KCW Spring 2013 - Day 2 - raglan tee

The theme of this week's challenge for me seems to be 'basics' and trying to fill my kids' closets with clothes they will actually wear on a regular basis. I've been meaning to make some basic tees for my son for a while now (since that's about all he's willing to wear). So this is what I whipped up for Day 2:

 

This is the Field Trip Raglan Tee from Oliver + S. I made the cargos already and big C loves them, so I thought I'd try the tee as well. I cut out the size 5 but lengthened both the body and arms to a size 7 (for my tall but super skinny guy). I used a thrifted Old Navy tee for the main body and some organic cotton jersey(?) I picked up at an Our Social Fabric sale last year (off the bolt for $2 a meter!!!) I love the colour combo and think this will definitely brighten up C's wardrobe :) 

Again, a super quick project made even quicker by using the existing t-shirt hem in the main body of the shirt, and just doing a simple overlock finish for the sleeves. (geez, can you say lazyyy? :))

 

big C was not up for modeling this tee this morning, but lil C was more than happy to do it. Actually, she was hoping to claim the tee for herself but settled for just wearing it at home while her brother was out. Now she's demanding I make one for her too.

melissa x

a heart. just because.

I've been in a bit of a sewing rut lately. Every night, I stare at my machine. Fiddle around with some fabric, and shuffle through patterns, but don't actually get anything done. It's not that I haven't been feeling inspired to sew.. I actually think that I've been feeling a little overwhelmed with everything I want to/have to sew in the next little while. Even though it's still summer, holiday markets are sneaking up fast. I'm signed up for only one market so far but feel like I'm already behind in my sewing for it. Also, with all of the awesome, newly released patterns out there (yup, it's that time of year), I just want to sew up everything I see but am feeling discouraged even before I begin. Really, I just don't feel like I have the time or energy to start any new projects right now.

So, I figure the best way to pull myself out of this rut is to just sew something. Anything. Preferably something without a pattern or a purpose. Something to sew 'just because'.

Inspired by 'The Family Heart' in Amanda Blake Soule's book Handmade Home, I tried my best to channel my inner dottie angel while I rummaged through my stash of vintage sheet scraps. Grabbing colours and patterns that may or may not go with one another, I just cut ('no precise measuring tools allowed' as dottie would say) and sewed up this little heart. 

The back is a piece of remnant fabric that was included in a 'craft kit' I picked up from Smoking Lily a few weeks ago. I think it's some sort of a wool blend. I stuffed the heart with some leftover wool batting I used when I made my sister's lap blanket, and sprinkled some organic lavender in with it just for fun. And of course, added a little pocket for sweet notes, star wars lego pieces, little chocolate bars.. whatever. It's not perfect in any way, and I don't know what I'll do with it, but it makes me happy :)

x melissa

a simple, satisfying project

I was having one of those days yesterday... It felt like I couldn't quite accomplish anything. It was probably the first really sunny day of summer and my kids just refused to leave the house. I managed to get one kid out on our patio for about 20 minutes until a stupid wasp chased him back into the house again. (Truth be told the wasp really was just minding his own business but my kids are still kind of freaked out by them.) Whenever my kids seemed like they were happy doing an activity like painting, playing with trains, dress-up etc, I tried to sneak away to do some sewing or cleaning. But sure enough, once they noticed I wasn't right there with them they came chasing me down.

By the end of the day I was feeling super annoyed. You know that feeling when there are just so many things that you want to do, but you can't, but then you have a wee bit of time and you don't know where to start? Yup. I was there. After moping around feeling sorry for myself for a while, I decided to sew up a couple of these

Thank you Jeni for creating this pattern. Such a simple, satisfying project. Exactly what I needed :)