My 3 LittleKiwis

{Kids Clothes Week} Day 4

2015-02-06T22:08:00.004+13:00

Day 4

I really don't know if I will ever catch up...I wonder if I can cheat and call these day 4 and 5, as there are 2 pairs!

These are my kiwiana undies pattern for Portia (lucky girl is getting all the goods this season)

I made her the size 47cm hip size, a perfect fit.

I used two little size 1 sundresses which were the same pattern but a different colour way.

The crotch is nice and thick as it is two layers of cotton lycra, which is good for little potty training ladies, these two pairs are consequently in the washing machine as they were tested to see if they would hold!!! haha.

~~Sewing along~~ frantically trying to catch up, with KCW.

are you sewing along too?

{Kids Clothes Week} Day 3

2015-02-06T09:23:00.001+13:00

DAY 3

I'm still playing catch up, but I'm getting there. Today I have made some little peasant dresses, however this time I've added a twist.

They are not for my children....

Just recently I saw this facebook post, linking to this blog starting an initiative to gather 100+ dresses for children in Cambodia who need dresses.

I thought, hey, I can do that, peasant dresses are quick and simple to make and easy to embellish, and well, I've got quite a bit of fabric sitting around.

I pulled out a gorgeous duvet cover that I have had sitting for ages and it's just perfect. I got 4 dresses out of what was left. x3 size 2 and x1 size 4.

I used my Flutterby Peasant Dress Pattern but Sophie also has a link to one on her blog.

This size 2 looks a bit big on Portia, but bear in mind she still wears a 12-18 month in this pattern.

Joining in with KCW

{Kids Clothes Week) Day 1 & 2

2015-02-05T12:02:00.000+13:00

Well, I'm playing catch up with KCW this season, I'm woefully behind but last night I made up two little pairs of pants for Portia.

Honorary Day 1

The first is a pair of jegging shorts, from an old pair of jeggings a friend gave me to up-cycle. I used my Skinny Legs pattern and cut them inbetween the shorts and knee length. I made the size 12 for my skinny bum Portia.

I stuffed up the waistband so I ended up adding an exposed elastic one which actually looks really good. Itsn't it funny how mistakes can sometimes turn out better than the actual plan!!!

I managed to fussy cut so the pockets were on the back of the shorts, and the line on the front that you can see is actually the side seam of the jeggings.

I found the exact same colour thread so that was a bonus.

Honorary Day 2

The second pair of pants I made were using my trusty Peekaboopocket pant pattern. I use this pattern SO MUCH. I made the 18 month with the 3-6 month length.

For the fabric I used this top. It was a nice cotton lycra with these funny puffy flowers all over it. lovely fabric but as a top, just a bit much.

I cut off the collar, which I used for the cuffs.

Joining in with KCW

{PATTERN RELEASE} Peekaboopocket Mix&Match Outerwear

2014-11-26T15:21:00.004+13:00

Yay, I've finally updated, added to, extended and improved one of my very first patterns. The Peekaboopocket Vest pattern.

I have gained so many more skills since I first started designing patterns and the pabp vest has been weighing on my mind to be redone. The main part I wasn't overly fond of, was the wide gap between the ends of the hood.

Now that I have been designing for over 1 year I can confidently say that my sizing has been perfected and my grading is SO MUCH BETTER.

This new vest/hoodie is a similar fit to the Street Smart Sweatshirt Collection with one major difference in being the SSSC is a RAGLAN style sweatshirt and the new pattern isn't.

Lets look at the options in this new pattern VS the old pattern

Wow, as you can see there are quite a lot of differences. Have I convinced you yet that it's a great pattern? Good for all seasons, and easily customized to your child and climate.

You can purchase it HERE and its on sale until tomorrow night.

Go on you know you want to.

I'll leave you with some of my tester photos.

and if you do purchase and make a vest or hoodie, I'd LOVE to see a photo. Join my group and share your creations using my patterns.

{PATTERN RELEASE} Skinny Legs 12m-14years

2014-11-09T09:40:00.000+13:00

Yay, the SKINNY LEGS pattern is finally released. You can purchase it here.

But first lets look at the details.

