Autumn/Winter pants for Owen

Yay! After four months of not being able to sew, I am beyond happy to get back into it. So much that when I realized that my children need new clothes for this season, it brought excitement to my heart. They actually need clothes, so I have to sew lots for them and they will be worn unlike when I've sewn stuff for them when they already have heaps of clothes in their cupboards.

I thought I'd start with Mr.O's wardrobe this time for two reasons; firstly because he is in desperate need of pants, so much so that he's been wearing big sis' small leggings at home. Secondly, I still find sewing for girls a bit more exciting and fun, so I was afraid if I start sewing for Miss O I might never get around to little bro.

I absolutely enjoyed making these pants, my heart was smiling with every stitch I made (not!). I only used two different patterns, so it went pretty fast once I had figured out the patterns. The simple pants with the drop crotch are made from the Brindille and Twig Side Pocket Pants pattern and the ones with pockets and elastic are made from the Mini Hudson Pants pattern by True Bias. I love both patterns for different reasons, one being very quick and simple to sew and very roomy for cloth diapers, the other has a perfect fit and more details, making it look more store bought than mama made.

Here are a few more pictures of the waist and pocket detail on the Mini Hudson Pants pattern. I would say I'm an advanced beginner sewer and this pattern was pretty straight forward for me, very well written and illustrated, making it easy to understand. The only thing I struggled with a bit is the elastic, but I'll figure it out with a few more attempts.

Action shots with this boy are very hard to get, but I managed to snap a few blurry ones. These pants are definitely going to get lots of wear, he has already gone through two pairs this morning!

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"A photo of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016"

Owen: You almost got a hair cut last week, but I couldn't! Not just yet!

Olivia: We've been having many interesting discussions about hair and how yours is beautiful just the way it is.

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Owen: Puddles in Grammy and Poppy's driveway

Olivia: Lost in a book

Owen: Summer days naps

Olivia: First day of school for the year

Owen: Bedtime stories are one becoming such a precious time with you

Olivia: Your love for maps and geography is amazing

2015 Sewing Review

When I started this blog more than two years ago, I wanted to learn to sew. I had already taught myself crochet, but for some reason sewing seemed more daunting. I owned an old sewing machine bought from an auction, but for more than a year it served as little more than a decoration in our dining room.

I eventually asked a friend to show me how to operate the machine and give me a few sewing tips, and after a two hour lesson we had made a simple dress/top for Olivia - which is still one of my favorites! Yet it wasn't until after Owen's birth in 2014 that I touched a sewing machine again. 

Through YouTube videos and blog tutorials, I taught myself to sew cloth nappies for my baby boy, and I was hooked from then on! I fell in love with sewing as I continued mostly with nappies, even as I wanted to widen my skills and start sewing clothes for my kids. Through Pinterest and various blogs, I was inspired to do so, and in 2015 I endeavored to sew most of my children's wardrobe. I didn't quite succeed at my goal to not buy any clothes for them, but I did sew a lot. I made 35 items, most for Olivia and some for Owen, along with a few for friends and even a perfectly imperfect dress for myself! 

Here are some of the items I made in 2015, each of which taught me a something new about sewing.

There are so many things I love about the art of sewing. It's no secret to my friends and family that I adore beautiful children's clothing, and sewing enables me to dream up and create unique and beautiful garments for my own (and hopefully more for myself this year!). I also love the blogging community, friends from around the world that I have met through this common passion. It's amazing how such shared interests can create a beautiful and generous community of people. I am thankful for all the lessons and inspiration I get through them. In addition I love the challenge of tackling difficult sewing projects and seeing the results of my hard work. And finally there's the precious feeling of making gifts for friends, thinking of them as I sit at my machine and create. 

I worked hard and learned a lot this past year, and now I am looking forward to a new year of sewing filled with new ideas, new challenges and new discoveries, all of which I will delight in sharing with you!

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"A photo of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016"

Owen: Cherishing your sweet baby face. Before long, you will be a big boy.

Olivia: You are full of life! So tender and gentle, yet so fierce and passionate.