Making Clothes Unique with Fun Details

Boys clothes can be really boring, but its easy to add fun details to make something unique and interesting.    I've noticed that most sewing patterns are overall the same thing with variations on details, so instead of buying pattern after pattern to get different looks, I choose a well fitting pattern that already comes with a few variations, and then add all kinds of details to get different looks.    For this pair of shorts, I added several details to make a boring basic pair of red shorts into something special that you will never see in stores.    You don't have to add all of these different details on one piece of clothing, sometimes I just pick one or two and that is enough to make it more interesting!

For these shorts, I used the Linden Shorts by Sew a Little Seam.    This is a shorts and skirt pattern that I tested a while back.  I like it for its multiple finishing options, 2 lengths, multiple waistband options, and recently a new set of "extras" came out like cargo pockets, a real fly, and a board shorts option!
I made size 8, which is a bit big on Levi, so these should last him a while if he doesn't destroy them.   Fabric is corduroy, some cotton woven scraps, and I did a simple knit waistband.  

Front:



Back:



The details:

Fun stitching:   For the pockets, instead of a simple straight stitch, I chose this uneven wave stitch.   My machine has lots of different stitches so why not play around with them!




Ribbon: 
This is something I almost always add -  on back pockets of shorts/pants, button down shirt front pockets, side seams of shorts and shirts (on t-shirts put it near the bottom of the shirt), etc.     I cut a small scrap of one or two ribbons, fold in half, and tuck into the seam or like in this example, under the edge of the pocket.   This gives a little pop of color and another fun detail.     Sometimes I use twill tape instead of ribbon and sew a tiny little button onto the tab, I love buttons too!
Another fun one is to cut a small strip of ribbon, turn the ends under and stitch the short ends down, I most often do this one at the bottom of the back yolk on button down shirts, or at the bottom of a pocket.  

Topstitching: 
I like to topstitch everything!  Not only does it make clothing more durable, but it can add a bit of fun color as well.    If you match your fabric, it hides the stitching, so I prefer to use contrasting colors.   I also sew up some of the project and then switch to another color.    You can see here that I used yellow first and then switched to green to finish.  


Buttons: 
Speaking of buttons...    On this pair I added buttons to the back pockets, if your machine is cooperative with button holes (which my new machine thankfully is), then adding buttons is a quick easy add on.     I often let the kid choose a button or two to add.    On this pair I added one to the front as well.   Sometimes I put them on the bottom corner of a pocket as a little detail.   A group of buttons placed somewhere can be fun as well.  

Patches:
Also shown here are patches.   For these, I sometimes do raw edges, sometimes applique them on (a tight zigzag stitch around the edge, and sometimes use a quilters applique technique like I did here.   For this method, take 2 squares (or circles, triangle, rectangles, etc) and sew them right sides together, all the way around with no gap.    Then, clip the corners, and cut a generous snip through the middle of ONE layer and turn everything inside out.   The snip will be hidden underneath when you sew the patch down, use any stitch you want to sew on the patch!



Stitching as detail: 
On pockets in particular, but sometimes randomly across a leg of shorts or some other random place, I do a line of stitching.   Here I used the same "wave" stitch to do a line across the back pocket before turning the edges under and attaching it.     I also added TLSS (The Little Sewing Shop) on the pocket (branding!)



Fun pockets: 
The Linden shorts have a bunch of pocket options, but not zips.   I saw these on a pair of mini boeden shorts and used that as inspiration.   Experiment with different pocket shapes and mix it up!   You can do can do different pockets on each side, like a patch pocket on the right and a regular pocket on the left.  Or a square back pocket and a pointed one, or one with a flap and another without....  
Try unusual shapes too, Max California has a tutorial for a fun dripping pocket for example.   I save inspiration for fun pockets on my pinterest like this and this.    There are tons of ideas out there!


This is another example of Fun Stitching, I used an "x" shaped stitch to topstitch the pocket shape.  




Hope that gives you some inspiration to add fun details!  

Here are the finished shorts:

Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Vitality Racerback Shaped Back Opening Hack

For the back of the night dress in the previous post I decided to do a little experimenting with the back.   I made a half circle shaped opening to change up the simple style a little bit.

This is what it looks like:  (my scissors are labeled fabric yet "someone" still used them to hack up cardboard or something else equally horrifying!)

This is actually pretty easy to add and you can do any shape you want (I was thinking of doing a star, but decided not to push my luck sewing in the middle of the night!) 

First, assemble the Vitality Racerback as instructed in the pattern.   Get the bra sewn, and the tank, but stop before basting them together.

Next figure out what shape you want, I just cut a piece of paper and laid it out until I liked it.   This "pattern" will be the exact size of your hole when you are done, so no need to add seam allowance or anything like that.