Sizes:

12m-14years (the 14 even fits me, score)

Fabrics:

Good quality cotton lycra, anything with a good stretch, I even made Portia a pair with stretch denim and the ruched sides. I would however go up a size in the width if I were to do this again. And one tester even made them in stretch lace and they look so cute.

Options:

4 lengths, 2 waistbands, 2 styles (ruched vs plain)

I want to thank my amazing testers, most made multiple versions/options/lengths and for that I am so grateful as this means the pattern has been extensively tested thus making it as perfect as it can be!!

3/4 length

Ankle length

Ruched panel option

lace, knee and shorts length

get the pattern here on CRAFTSY and ETSY

{Blog Tour} Pimp that Pattern ~ Day 6

2014-11-08T07:00:00.000+13:00

Rebekah from Rebekah Sews is another awesome tester of mine. She started testing when her daughter was only little and she is now over 1.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST HERE

And finally we have DIY Crush with their embelished romper.

Now I have some exciting news regarding DIY Crush, Starting from NOW, I'm going to be listing some patterns with them and you can see them HERE.

Pretty exciting don't you think?

READ THE FULL BLOG POST HERE

{Blog Tour} Pimp that Pattern ~ Day 5

2014-11-07T06:00:00.000+13:00

Welcome to day 5.

Penya from An Apprentice Housewife is next on the list. Penya has tested a few patterns for me and aren't her little girls just the cutest? I love their matching outfits.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST HERE

Check out Pipi, the daughter of Jenny from Mend and Make New, isn't she just a yummy little pineapple.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST HERE

{Blog Tour} Pimp that Pattern ~ Day 4

2014-11-06T06:00:00.000+13:00

Wow its day 4 already.

Now cute is this little playsuit from Rita from Conversas de hermanas
I love how it has been pimped into a overall type suit. Its just darliing.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST HERE

Fairy Kisses got mixed up and made the romp'n'play instead of the romper.
So there is not blog post from her.

Remember the patterns are both on 30% off until the 8th on craftsy and the linky.

{Blog Tour} Pimp that Pattern ~ Day 3

2014-11-05T06:00:00.000+13:00

Welcome to day 3

First up we have Alyssa from Keep Calm and Carrion. I have to say that Alyssa is one of my favourite testers, she always goes above and beyond what is called for in a tester, making multiple items and a new one if the pattern is adjusted (even if it is only a tiny bit)

Don't you just love her take on the romper? I sure do.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST HERE

The next blogger is Bethany from Sew-not-perfect

What a delightful little sister set this is.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST HERE

{Blog Tour} Pimp that Pattern ~ Day 2

2014-11-04T06:00:00.000+13:00

Welcome to day 2 of the tour.

First up today we were going to have Gisela from Petit Gigi Handmade but I have not recieved the photo or blog link from her, so instead we are going to hear from Kristie from Sew Out of Control.

Isn't this retro romper just to die for, and OH THOSE POCKETS!!!

READ THE FULL BLOG POST HERE

Next up we have Kylie from dribblepotsandtots. Kylie made not 1 or 2 but 3!!! rompers for her daughter. Wow now thats dedication.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST HERE

Make sure you link up with the linky, if you are sewing along, or if you do not have a blog, please share on my fb page and group.

{Blog Tour} Pimp that Pattern ~ Day 1

2014-11-03T06:00:00.000+13:00

Welcome to day 1 of the pimp that pattern blog tour.

I'm really looking forward to seeing all the amazing creations made from these two patterns.

And remember you can grab the romper and playsuit for 30% off this week.

Join in and link up with the linky HERE at the bottom of the page to be in to win.

First up we have Gabrielle from 2girls 1orca 1pukeko with her lovely interpretation of the PLAYSUIT.

I'm not really into skulls, but this is so cute.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST HERE

Fiona from The Adventures of Captain X and the Gingerbear Princess,

Isn't Z just the cutest, I love the lace sleeves.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST HERE

{PATTERN TOUR} Pimp that pattern - Romper/Playsuit

2014-10-28T21:50:00.000+13:00

I'm pleased to announce that our next tour is going to be a PIMP THAT PATTERN blog tour.

The patterns used will be the Flutterby ROMPER and the PLAYSUIT.

So, you ask, what on earth is a Pimp that pattern blog tour? Well I'll tell you.

