Crafts: Made Basic Pants

Cole's next article of Mom-made clothing is a pair of basic pants with pockets, courtesy of Made's fabulous tutorials.

Cole is wearing these in my previous post as well.

I used a pair of Cole's best-fitting jeans to draft the pattern. For the fabric, I used a brown cotton linen blend that looks a bit like corduroy from a distance and a fun animal marching band print (not pictured) for the pocket lining. I also used brown/neutral variegated thread for top stitching.

Next time I'll add an extra inch to the width of the leg. These fit him perfectly, but he could do with a little more legroom. Additionally, I plan to add top stitching to the side seams, and maybe a single back pocket.

I really do love these pants, and they were surprisingly easy to make. I see plenty more handmade pants and shorts in this boy's future.

Crafts: Explorer Vest

Cole is having an archaeology-themed birthday party this weekend, so I made the Oliver + S Little Things to Sew Explorer Vest (p. 99) for him to wear.

I used a lovely toffee linen for the exterior, a woodsy print from Ed Emberley's Happy Drawing fabric line for the lining, variegated thread, bright green bias tape, and faux leather buttons. I love the finished look, and Cole seems to approve. Of course, the five fun pockets help.

The book/pattern directions are very well-written, and I had no trouble creating the vest. It certainly took time to make and affix the bellows pockets, but each step of the process was clearly explained and illustrated. Plus, the pattern results in an extremely high quality end product - something to hang onto and later pass down. I now want to try other Oliver + S patterns for boys, and I will.

Crafts: Blank Slate

I've always wanted to try my hand at making Cole's clothes, but in the states I never had trouble finding something I like on sale at abercrombie, The Children's Place, Gap, or wherever. Overseas, we're limited to what's on sale at the base exchange, and, frankly, that's nothing to get excited about. So now's the time to try.

My first attempt is Blank Slate Patterns' Prepster Pullover, size 6:

Despite my trouble with the collar, the Prepster Pullover is a wonderful pattern. The directions and photos provided are so very helpful (read: I never would have put on the collar without them), and they all but guarantee a polished and professional end product. Add some soft seersucker, and it's a comfortable one too.

Cole loves his shirt! I have plans to make additional shirts in the next two sizes soon, along with a few other Blank Slate patterns (to include the Surf Collection available until 24 March at Pattern Anthology).