Trace the pattern piece on the right side of the bra (in the next steps I switched this because I prefer the bra hem inside out).     I just use washable crayola markers for sewing patterns, they are cheap, wash out easy, and they are all over the house!


Layer the bra over the tank lining up the arm and neck openings.   The WRONG side of the bra touching the RIGHT side of the tank (remember I switched my bra inside out here).

Pin all over the place, my pinning looks crazy because this fabric is super soft and moves all over the place - you want to put enough pins that the two layers line up, and around your "hole" shape so that stays still while you sew.

Now take it to your machine and stitch right on the line you drew.   Make sure you pivot the fabric at any corners to make them nice and neat.   Remove pins as you go if they are poking you, and be careful not to catch any random bits of fabric in there from underneath.

Take all the pins out when its sewn.



Next, try and find some sharp scissors that nobody ruined, and cut out your "hole" leaving a seam allowance on the inside.   At corners, clip a little "v" shape so it lays flat when you turn it.

See how well my scissors work?

Now take the bra and stuff it through the hole.  Prod it as necessary to get everything to lay flat, and then press.    Next topstitch around the edge of the hole, this helps it to stay flat although you can skip this if your fabric seems to be cooperating without it.

My soft fabric doesn't like to lay flat for pretty pictures.

But thats ok, because when you put it on, it lays how it should!


It took way too many tries to get this picture so its kinda blurry, its much easier when I can get the kid to take pictures of my back!


Ta-dah!   A fun twist on the Vitality Tank!




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Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Vitality Racerback Nightdress Hack

So for whatever reason, Levi decided to wear my nightdress.   And when I pulled it out of the wash I found this: 

He ate it!   The weirdo kid literally ate the sleeve of my nightdress.  

I was making a birthing gown for a customer and really liked how soft the fabric was, so I bought extra for myself, so I could make a replacement.

I used the Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Vitality Racerback Tank (which I tested a while back), as my basis.     The pattern comes with a tank, sports bra, or combo of the two.   There is also a maternity add-on you can get.

I modified the pattern a bit to get a simple A-line dress.

First, I figured out how long I wanted it to be.   I wasn't too worried about an exact length so just held the measuring tape where I thought the neckline would start and measured to about my knees.  
Next, if you want a specific width for the hem, figure out what you want that to be and divide by 4.    I just eyeballed it sense this is pj's.

Fold the fabric in half, and put the bra pattern piece on the fold.   Measure the length going down the fold and mark.   Then measure the width (remember its 1/4 what you want it to end up), across the bottom.     Last draw a line from the "armpit seam" down to the hem.   This will be an "A" shaped line and will be wider than the bottom of the bra pattern piece.

Cut it out.

For the back, use your front that is cut out as a pattern piece - line up the armpit seam and cut the skirt portion, then put the back pattern piece on and cut that out.   This way the skirt bit will match front and back.

Cut the bra part out as instructed in the pattern, if you want to include it.





Now follow the pattern!   Its the same as making the "tank with built in bra" option, with the exception of the side seams being longer.

Ta-dah!   An easy and comfy nightdress, ready for bed!

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Quick and Easy Freezer Paper Stencils

I tested a rashguard pattern for Peek-A-Boo pattern shop, and used red fabric to coordinate with the swim shorts that I tested earlier.   It came out really cute!   But after seeing it on him, I decided to add a freezer paper stencil, just to make it more fun.  Scroll down for an easy tutorial!

 

Freezer paper stencil tutorial: 

1. Choose an image to stencil.   I usually google whatever I'm looking for "silhouette" and see what comes up.  "Stencil" is also a good key word!   Or you can use a drawing of your own, or text (use a bold, clear font for easier cutting).   
2. Trace the design onto freezer paper, on the dull side.  Leave plenty of room around the design, this makes it easier later so you don't get paint where you don't want it.

   3.  Cut out the design - you can use small scissors, or an craft knife, depending on how detailed       your design is.   

4.     Line it up on your shirt, and iron it on.  If you image has more than one piece, iron down the biggest one first, then place the small detail bits and iron those too.   Go over it to get everything stuck down tight.     Make sure you use an iron setting suitable for you fabric.  For this shirt, I used a "cool" setting because swim fabric can get damaged from hot heat!   

 



 5.   Put a piece of cardboard or a few layers of paper inside the shirt under where the design is, if you forget to do this, paint can seep to the back of the shirt.

6.  Paint the design using fabric paint or screen print paint.  You can use a brush or a sponge, but I often just use my finger.   Depending on your paint and colors you are using, you may need to do more than one coat.  Its better to do a few thin coats instead of 1 thick coat.    Let this dry completely.

