kids clothes week challenge

April 19th, 2010

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One of the most popular post here on elsie marley is kid clothes week. I was inspired by this post from Soulemama where Amanda sewed one garment a night for a week for her daughter’s summer wardrobe. The goal I set for myself was just one hour a night (or day) spent in my studio working on summer clothes for my kids. It’s the getting started part that’s always been hard for me, so after that first hour was over I usually stayed another and by the end of the week I had a bunch of clothes for my kids. The momentum actually lasted for the next week and the one after too (I hoped it would continue through the summer, but evening cocktails on the deck killed it, oh well).

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Now for the Challenge!

On the second week of May (May 10-17) I challenge you to spend an hour each day working on clothes for your kid’s–or kids’–summer wardrobe.  This challenge is great for those new to sewing and seasoned seamstresses alike–we all have trouble getting off the couch (or off the computer). Summer clothes are super easy and don’t take much time or fabric, so you might have a whole wardrobe by the time the week is up! edit to add: Sorry I didn’t mean to leave you southern hemisphere folks out–fall clothes are cute and easy too! You have three weeks to daydream about what to make and then after a lovely Mother’s Day where your children are beautiful and well behaved and give you very cute presents, you can sew some shorts or skirts or dresses or tank tops with some of that ridiculously cute fabric you have been saving.

If you are interested in playing along (sewing along?) just leave a comment or drop me an email. I will write up a big list of participants and their blogs–though, of course, you don’t need a blog to play along. I’ll try to make a button too, so you can show everyone you are in the kid clothes week challenge. From now until the second week in May I will post some tutorials for kid’s clothes that I’ve used or that I really like. So what do you think, sound good? Are you in?

168 Responses to kids clothes week challenge

  1. Sarah says:

    This sounds like a fabulous idea. I need some major motivation.

  2. Laurel says:

    I’d love to give this a go! I’m fairly new to sewing but have a pile of fabrics waiting to be made into cute clothes for my 3-yr old daughter! Maybe I can actually make something for my little guy too! Thanks for organizing!

  3. Katherine says:

    I’m in. My daughter grows like a weed and is in desperate need. I might just add some in for my niece and nephew, too. Hope nap time goes well as that is my best sewing time.

  4. Hillary says:

    Count me in too!

  5. Kathleen says:

    I’m going to give this a whirl. I have enough fabric, patterns and well, kids to keep myself extremely busy that week! Thanks for the push to get it done!

  6. ginevra says:

    Me too! An hour a day, I reckon that’s achievable even if I’m busy.

  7. Jennifer says:

    You betcha! I’ll have to get my final grades in before then, but I’m publicly saying I will. So now I have to. Whee!

  8. Kayanna says:

    I’m in! I really need the motivation to get some clothes done for my kiddos. I’ve got all of the fabric and patterns just needed a little push…

  9. shisomama says:

    sounds like fun! i just got some new fabric for this very purpose, and we’re going to be somewhere hot hot hot where our regular clothes won’t be appropriate. count me in too!

  10. LiEr says:

    Hi Meg,

    Came over here from Wee Wonderfuls today. This is such a fun Sew-a-long!
    I’m afraid I was two months too early to play along. Pity! We went on a trip to visit family in Singapore (tropical island, almost at the equator) in February and Target hadn’t stocked their summer clothes yet. So I gave myself one manic week (it was all I could spare) to make summer clothes for the girls, and then start packing. Here is the post:

    http://www.ikatbag.com/2010/02/whole-lotta-clothes.html

  11. Shannon says:

    It took me awhile to get around to saying so, but I’m in too. This will be so fun.

  12. Tami Kubisz says:

    Sure-I’ll give it a go!

  13. Audrey says:

    I am in! I have been making clothes already, but I think it would be fun to devote an hour a day for a week. Yay!

  14. Brooke says:

    Ooooh goody! I’m in!

  15. Rhea says:

    I am in – summer clothes are on my ‘to do’ list and now I have a timetable. Thanks!

  16. Courtney says:

    I would love to join– is it too late?

  17. Chrissy says:

    I would love to join in! Thanks!

  18. Imene says:

    Please count me in. That’s exactly the nudge i need!

  19. Chantal says:

    This sounds really fun. Is it too late to join?

  20. Gail says:

    I just found your blog, and I am sooooo in! I need a kick in the booty to get off of the computer and get sewing :)

  21. […] here so I want to try to get my groove back. What have you all been up to? I’m doing the kids clothes week challenge and looking for inspiration. I’m thinking shorts, pajamas, swingy tops, what […]

  22. Claudia says:

    Super-great idea! Just what I needed to renew my energy for sewing!

  23. Grace says:

    Me, me! I want to join!!!!

  24. Grace says:

    PS: How weird that the comment right above mine is one of my real-life best friends; we didn’t even discuss this in advance. :)

  25. Grace says:

    (or at least the last published comment, i guess.)