This tour requires the participants to pimp, or change up the pattern, as little or as much as they want. but the pattern must have at least one thing added/altered/modified etc.

And I'm really looking forward to what all the participants make. Just look at the awesome line up.

3rd November

2girls1orca1pukeko.blogspot.com

www.gingerbear.wordpress.com

4th November

Www.petitgigihandmade.blogspot.pt

http://dribblepotsandtots.wordpress.com

5th November

www.calmandcarrion.blogspot.com

Sew-not-perfect.blogspot.com
http://sewoutofcontrol.wordpress.com

6th November

www.conversasdehermanas.com

fairykissesboutique.blogspot.com

7th November

http://anapprenticehousewife.blogspot.com/?m=1

www.mendandmakenew.co.nz

8th November

Www.rebekahsews.com

https://www.diy-crush.com/blog/

Annnnnd......this is not just for participants, I'd love for you, my readers to join in too. Make a romper or a playsuit during these tour week, and link up using the linky below and you will be in to win some patterns.

At the end of the tour I will use random.org to choose a winner from those who link up and they will get to choose 2 patterns of their choice from my pattern store!!

And if you don't have the pattern yet then you're in luck, they are on special to celebrate the tour.

From NOW until the 8th both the romper and the playsuit will be 30% off in the craftsy shop.

An InLinkz Link-up

KCW - Day 7 - Matching Leggings

2014-10-27T13:27:00.000+13:00

And day 7 is yet more leggings.

(I'm so sorry if you are sick of seeing leggings by now)

Size: 12m for Portia and 4width with 6 length for Brylie

Fabric: Scuba knit

I had left over fabric from Alyssa's leggings and so I made Portia 2 pairs (long and short) and Brylie pair (long)

One way to get Portia to co-operate during a 'shoot' is to get her to do peek-a-boo so you will usually see a shot like that in each of my posts!

She has a lovely natural look when she is gazing off into the distance!!!

This knit is quite a sturdy knit, and therefore I needed to make the elastic a bit tighter than my pattern calls fore. With a thinner knit the 44 cm worked perfectly for Portia but this knit needed it to be about 40 cm to pull it in tighter.

Brylie on the other hand is loving "modeling" for me and tries he hardest to give me as many 'poses' as she can :-)

Picking flowers always help to keep her looking natural!

It was getting a bit cold by the time we finished, but she did so well.

Well, I made it to the end of another Kids Clothes Week

YAY!!

Did you join in?

What did you sew?

KCW Day 6 - more leggings

2014-10-27T10:16:00.000+13:00

So as you may have noticed, I've been focusing on leggings a fair bit this week. Well I do this so that I get the best possible fit for my pattern, which is actually a benefit for you when the pattern is finally released. :-)

Day 6

Size: 14 years with 13 years length for Alyssa (my brother in law's girlfriend's daughter)

Fabric: Scuba knit from Spotlight.

This knit is a really nice firm knit, which means it will be hard wearing and the leggings will last a long time. I just did the normal plain leggings as I think the print just speaks for itself.

And for Day 7, I made Portia and Brylie some leggings out of the left overs.

Blog post and photos to come soon.

Sewing along with Kids Clothes Week.

KCW Day 5 - White top for Portia

2014-10-25T14:32:00.000+13:00

Today I've just done a quick simple top. I've got family up fro the weekend so sewing time is scarce.

For this little white top I used my Rock Star Raglan t-shirt pattern but didn't do the side panels.

Portia needed another white top to wear under dresses, or by itself so I dug through my stash and found some white cotton lycra which was perfect.

Peek - a - BOO!!

It is easy to transform the rock star raglan into a normal slim fitting t-shirt, but just cutting straight down from the under arm point, instead of cutting the curve.

Then sew the t-shirt as per the instructions.

Portia wasn't into photos today, and it was really hard to get a decent one of her, so I'm sorry, you are stuck with some duds today!!

Oh Mum, not more photos!!!

KCW Day 4 - Hooded Vest

2014-10-23T20:00:00.002+13:00

Well, I'm doing well, and keeping up with the days. This morning I wasn't sure what I was going to make, but Elijah helped me decide.

This morning he chose is clothes, some shorts a t-shirt and this hooded vest that I made him 2 years ago!!! Needless to say, it doesn't fit him anymore and he was very upset about it..."make me another one please, with cars on the pockets" he asked so nicely.

