kids

Pattern Review: Joy by Made for Mermaids

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I recently tested the Joy pattern by Made for Mermaids. It’s part of their Dreamy Collection (check it out – it’s truly dreamy!).

As with all her patterns, it is an easy sew and the directions are excellent!

The pleats are super easy to do and there’s a video to further explain how to put them together.

Side seam pockets are optional, but so easy!

There are three sleeve options – being in Florida I almost always go with short.

I made mine with an overlay by simply cutting the front and back bodice pieces from both the main material and the overlay material. I basted them together and then sewed it following the directions.

It comes with different skirt lengths too – maxi, dress, and peplum. You can also put a zipper up the back either for a design element or to make it easier to get on/off over fussy hair.

This pattern can be mashed with her other Dreamy Collection patterns. Pick the top and skirt you like and put them together to make your own look. I’m planning a Joy/Juliette mash for an Easter dress!

It’s on sale for $7 until tonight. Buy it here, then come back and tell me what you made.

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Mittens – A Quick & Easy Sewing Project for Kids

My kids are always looking for things to sew. I’m not into letting them sew random things that are just going to lay around the house. I prefer things that are somewhat useful. I will say I’m not sure how useful mittens are in southwest Florida, but…

Trace one hand on a piece of paper. Make it a little big since you don’t want them to be super snug. Then add about 1/2 inch for seam allowances. You’ll probably need to help them with that part (I just added that in when I traced their hands). Cut out your pattern.

All you need is a scrap of fleece that you can fold in half and get two mittens out of it. Make sure that the stretch goes across the hand so that there’s enough stretch to get their hand through the wrist opening.

Pin them right sides together and sew around the outside except for the wrist opening. Sewing around the thumb can be tricky, but go slow and it will be fine.

Turn them right side out and enjoy! Fleece doesn’t ravel so there’s no need to hem which makes my kids very happy!

Do your kids like to sew? What kinds of things do they make?

Kids and Sewing

My two older kids like to sew. They don’t get to nearly as often as they’d like though – they still need a lot of help from me. My daughter wanted to make her Easter outfit and she had been bugging to make this skirt, so we made the skirt and designed a shirt to go with it. I did the cutting out (the skirt pattern is a little tricky and we were sizing it way down since it’s an adult pattern). The shirt body is modeled after a shirt that currently fits her – I laid the shirt on the fabric and cut two pieces a little big to allow for seams. The bottom ruffle is a long strip – about twice the circumference of the bottom of the shirt. The sleeve caps are stretched out “D” shapes.

Sewing up the shirt was actually quite easy and my daughter was able to do most of it herself. I helped with the pinning and gathering and then I used my serger to do a rolled hem on the sleeves and ruffle.

The skirt was a bit trickier. She sewed some of the ruffles on and then I finished it up. She loved it so much that she wants to make one for her cousin (shhh, don’t tell 😉 ).

All those ruffles make it super fun to wear! Have you made anything with your kids lately?