I am plodding along this KCW. Some days sewing is simply a pleasure, but this week it seems more like a chore. Creative energy is an odd thing: it comes and goes, it can perk you up like coffee, or destroy you when it’s not there. I’m happy to say, I am putting in my hour every day. Even though I’m a little grumpy when I do it.

So what have I done? So far made some piles and traced a bunch of fabric. Then yesterday I cut out all my fabric. There was a bit of upcycling happening–old man pants => little man pants. And today I did some pre-sewing. I’m not sure that’s actually a thing, but let’s make it one. Pre-sewing: all the little sewing you need to do before you get to the big sewing. My pre-sewing today was pockets and piping, hoods and darts,  an elbow pad or two thrown in there somewhere. You get the picture.

How is your creative energy these days? Running on high? Non-existent? Hiding?

I completely missed day two of KCW. I was laid up in bed, sick. The awful bug that had been making all my children barf at 2 in the morning finally caught up to me. Ugh. Today I rallied, if only for a bit.

Enough to trace some patterns and even draft one of my own. Pattern drafting with two kitties on the prowl is difficult to say the least. If I hadn’t told you already: we got two kitties! They are adorable, but they are a lot more interested in what I’m doing (read: in the way) than our dog ever was.

Still a few patterns were traced and even some fabric was cut. I’m moving slow this KCW, but as long as I’m getting my hour in every day I’m doing okay.  Have you been checking in on the KCW blog? There have been some lovely garments featured for day one, two, and three. Go see!

It is day one of Kid’s Clothes Week! Because I was at Alt Design Summit for most of last week, I am going in cold. Very cold. Today I spent my hour staring at fabric. I used to think standing there staring at fabric was a waste of time, but I’ve discovered it’s an important part of the process. If I skip this step I’m never quite satisfied with the end product.

If I let myself stare and don’t stop myself, wonderful things happen.  A lot of the times I  get my own way and screw things up either because of self doubt or comparing myself to others. Today I trusted my judgement and chose whatever fabric jumped out at me. And look what jumped: Pink!? I’ve never been a pink girl, but my daughter has been choosing it more often these days. Looking at this pile, a salmon-y pink paired with orange is actually kind of awesome. Throw in some gold polka dots and it’s time to get this KCW party started.

Now that Kid’s Clothes Week has a new home (and new blog) I don’t talk about it as much on elsie marley, but I should. You might not know that we have 4 challenges a year now. Every season you can dare yourself to sew 1 hour a day, each day, for 1 week (I double dog dare you).

This season’s KCW is coming up quick: January 27- February 2. You have just the right amount of time to pick a pattern or two, stare at fabric for a while, and then jump feet first into KCW.

But before all the sewing begins, each day this week on the KCW blog we have ways for you to win new patterns and fabric. You have a full week to enter each giveaway, so there is still plenty of time to put your name in the hat for a new Figgy’s pattern (Monday’s giveaway). Today’s giveaway is for some amazing knit fabric from Girl Charlee. There are many more awesome prizes in store, so check in on the KCW blog every day this week!

This week is exciting for another reason: I am going to Alt. The alt design summit is a conference for bloggers in the creative field. It is three days of classes, lectures, round table discussions, and fantastically silly theme parties. I am both super excited and completely terrified. To prepare for this conference, I have done things I haven’t done since high school, like plan my outfits and paint my nails…

…and done things I’ve never done before, like design my business cards. Obviously, I went the goofy route. They are a little memorable, right? At the very least they serve a purpose–you don’t know how many emails I get that start, “Dear Elsie”.

This week is a busy one! You will be entering fantastic giveaways at KCW and I will be trying desperately to crawl out of my introverted shell and (god help me) network. Let’s wish each other luck.

I usually get pajamas for my kids every christmas. I don’t ever make them, though one christmas I did sew robes for all of them. This christmas I thought I’d do something a little different: I made pillows to put their pajamas in (really branching out, I know).

For my daughter I made the kitty in the first picture. I completely copied the design from a lovely pillow I saw on Pinterest, but can’t for the life of my find it now  edited to add: I based the design on this beautiful cat cushion by Jenni from Cloth & Thread. She makes absolutely gorgeous soft toys! 

The lion I made for my 6 (almost 7!) year old son. I hemmed and hawed a bunch about the design. I got great advice on instgram about what direction to take (eyelashes? eyebrows? tongue?). I skipped the eyebrows, made a tiny tongue, and trimmed the fringe to use as eyelashes.  I’m pretty happy with how he turned out–though I did forget the ears. Oops!

My youngest has been obsessed with cheetahs for what seems like forever now. So of course I had to make him a cheetah pillow. Like the real thing, this cheetah has tear lines–the lines that run from his eye to his chin. Black piping worked perfectly! And the leather I used–on all the animals–gives it a beautiful texture. My 4 year old cheetah  approves.

The back is done up just like a simple fold-over pillow. I’m keeping the secret construction bits secret, because there might just be a pattern for these guys someday…

And here they are all filled up with pjs!