So how could I refuse him?

I mashed two of my patterns together to get this vest, both in size 4y.

For the width and length I used the Streetsmart Sweatshirt Collection and for the neck hole, shoulders and arm scye I used the 4 seasons tank & tee as the streetsmart sweatshirt is a raglan style and not able to be sleeveless.

I also modified the hood a wee bit so that it met in the middle, to be the same as his last one.

I also changed up the pocket a little but adding ribbing along the edge, but it didn't work out quite as I hoped, it is functional but I'm not too pleased with how it looks. Not how I envisioned it.

Super excitement to discover the pocket went right though. Hello!!

All in all I think he was pretty stoked with his new hoodie and at first he wouldn't take it off, even though it was super hot in the house.

I'm sewing along with KCW

I'd love to see what you are sewing if you are joining in...Please post a link if you are.

KCW Day 3 - Sparkly Leggings.

2014-10-22T17:08:00.000+13:00

KCW DAY 3

PAttern: Leggings again!!

Size: 4 width with 6 length for Brylie and 12m for Portia.

Fabric: Some stretch velur with sparkly stars from Spotlight...it was on special!!

Ok, so I'm sorry about all the leggings, but when I start a pattern I really make a lot of pairs, and these are just too cute to not share!!!

I mean, who wouldn't want sparkly tights???

Right?

They passed the climb the fence tests, and the climb the tree test without seeing butt crack so that is a major bonus.

The only thing I would say is I needed to make the elastic a bit tighter, the girls are both thin and so they could do with 2cm less in the waist elastic. *makes mental note for next pairs*

Portia is starting to get to the point now where she isn't so interested in taking photos. I have to take about 50 to get a few good ones of her, and luckly the good ones I do get are stunners. Such a pensive, quiet little thing....HA!!! I just said what? Those words don't really describe Portia at all!!

Sisterly love, its so nice seeing them playing together and helping each other. It's a change from ....well you know....I'm not going to explain it!!

And Brylie is trying so hard with her "poses" haha I love this one, the attitude!!

And apparently she HAD to be a starfish and I couldn't get any other photos until I'd taken this one!!

Sewing along with KCW

KCW DAY 1 & 2

2014-10-22T14:38:00.001+13:00

So I haven't been so on the ball for this Kids Clothes Weeks, and am already running behind. Here are my day 1 and 2 items. I'm working on a legging pattern at the moment so quite a lot of what I'm sewing is related to that. I'll tell you that day 3 is also leggings, but another version...

The first pair I made, I made for Brylie. She is a very tall and skinny 6 year old and so because of this I made her the size 4 width with a 6 length.
They fit perfectly. A nice firm fit which is a must in a good legging pattern as they get worn under lots of tops and tunics. This particular one she was wearing is the Tara pattern.

The owl fabric I used is from Ixat and is lovely and soft, cotton lycra which is my preferred fabric for leggings and it has a good stretch and recover. So no baggy knees.

She asked me to take some photos of her twirling, it was hard to capture it properly, but you get the idea.

For day 2 ~ I made a different variation of the legging pattern.

This time I made a size 12month for Portia, and I used stretch denim from Nutex Textiles.

It has a nice stretch to it but I don't think it would work to make full leggings out of it.

This pair worked though as I added a ruched side panel from some cotton/lycra (again from Ixat).

I didn't get the gathers to line up perfectly on one of the legs therefore it keeps twisting around to the side. I will be way more careful next time I make some.

The leggings also have two waist options. Elastic or yoga, these ones have the yoga waist.

I wonder what else I'll come up with...

Sewing along with KCW

{Pattern Release} Flutterby Romper

2014-10-16T13:09:00.003+13:00

Introducing the FLUTTERBY ROMPER

This pattern comes in sizes nb-12 years and had loads of options.

OPTIONS:

~ 5+ sleeve styles

~ 4+ pant styles.

Get it now, and for the next 24 hours it is 20% off.

PURCHASE HERE

Here is a selection of my testers photos.

So what are you waiting for? Go purchase now.

{Pattern Release} Romp'n'Play Dropwaist Duo

2014-10-16T12:51:00.000+13:00

Somehow this pattern didn't get a blog post. I think it was because I started working on the flutterby romper and playsuits before I released it, and it kind of got overshadowed.

