Back To School with Peekaboo Patterns!

Pumpkin actually started school two weeks ago, but with the wedding, holidays, and everything else he only went for two days before being off for a week.  Which also meant that I was a little late getting my back-to-school sewing done.  I try to at least get him a new shirt to wear on the first day of school every year, and this year he needed a new backpack, too.  I chose Peekaboo Patterns for both of these projects, and I couldn't be happier with the results!

First up, the classic oxford shirt.  I actually finished this one in time for the first day of school.  But then he wouldn't wear it.  Because the dandelion seed print was "too prickly!"  I'm thankful that my kid has such a good imagination, but sometimes it can make dealing with him difficult.  I tried explaining that it was just a picture of seeds, not real seeds.  I made sure that there wasn't anything actually poking or scratching him, and I even offered to let him wear a shirt under it.  No go.

Finally I realized that if I was going to get him to wear it, I'd have to do it in a way he understood.  So we mixed up a "softening potion" (vinegar and baking soda!) and washed the shirt with it.  Ta da!  Problem solved.  Plus vinegar is actually a fabric softener, so it really does feel softer!  Bonus!

As for the pattern, I really love how this turned out.  The instructions were great, and the fit is perfect.  This is Pumpkin's favorite style of shirt, so I'll definitely be making a few more.  The easing on the sleeves gave me a bit of trouble; with this pattern you ease the armscye into the sleeve, not the other way around like most patterns.  It seemed counter-intuitive at first, but it works.  I love that the pattern includes both short and long sleeve, and a wide range of sizes, so it'll be sure to get lots of use!

For the backpack, I really wanted to use the Lil' Adventurer's Backpack pattern, but I wasn't sure it would be big enough.  Pumpkin's school specifically requires a "regular sized" backpack large enough to fit a standard folder.  I always think it's a little silly, seeing these tiny preschooler's engulfed by their big kid sized backpacks.  After asking around in the Peekaboo Patterns FaceBook group, and a couple of measurements I decided to just add two inches to the height of the pattern.  And it worked out perfectly!

Pumpkin picked all the fabrics out.  He specifically wanted a "green and white zig zag stripe, and gold inside."  For the outside he instructed me to make it "green, green, green; ALL green!"  Fabric shopping with him is both hilarious and frustrating at times, because he always knows exactly what he wants and he doesn't compromise.  The ladies at the cutting counter thought he was a hoot.

He refused to pick a print for the front pocket, so I ended up doing a monster appliqué and some embroidery for his name.  I love the way it turned out.  And the pattern matching on the chevron was totally unintentional.  But it makes me happy.

It's hard to believe that my first baby is in his last year of preschool already!  He'll be starting kindergarten next year!  I'm trying to remember to get as much cuddle time in as I can, because I know he'll be hitting that "hugs are icky!" stage sooner than it seems.  But at least he loves his mama made's.  :)

-Sparrow

p.s. If you're waiting to hear the rest of the story on the wedding veil, I'm going to be posting it soon. I'm just waiting for some good pics, and permission to post them.  But I did get it done in time!  Here's a little peek...

Guest Post at Oliver + S and the Honeycomb Shorts

Remember this?

My hexagon pocket version of the Oliver + S Sunny Day Shorts has been generating a lot of interest.  Mainly comments like "that's so cool!" and "how'd you do it?"  So when Rachel from Oliver + S asked me to do a tutorial for the hexagon pocket I was thrilled.  I'd already been planning on another pair of shorts with more hexagon's, because the first pair turned out so neat.  I wanted to switch it up a little bit and really play around with uniqueness of the pockets.  Are you ready for this awesomeness?

For the full tutorial, hop on over to the Oliver + S blog, where I'm sharing how to make these hexagon pockets.  They're really quite easy; once you see how they're made you might just be obsessed with shaped pockets.  The tutorial is for the hexagons, but you can use this technique to make any shape you want.

You can download the hexagon pocket template here.

Pumpkin seems to think they're the coolest thing ever, and I'm inclined to agree.  :)

He says this outfit give him super powers!  Big muscles!

-Sparrow

Life Is Sweet!

Today is my birthday!

Lets have some cake!*

 So far I've drank too much coffee, taken a trip to the fabric store, and broken out my watercolors for a little painting.  It's been a long time since I painted, and I think it shows.  But it was still fun.  All in all, it's been a good day.  And life really is sweet right now.

