[Susan]

Let’s see if this link to my IG post works…

Lullaby Layette top and cuffed shorts for my niece.

[Susan]

I made a top for my 3mo niece from the Lullaby Layette pattern! (The shorts are knit cuff from Brindille and Twig)
She has so many clothes they e been given as gifts and hand me downs she doesn’t need more but I take my job of doting auntie very seriously!
I did French seams for the whole top. It’s a light voile so that worked well. I could not get the snap setter tool to work on this one so I ended up doing buttons and buttonholes instead.
ETA: I can’t seem to include the photo! Will rectify that later…

• This reply was modified 8 years ago by Susan.

[Susan]

Replying to myself here to see if I can get this link to work for a picture..

Luna Pants and Layette

[Susan]

Loving the Lullaby Layette pattern. I’ve made two bodysuits and a top so far. One is with Cloud 9 double gauze leftover from MBR Luna Pants I finished today. I’m calling them my crazy pants because it’s s rather loud print, not my usual style but I kinda love them.

[Susan]

I made a body suit from the Lullaby Layette for my new baby niece, who is three weeks old today! I made the 3-6mo size anticipating that she can wear it over the summer (they live in Boston area). This was my first time doing a placket on my own and my first time using the snap setter tool. There is definitely a learning curve for me lol, and I’m looking forward to making a few more!

• This reply was modified 8 years ago by Susan.

[Susan]

What about Paxson from Seamwork Mag? I’ve not ventured into sewing men’s clothing (yet!) but that looks like a good basic pattern, and it’s from a reputable source!

[Susan]

@cybele7272 Don’t make those Dalmation ears too nice and then you won’t be on the hook for more! Make sure the left is a bit longer than the right…or something like that 🙂

This week I commandeered our new but unfinished basement room as my sewing space. It’s nice to be able to make a mess where no one cares! I printed out an assembled the Lullaby Layette pattern because I have a new niece due NEXT WEEK. She is the first for my brother and his wife and I’m so excited I can’t stand it. I’m trying to wait until she is born and we know how big she is so I can make the appropriate size for her. My kids are straight up average now, but were huge babies, and you know how babies run through those clothes so fast in the first year! I want to get it right. The other issue is that since this is their first and especially since they’re having a girl, they’ve already gotten TONS of clothes for gifts, so I want the things I make to be worn. I know absolutely they will be appreciated, but I want them to be worn and covered with poop and drool and all the rest.

Meanwhile, I made an Everyday Skirt for myself. It just needs the hem. I almost never wear skirts, so I have to decide on the length (I’m thinking mid-knee so I don’t look too schoolmarmish, which is what often happens when I wear skirts and why I typically don’t). My kids will need things for summer, so I’m trying to think ahead. Maybe Sunny Day shorts in a pique knit for my sporty son?

[Susan]

@justsewit Hi Tamara! I made nature walk pants for my daughter last fall and found that in general they run a tad small. I made a practice pair in one size, and went up a size for the final pair. We were pretty happy with the fit in the end, but I was surprised at the fit.
I don’t like fiddling a lot with sewing patterns for my kids because they’re going to grow out of everything so quickly anyway and you can’t always predict what they’ll wear (even when you ask for their input before making something). Still, I’m committed to making at least some of their clothes because I just don’t like what’s available to buy, I’m uncomfortable supporting the clothing industry, and thrift stores don’t have much for 8/10yo sizes. That’s it in a nutshell!

[Susan]

Thanks for the thoughts and ideas, everyone!
I sewed a second pair a size up for my son (12 this time) and they fit much better. He just turned 10, so I guess this particular pattern runs small, or at least with a slimmer fit than he prefers. The cover picture shows a fairly slim fit but I just wasn’t expecting quasi-leggings! Size 10 length was good for him, so I’ll have to chop off a few inches of the size 12 for a hem. That’s easy enough.
As to some other points that were made: I used cotton/poly terry fabric. It has a bit of stretch but not a ton (no spandex), and is quite appropriate for these pants. I cut with a rotary cutter and I’m certain the fabric didn’t slip so the pieces were accurate. My seam allowance was accurate, or at least accurate enough there is no way to account for the 6″ of extra length in the waistband. I still haven’t figured out how that happened (i checked the measurement many times over) but it’s not a big deal.
I’m fairly new at sewing with knits, so I’m ok with messing things up from time to time. There is so much to learn!

[Susan]

It’s possible that seam allowance had something to do with the fit. I did shoot for 1/4″ but I use a stretch stitch on my machine and it’s hard to be exact with it because the stitch itself is 1/16″ wide. Even so, that could not have accounted for the 6″ discrepancy in the waistband. I know that the parachute pants are supposed to be more fitted than the PJ pants, but I was surprised to see just how fitted these were.

It seems I’m the only one who has problems with inconsistent sizing so there must just be something wrong with me, I guess! I have to admit I don’t measure carefully before I sew things for my kids. I just cut and go, and somehow expect that if the sizing is correct for one pattern it ought to be right for another. I do always check the sizing guides, but that doesn’t always line up with the finished product.

• This reply was modified 8 years ago by Susan.

[Susan]

Alas, the parachute pants do not fit my 10yo son. They’re just too narrow for a comfortable fit, though the length is more or less right. I tightened up the elastic and will hem the cuffs to fit my 8yo daughter, who is pleased. I’ve cut out the 12yo size to try again for my son (glad I have extra fabric)…but I have to say I’m a little disappointed in the inconsistency of sizes in these patterns. I made size 8 and 10 Sleepover PJ pants for my kids for Christmas and they were HUGE. I had to double the cuffs on my daughter’s so she didn’t trip over them. My kids fall right in the middle of the 8/10 sizing chart, so I doubt this is entirely error on my part…or is it really just me?

[Susan]

My 10yo needs pants, so I started sewing up a pair of parachute sweatpants this evening. The side stripe is such a nice feature! I didn’t check for fit, but if they’re small my daughter can wear them eventually. I plan to leave out the elastic around the ankles because he prefers sporty pants (like track pants) that aren’t tight at the bottom. The waistband is way too long…easy enough to cut down but I wonder if I measured wrong?
(Link to lousy phone photo below on IG! Saturday night photography is a no go!!)

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A post shared by Dr. Susan G (@madtown_mama)

[Susan]

This week I finished a Sailboat Top in fancy schmancy satin for my daughter. She requested something nice for a piano recital next month (and she doesn’t wear dresses or skirts!)

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[Susan]

Thanks for the comment on the seater! My daughter asked for a new sweater for Christmas last year so I had her choose the pattern and colors. That’s the way you get your kids to wear what you make.

[Susan]

Thanks, everyone! I’m thrilled. I tried posting a picture here but I don’t think it worked. Here’s what I put on IG though:

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