Introducing the Romp'n'Play Dropwaist Duo.

Details:

~ comes in sizes nb-12years

~ Can be made in either knit, or woven, or even a mixture of both.

~ well laid out pattern pieces so you can print off the pieces you need, and not the ones you don't.

~ fully photographed tutorial to help you sew your garment.

PURCHASE HERE

One of the defining features of this pattern is the unique plackard down the back. Which allows for the top be be made completely from woven fabric. I use the plackard on a top with knit fabric also but you could omit it for a simpler sew.

Check out some more of my testers photos.

Aren't they awesome.

{Pattern Release} Flutterby PLAYSUIT

2014-10-13T08:04:00.002+13:00

The Flutterby PLAYSUIT has been released. Get it now for 20% off, that makes it $7.20 until tonight. Purchase it here on CRAFTSY or ETSY

A cute little bubbly peasant onesie that is perfect by itself or with a skirt or shorts.

It has 5 different sleeve options and the option of crotch snaps for easy nappy changing or not.

See doesn't it work great as a blouse under a skirt?

So what are you waiting for, get it quick ...

Etsy or craftsy

{Pattern Tour} DAY 2 ~ Zander's Hoodie & Vest by EYMM

2014-09-17T03:00:00.000+12:00

I'm delighted to bring DAY 2 of the Everything Your Mama Made ZANDER'S Hoodie Blog Tour.

(NOTE: affiliate codes are used within this post)

I am a great fan of Kymy's Patterns, and have made them here (Kenzie's Party Dress), here (Kymy's Dolman) and here (Asymmetrical Drape Top) and I love that they are geared towards a beginner sewer, or an advanced sewer who wants a really quick project.

This pattern however, because of the complexity of the pieces, I mean, I looked at all the pieces and wondered "how on earth does this go together" but it did, but because of this, and the zip and a few other techniques, this pattern is geared to an intermediate sewer.

When I saw Zander's Hoodie come out in the Boy's Bundle put on by Pattern Revolution I just knew I HAD to get it. Every now and then a pattern comes out that has an all new look to it, something so different and eye catching that you havn't seen before...Well Zander's Hoodie was this for me.

I really struggle to make interesting clothes for Elijah, boys really aren't nearly as fun to sew for as girls. They can only wear so many styles of pants and t-shirts/shirts.

Well that was my opinion before I purchased the Boy's Bundle, and when I say that Kymy was having a blog tour I jumped at the chance for a 'kick up the backside' to actually sew one of the patterns I'd bought instead of "hoarding" it in my dropbox...admit it, you do it too!!

What I love about Zanders Hoodie, is the HUGE hood, and the Asymmetrical Zip. These give it an amazing, unique look that just draws in the comments from friends and family. I must say I was very proud to say "I made it" today when Elijah wore it to mainly music.

This pattern is geared for an intermediate level sewer, and while it wasn't difficult for me it was time consuming. I started cutting at 6:30pm and finished at 10pm, Granted I was watching a movie and chatting on Facebook with my friend Fiona from The adventures of Captain X and the Gingerbear Princess as I was sewing, so in reality it probably only took me 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

Read Fiona's review of the Zander's Hoodie here.

The tutorial really enables you to create a very professional looking garment that anyone would think that you purchased it, except that it is so awesome and different it just couldn't come from a shop!!!

This whole hoodie, apart from the sleeves are lined and fully lined. If you were doing a vest, or lining the sleeves it would all be fully lined.

This pattern comes in two size ranges.
~ The children’s/tween’s sizes which is 3months to 18 tween
~ Adult sizes which is soon to be released. (this is available for pre-order now, sizes XS-5X)

Use the coupon code HOODIESROCK on the EYMM website to receive 25% off your order.

I made the size 4/5 for Elijah and it is a little big on him, especially in the arm length, but because of this, I know that he will get heaps of wear out of it and he likes his hands "to be warm" anyway so, if the kid likes it, don't change it!!! I may however, make the cuffs a wee bit tighter on the next one.

For Elijah I used black sweat-shirting from Spotlight, and a woven space print for the lining from and a bright lime green zip. The zip just makes the hoodie and in my opinion NEEDS to be a different colour to the main.

