Project Run and Play: Signature Style

This one completely missed the boat, and I'm way late here. The last weekly theme of Project Run and Play was Signature Style. I've been considering this theme for the last couple of PRNP seasons, trying to figure out what my signature style is in kid sewing, but it's a tough one for me. My projects always feel like they're a bit all over the place, so I started perusing what I've made over the past year since I've started sewing more again. Eventually I concluded that pretty much everything I planned for weeks 2 and 3 could have worked for this as well! So here's what I actually made for this week.

Ellie's signature style is "princess". She loves pretty dresses, twirly dresses, and tutus. I don't really do tutus right now, so I make her fancy looking dresses in easily washable materials - she gets her princess dresses, and mom doesn't freak out about them getting dirty. What's the point of a dress you don't actually get to wear? Going over the things I've made, I also noticed that this style of gathered straps, simple bodice, and a gathered skirt has featured in multiple patterns and dresses. This time I used the Emory Dress by Izzy and Ivy, since Ellie is just getting the idea that pockets are awesome. She chose the fabric, pink with "birds and words", and the heart buttons for the back.

I love letting my kids choose their own fabric. Usually it has a better chance of becoming an item of clothing they really like than if I choose, although I sometimes do a good job, too. For example, this time around I chose the fabric for Cy's pieces and made them as a surprise. It was well received.

Similarly to many 6 year old boys, a fair number of Cyrus' clothing items have superheroes on them, including things I've made. I was feeling a bit at a loss when he shot down my original plan, so I just started going through my fabric. Originally I bought this Marvel fabric to line a messenger bag for him that I never made, along with enough extra to make pajamas or something. Well, this is something, right? I'd already traced the pab cargos, so I just added the shorts line and folded the pieces while I cut. The pattern is so busy that I skipped the cargo pockets. He never uses back pockets, and complains when I straighten them, so I skipped those too. You really don't ever see the waistband when he's wearing it, but I liked the way the green made the hulk pop, and it balances all of the red/yellow/orange in the print.

I did also make him a tonal orange raglan, but he kept wearing it and it was in the wash the day we finally got pictures taken. So he chose a tank I bought last year. Perhaps not the most perfect pairing, but if it makes him happy, that's what counts/

Back on the Wagon and (Another) Bag Swap

Just a quick update to say I haven't forgotten about you even though I haven't posted in nearly a month. I did have projects planned for weeks 3 and 4 of PS. And then I did yard work and inadvertently found out we had poison ivy somewhere in the yard. With my face and neck. Needless to say, I haven't felt much like sewing , and all I got done was the bag I made for the latest swoon swap. Even if I did make my outfits, I'm not sure I want to publicly post pictures of myself covered in red patches. Ugh. Instead I've been waging war in my lawn and being exhausted from antihistamines. So I apologize for the lack of posts and projects for the last couple of weeks, and now that the itchy rashiness is mostly cleared up I can hopefully catch up! I did finally get pictures of the kids' outfits from the last week of prnp last month, and I'll get that post up as soon as I edit them.

For today, how about that swap bag?

This round of Swoon Patterns swap was the India Hobo. It's a semi-slouchy (depending on your interfacing), reversible bag with a slip pocket and zippered pocket on both "inside" and "outside". I made my zip and slip pockets layered, but you could put them on opposite sides of the bag if that was your preference. The blue is a rose floral tonal in shades of dusty blue that has been kicking around my stash for close to 10 years. The medallions are quilting calico from JoAnn Fabrics. My swap partner requested a more neutral bag, so I wanted to choose patterns that would go with almost anything. I guess I did okay, because she tells me she loves it! Very gratifying, because I would feel just terrible for choosing badly if she didn't like it.

Showing both sides, since it's reversible. Yay for versatility!

 

Yup, that's my tag :)

 I'm still waiting for my bag to get here, so I can't share pictures of it yet. A couple of these are on my projects list to make for myself, though. I've never been much of a multi-bag kind of girl, but this one may convince me that I need handbag options. Fingers are also crossed because I may have someone who wants to actually pay me to make one for her daughter (in a Doctor Who/Sherlock theme, no less). Do what I like to do and get paid - what's not to love?