STYLO no. 3 Peaches and Cream

Photo (and graphic added) by Stacy

The one and only STYLO has released it’s third issue and it’s their ‘Golden’ edition. STYLO is the fashion forward sewing e-magazine for kids. It’s beautifully put together by the Editors in Chief Celina and Jess. For me the huge thing is that it shows the whole world that sewing children’s garments can be fashionable and fun!

All 217 pages of this issue are packed full of things to inspire you to create and I think it’s going to take me a couple of days to actually read through the whole thing!

Back in August when preparation started for issue three I grabbed by sewing friend Stacy as soon as possible to help me out. She not only has wicked sewing skills, but also amazing photography and photo editing skills. I definitely needed help with the photography in order to be up to par with STYLO! Stacy took all the photos that you see in STYLO for our Peaches and Cream and Grey Zone looks. (On page 4 where it lists all the contributors, that photo was actually Stacy’s photo even though it says it was by me and her). But not only that she also did all the photo editing, styling (she brought all of the props/accessories, the fans, the umbrellas, the sun glasses; she even braided my girl’s hair for the Peaches and Cream look!), and she pretty much ran all of the photo shoots. It was such a fun project, with the all the ideas and planning, sewing pattern and fabric advice, fabric shopping we did together, and then the photo shoots at a couple of fun locations.

Take a look at the STYLO no.3 Mood Board… fun right? The sequins, metallic items, and the pinks were inspiring and with using that inspiration this is my Peaches and Cream look that came to completion.

 Here are all the details about my Peaches and Cream look...

Heidi and Finn Ballet Sweater
Fabric: pink rayon knit, from SR Harris
Size: 6
This was the first time I ever used a walking foot (I recently bought a new sewing machine and it came with a walking foot) and look forward to using it again. Such a cute ballet wrap that I will for sure make again.

Papillon et Mandarine Leon shorts
Fabric: beige wool, from SR Harris
Trim: copper sequin trim, from SR Harris
Notions: fabric covered buttons
Size: 6
I'm a huge fan of these bloomer style shorts with all those adorable buttons. I made a previous pair that you can see here.

Oliver + S Playtime Tunic
Fabric: rose and gold brocade, from Michael Levine
Notions: awabi shell buttons, from Michael Levine
Size: 5
Modifications: I made it sleeveless, fully lined the bodice, eliminated the pockets, and the skirt is one long rectangle selvage to selvage. I also topstitched all around the armholes, neckline, and back bodice.

 I did bring my camera to the photo shoot and did manage to take a few photos including this one. But as you can see Stacy's photos turned out so much better ~ thank goodness she took the photos! By the way you must go check out all the details about the Peaches and Cream look that Stacy created for her daughter.

Thanks to Michael Levine for providing some of the materials for this look. Use the coupon code 'Stylo10', which is good for 10% off your entire purchase.

Leon Shorts

 I’ve been wanting this sewing pattern forever and finally got it this past month. It’s only available as a paper pattern and it’s shipped from France and I guess maybe that's why I was so hesitant to get it right away. I sure hope things change in the future and that more digital patterns are offered from international pattern companies.

Project details
Pattern: Papillon et Mandarine Leon Shorts (sizes 2-10 years) paper pattern in English or en francais.
Size: 6
Fabric: 5/8 yard Interweave Chambray in Khaki by Robert Kaufman from Hawthorne Threads was used for everything: the main fabric, the lining, and all the fabric covered buttons, and very little fabric was left over.
Notions: 1/2 and 5/8 inch fabric covered buttons and a couple of plastic buttons and buttonhole elastic for the back waistband.

 There was the option of hand stitching or topstitching certain parts and I started out hand stitching, but then quickly switched to topstitching. Who has time for so much hand stitching? On future pairs I will do all topstitching (that is a guarantee) and there will be several future pairs thanks to the major cute factor! Who can resist these sailor style bloomer shorts all gathered and puffy? And all the adorable little buttons? And they have pockets which are always a big hit.

Being a European (French) pattern the seam allowances are 1 cm (= 3/8 inch) which is smaller than what I’m used to working with which is 1/2 inch. So next time around I make the seam allowances on the leg cuffs to be 1/2 inch because 3/8 inch is just too small and fiddly to work with on a smaller detail like that.  

So now C has another pair of khaki shorts for school uniform bottoms (back in July for KCW I sewed up a pair of Clever Charlotte Finch Shorts). I’m so pleased with the final result and the perfect fit! Now I'm off to make the next pair of Leon shorts…

City Gym Shorts

 Finally some sewing for moi! Last time I sewed shorts, I mentioned I wanted to make myself a pair of these. They are the City Gym Shorts, a free pattern from The Purl Bee.

Project Details:
Pattern: The Purl Bee City Gym Shorts (free pattern)
Size: 35-37 inch hip
Fabrics: London Calling 4 Garden Sketch in blue from Crafty Planet and Chambray Dark Denim from Hancock.
Notes: I went up one size and the fit is a little roomy, perfect as summer pajama shorts which is what I'm using them for. I would definitely sew up more of these, in different sizes, too. It's a great pattern if you haven't tried it yet.

I still want to sew up some more shorts, next up several Leon shorts including khacki for school uniform bottoms.

Kids Clothes Week July 2014

 Kids Clothes Week is done and I finished the two pairs of shorts that I had planned to make.

 I got this Clever Charlotte Finch Shorts paper sewing pattern back in January and now I finally sewed up a pair. I love that there are buttons, but no buttonholes! Instead of the full pleats I made box pleats because I really like box pleats and liked how Jessica's turned out. These were made up in size 6 in khaki cotton twill. Khaki bottoms are required at school as part of the school uniform. Maybe she'll wear these on the first day of school...

 The other pair of shorts I made were the Oliver + S Sunny Day Shorts. They are summer pajama shorts sewn up in size 10 in octopus fabric for my octopus loving son. Summer pajama shorts were much needed.

I'm on a shorts kick right now, next I want to sew myself some shorts using this pattern.