Pumpkin had to help me paint, of course.

*These cupcake digital templates are available for purchase in my Etsy shop.  As always, purchase includes the right to use my designs on for sale items.  :) (You may have noticed that my Etsy shop has changed names… I'm still in the process of getting everything moved over to the new brand, but more on that later.)

I hope everyone is having a lovely day!
-Sparrow

Sunny Day Sewing

We've finally gotten summer here, with plenty of sunny days to go around.  One thing about living in Ohio I don't like; it goes from freezing cold to HOT almost overnight.  Forget spring, we go straight to summer.  So when I saw the new free pattern from Oliver + S, I knew it was the perfect thing to add to Pumpkin's summer wardrobe.

I made the Sunny Day Shorts in this lightweight denim, perfect for the heat.  I added inseam pockets and a hexagon pocket to the back, to coordinate with the shirt.  These shorts are a definite hit!  The fit is great, and they go together so quickly.  Even with the added details like the pockets and the extra topstitching.  I do so love my topstitching.  I'll definitely be making Pumpkin more of these.

This hexagon print, from Riley Blake, has been curing in my stash for awhile now.  I knew I wanted to make Pumpkin something with it, but I just wasn't sure what.  I ended up going with my favorite boys button down pattern, the Little Military shirt by Heidi & Finn.  I think these two patterns cooperate so well together!

Pumpkin insisted the pocket needed a zipper.  Who am I to deny the kid a zippered pocket?  He was also very insistent about the yellow buttons.  I was planning to go with blue or white buttons, but sometimes it's important to know when to pick your battles.

The tank underneath is from Fishsticks Designs.  It's the first time I've really tried to sew anything out of knit.  It didn't turn out too badly, but I did have some trouble with the hem.  You can see how it's still a little stretched out, and it's cut too short.  At least I have enough fabric to try again.  I do really like the pattern, the fit is great, and the instructions are simple and to the point.

I've been feeling a little guilty that I've been making so much stuff for his sister.  Fortunately he's not a jealous kid, and he loves his new outfit.  It's perfect for doing summer stuff, like climbing trees.

And rocks.

And seeing how quickly you can run to the end of the covered bridge and back.

Gosh, he's getting so big!  It's seems like the days are going by so fast now.  It's so easy to get caught up with the everyday rush; always planning the next thing on the list.  I have to remind myself to take a moment every day and just appreciate the here and now; to take life one stitch at a time.  :)

-Sparrow

P.S. I also managed to swatch for a new knit design this week!  I might even give you a peek at it soon… 

Hi, there

My name is Sparrow, I'm a mom, and I make stuff.  That pretty much sums it up, but in case that's not enough, here's a little more detail.

That's me.  Don't expect too many pictures of me.  I'm kind of camera shy.  The crafts I make vary among a lot of types, but my big three hobbies are knitting, tatting, and sewing.  That's probably what you will see the most here.  Aside from hand crafts, I also enjoy graphic design and am an avid bibliophile.  I wish I had awesome photography skills, so I could take beautifully staged photos of all my projects.  You're more likely going to get quick iphone snapshots with Pumpkin making faces in the background.  But that's okay.  My house is usually a mess.  You'll probably see that in the background, too.  But that's how life is sometimes; messy.  The phrase "I'd rather be knitting (or sewing, or tatting, or otherwise crafting)" can be applied to just about anything in my life.  That includes housework, hence the mess.  I love writing patterns, and working out solutions to problems.  I see every project as an opportunity to learn something new, and make something better.  Sometimes the things I come up with are easier.  Sometimes they're harder.  Sometimes they're just interesting.

This is  Pumpkin.  He's four, ridiculously funny, and very opinionated.  He influences a lot of my projects by helping me pick out colors or telling me if something looks good or bad.  He's actually got excellent taste for a four year old, and I typically trust his judgement.  It also makes me happy when we see something in a store that he likes, and he asks me to make him one instead of buying it.  Every mom thinks their kid is something special, but… he really is something special!

Bunny is still a work in progress, but we're all very excited about her arrival!  She is due to arrive early in March.  Right now she enjoys waking me up at night by living up to her nickname and kicking incessantly for hours.

The last addition to our little oddball family is The Viking, Pumpkin and Bunny's father.  I call him that partially because he looks like one, and partially because he acts like one sometimes.  But we love him anyways. :)

And that's who I am, and my family.  Welcome to my crazy life!
-Sparrow