6.     Peel off the freezer paper and check out your design!   If you paint calls for it, iron it again to set the paint using a scrap of fabric over the design to protect it. 

 

Tonights Tip - Sewing Small Items, and a new addition to my shop

Tonight's tip - sewing small things!   I use this technique a lot - for mama cloth, felt playfood, some types of applique, pockets and pocket flaps, stuffed toys, etc.   

With small items like these, any time you get the tiniest little bit off of your stitching line, it changes the look of the finished item.   Little things can also be tricky to manuver, so its even harder to keep your seam allowance perfect!   

So this is how I do it... 

Tonight I made some panty liners. The inner pad is contoured and fiddly to sew, especially when I'm using OVB (organic bamboo velour) for one of the layers, that stuff likes to curl up and slip all over the place.  

1. If you pattern piece has seam allowances on it, cut them off.   Roughly cut your fabric out bigger than your pattern piece.   Then layer your fabric right sides together and put a pin or two to hold the layers together.   Place your pattern on top.  

2.  Now trace all the way around,  add more pins to the inside of your shape if needed.  

3.   Next you are going to sew, all or most of the way around.  For this particular project, I am sewing the pad to the liner, so I can snip a hole in the center to turn this right side out.   For any project where you are going to sew the whole shape down when you are done, you will just sew all the way around without leaving any openings, snip someplace in the middle, turn it right side out and then stitch the whole thing down hiding the sniped hole.     For most applications though, you will want to leave a hole for turning this right side out when you are done.   Be sure to backstitch at each end of your stitch-line, and leave your opening along a straight portion of your pattern.  

4.   Now cut out your piece.  I like to use pinking shears, especially when there are curves involved, but you can trim with a seam allowance suitable for your project and fabric.  For most things you can trim pretty close, but if you are using something that likes to shred like flannel, you may want to leave a bit more room.    

5.   Turn right side out and finish your project!  


Here is mine:

Panty liners can now be found in my shop.  They are an environmentally friendly, cost effective alliterative to disposable products.     And much more comfortable too!  

Beachside Kids Explorer Club

I forgot to introduce the Beachside Kid Explorers Club!   

A lot of the homeschool group activities are on the other side of the river, which isn't that far away, but still, its nice to have something close to home.   So we have a group that meets Beachside, and so far, its been lots of fun!  The focus is on kid-led exploration and learning, with the kids learning by getting their hands in things and being out in nature.   The "club" belongs to the kids, so they got to name it too.


Last week, we did a group project where we laid out a couple of sheets, handed the kids a whole bunch of permanent fabric paints, permanent markers, brushes, and other tools, and let them have at it.  Yes, everyone was told to dress for a mess! 

Then we had to decide what on earth to do with two big sheets covered in a crazy assortment of paint blobs, hand prints, little drawings, and a sprinkling of dirt.

Shirts!   The sheets were handed over to me, and I used the group masterpieces to create club shirts for all of the kids.  


The process:

Paint.   

Then climb a tree. 

Let dry.

Heat set in the dryer, then wash and dry.

Then the appliques, here is a quick rundown on how I made them:

1. Use a circle template to cut out circles of sheet where the coolest looking blobs are located.   I used an 8" circle quilting ruler.
2. Cut  pieces of iron on interfacing the size of the circles, I just roughly cut these out. 
3. With the right side of the fabric to the iron-on side of the interfacing, stitch all the way around the circles. 
4. Use pinking shears to trim all the way around.  
5. Cut a slit in the middle of the interfacing, doesn't have to be pretty, you won't see it in the end.  Turn right side out and finger press it flat (no iron!)
6. Now put it on the shirt, iron it down
7. Stitch all the way around, you can use any stitch, I usually use a "blanket stitch" on my machine, but on these I chose a zig-zag. 

That's it!  I've made 16 for all the shirts I got, but some people will be giving me theirs too so I have some more to do.     This technique is great for odd shapes where you want the edges turned under instead of a satin stitch.  You can even make these appliques "puffy" which is even more fun.  

Then, for the backs I used puff paint to put the club name.   I made a template by printing out the text, laminating it, and then cutting out the letters.  Then laid that on the shirt and drew the text inside the cut outs, to make them all look the same. 


Backs:  (not all of the shirts are here, I had the rest on another table)

Fronts, all of the shirts:

My friend Tammy pointed out that they look "Earth Shaped" which is fitting for the club anyways.   I hadn't thought of that, I just chose circles because I thought it would work best with the "blob" designs on the sheets, and because I like circles! 

The bottom right one I made into a dress, because that particular kiddo will only wear dresses, not shirts, and I wanted her to wear it!   Its a simple t-shirt dress, easy to make and super cute. 

Kid approved!