Handmade Therapy Has Moved

I've moved!  You can now find my website and blog at http://www.handmadetherapy.ca  Come check me out there for new posts!

The Anywhere Dress

 

 I have a new all time favorite sewing pattern.  It's the Anywhere Dress by Go To Patterns 

It has tons of options as far as length goes, sleeves, etc.  The first one I made came together in less than an hour. I've made a couple more since then I can now pump one out in about 40 minutes.  Not bad.  To be able to whip out a dress or shirt in under an hour makes it worthwhile to me to make my kids' clothes as opposed to buying them, which isn't always the case.

 The first one I made was the standard length the pattern gave.  For the second one I extended the length for more of a dress.

Ara loves her new dresses and after I made the first one she said "Mommy, you can make me lots and lots of these in so many different colors!".  Perfect.

What have you sewn lately?  What's on your sewing list?

Spring Is a Coming...

 radishes in a cold frame

spinach in a cold frame

 

garlic coming up

 can't wait for strawberries again

bees are out and about

rhubarb

Number 9 Trousers

I bought some really nice denim about a month ago with the intention of sewing pants for my boys.  They literally go through a pair of store bought jeans in 2 weeks.  I'm not kidding.  They just wear out at the knees.  I've taken to feeling the knees on every pair of jeans I see in stores just to try and find ones that are nice and thick and I've yet to have found that magic pair.  I actually am suspicious that jean companies are making them thinner on the knees ;)

Anyway my point being that maybe if I made pants for the boys they will last longer.  These will be the test.

 

 
The pattern I used is the Number 9 Trousers by ShwinDesigns.  I've made several of their patterns (like the Lucy Top) and while I love their designs I usually have a bit of a hard time following their instructions. Not that they aren't clear but simply because my sewing style and way of thinking through a project is different.  The only part I really had trouble with on these trousers was the back pockets. I ended up only putting one in on side which actually looks pretty cute.

This was the first time I've used darts for a better fit on clothes and I love them.  They make everything fit better and look more professional.

This guy was totally thrilled with his new pants and had a great time being a little goofy for the camera.

 

 

Here's my breakdown of the project to see if in the long run it's worth it to sew them their pants or not.

Material costs: approximately $6.00

Pattern cost: $9.00

Time spent: 3 hours

First run, probably not worth it.  However the next time I make the same pattern it should take me a lot less time to sew as well as not costing me anything for the pattern again.  So the more times I make the pants the cheaper they get as long as I'm not spending more on the fabric.

New Dresses

Despite the fun we had ice fishing I'm still itching for Spring so I got some Spring and Summer dresses stitched up and listed in my Kids Shop.

 

 

I had a really hard time cutting into some of these fabrics but that's what it's for right?

What have you been sewing lately?  Are you desperate for full blown Spring?

He's Six!

 

Someone turned 6 last week.  SIX.  It kind of blows my mind but what parent hasn't been shocked by how fast their kid grows up?

He is currently into all things Star Wars, or more specifically Lego Star Wars as that's all we'll let him watch for now.  He also go incredibly spoiled at his Birthday Party so for his gift from us I just sewed him some fun but practical items.  A pillow case and jammies! 

R2D2 is a definite favorite so I placed him on the front and center of the pj's.  The fabric print was really too big for kid jammies but I did what I could.

I kind of love the fabric I used for the pillow case.  It's really nice cotton and the print is perfect.  I can't wait until he's old enough to watch the real Star Wars.

I'm getting kind of lazy when it comes to Birthday cakes.  It's cupcakes now, with homemade toppers.  Simple and cheap.

This is possible the only quiet moment of the whole party....

Ice Fishing

 

We went Ice Fishing as a family for the first time last weekend.  It was a gorgeous, sunny, warm day and the only downside to the entire trip was that we didn't catch anything.  To be honest, no one really minded as it was still a ton of fun and it was great to be out on such a gorgeous day.

It kind of blows my mind how many things Lachlan has already done at 2 months old.  He's been to Saskatchewan, been to the archery range several times, been ice fishing... lucky kid!

Kaed loved every bit of the day.  He was a little bummed we didn't catch anything but that just made him more determined to get out again before the ice is too thin.  I'm guessing we have a week or two left.

 

The coolest part is how the holes in the ice glow when it's dark.  We didn't see much of anything in the water but it was still neat to see.

I spent most of the day watching and snuggling my little man but next year I hope to have a hook in the water too.

 

Travis farmer rigged up some fishing rods the night before we went out.  They were pretty neat, just shaped pieces of wood that would be easy for the kids to "reel" up if they caught anything. The best part is they cost next to nothing to make and take up almost no room to store.  Double score.