the pile, and have more to go, but have been wanting a little flare. AND i have a few happy handmades…. fingers crossed that vol. 2 is one of these.
love.
Love the pants! Can’t wait to find out more about the Japanese sewing books & where to find them.
I love all the Nano Iro fabrics I’ve seen although I haven’t bought any yet, getting seriously tempted though. That outfit is gorgeous, the pants look lovely in linen. I’m looking forward to your review of the Japanese sewing book. You have turned me into a crazy sewing lady, many others too from the sounds of thing, but I’m having so much fun. I’m so excited to see my pjs featured today too, thank you!
UGH, so bummed I am barely finding this challenge. I started a couple of weeks ago making a couple of shorts and dresses for my little miss and then stopped. This would have been a great challenge to make me bust out more clothes for the kiddos. I just might pretend next week is the challenge and force myself to sew next week. What a fun idea and so happy I found your blog.
Love everything about this cute little outfit you made. I might have to make similar pants for my daughter and just maybe a pair for myself ;)
When is the next challenge?
I love this outfit. In fact, I may make one for myself and wear it every. single. day. (the tee for two 14 fits me perfectly :)
Tee for Two is out of PRINT, but it is available as a PDF here: http://www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/14993
Firstly, love that outfit. Keep the linen coming! Would definitely be interested in a review of that Japanese sewing book, those pants look like a great fit. I too am suffering from Nani Iro-itis. Such lovely fabric for kids or adults. I think I better go check out this steam-a-seam….seaming knits is SO frustrating.
[…] I already mentioned, I am not home. My supplies are limited, as is my time…but it makes this KCWC even more fun. This little dress was made after midnight, hence no model. It is just an easy […]
This might be my favorite outfit so far. I would totally wear it. :)
Yes, aren’t photos (or time to get photos during daylight) the hardest part? Mine are more of a “constant movement” problem rather than a smile problem, though. :) Love the pants, the whole outfit looks so comfy, and your daughter is looking so tall! I guess I’m just used to seeing a smaller version of her in the knot shorts tutorial. Hehe.
you are so right, photographing a child is harder than the actual sewing. i am having trouble even getting the clothes i make on her this week! and if i do manage to convince her to try something on, they are on for the rest of the day.
love the outfit. those pants look so comfy. i am going to have to buy happy homemade vol 2 i think, i keep hearing and seeing great things about it.
i love the nani iro fabric, i have made a hopscotch dress from it (twice in fact as the first time i used a size 2 pattern which ended up being too small)
good luck for the rest of the week.
Love the aqua trousers! And I love this challenge. I’m a slow seamstress myself, so I’ve been working on the same item the whole week, but I will definitely be finished by the end of the week. And I really hope my daughter will allow me to photograph her wearing the dress.
LOve what you made your daughter!!
Meg, sorry I’ve been to busy sewing that I haven’t commented much. These 2 are absolutely stunning. She’d fit right in on the streets of sunny Barcelona. Looks very Mediterranean to me :)
I haven’t seen that color linen at Joann’s (I feel like I am there almost every day!). Is it a linen/cotton blend?
I am participating in KCWC, but have been having some camera problems. I am hoping to add all my items thsi weekend.
I love those pants O! I just made my first pair a month or so ago. There’s just something really great about the fit. I have a few tips for sewing from Japanese patterns on my blog – here: http://adelaidelemonade.typepad.com/adelaide-lemonade/japanese-sewing-tips.html. I’m happy to have you share them when you do your post to answer questions about sewing in Japanese – if you think that would be helpful.
I’m so glad you thought of KCWC – I’m having so much fun with it – even though I’m probably going a little too crazy.
[…] Days three and four of KCWC were quite an effort for me. It was hard to get motivated to sew. Day three was a public […]
[…] pattern: same as these pants, letter o from Happy Homemade vol 2 in two sizes. This was totally the wrong pattern to use for the […]