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in Arts and Crafts· Beginners· Behind the scenes· Guest Blog Post· Sewing

That time I tested the W-Under Woman cloth pad pattern

The weather outside is frightful (hmmm, kinda), but the fire is so delightful (yeah, no, definitely not fire weather this side of the equator), and since we’ve no place to go (thanks corona), let us sew let us sew let us sew ?

What better way to get into the swing of celebrating the festive season than with some uber festive cloth pads (the red dawn doesn’t care what season it is so might as well be prepared) :b

Pretty much started out like any other testing pattern day…send file to the Husbander for him to print; instructions gets printed; Husbander gives me the printouts; put printouts down somewhere; survey fabric options; decide that I’m ready to begin; struggle to remember where printouts are; hunt entire house for printouts; find printouts; start reading through printouts; realize it’s missing the pattern pieces; ask Husbander to print pattern pieces; pattern pieces printed; move sewing projects, random toys & other things that have now magically appeared in the 10minutes I was away from my sewing space; take a deep breath, ok I think we’re ready.

I took the instruction’s advice (make sure to read through the instructions more than once) & measured (more like eyeballed) one of my current cloth pads so that the ones I’m making can be similar in size (plus it gives me a visual for construction). After umming & aaahing for a bit I settled on the 2.75” pattern pieces at a 10”inch length, & I’ll be attempting the 3 different core options (exposed, visible, & hidden), because I like being extra like that.

Cut out pattern pieces, added tape, making sure everything has been connected with the precision of advanced OCD…easy peesy lemon squeezy. 

Cotton woven top, bamboo/cotton fleecy fabrics underneath

Delve into the depths of my fabric containers for suitable fabrics, message your sewing person to double check you’re using the correct fabrics, delve back into the depths because that piece of fleece you spotted before will come in handy & let the cutting begin! 

Honestly out of the whole process I think the cutting & tracing was the most difficult part (thank goodness) although truth be told I’m probably using the wrong thread, most definitely the wrong needle, the fabric is also questionable, but honestly I’m ploughing through a lot of fears here & it actually feels great so might as well give all the different stitches a try (I don’t think I’ve ever used an overcast stitch…where have you been all my life!!! And it actually came out looking pretty good). 

So after all the stressing & worrying about making mistakes, wondering if they’ll look any good, hoping my machine doesn’t give me a mini heart attack when a needle breaks (no needles were harmed in the making of these cloth pads- hooray! Don’t forget channeling stitches & pressing seams are your friends) I think these came out pretty marvelous & best of all, no-one died! Can’t wait to give these festivenessnessnessnesses a try. Hope you’ll attempt them too!

Happy Sewing!

V

Not too shabby

in Capsule Wardrobe· Flosstyle Patterns· Pattern Hack· Sew Along· Sew For kids· Sewing for Baby· Sewing for Boys· Sprouts· Trees· Tutorials· Uncategorized· Zoo

Pajamas – Winter Sewing Series – Sewing The Facing and Top 02

This series will show you how to make snuggly pajamas for your little ones this winter in the Southern Hemisphere! See my previous blogpost on hacking the Zoo pattern to make a facing.

In this post we will go through the steps to sew up the Zoo PJ top for my son. I have made a few changes to the construction and shall note them throughout.

Step 1: Pin facing right sides together at the shoulder seams. Sew them together with 1/4″ or 7mm seam allowance.

Repeat this with shoulder seams of the top too. Finish the rew edges with a serger or zigzag stitch.

Step 2: Interface your snap placket pieces and face the short ends right sides together, pin and sew 1/4″ or 7mm. Trim seam allowance to turn out sharp corners. Turn right side out and press well.

Step 3: Pin the placket raw edges along the raw edges of the top front. Then take the facing and pin right sides together around the neckline, then thr front, sandwiching the placket inbetween.

See that the shoulder seams on the facing and top are nested inopposite directions to reduce bulk.

Step 4: Sew from the bottom of one front around the neckline and down the opposite front. See image bottom right – sew 1/2″ or 1cm hem seam allowance – ONLY of the facing and hem. See bottom left – Trim back the seam allwance at the corners of the hem facing and neckline facing.

Step 5: Turn the facing towards the inside of the top. Press and Topstitich 1/8″ or 3mm around the top next to the snap placket and around the neckline.

Memory press the hem at this stage.

Step 6: Attaching the sleeves right sides together matching the halfway point to the shoulder seam. Serger, sew. (Do not catch the facing in the shoulder seam.)

Step 7: Once the shoulder is sewed. Place the sleeve and side of the top right side togther. Nest the armpit seams to reduce bulk. Sew or serge from the bottom of the top up the sleeve.

Step 8: I changed the construction and hemmed by overlocking the hem and with the facing stitches the hem naturally wants to curl under. Press and topstitch down.

Step 9: Overlap the snap placket as per the instructions for either boys and girls. Add your snaps evenly as per the instructions.

Step 10: Arm cuff. As per insdtructions sew the cuff on.

Congratulations! Your Pajama top is complete. I love the finish and my son keeps asking me to wear them. So I better make some more! I would suggest using flannel, fleece or even a quilting cotton for warmer weather.

Happy Sewing – Stay tuned for my sprouts Pajamas pants blogpost next!

Tash

“IMPORTANT: Most nations have strict regulations surrounding children’s sleepwear – in order to sell it, it must meet certain fire resistant standards, in both fabric content and construction/fit. Please do not sell anything you make from this pattern without first checking to see that you have adhered to those regulations. Even for personal use, it is a good idea to be aware of the standards and choose your fabric/fit accordingly. (snug fit is important if not using flame retardant fabric, per most government regulations)”