K.I.D.S. - If Only The Would Nap

My guest today is the very fun and talented Jess from If Only They Would Nap.

Jess is one of those bloggers that tends to make me laugh somehow, I am thinking it has something to do with raising three small boys. Always with a kind and encouraging word, this Momma is one of the sweetest chicas out there and I am honored that I have been given the chance to get to know her!

She is particularly special though because she manages to home-school her children AND sew. Say whaaaaaaaat?!

So let’s see what they came up with together for K.I.D.S.

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Hello lovelies! I’m so excited to be here today! I have to admit – I have never once asked my boys’ opinions on the clothes I make for them. Until now. Asking my five-year-old, Sam, to design his own clothing (and teaching him the word design, which he loves now) absolutely made his day. He didn’t even hesitate when I asked him; he knew exactly what he wanted:

The top is the shirt, bottom is pants, in case his drawing wasn’t *ahem* perfectly clear. He even was so kind as to label it with sticky notes – stripes and cars. And as I looked at his drawing, he told me several times, “The stripes go up and down, Mommy. Not side to side.” Well okay then.

I took a little liberty with his design, and went for a bit more subtle approach. The stripes on the tee are faint and the cars are on the side pockets.

Apparently, I took a little too much liberty, because I have since been told that cars all over the pants would have been more acceptable…

The stripes were drawn with a fabric paint pen. They’re more noticeable in person than in photos. And they’re shimmery. Who says boys can’t wear glitter?

Both the pants and the T-shirt were upcycled from adult-sized shirt and pants and made from self-drafted patterns. Upcycling is seriously fun – and can make for such quick sewing. Reusing hems and waistbands for the win!

What I really love about the pants are these pockets – they’re different from the usual cargo pants pockets you typically find, and they’re ridiculously easy to make in any size.

Here’s how you can make your own:

1. Cut out the shape of your pocket – you want it to be just slightly larger than you want your pocket to be in the end. Use pinking shears to cut around all sides.

2. Press the top edge down 1/2 inch and sew it in place using a straight stitch. This will become the casing for your elastic.

3. Thread 1/4 inch elastic into the casing. Gather the fabric slightly as you can see in the above photo. You want the ends of the elastic to stick slightly out of your casing.

4. Press the curved edges of the pocket in about 1/2 inch.

5. Pin onto the outer seam of the leg. Line it up with the curve of the inseam, as you can see in the photo above. The pocket should then hit right at mid-thigh.

6. Sew along the curved edges to attach your pocket, and you’re done!

Thanks so much for having me as part of your K.I.D.S. series, Jess! Sam had a lot of fun designing … and now I owe him a pair of pants covered completely in cars. 😉

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Ohhh – pants covered in all cars?! Where do I sign up?! You know what – that is exactly what Ben is going to want someday – mark my words – HA! I love this Jess, thank you so much for being here and being a part of the Series! And I agree with you, who says boys cant wear glitter?! Love it!

Be sure to hop on over to If Only The Would Nap to see more of Jess’ awesome creations…

Thanks so much for stopping by, and until next time…

Happy Sewing!

Comments

Alida L. says

February 27, 2013 at 12:46 pm

Love those pants! How did you make such perfect straight lines on the shirt?

- ifonlytheywouldnap says
  
  February 27, 2013 at 3:49 pm
  
  thanks, alida! drawing veeeerrrryyyy slowly 😉
  -jess
  
Bratling says

February 27, 2013 at 2:09 pm

Great outfit, but… those kinds of pockets are easier and look better and smoother if you run a gathering stitch around the round edge. That will turn the round edge under neatly without any ironing!

- Jessica at Me Sew Crazy says
  
  February 27, 2013 at 2:11 pm
  
  That is certainly another way to do a curved edge Bratling. Thank you for the suggestion! I love it when there are options for how we create and sew!
  
- ifonlytheywouldnap says
  
  February 27, 2013 at 3:48 pm
  
  I recently just learned that method, Bratling! Thanks for the suggestion 🙂
  -jess
  
Stacey says

February 27, 2013 at 3:44 pm

I’m seriously in love with that shirt and that “darling” face. Ha!

- ifonlytheywouldnap says
  
  February 27, 2013 at 4:04 pm
  
  thanks, stacey! he has quite the arsenal of faces… and he likes the stink eye one best i think 😉
  -jess
  
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June 12, 2013 at 1:47 pm

K.I.D.S. – If Only The Would Nap – The Sewing Rabbit