Back to School: Out of this World First Day Outfits

August 29, 2014 Jen3 Comments

Backtoschooljustjoshin

This is the last day of Back to School week here at Just-Joshin. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing my kiddos’ outfits as much as I have enjoyed sharing them. I sew for my boys because I love doing it, and I know they love the special outfits I make for them. They have been super cooperative this week with multiple photoshoots, and only required minimal bribery. Next week they start back to preschool. This will be their second year of preschool, and they are both excited to go back. I decided to make special first day of preschool outfits, what with this being their last-ever first-day-of-preschool. (It’s a real thing. I am sure of it.) Next year: Kindergarten!

The t-shrits are a design I offer in my Etsy shop, and I made matching shorts for them. Since my boys are really into pockets, I chose the Castaway Cargo pants from Peekaboo Pattern Shop. (affiliate link.) I used this pattern before to make safari shorts and they were so cute. This pattern can be used for pants or shorts, and goes together really quickly, despite having 4 pockets. (There is an option for welt-pockets on the back too, which I did not add.) The waistband is stretchy knit casing over elastic so it is easy for little guys to dress themselves. They love the cargo pockets, of course. I left the button/snap option off so they can more easily access the pockets. I figure if losing things becomes an issue I can always add snaps later. I asked the boys which they would prefer for the pockets, blue flaps or the space fabric. I got one of each. They also chose the colors for their t-shirts, based on their favorite colors. They also like how their shorts are like Miss Frizzle from the Magic Schoolbus.

Even though school doesn’t start until Wednesday, they begged to wear these outfits the rest of the day after we were done with photos, and even asked if they could wear them to bed. I guess they like them!

Out of this World Back to School | Just-Joshin.com

And now, off to school next week. I am sure I will miss them at least a little. I won’t know what to do with all the quiet around here, though. More sewing, I suspect.

Out of this World Back to School | Just-Joshin.com

Projects · Theme Week

Back to School: Space Robot Henley

August 28, 2014 JenLeave a comment

Back to School Just-Joshin.com

Next up, another favorite from Peekaboo Pattern Shop, the Boardwalk Henley (Affiliate Link.) This was another print I found (and loved) from Spoonflower, but in order to stretch my one yard of custom printed fabric, I mixed in some solids and some clearance-rack stripes. Both the blue and orange were scraps I had that coordinated perfectly, and the stripes I used in the sleeves were on clearance for $2/yard. This was definitely a learning experience. I attempted to use the twin needle to hem it, but failed, and my buttonholes are terrible (I have since learned my machine has a special setting for knit buttonholes.)

My kids don’t care, though, they love their robot space rocket shirts. This pattern has an option for a hood or collar, and can be made into a shirt or a dress. Next time I might use snaps instead of buttons, but I love this style shirt and will definitely be making more of these.

Space Robot Henley | Just-Joshin.com

Projects · Theme Week

Back to School: Jackets for Car Lovers

August 26, 2014 JenLeave a comment

Back to School Week Just-Joshin.com

Up next in Back to School week at Just-Joshin are these outrageously cool classic cars jackets. As a mom of twins, I love when I find the same fabric two different colorways. My kids have dressed similarly since they were babies, which I am sure might seem weird because they are so different looking. As infants it was cute and easy, plus I had this weird guilt that one would be dressed cuter than the other so I ended up pairing most of their outfits either identically or corresponding. Now they are four years old and they still have matching and corresponding outfits most of the time, though not for the same reason: The fight over everything! Anything that reduces fights is a winner for me.

Classic Cars Starboard Jacket | Just-Joshin.com

We took these jackets out for a test drive last week at cruise night in a nearby town. It was a perfectly cool evening to check out cars and snap some photos. First, I love this fabric, which I found online and was delighted to find out it was heavy canvas, not just lightweight cotton, so it it a great weight for the Starboard Jacket from Peekaboo Pattern shop. (Affiliate Link) I made this jacket the first time for the swap I did last month, and loved how it turned out. I immediately tried to find the perfect fabric to make some for my boys for back to school. The lining is soft jersey cotton in colors I pulled from the design and the way the jacket goes together, the jersey lining makes the jacket so soft on the inside. It will be a perfect weight for cool Autumn days. I made the size 5, which is plenty roomy for layering as it gets colder. My kids love the kangaroo pockets.

Classic Cars Starboard Jacket | Just-Joshin.com

Classic Cars Jacket | Just-Joshin.com

Classic Cars Starboard Jacket | Just-Joshin.com

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Classic Cars Starboard Jacket | Just-Joshin.com

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This pattern might seem daunting, since it is lined and includes a zipper, but the instructions are easy to follow, and it goes together easily. I love the canvas outer with jersey knit lining, but it could just as easily be lined in fleece for a warmer jacket, or use nylon or oilcloth shell for more weather protection.

Projects · Sew Alongs · Theme Week

Kids Clothes Week: Starboard for Swap

July 26, 2014 JenLeave a comment

If you really want to be technical about it, I finished these on the eve of Kids Clothes week, but hey, I am gonna count it, because they are adorable and I want to share. I signed up for a sewing swap in a Facebook group for Peekaboo Pattern Shop, (affiliate link) which has tons of cute boy (and girl) patterns. Facebook groups are really a lot of fun and a great resource for sewing, since not a lot of my in-real-life friends sew, or those who do generally don’t do a lot of boys’ stuff. I love seeing what other people make and love having a community to share and learn. The swap was simple, one-for-one. Everyone signed up their kid or kids, and someone paired everyone up. I was paired with a family in Utah who also had two boys. We exchanged emails with likes and dislikes, but the decision of what to make was entirely mine. The boys’ Mom said they were into all things that move like trucks and trains, but the older one loved space and rockets. I found these two fabrics that were sort of similar but different, and tried out an entirely new (to me) pattern I hadn’t made before.

The Starboard Jacket is a great lightweight jacket that is perfect for Spring or Fall. It can be made with woven or knit fabric. I have recently started trying some knit patterns, so I did these in a little of each. The outer is a twill-weight cotton, the lining is jersey knit. They even have a zipper! (which were my 2nd and 3rd zipper ever, by the way.)

I noticed the rocket fabric had squares that looked like stamps, so I used the one that had a “5” as the size tag, and mimicked it in the firetruck too, so inside there is a little detail of the outer fabric with the size.

All in all I love the way they turned out, they aren’t perfect but they are cute and, most importantly, the message I received from the Mom with photos of the boys modeling their jackets, saying that the boys love them, so that is all that really matters! She shared the pictures of her kiddos modeling their new jackets.