I made sure that the stretch of the woven (which is only a little) went with the stretch lines marked on the pattern and there is plenty of room and give in the size 4/5 I made Elijah.

The only problem I had, well, wasn't really a problem, I just had to stop and think and use lots of pins, was when I was attaching the sleeves, the woven lining meant that there wasn't as much give in the arm holes meaning there were a few little pin tucks in the top of the sleeves. but they were really slight that they don't need to be worried about.

I used the instructions from Kymy's reverse applique pack , it really works great with this hoodie.

I strongly suggest that you add the applique BEFORE you do any of the joining together.

I made my own applique shape of a space shuttle.

Get it here.

The look on Elijah's face was well worth the late night that went into this hoodie.

Its been pouring with rain these last few days so I have had to resign myself to the fact that all my photos had to be inside, boy it was hard to get this little man to co-operate, I had plenty of bloopers and funny faces to sift through to get some good ones to show you.

Make sure you follow the Everything Your Mama Made Facebook page or group to get notifications about each DAY of this tour, I just know they are going to be amazing.

{Pattern Release} Kiwiana Undies

2014-09-12T19:27:00.000+12:00

Another pattern that I've been working on these last few weeks is my undie pattern.

As you know, Portia is a teeny weeny thing, wearing size 12 months clothes even though she is 2 years old.

When I realised that she was toilet training herself (all my kids have started on their own and I've had to join in!!) I pulled out all the undies that I made Brylie to put them on Portia...however, even those these undies were little, they were not little enough. I mean, Portia is MINI. They fall of her without her even having to move!! So I thought right, I need to make some Teeny weeny undies, just for Portia.

Features of the KIWIANA UNDIES

1 ~ Not a full brief, yet they still have full coverage for the behind.

2 ~ They are designed to sit under the belly, where most kids pull their undies down to anyway.

3 ~ The crotch is not super wide.

4 ~ Nice comfy cotton lycra waistband and leg cuffs.

5 ~ The huge size range from Teeny to Tween, and sizing is based on your child's measurement rather than age. Thus making sure you get a perfect fit.

To purchase go to CRAFTSY or ETSY

DISCLAIMNER: I know there will be accusations of copying as my undie pattern looks similar to the that*darn*kat undies pattern. Even though I do own this pattern and have made undies with it, I have in no way copied it. Both these patterns use a similar construction method but my process started when I took lots of measurements from Portia and from them, drafted my own undie block. I then created my pattern pieces and graded up and down in size.

{Pattern Release} Flutterby Peasant Dress & Top

2014-09-12T18:50:00.001+12:00

I've been very slack in posting lately and so I have two pattern releases to tell you about.

Right now I'm going to tell you about is my very versatile peasant dress pattern, which I've named the FLUTTERBY.

The Details:

Size range: nb-12yrs
Lengths: Dress length with and without ruffle / Top length with and without ruffle.
Sleeve options: Long, 3/4, short and flutter ( with different variations of each of these, you end up with a total of 10 different sleeves)
Fabric: Its designed for woven but it works perfectly in knit also.

Once again I had some awesome testers for this pattern, and here is a run down of the different styles using my tester photos.

Top without ruffle

Top with ruffle

Dress without ruffle

Dress with ruffle

This peasant dress pattern is slimmer fitting than most, and has a slight A-Line shape to it, which creates a slimmer, fitted silhouette.

It includes pattern pieces rather than a cutting chart.

My favourite sleeves are the flutter sleeve.

Such a simple, yet very effectively whimsical look is created by this sleeve.

If you would like to purchase this pattern you can get it on CRAFTSY ]or ETSY.

Introducing Snow White

2014-09-03T10:43:00.000+12:00

I've been working on my Flutterby peasant dress for a few weeks now and I wanted to challenge myself to see how versatile the pattern really is. I love how most of my patterns have heaps of options and potential modifications.

....This dress is no different....

With just a few little changes I transformed the pattern into a cute as little snow white dress for Portia.

I didn't get many good photos as its been horrid weather and way to cool to get out and take some, these were snapped on my phone while Elijah was getting his kindy photo.

***edited to add pattern link***

CRAFTSY or ETSY

Linking in with CraftingCon