Feedsack and Linen Cuff Pants

My latest idea.  I'm tired of doing just linen, just neutral colors, long pants.  I haven't really jump off the edge and do something new and unique in fear that I am wasting the precious little time I spend with my sewing machine.  I almost always stick to something reliable that I know will turn out.

Sunday night I threw it all out the window in hopes of finding a unique and original pair of pants.  I remembered my collection of feedsacks just sitting in the closet collecting dust and decided to combine them with linen to make an irresistibly cute and versatile pair of pants that can be worn almost year round.  The cuff is double-sided so it can flip up to make a pair of capri pants or worn down for a pair of longer pants - each way showcasing the strip of feedsack.  

I took a pattern for pants that I liked and tried to cut them to capri length.  Ripping and sewing at least twice at every seam.  I don't know if I cut them wrong of if my attempt to make them crop pants threw the whole pattern off.  I don't really know.  But when I attempted to sew the inner leg seams one side of the seam was much longer that the other, didn't meet at the crotch and was totally twisted.

Out of frustration, I ripped the seams and recut the edges so the crotch and legs could actually be sewn together without the twisting.  I couldn't believe they turned out the way they did - and I'm happy almost with them.  They are completely different from the pattern I started with so I guess I can say they're originals.  Just a few tweaks here and there.  Now to reproduce them since I didn't retrace the pattern after the last cuts.  The photo below is with the cuff folded up to capri length.

If all goes well, I plan to start offering these pants in the shop  soon made with a variety of feedsacks that are shown in the first photograph - my collection of lucky thrift store feedsack finds.  I'm glad I finally get to use them.

Pants

My three-and-a-half year old decided to dress himself today.  He's never shown any interest in self-dressing before, so I haven't made him do it.  He had no problem with the shirt, but the pants...  

This afternoon, in his room by himself, he took every pair of pants he had out of the closet, made a pile in the living room and tried on each on very methodically.  Most were backwards at first, then the waist band scrunched up around his belly.  And then all at once, he got it.  He has hit a milestone:  learning to put on one's own pants.

I've been wanting to come up with a few designs for the store that I can reproduce in several sizes.  So far I've had no luck finding a template for pants.  By template I mean that I like to find a pattern I can use just for sizing, but alter it until its sufficiently different.  

So far, I've failed miserably.  The monologue in my head is decidedly negative.  Etsy sales are miserably slow and I don't have any "signature" items I offer consistently in the shop.  Everything is a unique item that I don't feel like making again.  I see other shops selling the cutest kids clothes - at least a few items a day - everyday and it really gets me that I haven't been able to do it myself.

But today, like my son, I hit a milestone.  Finally, a pair of pants I like that I don't mind reproducing.  I am finally confident that I can reliably and consistently reproduce a design that actually appeals to me.   Although I used a pattern for a template, it was altered to make a new size and slightly new style.  

Even better, I have corrected my sizing problem.  The first time I make something, I always shoot for a 2T because I can try it out on Liv.  Lately though everything I make has been turning out too big.   OK, I don't really measure my seam allowances and err on the side of too big so she can grow into things.  This time I "eye-balled" it and then decreased it to what I thought was too small *POOF*  it fits.

Also on the pants front, Liv learned to take off her own pants.  Something I really don't want her to do, but a milestone for her none the less.

Nani Iro's Free Patterns

Some time ago, I added Nani Iro to my "places I wish I could shop list" for two reasons.  First, the fabric is gorgeous.  Second, free patterns!  The link takes you to patterns for mainly kid's clothes, adult clothes, and accessories like bags.  

I like to look at patterns to see how the clothes get their shape and how they are sewn together.  It can start to see how a certain shape produces a specific result.  That said, Nani Iro's patterns are generally one page and leave a lot of steps un-illustrated which, unless you can read japanese, means you have to "fill in the blanks" so to speak.  

There are no full sized patterns, so you have to have a lot of time to draw out a full-sized pattern based on take-off points.  You also need knowledge of basic garment construction and be able to follow schematics.  I think I'd brave it for those cute little bloomers, but I'd hardly have the patience for a few of the dresses (maybe since they are really really cute...).  

Big McLove

OK, Tiny McSmall, you win a coveted spot on this blog under "inspiration" AND "where I would love to shop"  That how much I love this website.

I recently discovered that some of my work was featured on a blog called Mama Said Shop. When I started hunting around (great site by the way) I found Tiny McSmall.  I spent the next 30 minutes engrossed in their site, letting the kids rip apart the house.  

I suppose I really like the clothes because I love simple and understated for little girls.  They are not unlike the things I try to make for Plainly Jane.   But, I also like Tiny McSmall because all items are made in the US or Europe by artisans and designers who are themselves parents.

New in the shop...

I've been trying to concentrate my efforts lately by making multiples of the same thing, just with different prints.  And yes, I am using brand new fabric.  Its slim pickin's at the thrift stores lately so I figured I'd find some new material for once.  The above is one of the Front Pocket Blouses I have in the shop.  Honestly, I almost kept this one.

Recycled Sweaters

Last month, I started turning adult-sized wool sweaters into baby and toddler felted-wool sweaters and coats.  I love watching a gigantic sweater emerge from the wash as a 2T, cutting that sweater apart, and sewing it back together with elements from other sweaters or woolen items. Most of these creations you won't see on Etsy so I thought I'd show them here.